Book review: Rich in Small Things by Helen J Beal

Book review: Rich in Small Things by Helen J Beal

The book appeals to me instantly as it relates to a young lady who loses her job in the city and finds that her skills are suited to online gambling. I am one of many who believe that many bankers are no more than professional gamblers. All gamblers, no matter talented, either hit a losing streak sooner or later or go for that one big risky deal. The excuse after a failure is that their methods worked perfectly until that one unlucky market crash but now everything is back to normal and they should be given another chance. Anyway, back to the book…

Melissa finds she is a natural at online gambling and soon finds she is a class act on the real poker table too. Like many of us she finds that drink played a part in her one big mistake and she is suddenly indebted to Ukranian thugs.

Melissa’s private life echos her profession as a steady relationship is followed by a fling. She throws herself at an East End wide boy, Henry. Before her big loss she already knows he works for the Ukranians.

In the biggest gamble of all Melissa, with a new female friend, embarks on a journey that takes the story on a long drive all the way from London, via Europe and Eastern Europe to Mongolia. This is a big change in direction for the book and we enter the world of treasure hunts, rallying, car mechanics and travelling. The Ukranians tag along to keep an eye on their debtor but there are numerous new characters forming the other teams. It takes a while to get to know all the personnel but it is worth the effort. My usual gripe applies where I would love to see a list of characters at the start of a novel like this, even with a little of their background.

The competition is fun and there are plenty of sexual possibilities for Melissa and her friend. Eventually Melissa takes a liking to a fellow competitor as the story moves towards the end. We are invited to feel sorry for the Ukranian family at the end but this is a little difficult to pull off. Even Henry becomes a nice guy though he has always been a likeable rogue with a small conscience.

So what does this all tell us about the author. At the start when Henry was talking in the first person I felt that only a bloke could have written some bits. My view changed as I progressed but we know that this author is good at putting herself into the shoes of others (and their thoughts). The author changes the personality of Henry as the book progresses and successfully makes us feel sympathetic towards the Ukraninan thug family (two reasons why I would bet the author watches Eastenders). Every bloke loves a girl who gambles though and this story is a delightful ride. Anyone interested in motor mechanics, rallying, treasure hunts and gambling will surely stay the course.