Unfortunately this book was not for me. Other readers may enjoy it more, but I could not get into it and ultimately did not finish it.

I was pulled in from the very beginning of this book. A high stakes poker game, a murdered journalist by a tyrannical dictator, me too movement and a threat of nuclear war. What doesn't this book have?

I thought this book was action packed and very well written. I fell in love with one of the main character's Kyler and I didn't really like the way it ended only because of how much I liked Kyler.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher and especially the author....great job!

Poker and politics come together in Final Table to create an intriguing novel.

Final Table is told using the alternating points of view of Maggie and Kyler. Maggie is a former White House staffer trying to start her own consulting business. Kyler is a down on his luck professional poker player. They come together due to a unique situation involving a high stakes poker game hosted in a country under fire for the recent murder of a US journalist. The host country is being called out for the recent murder, plus the unjust treatment of its citizens. Meanwhile, Maggie and Kyler are both fighting battles in their personal lives. It’s not a safe time to travel, but Maggie and Kyler both have a lot to gain if they can work together.

With multiple storylines, a lot happens in this book to keep the reader interested. At times, I felt too much was happening, but still found it to be an entertaining read.

A great debut novel. Good for readers who enjoy poker and political thrillers.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

A political thriller about sexual misconduct in the #MeToo era, one victim’s battle to survive and overcome trauma, and the cable news machine that feeds off titillating scandal coverage and inflammatory confrontation, Final Table draws upon Dan Schorr’s firsthand experience as a New York sex crimes prosecutor and sexual misconduct investigator to tackle the worlds of political and media dysfunction.

Prepare to stay up way past bedtime to finish this tense debut political thriller. It is an adult novel with sexual content and profanity. There is a variety of social and political issues woven into a fast-paced plot with unique characters.
Kyler is a down on his luck poker player in financial trouble, wife and kids trouble, and he's full of excuses. He is a complex, well described character, not particularly likable, yet I kept secretly cheering him on. His first tournament is set in Vegas.
Brush up on your poker terminology, it has its own language. I haven't played poker in a very long time and then only for pocket change, not a gambler, barely remembered all those words. I could follow the hands enough to know what the players were doing.
The chapters alternate between the various characters and events, but merge together quite well. All culminating at the "Final Table" in the high stakes Goodwill Poker Classic.
Tori Kinum is a TV news reporter in DC. Her older sister, Emily (an international reporter) has been murdered. Emily was covering human rights atrocities in a small developing nation, the Kingdom, ruled by the Crown Prince.
Maggie Raster quit a prestigious White House position to create her own political consulting business. Now she's deep in debt with no clients.
Bryce Kirkwood is the White House chief of staff, Maggie's former boss. He's not a good guy.
Jacques Bouchard, Canadian ambassador, is the liaison between the US and the Kingdom. He's trying to avoid a nuclear war after Emily's murder.
Priya Varma is a poker professional, an international activist, and a rising media star. She's outraged that Kyler is playing in the Crown Prince's poker tournament.
The plot incorporates a timely example about the ‘#MeToo’ movement. The use and result of social media is prevalent in the plot. There is also some insightful behind the scenes political drama. While there was lots going on, it was all tied together in a life or death "Final Table". There are thought provoking topics throughout the story. I didn't agree with everything or even like some of the characters. However; I read to be challenged, to see things in a different perspective, to be entertained. This story certainly achieved that for me.
The author's background and experience with the legal system and sex crimes was a noticeable advantage in the book. I will watch for his future endeavors.
Thanks so much to Netgalley, Dan Schorr and SparkPress for the advance digital copy of "Final Table". These are my personal opinions and thoughts given voluntarily.

Final Table by Dan Schorr was about a 2.5 to 3 star read, in my opinion.

There were a lot of terms that people who aren't familiar with poker may not understand. If there were a section in the front or back of the book explaining those terms it would have helped quite a bit. Not completely understanding certain terms and having to look them up on my phone while reading was a little annoying and took me out of the story, where had they been noted in the book, I could have read them before I started.

Also, I had difficulty finding a character that I felt any sympathy for or that I cared for. Every single person seemed out to get something for themselves, and the MC's poor me, life is unfair, I never get a break attitude got old quickly.

All in all, this was not the book for me. It may be for someone else, but while this is one of my favorite genres to read, it didn't do it for me.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle by SparkPress and #NetGalley for my honest opinion.

Final Table is an international political thriller told in multiple storylines. Fast paced, full of intrigue, you’ll keep yourself guessing.