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Grove O'Rourke #2
The Trust
One sultry morning in Charleston, South Carolina, real estate magnate Palmer Kincaid's body washes ashore, the apparent victim of accidental drowning. Palmer's daughter calls Grove O'Rourke, stockbroker and hero of Top Producer, for help getting her family's affairs in order. Palmer was Grove's mentor and client, the guy who opened doors to a world beyond Charleston. Grove steps in as the interim head of the Palmetto Foundation, an organization Palmer created to encourage philanthropy.
Community foundations, like the Palmetto Foundation, are conduits. Philanthropists gift money to them and propose the ultimate beneficiaries. But in exchange for miscellaneous benefits-anonymity, investment services, and favorable tax treatment-donors lose absolute control. Once funds arrive, community foundations can do whatever they decide.
For years Palmer showed great sensitivity to his donors, honoring their wishes to funnel funds into the charities of their choice-his unspoken pledge-and it was this largesse which made him a respected pillar of the Charleston community. But after Grove authorizes a $25 million transfer requested by a priest from the Catholic Fund, he discovers something is terribly wrong. He gets a call from Biscuit Hughes, a lawyer representing the people of Fayetteville, North Carolina, against a new sex superstore in their town. Biscuit has traced the store's funding to a most unlikely source: the Catholic Fund.
Together, Grove and Biscuit launch an investigation into the fund, but the deeper they dig, the more evidence they find that the fund's money isn't being used to support the impoverished-it's going somewhere much more sinister. When someone close to him disappears and the FBI starts breathing down his neck, Grove knows he has to figure out who's pulling all the strings before the shadowy figure who will stop at nothing to keep the fund a secret gets to him.
Community foundations, like the Palmetto Foundation, are conduits. Philanthropists gift money to them and propose the ultimate beneficiaries. But in exchange for miscellaneous benefits-anonymity, investment services, and favorable tax treatment-donors lose absolute control. Once funds arrive, community foundations can do whatever they decide.
For years Palmer showed great sensitivity to his donors, honoring their wishes to funnel funds into the charities of their choice-his unspoken pledge-and it was this largesse which made him a respected pillar of the Charleston community. But after Grove authorizes a $25 million transfer requested by a priest from the Catholic Fund, he discovers something is terribly wrong. He gets a call from Biscuit Hughes, a lawyer representing the people of Fayetteville, North Carolina, against a new sex superstore in their town. Biscuit has traced the store's funding to a most unlikely source: the Catholic Fund.
Together, Grove and Biscuit launch an investigation into the fund, but the deeper they dig, the more evidence they find that the fund's money isn't being used to support the impoverished-it's going somewhere much more sinister. When someone close to him disappears and the FBI starts breathing down his neck, Grove knows he has to figure out who's pulling all the strings before the shadowy figure who will stop at nothing to keep the fund a secret gets to him.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published May 8, 2012
10 people are currently reading
209 people want to read
About the author
Norb Vonnegut
11 books63 followers"Author of glittery thrillers about fiscal malfeasance...his own improbably sexy genre." -Janet Maslin, the New York Times
When money talks…I listen. Always have. I'm fascinated by what can go wrong and spent years on Wall Street dealing with the problems of wealth. Morgan Stanley, Paine Webber, and Kidder Peabody—I've been around the block. Back then, my job was to protect clients from market disasters.
Today as an author, I'm still asking what can go wrong. Only now, my goal is to take readers on a thrilling ride through the wilds and what-if of Wall Street. The characters in my stories, whether I'm writing fiction or non-fiction, are perfect fodder for an irreverent look at what happens behind the scenes in the bare-knuckled world of finance.
I believe every book should begin with a big idea. In my latest novel, The Trust, I examine how some criminals hide behind the First Amendment and its guarantee of religious freedom. The villain in this story, a real sicko, infiltrates a family's finances before they suspect anything is wrong. And it's up to Grove O'Rourke—stockbroker, good guy, a recurring character in my fiction—to put things right.
Other thing to know about me: I graduated from Phillips Exeter in 1976, Harvard College in 1980 and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1986. My family and I split our time between New York City and Narragansett, Rhode Island. I'm an avid cyclist and a Trustee with the American Foundation for the Blind. And I absolutely love books on tape.
I have two new ideas for the Grove O'Rourke series. But these days I'm working on my first non-fiction book. I hope you will check back every now and then. Because, I look forward to telling you a true story about the American dream colliding with American justice. Hint: This is not your father's Law and Order.
When money talks…I listen. Always have. I'm fascinated by what can go wrong and spent years on Wall Street dealing with the problems of wealth. Morgan Stanley, Paine Webber, and Kidder Peabody—I've been around the block. Back then, my job was to protect clients from market disasters.
Today as an author, I'm still asking what can go wrong. Only now, my goal is to take readers on a thrilling ride through the wilds and what-if of Wall Street. The characters in my stories, whether I'm writing fiction or non-fiction, are perfect fodder for an irreverent look at what happens behind the scenes in the bare-knuckled world of finance.
I believe every book should begin with a big idea. In my latest novel, The Trust, I examine how some criminals hide behind the First Amendment and its guarantee of religious freedom. The villain in this story, a real sicko, infiltrates a family's finances before they suspect anything is wrong. And it's up to Grove O'Rourke—stockbroker, good guy, a recurring character in my fiction—to put things right.
Other thing to know about me: I graduated from Phillips Exeter in 1976, Harvard College in 1980 and earned an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1986. My family and I split our time between New York City and Narragansett, Rhode Island. I'm an avid cyclist and a Trustee with the American Foundation for the Blind. And I absolutely love books on tape.
I have two new ideas for the Grove O'Rourke series. But these days I'm working on my first non-fiction book. I hope you will check back every now and then. Because, I look forward to telling you a true story about the American dream colliding with American justice. Hint: This is not your father's Law and Order.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
July 30, 2012
The Trust is a real page turner! Thoroughly enjoyed Norb Vonnegut's latest novel; it has it all, suspense, humor, good guys and of course, villians you love to hate! Norb has really hit his stride with his latest financial thriller! Highly recommend it.
August 16, 2012
*Won through a Goodreads giveaway*
I wish I'd read Top Producer: A Novel of Dark Money, Greed, and Friendship first. After having read this book, I would like reading more about the protagonist Grove O'Rourke. He was a fun, likeable, smart character from page one. The Trust is about O'Rourke helping the family of his mentor, Palmer, who has recently been found dead, square away his affairs. O'Rourke steps in as a board member for the Palmetto Foundation. It's not long before shady dealings begin to rear its ugly head.
This book is well written and is really easy to follow. There's a lot more action in this book than I expected. I thought it would primarily be about trust funds, hedge funds, or full of financial jargon I'd need to Google just to sort out. Luckily, this book is easy to read and interesting. There were never any dull moments. Vonnegut kept the action up and the story moving forward. I look forward to reading more by this author.
I wish I'd read Top Producer: A Novel of Dark Money, Greed, and Friendship first. After having read this book, I would like reading more about the protagonist Grove O'Rourke. He was a fun, likeable, smart character from page one. The Trust is about O'Rourke helping the family of his mentor, Palmer, who has recently been found dead, square away his affairs. O'Rourke steps in as a board member for the Palmetto Foundation. It's not long before shady dealings begin to rear its ugly head.
This book is well written and is really easy to follow. There's a lot more action in this book than I expected. I thought it would primarily be about trust funds, hedge funds, or full of financial jargon I'd need to Google just to sort out. Luckily, this book is easy to read and interesting. There were never any dull moments. Vonnegut kept the action up and the story moving forward. I look forward to reading more by this author.
May 5, 2012
The Trust is a terrific fast moving thriller that takes an interesting and informative look at the world of high finance and the diabolical methods used by those who are trying to launder money for drug cartels. Grove O’Rourke, a rising young star in a NYC brokerage firm has a Charleston, SC pillar of the community to thank for who he has become. Palmer Kincaid was his mentor and his inspiration so when Palmer dies suddenly leaving a request for Grove to serve as trustee for his charitable foundation he would not think of refusing. But, he also never dreamed he would become involved in a huge money laundering scheme and become the target of the FBI.
I sometime have trouble following all of the dealings in financial thrillers but the background in this was very well explained without becoming tedious. A very interesting insight into the wheelings and dealings of big financial organizations.
I sometime have trouble following all of the dealings in financial thrillers but the background in this was very well explained without becoming tedious. A very interesting insight into the wheelings and dealings of big financial organizations.
June 10, 2012
Norb Vonnegut’s "The Trust" unquestionably grabs the reader --- I found myself so invested in it I didn't want to put the book aside until I had finished it. The characters are top-notch, well-drawn and believable. I especially liked the character of "Biscuit" with his deft maneuvering of things; very savvy, with lots on the ball.
While "The Trust" has some seemingly-predictable moments of duplicity [and other such characteristics common to the genre], the reader is definitely surprised by the unfolding of events. Just when you think you have it all figured out, Mr. Vonnegut presents the reader with a "WOW" moment that you'll never see coming . . . one that changes everything you thought you knew.
The book is rich with details that are readily recognizable to the reader, especially in connection with its setting. I found myself nodding in agreement over many of the "southern-isms" in the book that I could really relate to as my real-life experiences were so similar to what the author was describing in Charleston . . . some very nice touches that definitely draw the reader in to the story.
"The Trust" is a thrilling book that most assuredly belongs on your must-read list.
While "The Trust" has some seemingly-predictable moments of duplicity [and other such characteristics common to the genre], the reader is definitely surprised by the unfolding of events. Just when you think you have it all figured out, Mr. Vonnegut presents the reader with a "WOW" moment that you'll never see coming . . . one that changes everything you thought you knew.
The book is rich with details that are readily recognizable to the reader, especially in connection with its setting. I found myself nodding in agreement over many of the "southern-isms" in the book that I could really relate to as my real-life experiences were so similar to what the author was describing in Charleston . . . some very nice touches that definitely draw the reader in to the story.
"The Trust" is a thrilling book that most assuredly belongs on your must-read list.
September 14, 2012
Grove O’Rourke is at it again. The stockbroker at Sachs, Kidder and Carnegie, who was the hero in Norb Vonnegut’s earlier novel called Top Producer, finds himself in trouble when a client's body washes ashore near Charleston, S.C. In Top Producer, one of Grove’s clients met a particularly gruesome death. If I was a client, I’d probably start looking around for a new stockbroker at this point.
Grove is drawn to Charleston to help the beautiful widow and daughter (an old flame) of the deceased. He’s soon drawn into a vicious money laundering scheme when he agrees to serve on a board with these two women. Along the way, we learn about a fiendish spray can full of something called Great Stuff that expands relentlessly when squirted into various body orifices. It causes a pretty gruesome death.
Vonnegut has constructed a complex plot that is sometimes difficult to follow. The story’s pace is quick but I detected a slightly slower movement in the action when compared with his earlier two financial thrillers; this is a good thing for the reader. The characters we meet are fascinating and some are not at all what they first appear to be. You must be patient and observant as the story unfolds.
An engrossing read from start to finish, certainly worth your time and money.
Grove is drawn to Charleston to help the beautiful widow and daughter (an old flame) of the deceased. He’s soon drawn into a vicious money laundering scheme when he agrees to serve on a board with these two women. Along the way, we learn about a fiendish spray can full of something called Great Stuff that expands relentlessly when squirted into various body orifices. It causes a pretty gruesome death.
Vonnegut has constructed a complex plot that is sometimes difficult to follow. The story’s pace is quick but I detected a slightly slower movement in the action when compared with his earlier two financial thrillers; this is a good thing for the reader. The characters we meet are fascinating and some are not at all what they first appear to be. You must be patient and observant as the story unfolds.
An engrossing read from start to finish, certainly worth your time and money.
September 4, 2012
riveting! It is a fast-paced and well-researched book that is set in Charleston but travels to Wall Street, Fayeteville and Turks and Caicos. The title is a double-entendre about high finance and personal relationships.
October 17, 2024
It was time for a nice suspense novel and this did the trick, had me going.
July 14, 2012
THE TRUST by Norb Vonnegut is an intriguing,fast paced,action filled thriller. This is the second book in the fascinating world of Grove O’ Rourke,but can be read as a stand alone. See, “Top Producer”. From the financial world to investment brokers to murder and further “The Trust” will grip you from the first page to the last. Follow Grove O’Rourke on another trail as he follows the money and he and Biscuit Hughes investigates the sinister world of high finance and the brokerage business. If you enjoy the works of Nelson DeMille,you will enjoy this high-octane thriller.A compelling and spell-bound story of high finance business. A wild ride through the finance and brokerage world. “The Trust” is a must read for any thriller readers and anyone who enjoys a riveting thriller.Mr. Vonnegut knows how to draw in a reader with his peek at the world of finance,and his portrayal of the moguls of that world. Received for an honest review from Newman Communications,Inc. Details can be found at Minotaur Books,Thomas Dunne Books,an imprint of St. Martin’s Press,the author’s website,and My Book Addiction and More.
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING:Mild: Mild detailed scenes of intimacy,mild violence or profanity
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction and More
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING:Mild: Mild detailed scenes of intimacy,mild violence or profanity
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction and More
August 12, 2012
The Trust by Norb Vonnegut is an exciting venture into the secretive side of financial markets with a captivating and suspenseful plot. Grove O’Rourke, who appeared in Vonnegut’s Top Producer, is a stockbroker working for the Kincaid family who takes on the job of running a philanthropic organization after Palmer Kincaid, the founder of the organization, drowns. Uncovering dark and sinister intentions while performing his new duties for the Palmetto Foundation, O’Rourke must unravel a complex and corrupt scheme that is drawing its financial resources from the charitable organization and using those funds for anything but charity. Vonnegut makes his characters believable in this intense tale that also has its share of humor deftly placed by the author, giving a sense of realism to the plot as it progresses. Readers will delight in the plot twists that Vonnegut has woven into this suspense thriller that would change most anyone’s perception of the workings of the global finance markets and I highly recommend The Trust to suspense fans.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of The Trust through the Amazon VINE Program, for review.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of The Trust through the Amazon VINE Program, for review.
September 11, 2012
I LOVED this book and thrillers are not my normal read. The Trust was very fast paced and intense. It grabbed me from the first chapter and kept me reading at every possible free moment until conclusion. I am giving this book a 5 star and passing it on to my husband to read!
My rating system is as follows:
5 stars - Excellent, Worth Every Penny, Made It Into My Personal Library!
4 stars - Great book, but not a classic.
3 stars - Good overall, generally well written.
2 stars - Would not recommend based on personal criteria.
1 star - Difficult to read, hard to finish, or didn't finish. Wouldn't recommend purchasing or reading.
In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, you should assume that every book I review was provided to me by the publisher, media group or the author for free and no financial payments were received, unless specified otherwise.
My rating system is as follows:
5 stars - Excellent, Worth Every Penny, Made It Into My Personal Library!
4 stars - Great book, but not a classic.
3 stars - Good overall, generally well written.
2 stars - Would not recommend based on personal criteria.
1 star - Difficult to read, hard to finish, or didn't finish. Wouldn't recommend purchasing or reading.
In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, you should assume that every book I review was provided to me by the publisher, media group or the author for free and no financial payments were received, unless specified otherwise.
July 15, 2012
I received this book last week thanks to the Goodreads First Reads program. I am usually not one for financial thrillers, but I thought that this book was very good. Once I started it, I had a hard time putting it down- well developed plot, interesting characters, fast paced. My only complaint was that at times, there was some confusing dialogue between characters- otherwise, it was a quick, entertaining read that kept me guessing until the last few chapters.
August 23, 2012
This is the best thriller yet by Norb Vonnegut. I hold him responsible for my lack of sleep over the two days that I read this book, but I just could not put it down for love nor money. And money is a sexy topic when it's in this author's hands. Strongly recommend that you buy and read the trust ...Grove O'Rourke is a terrific hero ... reminds me of some of Dick Francis' heroes and I am an admitted addict of his work.
August 16, 2012
I really liked this novel. We follow Grove O'Rourke - NYC stock broker, the main character as he follows the money of a charitable conduit. The family ties in his home town and their effects on the sleazy sides of the financial businesses and how they are used by organized crime. I was kept in suspense through about 2/3 when I thought I had it figured out. I won this book as a First Read.
August 5, 2012
What a blast! Vonnegut is the master at creating high-octane suspense out of international finance. Grove O'Rourke, the smart-mouthed investment banker, is back and manages to get himself in boatload of trouble. 'Biscuit' Hughes, a Fayetteville, NC attorney, almost steals the show. But Grove and his dead-panned articulation of his worldview never release the reigns.
August 18, 2012
Excellent thriller about money laundering & other Wall Street scheming. Strong follow-up to 'Gods of Greenwich.'
November 13, 2012
Smart, exciting thriller. Kept me on the edge of my seat.
July 11, 2021
2.5 stars Really, really tough for me to get into. Found things a bit confusing but perhaps it was that I didn’t really care? Things picked up and got interesting for the second half of the book but totally relate to those who might give up during the first half. Semi curious about the first book in the series but not in any rush to seek it out.
June 3, 2021
Loved it!
Want to Read
January 3, 2023I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
November 13, 2025
ok
A great setting in Charleston but he loves the “f” word too much for my taste. I stopped before finishing and will pass on any other books he has.
A great setting in Charleston but he loves the “f” word too much for my taste. I stopped before finishing and will pass on any other books he has.
October 13, 2012
Norb Vonnegut in his new book, “The Trust” Book Two in the Grove O’Rourke series published by Minotaur Books puts Grove O’Rourke inside the world of charitable donations.
From the inside jacket cover: Norb Vonnegut lends his unique insider’s perspective and his darkly humorous writing to a fast-talking suspense thriller that takes readers inside the high-rolling world of global finance.
One sultry morning in Charleston, South Carolina, real estate magnate Palmer Kincaid’s body washes ashore, the apparent victim of accidental drowning. Palmer’s daughter calls Grove O’Rourke, stockbroker and hero of Top Producer, for help getting her family’s affairs in order. Palmer was Grove’s mentor and client, the guy who opened doors to a world beyond Charleston. Grove steps in as the interim head of the Palmetto Foundation, an organization Palmer created to encourage philanthropy.
Community foundations, like the Palmetto Foundation, are conduits. Philanthropists gift money to them and propose the ultimate beneficiaries. But in exchange for miscellaneous benefits—anonymity, investment services, and favorable tax treatment—donors lose absolute control. Once funds arrive, community foundations can do whatever they want with them.
For years Palmer showed great sensitivity to his donors, honoring their wishes to funnel funds into the charities of their choice—his unspoken pledge—and it was this largesse which made him a respected pillar of the Charleston community. But after Grove authorizes a $25 million transfer requested by a priest from the Catholic Fund, he discovers something is terribly wrong. He gets a call from Biscuit Hughes, a lawyer representing the people of Fayetteville, North Carolina, against a new sex superstore in their town. Biscuit has traced the store’s funding to a most unlikely source: the Catholic Fund.
Together, Grove and Biscuit launch an investigation into the fund, but the deeper they dig, the more evidence they find that the fund’s money isn’t being used to support the impoverished—it’s going somewhere much more sinister. When someone close to him disappears and the FBI starts breathing down his neck, Grove knows he has to figure out who’s pulling all the strings before the shadowy figure who will stop at nothing to keep the fund a secret gets to him.
I never would have believed that the world of charitable donations could be so dangerous. It seems that foundations and charities reserve the right to allocate your donations to areas of their choosing. Normally this is not a life threatening event but in the hands of a master story-teller this turns into a super exciting page flipping thriller. Grove O’Rourke has taken over as interim head of the Foundation and he makes a transfer based on a simple request. Now, not only are there all kinds of investigations but his life is being threatened as the hidden manipulators do not want him to uncover their lucrative schemes. “The Trust” is a high-octane thriller with so much misinformation and deceit that it takes a lot of concentration just to keep your head above water. This book races along at lightening speed and Grove and Biscuit are put through their paces trying to solve this financial nightmare. Mr. James does an exceptional job of describing for us the financial and legal details that are necessary for us to really understand just what is going on and he does it in an entertaining manner drawing on his Wall Street background. I really liked this book. I really like Norb Vonnegut. I am glad I found him and look forward to his next offering.
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Minotaur Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
From the inside jacket cover: Norb Vonnegut lends his unique insider’s perspective and his darkly humorous writing to a fast-talking suspense thriller that takes readers inside the high-rolling world of global finance.
One sultry morning in Charleston, South Carolina, real estate magnate Palmer Kincaid’s body washes ashore, the apparent victim of accidental drowning. Palmer’s daughter calls Grove O’Rourke, stockbroker and hero of Top Producer, for help getting her family’s affairs in order. Palmer was Grove’s mentor and client, the guy who opened doors to a world beyond Charleston. Grove steps in as the interim head of the Palmetto Foundation, an organization Palmer created to encourage philanthropy.
Community foundations, like the Palmetto Foundation, are conduits. Philanthropists gift money to them and propose the ultimate beneficiaries. But in exchange for miscellaneous benefits—anonymity, investment services, and favorable tax treatment—donors lose absolute control. Once funds arrive, community foundations can do whatever they want with them.
For years Palmer showed great sensitivity to his donors, honoring their wishes to funnel funds into the charities of their choice—his unspoken pledge—and it was this largesse which made him a respected pillar of the Charleston community. But after Grove authorizes a $25 million transfer requested by a priest from the Catholic Fund, he discovers something is terribly wrong. He gets a call from Biscuit Hughes, a lawyer representing the people of Fayetteville, North Carolina, against a new sex superstore in their town. Biscuit has traced the store’s funding to a most unlikely source: the Catholic Fund.
Together, Grove and Biscuit launch an investigation into the fund, but the deeper they dig, the more evidence they find that the fund’s money isn’t being used to support the impoverished—it’s going somewhere much more sinister. When someone close to him disappears and the FBI starts breathing down his neck, Grove knows he has to figure out who’s pulling all the strings before the shadowy figure who will stop at nothing to keep the fund a secret gets to him.
I never would have believed that the world of charitable donations could be so dangerous. It seems that foundations and charities reserve the right to allocate your donations to areas of their choosing. Normally this is not a life threatening event but in the hands of a master story-teller this turns into a super exciting page flipping thriller. Grove O’Rourke has taken over as interim head of the Foundation and he makes a transfer based on a simple request. Now, not only are there all kinds of investigations but his life is being threatened as the hidden manipulators do not want him to uncover their lucrative schemes. “The Trust” is a high-octane thriller with so much misinformation and deceit that it takes a lot of concentration just to keep your head above water. This book races along at lightening speed and Grove and Biscuit are put through their paces trying to solve this financial nightmare. Mr. James does an exceptional job of describing for us the financial and legal details that are necessary for us to really understand just what is going on and he does it in an entertaining manner drawing on his Wall Street background. I really liked this book. I really like Norb Vonnegut. I am glad I found him and look forward to his next offering.
If you would like to listen to interviews with other authors and professionals please go to www.kingdomhighlights.org where they are available On Demand.
To listen to 24 hours non-stop, commercial free Christian music please visit our internet radio station www.kingdomairwaves.org
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Minotaur Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
July 3, 2013
PROTAGONIST: Grove O'Rourke, stockbroker
SETTING: Charleston, SC
SERIES: #2 of 2
RATING: 3.5
Palmer Kincaid, real estate magnate, was an important person in stockbroker Grove O’Rourke’s life. He served as mentor and friend to Grove. It comes as a big surprise to learn that Palmer has drowned in a boating accident, especially since he was an expert helmsman. Palmer’s daughter, Claire, to whom Grove has always been attracted, calls to let him know the news and to request that he come to Charleston, South Carolina, to help the family put their financial affairs in order. Although there is some antagonism between Claire and Palmer’s second wife, JoJo, they both seem content with how the estate is settled.
Palmer was very active in a philanthropic group called the “Palmetto Foundation”, with Claire and JoJo as members of the board. They ask Grove to join them. His New York employer objects to his assuming this role; however, Grove feels an obligation to Palmer to continue his legacy. As it turns out, that trust has been misplaced. A North Carolina lawyer named Biscuit Hughes has found a link between the foundation and a sex superstore which is supported by the Catholic Fund. As it turns out, there’s far more going on behind the scenes that indicates various unsavory activities being financed by the Fund.
As Biscuit and Grove start to unearth the truth, however, the people behind the scams and schemes retaliate by taking JoJo hostage. At issue is a large grant that was promised to a priest that Grove has halted. It tears him apart to realize that JoJo is being tortured, and he sets up a situation that will allow him to take her place. There’s lots of cutting and brutal treatment involved, which led to one of the major flaws of the book for me. Both JoJo and Grove are constantly attacked; at one point, one of the bad guys is actually cutting Grove in public. Based on the description of Grove’s appearance after all the evil done to him, I found it incongruous that any caring person seeing him in a public place would not immediately do something to help him. I also found the portrayal of a female FBI agent who could intimidate anyone she met into giving her what she needed implausible.
On the other hand, Vonnegut does a good job of describing the world of high finance and provides an intimate look at how brokerages work (hint: not a pretty world!).
SETTING: Charleston, SC
SERIES: #2 of 2
RATING: 3.5
Palmer Kincaid, real estate magnate, was an important person in stockbroker Grove O’Rourke’s life. He served as mentor and friend to Grove. It comes as a big surprise to learn that Palmer has drowned in a boating accident, especially since he was an expert helmsman. Palmer’s daughter, Claire, to whom Grove has always been attracted, calls to let him know the news and to request that he come to Charleston, South Carolina, to help the family put their financial affairs in order. Although there is some antagonism between Claire and Palmer’s second wife, JoJo, they both seem content with how the estate is settled.
Palmer was very active in a philanthropic group called the “Palmetto Foundation”, with Claire and JoJo as members of the board. They ask Grove to join them. His New York employer objects to his assuming this role; however, Grove feels an obligation to Palmer to continue his legacy. As it turns out, that trust has been misplaced. A North Carolina lawyer named Biscuit Hughes has found a link between the foundation and a sex superstore which is supported by the Catholic Fund. As it turns out, there’s far more going on behind the scenes that indicates various unsavory activities being financed by the Fund.
As Biscuit and Grove start to unearth the truth, however, the people behind the scams and schemes retaliate by taking JoJo hostage. At issue is a large grant that was promised to a priest that Grove has halted. It tears him apart to realize that JoJo is being tortured, and he sets up a situation that will allow him to take her place. There’s lots of cutting and brutal treatment involved, which led to one of the major flaws of the book for me. Both JoJo and Grove are constantly attacked; at one point, one of the bad guys is actually cutting Grove in public. Based on the description of Grove’s appearance after all the evil done to him, I found it incongruous that any caring person seeing him in a public place would not immediately do something to help him. I also found the portrayal of a female FBI agent who could intimidate anyone she met into giving her what she needed implausible.
On the other hand, Vonnegut does a good job of describing the world of high finance and provides an intimate look at how brokerages work (hint: not a pretty world!).
February 20, 2016
This book was a great thriller. It took me at least the first 50 pages to really figure out what was going on. Each chapter seemed to be introducing new characters, and happening in different locations. After page 50 - it all started to come together....and then I became really into it. So don't give up after reading the first 20 pages - you haven't even touched the meat of the book! This book had so many twists and turns in it - just when you thought the underdog got the upper-hand - - not so much! So the book kept me on the edge of my seat. I wouldn't consider this book an 'easy, beach-chair kinda read' as there were a lot of things going on at the same time - one of them being money laundering. I'm glad the Author brought in characters to whom some of the main characters had to explain what was going on - not originally coming from the Banking Industry, sometimes it was a bit difficult to follow. I would definitely read another book by Norb Vonnegut.
August 24, 2012
In this mystery/thriller, Vonnegut's hero Grove O'Rourke gets caught up in a downward spiral of deceit and violence after one of his big clients ends up dead. He is forced to untangle the mystery with unknown evil at his heels. The world of high finance and the elite circles of Charleston provide nice backdrops for the action, but the plot is really driven by money and violence. And when a small-town lawyer called Biscuit comes into town asking questions, things take an unexpected turn, even as Grove finds a useful ally. The writing carries you along, and the plot keeps you guessing while remaining plausible. In all, this is a well-wrought mystery with a likable protagonist. Grove has appeared in Vonnegut's writing before, but if, like me, you haven't read any of those earlier books, you won't be lost stepping right in.
November 29, 2012
The Trust is a fast moving, predictable story of Wall Street Baron, Grove O'Rourke. The story opens with the mysterious death of, Palmer Kincaid, Grove's favorite client. It seems Kincaid named Grove to sit on the board of a philanthropic organization, The Palmetto Foundation. Of course there is the young widow and the daughter who Grove secretly pined for in high school battling it out for control of the funds. Characters by the name Bong and Biscuit people the winding road that leads to, where else, certain death for Grove at the hands of the head of a drug cartel. Yes, how did we get here?
It is a pretty good little roller coaster mainly because it bounces along fairly well. It is not the most original story and the characters seemed a bit thin to me, but it did keep me occupied for the time it took read.
It is a pretty good little roller coaster mainly because it bounces along fairly well. It is not the most original story and the characters seemed a bit thin to me, but it did keep me occupied for the time it took read.
September 29, 2012
This book was as painful to read as the pain it contained - eyeballs being ripped out, throats filled with expanding insulation, and violent beatings. . .The story began with so much promise - a successful Wall Street broker speaks with his longtime client and mentor. The mentor is in trouble. The broker flies to his hometown of Charleston and gets swept up in the reading of a will and the complicated money troubles that ensue. He becomes a trustee of the mentor's foundation, which is also being investigated by the FBI. The set-up of the mystery is good, but the characters aren't well-developed, and the whole story is just hokey. None of it is believable.
September 2, 2016
A wonderful 4 star read…
A really great read, you always hope but just never know!
I read this almost in one shot. A well written page turner. The humor is great, I love the characters especially “Biscuit”…. I will be reading more of Norb’s work in the future.
I won this on goodreads for a fair and honest review
January 10, 2014
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Besides being humorous and entertaining, this book brought memories of Fayetteville, North Carolina, where I spent time in the 1960's training for my Army Combat in Vietnam. Mr. V writes the way I like to read. I don't get lost and confused and I stay interested. This story could really happen, and is a good study of human nature with believable characters.
Besides being humorous and entertaining, this book brought memories of Fayetteville, North Carolina, where I spent time in the 1960's training for my Army Combat in Vietnam. Mr. V writes the way I like to read. I don't get lost and confused and I stay interested. This story could really happen, and is a good study of human nature with believable characters.
January 18, 2013
I won this book in a first reads giveaway. Although, this book started off a bit slow for me, it did pick up the pace after the first 50 pages (or maybe less). I loved how it was descriptive without being too wordy. It definitely has made me want to read his other works.
January 6, 2013
The Trust as the third novel of Norb Vonnegut solidifies him as a top tier fiction author. His books are true to life regarding the financial industry and as suspenseful as any Whodunnit novel. I look forward to his next thriller!
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