Review: Deadline Man Fantastic Mystery!

Deadline Man


By Jon Talton

Poisoned Pen Press
ISBN: 9781590587232
287 Pages


 
You know how some books are called page-turners? Well, Deadline Man, by Jon Talton, is what I've coined a "read-faster!" I don't really know whether it was the writing, his style, the main character's profession, or the suspenseful mystery, but I found myself moving faster and faster across the words to see what was going to happen next! Fantastic!

He was now a well-read Business Financial columnist, having worked himself up from writing obits at Seattle Free Press, a privately owned newspaper that had, under its previous leader been a strong contender in being first in hard news on major issues. However, on her death, the family was interested only in getting their money and if that meant selling the newspaper, then so be it. One of the problems they faced, however, was that there might not be any buyers, given the declining industry.

And it was just a routine interview with Hardesty, whose hedge fund had just invested $75M into a new startup, which he was enjoying, when everything started to go south. He had merely tried to gain new material for his column and picked out a company, Olympic International, that had not been highlighted for many years. But later he would push to remember everything that had happened that day.

--He had heard on the news immediately before the interview that Megan Nyberg, a teenager, was missing.

--He was still thinking about his previous night with Pam, while Troy teased him about being involved with Rachel Summers. Actually he normally had three or four lovers at any given time...

--A blond had shoved past him as he was leaving; he remembered her later when she was trying to kill him.

--Troy Henderson fell from his high-rise terrace immediately after he had left!

--During the interview, Troy had asked him casually whether he had ever heard of eleven-eleven...

And then he wrote his first column on Olympic International...

After that, he was running for his life as men who professed to be FBI pursued him, a prostitute yells after him, "eleven-eleven--you'll get yours!" And he finds himself in bed with Pam, who is dead.

Needless to say, I loved this one. I enjoyed learning about the newspaper business mechanics, such as the lede spelling change, and empathize with the individual employees as they feared losing their job and considered what they would do. Talton has shared a real-time issue with readers as he has also given us a beautifully entwined mystery that keeps readers guessing, but meticulously comes together as if the author had created a tapestry!

This is a must-read for mystery lovers...well above a 1-5 ranking, earning a 9 or 10 in my opinion! Let me know if you agree!

Book Provided Through
Net Galley by Publisher



G. A. Bixler

Review: Great International Finance Drama Out - Bravo!

Coming for Money


By F. W. vom Scheidt

Blue Butterfly Book Publishing Inc.

ISBN: 9780978498283
264 Pages


"Some days it felt like the money left blood on my hands. Not the weary allusion to the stains of Iscariot..." (p. 1)

As I started to read Coming for Money by F. W. Vom Scheidt, I found myself stopping, going back, and rereading paragraphs just to enjoy reading it again. The beautiful, relaxed words, phrasing, had not been what I'd expected. Instead of the fast-paced action adventure I had anticipated, I was forced to sit back, and enjoy the contemplative literary fiction of a master writer! What a delight!

International Investment broker Paris Smith was at the top of his game, making more money for his company than any other broker. Then his wife became ill and love for her won out as Paris took off work to care for her. And even when he came back quickly, too quickly, he had not had time to grieve his loss.

But, apparently loving and caring for his wife was a no-no in the mind of Smith's boss! Because he began to make things harder for him and, when it most counted--when Paris had created a major $100 million bond deal--his boss did not support him at all!

Greed and jealousy--the major problems in high finance. One major player did not appreciate a small company taking on this major deal, so they worked behind the scenes to manipulate and blackmail an important participant into firing the involved employee and withdrawing from the deal.

But for the first time in a long time, Paris began to regain his savvy awareness of those who were corrupt and acting purely for selfish reasons. He started his own investigation, his own interaction with the men who were honorable, or at least much better than those who were purely "out for the gold." And if, on the way, he might have to cut deals, he knew, at least within himself, he would find his way back!

And during all this, he found his humanity, his need for love returning--and he worked hard to find his way back there too!

F. W. vom Scheidt clearly has the expertise to write fiction centering around the sometimes totally unknown world of high finance. He writes indepth, specific accounts, but is able to do so in a practical, credible manner that allows each of us to both learn and experience the impact one or a few people can make when the stakes are extremely high!

Based upon my administrative background, I was able to empathize to some extent with the main character and thoroughly enjoyed every action, every event that was faced by Paris Smith. I applaud the author for taking an inside look into those within the financial arena who must fight through the greed and dishonesty that is often found. It is gratifying to read that, sometimes, the "little guy," although he occupies a high-level position, is working hard and steadily to stay true to basic values we all look for.

Bravo to F. W. vom Scheidt! Coming for Money is the perfect complement to all of the newspaper accounts of national and international finance--surely a must-read for many!

G. A. Bixler

Review: Financial Headlines Explored in Drama

Men of Gain
By Hunter McClelland
Strategic Book Publishing
ISBN: 9781608600687
106 Pages


“No one was complaining as long as business was good; everyone was making money.” (p.41)

Enter into the life style of the rich in Men of Gain by Hunter McClelland. Evan and Jennifer own a “magnificent Tudor house,” own expensive cars, share in family activities on their boat. Life is good.

Until Evan, Manager of the Venable Hedge Fund took more risks than he should have for one of his most important financial deals—involving $19B.

In a modern somewhat novella format, the first half of the book covers the typical activities in the Tipton family. Evan, of course, spends most of his time working or talking on the phone about potential work or emergencies. Jennifer, of course, is a homemaker, taking care of the children and enjoying various leisure activities. Jennifer is considered an outsider, not coming from another rich family, and there is a certain realism to her that in many ways carries the story.

As questions arise, concern is expressed, and problems are expected, it happens during a planned weekend with the family to go out on their boat. Everybody notices that Evan is frustrated and wishes he could have gone to work instead. When his father takes his cell phone away and starts talking, Evan shares some of his concerns, only to have his father clearly let him know that everything he ever did was always morally correct.

Evan felt that times had changed; more was expected these days. Chances had to be taken in order to make the expected bonuses that could run into millions!

Returning to the office after his short time away immediately became a nightmare as he was arrested, charged with malpractice, fraud, and misallocation of funds, and suspended from work, pending an investigation by the FBI and Securities and Exchange Commission.

He also met with his company’s legal representatives, who were supposed to represent him; however, he soon began to wonder if that were true, especially when the lead female lawyer, sexually propositioned him!

Hunter McClelland provides an imaginary intimate look into the family of those Men of Gain in today’s financial world where the “bottom line” is the one and only true goal for those working there. Competition, betrayal, risk-taking are expected; finger-pointing the final outcome. Is it worth it?

Recommended for those who are looking for the answer. A final note of interest, this book is “dedicated to honest, hardworking people everywhere.”

G. A. Bixler

Men of Gain Exposes Costly Wall Street Shenanigans

Timely New Psychological Mystery Novel Men of Gain
Exposes Costly Wall Street Financial Shenanigans

Hunter McClelland’s new psychological mystery novel, Men of Gain, dramatizes the financial and psychological collapse of a hedge fund manager whose decisions costs his clients millions of dollars, when Wall Street undergoes its greatest meltdown in 80 years.

“I felt this story needed to be told as a compassionate study of the personal and emotional life of a man,” McClelland explains. “In today’s society, men’s emotions tend to be ignored. I wanted to trace the psychological evolution my protagonist Evan Tipton goes through when faced with a very stressful situation, where something goes very wrong in his life. When the U.S. financial crisis hit in September 2008, I realized that this was the perfect situation in which to explore men’s nature.

“The book deals with several very timely and controversial issues, including malpractice, risky hedge fund investments, sub-prime mortgages and business ethics. I believe this story is unique, and I am unaware of any other novels dealing with the current financial crisis from this perspective. Men of Gain is meant to be enjoyed but also to promote discussion and insight into how this financial collapse was created. The main reason I write is to show the reality the financial disaster has played out with people, not just with the markets.

“In Men of Gain, Evan struggles personally and morally within the crucible of the financial world. However, the novel also explores whether this fund manager was guilty of unethical practices or was simply naïve as to what was going on all around him.”

San Francisco banker and writer Roland Bianchi says, “You recognize at the outset that the author has a passion for the subject, as well as talent and style that earn your trust. A must read!”

Burlingame, CA doctor Dana Wemple declares, “With this first novel, Hunter McClelland presents an intelligent and perceptive view of current American culture, examining the value in numbers and in relationships. The characters take us on a compelling journey well worth reading.”

And Berkeley, CA educator James Lippincott adds, “Evocative and warm, this page-turner explores the men and events contributing to the economic meltdown of the 21st Century. Magnificently narrated: a voice of the times.”

***

About Author Hunter McClelland
Author Hunter McClelland was born and educated in Richmond, CA, earned a B.S. in psychology from University of California at Davis, and then undertook a nursing degree and a Ph.D. in physiology from Johns Hopkins University. She worked primarily as an operating-room nurse, and also taught nursing for 10 years at Stevenson University in Maryland. During her medical career, McClelland lectured and developed courses in pathophysiology and biology. Currently Hunter is working on her second novel, which deals with green technology and the auto industry.


Men of Gain
116-page paperback; $12.95
Published by Strategic Book Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-60860-068-7
Available at www.amazon.com, www.barnesandnoble.com and www.strategicbookpublishing.com and selected bookstores



2009


Media Contact:
Charlie Barrett, The Barrett Company Communications, Los Angeles, CA
Phone: 310-471-5764; E-mail: cbarrett@thebarrettco.com

Watch for my review coming soon if this sounds like YOUR kind of book!