Bob Gust is trying to redefine legal thrillers. Real characters who encounter the improbable. Books are usually categorized as either character driven or plot driven. Gust wants his books to be both.
A note of clarification. These books are not about gambling, nor are they stories about a murder at a dice game or at the ladies auxillary bridge tournament. You will have to read them to understand the significance of the titles.
Synopsis:
Amy Prescott is a farm girl trying to make her way in a Chicago law firm dominated by men. Her best chance for partnership comes when she is assigned to a shipping client that is experiencing losses to the point where the entire empire is in jeopardy. Amy struggles with office politics and believes that she has been assigned the work because it will cause her to quit or because she will not solve the problem. Her home-spun wisdom, card sense, and cunning courtroom instincts actually make her the perfect choice for the assignment.
The suspects range from competitors, to the union, to insiders, to the lawyers and everyone else who makes money based on the misfortune of others. Amy travels up and down the Mississippi looking for answers. At every bend, new suspects appear. While others are dealing from the bottom of the deck, Amy always has a new trick up her sleeve.
Reviews:
"“Bob Gust retains a remarkably sure hand marked by smooth word-flow spinning an intriguing tale. Liars Dice was a fine debut. The Card Sharp proves it was no fluke. Gust is a marvelously gifted writer.” See the full review at: http://www.tcdailyplanet.net/arts/books-card-sharp-bob-gust-interview-lawyer-turned-author"
Dwight Hobbes,
Twin Cities Daily Planet, Mpls/St. Paul Magazine.
“"I found the Card Sharp to be a thoroughly enjoyable read that keeps you in suspense until the very end.”"
Robert Stein,
former Executive Director of the American Bar Association.
Dixon Donnelly is corporate attorney with a struggling practice and a marginal love life. As a favor to a friend, he takes on a case that he believes is a simple insurance coverage dispute. He soon finds himself drawn into a bizarre shooting incident in northern Minnesota, which thrusts him into the unfamiliar areas of criminal law and rural America.
The facts seem cut and dried, but Dixon has no reliable witness to verify them. His investigation reveals discrepancies, and his suspicions are raised further when it becomes apparent that someone does not want him investigating the matter. Perception and reality diverge as he tries to save the legacy of a dead man.
“"The Courtroom scenes are a riveting, skillful display of the art of interrogation.”
"
Minneapolis StarTribune
?
"“Thoroughly enjoyable. Gust is a gifted writer"
Robert Stein, Executive Director, American Bar Association.
“"I am not kidding when I say it is one of my favorite books.”"
Jim Olson, KXMC TV
Where to Purchase
Both books can be purchased through any bookstore, but whether they are in stock is always in question. The author has three preferred means.
First, if you are in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, copies (including some autographed) are available from the Once Upon a Crime Mystery Bookstore at 26th and Lyndale in Minneapolis. Pat and Gary are terrific supporters and their bookstore is a treasure.
Second, if you want an autographed copy and are willing to pay a little more, you can buy direct from the author. In fact, if you want a hard cover copy of Liars Dice, you currently have to either buy used or buy from the author. Postage included, Liars Dice costs $25.00 and The Card Sharp $18.00. If you want a special inscription, please specify. Send your request and a check to Bob Gust, 5151 Edina Industrial Blvd., Suite 650, Minneapolis, MN 55439. If you want to use a credit card, you can send that information or call 952-831-3910. For more information, you can email bgust_kretschgust.com, but we don’t recommend emailing your credit card information.
Finally, buying on Amazon is perfectly acceptable. Activity on Amazon tends to beget activity. If you really want to do the author a favor, browse or purchase a bunch of John Grisham and Scott Turow books before buying so that Amazon will tell future customers that people who looked at this Grisham book or that Turow book purchased Liars Dice and/or The Card Sharp.
Gust has three short stories that are generally available from lulu.com. “Murder on a Stick/Dead Air” is a piece that was written for an anthology that was never published about the Minnesota State Fair. “By Any Other Name” was written as a Wisconsin “supplement” to the Silence of the Loons anthology. Finally, because the author’s niece was a character in “By any Other Name,” “The Legend of the Littlest Packer” was written to give equal time to the nephew. All are written in the same Gust style -- a lot of humor, but a compelling underlying story.
About the Author
Bob Gust is an attorney in Minneapolis who focuses his practice on representing businesses and business people with respect to a variety of legal issues. He has appeared in state and federal courts across the country and has also represented clients in multinational and international dispute resolution.
His dog, Murphy, is not possessed. Photoshop has an easy fix for red eye, but apparently hasn't encountered this problem enough to address it.
copyright Bob Gust 2023 no animals were harmed in the making
