The Check

A fresh atmosphere and taut prose make this novella an enjoyable read. - Kirkus Chef Carlo Zaratti is on the cusp of greatness. He and his wife Mali own Z, a breakout restaurant getting rave reviews from patrons and critics. They are also expecting their first child. Their lives take a dark turn when Mali is diagnosed with a terminal illness. As his world begins to crumble, Carlo is distraught until their obstetrician offers a glimmer of hope: there is one patient who has survived the disease, thanks to an expensive regimen of treatment. With the restaurant still in debt, Carlo must find a way to raise almost five million dollars. A wealthy and unscrupulous patron of the restaurant refers Carlo to a mystery man – a 'fixer' who can solve almost any problem. But the mystery man has an agenda of his own, and Carlo is thrown into a pressure cooker of emotional intensity.