God Doesn't Shoot Craps
Publisher Description
Meet Danny Pellegrino, a junk-mail con man who has made a good living selling fake gambling systems to gullible people. But when he discovers that his latest "scam" actually works, he suddenly becomes the world's most wanted man as he races to build a fortune before someone discovers his secret. Based on Parrondo's Paradox -- an actual game theory that is turning heads among scientists -- "God Doesn't Shoot Craps" is a hilarious and thoughtful novel about trying to make it big while saving your own soul. A comedy thriller in the manner of Carl Hiassen or Janet Evanovich. "Madcap chicanery, gaming systems theorizing and casino settings will make it entertaining distraction for hopeful high rollers flying to Vegas." -- Publisher's Weekly, January 30, 2006
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
After years of peddling profitable direct-mail get-rich-quick schemes to gullible customers, divorced, middle-aged grifter Danny Pellegrino finds himself scrambling for a new angle in Armstrong's absorbing if woodenly written debut. He goes into business with rich, aging inventor Virgil Kirk, the spiritually inclined author of a supposedly foolproof craps gambling system based on a mathematical principle called Win by Losing. Only after Danny launches a junk-mail effort does he secretly discover Virgil's system to be a gold mine. Wanting the jackpot for himself, Danny sends out apology letters to potential customers, deceives Virgil and eludes postal service fraud attorney Richard Goldman and David Invidia, a disillusioned Atlantic City casino host. Once word gets out about the easy money to be made using Virgil's system, mobsters want in, and they want Danny out for good. A dash for the bright lights of Sin City puts Danny in hot water, but not for long, as mob royalty and government forces tangle with one another instead of Danny. The novel's madcap chicanery, gaming systems theorizing and casino settings will make it entertaining distraction for hopeful high rollers flying Jet Blue to Vegas.
