Official Review: The Millionaire's Cross by Sal Nudo

Mbrooks2518 · Post by **Mbrooks2518** » 30 Jan 2020, 08:18

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Millionaire's Cross" by Sal Nudo.]

3 out of 4 stars

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In The Millionaire’s Cross by Sal Nudo, a coincidental meeting changes the lives of three men and one family forever. Brothers Alex and Trevor and Trevor’s boyfriend, Chad, are driving past an isolated cemetery when their car breaks down. Unfortunately, none of them have a cell phone with them to call for help. Luckily, a man named David is there vising his son’s grave and has a phone for them to use. Afterwards, he offers them each fifty dollars to mail a letter for him, which they agree to do. He then asks them to return in a couple of days to do something else for him. Although they are confused and uneasy about David, they agree to meet with him again to find out what his next favor is. At their second meeting, what David asks them to do is more sinister than they expected. Then he offers them five million dollars to do it. Will they accept the money and go through with it?

This was a very interesting and thought provoking story, as it made me think about what I would do in similar circumstances. The plot had many twists and turns, from events that happen the characters to the choices they make, that surprised me and kept me engaged with the story as I wanted to find out what would happen next.

In general, the writing was good. My favorite moments were the meetings with David. The writing conveyed a chilling atmosphere that went well with the cemetery setting and the characters’ interactions. This chilling mood in the group’s first meeting worked great to draw me into the story.

The book’s plot is very character driven as it focuses on the characters and the choices they make and their relationships with each other. Most of the characters were related, so there was a big focus on events that had happened years earlier and their affect on the family, as well as their interactions and feelings about each other.

The only negative thing about the book for me was how parts of Alex’s character were written. Despite him being the narrator and the story being from his point of view, there are choices he makes where there is not much insight into why he made that choice. Then in the second half of the book, there were things that happened where I expected him to at least think that what he did before was pointless, but he didn’t even think about it, which does speak to his character, but it still bugged me that what he did wasn’t even referenced. Then at the end of the book, it’s mentioned that he has nightmares and feels guilty about those things, but it’s never shown at any other point in the book.

This book seems to have been professionally edited. I only found 8 mistakes, and they were all minor ones that did not have any impact on the story. The two worst ones were an unnecessary apostrophe and an unnecessary quote.

Taking into account my issues with the writing of Alex’s character, I have decided to give this book 3 out of 4 stars. Overall, I did like this book and recommend it to anyone that enjoys character driven plots. Those that prefer books with a lot of action should skip this one. There is some disturbing content and a few sexual scenes, so I would not recommend this book to readers under eighteen.

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The Millionaire's Cross
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Post by **CherylTegan7** » 01 Feb 2020, 18:52

This sounds like an intriguing read. What some people are willing to do when there's a lot of money at stake can be chilling. I like that there are family and relationships between the characters as well, adds another dimension, especially in light of whatever decisions they make (how will it affect those relationships). A few minor errors are fine, but I've read books before with characters that confused me and it did pull me out of the read. Great review!

Mbrooks2518 · Post by **Mbrooks2518** » 03 Feb 2020, 18:27

CherylTegan7 wrote: ↑01 Feb 2020, 18:52 This sounds like an intriguing read. What some people are willing to do when there's a lot of money at stake can be chilling. I like that there are family and relationships between the characters as well, adds another dimension, especially in light of whatever decisions they make (how will it affect those relationships). A few minor errors are fine, but I've read books before with characters that confused me and it did pull me out of the read. Great review!

It is a very interesting book. Thanks for reading and commenting!

Roger Glasgow · Post by **Julius_** » 09 Feb 2020, 15:28

An interesting ant thought provoking novel that makes the reader reflect on himself and imagine himself in the same situation. That sounds interesting. Thanks for the review.

Salma_asa · Post by **Salma_asa** » 11 Feb 2020, 11:58

Thriller is one of my favourite genres. Reading your review, it seems like this book is worth trying. Eager to read this. Great job with the review!

Mbrooks2518 · Post by **Mbrooks2518** » 13 Feb 2020, 00:22

Julius_ wrote: ↑09 Feb 2020, 15:28 An interesting ant thought provoking novel that makes the reader reflect on himself and imagine himself in the same situation. That sounds interesting. Thanks for the review.

Thanks for reading and commenting!

Mbrooks2518 · Post by **Mbrooks2518** » 13 Feb 2020, 00:23

Salma_asa wrote: ↑11 Feb 2020, 11:58 Thriller is one of my favourite genres. Reading your review, it seems like this book is worth trying. Eager to read this. Great job with the review!

I hope you enjoy it! Thanks for reading and commenting!

Prisallen · Post by **Prisallen** » 24 Feb 2020, 11:00

I would like to think that I wouldn't take the money (in fact, I feel sure about it). However, one never really knows until they are faced with that situation. This sounds like a very interesting book. It's too bad about the issues with Alex's character, though. Thanks for a wonderful review!

gen_g · Post by **gen_g** » 24 Feb 2020, 19:55

I love character-driven books, and this seems like just the one! Still, it seems like a bit more character development would go a very long way, especially with Alex's character. Thank you for the lovely review!

AvocaDebo621 · Post by **AvocaDebo621** » 24 Feb 2020, 21:13

This seems like an intriguing read.Thriller is my favourite genre and after reading your review, I think I'll give this one a try. Eager to read this book. Great job with the review!

kdstrack · Post by **kdstrack** » 24 Feb 2020, 22:17

I love how the author draws the boys into the "return the favor" type of deal. Then the big guns come out with the huge money offer! It really makes you wonder what kind of favor is being requested?? It's great that there were so few errors. Thanks for this intriguing recommendation!

Mbrooks2518 · Post by **Mbrooks2518** » 27 Feb 2020, 05:29

Prisallen wrote: ↑24 Feb 2020, 11:00 I would like to think that I wouldn't take the money (in fact, I feel sure about it). However, one never really knows until they are faced with that situation. This sounds like a very interesting book. It's too bad about the issues with Alex's character, though. Thanks for a wonderful review!

Yeah, I'm sure I wouldn't take it either, but if I was actually in that situation, I have to admit that I would be tempted. Thanks for reading and commenting!

Mbrooks2518 · Post by **Mbrooks2518** » 27 Feb 2020, 05:30

AvocaDebo621 wrote: ↑24 Feb 2020, 21:13 This seems like an intriguing read.Thriller is my favourite genre and after reading your review, I think I'll give this one a try. Eager to read this book. Great job with the review!

I hope you like it. Thanks for reading and commenting!

Mbrooks2518 · Post by **Mbrooks2518** » 27 Feb 2020, 05:32

gen_g wrote: ↑24 Feb 2020, 19:55 I love character-driven books, and this seems like just the one! Still, it seems like a bit more character development would go a very long way, especially with Alex's character. Thank you for the lovely review!

Thanks for reading and commenting!

Mbrooks2518 · Post by **Mbrooks2518** » 27 Feb 2020, 05:42

kdstrack wrote: ↑24 Feb 2020, 22:17 I love how the author draws the boys into the "return the favor" type of deal. Then the big guns come out with the huge money offer! It really makes you wonder what kind of favor is being requested?? It's great that there were so few errors. Thanks for this intriguing recommendation!

I hope you get the chance to read it. Thanks for reading and commenting!