This is one of those books that, if I had only gone by the cover blurb (or cover art) or even the plot summary here on Goodreads, I probably would have passed on by. It sounds like a million other thriller books out there and unless you are really into financial thrillers or have read Christopher Reich books before, you may have chosen to pass it by too.But I'm so glad I took a chance! It wasn't without some reservation though, as this is not a small book; my paperback copy runs 753 pages. But this is much more than "just" a financial thriller. I wouldn't worry about getting bogged down with too much financial transaction and bank operations plot although you can't help but come away with an increased knowledge of Swiss banking practices, especially when it comes to depositor identifications. There are quite a few characters here and we, along with the protagonist, aren't always certain where their loyalties lie or what their intentions are. That alone kept me on my toes but then adding several layers of intrigue surrounding a take-over bid, an unsolved cold case murder, a nice romance, and even international terrorists make for a pretty complex and yet nicely interwoven plot. It's really difficult to believe this is the author's first published novel. But the detail of Zurich, Switzerland, as well as the inner workings of a large Swiss bank makes it evident that the author knows a lot about what he is writing about.If I have any criticism at all it would be that there may be too much going on here. A couple of the plot elements seemed to be kind of stuck in there but that is really being nitpicky on my part. It was definitely a page turner, and that's really the goal with a good thriller.So now I've got to add another must-read author to my way too lengthy list. Life could be worse.
First off, I would have rated 3 and a half, but without the option of a half I rated 4 because I thought it better than 3.Second, I read because I wanted to know what had happened to bring the characters to where they are for the period of the book. So that I wanted to know what had happened, and what was going to subsequently happen, says a lot.However, third, the trusty old cliché of terrorism and a pending-terrorist attack, and Middle East organised crime is used as background plot. Considering that the main story is what is going on in the Swiss financial world, terrorism and Middle East crime seems out of place alongside it.I also feel that there are other clichés regarding the plot regarding the main character, Neumann: he was engaged, they were on the verge of getting married and because of what he was pursuing in Switzerland (I won't give too much away) they break up, so he has regrets about it; his ex-fiancée is then getting married again, so he wants her back; he had a difficult relationship with his father. Despite these easily being realities, the times they have been used in books, TV shows and films!Then there's the cliché of an arrogant, unlikeable American law enforcement officer, Sterling Thorne, who is making it his life's sole aim to bring the criminal to justice, to hell with the cost and consequences, don't you know!As I said, I read it wanting to know what it was all about. I wouldn't recommend reading it, but wouldn't recommend steering clear either. If you read it, don't expect originality or brilliance.
Do You like book Numbered Account (1998)?
Although I enjoyed this novel, it took me almost two months to finish. Way too long for me. The characters and story line/s were interesting - but at times it just did not hold my attention as it should have, and I have not idea why....maybe it was the holidays and my growing list of TO DO items, maybe it was the fact that I am no financial wizard - so some of the terminology was new to me.... regardless I was torn as to the number of stars to give this novel - Ive gone between 3 - 4 during the entire time I wrote this.....for me, I am settling on a 3 (I think), but I am sure others would rate it a 4.....
—Nicole
I was mildly disappointed with the way book ended. The story was plain: good guy, bad guy- story. If I could justify myself in giving 3 stars, it is because the book shed lights on the Swiss bank and its account holders. I have lately been very optimistic to the point of foolishness regarding the Government's reluctance in obtaining the black money record from Swiss bank. Now I realize it's not a simple case of ask and get process. Bank has a reputation (good or bad still reputation is reputation) and it fights to keep its head up. Author made a mess of love tangle in Neumann's life. The lady who bemoans over gender inequality does not qualify to raise her voice against gender equality- as she does many things to get her works done. Military story looks authentic and even interesting to a point that I was unable to stop reading once military life gets started.Overall the book is good if you have never seen a hollywood movie and new to reading books related to banks.
—Vasanth Gurushankar
A decent book, but there's just too much of it. Reich tries to pace this thriller about an American working for a corrupt Swiss bank by using an upcoming shareholder meeting as a ticking clock. Will the protagonist be able to unravel the bank's connection to a Middle Eastern drug lord and solve the mystery of his father's murder before the bank suffers a hostile takeover? It seems like the shareholder meeting device should work, but the book sags for a few hundred pages in the middle (hence 2 stars, not 3). The setting in Zurich is a plus; the mundane drug-lord antagonist is a minus. I think this was the author's first book so I'd consider reading the later ones--the problems here are rookie mistakes.
—Emily
