by Mario Puzo
First published 1979
Merlin Rosenthal survives by his wits in the neon-drenched world of Las Vegas casinos, where every roll of the dice could mean life or death. A professional gambler with dangerous connections, he navigates a treacherous landscape of mobsters, showgirls, and desperate dreamers. When a high-stakes game pulls him into a complex web of criminal alliances, Merlin must decide how far he'll go to protect his own survival. His choices will cost him more than money—they'll demand his soul. In a city built on chance, Merlin learns that some bets can never be walked away from.
Genres: fiction, mystery, crime, thriller
Vibes: dark, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: anti-hero, high-stakes
Setting: Sicily
Period: 20th-Century
531 pages · Mass Market Paperback · Signet
Content warnings: violence