Book Review: Red/Black By Rachel Atherton-Charvat

There's reasons why people often gamble away life savings and in this case it's ever present in every morsel of this plot.

This is a vivid and lively approach to a steadily growing problem in a world in which job wages are stagnant, living wages are obsolete, and many are having to work to death to try to make below poverty wages.

In this case we have a wife, mother, and a secret gambler who has a family that's struck by a horrific tragedy.

Sarah is our main character whose marriage to Graeme has seen better days. As we embark on this journey through time we sense trouble in paradise.

Fifteen years ago Sarah had the unimaginable reality of losing her son Ben.
The depression from that incident has caused a revolving set of depression and grief that refuels with gambling losses.

Seb and Izzy her two children are present but not as engaged until dad enters the picture as a narcissist on a mission. His mission involves his own needs being fulfilled.
As he strokes his own ego readers become engaged in another incident that sets the whole world ablaze.

It's a insane ending that results in heightened awareness to the common belief system in everything happening for a reason.

I love the back and forth tug and pull between the characters, the drama, the increasing tension with each flip of the page.

An interesting premise, a thickening plot, a suspenseful ending leads this to a four star review.