Gutshot Straight

Gutshot Straight follows Charles "Shake" Bouchon, a professional wheelman fresh out of prison who accepts one final job in Las Vegas. What should be a straightforward task - delivering a mysterious package - turns into a dangerous adventure spanning Los Angeles, Panama, and beyond. The story combines elements of crime fiction and dark comedy as Shake navigates a complex web of competing interests. He finds himself caught between Armenian gangsters, casino owners, and various other criminal elements while trying to stay alive and perhaps make things right. Along the way, Shake's path intersects with an eclectic cast of characters including Dick "The Chef" Moby and Gina Clement, forcing him to make difficult choices about loyalty, survival, and redemption. The novel explores themes of morality in the criminal underworld and questions whether someone can truly break free from their past. Through its fast-paced plot, the story examines how good intentions can lead to unexpected consequences in a world where nothing is quite what it seems.

Readers describe this crime novel as a fast-paced, humorous take on the heist genre. The book maintains a 3.8/5 rating on Goodreads from 600+ ratings and 4.1/5 on Amazon from 150+ reviews. Readers praised: - Sharp, witty dialogue - Complex double-crosses that remain coherent - Likeable protagonist despite his flaws - Natural humor that flows from situations - Las Vegas and Panama settings feel authentic Common criticisms: - Plot becomes convoluted in final third - Some side characters lack development - Romance subplot feels forced - Ending leaves questions unresolved Notable reader comments: "Like Elmore Leonard meets Carl Hiaasen" - Amazon reviewer "The humor works because it's not trying too hard" - Goodreads review "Strong start but loses momentum" - LibraryThing review Professional review aggregator Kirkus Reviews rated it favorably, while noting the plot "occasionally strains credibility."

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🎲 "Gutshot Straight" won the 2011 Oklahoma Book Award for Fiction, marking Lou Berney's first major literary award. 🌴 The novel's portrayal of Las Vegas and Panama draws from Berney's experience as a travel writer for publications like National Geographic Traveler. 🎬 Before becoming a novelist, Lou Berney worked as a screenwriter in Hollywood, which influenced the cinematic pacing and dialogue in the book. 🃏 The term "gutshot straight" comes from poker terminology, referring to drawing cards for an inside straight—a risky and often desperate move. 🏆 The book's protagonist, Charles "Shake" Bouchon, became so popular with readers that Berney wrote a sequel, "Whiplash River," featuring the same character.