First published 1990
Bill Pronzini's "Jackpot" opens with Matt Striker, a down-on-his-luck gambler, on the verge of financial ruin. Desperate to pay off mounting debts, he hatches a bold plan to rob a high-stakes poker game. But when the heist goes wrong, Striker finds himself on the run, pursued by ruthless mobsters and a dogged detective. With time running out and the stakes higher than ever, Striker must outwit his enemies and pull off an impossible score to save himself and the woman he loves.
Genres: mystery, crime, thriller, action
Vibes: dark, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: cat-and-mouse, high-stakes
Setting: San Francisco, California
222 pages · Paperback · Delacorte Press