Fools Die
by Mario Puzo


From a reviewer on Amazon.com
Fools Die is set in Las Vegas. It deals with four friends who all meet in Las Vegas. Jordan traveled to Las Vegas to escape his homelife where his wife was leaving him. Merlyn "The Magician" went to Las Vegas to take a break and relax. Cully worked for the casino and overlooked the casino floor. Diane was a hooker for the casino. The book starts with one night, Jordan starts a lucky streak. By the end of the night, he obtained over $400,000. While his three other friends made arrangements for Jordan to leave the city, Jordan pulled out a gun that he had brought, and killed himself.

The book continues with telling stories about Cully and Merlyn. It shows their struggles, and how they start to recieve power. Cully becomes the casino manager's right hand man, but eventually decieves him to gain more power. Merlyn gets a job enlisting people into the six-month army reserve program. He becomes a crook by accepting bribes for people who are low on the list and do not want to become drafted into the army. By taking the bribes, Merlyn moves the people up on the list. Eventually, the FBI catches onto the scheme, and investigates. Merlyn, now a very wealthy man, quits his job.

Many other great characters are met during the book, especially the world famous author Osano, whom Merlyn starts to work for.

This book works on many levels. It is romance, thriller, crime, and dark comedy all rolled into one great book.


Reserved for The Under-100 Bookbox of Literature/Fiction

I took this out of the Under-100 Bookbox a couple months ago and forgot to journal it. It's with me in Sydney, Australia now. I think I have identified the perfect place to release it here, watch this space...

Mario Puzo writes brilliantly although his prose is occasionally cliche-laden. This, however is one of my faves of his, up there with The Godfather. I enjoyed how he tied together two people who met randomly and are connected for tragic reasons. The back and forth between third person and first person from Merlyn's perspective was quite interesting. I would have liked to hear a bit more about Diane, shame she was such a bit character. Meant to release this at Star City Casino but didn't finish it in time.

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

Leaving at the December Sydney BCer meetup.

Picked up from bookdrinks last night. Thanks valerief!

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

No time to read this one, so left it in the Bookcrossing basket at Lilliblack Cafe today during a very nice impromptu bookcrossing brunch.

Happy hunting/reading!