Money to Burn

I couldn't put this book down. "A Novel of Suspense" is an understatement. James Grippando has really outdone himself. A very different book. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes suspense novels or otherwise. Just a great book.

I've read several of James Grippando's novels and enjoyed them all but think he really has outdone himself in this one. I'm not going into the Synopsis of the novel as several have done that and if you read the inside cover you get the idea. I don't have the gift with words so will let those who do give the longer reviews. When you think it's all happened to Michael, it gets worse. And Why?-who is behind all of this. That is what makes the novel interesting and fast paced-no dull chapters that drag. There are some interesting twists and turns and even some of the good guys, aren't. I will have to admit to not understanding all the high finance world. I had some difficulty following all of that part but there still was so much else going on that it keeps moving nicely so even if you're not into Wall Street and high finance the mystery and suspense part if it makes it an excellent storyline and novel. Mr. Grippando ties it all up well in the end and overall it's just a great read!

Wall Street rather than a courtroom is the backdrop for this latest Grippando novel, which is a taut thriller packed with lots of action, down to earth explanations of complex financial terms, and a well crafted plot with lots of twists that end in a surprising manner. Wall Street whiz kid Michael Cantello finds his world turned upside down overnight as his investment accounts are mysteriously closed out, he is accused of insider trading and later murder, and his current wife asks for a divorce. Soon he is running for his own life as he tries to discover who wants to kill him, and how it ties into the financial and personal chaos in which he finds himself. Grippando effectively portrays the insanity of the subprime mortgage market, but even if you do not pay attention to the financial explanations, you can still enjoy a first rate thriller. The plot is complex but understandable, the writing is first rate, and everything ties together in an ending that is not predictable but very plausible. Kudos to Grippando for a great piece of writing.

Again proving that he's not a one-trick pony with his Jack Swytek series, James Grippando brings us a taut and timely thriller set in the Wall Street financial markets just before the collapse leading to the current recession. Michael Cantella is a Wall Street wunderkind, riding high on the crest of the financial wave that's buoyed the country to staggering heights of prosperity, remarried after the tragic death of his first wife and living the good life. But Michael's world is about to crumble around his ears, as all his money mysteriously vanishes, his job's in jeopardy, his wife dumps him and - worst of all - people start turning up dead. Follow Michael in this superbly entertaining novel as he tries to unravel the thread of clues as to who's behind the destruction of his life. In a book filled with vivid and memorable characters playing out a plot filled with twists and surprises, you won't be able to put it down. I couldn't. Five stars.

"Money to Burn" by James Grippando follows investment banker Michael Cantella, who works in the prestigious Wall Street firm Saxon Silvers and is an ambitious man until his rich life starts turning into a nightmare. The book starts off in November 2003, with Michael going on a Saxon Silvers sponsored Caribbean cruise, along with his girlfriend Ivy Layton and his fellow investment bankers. When they board the cruise in Miami, Ivy immediately feels like she doesn't fit in with the gossipy girlfriends of Michael's work colleagues and suggests they charter a private cruise. To her surprise, Michael agrees and the love-struck pair even marry while enjoying their cruise. Shortly afterwards, Michael wakes up and Ivy has disappeared. Fast forward May 2007, and Michael is married to his high school friend Mallory and still working at Saxon Silvers. Much to Mallory's annoyance, he secretly remains in love with Ivy, despite her disappearance. Shortly following his thirty-fifth birthday, Michael wakes up to find out his investment portfolio has been wiped out--with his entire balance transferred to an off-shore account that he never had. As if that isn't enough, reports start circulating that Sexton Silvers is in trouble following the leak of information concerning its twenty-two billion dollars write-down of sub-prime mortgages. At the same time, Michael starts getting accused of insider dealings and even of financially engineering Saxon Silvers ruin. The rumors are headed by TV reporter Chuck Bell, who has a ball destroying both Michael's reputation as well as the firm's, while refusing to reveal the identity of his secret informer. Meanwhile, Michael receives a strange package that blows up in his hands and discovers that he's being spied on. Someone is out to ruin his life and destroy Saxon Silvers. Overall, "Money to Burn" was an engaging read. I read the entire book in one day. Originally, I was drawn to this book because of its relevance to the recent Wall Street melt down. But setting non-withstanding, the book is filled with some powerful action sequences and plot twists.