Product Description

For the pure fun of reading, this is a crime caper and a moral tale with a good dose of humor. In a high-tech plot to steal a huge jackpot, lottery insider Rodger McCormack teams up with a well-connected banker, a computer programmer, and an arrogant French mathematician. The gang is able to trick the Pennsylvania Lottery computer into issuing a winning ticket moments after the numbers have been drawn for the $310 million Powerball jackpot. Before their banker can secure the money, things start to go wrong. Keith Evans, a young journalist doing a story on the lottery, comes to town to interview Rodger and soon has the bad luck to be at a crime scene in a bar in gritty South Philadelphia, with his prints on the murder weapon. Along with Rodger’s daughter Melissa, he becomes entangled with the gang in a web of murder and deception. As the police follow their own leads and the gang struggles to hold onto their prize, the young couple closes in on the truth.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1765353 in Books
• Published on: 2006-12-29
• Released on: 2006-12-29
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 496 pages

Customer Reviews

READERS HIT THE JACKPOT WITH THIS ONE!
On the level of plot alone, Powerball 310 is engaging. It gives us lively characters and co-conspirators, all motivated by different needs, with whom one feels great empathy as they voraciously bend and sometimes break the rules in an attempt to change their respective lives.

Written in a style somewhat reminiscent of Hemingway (simple, descriptive sentences), the greatest strength of the novel is Reids ability to weave an intricate, yet amusing, tale utilizing a real mathematical theory unknown to most of us. This type of premise is usually boring since it goes on and on with academic explainations that cause the reader to nod off. Not so in this case. The plot is expanded far beyond its basic premise ultimately leading the reader into the lives of two young people who respect each other's differences yet share a great mutual chemistry.

Without giving away the whole story, let me just say that rookie Reids' Powerball 310 "hits a home run" the first time at bat.

A fun read about the power of greed.
"Greed is good," affirmed Wall Street broker Gordon Gecko in that quintessential '80s movie "Wall Street." After reading K.T. Reid's debut novel "Powerball 310," Gecko's immortal words should be edited to read "Greed is good, as long as it doesn't involve lying, cheating, stealing and murder." Because any reader that picks up "Powerball 310" is treated to a riotous account of all of the above, packaged in a fast-paced novel that's a great read.

"Powerball 310" asks the basic question that probably anyone who has scratched off a lottery ticket wonders from time to time. Namely, can a group of men gain a huge chunk of change -- $310 million, hence the title -- by manipulating the lottery numbers in the multi-million dollar, intra-state Powerball Lottery?

Snooty French mathematician Etienne de Villiers knows so and he wants to prove it by foisting a flawless "numbers" theory on what he considers an indifferent world. Rodger McCormack, chief of lottery security for the Pennsylvania State Lottery hopes so, because he's in dire need of funds to help dig his way out of debt and to support his daughter, a single mother struggling to make her own ends meet. Lottery computer programmer Amrik Salahuddin also hopes the answer is yes, as he wants to indulge in his liking for luxury items. Rounding out the group of winner wannabes is corrupt banker Trevor Harding, who has an eye to using his gains to further fund his extravagant lifestyle.

At first, all seems to go well. De Villiers' theory works perfectly, the winning ticket is issued, and the men find themselves in the enviable position of instant millionaredom. But then, in a spectacular case of Murphy's Law gone more awry than usual, things fall apart for the group. If that wasn't enough for our crazed criminals, nosy journalist Keith Evans adds himself to the mix with a heck of a motivation -- he's trying to clear his name as a murder suspect. Keith, with help from Rodger's daughter Melissa McCormack, tries to close the loop on the bad guys, but both find their own share of woe as a result.

The marvelous thing about this book is that pacing is wonderful and the characters' motives crystal clear with no ambiguities. Despite their obvious greed for the lottery winnings, the bad guys are likeable in a bizarre sort of way (with the possible exception of the snobby De Villiers). Rodger had my sympathy as a man desperately trying to make ends meet. But because he's in a huge debit hole, he feels the only way to climb out is through a windfall. Even Amrik and Trevor had their moments, mostly amusing.

The heroes, Keith and Melissa hold their own, too. What makes these two tick is that they're flawed human beings rather than larger-than-life saviors. Melissa doesn't try to excuse her actions as an unwed mother, but is trying to do the best she can for herself and her toddler daughter. Keith, too, is far from your average "save-the-day" superhero, letting his temper get the best of in him some awkward situations that lead to to a few chuckles.

Those looking for a psychological or detective thriller should leave "Powerball 310" alone. But if you're looking for something that's a lot of fun to delve into and enjoy, this book is definitely the ticket (and a lot longer-lasting than the lottery kind).

Powerball 310 is a definite winner!
Powerball 310 is a potent mix of greed, murder and mayhem with an unusual mathematical twist, played out against the gritty backdrop of inner city Philadelphia. It keeps you intrigued and delighted from its inventive start, to its unexpected finish. The characters and situations are so believable, that you'll be asking yourself what you'd do in the same situation... K.T. Reid has come up with a surprising, yet satisfying answer...