Third Wheel

• Paperback

• 326 pages
• Publication Date: August 21, 2023

Las Vegas, 1982. Brady Wilks, a teenage transplant from the Midwest, navigates a paradoxical existence in the dusty suburban outskirts of an aberrant 24-hour town built by the Mob. Isolated within his blended family and outcast as a newcomer, Brady eventually forges a brotherly bond with an older teenage neighbor, Mick, and his friend, Brett. But when Brett unexpectedly moves away, Mick invites a new kid into their pack, prematurely squeezing out the last remnants of their childhood in favor of a new world laced with cartel-supplied drugs and the deal of a lifetime.

Third Wheel is a powerful novel about belonging, betrayal, and breaking away from paths laid out by others, even when it means grasping at an uncertain future. It is the story of a boy trying to find his identity without the benefit of a role model by taking chances on random and fragile relationships forged in the predawn hours of a future boomtown.

Desolate and gritty, Third Wheel is a triumphant debut novel, and Brady Wilks is remarkable as a transformative protagonist. Four-time award-winning author Richard R. Becker once again shares his unique insight into the human condition.

"An exhilarating read. Five stars!" - Online Bookclub

"A dark and skillful teenage crime novel with plenty of heart." - Kirkus Reviews

"Becker's storytelling technique incorporates realistic characters and subplots into a vivid story that is as engaging as it is thought-provoking. Five stars!" - Readers' Favorite