5⭐️ “a bisexual probability professor + a problematic government agent + an improbably lucky casino= ALL BETS ARE OFF”
I absolutely ate. this. up!!! Give me 14 of them right now. It’s like Final Destination, but with a probability professor thrown in to (kind of) explain everything away.

Vera, a stats professor, lives through an unforgettable, and wildly unlikely, day when she survives a global catastrophe. After eight million people die in what becomes known as the Low Probability Event, she’s basically given up. That is, until Agent Layne shows up, recruiting her to help prove that a statistically impossible casino might be linked to all these bizarre deaths.

An absurd, queer body horror that’s made me want to dive into every horror book this author has written. Expect this to be my entire personality for the foreseeable future.

I'm really happy I listened to this book versus read it physically. I feel like the narration really added to our main character. The narration was easy to follow and the emotion added some depth to our mc and how she was able to deal with the low probability events.
I really liked this book. Camp Damascus was one of my favourite books and although I still liked that one better this was one was an excellent addition. I think the story was super unique and interesting. I loved the events and characters and how different the book. These characters made me feel so many feelings and will stick with me for a long time. I can't wait to recommend this book.

I love a book that uses math, formulas, and statistics as a pain driver of the plot, and this one was chalk-full of the latter, so it was almost guaranteed to be a win for me.

This is Chuck Tingle's third queer horror novel, and whilst I still have yet to read Camp Damascus (I know, I gotta get to it), after having read Bury Your Gays I think it is clear he is only getting better in this genre.

This book was thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish, even during the more outright absurd parts. And when I say absurd, I mean - Tingle really captured just what it would mean for a Low Probability Event to take place. Vera, as the FMC, felt very strong and real to me. Her emotions were clear and she was very likeable from the first page. And from the moment Layne entered the storyline, I found him both slightly-charming and vaguely-off putting, which I think was maybe the goal? So either way, a win with characterizations. The plot, similarly, was perfectly-paced with just enough absurdity that I wasn't able to put this down until I saw it to the end.

I think the only thing I was a little bummed about with this book was how quickly the queer relationship disappeared from the pages, however I do think not having it be anything close to a focus of the plot did end up helping this book in the end as I am struggling to think of how Annie would have fit into the overall story.

I listened to the audiobook for this, and Mara Wilson did a fantastic job at capturing Vera's voice; I've listened to other audiobooks she has narrated in the past and she always manages a fantastic performance.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ALC of the audiobook!

I feel like I didn't get this. Like on some fundamental level, someone told a joke that just went right over my head. (Or maybe there is no there there?)



Review copy provided by publisher.

Vera is a professor of math, specifically probability, engaged to be married, and out to brunch with their friends and Vera’s mother to celebrate the upcoming launch of Vera’s book. So far a story not unlike other stories. But, this is Chuck Tingle’s world. Just as her mother tells Vera she cannot marry her girlfriend because it isn’t right and it’s just a phase, something loud and chaotic happens. This will later be known as the Rare Probability Event (RPE) and, due to its extreme improbability will throw Vera into a tailspin and cause her to disappear and disengage. Her mother is dead but her fiancé is alive. But Vera is not ready to talk with her. If improbable things can happen, Vera thinks, then nothing matters. We skip ahead to several years later. Vera is still in her funk when someone from an Agency comes looking for her and her special skills. Only Vera can help figure out what caused the RPE and untangle it from a casino that purports to favor its customers yet still makes money. Since that’s also impossible, Vera allows herself to be reluctantly drawn into the case. It is chaotic, crazy and a little creepy. I very much like the agent who knows that anything can happen (as improbable as it may seem), so he goes all-in on trying new things and experiences.
The narration is excellent and the convoluted tale is a lot of fun (with some definitely weird parts). Just hang on and enjoy the ride.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @MacmillanAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #LuckyDay for review purposes. Publication date: 12 August 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC.

Chuck Tingle man. He just has a way. This book was horrifying and fun at the same time. There are images I will never forget. He continues to be a favorite!

4⭐️

I straight up DEVOURED this book. I'm not sure I quite understand it anymore than when I started it. I did absolutely love it. The horror elements of this book is just so chefs kiss. It's gritty, terrifying and fantastically gory but in a good way.

It's such an original unique story that is impossible to explain what it's about. But it's so well written and well done that you just have to go along for the ride.

The narrator of this book was a great choice. She did a great job showing emotion and bringing book to life. The production is super well done.

Chuck Tingle has become an autobuy author for me. He is one my Favorite horror authors out there.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan audio for this advanced listener copy. My review is voluntarily my own.

I have 0 thoughts after finishing with more questions than answers in all honesty. But in the best way possible.

I absolutely devoured this narrative, I truly felt lost in the existential horror of every instance of the Low Probability Event, and events after. The vivid and absurd natures of the said deaths had me tense & utterly shocked.

There a superb example of an FMC with 0 to lose, an incredibly powerful depth into “what ifs” & conspiracy theories, and the instances of true supernatural activity—I was on the edge of my seat.

*Small note: I will add what I personally thought of in this story was the comically accurate depiction of government corruption & the majority of Americans that embody Vera & her “apathetic” approach to life. *


Overall I enjoyed this book immensely & will be preordering soon! Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio & Netgalley for the Audio ARC in exchange for my rambling.

Thank your NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC

This book was utter chaos, and I’m still trying to wrap my brain around it. A mix of horror, thriller, sci-fi, the story is complex, but the underlying themes of hope and moving forward after a traumatic event are so well done. Mara Wilson does an amazing job narrating, and brings the characters and world to life.

This book was definitely not what I was expecting, but in a good way.

It's hard to talk about it without spoiling things that I feel are better left to be discovered by the reader. What I will say is that I really, really loved the main character (Vera), and genuinely her character arc had me tearing up by the end.

The plot itself for me felt very sci-fi in a way that started to turn me off (I'm SORRY guys I just am not a big fan of a specific type of sci-fi and that specifc type appeared out of no where and i was annoyed lol) BUT, I was able to get over this because in the bigger picture, this story was so interesting and unique that I dug it. Definitely a lot of philosophical, existential, what-does-it-all-mean type vibes--which I am into!

I felt like the audiobook narration was great--definitely the narration brought an element of emotion that I appreciated.

Chuck Tingle's ability to weave together his wildly creative imagination with deepy gross/disturbing horror elements and ALSO still managing to somehow heartwarming is simply an astounding and unmatched skill, haha. Overall enjoyable but do go in expecting a lot more science fiction than the description lets on.

Incredible journey full of heart, humor, and disturbing imagery that filled me with scared glee. I had such a good time throughout this entire experience. Tingle is a generational talent, and I mean that. This is Final Destination meets The Monkey with a Lucky Charms twist.

This was way too clever and big brained for my current mood

The statistics, the data, the sci fi, I love every second of it. I do however need to revisit when my life is more put together and I have more than 2 brain cells to rub together.

Side note, I have never heard the counter position to the butterfly effect before this book. 'Historical Inertia' is so interesting I spent a while just googling and researching it.

Great audiobook! I really loved how the narrator brought the story to life and her voice matched the character really well.

However, I'm not sure how to feel about the story because, for one, it's not the kind of book I usually vibe with. I'm not super into absurd or existential stories, and this is very absurd and existential. I thought it was going to be more horror-leaning. And while there is gore and weird shit happening, I wouldn't say I felt fear or dread.

One thing I know for sure is that I do like Chuck Tingle's writing. He can craft a story and interesting characters. The thing is, again, I don't really like this kind of story. There were moments I enjoyed here and there, but since nothing made sense, I wasn't super engaged. I did like the core message here, that even if existence doesn't always make sense, we're here, and we matter.

Do with that what you will.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced audibook.

This book was utter chaos. Like truly the scenes Chuck Tingle wrote were insane. It was so descriptive I could picture it all like a move in my head, it was perfect. Also throw in some statistics. Okay I lot of them. Wild ride.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨️

"Lucky Day" is a gorgeously off-kilter and deeply unsettling horror-thriller from Chuck Tingle, showcasing his growth into serious existential territory while still delivering his trademark surreal flair. This is horror by way of probabilistic chaos—and it’s as brilliant as it is brutal.

The world forever changed four years ago during the Low‑Probability Event, when millions perished in ludicrously implausible accidents—from manhole covers exploding to chimpanzees wielding typewriters. Now, luck isn’t random, it’s a force that bends reality. Vera, a former statistics professor, survived that day but lost everything. The arrival of LPEC Agent Layne at her door reveals that an impossibly successful Las Vegas casino may be infused with lethal luck, and only Vera can help uncover the truth.

Tingle melds cosmic horror with sharply written characters. Vera’s descent into existential despair is rendered with an affecting authenticity, depression, identity, and the meaning of survival are explored with empathy and grit. Layne brings an oddly humorous contrast as both investigator and reluctant companion. Together, they chase the myths of chaos through a Vegas that feels both magical and malevolent.

The concept of “balanced luck”, where every piece of good fortune requires equal catastrophe is woven throughout, giving the horror a philosophical weight almost unheard of in Tingle’s earlier absurdist works.

Expect body horror, surreal violence, and absurdist imagery alongside existential dread. Each freak accident, each uncanny twist, lands with visceral impact, yet beneath the gore pulses a thematic core about grief, identity, and reclaiming meaning amid chaos.

"Lucky Day" is Tingle’s most sophisticated work yet: funny, grisly, bleakly hopeful. It’s immersive horror wrapped in mathematical metaphor and queer humanity. Vera’s journey from numbness to purpose feels earned, and the catastrophes she navigates are striking in their scale and surrealism.

For readers who want their horror philosophical, unpredictable, and unflinchingly weird, this is your jackpot.

This had a very fun concept (death by probability) but it didn't quite gel into something that really worked for me. I'm not sure what exactly it was lacking, maybe a faster paced plot or deeper exploration of some of the explanations at the end? But I very much appreciate the author's discussion of bisexual erasure and also the themes on government oversight (or lack thereof).

Mara Wilson does a great job narrating and blessedly doesn't overemote (something I've noticed actors reading audiobooks tend to do).

I struggled to finish this book because I found it so boring. Like genuinely so, so boring. The beginning started off strong and I was intrigued, but the plot line felt very linear and any mystery wrapped up quickly. It just felt like a slog to get through without any payoff at the end — what could’ve been bizarre and mindblowing turned out to be rather dull and predictable.

I did enjoy the bisexual representation and the book’s discussions of the meaning and purpose of life, but I don’t think the themes were strong enough to make up for such a boring story.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for providing me with an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Review posted to Goodreads 7/24/25.

Review posted to Instagram 7/24/25.

ALC 🎧 Review: Lucky Day by Chuck Tingle
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub Date: August 12, 2025.

What an insanely chaotic ride this one was! Such a unique take on bad luck, and the horror elements did not disappoint. I absolutely loved Vera in this book. Highly recommend checking it out!

Thank you to @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

🎰💀

Vera is a survivor of a global catastrophe known as the Low Probability Event, but she definitely isn’t thriving. Once a passionate professor of statistics, she no longer finds meaning in anything at all.

But when problematic government agent Layne knocks on her door, she’s the only one who can help him uncover the connection between deadly spates of absurdity and an improbably lucky casino. What’s happening in Vegas isn’t staying there, and the world is at risk of another disaster.

#netgalley #chucktingle #bookish #bookworm #book #booksbooksbooks #arcreview #reader #books #read #reading #booknerd #booklover #horrorbook #booked

3.5⭐
"Existence is chaos."
This was my first Chuck Tingle horror novel. I've read a couple of his sentient romances and wanted to see what his horror books were about.

I didn't know what to expect going into it, but it definitely was not this (in a good way). This was a fun read, and I couldn't wait to see what crazy thing happened next. Pacing was a tad odd to me. It would get kind of slow and then we went 0-100 with the next crazy thing.

I really enjoyed Mara's narration. She kept me engaged in this quick read.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and the author for the ALC.✨

I'm in love with how Chuck Tingle's novels somehow manage to feel both timeless but also exactly the novel I need right then to scratch an itch in my brain I didn't even know I had. The way that Bury Your Gays hit on AI, creative sellout/burnout, and measures of success and authenticity, Lucky Day hits on nihilism, fate, existence, and finding meaning when nothing you do seems to matter.

For Vera, probabilities and statistics aren't just her passion but her career. But they become more than that when a series of horrific, low-probability events happen all at once, killing millions of people. From that point on, she does her best not to care, because if anything can happen, what's the point in hoping it'll be something good?

For a book that centers so heavily around existential nihilism and features many gruesome, bloody scenes, it's exceedingly hopeful. The lowest probability event is that you, as you, exist. And yet you do, and that's beautiful. To look out for the little moments, because while human brains are always keyed into remembering the bad and traumatic, small bits of good luck and chance happen all the time.

Beyond that, this book is so quick and snappy - it flies by, both in terms of pacing and length, with Agent Layne and Vera jumping from one event to the next in a way where you're always eager to see what happens next and how it all unfolds. Wilson does a marvelous job narrating, particularly the banter between Agent Layne and Vera.

And for those of you who read the beginning and go "how the fuck did this happen", don't worry, some of them get explained, which was very satisfying to my brain.