Danny McCall loves basketball more than anything in the world. So why would he risk his basketball scholarship, his relationship with his girlfriend, and his entire future to fix the point spread in a series of college basketball games? These questions haunt Danny as he sits with his beloved coach’s dead body waiting for the police. While journeying back with Danny and his peers to find the answers, we witness the difficult and dangerous choices Danny makes that leads him to this untenable position. We witness his friendship with his team’s amoral star and his involvement with a pair of sleazy gamblers. We witness the struggling relationship between Danny and the girl he loves. And finally, we witness the demise of an upstanding coach who always tried to inspire his players to do the right thing. Set in the early 1990s, Shadow Games is an exciting page-turner, filled with realistic basketball action and characters wrestling with dark underworld influences. In light of the recent scandals in college basketball, Shadow Games is a topical novel for readers of all ages. Above all else, the book is a powerful portrayal of the loss of youthful innocence.


Shadow Games
Danny McCall loves basketball more than anything in the world. So why would he risk his basketball scholarship, his relationship with his girlfriend, and his entire future to fix the point spread in a series of college basketball games? These questions haunt Danny as he sits with his beloved coach’s dead body waiting for the police. While journeying back with Danny and his peers to find the answers, we witness the difficult and dangerous choices Danny makes that leads him to this untenable position. We witness his friendship with his team’s amoral star and his involvement with a pair of sleazy gamblers. We witness the struggling relationship between Danny and the girl he loves. And finally, we witness the demise of an upstanding coach who always tried to inspire his players to do the right thing. Set in the early 1990s, Shadow Games is an exciting page-turner, filled with realistic basketball action and characters wrestling with dark underworld influences. In light of the recent scandals in college basketball, Shadow Games is a topical novel for readers of all ages. Above all else, the book is a powerful portrayal of the loss of youthful innocence.
Judy Bullwinkle –
This is a great read. The story of the college basketball players and the ethical challenges of two of the stars is compelling. I liked the way that the story was told through the eyes of three of the major characters. Although there is lots of basketball descriptions, that does not detract from the fast-based story. The choices made by those characters and the consequences of those actions ring true. There is humor also. This is a work that would be enjoyable to all ages.
Brenda –
This is a really good book that would probably appeal to adult readers as well as young adults. The basketball action is exciting and made my palms sweat! Each character speaks in their own voice and you really feel like you know them. Very fun read.
BookLover –
An interesting look at the conflict of young people facing moral decisions. I liked the characters and the story.
JWM –
For someone who loves basketball or just a plain good thriller, Shadow Games is a terrific read. Lester does a great job of cleverly building the story of two college basketball players who fall in with gamblers and start to “shave” points. The temptation is that you get paid not for losing the game but just for not winning by as much as the spread. It sound simple but Lester has some thrilling descriptions of games where they almost blow it. There are a number of interesting characters that are beautifully developed … the coach who once was a star player for the college, the girl editor of the student newspaper who begins to sniff out something is wrong, and the hippie parents of one of the boys who is fixing the games. There is an underlying moral story that is presented with just the right touch and without a heavy hand. I strongly recommend this book.
L Smith –
Danny McCall could be considered a basketball junkie. His hard work at the game paid off in a basketball scholarship to St. Patrick’s College in New Wexford, New Jersey. However, he and a teammate, Ronnie Knox, risk everything to aid gamblers in a point shaving scheme. The story of Danny, Ronnie and the sports editor of the college paper, K.C. Donovan is told in this quick-reading, fast moving novel by Jim Lester.
Tacy Farrington –
I really like this book. Interesting games and characters. Very interesting perspective on money can corrupt the game.
ST –
Very good book. Lester draws you in (I won’t say how) and then takes you on a suspenseful journey with the main characters. The moral dilemmas are really well done. Any young person would like it and certainly anyone who appreciates college basketball. I really enjoyed this book!