Bluff

By: Michael Kardos

Narrated by: Julia Whelan

Length: 7 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

At 27, magician Natalie Webb is already a has-been. A card-trick prodigy, she started touring at 17, took first place at the World of Magic competition at 18, and never reached such heights again. Shunned by the magic world after a disastrous liaison with an older magician, she now lives alone with her pigeons and a pile of overdue bills in a New Jersey apartment. In a desperate ploy to make extra cash, she follows up on an old offer to write a feature magazine article - on the art of cheating at cards.

But when she meets the perfect subject for her article, what begins as a journalistic gamble brings into question everything Natalie thinks she knows about her talent, and herself. Natalie is dazzled by the poker cheat's sleight of hand and soon finds herself facing a proposition that could radically alter her fortune - to help pull off a $1.5 million magic trick that, if done successfully, no one will ever even suspect happened.

With Kardos raising the stakes chapter after chapter, Bluff is a breathtaking work of suspense from a writer at the top of his game.

©2018 Michael Kardos (P)2018 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

No Bluff -- This Book Was Outstanding!

Julia Whelan is one of my favorite narrators and, quite frankly, I could listen to her read the phonebook. And when Julia Whelan reads a book with an incredible plot and superb character development........the book is always impossible to put down. A case in point: I listened to this book in one day.. If I could give it 10 stars, I would do so.

In the beginning, this book seemed like it was a combo of "Molly's Game"( a true story about a woman who made many wrong moves while organizing/hosting poker games) and "The Magician's Lie" (a fictional account about a magician who kills her husband while performing). After the first few chapters, however, it was evident that this book wasn't anything like those two books and really took on a storyline of its own.

I am unable to comment on my favorite parts of this book because I do not want to reveal any spoilers.

I just listened to 4 dud books, so it was very refreshing to listen to a book that was truly extraordinary. I have read two other Michael Kardos books and this was definitely his best one yet.

I highly recommend this book.

Fast and Furious Tale

Great character, one I'd love to read more of. Writing captures the imagination. And the subject matter, magic always makes for a great mystery

Not bad

I know that’s not a catchy review title - But it wasn’t great and it wasn’t terrible.

I think there is a lot that was left on the table at the end. It could still go very bad if the jilted party went to anyone and said anything. That’s as close as I can come without giving anything away. I’m just saying that in the same situation - I wouldn’t just give up like her partner seemingly does.

Anyway - It’s still not bad

Good listen, but falls short of great

This book has an unusual premise, a different plot with some unexpected twists, and some intriguing characters. Interestingly, it falls short because both the author and narrator overplay the hand, trying too hard to build drama and tension instead of just letting the basic story do the work.

Kinda bounced...

between.. not so interested to fascination. Overall
worth it. Especially if magic and gambling interest you.

Always cut the deck

I flew through this audiobook. This is a sneaky story that will have you wanting not to put it down once you get it started. You hate to love our main character with all of her flaws I found myself shouting and sighing at her at times in this book. On the flipside, I found myself loving her being a strong woman during most of the story. There are just times at this book I found myself laughing at our main character and secondary characters as they brought out the humour in this trade. Be prepared as our ending does leave some mystery to the reader however, it answers many of the main questions in the story. This audiobook starts off with some fancy finger work and will not let you go. I found myself getting more excited each time our players were introducing a new slight of hand motion or adding to their heist idea. The narration is top-notch! This is the I don’t know... 30th or so audiobook done by the narrator and she gets better every single time. All of her voices, pauses, and everything she does just adds value to the story by bringing the authors words to life. I especially love her voice for the mail, teenage neighbour character that just seems so IMO. I enjoyed this one and got through it very quickly. I love the quote the author uses. Trust everyone, but always cut the deck! Pick this one up.

Fast Paced Original Story

I really loved this story and characters. It was unique and held my interest. The story was consistently compelling to the very end. So many stories start strong but fizzle, but this kept me listening to the very end. This is one I'll listen to again.

Excellent

Kept me guessing the whole way and I mean it has slight of hand card magic, poker and a heist at the root of it all. All of those are my favorite things.
Plus narration is SUPERB!

Adrenaline rush

I enjoyed the story and the characters as well as the twists and turns.
The main event literally had my heart thumping!

Fabulous

Couldn’t stop listening. You think you know how this will end but a surprise is in store.
Great narrators