The Winner is a good holiday read, a slow-burn psychological thriller that might remind you of the lockdown and the pandemic. The ending might seem frustrating rather than explanatory, but it fits the story. I enjoyed it, but I saw the twist and its fallback coming.

The plot is centred on Connor O’Toole, a young man who graduated from law school against the backdrop of the 2020 pandemic. With a mother suffering from diabetes who had lost her job (his father had died when Connor was a child), he is desperate to find work during a time when jobs are scarce. So, when a rich corporate lawyer invites him to live in a gated community for the rich by the ocean in New England, where he is to give tennis lessons to the residents, he says yes. Not only will he make some good bucks, but he will also meet potential prospects for his future as a lawyer.

As he enters the world of the rich, he is overwhelmed by the wealth of the place. As his clientele list is not enough to cover his mother’s medication and expenses, he gets more worried and anxious every day. Until he meets beautiful, wealthy Catherine, a 49-year-old divorcé who owns the biggest mansion in the compound. Catherine asks for more tennis lessons from Connor and is willing to pay for it. Connor is reluctant at first, but, pushed by his financial needs, he accepts and even enjoys the “lessons” with wild, creative Catherine, becoming more than willing to cater to her needs.

Later, he meets Emily, a young writer from a wealthy family. They fall in love, which complicates his relationship with Catherine. Connor has to navigate the world of the rich and find a way to deal with the two women without compromising his future and income. Things turn dark, a crime is committed, police get involved, and it all culminates in tragedy.

 A light summer thriller, slightly predictable, the book is a good read for the beach. You will enjoy The Winner if you don’t expect a complex plot, likeable characters, or social commentary on the rich, which was quite thin (to my disappointment).