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Blind Luck
Dave Bolden's life feels like it's on repeat. He works his eight hours at a boutique accounting firm, goes home, gets drunk and wakes up the next day to go back to work with a hangover. But his life changes when an eighteen-wheel truck crashes through the front windows of his workplace, killing everyone except him. Shortly after the accident, he is approached by an eccentric businessman, Mr. Thorrin, who interprets Dave's survival as luck and sets out to exploit what he perceives as a gift. Mr. Thorrin wants Dave to participate in gambling, stock manipulation and extreme betting, all based on this belief. Complicating Dave's life further is his strained relationship with his father, a lifelong compulsive gambler. The more he interacts with his father, the more he realizes a series of events from his childhood support the theory that he is unusually lucky. What transpires is a series of extreme tests of luck, orchestrated by the very mysterious Mr. Thorrin. The more Dave denies that he is lucky, the more he finds himself in situations that make it appear that he is. As the stakes rise both financially and personally, Dave is left to decide whether his run of good fortune is a gift or a curse.
- GenresMystery
248 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 14, 2021
What a unique and unusual book. I didn’t know what to expect when starting this debut novel. Blind Luck, by Scott Carter drew me in from page one and kept me nervously on the edge of my seat. With scenes alternating between past and present, the reader is drawn into the life of Dave Bolden, where one tragic event seemingly changes his whole perception of who he is, and what is to come.
Who among us doesn’t wonder if luck or fate plays a role in the outcome of our lives? As the stakes and dangers increased, with luck and risk running hand in hand, so did my anxiety. Though some may find parts implausible, and the ending a bit abrupt, it was an interesting read. It left me pondering whether it's our own perception of fate that in fact plays a factor in determining our own luck, and how that affects our lives.
Is it luck, fate, chance? Or is changing our luck simply a matter of the power of positive thinking? I’ll be interested in reading what else Scott Carter has in store for us. We'll done!
Who among us doesn’t wonder if luck or fate plays a role in the outcome of our lives? As the stakes and dangers increased, with luck and risk running hand in hand, so did my anxiety. Though some may find parts implausible, and the ending a bit abrupt, it was an interesting read. It left me pondering whether it's our own perception of fate that in fact plays a factor in determining our own luck, and how that affects our lives.
Is it luck, fate, chance? Or is changing our luck simply a matter of the power of positive thinking? I’ll be interested in reading what else Scott Carter has in store for us. We'll done!
July 1, 2011
If you were lucky, really lucky, would you know it? Not the kind of luck we all feel we find every now and then, such as catching all green lights on the way to work. Rather the type of luck when you just can’t lose, at anything, day after day. Would you notice it, or would it be like everything else good in life, we just start to take it all for granted? This is the basic underlying premise of Scott Carter’s outstanding debut novel, “Blind Luck”.
Dave Bolden is an unassuming type of guy. He’s your typical cube rat in your typical dead end job. One morning, suffering a hangover after a night of drinking, his entire world changes. He is left the lone survivor of his tiny company after a truck crashes through the building front. He is left with the questions one would expect, such as “why was I spared?” He comes to view his survival as a curse, instead of the good luck it was.
Somebody else, however, doesn’t see it that way. In walks Grayson, assistant to a wealthy man, Mr. Thorrin, who views Dave as lucky in everything in life. From that point on Thorrin hires Dave to test his luck in one twisted game after another. All the while, he is falling in love with Grayson’s sister, who is the polar opposite of Dave.
Scott Carter has delivered a wonderful debut novel, one that is fresh and original. The book weaves between what is happening and flashbacks in Dave’s life that shows how lucky he is. The flashbacks are done in such a way that we can see why Dave doesn’t view himself as lucky. These segments add a depth to the tale and a nice backing to make his non-belief in his luck that much more understandable. The book moves quick, is incredibly well written and exciting in a subtle way. I highly recommend this one.
Reviewed by Carl Isonhart for Suspense Magazine
Dave Bolden is an unassuming type of guy. He’s your typical cube rat in your typical dead end job. One morning, suffering a hangover after a night of drinking, his entire world changes. He is left the lone survivor of his tiny company after a truck crashes through the building front. He is left with the questions one would expect, such as “why was I spared?” He comes to view his survival as a curse, instead of the good luck it was.
Somebody else, however, doesn’t see it that way. In walks Grayson, assistant to a wealthy man, Mr. Thorrin, who views Dave as lucky in everything in life. From that point on Thorrin hires Dave to test his luck in one twisted game after another. All the while, he is falling in love with Grayson’s sister, who is the polar opposite of Dave.
Scott Carter has delivered a wonderful debut novel, one that is fresh and original. The book weaves between what is happening and flashbacks in Dave’s life that shows how lucky he is. The flashbacks are done in such a way that we can see why Dave doesn’t view himself as lucky. These segments add a depth to the tale and a nice backing to make his non-belief in his luck that much more understandable. The book moves quick, is incredibly well written and exciting in a subtle way. I highly recommend this one.
Reviewed by Carl Isonhart for Suspense Magazine
January 7, 2011
The author was kind enough to send me a leftover promo copy of the book, which is very much appreciated.
The essence of the book is that Dave Bolden arrives late to work one day, hungover from the night before, and while in the restroom at the back of his office, an 18-wheeler comes barreling through the front of his business, killing everyone but Bolden.
Enter some rich gentlemen who decided that Bolden is extremely lucky, so they keep pushing him into situations where his luck is tested and the stakes keep getting higher and higher. Add in a love interest, and it covers most of the basic bases pretty quickly.
I really enjoyed this book, but it just didn't ramp up quick enough for me. I was really hoping for some more challenges, more intense challenges, with more risk to Bolden. I also felt like the ending was forced a bit, as if Carter was forced to cut it to fit into a page limit.
I would also suggest that Carter get a better editor for future editions of the book, as several errors crept into this copy, such as "any more" instead of "anymore", "their" instead of "there" and even "Johnny Unitis" instead of "Johnny Unitas". While infrequent, those errors detract from the overall professional feel of the book.
All those things aside, I definitely recommend this book. It was good, fun read and is definitely recommended.
The essence of the book is that Dave Bolden arrives late to work one day, hungover from the night before, and while in the restroom at the back of his office, an 18-wheeler comes barreling through the front of his business, killing everyone but Bolden.
Enter some rich gentlemen who decided that Bolden is extremely lucky, so they keep pushing him into situations where his luck is tested and the stakes keep getting higher and higher. Add in a love interest, and it covers most of the basic bases pretty quickly.
I really enjoyed this book, but it just didn't ramp up quick enough for me. I was really hoping for some more challenges, more intense challenges, with more risk to Bolden. I also felt like the ending was forced a bit, as if Carter was forced to cut it to fit into a page limit.
I would also suggest that Carter get a better editor for future editions of the book, as several errors crept into this copy, such as "any more" instead of "anymore", "their" instead of "there" and even "Johnny Unitis" instead of "Johnny Unitas". While infrequent, those errors detract from the overall professional feel of the book.
All those things aside, I definitely recommend this book. It was good, fun read and is definitely recommended.
November 4, 2010
A debut novel worth reading!
David Bolden is late getting into work, with one hell of a hangover. While in the bathroom trying to get himself together, a horrific accident kills everyone in the office - leaving him the sole survivor. Survivor's guilt and memories keep him awake, but he doesn't dwell on them.
Enter Thorrin, a rich man who does what he wants, when he wants. He's absolutely positive that David is good luck, and is determined to prove it. Through a series of near life-threatening events, they believe David is filled with good luck. David doesn't see it that way. But past events, even during his childhood, look like scenes of luck, when David believes them simply coincidences.
Definitely a story you can get into. David is like every other Joe Blow, a regular guy with a regular job that gets blown to hell when an accident kills everyone in the office but him. Now he has to decide what to do, and some decisions aren't easy to make. A very likeable character, he could be your brother or your neighbour, a good guy that gets mixed up with rich men who like to cause nothing but heartache and mind games. The suspense of "game" outcomes have you hold your breath a time or two, and you root for David, hoping that he can get out of the situation he finds himself in. You can't help but wish David good luck for the future.
Definitely a book you'll enjoy.
David Bolden is late getting into work, with one hell of a hangover. While in the bathroom trying to get himself together, a horrific accident kills everyone in the office - leaving him the sole survivor. Survivor's guilt and memories keep him awake, but he doesn't dwell on them.
Enter Thorrin, a rich man who does what he wants, when he wants. He's absolutely positive that David is good luck, and is determined to prove it. Through a series of near life-threatening events, they believe David is filled with good luck. David doesn't see it that way. But past events, even during his childhood, look like scenes of luck, when David believes them simply coincidences.
Definitely a story you can get into. David is like every other Joe Blow, a regular guy with a regular job that gets blown to hell when an accident kills everyone in the office but him. Now he has to decide what to do, and some decisions aren't easy to make. A very likeable character, he could be your brother or your neighbour, a good guy that gets mixed up with rich men who like to cause nothing but heartache and mind games. The suspense of "game" outcomes have you hold your breath a time or two, and you root for David, hoping that he can get out of the situation he finds himself in. You can't help but wish David good luck for the future.
Definitely a book you'll enjoy.
August 17, 2010
So, I met Scott Carter here on Goodreads in the group "I Love Canadian Authors", and so glad I did. Blind Luck is Scott's first novel and I must say I had my usual reservations about first novels. I worried that it would be so boring or perhaps riddled with errors that I'd struggle with my review...what a relief.
Blind Luck is a suspense-filled read that keeps you biting your nails from start to finish. I had trouble putting it down. His characterization is amazing, the protagonist, David Bolden is so likable and relatable, I didn't want to say goodbye at the end of the book. I love when that happens. I posted a full review here: http://www.examiner.com/publishing-in...
If you care to take a gander at all of my thoughts on this book. I recommend picking up Blind Luck. Great read.
Blind Luck is a suspense-filled read that keeps you biting your nails from start to finish. I had trouble putting it down. His characterization is amazing, the protagonist, David Bolden is so likable and relatable, I didn't want to say goodbye at the end of the book. I love when that happens. I posted a full review here: http://www.examiner.com/publishing-in...
If you care to take a gander at all of my thoughts on this book. I recommend picking up Blind Luck. Great read.
April 6, 2013
I liked the originality of this book, and the fact that the writing is of literary quality without losing a sense of excitement and anticipation that kept me turning the pages. I've long been interested in the role luck plays in our lives, so I was particularly intrigued with the way Carter weaves the concept into his novel, and shows us how "luck" can vary depending on how it's defined.
A pleasure to read. A fine debut novel by a talented writer.
A pleasure to read. A fine debut novel by a talented writer.
Want to read
June 27, 2010To Be Read
September 21, 2011
Not bad!!!
April 6, 2015
Blind Luck is the first Scott Carter novel that I have read. I like that it is unusual. The approach and the plot are out-of-the-box. Well worth the read.
November 20, 2017
First off, Mr. Carter is a phenomenal English teacher. I was in his class the year this book got published and was fortunate to get one of the first batches of this book. It was a great read, very fresh as an idea and grounded writing. He incorporated in his writing all the principles he taught us, and even after reading it years after leaving his class, I am reminded of the fun and inspirational lessons he taught us about writing and literature and how to tell a story.
It tells the tale of a "lucky" man surrounded by all kinds of tests and tragedies and how he handles the world. There are lots of personal takeaways depending on how you choose to read the book; whether you read it or read into it. The author doesn't shy from using hard language and images and it gives a very "real" feel to his story.
I am a biased from my personal interaction with the author, but I say the book is a light, enjoyable read that I'd recommend to anyone.
It tells the tale of a "lucky" man surrounded by all kinds of tests and tragedies and how he handles the world. There are lots of personal takeaways depending on how you choose to read the book; whether you read it or read into it. The author doesn't shy from using hard language and images and it gives a very "real" feel to his story.
I am a biased from my personal interaction with the author, but I say the book is a light, enjoyable read that I'd recommend to anyone.
June 2, 2020
meh. The guy was a whiner
February 13, 2014
Surprising, intellectual, beautiful and inspiring is all I have to say.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews