D. J. Ciccarello portrait

D.J. Ciccarello

Author & Novelist

New Release

The Lucky Chip: A Psychological Thriller of Betrayal and Murder in The City of Sin
(2024)

When Jack Harper finds an old poker chip in his Las Vegas hotel room, he is confident his troubled past is behind him. The chip has a dark past of its own, however, deeply rooted in 1960s Vegas where greed, betrayal, and revenge were the best odds in the house, entangling Jack in a sinister history that threatens his very existence. The Lucky Chip is a gripping psychological thriller of betrayal and murder. Jack and Emily’s weekend trip is not the first time truth is gambled and relationships saved or ruined. Time often binds itself to objects, and fortune rarely favors the bold.

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Book cover for The Lucky Chip. Depicts a handsome blonde man holding a casino chip with Las Vegas skyline in the background.

New Release

Book cover for The Lucky Chip. Depicts a handsome blonde man holding a casino chip with Las Vegas skyline in the background.

The Lucky Chip: A Psychological Thriller of Betrayal and Murder in The City of Sin
(2024)

When Jack Harper finds an old poker chip in his Las Vegas hotel room, he is confident his troubled past is behind him. The chip has a dark past of its own, however, deeply rooted in 1960s Vegas where greed, betrayal, and revenge were the best odds in the house, entangling Jack in a sinister history that threatens his very existence. The Lucky Chip is a gripping psychological thriller of betrayal and murder. Jack and Emily’s weekend trip is not the first time truth is gambled and relationships saved or ruined. Time often binds itself to objects, and fortune rarely favors the bold.

Order Now

Praise & Reviews

"A beautifully triumphant coming of age story."

-ARC Review

"The writing is extraordinary! From the very beginning, this story had me engaged and filled with anticipation! Fantastic read!"

-GoodReads US Review

"Exceptional insight with an apparent natural proficiency in crafting a scene, a moment, an era that touches and delves into the depths of the reader's memory of life experiences."

-Amazon Review

"From beginning to end, Ciccarello's writing effortlessly carried me on the journey... His prose drew me in, and there were times when it was difficult to put the book down."

-Val Francis, Author

"I laughed, I reflected, and I cried more than once. I loved this book!"

-Amazon Reviewer

"A powerful read."

-BookSirens UK Review

“A beautifully triumphant coming of age story.”

-ARC Review

“The writing is extraordinary! From the very beginning, this story had me engaged and filled with anticipation! Fantastic read!”

-GoodReads US Review

“Exceptional insight with an apparent natural proficiency in crafting a scene, a moment, an era that touches and delves into the depths of the reader’s memory of life experiences.”

-Amazon Review

“From beginning to end, Ciccarello’s writing effortlessly carried me on the journey… His prose drew me in, and there were times when it was difficult to put the book down.”

-Val Francis, Author

“I laughed, I reflected, and I cried more than once. I loved this book!”

-Amazon Reviewer

“A powerful read.”

-BookSirens UK Review

Other Works

Boys Like Kevin: A Coming of Age Novel
(2024)

An emotional journey filled with youthful confidence and adult conflict, exploring the temptation of desire and the complexity of identity. Authenticity comes at a cost, and with his life unraveling, Kevin faces a choice: continue living a lie or embrace his true self, regardless of the consequences. Is he ready to face the unknown and fight for a second chance at happiness?

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Boys Like Kevin by D. J. Ciccarello book cover

No Time for Duplicity: A Psychological Suspense Thriller
(2025)

The boundaries of reality blur when a young therapist becomes entangled with an attractive client from couples therapy. After he finds the client dead in his own home, the therapist must confront the obscured lines between desire and deception in a desperate attempt to regain control of his life.
No Time for Duplicity invites readers to explore the depths of psychological manipulation, identity fragility, and hidden desires’ dark consequences. This gripping psychological thriller will question the lines between illusion and reality we all draw for ourselves.

No Time for Duplicity book cover showing a watch with blood spatters

Boys Like Kevin: A Coming of Age Novel
(2024)

An emotional journey filled with youthful confidence and adult conflict, exploring the temptation of desire and the complexity of identity. Authenticity comes at a cost, and with his life unraveling, Kevin faces a choice: continue living a lie or embrace his true self, regardless of the consequences. Is he ready to face the unknown and fight for a second chance at happiness?

Order Now

Boys Like Kevin by D. J. Ciccarello book cover

No Time for Duplicity: A Psychological Suspense Thriller
(2025)

The boundaries of reality blur when a young therapist becomes entangled with an attractive client from couples therapy. After he finds the client dead in his own home, the therapist must confront the obscured lines between desire and deception in a desperate attempt to regain control of his life.
No Time for Duplicity invites readers to explore the depths of psychological manipulation, identity fragility, and hidden desires’ dark consequences. This gripping psychological thriller will question the lines between illusion and reality we all draw for ourselves.

No Time for Duplicity book cover showing a watch with blood spatters
D. J. Ciccarello portrait headshot

About D.J. Ciccarello

D.J. Ciccarello is the author of the coming-of-age novel Boys Like Kevin. He writes tales of conflict and change across multiple genres, believing good stories contain elements of secrets and second chances. A husband and father living in the Southeast, D.J. has just released his second novel, The Lucky Chip: A Psychological Thriller of Betrayal and Murder in The City of Sin. When not writing, he enjoys competitive tennis and traveling the globe for new adventures and delicious cuisine.

Connect and follow D.J. Ciccarello on Facebook and Instagram at “djciccarello”.