The Poker Club

Four poker buddies kill a burglar who breaks into their house during one of their games, and they decide to throw him in the river so they won't get in trouble with the cops. Of course, this leads to even *more* trouble, because the burglar had a partner, who takes his friend's death personally and starts stalking the poker players and their families, eventually pulling off some homicides. The guys have to decide to go to the cops and get themselves in worse trouble than they'd've started out with, or try to pay the burglar off, or kill him. The fairly simple plot is carried out well, with excellent characterization and a perfect sense of pacing. But even though this was marketed as a horror novel, it's really a crime novel with a high suspense level, so don't go into it with the wrong expectations. Definitely worth a read - it moves fast.

I love Ed Gorman although I'd love to see him swerve more into the horror genre than mystery.. however this story is clever and sharp, my one critisicm is that the dialogue between the poker "buddies" seems a bit contrived and dated, but there are also some real gems of life observations as well as straight up suspense, no chaser!

I was a little leery of this novel at the start. I purchased this not knowing that Ed Gorman's genre was horror, which is not what I normally read. I was quite pleased that Gorman keeps any supernatural element out, and kept the horror to more true to life issues. The novel reads like a thriller, but with the "It could happen to you" element the story line was very scary.The story like the title is based on a four man poker club, Who encounter a burglar one night during a card playing session. All four members have a different idea what to do and before they can go to the police the burglar is killed trying to get away. This starts the ball rolling and it does not stop till the book comes to an end. The main character Aaron Tyler trys to set examples, of what they should do but will the others listen. The club also knows that there is a second burglar, and when the second buglar starts stalking them the action is wonderful.This novel reminded me about Scott Smith's "A Simple Plan". The element of should we go to the police or is it too late. The characters are nice mix and the setting of nice suburbia and the burglar's home in the worst part of the city is a nice public issue piece. The ending was a little bit predictable, however the ride to get there was pure enjoyment.

I loved this book. It held my interest the entire time. Why have I never heard of Ed Gorman before? He is great!

This is the Frist novel from Ed Gorman that I have read. It will not be the last! This story does not slowly build to a peak, it grabs you by the throat early and does not let go until the end. The Poker Club consists of four men but the story is told by one, Aaron. Each of the four men have differing ways of dealing with the stress placed on them as events unfold. This is one of those stories that makes you feel uneasy as you realize that this could really happen.