Get Rich or Get Lucky is a gripping fantasy thriller that follows Adam who finds himself in control of a magic he never knew existed. After a string of disappointments with his literary career, Adam decides to embark on a get-rich-quick scheme by renovating run-down houses. By chance he discovers a book of magic in the basement of a derelict property and he can’t believe his luck. Excited by his … his find, he invite his friends Dick and Charlie, to tell them about it. But things quickly take a turn for the worse when Adam inadvertently casts a spell which turns Dick into a crayfish. Adam is unable to reverse the spell immediately and while searching for the solution, leaves Dick in the garden pond, which gets flooded and Dick disappears. Dick’s wife Rachael reports him missing and the police then accuse Adam of wrongdoing. Things continue to spiral out of control when Adam is burgled and the book gets stolen. He then discovers that a powerful, evil warlock is looking for the book. Adam finds himself in a race against time, to recover the book and thwart the warlock to stand any chance of bringing Dick back, if he can. From the author of the sci-fi adventure The Arbitrator, Get Rich or Get Lucky is a black humoured fantasy thriller that will have readers on the edge of their seats. It will appeal to readers who enjoy fantasy fiction, in addition to those who also enjoy fast-paced thrillers.
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British author Max Nowaz has stepped away from the corporate world to devote his time to writing – novels, poetry, children’s books, and screen and stage plays. His books to date include THE ARBITRATOR, TIMBI’S DREAM, and now the revised version of his excellent novel, GET RICH OR GET LUCKY.
Writing novels that step into the diabolic genre yet still mange to include real life characters is an art that Max Nowaz performs successfully. His wry humor greatly assists the development of his characters as the opening chapter indicates – ‘The builder was early. He knocked so hard on the old door that Adam thought the door would fall off its hinges. “Coming,” shouted Adam, as he struggled to put on some trousers and rush down the stairs, almost tripping down them in the process. He was not sure if the man had heard him. Just as Adam was about to open the door, he knocked again. A burly, sour-faced man greeted him. “Sorry, I wasn’t sure you heard me, mate.” he said. “I’m in a bit of a hurry as I’m starting on another job this morning, so I’m a bit early. Where’s the job you want the estimate for?”… And so we meet Adam and his ‘project’ that leads to a fascinating tale.
The provided synopsis outlines the plot well: ‘After a string of disappointments with his literary career, Adam decides to embark on a get-rich-quick scheme by renovating rundown houses. Then by chance, he discovers a book of magic in a hidden basement of the latest derelict property he has acquired for renovation. Adam can’ believe his luck. Excited to share his find, he invites his friends Dick and Charlie to tell them about it, but they are very skeptical about the abilities of the book and think Adam is delusional. When Adam tries to demonstrate the magic, things quickly take a turn for the worse. Adam inadvertently casts a spell which turns Dick into a crayfish. Unable to reverse the spell immediately and while searching for the solution, he leaves Dick in the garden pond. Adam and Charlie decide go to The Three Witches, Adam’s local pub, for a drink to calm their nerves and take stock. While they are there, it rains very heavily and the pond gets flooded and the crayfish Dick disappears. Dick’s wife Rachael reports him missing to the police who suspect Adam is having an affair with her and has done away with Dick. Things continue to spiral out of control when Adam is burgled and the book is stolen. He then discovers that a powerful, evil warlock Bruce, is also looking for the book. Adam finds himself in a race against time, to recover the book and thwart the evil warlock threatening him, to stand any chance of bringing Dick back, if he can. Meanwhile he also has to save himself from the attention of the police, and in particular a police officer, who is convinced of Adam’s guilt. They come and dig up his newly laid concrete patio at the back of his house in search of Dick’s body. Though unsuccessful, they are eager to pin Dick’s murder on him.’
This is a fresh approach to the permutations of magic – and with Nowaz’s sardonic humor to soften the edges it works very well indeed