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The Desire Card
Any wish fulfilled for the right price. That's the promise the organization behind The Desire Card gives to its elite clients - but sometimes the price may be more menacing than anyone could ever imagine. Harrison Stockton has lived an adult life of privilege and excess: a high-powered job on Wall Street fuels his fondness for alcohol and pills at the expense of a family he has no time for. Quite suddenly all of this comes crashing to a halt when he loses his job and at the same time discovers he almost certainly has only months left to live. Desperate, and with seemingly nowhere else left to turn, Harrison activates his Desire Card. What follows is a gritty and gripping quest that takes him from New York City to the slums of Mumbai and forces him to take chances, and make decisions, he never thought he'd ever have to face. When his moral descent threatens his wife and children, Harrison must decide whether to save himself at any cost, or do what's right and break his bargain with the mysterious group behind The Desire Card.
The Desire Card is a taut fast-paced thriller, from internationally acclaimed author Lee Matthew Goldberg, that explores what a man will do to survive when money isn't always enough to get everything he desires.
The Desire Card is a taut fast-paced thriller, from internationally acclaimed author Lee Matthew Goldberg, that explores what a man will do to survive when money isn't always enough to get everything he desires.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 21, 2019
5 people are currently reading
990 people want to read
About the author
Lee Matthew Goldberg
29 books1,452 followersLee Matthew Goldberg is the author of fourteen novels including THE ANCESTOR and THE MENTOR along with his five-book DESIRE CARD series. His YA series RUNAWAY TRAIN is currently in script development with actress Raegan Revord from TVs Young Sheldon off his original written pilot. The GREAT GIMMELMANS comes out in 2023. He has been published in multiple languages and nominated for an Anthony Award, the Lefty, and the Prix du Polar. After graduating with an MFA from the New School, his writing has also appeared as a contributor in Pipeline Artists, LitHub, The Los Angeles Review of Books, Electric Literature, The Millions, Vol. 1 Brooklyn, LitReactor, Mystery Tribune, The Big Idea, Monkeybicycle, Fiction Writers Review, Cagibi, Necessary Fiction, Hypertext, If My Book, Past Ten, the anthology Dirty Boulevard, The Montreal Review, The Adirondack Review, The New Plains Review, Maudlin House and others. His pilots and screenplays have been finalists in Script Pipeline, Book Pipeline, Stage 32, We Screenplay, the New York Screenplay, Screencraft, and the Hollywood Screenplay contests. He is the co-curator of The Guerrilla Lit Reading Series and lives in New York City. Follow him at LeeMatthewGoldberg.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
October 26, 2019
It's sad, and intriguing, to see how far someone is willing to go to save their life. How, when money is not a problem, one thinks that it could solve everything. However, reading Harrison's story gave me hope. Hope that even the worst egocentric and self-centered person can change, and do good things. I hope it is true in real life, not just in the book...
This book's twists are impressive. It reads like a race against time, and in a way, it is a race against Harrison's death. It was hard to put down the book to go to sleep, I devoured it in 2 days!
Many thanks to Blackthorn Book Tours for the e-copy of this book! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This book's twists are impressive. It reads like a race against time, and in a way, it is a race against Harrison's death. It was hard to put down the book to go to sleep, I devoured it in 2 days!
Many thanks to Blackthorn Book Tours for the e-copy of this book! Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
October 19, 2019
What a very interesting read! Imaging gorging yourself on alcohol, pills and sometimes women (who aren't your wife - oh the typical life of a high level exec or a man who has a lot of money and feels entitled...)... but your bad habits catch up with you, you get let go from your job and part of your severance is a card that also acts like a phone and is called 'The Desire Card'. Not only is your work life kaput, your home life is beyond terrible and now you've found out you are going to die soon (all because of your own doing). So what do you do? Why, use the card of course!
Oh poor, poor, rich Harrison. How terrible your life has become and how thankful it is that you have enough money to potentially do something about it. Oh his character is completely deplorable but I was riveted throughout the pages to see if he was ever going to veer in the right direction. I was equally fascinated with The Desire Card and how any desire could be fulfilled... as long as you can pay the price. The rich get richer, the poor are used and just wow. It's a fine showing of the different classes and what people may go through.
The detailed somber tone of the his trip to Mumbai was superbly written by the author. Very harrowing. Very sad but the visuals the writing gave certainly made me FEEL. Uff. And the subject matter the author touches on for the reasoning of the trip, is all too real of thing that happens. It's terrifying and unfortunately a part of life that happens. You'll have to read this to know what I'm talking about.
In any matter - I really did like seeing Harrison's character go through everything that he did. How his wife reacted towards him. And honestly, I thoroughly enjoyed how it ended because I was going to be mad if it went in the direction I thought it was at first. Definitely would recommend this read.
Oh poor, poor, rich Harrison. How terrible your life has become and how thankful it is that you have enough money to potentially do something about it. Oh his character is completely deplorable but I was riveted throughout the pages to see if he was ever going to veer in the right direction. I was equally fascinated with The Desire Card and how any desire could be fulfilled... as long as you can pay the price. The rich get richer, the poor are used and just wow. It's a fine showing of the different classes and what people may go through.
The detailed somber tone of the his trip to Mumbai was superbly written by the author. Very harrowing. Very sad but the visuals the writing gave certainly made me FEEL. Uff. And the subject matter the author touches on for the reasoning of the trip, is all too real of thing that happens. It's terrifying and unfortunately a part of life that happens. You'll have to read this to know what I'm talking about.
In any matter - I really did like seeing Harrison's character go through everything that he did. How his wife reacted towards him. And honestly, I thoroughly enjoyed how it ended because I was going to be mad if it went in the direction I thought it was at first. Definitely would recommend this read.
June 30, 2019
Hi and welcome to my stop on the blogtour for The Desire Card! First of all: thanks to Emma Welton from #damppebblesblogtours for the invitation and to Fahrenheit Press for the e-copy!
Check out the full review with GIFs here: https://frombelgiumwithbooklove.com/b...
It’s hard to review this book and not spill the beans so I’m going to keep it vague. It all kicks off with Harrison being fired and getting a Desire Card as part of his severance pay: whatever he needs, he just has to call the number on the card and make his wish, and if he agrees to pay the price he is told he’ll have to pay, his wish is granted.
Now, I must say, I had a bit of a love/hate thing going on with Harrison. It’s hard to explain why without giving anything away but I sometimes felt like he was being so incredibly stupid, making all the wrong choices when the right options were wide open, or crying because of a situation he was entirely responsible for and I just wanted to yell at him and kick him and force him to man up. Only to find myself commiserating with him and feeling sorry for him a few chapters later. He’s quite the complicated character, our Harrison. Frankly, The Desire Card could have been a short story instead of a novel if Harrison had made the right wish at the right time, but well, where would be the fun in that.
Any fans of The Simpsons in the audience today? I loved The Simpsons back in the day, especially the Halloween specials, the Treehouse of Horror episodes. In one of those episodes, the Simpson family goes to Morocco and Homer buys a magic monkey’s paw that grants wishes.
Before long, the wishes start to backfire, even the most altruistic one: Lisa wishes for world peace, her wish comes true, but there’s an alien invasion in its wake. Why am I telling you this? Because while reading The Desire Card I kept seeing that monkey’s paw before my mind’s eye. I mean, have we learnt nothing from our favourite yellow family? And did we not listen when Ursula told our favourite little mermaid that everything comes at a price? Clearly I listened. Clearly Harrison did not. Clearly, Harrison believes that if he pays the price he is asked to pay, he will be okay. Less rich perhaps, but otherwise fine. Oh Harrison, the world does not work that way. There are no kind, altruistic grantors of wishes who look like this:
Let alone like this:
Instead, there’s this:
If you’re asking yourself what the problem is with Clark Gable, well, our friend Clark here is the head of the Desire Card company, an organisation that grants wishes. He is a wealthy man who is not in this business to help poor, innocent, unfortunate people, he just wants to make more money. I imagine he’s the kind of man you tell: over my dead body! And he just nods once, very stoically and then has one of his goons shoot you dead. Obviously, this ringleader is not really Clark Gable, he’s just a man hiding behind a Clark Gable mask, and seeing that mask means you’ve fucked up spectacularly and shit is about to hit the fan. Bigtime. Who this man is, well, I did figure it out at about 80% in, but frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn, this was one of those instances where it didn’t spoil my fun in the least.
This was such a thrilling ride. It was a disaster waiting to happen, it was a freight train heading for a collapsed bridge and you’re just waiting with bated breath for catastrophe to hit. Dark, original, recommended.
The Desire Card is available directly from Fahrenheit Press in paperback and eBook (Kindle version and ePub), or from Amazon here.
ICYMI: Fahrenheit Press has a new policy: whenever you buy a paperback directly from their store, they’ll offer you the eBook version of the same book for FREE!
Check out the full review with GIFs here: https://frombelgiumwithbooklove.com/b...
It’s hard to review this book and not spill the beans so I’m going to keep it vague. It all kicks off with Harrison being fired and getting a Desire Card as part of his severance pay: whatever he needs, he just has to call the number on the card and make his wish, and if he agrees to pay the price he is told he’ll have to pay, his wish is granted.
Now, I must say, I had a bit of a love/hate thing going on with Harrison. It’s hard to explain why without giving anything away but I sometimes felt like he was being so incredibly stupid, making all the wrong choices when the right options were wide open, or crying because of a situation he was entirely responsible for and I just wanted to yell at him and kick him and force him to man up. Only to find myself commiserating with him and feeling sorry for him a few chapters later. He’s quite the complicated character, our Harrison. Frankly, The Desire Card could have been a short story instead of a novel if Harrison had made the right wish at the right time, but well, where would be the fun in that.
Any fans of The Simpsons in the audience today? I loved The Simpsons back in the day, especially the Halloween specials, the Treehouse of Horror episodes. In one of those episodes, the Simpson family goes to Morocco and Homer buys a magic monkey’s paw that grants wishes.
Before long, the wishes start to backfire, even the most altruistic one: Lisa wishes for world peace, her wish comes true, but there’s an alien invasion in its wake. Why am I telling you this? Because while reading The Desire Card I kept seeing that monkey’s paw before my mind’s eye. I mean, have we learnt nothing from our favourite yellow family? And did we not listen when Ursula told our favourite little mermaid that everything comes at a price? Clearly I listened. Clearly Harrison did not. Clearly, Harrison believes that if he pays the price he is asked to pay, he will be okay. Less rich perhaps, but otherwise fine. Oh Harrison, the world does not work that way. There are no kind, altruistic grantors of wishes who look like this:
Let alone like this:
Instead, there’s this:
If you’re asking yourself what the problem is with Clark Gable, well, our friend Clark here is the head of the Desire Card company, an organisation that grants wishes. He is a wealthy man who is not in this business to help poor, innocent, unfortunate people, he just wants to make more money. I imagine he’s the kind of man you tell: over my dead body! And he just nods once, very stoically and then has one of his goons shoot you dead. Obviously, this ringleader is not really Clark Gable, he’s just a man hiding behind a Clark Gable mask, and seeing that mask means you’ve fucked up spectacularly and shit is about to hit the fan. Bigtime. Who this man is, well, I did figure it out at about 80% in, but frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn, this was one of those instances where it didn’t spoil my fun in the least.
This was such a thrilling ride. It was a disaster waiting to happen, it was a freight train heading for a collapsed bridge and you’re just waiting with bated breath for catastrophe to hit. Dark, original, recommended.
The Desire Card is available directly from Fahrenheit Press in paperback and eBook (Kindle version and ePub), or from Amazon here.
ICYMI: Fahrenheit Press has a new policy: whenever you buy a paperback directly from their store, they’ll offer you the eBook version of the same book for FREE!
October 27, 2019
Harrison's life is falling apart. Faced with a crumbling marriage, a failing liver, and loss of his job, he makes a choice that will effect not just the rest of his life but put others in danger as well.
With his wife too wrapped up in her activities, and his kids grown accustomed to his frequent absences none of them notice how seriously ill he has become, and he chooses not to share his diagnosis. Normally I'd have had some sympathy for such a character but Harrison was such an unlikable and weak willed person it was hard to muster up much concern for his well being. However, the events that unfolded after he received his "Desire card" as part of his severance were intriguing enough to keep me glued to these pages through the surprising reveal at the end. Regardless of my feelings for Harrison the author did a great job of conveying his sheer heart pounding terror and desperation.
I received a complimentary copy for review.
With his wife too wrapped up in her activities, and his kids grown accustomed to his frequent absences none of them notice how seriously ill he has become, and he chooses not to share his diagnosis. Normally I'd have had some sympathy for such a character but Harrison was such an unlikable and weak willed person it was hard to muster up much concern for his well being. However, the events that unfolded after he received his "Desire card" as part of his severance were intriguing enough to keep me glued to these pages through the surprising reveal at the end. Regardless of my feelings for Harrison the author did a great job of conveying his sheer heart pounding terror and desperation.
I received a complimentary copy for review.
April 7, 2019
Mr. Goldberg's first book, The Mentor blew my mind. I could not read that book fast enough. In fact, I was raving about it for quite some time afterwards. It stuck with me so much that when I saw this newest book, I could not wait to get my hands on it to read it. This book is sadly not the same level as the prior novel.
While, I did like this book, the intensity is what I felt was missing for me personally. It would start to get up there but than never fully hit the gas. Harrison is one of those guys that you like to hate but at the same time you kind of feel bad when horrible things happen to him. Yes, he was a terrible father and husband but it is not like his wife or children were that likable.
The beginning started out strong and than it kind of went downhill and slowed to a steady pace until the last half of the story. This is where the pacing picked up again. Warning: "Be careful what you wish for."
While, I did like this book, the intensity is what I felt was missing for me personally. It would start to get up there but than never fully hit the gas. Harrison is one of those guys that you like to hate but at the same time you kind of feel bad when horrible things happen to him. Yes, he was a terrible father and husband but it is not like his wife or children were that likable.
The beginning started out strong and than it kind of went downhill and slowed to a steady pace until the last half of the story. This is where the pacing picked up again. Warning: "Be careful what you wish for."
June 13, 2019
This is a gripping thriller that had me hooked from its intense opening sequence! It was incredibly difficult to close the book and look away from the train wreck as things not only start off bad for Harrison, but continue to get so much worse.
While largely a tale of one man's quest to determine what it is that he truly desires when life comes to a crash landing, this is certainly a fascinating exploration into the role of the highly unlikeable character! Harrison is repugnant, vile, and self-absorbed. But, the entire cast of characters is just as duplicitous and flawed that as awful as Harrison is, the actions and behaviors of those surrounding him are just as egregious, if not more so. Ultimately, the total disregard to humanity displayed by almost everyone makes you have some empathy for Harrison! The degrees of their unlikeability vary considerably, yet they all leave a bad taste in your mouth. Everyone is making horrible choices when it comes to the seven deadly vices, but gradually, Harrison's descent stirs the guilt needed for him to reevaluate his life and outlook, striking a hopeful tone towards a whirlwind conclusion.
Compelling, compulsively readable, and I can't wait for the next ride!
Many thanks to the author and Pump Up Your Book Blog Tours. This review and more special features can be found on That's What She's Reading blog at thatswhatshesreading.com.
While largely a tale of one man's quest to determine what it is that he truly desires when life comes to a crash landing, this is certainly a fascinating exploration into the role of the highly unlikeable character! Harrison is repugnant, vile, and self-absorbed. But, the entire cast of characters is just as duplicitous and flawed that as awful as Harrison is, the actions and behaviors of those surrounding him are just as egregious, if not more so. Ultimately, the total disregard to humanity displayed by almost everyone makes you have some empathy for Harrison! The degrees of their unlikeability vary considerably, yet they all leave a bad taste in your mouth. Everyone is making horrible choices when it comes to the seven deadly vices, but gradually, Harrison's descent stirs the guilt needed for him to reevaluate his life and outlook, striking a hopeful tone towards a whirlwind conclusion.
"It'd make sense if we have many different paths that might lie ahead based on the kind of person we are. If we're cruel to others, or if our lives are purely driven by temptation, then our path will be torturous. Maybe not right away, but eventually."The author's writing style is engaging and seamlessly connects the idea of karma throughout, driving us to consider exactly what we would do at every twist and turn of Harrison's dilemma. This fast-paced story is driven by its frenetic energy that is only further enhanced by the constant juxtaposition of the gritty realism of everyday life to the mysterious and illusive nature of the secret organization behind the Desire Card. The keen descriptive language creates such visual appeal in setting the scene that you'll often feel as though you're watching this unfold on the big screen! This imagery adds so many layers to the themes and dynamics expressed during the course of the story.
Compelling, compulsively readable, and I can't wait for the next ride!
Many thanks to the author and Pump Up Your Book Blog Tours. This review and more special features can be found on That's What She's Reading blog at thatswhatshesreading.com.
October 31, 2019
I don’t know how to begin to tell you all how much I loved The Desire Card. Lee Matthew Goldberg has woven a tale of the most deceitful and hateful characters that have ever existed in the same novel. Even so, the book is phenomenal.
Harrison, the protagonist, is a man with no redeeming qualities. He is the worst kind of man, and I couldn’t stand him. Throughout the entire novel, he makes one selfish decision after another selfish decision and never redeems himself. However, there is one even more dastardly than Harrison, and his name is Jay. After a few encounters with Jay, you automatically must root for Harrison.
The Desire Card organization is evil in every way. If you have one of their cards, you simply push a button and become connected to anything you may desire. While this seems a fantastic treat, there is always a price to pay. When these people get their hooks in you, your life will never be the same, and you better hope that you never cross them.
Goldberg takes us on a journey around the world. Every place he described felt as if I were right there. When he described the slums of Mumbai, I could feel myself beginning to gag from the sights and smells of the place even though I have never stepped foot in India. The beaches of the Dominican Republic are as serene as the slums were filthy.
I am pleased to award The Desire Card 5 out of 5 stars. Mr. Goldberg captivated me from the first page, and I could not put the book down. This novel has left me wanting more, which is lucky, as I have just learned that this is only the first book in what will be a 5-book series. I urge you to read this book. It is fantastic!
Harrison, the protagonist, is a man with no redeeming qualities. He is the worst kind of man, and I couldn’t stand him. Throughout the entire novel, he makes one selfish decision after another selfish decision and never redeems himself. However, there is one even more dastardly than Harrison, and his name is Jay. After a few encounters with Jay, you automatically must root for Harrison.
The Desire Card organization is evil in every way. If you have one of their cards, you simply push a button and become connected to anything you may desire. While this seems a fantastic treat, there is always a price to pay. When these people get their hooks in you, your life will never be the same, and you better hope that you never cross them.
Goldberg takes us on a journey around the world. Every place he described felt as if I were right there. When he described the slums of Mumbai, I could feel myself beginning to gag from the sights and smells of the place even though I have never stepped foot in India. The beaches of the Dominican Republic are as serene as the slums were filthy.
I am pleased to award The Desire Card 5 out of 5 stars. Mr. Goldberg captivated me from the first page, and I could not put the book down. This novel has left me wanting more, which is lucky, as I have just learned that this is only the first book in what will be a 5-book series. I urge you to read this book. It is fantastic!
April 2, 2019
I haven’t read any of Lee Matthew Goldberg’s previous novels but I kept reading good things about this, his latest novel, on social media and decided to give it a go as it sounded a bit different to the usual thrillers that I normally read.
I won’t go over the plot line as the summary on Goodreads tells you everything you need to know about the storyline and does it more justice than I could.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and it is a genuine pager turner, as you race to find out what protagonist Harrison will do to try and extricate himself from the position that he finds himself in. He finds himself unemployed and suffering from a fatal disease from which there is a cure but Harrison decides he can’t wait to be treated and makes a series of bad decisions that not only will have drastic consequences for him but also for his wife and young family which he himself has neglected, due to his high powered job.
Harrison isn’t a very likeable character, as are most of the characters in this novel but you slowly start to gain empathy for him as his situation spirals out of control and he also realises the mistakes he’s made and also how he can possibly try and right those wrongs. However he has to reconcile the Desire Cards operatives first and like all good thrillers there is a twist in the tale that when revealed turns everything on its head but also explains a lot of what has gone on before.
A unique thriller from Goldberg whose other novels I intend exploring now that I’ve discovered a new writer.
I won’t go over the plot line as the summary on Goodreads tells you everything you need to know about the storyline and does it more justice than I could.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and it is a genuine pager turner, as you race to find out what protagonist Harrison will do to try and extricate himself from the position that he finds himself in. He finds himself unemployed and suffering from a fatal disease from which there is a cure but Harrison decides he can’t wait to be treated and makes a series of bad decisions that not only will have drastic consequences for him but also for his wife and young family which he himself has neglected, due to his high powered job.
Harrison isn’t a very likeable character, as are most of the characters in this novel but you slowly start to gain empathy for him as his situation spirals out of control and he also realises the mistakes he’s made and also how he can possibly try and right those wrongs. However he has to reconcile the Desire Cards operatives first and like all good thrillers there is a twist in the tale that when revealed turns everything on its head but also explains a lot of what has gone on before.
A unique thriller from Goldberg whose other novels I intend exploring now that I’ve discovered a new writer.
April 11, 2019
HARD TO PUT DOWN THIS RIVETING TALE
Lee Mathew Goldberg continues his convention and tradition of creating despicable protagonists and then luring the reader into having some measure of sympathy and compassion for his anti-hero.
As the author has in his previous tales, he has here presented spot on description of professions, personalities, and activities, one hopes by his meticulous research and not by personal indulgence. Bravo to this author for his continuing string of successful page turners.
Lee Mathew Goldberg continues his convention and tradition of creating despicable protagonists and then luring the reader into having some measure of sympathy and compassion for his anti-hero.
As the author has in his previous tales, he has here presented spot on description of professions, personalities, and activities, one hopes by his meticulous research and not by personal indulgence. Bravo to this author for his continuing string of successful page turners.
March 13, 2019
“I couldn’t look away for a moment from Harrison Stockton’s thrilling train wreck of a life. Jeer at him, cheer for him, and maybe—just maybe—fall in love with him a little. Lee Matthew Goldberg has created a Bonfire of the Vanities for a new generation, and served it up with style, wit, and empathy. I guarantee you’ll want to devour The Desire Card in one glorious, heart-pounding sitting.” -Laura Benedict, Edgar nominated author of The Stranger Inside.
“Lee Matthew Goldberg’s The Desire Card is a character-driven, enthralling thriller that introduces readers to a dark underworld powered by an equally mysterious organization loaded with as much menace as promise. Goldberg’s characters are well-formed, memorable and complex, adding humanity to a story that is sweeping in scale and remarkably focused. The Desire Card is the kind of book you think about long after you’ve finished it.” - Alex Segura, acclaimed author of Blackout and Dangerous Ends
“Careful what you wish form especially from a nefarious shadow organization, in this gripping start to Lee Matthew Goldberg’s fast-paced, highly-compelling, buzz-worthy new series. If you love your characters morally compromised, richly drawn, and constantly surprising, you’ll love, The Desire Card. I burned through the first book and can’t wait to get my hands on Prey No More to see where this endlessly exciting story takes me next! Love it! -Daniel Palmer, critically acclaimed suspense author of The First Family and Mercy.
Lee Matthew Goldberg is the author of two novels Slow Down and The Mentor. He has been published in multiple languages and nominated for the 2018 Prix du Polar for The Mentor which has also been acquired by Macmillan Entertainment with the film in development. After graduating with an MFA from the New School, his writing has also appeared in the anthology DIRTY BOULEVARD, The Millions, Cagibi, The Montreal Review, The Adirondack Review, The New Plains Review, Underwood Press and others. He is the co-curator of The Guerrilla Lit Reading Series. He lives in New York City.
“Lee Matthew Goldberg’s The Desire Card is a character-driven, enthralling thriller that introduces readers to a dark underworld powered by an equally mysterious organization loaded with as much menace as promise. Goldberg’s characters are well-formed, memorable and complex, adding humanity to a story that is sweeping in scale and remarkably focused. The Desire Card is the kind of book you think about long after you’ve finished it.” - Alex Segura, acclaimed author of Blackout and Dangerous Ends
“Careful what you wish form especially from a nefarious shadow organization, in this gripping start to Lee Matthew Goldberg’s fast-paced, highly-compelling, buzz-worthy new series. If you love your characters morally compromised, richly drawn, and constantly surprising, you’ll love, The Desire Card. I burned through the first book and can’t wait to get my hands on Prey No More to see where this endlessly exciting story takes me next! Love it! -Daniel Palmer, critically acclaimed suspense author of The First Family and Mercy.
Lee Matthew Goldberg is the author of two novels Slow Down and The Mentor. He has been published in multiple languages and nominated for the 2018 Prix du Polar for The Mentor which has also been acquired by Macmillan Entertainment with the film in development. After graduating with an MFA from the New School, his writing has also appeared in the anthology DIRTY BOULEVARD, The Millions, Cagibi, The Montreal Review, The Adirondack Review, The New Plains Review, Underwood Press and others. He is the co-curator of The Guerrilla Lit Reading Series. He lives in New York City.
July 7, 2019
Harrison Stockton is such an odious character that I didn't think I was going to enjoy The Desire Card at first, but I am pleased to say that I couldn't have been more wrong! I absolutely loved it! It's the first book in a five book series and I can't wait to see where the story goes next.
Harrison is what you would definitely call a workaholic; he is married to his job and it's almost like his wife is the other woman. When Harrison finds out the cause of his sickly pallor that caused him to lose his job, it was like a real wake-up call to me. As the author reminds us: nobody ever lay on their deathbed and wished that they had worked more. I have been guilty of putting work before my health in the past so I could completely understand Harrison putting off his health check in favour of work. What is unforgivable though, is putting work before his children's school events. There is no do-over; you can never get that time back and every time he missed a soccer game or a ballet recital he lost a little bit of his own children. What would he give for a second chance? Read The Desire Card to find out!
I found The Desire Card so very thought-provoking, not only the work/life balance but the thought that money could buy you anything you desired. How much would I pay to save my own life or the life of my loved ones? How can you even put a value on that? The company who run The Desire Card manage to attach a price to absolutely anything your heart desires. It's not so much a case of rubbing the lamp and a genie pops out, as this magic really does come with a price..more often than not, in a six figure sum! Yikes!
The Desire Card is a dark, gritty and disturbing It's A Wonderful Life for the 21st Century. As greed for money, power and possessions fuel the world, money really can buy you anything. It's such an outstanding fast-paced, dark and compelling modern-day thriller that I think it would translate effortlessly to the screen. I'm already looking forward to the next book!
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Harrison is what you would definitely call a workaholic; he is married to his job and it's almost like his wife is the other woman. When Harrison finds out the cause of his sickly pallor that caused him to lose his job, it was like a real wake-up call to me. As the author reminds us: nobody ever lay on their deathbed and wished that they had worked more. I have been guilty of putting work before my health in the past so I could completely understand Harrison putting off his health check in favour of work. What is unforgivable though, is putting work before his children's school events. There is no do-over; you can never get that time back and every time he missed a soccer game or a ballet recital he lost a little bit of his own children. What would he give for a second chance? Read The Desire Card to find out!
I found The Desire Card so very thought-provoking, not only the work/life balance but the thought that money could buy you anything you desired. How much would I pay to save my own life or the life of my loved ones? How can you even put a value on that? The company who run The Desire Card manage to attach a price to absolutely anything your heart desires. It's not so much a case of rubbing the lamp and a genie pops out, as this magic really does come with a price..more often than not, in a six figure sum! Yikes!
The Desire Card is a dark, gritty and disturbing It's A Wonderful Life for the 21st Century. As greed for money, power and possessions fuel the world, money really can buy you anything. It's such an outstanding fast-paced, dark and compelling modern-day thriller that I think it would translate effortlessly to the screen. I'm already looking forward to the next book!
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
December 2, 2019
Harrison is a man on a mission, from college he knew what he wanted. A high powered job, wife, family and the good things in life. But unfortunately this high powered job whilst has given him the good things in life has also taken it over. No time for his family, he lives a life of excess, too much work, gluttony and lust for women, drugs and alcohol. When he gets sacked from his job, then discovers due to his lifestyle he only has a short time left to live, his severance package from his company includes the mysterious Desire Card.
What would you do if you had a card that could grant your every desire?Would you use it? Would you not? Would you think this is just a joke?Would you wonder what the catch is? Would you wonder about consequences?
These are the questions I was asking myself as I read this book. For starters I would like to think I’d never get myself into Harrison’s situation at all, but if that opportunity of a card that granted your desires appeared would I use it?
Despite not warming to Harrison, I did feel for him, sacked from his job, living with a disassociated family because of his lack of involvement in their lives due to his previous long hours at work, finding he only has a short time to live due to illness, he wants to live. But after a life of excess and entitlement he feels the way to do this is the way he’s gone about most things, throw money at it. When this doesn’t work, he finds himself in Mumbai on the search of his second chance.
I kept reading waiting for Harrison to have his epiphany and to stop leading such a hedonistic lifestyle of excess. Not to give too much away but things do change for Harrison where he has to make some very hard decisions. But will he make the right choices?
I found I was hooked from the first page and struggled to put this down as with each page turn I had to find out what happened next. This was my first book by Lee Matthew Goldberg but definitely will not be the last. Cannot wait for PREY NO MORE!
What would you do if you had a card that could grant your every desire?Would you use it? Would you not? Would you think this is just a joke?Would you wonder what the catch is? Would you wonder about consequences?
These are the questions I was asking myself as I read this book. For starters I would like to think I’d never get myself into Harrison’s situation at all, but if that opportunity of a card that granted your desires appeared would I use it?
Despite not warming to Harrison, I did feel for him, sacked from his job, living with a disassociated family because of his lack of involvement in their lives due to his previous long hours at work, finding he only has a short time to live due to illness, he wants to live. But after a life of excess and entitlement he feels the way to do this is the way he’s gone about most things, throw money at it. When this doesn’t work, he finds himself in Mumbai on the search of his second chance.
I kept reading waiting for Harrison to have his epiphany and to stop leading such a hedonistic lifestyle of excess. Not to give too much away but things do change for Harrison where he has to make some very hard decisions. But will he make the right choices?
I found I was hooked from the first page and struggled to put this down as with each page turn I had to find out what happened next. This was my first book by Lee Matthew Goldberg but definitely will not be the last. Cannot wait for PREY NO MORE!
June 23, 2019
Many thanks to the author, publisher and blog tour organiser for the ARC in return for an honest review.
What did I like about this book? Could it have been the way I enjoyed disliking the lead character Harrison Stockton? Could it have been the story, which asks us and Harrison how far would someone be willing to go to save their own lives?
Well I loved it for all of this, superb characterisation, married with a taunt and suspenseful story, that comes together to deliver a first class thriller.
For me the story itself is a class act, because it confronts the reader with quandary, what would we do in the situation that Harrison finds himself in? If given the chance to save our own lives by spending a lot of money, would we? It made me as a reader feel more involved in the story, more invested in the outcome. I wanted to know what Harrison was capable of and it gripped me so much I could not wait to get back to the book when real life interfered. The story not only entertained me, always having to read just a few more pages, even when sleep beckoned, it was forcing me to put myself in Harrisons shoes and wonder what I would do! The story is full of twists and turns, the tension leaving me always having to read a few more pages just so I could find out, if he was a better man than the initial story had me believing.
Then we have Harrison, whom frankly I found quite unlikeable on times, but it was refreshing to find a ‘hero’ of the story, that I enjoyed hating, pitied, felt sorry for and just occasionally liked. One moment I longed to see him come good, while on the flip side wanted to see punished for his entitled arrogance. He is complex and flawed and this makes him the perfect thriller character. For me his flaws made him so enjoyable to spend time with. I might have wanted to slap him, but he was never boring. I stayed addicted to the story in part because he is such a perfect depiction of a flawed and damaged man. Because though he is self-absorbed and indulgent, underneath you hope to find a man capable of seeing past his own needs.
If you are looking for a quality thriller, with a storyline, which will challenge you, with a hero that is equally challenging, in a good way, then give this book a read!
What did I like about this book? Could it have been the way I enjoyed disliking the lead character Harrison Stockton? Could it have been the story, which asks us and Harrison how far would someone be willing to go to save their own lives?
Well I loved it for all of this, superb characterisation, married with a taunt and suspenseful story, that comes together to deliver a first class thriller.
For me the story itself is a class act, because it confronts the reader with quandary, what would we do in the situation that Harrison finds himself in? If given the chance to save our own lives by spending a lot of money, would we? It made me as a reader feel more involved in the story, more invested in the outcome. I wanted to know what Harrison was capable of and it gripped me so much I could not wait to get back to the book when real life interfered. The story not only entertained me, always having to read just a few more pages, even when sleep beckoned, it was forcing me to put myself in Harrisons shoes and wonder what I would do! The story is full of twists and turns, the tension leaving me always having to read a few more pages just so I could find out, if he was a better man than the initial story had me believing.
Then we have Harrison, whom frankly I found quite unlikeable on times, but it was refreshing to find a ‘hero’ of the story, that I enjoyed hating, pitied, felt sorry for and just occasionally liked. One moment I longed to see him come good, while on the flip side wanted to see punished for his entitled arrogance. He is complex and flawed and this makes him the perfect thriller character. For me his flaws made him so enjoyable to spend time with. I might have wanted to slap him, but he was never boring. I stayed addicted to the story in part because he is such a perfect depiction of a flawed and damaged man. Because though he is self-absorbed and indulgent, underneath you hope to find a man capable of seeing past his own needs.
If you are looking for a quality thriller, with a storyline, which will challenge you, with a hero that is equally challenging, in a good way, then give this book a read!
May 8, 2019
This was a solid concept that drew me in from the beginning. I fully expected not to like Harrison, and I wasn't disappointed - he's fairly vile, representing the "ME, ME, ME!" attitude that seems all too common these days... Despite this, his story grabbed me from the opening pages and I was exceptionally curious to see where the Desire Card would take him (knowing full well it wouldn't be anywhere good). Somewhere about a quarter of the way in things went off the rails for me, story-wise, though and I had a hard time finding my way back into any sense of connection or engagement with the story - until the very end...
I think that is as much about me as a reader/person as about the book - although I definitely think the book could use a bit of tightening as Harrison's life devolves into (and immediately after) his experiences in Mumbai. I am not a person who enjoys watching a train wreck - and I especially don't enjoy watching it D R A G out. That's what it felt like the story did - torturously dragged itself on and on, milking every drop of negativity possible out of Harrison's life. I get that this is a cautionary tale and this was likely intentional, but it made for a tough slog of a read. It was especially difficult to deal with after the engaging beginning - which was also about Harrison confronting his demons, but felt like it was presented in a much sleeker, crisper fashion that rolled along at a much faster and more enjoyable clip.
The ending picked up and the book hit its stride again, but I almost put it down and left it down a couple of times in the middle - it was only my curiosity that kept me rolling along. I'm glad I know how it wrapped up, but definitely think we could have gotten there in a more streamlined fashion without sacrificing anything in the overall story. It's a timely and compelling concept with a lot of potential for future story lines (the author mentions that there will be more books), and I think a tighter edit to bring the pacing into a more even keel in line with the start/finish of this one would turn this into a superb series.
My review copy was provided by Reedsy Discovery.
I think that is as much about me as a reader/person as about the book - although I definitely think the book could use a bit of tightening as Harrison's life devolves into (and immediately after) his experiences in Mumbai. I am not a person who enjoys watching a train wreck - and I especially don't enjoy watching it D R A G out. That's what it felt like the story did - torturously dragged itself on and on, milking every drop of negativity possible out of Harrison's life. I get that this is a cautionary tale and this was likely intentional, but it made for a tough slog of a read. It was especially difficult to deal with after the engaging beginning - which was also about Harrison confronting his demons, but felt like it was presented in a much sleeker, crisper fashion that rolled along at a much faster and more enjoyable clip.
The ending picked up and the book hit its stride again, but I almost put it down and left it down a couple of times in the middle - it was only my curiosity that kept me rolling along. I'm glad I know how it wrapped up, but definitely think we could have gotten there in a more streamlined fashion without sacrificing anything in the overall story. It's a timely and compelling concept with a lot of potential for future story lines (the author mentions that there will be more books), and I think a tighter edit to bring the pacing into a more even keel in line with the start/finish of this one would turn this into a superb series.
My review copy was provided by Reedsy Discovery.
June 17, 2019
Harrison Stockton works for Sanford & Co in Mergers and Acquisitions, he’s also an alcoholic. He is let go by the company in a ‘restructuring ‘. Part of his severance package is The Desire Card…..a perk, whatever you want, but at a price.
So before he goes home, he calls The Desire Card and requests a prostitute, Naelle, with whom he instantly feels a bond with…..but then he collapses and she saves his life, but doctors then tell him he has cirrhosis of the liver and will die without a transplant.
He goes home to his lonely home, his wife is busy with charity work and he no longer feels much of a bond with his children…and his father in law, Jay detests him…..he doesn’t tell anyone of his illness, but makes a decision to contact an old friend in Mumbai, a Doctor and arranges a black market liver transplant……well just as he thinks he’s saved, something changes everything.
So he resorts to The Desire Card…..could they get him a liver? But at what cost?
Non stop panic and fear felt by Harrison in his desperation as he really makes some questionable decisions, yet while his liver is failing he still can’t stop drinking and eating to excess……I found it difficult to have any sympathy for Harrison, he’s just a bit emotionally distant, probably due to his difficult childhood, he’s self absorbed and morally bankrupt, but my he didn’t deserve the rollercoaster of disasters that befall him….
Will Harrison get his liver? Will he somehow redeem himself?
A dark look at the black market for organs, the exploitation of the poor and the belief that money can buy you anything if you know the right people and to hell with the consequences. So scary as it seems so plausible! Brilliantly fraught and totally believable.
Thank you to Damppebbles Blog Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
So before he goes home, he calls The Desire Card and requests a prostitute, Naelle, with whom he instantly feels a bond with…..but then he collapses and she saves his life, but doctors then tell him he has cirrhosis of the liver and will die without a transplant.
He goes home to his lonely home, his wife is busy with charity work and he no longer feels much of a bond with his children…and his father in law, Jay detests him…..he doesn’t tell anyone of his illness, but makes a decision to contact an old friend in Mumbai, a Doctor and arranges a black market liver transplant……well just as he thinks he’s saved, something changes everything.
So he resorts to The Desire Card…..could they get him a liver? But at what cost?
Non stop panic and fear felt by Harrison in his desperation as he really makes some questionable decisions, yet while his liver is failing he still can’t stop drinking and eating to excess……I found it difficult to have any sympathy for Harrison, he’s just a bit emotionally distant, probably due to his difficult childhood, he’s self absorbed and morally bankrupt, but my he didn’t deserve the rollercoaster of disasters that befall him….
Will Harrison get his liver? Will he somehow redeem himself?
A dark look at the black market for organs, the exploitation of the poor and the belief that money can buy you anything if you know the right people and to hell with the consequences. So scary as it seems so plausible! Brilliantly fraught and totally believable.
Thank you to Damppebbles Blog Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook. This is my honest, unbiased review.
May 15, 2019
I think the author summed it up nicely in his notes at the end of the book - the main character is a terrible guy that thinks money will buy him whatever he needs with no thought for anyone but himself. I have to agree, Harrison is a very unlikable character. He is self absorbed, drinks too much, ignores his family, and works himself to gain more money. "Money becomes the source of evil for the characters." (from the author's notes) It is mind boggling what people will do for money and how they will harm others. We see that in society today with those that scam or steal and this is no different.
This book takes us on a journey of Harrison - who is fired/let go from his job, discovers he has cirrhosis of the liver, is in a loveless marriage, and has two children that don't know him since he was always absent from their lives. I was pretty disgusted with Harrison's actions and thought process throughout most of the book, it was like watching a train wreck - hard to look away because you know it isn't going to end well. In the end he tried to redeem himself but it was too little too late IMHO. He had so many opportunities to stop the cycle he was on but he couldn't see the forest through the trees as they say. I did appreciate that when he found a new job near the end of the book that it took him down another path. Harrison did learn something from this whole experience and hopefully it will stay with him going forward.
I did wonder who was behind The Desire Card and wasn't too surprised when that was revealed. While I didn't figure it out until near the end it made sense.
Overall a good book that will keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what could possibly happen next. There is so much more to this book that I didn't touch on because I don't want to give away too much of the story. We give it 4 paws up.
This book takes us on a journey of Harrison - who is fired/let go from his job, discovers he has cirrhosis of the liver, is in a loveless marriage, and has two children that don't know him since he was always absent from their lives. I was pretty disgusted with Harrison's actions and thought process throughout most of the book, it was like watching a train wreck - hard to look away because you know it isn't going to end well. In the end he tried to redeem himself but it was too little too late IMHO. He had so many opportunities to stop the cycle he was on but he couldn't see the forest through the trees as they say. I did appreciate that when he found a new job near the end of the book that it took him down another path. Harrison did learn something from this whole experience and hopefully it will stay with him going forward.
I did wonder who was behind The Desire Card and wasn't too surprised when that was revealed. While I didn't figure it out until near the end it made sense.
Overall a good book that will keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what could possibly happen next. There is so much more to this book that I didn't touch on because I don't want to give away too much of the story. We give it 4 paws up.
May 18, 2019
Published on February 20 of 2019, The Desire Card is an enticing thriller novel by author Lee Matthew Goldberg. One day Harrison Stockton is living the life of the powerful elite. A great job, an addiction to pills and alcohol, and a family he doesn’t have time for, and the next it is all gone. This takes Harrison on a thrilling and dangerous journey to India where he has a friend who has promised him a new liver, but Harrison’s struggles are far from over. What I think was highly successful about this novel and why I enjoyed reading it so much was that the emotions of the character’s felt real; they very natural and raw. Goldberg did an incredible job of getting into his character’s heads. Harrison is a hard character to like because of the choices he makes, but he is written in such a way that makes you care anyway. You are there with him when he is at his lowest, feeling alone, afraid, and desperate. The book is a complete whirlwind of emotions, and the events that take place in this book are often horrifying. Goldberg puts his characters through the wringer as Harrison especially tries to salvage his life. It is intense, scary, heartbreaking, and gripping from beginning to end. I was impressed by Goldberg, from his writing style, narrative ability, and understanding of human emotion. He really created a world that was brought to life before my eyes. His descriptions rely on all of the senses, and he knows just how to pull a reader into the page. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who reads suspense thrillers. This is not like any book you have read before, and you will not be able to put it down until you have reached the end.
June 23, 2019
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I was really tempted by the blurb of this book and when I started it I was hooked from the first chapter, I knew that this was one of those books that would have me hooked and I found it really hard to put down.
I thought that Harrison was a well developed character and whilst he wasn’t someone I really warmed too (I thought at times he was vile and disgusting!) but I did feel genuinely sorry for him at certain points in the book so that shows how good the characterisation was.
I really enjoyed the plot and thought that the story was a well planned out piece of work that the author has clearly put in a lot of time and effort in as it was very detailed and realistic, I felt at times as though I was with the characters in the story and he really brought Mumbai to life. I guessed part of the plot but after a few twists I really enjoyed the rest of the book being unexpected.
It is 4.5 stars from me for this one, rounded up to 5 stars for Amazon and Goodreads, I thoroughly enjoyed it and thought it was a well written gritty story – highly recommended!!
I was really tempted by the blurb of this book and when I started it I was hooked from the first chapter, I knew that this was one of those books that would have me hooked and I found it really hard to put down.
I thought that Harrison was a well developed character and whilst he wasn’t someone I really warmed too (I thought at times he was vile and disgusting!) but I did feel genuinely sorry for him at certain points in the book so that shows how good the characterisation was.
I really enjoyed the plot and thought that the story was a well planned out piece of work that the author has clearly put in a lot of time and effort in as it was very detailed and realistic, I felt at times as though I was with the characters in the story and he really brought Mumbai to life. I guessed part of the plot but after a few twists I really enjoyed the rest of the book being unexpected.
It is 4.5 stars from me for this one, rounded up to 5 stars for Amazon and Goodreads, I thoroughly enjoyed it and thought it was a well written gritty story – highly recommended!!
April 22, 2019
This is my first Fahrenheit press read, and it was an enjoyable experience.
The story's about a sacked banker with a liver condition and an unhappy marriage, who gets given a card that promises any wish fulfilled for a price.
At times, especially in the earlier parts of the novel, it reminded me of Martin Amis' 'Money', and looking back, the book was at its best in these sections. In fact I thought it was cooking along pretty good throughout the opening half, right through to the end of the Mumbai section.
After that the Desire Card of the title becomes more prominent, and the story zips along here, but theme wise, for me, the story became increasingly light weight, and, again for me, the novel's early promise seemed left behind.
The ending was disappointing, with the bad guy lacking any real menace, everyone agreeing to essentially a clean slate, and a 'nice to be nice' message that felt a little trite after the strong opening.
Overall I enjoyed the book. Would I read the second? Maybe. I'll have to see how the book settles in my head over the next month or so. A good book.
The story's about a sacked banker with a liver condition and an unhappy marriage, who gets given a card that promises any wish fulfilled for a price.
At times, especially in the earlier parts of the novel, it reminded me of Martin Amis' 'Money', and looking back, the book was at its best in these sections. In fact I thought it was cooking along pretty good throughout the opening half, right through to the end of the Mumbai section.
After that the Desire Card of the title becomes more prominent, and the story zips along here, but theme wise, for me, the story became increasingly light weight, and, again for me, the novel's early promise seemed left behind.
The ending was disappointing, with the bad guy lacking any real menace, everyone agreeing to essentially a clean slate, and a 'nice to be nice' message that felt a little trite after the strong opening.
Overall I enjoyed the book. Would I read the second? Maybe. I'll have to see how the book settles in my head over the next month or so. A good book.
October 28, 2019
This is one of the best thriller i have read. I wont call it a fast paced thriller but neither a slow paced one. I loved the plot, From page one Harrison had hooked me in his story. The plot development was neither fast nor slow. The narration was perfect. Character development was also perfect. I could feel bad for Helanie and the kids and at the same time feel sad for Harrisson. Nagesh's character was a bit mysterious though and i would have liked to hear from him a bit more. It was quite evident what Nagesh was doing maybe because i am a Indian so i could predict his behavior from the stories i have heard. But the ending was not at all predictable, I was expecting Harrisson to fall in another series of events but he changed which made me feel more sorry for him and feel more bad for Helanie and the kids. I believing in Happy endings loved the ending of the book. Over all the book was a brilliant work done. My favorite part in the story was the description of the slums in Mumbai and the portrayal of Harissons true self in them. I recommend this book to all the thriller readers, this book is definitely a roller coaster ride.
March 18, 2019
Reading Lee Matthew Goldberg's The Desire Card left me hopeful for a sequel of the odyssey of being wealthy and getting whatever you desire. This story was fast-paced and Harrison was a believable character. Every description of Mumbai made for the perfect story. The masked men were the driving point of the story and its mysteriousness of the plot. Who are they? What do they want? Read it to find out!
June 23, 2019
Gritty and graphic and in many ways (despite the modern setting and innovative use of technology) it’s a little old fashioned – an old school thriller with pace and action. My one complaint is that the female characters weren’t massively developed, but it kept me glued to a sun lounger and if taut thrillers are your scene, it’s a good holiday read.
(I received a review copy of this in return for an honest review).
(I received a review copy of this in return for an honest review).
April 23, 2019
Satisfying read.
Every excellent book requires three things that many authors, even best selling ones, often omit: a compelling beginning, a non-sagging middle and a satisfying ending. I was worried that the author here would write himself into a corner and cheat on the ending. He did not. Great book; superb finish.
Every excellent book requires three things that many authors, even best selling ones, often omit: a compelling beginning, a non-sagging middle and a satisfying ending. I was worried that the author here would write himself into a corner and cheat on the ending. He did not. Great book; superb finish.
October 26, 2019
For me Lee does a great job making you really not like the main character. I found myself not really caring if he survived or not. The one character I did like is his wife. If I was in her situation I don't think I could be as strong as she was.
June 18, 2019
Immediately upon starting The Desire Card, I knew that I was going to have to brace myself for the darkest and most thought provoking novel that I've read in awhile, I can assure you now that I was not disappointed. Lee Matthew Goldberg has created an intensely twisted storyline, that I felt revolved hugely around the concept of riches, power and greed (including eating and drinking to excess). The biggest question is, how far would you go to get everything that you desired? Do we always actually want what we wish for?
Harrison is our male protagonist. He loses his high powered job at the equally high coveted work place - Wall Street. This is where he became drenched in this unhealthy privileged attitude, but what happens when it is pulled like a rug from beneath him? He fails to accept it, but then he gets a terminal revelation which sends him running into the loving hands of desperation. It was at this point that I felt Harrison's narrative grasped quite a dark version of Scrooge in terms of regrettable thoughts in terms of mental hallucinations but that was only the beginning of Harrison's unravelled life. Even when travelling half way across the world in hope of treatment, he refused to share this with his family and still felt superiority over those in Mumbai. You can't help but completely despise the character that Lee Matthew Goldberg has created, but for me my rage sometimes levelled to a heart sinking sympathy for Harrison. Talk about a conflict of emotions.
Although The Desire Card is a work of fiction, the themes that emerge from its pitch black depths are real and honestly quite haunting including the great divide between the rich and poor, the power of money and the lengths that those with less with go through to insure that their family is fed, cared for etc. I felt that Lee Matthew Goldberg had researched a large part of the novel that helped the visualisation and narrative tie together with believability. The themes also allowed a feel of reality, as well as plausibility which 100% will keep you grippingly absorbed until the last page. A well planned out and exquisitely written noir thriller that I loved reading.
I highly recommend The Desire Card to readers that enjoy a dark, memorably twisty and horrifyingly plausible read. One warning, do not make plans on the day of purchase / delivery because you're not going to want to put it down.
Harrison is our male protagonist. He loses his high powered job at the equally high coveted work place - Wall Street. This is where he became drenched in this unhealthy privileged attitude, but what happens when it is pulled like a rug from beneath him? He fails to accept it, but then he gets a terminal revelation which sends him running into the loving hands of desperation. It was at this point that I felt Harrison's narrative grasped quite a dark version of Scrooge in terms of regrettable thoughts in terms of mental hallucinations but that was only the beginning of Harrison's unravelled life. Even when travelling half way across the world in hope of treatment, he refused to share this with his family and still felt superiority over those in Mumbai. You can't help but completely despise the character that Lee Matthew Goldberg has created, but for me my rage sometimes levelled to a heart sinking sympathy for Harrison. Talk about a conflict of emotions.
Although The Desire Card is a work of fiction, the themes that emerge from its pitch black depths are real and honestly quite haunting including the great divide between the rich and poor, the power of money and the lengths that those with less with go through to insure that their family is fed, cared for etc. I felt that Lee Matthew Goldberg had researched a large part of the novel that helped the visualisation and narrative tie together with believability. The themes also allowed a feel of reality, as well as plausibility which 100% will keep you grippingly absorbed until the last page. A well planned out and exquisitely written noir thriller that I loved reading.
I highly recommend The Desire Card to readers that enjoy a dark, memorably twisty and horrifyingly plausible read. One warning, do not make plans on the day of purchase / delivery because you're not going to want to put it down.
September 4, 2019
From the intriguing title to the very last this book will be the master of your breath and heartbeats.
Thrill, suspense, crime, this book has it all and much more for you to unfold.
Fast paced, full of action, this thriller is a page turner with unexpected turns and twists. The well developed main character drags you with him. The author takes you on a journey through his main character.
Dark and realistic this book makes you ponder. Along with in-depth descriptions, in this crime thriller whenever you predict something it smashes that prediction right away and takes a new turn.
Providing you with a main character to hate rather than love, the author plays with the reader. The choices and consequences is yet another theme portrayed in the book that plays a major role in the plot but also raise questions.
Fortunately, this book is a series and so there is much more to explore. Can't wait for the next part. And to say about the authors writing style, it really is gripping.
I would give this thriller 5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 for the intriguing plot it holds. Definitely recommend.
Thrill, suspense, crime, this book has it all and much more for you to unfold.
Fast paced, full of action, this thriller is a page turner with unexpected turns and twists. The well developed main character drags you with him. The author takes you on a journey through his main character.
Dark and realistic this book makes you ponder. Along with in-depth descriptions, in this crime thriller whenever you predict something it smashes that prediction right away and takes a new turn.
Providing you with a main character to hate rather than love, the author plays with the reader. The choices and consequences is yet another theme portrayed in the book that plays a major role in the plot but also raise questions.
Fortunately, this book is a series and so there is much more to explore. Can't wait for the next part. And to say about the authors writing style, it really is gripping.
I would give this thriller 5 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 for the intriguing plot it holds. Definitely recommend.
August 25, 2019
The Desire Card by Lee Matthew Goldberg is a book about Harrison Stockton who holds a job with a high position at Wall Street. The paradise he is living drinking away and spending ruthlessly all came down when he loses his job. To make matters worst, after cheating on his wife, he found out that he does not have long before his liver fails him. Feeling desperate, Harrison activates his Desire Card which was given to him when he lost his job. What he got was different from what he had expected and wanted. The Desire Card took him to places where he had never thought he would have gone to and it not only put his life on the line but it also put the lives of his family in danger too.
The book started off with an interesting first chapter because it leaves the reader wanting to know what a Desire Card is even though it might be easy to assume what it does, however, what happened in the book would leave the reader hooked and wanting to know more. Every book needs the first chapter to be able to grasp the reader's attention and this book did a pretty decent job at that. Not only in the first chapter but for other chapters throughout the book, the author leaves very cliffhangers.
For the full review: sammiereadsbook.wordpress.com/2019/05...
The book started off with an interesting first chapter because it leaves the reader wanting to know what a Desire Card is even though it might be easy to assume what it does, however, what happened in the book would leave the reader hooked and wanting to know more. Every book needs the first chapter to be able to grasp the reader's attention and this book did a pretty decent job at that. Not only in the first chapter but for other chapters throughout the book, the author leaves very cliffhangers.
For the full review: sammiereadsbook.wordpress.com/2019/05...
June 20, 2019
The Desire Card (book #1), is an action-packed crime/suspense thriller. Trippy and highly visual, the read feels like being swept up into an episode of The Twilight Zone, or Black Mirror; sometimes, even, a Jason Bourne film.
Harrison Stockton is a dynamic protagonist whom I rooted for all the way through. He’s just been fired; his severance is a Desire Card that would give him any wish fulfilled for “the right price.” Stockton is immediately tested by this so-called genie-in-the bottle Desire Card, because he needs a liver transplant, but is way down on the donor list. That dilemma sets this jaw-dropping adventure into action.
Aside from the harrowingly wild ride Goldberg takes us on, I really appreciate the family life dynamics addressed, and the many ethical questions raised about the role of socio-economic status—its impact on literal, societal power, and ones own self control/willpower.
Harrison Stockton is a dynamic protagonist whom I rooted for all the way through. He’s just been fired; his severance is a Desire Card that would give him any wish fulfilled for “the right price.” Stockton is immediately tested by this so-called genie-in-the bottle Desire Card, because he needs a liver transplant, but is way down on the donor list. That dilemma sets this jaw-dropping adventure into action.
Aside from the harrowingly wild ride Goldberg takes us on, I really appreciate the family life dynamics addressed, and the many ethical questions raised about the role of socio-economic status—its impact on literal, societal power, and ones own self control/willpower.
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December 15, 2019Please see the blog for [K]'s review: https://thepturnersbookblog.wordpress...
February 19, 2020
I couldn’t get past the unpleasant protagonist, the unlikely coincidence and it felt too insubstantial. But some of the descriptions were excellent.
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