Wicked Games

by Charles Welch

Being supremely wealthy is not all it’s cracked up to be… Once you have every single possession your heart desires, once you have no room in any of your garages for yet another super car, and you do not need another mansion in another exclusive neighborhood… Once your money has corrupted your sense of morality… When wealth can no longer keep your evil heart content… What do you do for fun? What do the rich do to entertain themselves? The Club. The elite, the wealthiest of the rich, have an ultra-exclusive club. The Club affords its members a reprieve from the mundane, from boredom. It offers them entertainment through the elimination of an enemy, or anyone else that their hearts desire. Someone in The Club desires to eliminate Gianna Ricci. Someone wants her dead. But who? And why? Gianna will soon find out what the elite, the superbly wealthy do for entertainment. Gianna will find out that those around her are not always who they seem to be. Gianna will come to know what the elite do for fun… They play Wicked Games.

302 pages, Paperback

Published January 5, 2026

About the author

Charles Welch has been a home designer and builder, a middle school and high school teacher, education administrator, corporate learning and development professional and writer, previously publishing the spiritual book Walking Softly. His formal education includes a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science Teaching, a Master of Education in Learning and Technology, and an Educational Doctorate in eLearning.

Reviews

[Peter Topside]

This was a fun outing. Lots of suspense and basically a nonstop thrillride. The beginning was a little tough to hang with, as we are exposed to several detailed chapters on victims of this mysterious wealthy organization. None of it served a purpose, beyond just being part of an evergrowing body count. But once it got to Gianna at the bagel shop, the story navigated to a much better spot. And she was a very likeable main character. She’s coming from a priveleged, yet troubled family, still battling her needy and manipulative aunt and sister. But she’s clear-headed, headstrong, and has a good heart. Now when she is pulled into the ugly cat and mouse game with Manny and Madison, she demonstrates the same resilience that got her through the earlier parts of her life. So with all the running around and deceiving, there were several instances that were a little too unbelievable, but nothing that hurt the fast pace and tone of the story. And there was a ton of missed opportunities to expand on this organization that targets people to be killed by the rich, or they, themselves, are killed. There could have been a ton of built in lore, and while we got some tidbits, there was too much mystery and not enough substance. But Charles Welch had a good showing here overall.

[Cheryl (Super Slump)]

This is a 4.5 star read.

Omg ..... this was fricken awesome! There really are some sick fuckers in this world and the book has such an original plot for a horror read.

The novella warmed up with a couple of small "stories" chapters which gave the reader an insight into how the plot would pan out before starting a much longer, more in depth story. This latter story gave the reader a chance to become invested in some of the characters, both innocent and significantly twisted.

And although the novella could have become a gore fest, the author gave you a glimpse of the horrors to come without leaving the reader blood spattered.

I definitely recommend this for horror lovers that appreciate looking at the depraved side of humanity, excellent pacing and tension ratcheted to the max in the conclusion. I'm really enjoying what this author has been offering in the horror field, it feels very fresh.

[Sea Caummisar]

The idea behind this book is genius. Rich people killing off enemies of other rich people. Yep. That's an instant sign me up to read this. I wish there had been more gore, but that's the extreme lover in me coming out.
What I got here was a detailed story with character and world development, a cat and mouse game of attacker and victim. What more could you want?

[Laverne Hankins]

Grusome and unbelievable.

Hard to put into words what I think of this. Surprisingly, I finished it. A brutal tale about the rich and their games.

[Nicole Yatsushiro ( AquariaReads_ )]

Once I started reading it, I couldn’t put it down. I love reading about mega rich people turning to murder for entertainment because that is actually what i really imagine them doing in their free time.

However, unlike other books and movies or shows I have watched where the “rich people” don’t really get their hands dirty.. in this one its the other way around which I love about the story and the fact that victims aren’t random is the cherry on top for me.

And also I really enjoyed mr. Welch’s way of writing because its really engaging and straight to the point without any unnecessary details.


**spoiler alert

BUT THAT ENDING THO! 😭
As much as I loved and enjoyed the book
The ending felt rushed. And the twist felt forced —not that I was surprised it was her sister lol the moment I learned about the sister and her and the money I knew right away — the twist im talking about is the call ainsley received and the instruction that she has to kill her nominated.

It felt out of the blue... because at the beginning the club was set out to be very strict with their rules and one of the things they emphasized is that the nominee cannot ever be involved in killing their nominated. So it really did not make sense at all…

Originally I rated this 5 stars but had to give it 3.5 stars because after letting the story sink in .. i just had to.

Overall I ENJOYED IT AND WOULD STILL RECOMMEND IT TO PEOPLE ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO are new to these kind of stories. And would read more from this author!

[Zelda]

This book is a mixture of horror, thriller and action. The story picks up pace right from the start. The start of the book is truly horrific, and full of graphic violence. This, personally, put me off a little bit, but the rest of the book is more subtle and more like a thriller/action novel. Gianna, the protagonist, who is on someone's hit list, proves to be more brave, tough and resilient than some people expected her to be. She also picks up some new friends from unexpected quarters, who play a huge part in her survival. If only she knew whose hit list she really was on. The book ends with a possible opening for a sequel. I really enjoyed reading this book and recommend it for anyone who enjoys a mixture of horror, thriller and action novels.

[Ron D]

Bravo

I read another of Mr. Welch’s that didn’t appeal to me, and won’t re-review it here; but this one had the right stuff. The four stars is for originality in the plot. Next comes the characters I was invested in, and lastly the scene settings. The scene settings needed work to bring the story to life. I personally believe this story could have been stretched with more verbiage. The ending was a little too abrupt for me. It came off like a short story. It would have been interesting to follow the antagonists, a little more before they left us.

[Denise]

A thrilling and dramatic read

'Wicked Games' took me by surprise. Very thrilling. I had an idea of who was behind the nomination, but it still surprised me. The characters were great. Gianna made the perfect lead. She's kind, truly cares about other people and doesn't use her money to influence her life. Well written and well played out. Definitely recommended. A great add to your tbr list.

[Patty U.]

Very good book

I enjoy reading books with this concept. Usually I enjoy reading ones with blood and gore, but this one was very satisfying. Can you imagine if this really takes place? Would love to see this become a series. Hopefully that's what the two chapters were about at the end of the book.

[Barbara Williams]

Intriguingly sick

Okay, this was a riveting read. But the more I read the more my stomach roiled. Very reminiscent of books by Matt Shaw. That same very macabre mind set. Beware!

[Melissa Cerrito]

Fantastic

THIS BOOK WAS FANTASTIC!!! I-could barely put it down. It kept me guessing till the very end who had nominated her to be murdered. Over all a must read if you want a book you don’t want to put down.

[Gloria Teague]

I liked this

For the first time in awhile, here's a book that captured my attention on page one, and held on throughout the book. A great, twisted concept for a story. Now, off to check other books by this author

[Debra H. Wruble]

Intense

Really intense and scary. A group of people nominate murder victims to be killed by their group, a murder club. Very graphic videos are uploaded for members to watch. Great read

[Erica smith]

Decent book

The whole time I was thinking this book was going to be extreme horror but instead reminded me of jessi and James from Pokemon . Wasn't what I was expecting but I liked it .

[Christel Owens]

Very interesting concept

I enjoyed this book (similar to a crime show on television which is my favorite television to watch). Again kept me ready for the next page trying to see where it ended. This is an author I think I will revisit

[jeanie c. riley]

Let the games begin! Wonder how the author thought this up!?

Wealthy are so bored and this game is what they come up with!? I vote for the underdog! Mr Welch has quite the imagination!

[Marla]

I loved every second of this wickedly juicy thriller! I would love to read a sequel to see what happens next with Gianna and Ainsley. Also I would like DJ and Josies story to continue.

[Penny]

Wickedly good!

Twists and turns keep this gruesome game from becoming predictable! Enjoy the suspense and darkness the author creates with this page turning quick read.

[Rhonda Caston]

Page Turner!

Great story. It held my attention and made me want to read more. Oh well off to shopping for more of Mr. Welch’s stories!!

[Mailmanr5]

This is an okay story but it is not written well. The dialogue is off and the characters are a bit shallow. T moves along quickly though.

[Bill]

Wealthy people play a game in which they are given a person to torture and kill. Failure resiults in death of wealthy person

[LORRIE]

Fnatastic

This was an exciting, dangerous and thrilling read. Gianna wasn't sure who she could turn to. Luckily she had good friends.

[Roger]

Good read.

[paulette sarelli]

Great thriller

This story kept you engaged until the end. Lots of drama and intrigue. What a twist at the end that her sister was the one who put a hit out on her. Great read!

[Liza]

I wasn't sure at the start. A couple of elements were treated very quickly but then the main story started.

Who wants Gianna dead and why? There were lots of twists in this mystery.

Great book