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The Bankster
The uneasy calm in Greater Boston Global Bank (GB2) is shattered when a series of murders rock the façade of the compliant and conforming bank that GB2 has built up over the years. Who is to blame? Who is driving these intriguing and bone chilling murders? What is the motive behind these gruesome killings? No one has a clue.
And when Karan Panjabi, a press reporter and an ex-banker digs deeper, he realizes that he has stumbled on a global conspiracy with far reaching ramifications - a secret that could destroy not only the bank but cast a shadow on the entire nation. With only thirty-six hours at his disposal, he is running out of time and must trust no one if he wants to stay alive and uncover the truth.
In the racy build up to unraveling the mystery, stranger than fiction characters emerge, faith get shattered and ivory towers come crashing down. Bankers build their careers on trust, or so everyone thought - till the day the truth within GB2 gets revealed. Is the banker at GB2 fast turning into a Bankster? Or was he always one?
Spinning an intricate web of lies, deceit and treachery, bestselling author Ravi Subramanian is back. A master storyteller of financial crime, this is his most chilling thriller yet
And when Karan Panjabi, a press reporter and an ex-banker digs deeper, he realizes that he has stumbled on a global conspiracy with far reaching ramifications - a secret that could destroy not only the bank but cast a shadow on the entire nation. With only thirty-six hours at his disposal, he is running out of time and must trust no one if he wants to stay alive and uncover the truth.
In the racy build up to unraveling the mystery, stranger than fiction characters emerge, faith get shattered and ivory towers come crashing down. Bankers build their careers on trust, or so everyone thought - till the day the truth within GB2 gets revealed. Is the banker at GB2 fast turning into a Bankster? Or was he always one?
Spinning an intricate web of lies, deceit and treachery, bestselling author Ravi Subramanian is back. A master storyteller of financial crime, this is his most chilling thriller yet
358 pages, Paperback
First published September 26, 2012
172 people are currently reading
2211 people want to read
About the author
Ravi Subramanian
27 books802 followersRavi Subramanian's latest book - IN THE NAME OF GOD - a thriller, releases on June 26, 2017
Ravi Subramanian, an alumnus of IIM Bengaluru, has spent two decades working his way up the ladder of power in the amazingly exciting and adrenaline-pumping world of global banks in India.
He is the award winning author of eight bestselling books :
If God was a Banker (2007),
I Bought the Monks Ferrari (2007),
Devil in Pinstripes (2009),
The Incredible Banker (2011),
The Bankster (2012),
Bankerupt (2013).
God is a Gamer (2014)
The Bestseller She Wrote (2015)
His 9th book IN THE NAME OF GOD will release in 2017
If God was a Banker won him the Golden Quill readers choice award in 2008. He also won the Economist Crossword Book Award for The Incredible Banker in 2012. "The Bankster", released in 2012 won him the Crossword Book Award in 2013. In 2014 he won the Raymond Crossword book award for Bankerupt. His books have been translated into Hindi and Latvian. He lives in Mumbai with his wife, Dharini, and daughter, Anusha.
To connect with him, log on to Facebook at www.facebook.com/authorravisubramanian or tweet to @subramanianravi or email him at info@ravisubramanian.in
Ravi Subramanian, an alumnus of IIM Bengaluru, has spent two decades working his way up the ladder of power in the amazingly exciting and adrenaline-pumping world of global banks in India.
He is the award winning author of eight bestselling books :
If God was a Banker (2007),
I Bought the Monks Ferrari (2007),
Devil in Pinstripes (2009),
The Incredible Banker (2011),
The Bankster (2012),
Bankerupt (2013).
God is a Gamer (2014)
The Bestseller She Wrote (2015)
His 9th book IN THE NAME OF GOD will release in 2017
If God was a Banker won him the Golden Quill readers choice award in 2008. He also won the Economist Crossword Book Award for The Incredible Banker in 2012. "The Bankster", released in 2012 won him the Crossword Book Award in 2013. In 2014 he won the Raymond Crossword book award for Bankerupt. His books have been translated into Hindi and Latvian. He lives in Mumbai with his wife, Dharini, and daughter, Anusha.
To connect with him, log on to Facebook at www.facebook.com/authorravisubramanian or tweet to @subramanianravi or email him at info@ravisubramanian.in
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 428 reviews
March 20, 2019
This the first book i have read written by Ravi Subramanian. The plot, twists, suspense and the thoughts author puts along the storyline is amazing. I felt the use of conversations including words with Hindi and English together is kind of awkward. Many times, Hindi slang's are used which are totally unnecessary. The characters are well thought and well built. Some of the parts are closer to life and seems real. The second half of it is even better. The author has a captivating style of writing which you enjoy. He uses his knowledge of retail banking and money laundering operations to weave an interesting story. It shows how dirty money flows unabated through global financial institutions in spite of tight vigilance and regulations. Largely, thanks to the ingenuity of the criminals and moral bankruptcy of well paid professionals. The way Banking terms and working is explained in every detail is simply Amazing.
October 26, 2012
Years back when I began my career in banking domain, this is one of the diagrams which showed to us to explain the process of Money laundering;
Placement,
Layering,
Integration.
While listening to that induction lecture, I felt it’s such an easy process; which a layman can easily point of… but as the days passed I understood the complexity of the process and even the so called experts in the field of Anti-money laundering (AML) can’t even figure it out easily.
Here we have Ravi, who with his expertise in the field of Banking has developed his own genre “Banking Thrillers” and from his third book The Incredible Banker he started revealing the possible White-collar crime in sphere of Banking.
THE BANKSTER his fourth book too deals with the possible White-collar crime in banking domain.
Ravi has used the same style of narration which he used in his third book THE INCREDIBLE BANKER; Nonlinear narrative (which I like most) but in THE BANKSTER Ravi has come with a wider plot of three parallel stories with the blend of typical Ravi Subramanian plot elements such as ; Corporate favorism , Manipulative behavior, Corporate politics with addition of the anti-nuclear protests in one of the story lines.
I won’t say all the three are tightly woven but the author is keeping the pace of the plot which pushes the reader to the edge of the seat. The way the climax is build up is amazing, which is not less than any international thrillers.
It’s really a roller coaster ride as mentioned in Ravi FB timeline.
Placement,
Layering,
Integration.
While listening to that induction lecture, I felt it’s such an easy process; which a layman can easily point of… but as the days passed I understood the complexity of the process and even the so called experts in the field of Anti-money laundering (AML) can’t even figure it out easily.
Here we have Ravi, who with his expertise in the field of Banking has developed his own genre “Banking Thrillers” and from his third book The Incredible Banker he started revealing the possible White-collar crime in sphere of Banking.
THE BANKSTER his fourth book too deals with the possible White-collar crime in banking domain.
Ravi has used the same style of narration which he used in his third book THE INCREDIBLE BANKER; Nonlinear narrative (which I like most) but in THE BANKSTER Ravi has come with a wider plot of three parallel stories with the blend of typical Ravi Subramanian plot elements such as ; Corporate favorism , Manipulative behavior, Corporate politics with addition of the anti-nuclear protests in one of the story lines.
I won’t say all the three are tightly woven but the author is keeping the pace of the plot which pushes the reader to the edge of the seat. The way the climax is build up is amazing, which is not less than any international thrillers.
It’s really a roller coaster ride as mentioned in Ravi FB timeline.
November 12, 2012
He is called the John Grisham of Banking and he is back! Ravi Subramanian continues his dream run with banking chronicles, in yet another unputdownable financial thriller, this time in the form of The Bankster. Repeating some characters from the earlier books and introducing a few new ones, adopting a changed style of narration with three parallel stories and linking it to a current affair – nuclear damage – Ravi comes up with a cracker of a plot and a total racer. Full review: hhttp://thetalespensieve.wordpress.com...
January 24, 2020
This book is so gripping. I enjoyed reading it. The more I read, the harder it got to put it down. The plot, suspense and twist are really amazing.
There are so many parts that are relatable.
As the story processes it gets better and better.
The story revolves around topics corporate life, corruption and money laundering.
Karan (protagonist) enters quite late in the book. He's wits are really good.
The only drawback for me was the usage of Hindi Slangs repeatedly.
There are so many parts that are relatable.
As the story processes it gets better and better.
The story revolves around topics corporate life, corruption and money laundering.
Karan (protagonist) enters quite late in the book. He's wits are really good.
The only drawback for me was the usage of Hindi Slangs repeatedly.
February 17, 2017
4.5 Stars
The book cover said, “Meet the John Grisham of Banking – Wall Street Journal.” That put me on alert mode immediately because I love John Grisham. He is THE BEST when it comes to legal thrillers. So obviously the quote on the cover raised my expectation from the book and at the same time it also made me a bit vary. I haven’t read any of his previous books and so I kept wondering whether it would really be that good? I have to admit that I dilly-dallied a bit only because I did not want to be disappointed.
I need not have worried…
The story starts in Angola and swiftly shifting to Kerala giving us a glimpse of diamond racketeering. Then the focus shifts onto the Head Office of Greater Boston Global Bank (GB2). A number of deaths within a short span among the employee ranks of GB2 break the calm. The seemingly normal deaths – suicide and road accident – seems just that till one person, and ex-employee turned journalist, digs deep and comes up with a theory that makes these deaths look not so random or natural. On the other hand there’s a social activist who may have more to his character than what it seems.
The plot is a multi-faceted, complicated web that manages to entangle its readers completely. There are three parallel stories going on that keep you in the loop with the complete picture yet successfully blind you from the main culprit. You will keep guessing and trying to work your way through. The story ties in a variety of industries, objects, locations and people with scoop on the banking industry, blood diamonds, social activists and what not. From murder to politics to racketeering to money laundering, this novel has it all with a top up of some very interesting characters. On one hand we have spicy characters like the present employees of Greater Boston Global Bank – Vikram, Zinaida, Tanuja and Indrani. On the other hand we have colourful characters like social activist Krishna & my favourite character - Journalist Karan.
The story is pretty fast paced and at no point does it give a chance to put down the book. There’s a sense of originality and the writing style of the author is smooth and easy to accept. It is not overly flowery or too internationalized. I really appreciated this book a bit more than I generally would have because my recent experience with Indian Writing in English is hasn’t been so good. I have been spotting way too many IIT/IIM campus stories with magnified superficialness, cheap sex and shallow emotions for my taste. This was really a refreshing experience in terms of plot, characterization, story build up and language. Mr.Subhramanian, if you happen to stumble upon this review and read it, Thank You for restoring my hope in IWE. I now have an option to read a good Indian thriller.
Ravi Subramanian has indeed delivered one of the best Indian Thriller of recent times. I will be sure to pick up his other books and I recommend that you do too.
The book cover said, “Meet the John Grisham of Banking – Wall Street Journal.” That put me on alert mode immediately because I love John Grisham. He is THE BEST when it comes to legal thrillers. So obviously the quote on the cover raised my expectation from the book and at the same time it also made me a bit vary. I haven’t read any of his previous books and so I kept wondering whether it would really be that good? I have to admit that I dilly-dallied a bit only because I did not want to be disappointed.
I need not have worried…
The story starts in Angola and swiftly shifting to Kerala giving us a glimpse of diamond racketeering. Then the focus shifts onto the Head Office of Greater Boston Global Bank (GB2). A number of deaths within a short span among the employee ranks of GB2 break the calm. The seemingly normal deaths – suicide and road accident – seems just that till one person, and ex-employee turned journalist, digs deep and comes up with a theory that makes these deaths look not so random or natural. On the other hand there’s a social activist who may have more to his character than what it seems.
The plot is a multi-faceted, complicated web that manages to entangle its readers completely. There are three parallel stories going on that keep you in the loop with the complete picture yet successfully blind you from the main culprit. You will keep guessing and trying to work your way through. The story ties in a variety of industries, objects, locations and people with scoop on the banking industry, blood diamonds, social activists and what not. From murder to politics to racketeering to money laundering, this novel has it all with a top up of some very interesting characters. On one hand we have spicy characters like the present employees of Greater Boston Global Bank – Vikram, Zinaida, Tanuja and Indrani. On the other hand we have colourful characters like social activist Krishna & my favourite character - Journalist Karan.
The story is pretty fast paced and at no point does it give a chance to put down the book. There’s a sense of originality and the writing style of the author is smooth and easy to accept. It is not overly flowery or too internationalized. I really appreciated this book a bit more than I generally would have because my recent experience with Indian Writing in English is hasn’t been so good. I have been spotting way too many IIT/IIM campus stories with magnified superficialness, cheap sex and shallow emotions for my taste. This was really a refreshing experience in terms of plot, characterization, story build up and language. Mr.Subhramanian, if you happen to stumble upon this review and read it, Thank You for restoring my hope in IWE. I now have an option to read a good Indian thriller.
Ravi Subramanian has indeed delivered one of the best Indian Thriller of recent times. I will be sure to pick up his other books and I recommend that you do too.
December 29, 2012
Thriller lovers! You can't not-read The Bankster
Well, first of all my gratitude towards BlogAdda to provide me the opportunity to review this book.
Background:
Ravi Subramanian, as remarked, is the John Grisham of Banking thriller genre, and not wrongly. And The Bankster conforms to all the banking and thriller standards in its story lineup.
Characters:
The most likable fact of this novel is that all major characters are given their fair share of development and face value. This thing is evenly visible from the book’s trailer on youtube easily. Almost all characters get their due time to be established well within the story, most of them in the first half, step by step.
Story:
The story starts with a normal tell-tale of an international investment bank GB2’s Bandra branch in India and the daily work-life of its employees, RMs, HR, branch heads, cluster head, CEO, etc. It briefly and at a steady pace takes you explaining work culture in any such bank, the politics, minor and major money-launderings, mind games, relationships, etc. in the first half.
The turn in the story comes when in the author’s own words: 'Bankers build their careers on trust, or so everyone thinks, till a series of murders threaten to destroy the reputation that the Greater Boston Global Bank (GB2) has built over the years. Who is behind these killings, and what is their motive? Is the banker at GB2 fast turning into a bankster? Or he was always one?'
In addition to the Banking scam coming up, two other minor stories go on being narrated side by side; one dealing with an international arms dealer, and the other one about being a nuclear reactor being commissioned in Devikulam, India. But all the stories begin to merge as the scam starts unraveling under the finance-detective eyes of Karan Panjabi, an ex-banker who works for a national daily now. He is driven to the case only when his best friend is murdered who was getting close to uncovering international money-laundering scam on the basis of fraud accounts getting set-up within GB2 branches.
The second half encompasses Karan’s efforts along with help of a few others in the bank, with only 36 hrs at their disposal, to uncover the grappling truth behind all these murders and the proper reason behind them. The script is very good and narration has imprints of an established writer. The author has done a commanding work from start till the end taking the story at a fine and steady pace, unfolding all events at seemingly right timings.
The reader will always keep wondering after all who The Bankster among the characters is! An intelligent work, if not masterpiece, of mystery webs and speculations (from reader's point of view).
And hey! What a big moment when he/she is brought open at the climax!!!
Likes:
Balanced details of investment banking and other events at right pace
Balanced character development of most characters
Genuine and taut thriller
Author’s successful intent on maintaining mystery at various turning points
Raunchiness not much overplayed
Dislikes:
Few loosing ends of the story (like no further issue taken up on what happened to people who put up fraud accounts initially in GB2 which were later found a part of a global money-laundering scam)
Expectations:
Initial backgrounds of certain RMs who come tainted out of the story could have been provided just briefly somewhere (at the end) of the story, but not a big issue. Everything can’t get covered fully.
---
Well, nonetheless, likes are much heavier here than dislikes and other expectations. And the epilogue provides a fitting end to the novel. Read it for entertainment and thrilling 2nd half.
Overall, 4 out of 5 stars
Well, first of all my gratitude towards BlogAdda to provide me the opportunity to review this book.
Background:
Ravi Subramanian, as remarked, is the John Grisham of Banking thriller genre, and not wrongly. And The Bankster conforms to all the banking and thriller standards in its story lineup.
Characters:
The most likable fact of this novel is that all major characters are given their fair share of development and face value. This thing is evenly visible from the book’s trailer on youtube easily. Almost all characters get their due time to be established well within the story, most of them in the first half, step by step.
Story:
The story starts with a normal tell-tale of an international investment bank GB2’s Bandra branch in India and the daily work-life of its employees, RMs, HR, branch heads, cluster head, CEO, etc. It briefly and at a steady pace takes you explaining work culture in any such bank, the politics, minor and major money-launderings, mind games, relationships, etc. in the first half.
The turn in the story comes when in the author’s own words: 'Bankers build their careers on trust, or so everyone thinks, till a series of murders threaten to destroy the reputation that the Greater Boston Global Bank (GB2) has built over the years. Who is behind these killings, and what is their motive? Is the banker at GB2 fast turning into a bankster? Or he was always one?'
In addition to the Banking scam coming up, two other minor stories go on being narrated side by side; one dealing with an international arms dealer, and the other one about being a nuclear reactor being commissioned in Devikulam, India. But all the stories begin to merge as the scam starts unraveling under the finance-detective eyes of Karan Panjabi, an ex-banker who works for a national daily now. He is driven to the case only when his best friend is murdered who was getting close to uncovering international money-laundering scam on the basis of fraud accounts getting set-up within GB2 branches.
The second half encompasses Karan’s efforts along with help of a few others in the bank, with only 36 hrs at their disposal, to uncover the grappling truth behind all these murders and the proper reason behind them. The script is very good and narration has imprints of an established writer. The author has done a commanding work from start till the end taking the story at a fine and steady pace, unfolding all events at seemingly right timings.
The reader will always keep wondering after all who The Bankster among the characters is! An intelligent work, if not masterpiece, of mystery webs and speculations (from reader's point of view).
And hey! What a big moment when he/she is brought open at the climax!!!
Likes:
Balanced details of investment banking and other events at right pace
Balanced character development of most characters
Genuine and taut thriller
Author’s successful intent on maintaining mystery at various turning points
Raunchiness not much overplayed
Dislikes:
Few loosing ends of the story (like no further issue taken up on what happened to people who put up fraud accounts initially in GB2 which were later found a part of a global money-laundering scam)
Expectations:
Initial backgrounds of certain RMs who come tainted out of the story could have been provided just briefly somewhere (at the end) of the story, but not a big issue. Everything can’t get covered fully.
---
Well, nonetheless, likes are much heavier here than dislikes and other expectations. And the epilogue provides a fitting end to the novel. Read it for entertainment and thrilling 2nd half.
Overall, 4 out of 5 stars
October 31, 2012
The author, Ravi Subramanian has two decades of work experience in financial services industry. He is the author of If God was a Banker, Devil in Pinstripes, The Incredible Banker, The Bankster is his fourth fiction.
While, I have heard a lot about If God was a Banker, The Bankster is the first book that I have read of the author. The cover page has a quote from The Wall Street Journal which says, “Meet the John Grisham of banking’. Now, I am a huge fan of John Grisham who is a lawyer and is known for his legal thrillers. When Ravi is called the John Grisham of banking, the expectations are immense.
So with expectations in place, I started reading this book. There are 3 stories running in parallel. They are set in Kerala, Mumbai and Angola to start with. I liked reading the Mumbai story which is about GB2. The Kerala and Angola stories, though are an integral part of the story are smaller stories and appear at irregular intervals in the book. The best is that all the 3 are so different that is impossible to believe that they have a common link. And this unpredictability, which is one of the key ingredients of a thriller, is what keeps you glued to The Bankster.
The Bankster is an absolute page turner with a wonderfully engaging characters and an impeccable narration. The climax is so gripping and has nail-biting twists and turns that despite an emergency, it was tough for me to separate myself from the book.
The language is simple and the banking systems and processes are easy to comprehend for even a non-banking person.
Mild Dampeners: The Kerala story starts with a case of smuggling of an elephant’s tusks, but the next part of this story starts with Nuclear Power Plant issues, which confused a bit and had to refer the back pages again to understand the characters.
The press reporter who is assigned to dig deeper into the scam is assisted by a lady. The duo have 36 hours to find out all about the global conspiracy. They are looking hard at pictures, searching mails, scanning the banking data, looking for clues and suddenly the two are shown to have some frivolous exchange, which sounds very artificial and is totally unnecessary in an otherwise gripping saga.
Overall, The Bankster is simply an entertaining, enlightening and an unputdownable thriller. Go for it!
While, I have heard a lot about If God was a Banker, The Bankster is the first book that I have read of the author. The cover page has a quote from The Wall Street Journal which says, “Meet the John Grisham of banking’. Now, I am a huge fan of John Grisham who is a lawyer and is known for his legal thrillers. When Ravi is called the John Grisham of banking, the expectations are immense.
So with expectations in place, I started reading this book. There are 3 stories running in parallel. They are set in Kerala, Mumbai and Angola to start with. I liked reading the Mumbai story which is about GB2. The Kerala and Angola stories, though are an integral part of the story are smaller stories and appear at irregular intervals in the book. The best is that all the 3 are so different that is impossible to believe that they have a common link. And this unpredictability, which is one of the key ingredients of a thriller, is what keeps you glued to The Bankster.
The Bankster is an absolute page turner with a wonderfully engaging characters and an impeccable narration. The climax is so gripping and has nail-biting twists and turns that despite an emergency, it was tough for me to separate myself from the book.
The language is simple and the banking systems and processes are easy to comprehend for even a non-banking person.
Mild Dampeners: The Kerala story starts with a case of smuggling of an elephant’s tusks, but the next part of this story starts with Nuclear Power Plant issues, which confused a bit and had to refer the back pages again to understand the characters.
The press reporter who is assigned to dig deeper into the scam is assisted by a lady. The duo have 36 hours to find out all about the global conspiracy. They are looking hard at pictures, searching mails, scanning the banking data, looking for clues and suddenly the two are shown to have some frivolous exchange, which sounds very artificial and is totally unnecessary in an otherwise gripping saga.
Overall, The Bankster is simply an entertaining, enlightening and an unputdownable thriller. Go for it!
January 9, 2013
Simply awful. Could not get past the terrible writing at all! In my opinion, not worth a read.
May 30, 2016
First of all, before i say anything.. Ravi Subramanian has surpasses my expectations; though it has some flaws. Being a crime-fiction lover, this book saviors me well.. and that too from Indian author.
what this book has to offer- Since it is by indian author so first is CORRUPTION, BUREAUCRACY, DOUBLE STANDARDS NGOS, PROTESTS, Crime, Fiction, Mysteries, Money laundering, Banking so called ethics, corporate reality, dysfunctional HRD, spineless Managers last but not least Vienna
This book offers a tapestry of various threads, one beginning in Angola, one in Kerala and one in Mumbai, the main one being Mumbai. and they don't get intertwined until the final scenes close in. The book starts comparatively slow compared to ending. Although the best one was Mumbai one, every chapter will leave u lingering what next.. quite gripping, intriguing and yet very logical while solving the mysteries, if u r avid crime-fiction reader and works in a bank then u ll love it As it was from indian author so it is bit too dramatic at times, def touches the indian audience.The plot is written is such a way that there seems a possibility in reality, and which is very successful attempt.
The only flaw which i feel is length, At the beginning, everything is described in detail, and at the end the description is less.
Upto some extent i am convinced Ravi Subramanian is John Grashim of India.
what this book has to offer- Since it is by indian author so first is CORRUPTION, BUREAUCRACY, DOUBLE STANDARDS NGOS, PROTESTS, Crime, Fiction, Mysteries, Money laundering, Banking so called ethics, corporate reality, dysfunctional HRD, spineless Managers last but not least Vienna
This book offers a tapestry of various threads, one beginning in Angola, one in Kerala and one in Mumbai, the main one being Mumbai. and they don't get intertwined until the final scenes close in. The book starts comparatively slow compared to ending. Although the best one was Mumbai one, every chapter will leave u lingering what next.. quite gripping, intriguing and yet very logical while solving the mysteries, if u r avid crime-fiction reader and works in a bank then u ll love it As it was from indian author so it is bit too dramatic at times, def touches the indian audience.The plot is written is such a way that there seems a possibility in reality, and which is very successful attempt.
The only flaw which i feel is length, At the beginning, everything is described in detail, and at the end the description is less.
Upto some extent i am convinced Ravi Subramanian is John Grashim of India.
December 24, 2014
One of the first things that forced me to pick up the book was its title: "The Bankster". Not a banker, but bankster. The title illustrated that the book would promise intrigue. With strong elements of a thriller such as a racy narrative style, three parallel subplots and a financial scam, the author once again emerges with a winner. The banking industry operates with the mandate of trust and this book illustrates how trust can be shattered and people can be treated like statistics as we are introduced to a new level of white-collar crime.
The book, with its smart twists and turns at appropriate stages, unfold brilliantly in the larger course of the narrative. Aimed predominantly at general readers who are not familiar with banking dynamics, the book does chronicle how things work at the branch level, information workflows etc. The racy narrative style coupled with an element of surprise, shock and anxiety, which are released in doses as the pages turn, make the book a definite winner. With minor copy-editing errors, "The Bankster" offers a new perspective into the field of banking by giving it the much needed realism and unpredictability.
The book, with its smart twists and turns at appropriate stages, unfold brilliantly in the larger course of the narrative. Aimed predominantly at general readers who are not familiar with banking dynamics, the book does chronicle how things work at the branch level, information workflows etc. The racy narrative style coupled with an element of surprise, shock and anxiety, which are released in doses as the pages turn, make the book a definite winner. With minor copy-editing errors, "The Bankster" offers a new perspective into the field of banking by giving it the much needed realism and unpredictability.
August 8, 2025
The Bankster plunges you headfirst into the high-stakes, cutthroat world of international finance. This isn't just a book about numbers and boardrooms; it's a gripping financial thriller that hooks you from the very first chapter.
The story weaves a complex web of deceit, power struggles and corporate espionage, all set against the backdrop of global banking. Subramanian, a banker himself, brings an undeniable authenticity to the narrative, making the intricate details of the financial world both understandable and fascinating. The plot is fast-paced, with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
If you're a fan of thrillers that combine clever plotting with a realistic setting, The Bankster is a fantastic choice. It's a sharp, smart read that will make you look at the banking world in a whole new light.
The story weaves a complex web of deceit, power struggles and corporate espionage, all set against the backdrop of global banking. Subramanian, a banker himself, brings an undeniable authenticity to the narrative, making the intricate details of the financial world both understandable and fascinating. The plot is fast-paced, with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.
If you're a fan of thrillers that combine clever plotting with a realistic setting, The Bankster is a fantastic choice. It's a sharp, smart read that will make you look at the banking world in a whole new light.
May 2, 2013
Brilliantly written ! The plot might seem a little implausible at places, but it keeps you going! Keeps you transfixed till the end....
May 22, 2025
Ravi Subramanian is an Indian author who writes in the English language. I had heard a lot about his bank-centered thrillers but never got around to reading any of his books. Finally came across this book in a second-hand bookshop. The title of the book along with the endorsement by The Wall Street Journal - "Meet the John Grisham of banking" prompted me to give this one a try.
The story begins in Angola where a covert CIA agent exchanging weapons for blood diamond, and then we move to India. Most of the events happen in the Mumbai branch of an American bank and some in Kerela. Some big conspiracy is afoot and employees of the bank are getting murdered. I won't talk more as I don't want to reveal any spoilers.
The author has devoted a lot of pages describing the cut-throat world of banking. I could relate to the dirty office politics, professional rivalry, human greed that the author has described in the bank as I personally know a few people who had worked in the banking sector. However, to some readers it might be a bit tiring. The book is quite easy to read if you don't mind this.
The author has transliterated some Hindi words in the dialogues. While this is how many corporate employees speak in India, readers who don't understand English would find it difficult to follow. This won't cause any major problem but it might impact the reading experience of such readers.
While reading thrillers, we are expected to suspend our disbelief but I couldn't digest how one villain meets his end.
Overall, an okay-ish book. I did not find it extraordinary or a must read. Nevertheless, I would like to explore a few more books by the author. I checked the author's official website and it seems that he hasn't written anything recently. Therefore, I shall check his old books.
The story begins in Angola where a covert CIA agent exchanging weapons for blood diamond, and then we move to India. Most of the events happen in the Mumbai branch of an American bank and some in Kerela. Some big conspiracy is afoot and employees of the bank are getting murdered. I won't talk more as I don't want to reveal any spoilers.
The author has devoted a lot of pages describing the cut-throat world of banking. I could relate to the dirty office politics, professional rivalry, human greed that the author has described in the bank as I personally know a few people who had worked in the banking sector. However, to some readers it might be a bit tiring. The book is quite easy to read if you don't mind this.
The author has transliterated some Hindi words in the dialogues. While this is how many corporate employees speak in India, readers who don't understand English would find it difficult to follow. This won't cause any major problem but it might impact the reading experience of such readers.
While reading thrillers, we are expected to suspend our disbelief but I couldn't digest how one villain meets his end.
Overall, an okay-ish book. I did not find it extraordinary or a must read. Nevertheless, I would like to explore a few more books by the author. I checked the author's official website and it seems that he hasn't written anything recently. Therefore, I shall check his old books.
December 5, 2017
The book depicts the internal politics and hatred of the International Bank situated in Mumbai, India.
It revolves around the forgeries in a reputed banks' daily routines, an international connections in between the bank and the mafia, a murder of an honest bank employee, lust and deceit.
Author Ravi Subramanian narrates all the happenings in a very audaciously, but the plot of the story is vary powerful and on top of that the criminal investigation done by an ex bank employee and now a newspaper crime reporter with his Love interest of course !!.
A true page turner with unimaginable twists and turns make this book an unputdownable. Please do read it once a real time spender.
It revolves around the forgeries in a reputed banks' daily routines, an international connections in between the bank and the mafia, a murder of an honest bank employee, lust and deceit.
Author Ravi Subramanian narrates all the happenings in a very audaciously, but the plot of the story is vary powerful and on top of that the criminal investigation done by an ex bank employee and now a newspaper crime reporter with his Love interest of course !!.
A true page turner with unimaginable twists and turns make this book an unputdownable. Please do read it once a real time spender.
January 25, 2013
The Bankster starts off on an interesting premise. A man – Joseph Braganza – is about to obtain diamonds in exchange for arms at a remote location in Angola, South Africa. From there, the story moves to Devikulam, a place near Thekkady, Kerala, where Krishna Menon and his wife Sulochana run a home-stay. Finally, we enter the Head Office of Greater Boston Global Bank at Mumbai; where we are introduced to its myriad characters – Vikram, Tanuja , Nikhil, Anand, Harshita, Zinaida, Pranesh, Raymond, etc.
The story keeps moving from Kerala to Mumbai to Israel to Vienna. The best part about the book is the fact that the author is an ex-banker and, thus, is able to lend certain credibility to the entire banking and branch banking working set-up. Right from the very basic operations of opening an account to the very complicated compliance audits and how management handles the same, Ravi explains each of them in great detail.
With his words, he paints a realistic picture of the branch working and we are transported to an actual branch and can imagine the events happening right in front of our eyes.
What starts off as an innocuous task of opening a current account which is one of the basic operations in any bank soon takes on a dangerous overtone. Without revealing too much, I shall only say that the book links together such seemingly unrelated topics as blood diamonds, nuclear power plant and a current account opened at one of the bank’s branches which attract the attention of the Compliance team of the bank due to large value transactions. However, the alerts raised by Compliance are muted by Management, leading Raymond (the Compliance Head) to retort, “Why does business always take priority over compliance?”
One of the big surprises, for me personally, was the fact that our very own Cafe Coffee Day played a big part in the book, eventually helping to reveal the culprits. The surprise, however, is that the CCD was not located anywhere in India but at Vienna. Harshita, along with her husband Siddhartha, while on a personal vacation to Vienna, come across certain clues while sipping coffee at CCD, which play an instrumental part in cracking the entire case.
To crack the case, Karan Panjabi and his protégé Kavya are entrusted the seemingly impossible task of cracking open the entire case in three days flat. And, that too, without attracting the attention of anybody in the Head Office. How they go about doing that piecing the various clues strewn all over the place forms the climax of the book.
The book is an absolute financial thriller and a page-turner for sure. Ravi’s lucid writing style and his prose peppered with various banking phrases make the read even more enjoyable. The various twists and turns in the book take you on a roller-coaster ride and, at the end, you are literally left stunned and shocked at the revelation.
Pick up The Bankster immediately and read it when you can. You won’t regret it! It will open your eyes to the ways and means of the banking brigade; a community in which we place our immense trust. Personally, for me, the book was an even gripping read because I work in a private sector bank and can relate to the various trials and tribulations faced by the various characters in the book!
All in all, an excellent book by the author whom The Wall Street Journal calls the John Grisham of banking!!!!
The story keeps moving from Kerala to Mumbai to Israel to Vienna. The best part about the book is the fact that the author is an ex-banker and, thus, is able to lend certain credibility to the entire banking and branch banking working set-up. Right from the very basic operations of opening an account to the very complicated compliance audits and how management handles the same, Ravi explains each of them in great detail.
With his words, he paints a realistic picture of the branch working and we are transported to an actual branch and can imagine the events happening right in front of our eyes.
What starts off as an innocuous task of opening a current account which is one of the basic operations in any bank soon takes on a dangerous overtone. Without revealing too much, I shall only say that the book links together such seemingly unrelated topics as blood diamonds, nuclear power plant and a current account opened at one of the bank’s branches which attract the attention of the Compliance team of the bank due to large value transactions. However, the alerts raised by Compliance are muted by Management, leading Raymond (the Compliance Head) to retort, “Why does business always take priority over compliance?”
One of the big surprises, for me personally, was the fact that our very own Cafe Coffee Day played a big part in the book, eventually helping to reveal the culprits. The surprise, however, is that the CCD was not located anywhere in India but at Vienna. Harshita, along with her husband Siddhartha, while on a personal vacation to Vienna, come across certain clues while sipping coffee at CCD, which play an instrumental part in cracking the entire case.
To crack the case, Karan Panjabi and his protégé Kavya are entrusted the seemingly impossible task of cracking open the entire case in three days flat. And, that too, without attracting the attention of anybody in the Head Office. How they go about doing that piecing the various clues strewn all over the place forms the climax of the book.
The book is an absolute financial thriller and a page-turner for sure. Ravi’s lucid writing style and his prose peppered with various banking phrases make the read even more enjoyable. The various twists and turns in the book take you on a roller-coaster ride and, at the end, you are literally left stunned and shocked at the revelation.
Pick up The Bankster immediately and read it when you can. You won’t regret it! It will open your eyes to the ways and means of the banking brigade; a community in which we place our immense trust. Personally, for me, the book was an even gripping read because I work in a private sector bank and can relate to the various trials and tribulations faced by the various characters in the book!
All in all, an excellent book by the author whom The Wall Street Journal calls the John Grisham of banking!!!!
January 29, 2013
The book is around 350 pages and has a nice, sleek look. The book feels good in your hands, with a little bit of texture on the cover.
The plot has three parallels - a CIA operative shrouded in mystery; an elderly gentleman who runs a resort in Kerala with his stand on a nuclear reactor planned in the area; and an inside look at the corporate politics and unabashedly selfish characters in a global bank.
Till the 160th page one really wonders who the protagonist in the book actually is. The plot, in short, is a little slow for a few pages, and then accelerates to breakneck speed.
But there are a few disappointments which popped up:
- The women in the book seem a little hollow. Obsessed with looks and PR, they seem to be constantly playing politics. Women, as protrayed in the book seem to be highly insecue about their age, the way the dress, and seem to be ready to use their looks to achieve their ambitions.
Just a question - don't men look at mirrors when they see one?.... a little too much stereotyping for my liking
Some more stereotyping - Men, at least the successful ones are all seem to have a roving eye, seem to be noticing the number of buttons that are undone in a woman's shirt! The only one who is sincere ends up being unsuccessful, misunderstood, and eventually dead!
Also, The unofficial banter between colleagues, the flirting between them all seem a little forced.... or unnatural.
The author has skillfully described settings for each locale in detail. The landscapes in Angloa, the lush greenery in Devikkulam, the Mumbai suburbs, the streets in Vienna.... all of them are clearly etched in one's mind. Unfortunately, one can't say the same for the characters in the book. Except for one person (will not tell you who - don't want to spoil the climax for you) I don't have images framed in my head for the other characters - not even the protagonist!
I am really bad when it comes to financial terms, but hats off to the author for making it easy for non-banking people like me. Easy, simple words. No typos, and good print quality.
Final Verdict : Definitely one of the best thrillers from an Indian author. I certainly did not see the climax coming, and loved the way every piece fell into place at the end.
The plot has three parallels - a CIA operative shrouded in mystery; an elderly gentleman who runs a resort in Kerala with his stand on a nuclear reactor planned in the area; and an inside look at the corporate politics and unabashedly selfish characters in a global bank.
Till the 160th page one really wonders who the protagonist in the book actually is. The plot, in short, is a little slow for a few pages, and then accelerates to breakneck speed.
But there are a few disappointments which popped up:
- The women in the book seem a little hollow. Obsessed with looks and PR, they seem to be constantly playing politics. Women, as protrayed in the book seem to be highly insecue about their age, the way the dress, and seem to be ready to use their looks to achieve their ambitions.
Just a question - don't men look at mirrors when they see one?.... a little too much stereotyping for my liking
Some more stereotyping - Men, at least the successful ones are all seem to have a roving eye, seem to be noticing the number of buttons that are undone in a woman's shirt! The only one who is sincere ends up being unsuccessful, misunderstood, and eventually dead!
Also, The unofficial banter between colleagues, the flirting between them all seem a little forced.... or unnatural.
The author has skillfully described settings for each locale in detail. The landscapes in Angloa, the lush greenery in Devikkulam, the Mumbai suburbs, the streets in Vienna.... all of them are clearly etched in one's mind. Unfortunately, one can't say the same for the characters in the book. Except for one person (will not tell you who - don't want to spoil the climax for you) I don't have images framed in my head for the other characters - not even the protagonist!
I am really bad when it comes to financial terms, but hats off to the author for making it easy for non-banking people like me. Easy, simple words. No typos, and good print quality.
Final Verdict : Definitely one of the best thrillers from an Indian author. I certainly did not see the climax coming, and loved the way every piece fell into place at the end.
December 17, 2012
TO begin with, "jo jaisa dikhta hai, vaisa hota nahi" :D is the only thing I can say about this book. 2nd book of Ravi Subramaniam which I read in this month (just finished "If God...." by this month start), I would like to say that you truly are a remarkable author. I would like to refer this book to any one who truly wants to see talent in Indian authors, Simple yet a great page turner.A true peek into banking world, myself belonging to a finance sector can truly relate to lot of things said in this book.
Really liked this book & already purchased "Devil in...." , but I would like to see this author venturing into more spheres of writing, not just Banking thrillers.
Really liked this book & already purchased "Devil in...." , but I would like to see this author venturing into more spheres of writing, not just Banking thrillers.
January 31, 2013
The story delivers on thrill, that's what I feel. I was let down in that Karan Panjabi doesn't make an appearance till late in the book, when I expect him to be at the forefront after the description. But it has all the makings of a fine thriller. One of my favorite books of 2012, and I'm thankful to have gotten a copy for review, though not signed.
May 30, 2013
the story line is thought out well enough, and the narrative leads nicely through to the finale.... I think the author could usefully have some editing advice, which would greatly enhance an already good tale .. the characterisations are good, and the deviance of the criminal elements highly credible...
February 4, 2017
As far as thrillers go, this is quite a good one. Especially among the ones that were written by an Indian author. But you might suffer a little fatigue if you have already read a couple of Ravi Subramanian's works, especially his Bankerupt. Otherwise, go for it!
Actual rating: 3.75 stars.
Actual rating: 3.75 stars.
November 10, 2012
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Book Review: Bankster By Ravi Subramanian: An Excellently Woven Murder Mystery
This is not the first book from Ravi Subramanian. He already has four hits in his pocket. This is his fifth in a row that is going to add in the same series of his hits. It was quite exhaustive and beautifully driven concept. A depth in the subject and clarity of mind is quite visible. Author has been a core banker and hence knows ins and outs of the processes and flaws of banking system that he has tried to explore and expose in this book titled as BANKSTER.
Anyhow I have decided to read all his previous and forthcoming books without fail. Thanks to Blogadda for providing this opportunity. Perhaps the author has portrayed himself in the character of Karan Panjabi who resolves an international mystery of serial killings within 48 hours after he gets into it. The sequence is woven to perfectly that no thread is seen disconnected. The mix of plot is done fantastically that you keep roaming in Angola, Vienna, Mumbai and Devikulam meeting various characters but stay connected with the crux and finally are able to interconnect the deep roots of all characters met in various locations over the globe.
The story is about an MNC bank that has cream of employees, and pays highest of the salaries to grab best in the market. And that is what makes it one of the most successful banks in India. Having its India operations headquarters in Mumbai, the Greater Boston Global Bank (GB2) is operative in all major and even remotest of cities of India. Claiming to be having one of the best HR, operations, sales, finance and investigations department; it had all kind of wrong and right; bad and good elements in its staff right up to the top level and it was quite difficult to find out the real culprits right till the end when the person who was being targeted to be the culprit is found not guilty to that extent that he could be the reason of series of murders of GB2 staff happening from time to time.
Let us start with the character that joined readers when more than half of the book was over but who became center of attraction gradually. This guy is Karan Panjabi who is a banker turned press reporter for Times of India who finally (at the end, after resolving the whole mystery) joins the same bank that he has left due to an internal rift and joins back after resolving the mystery of serial murders of its key employees, as chief of operations. To some this character might not appeal rightly presented by the author, the way Panjabi joins us without much hype, and silently moves towards his target of pinning down the murderer within a stipulated period of a little over two days. We have some of the excellently carved characters who fit into their role quite well – whether right or wrong as ultimately the character is one who is able to play its role perfectly.
This novel is all fit to be converted into a Bollywood movie as it has all kind of masala in it – thrill, mystery, murders, overseas locations – Angola, middle east, Germany, US & Austria, Mumbai and then Devikulam in interiors of Kerala. As the mystery starts getting resolved, it appears that what was appearing merely as the serial murders of bank staff was having an international connection behind it – the real cause being the blood diamonds, armory and money with a global mafia which still stays unexposed. You will really like all characters, playing good or bad role – who have been scripted excellently by Ravi Subramanian in his latest globally acclaimed serial murder mystery and thriller – BANKSTER. The characters – Vikram Bahl, Indrani, Tanuja & Abhishek Mathur/ Joseph Braganza/ Mir Zawawi/ Suresh Ramamurthy, Raymond Sadanah, Krishna Menon & Sulochana, Jayakumar, Johann Schroeder in Vienna, poor couple Harshita and Siddhartha, poor guy - cashier Pranesh and many more…
Book Review: Bankster By Ravi Subramanian: An Excellently Woven Murder Mystery
This is not the first book from Ravi Subramanian. He already has four hits in his pocket. This is his fifth in a row that is going to add in the same series of his hits. It was quite exhaustive and beautifully driven concept. A depth in the subject and clarity of mind is quite visible. Author has been a core banker and hence knows ins and outs of the processes and flaws of banking system that he has tried to explore and expose in this book titled as BANKSTER.
Anyhow I have decided to read all his previous and forthcoming books without fail. Thanks to Blogadda for providing this opportunity. Perhaps the author has portrayed himself in the character of Karan Panjabi who resolves an international mystery of serial killings within 48 hours after he gets into it. The sequence is woven to perfectly that no thread is seen disconnected. The mix of plot is done fantastically that you keep roaming in Angola, Vienna, Mumbai and Devikulam meeting various characters but stay connected with the crux and finally are able to interconnect the deep roots of all characters met in various locations over the globe.
The story is about an MNC bank that has cream of employees, and pays highest of the salaries to grab best in the market. And that is what makes it one of the most successful banks in India. Having its India operations headquarters in Mumbai, the Greater Boston Global Bank (GB2) is operative in all major and even remotest of cities of India. Claiming to be having one of the best HR, operations, sales, finance and investigations department; it had all kind of wrong and right; bad and good elements in its staff right up to the top level and it was quite difficult to find out the real culprits right till the end when the person who was being targeted to be the culprit is found not guilty to that extent that he could be the reason of series of murders of GB2 staff happening from time to time.
Let us start with the character that joined readers when more than half of the book was over but who became center of attraction gradually. This guy is Karan Panjabi who is a banker turned press reporter for Times of India who finally (at the end, after resolving the whole mystery) joins the same bank that he has left due to an internal rift and joins back after resolving the mystery of serial murders of its key employees, as chief of operations. To some this character might not appeal rightly presented by the author, the way Panjabi joins us without much hype, and silently moves towards his target of pinning down the murderer within a stipulated period of a little over two days. We have some of the excellently carved characters who fit into their role quite well – whether right or wrong as ultimately the character is one who is able to play its role perfectly.
This novel is all fit to be converted into a Bollywood movie as it has all kind of masala in it – thrill, mystery, murders, overseas locations – Angola, middle east, Germany, US & Austria, Mumbai and then Devikulam in interiors of Kerala. As the mystery starts getting resolved, it appears that what was appearing merely as the serial murders of bank staff was having an international connection behind it – the real cause being the blood diamonds, armory and money with a global mafia which still stays unexposed. You will really like all characters, playing good or bad role – who have been scripted excellently by Ravi Subramanian in his latest globally acclaimed serial murder mystery and thriller – BANKSTER. The characters – Vikram Bahl, Indrani, Tanuja & Abhishek Mathur/ Joseph Braganza/ Mir Zawawi/ Suresh Ramamurthy, Raymond Sadanah, Krishna Menon & Sulochana, Jayakumar, Johann Schroeder in Vienna, poor couple Harshita and Siddhartha, poor guy - cashier Pranesh and many more…
July 29, 2015
Intricate detailing is what makes a thriller what it is. The Bankster is beyond the usual suspense thriller. Veering with multiple scenarios playing at our simultaneously, it makes for a fabulous read, especially in India’s emerging culture which is exponentially rising into the corporate lifestyle. The subtle, yet commonly gossiped about fact that powerful corporate houses run the nation is well weaved into the plot as Mr. Subramanian takes you on a simple, yet enthralling ride
This 358 paged novel is Ravi’s fifth novel with the banking world as its set (however, I confess to not having read the other four before). But, with all honesty, I regret not having read them as this book was simply wonderful. Dealing with three different parallels at the same time, Subramanian slowly unravels a web of mystery linking a covert CIA agent, an anti-nuclear power plant protest in India and a series of death of a certain bank’s employees. Most authors writing thrillers fail to clearly link these sets in a convincing manner, often disappointing readers. However, The Bankster pretty much clearly exhibits the links and demonstrates their entanglement.
The nucleus of this book is its radical, coherent yet brutally simple analogy to different current situations. Ravi brilliantly has drawn some of the world’s most familiar happenings into an elaborate piece of fiction to expound some thoughts which gets you thinking. The familiarity between the Kundankulam nuclear power plant protests and the fictitious protests in the book is point blank and obvious but does explore a delicate side of the world of International relations by sly hints. Also, by dumbing down complex banking strategies and terms, Ravi has eased the burden on a common reader. This is a problem rarely addressed by authors and often becomes a stigma. I quote one of my friends who supposedly read Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code with one eye on the book and the other on the Google search results of the various terms thrown at her. At face value, The Bankster is both easy on your mind as well as Internet bills.
Moving on to the book’s Achilles’ heel, we arrive at something which is debatable Although the book slowly lays out the detailed plot and the mystery breaks free perfectly with logical arguments, the method, to me was a bit unrealistic. To me, a media personnel deciphering extravagant clues and connecting the dots, that too within a fixed time period of 48 hours is a bit tough to accept. Although Ravi seeks to augment this fact by detailing Karan (the media guy)’s character with investigative training and a natural flair for deciphering cases, it still remains tough to accept. Another counter to this can be Karan’s support team consisting of some trusted colleagues and his girlfriend, I would like to iterate that their contribution pales in comparison to Karan’s as he clearly steals the limelight.
Overall, this book is a masterpiece and simply un-putdown-able. Ravi draws you into the world of GB2 and controls your emotions like a puppet master. When I picked up the book, the first thing that leaped out was a line out of the Wall Street Journal saying “Meet the John Grisham of banking”. Suffice to say, I second it.
This 358 paged novel is Ravi’s fifth novel with the banking world as its set (however, I confess to not having read the other four before). But, with all honesty, I regret not having read them as this book was simply wonderful. Dealing with three different parallels at the same time, Subramanian slowly unravels a web of mystery linking a covert CIA agent, an anti-nuclear power plant protest in India and a series of death of a certain bank’s employees. Most authors writing thrillers fail to clearly link these sets in a convincing manner, often disappointing readers. However, The Bankster pretty much clearly exhibits the links and demonstrates their entanglement.
The nucleus of this book is its radical, coherent yet brutally simple analogy to different current situations. Ravi brilliantly has drawn some of the world’s most familiar happenings into an elaborate piece of fiction to expound some thoughts which gets you thinking. The familiarity between the Kundankulam nuclear power plant protests and the fictitious protests in the book is point blank and obvious but does explore a delicate side of the world of International relations by sly hints. Also, by dumbing down complex banking strategies and terms, Ravi has eased the burden on a common reader. This is a problem rarely addressed by authors and often becomes a stigma. I quote one of my friends who supposedly read Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code with one eye on the book and the other on the Google search results of the various terms thrown at her. At face value, The Bankster is both easy on your mind as well as Internet bills.
Moving on to the book’s Achilles’ heel, we arrive at something which is debatable Although the book slowly lays out the detailed plot and the mystery breaks free perfectly with logical arguments, the method, to me was a bit unrealistic. To me, a media personnel deciphering extravagant clues and connecting the dots, that too within a fixed time period of 48 hours is a bit tough to accept. Although Ravi seeks to augment this fact by detailing Karan (the media guy)’s character with investigative training and a natural flair for deciphering cases, it still remains tough to accept. Another counter to this can be Karan’s support team consisting of some trusted colleagues and his girlfriend, I would like to iterate that their contribution pales in comparison to Karan’s as he clearly steals the limelight.
Overall, this book is a masterpiece and simply un-putdown-able. Ravi draws you into the world of GB2 and controls your emotions like a puppet master. When I picked up the book, the first thing that leaped out was a line out of the Wall Street Journal saying “Meet the John Grisham of banking”. Suffice to say, I second it.
November 2, 2012
Ravi Subramanian, is actually a banker, but he prefers to call himself the John Grishman of banking. With books revolving around life in the banking industry such as The Incredible Banker, If God was a Banker and Devil in Pinstripes, I guess he can term himself that. After all, bankers are also good marketeers. :D
THE plot is layered and multi-dimensional, yet interlinked. What is more, the plot deals with real life incidents, but in a fictional setting, this is what makes the book very interesting. In fact, on reading the book, I began to wonder whether many of the so-called activists do have a hidden agenda. In this case, poor Krishna Menon became a pawn in their hands and all that he wanted was safety for the residents around the proposed nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu State, especially after the major accident in Fukushima, Japan. It was the so called activist – the local do-gooder who was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, not only was he fronting for countries like USA and Germany which were apprehensive of India setting up this plant but at the same time was also in league with Israel for sale of arms and ammunition.
Caught up, either knowingly or unknowingly, in the entire racket of blood diamonds, money laundering, political games are the people working in Greater Boston Global Bank. One wonders who is the master mind, is it smooth talking top management guy - Vikram Bhal or is his name being mis-used?
Zinaida, the new kid (albeit sexy kid) in the retail banking block grabs a huge account, an account which sends alarm bells ringing in the minds of the internal fraud controller Raymond, but who will listen to him? After all, Zinaida, the relationship manager in the Bandra branch, was recommended by Vikram, or so everyone thinks. The alarm bells are ignored, Harishta, the committed senior relationship manager at the same branch is sidelined, and decides to go to Vienna for a vacation with her husband where she and her husband meet an untimely death – a vehicle accident. Raymond is found hanging at the pier in Sewri with a suicide note in his pocket. And let us not forget the very first ‘so called hit and run case’ where another employee had been killed.
In walks Karan Panjabi, a journalist with a leading daily newspaper and a former employee of this bank, he manages to bull-doze his way into the cabin of Indrani, the bank head, who has paid no heed to the incessant phone calls made to her by Raymond. In fact, she had denied him access and not picked up a single call.
Fearing a media backlash, she seeks Karan’s help to unravel the truth which he does with aplomb. The jigsaw pieces begin to fall together, the accidental deaths are now confirmed as murder. Finally the real culprit at Greater Boston Global Bank is identified.
The book was a thrilling page turner.
For more reviews visit my blog http://www.booksonmyshelves.blogspot.com
THE plot is layered and multi-dimensional, yet interlinked. What is more, the plot deals with real life incidents, but in a fictional setting, this is what makes the book very interesting. In fact, on reading the book, I began to wonder whether many of the so-called activists do have a hidden agenda. In this case, poor Krishna Menon became a pawn in their hands and all that he wanted was safety for the residents around the proposed nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu State, especially after the major accident in Fukushima, Japan. It was the so called activist – the local do-gooder who was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, not only was he fronting for countries like USA and Germany which were apprehensive of India setting up this plant but at the same time was also in league with Israel for sale of arms and ammunition.
Caught up, either knowingly or unknowingly, in the entire racket of blood diamonds, money laundering, political games are the people working in Greater Boston Global Bank. One wonders who is the master mind, is it smooth talking top management guy - Vikram Bhal or is his name being mis-used?
Zinaida, the new kid (albeit sexy kid) in the retail banking block grabs a huge account, an account which sends alarm bells ringing in the minds of the internal fraud controller Raymond, but who will listen to him? After all, Zinaida, the relationship manager in the Bandra branch, was recommended by Vikram, or so everyone thinks. The alarm bells are ignored, Harishta, the committed senior relationship manager at the same branch is sidelined, and decides to go to Vienna for a vacation with her husband where she and her husband meet an untimely death – a vehicle accident. Raymond is found hanging at the pier in Sewri with a suicide note in his pocket. And let us not forget the very first ‘so called hit and run case’ where another employee had been killed.
In walks Karan Panjabi, a journalist with a leading daily newspaper and a former employee of this bank, he manages to bull-doze his way into the cabin of Indrani, the bank head, who has paid no heed to the incessant phone calls made to her by Raymond. In fact, she had denied him access and not picked up a single call.
Fearing a media backlash, she seeks Karan’s help to unravel the truth which he does with aplomb. The jigsaw pieces begin to fall together, the accidental deaths are now confirmed as murder. Finally the real culprit at Greater Boston Global Bank is identified.
The book was a thrilling page turner.
For more reviews visit my blog http://www.booksonmyshelves.blogspot.com
November 26, 2012
At first sight: A man with a briefcase on the cover page, a Mr. Walker look-alike in silhouette. Nah! he is not our hero… he is the villain, the title of the book with the suffix -ster as in gangster, directs you to make that assumption. No ordinary ruffian, but a sophisticated villain in high places and positions, highly paid….. it is misleading because the novel is about villains not one, but a set of devious minds located at different parts of the world, operating with fake names, and cheating gullible people in the name of the faith they put into their hands… As a result, the one who solves the mystery in quick time, as it happens in our busy-no time-to-flirt-around world, is given a few pages after the so-called interval to create an impact to bring the frauds and fraudsters to light like the roles played out by Aamir Khan and Akhsay Kumar when they appeared in their brevity in space of Tare Zameen Par and Om My God!
The locale: An MNC Bank in Bombay- GB2, a spread of its employees from their CEO, the Vice Presidents, the Managers, the Trainees, the Interns to the customers. Subramanian gives us the neat picture of a bank, the front-end, the strategy parts and the back-end of its working intertwined with the levels of personal relationships between the colleagues. Good and bad, and everything in between, the fraternity of a few who are close to the CEO, the top management, the middle and the newer ones under the pressure of making a mark. Actually, as naive customers, do we realize that so much goes behind the lobby of the bank, behind the teller machines, the people at the counter, the manager of the branch…
Reading Tales: One time, Quick read. a page turner, realistic but at places, the pace slackens when some details are given out raw… otherwise, I finished the book, was hooked to it that I read it in small doses every night before I slept or whenever I permitted myself a reading break…
The Suspense element: You will sit up, just like we sat up when Richard Parker jumped out from under the boat’s base to attack the hyena in film adaptation of Life of Pi. Because it is unexpected.
Lows: How the three places, Angola, Bombay and Kerala are linked together. Distribution of fictional space is up to the author, however, the book would be as good if not for these places also. May be a little elaboration perhaps. However, the Kerala, Angola and Vienna, bring in the reach and spread of the fraudsters.
Take Away: How life goes on in an office even after a death has occurred, a colleague has died in unexpected circumstances | Life goes on or as they say in the show goes on with or without somebody. It is definitely a moment to pause about relationships today; who we care about for what and how long! Secondly, how not to trust a stranger or an institution blindly, we need to know the details, if we don’t then do the research before we jump into it, like one of those ads of the stock brokers say!
The locale: An MNC Bank in Bombay- GB2, a spread of its employees from their CEO, the Vice Presidents, the Managers, the Trainees, the Interns to the customers. Subramanian gives us the neat picture of a bank, the front-end, the strategy parts and the back-end of its working intertwined with the levels of personal relationships between the colleagues. Good and bad, and everything in between, the fraternity of a few who are close to the CEO, the top management, the middle and the newer ones under the pressure of making a mark. Actually, as naive customers, do we realize that so much goes behind the lobby of the bank, behind the teller machines, the people at the counter, the manager of the branch…
Reading Tales: One time, Quick read. a page turner, realistic but at places, the pace slackens when some details are given out raw… otherwise, I finished the book, was hooked to it that I read it in small doses every night before I slept or whenever I permitted myself a reading break…
The Suspense element: You will sit up, just like we sat up when Richard Parker jumped out from under the boat’s base to attack the hyena in film adaptation of Life of Pi. Because it is unexpected.
Lows: How the three places, Angola, Bombay and Kerala are linked together. Distribution of fictional space is up to the author, however, the book would be as good if not for these places also. May be a little elaboration perhaps. However, the Kerala, Angola and Vienna, bring in the reach and spread of the fraudsters.
Take Away: How life goes on in an office even after a death has occurred, a colleague has died in unexpected circumstances | Life goes on or as they say in the show goes on with or without somebody. It is definitely a moment to pause about relationships today; who we care about for what and how long! Secondly, how not to trust a stranger or an institution blindly, we need to know the details, if we don’t then do the research before we jump into it, like one of those ads of the stock brokers say!
November 21, 2012
The dedication page of the book says "To all the banksters out there, playing a game with customer's trust" ,I knew there would something unique about the book and I was on a power packed thriller right from the beginning..The novel begins in Angola in the diamond mine alluring people into the trap of big money in less time swirling around but then suddenly the novel comes down to Kerala with an alleged reports of Ivory smuggling, then swiftly turns to Mumbai in a Bank office of GB2 with Vikram a ruthless, manipulative corporate slave who wants to be ahead of the crowd by taking any path, with no sense of honesty and integrity...Then there are murders in a row which is taken up by Karan Punjabi, an investigative reporter from Times of India he happens to be an ex-bank employee , but he soon realizes that the murders hold a key to deeper secrets interwoven across the globe with power packed mafia working under cover involving the big names in the world...
Subramaniam has played with a very unusual plot and he is quiet comfortable with it (with his banking background)..He has played well in creating a thrilling plot with suspense plus subplots running parallel that holds key to the larger picture...While there are ruthless character like Vikram there are characters like Krishna Menon and Jayachandran who are down to earth fighting for larger good...Subramaniam has created realtime characters like Zinaida, Tanuja, Indrani who give the story a touch of reality with various shades of human life...Though Vikram's entry solving the mystery in about 48 hrs was a bit too much for me, yet his sense and sensibility with a way of dealing things appealed to me...
The book swiftly transported across the globe starting from Angola moving on to Kerala then to Mumbai and places like middle east, US, Austria, Germany like a jet setter swishing away...Subramaniam has kept the subject upto date dealing with Nuclear power station and its effect on people, though not digging things in detail...My only let off was that the characters lacked depth, there were too many of them throughout that Subramaniam couldn't do much to develop and highlight them...
Through the novel Subramaniam has explored the darker side of the corporate banks, their working style that questions about the work ethics and principles..I haven't read Subramaniam's earlier work, and this one was a very refreshing read for me..Everyday Hinglish spread throughout the book was amusing at places...Interesting storyline with a good suspense,thriller makes it for a wonderful read...Read it for the feel of an Indian suspense thriller...
Subramaniam has played with a very unusual plot and he is quiet comfortable with it (with his banking background)..He has played well in creating a thrilling plot with suspense plus subplots running parallel that holds key to the larger picture...While there are ruthless character like Vikram there are characters like Krishna Menon and Jayachandran who are down to earth fighting for larger good...Subramaniam has created realtime characters like Zinaida, Tanuja, Indrani who give the story a touch of reality with various shades of human life...Though Vikram's entry solving the mystery in about 48 hrs was a bit too much for me, yet his sense and sensibility with a way of dealing things appealed to me...
The book swiftly transported across the globe starting from Angola moving on to Kerala then to Mumbai and places like middle east, US, Austria, Germany like a jet setter swishing away...Subramaniam has kept the subject upto date dealing with Nuclear power station and its effect on people, though not digging things in detail...My only let off was that the characters lacked depth, there were too many of them throughout that Subramaniam couldn't do much to develop and highlight them...
Through the novel Subramaniam has explored the darker side of the corporate banks, their working style that questions about the work ethics and principles..I haven't read Subramaniam's earlier work, and this one was a very refreshing read for me..Everyday Hinglish spread throughout the book was amusing at places...Interesting storyline with a good suspense,thriller makes it for a wonderful read...Read it for the feel of an Indian suspense thriller...
January 25, 2013
The Bankster unravels the intricate banking system and how a few cunning people can beat it smart. The characters in the story are pretty much like you and me. You will relate to them if you had visited a bank so much for the identifying part of this.
The web of complexities and an unsusual turn of events at a multinational bank makes for an interesting reading. Very fast paced and close to life, next door characters, this is the story of human weakness, that of manipulating relationships even when literally being the relationship manager at the branch of a bank.
So when there is a series of murders or accidents as the world would like to be believed, especially of one of his close friend, Karan the ex-employee turned reporter smells foul play and has a task at hand to identify and save the rest including himself when he sees a pattern emerging with people related to a particular account at GB2.
On the other side of the story which runs parallel is the agitation against the commissioning of the new nuclear plant and how an agitation to ensure safety standards is hijacked to personal agendas and also goes on to become a network of unlawful activities which finds a thread at the one of the accounts of GB2.
The story shows the author with his background, as an expert in banking and has a grip on human emotions and weakness and a behavioural pattern at its best and worst in a narrative style that’s keeps you wanting to finish this off in one quick read.
The analytical and logical treatment that he offers with Karan and the team that investigates privately is an awesome read. We should give it to the characterisation of Karan, who very deftly handles and delves into the minds of the executioners.
And not to forget is the episode at Vienna and how the police department leaves no stones unturned to get the perpetrators of crime to book. You have a CCD out there in the middle of all this.
The best part is the way the author has the story in control all the three events at different places of the globe and weaving a nice suspense filled thriller. He also has to his credit making the reader look aside and may be think of who the bankster could be or may be it was my thought.
Overall an excellent fast read, and a nice plot and I would have to agree when Wall Street Journal says – Meet the John Grisham of Banking. I am a fan of John Grisham and all the legal stories, especially my favorite being Street Lawyer.
The web of complexities and an unsusual turn of events at a multinational bank makes for an interesting reading. Very fast paced and close to life, next door characters, this is the story of human weakness, that of manipulating relationships even when literally being the relationship manager at the branch of a bank.
So when there is a series of murders or accidents as the world would like to be believed, especially of one of his close friend, Karan the ex-employee turned reporter smells foul play and has a task at hand to identify and save the rest including himself when he sees a pattern emerging with people related to a particular account at GB2.
On the other side of the story which runs parallel is the agitation against the commissioning of the new nuclear plant and how an agitation to ensure safety standards is hijacked to personal agendas and also goes on to become a network of unlawful activities which finds a thread at the one of the accounts of GB2.
The story shows the author with his background, as an expert in banking and has a grip on human emotions and weakness and a behavioural pattern at its best and worst in a narrative style that’s keeps you wanting to finish this off in one quick read.
The analytical and logical treatment that he offers with Karan and the team that investigates privately is an awesome read. We should give it to the characterisation of Karan, who very deftly handles and delves into the minds of the executioners.
And not to forget is the episode at Vienna and how the police department leaves no stones unturned to get the perpetrators of crime to book. You have a CCD out there in the middle of all this.
The best part is the way the author has the story in control all the three events at different places of the globe and weaving a nice suspense filled thriller. He also has to his credit making the reader look aside and may be think of who the bankster could be or may be it was my thought.
Overall an excellent fast read, and a nice plot and I would have to agree when Wall Street Journal says – Meet the John Grisham of Banking. I am a fan of John Grisham and all the legal stories, especially my favorite being Street Lawyer.
November 3, 2012
In Angola, a covert CIA agent is about to exchange weapons for blood diamond.
In Kerala, an elderly man will do whatever it takes to fulfil a promise made to a dying son.
In Mumbai, an international bank is stunned by the mysterious deaths of its key employees.
These three lines written on the back cover were sufficient to raise my curiosity in 'The Bankster' written by Ravi Subramanian.
It is a fast paced thriller with interwoven stories involving some of the most intricate characters. The primary setting is The Greater Boston Global Bank (GB2) of Mumbai which is shaken when it employees are found dead under strange circumstances. On the surface it appears as if it is an accident or a suicide, but on delving deeper we realise that these are gruesome homicides. The police is clueless and the motive appears unclear.
Who is to blame?
Who is driving these intriguing and bone chilling murders?
In the same office a young and pretty RM, Zinaida, is climbing up the corporate ladder. Beating targets by fetching several high portfolio clients.
Is it just merit or something else is cooking up in GB2?
When Karan Panjabi tries to unfold this case he realizes the case isn't just about a few murders, but it is a global conspiracy with far reaching implications - a secret that could destroy not only the bank but cast a shadow on the entire nation. He is running out of time and trusts only Kavya while he uncovers the truth and a connection you couldn't even imagine.
In Devikulam, Krishna Menon is fighting against the government nuclear project TNPP. He claims it is unsafe and wants the government to take proper measures. Jaya comes to his aid and along with him comes both financial and scientific backing which helps Krishna in his fight for a cause. But soon this fight turns ugly which pushes Krishna into dilemma through which there is just a single way to escape.
The style is simply gripping and filled with plenty of twists and turns which will keep you hooked till the end. Ravi Subramanian has surely justified what the Wall Street Journal said - 'Meet the John Grisham of banking.' His portrayal of the banking system and the employees, hits the bull's eye. The dark mystery surrounding the global organisation is evident throughout the tale.
Totally worth a read if you love a thriller based on Indian setting!
In Kerala, an elderly man will do whatever it takes to fulfil a promise made to a dying son.
In Mumbai, an international bank is stunned by the mysterious deaths of its key employees.
These three lines written on the back cover were sufficient to raise my curiosity in 'The Bankster' written by Ravi Subramanian.
It is a fast paced thriller with interwoven stories involving some of the most intricate characters. The primary setting is The Greater Boston Global Bank (GB2) of Mumbai which is shaken when it employees are found dead under strange circumstances. On the surface it appears as if it is an accident or a suicide, but on delving deeper we realise that these are gruesome homicides. The police is clueless and the motive appears unclear.
Who is to blame?
Who is driving these intriguing and bone chilling murders?
In the same office a young and pretty RM, Zinaida, is climbing up the corporate ladder. Beating targets by fetching several high portfolio clients.
Is it just merit or something else is cooking up in GB2?
When Karan Panjabi tries to unfold this case he realizes the case isn't just about a few murders, but it is a global conspiracy with far reaching implications - a secret that could destroy not only the bank but cast a shadow on the entire nation. He is running out of time and trusts only Kavya while he uncovers the truth and a connection you couldn't even imagine.
In Devikulam, Krishna Menon is fighting against the government nuclear project TNPP. He claims it is unsafe and wants the government to take proper measures. Jaya comes to his aid and along with him comes both financial and scientific backing which helps Krishna in his fight for a cause. But soon this fight turns ugly which pushes Krishna into dilemma through which there is just a single way to escape.
The style is simply gripping and filled with plenty of twists and turns which will keep you hooked till the end. Ravi Subramanian has surely justified what the Wall Street Journal said - 'Meet the John Grisham of banking.' His portrayal of the banking system and the employees, hits the bull's eye. The dark mystery surrounding the global organisation is evident throughout the tale.
Totally worth a read if you love a thriller based on Indian setting!
June 24, 2013
I bought the book hoping it would be like another corporate thriller I read some-time back called Hickory Dickory Shock by another Indian author which I quite liked. But when I saw that he also wrote a book called "I bought the Ferrari the monk sold" I became skeptical that maybe he is just another sensationalist writer.
He turns out to be so though he is not that bad a writer. While the author is definitely a more than decent writer, the cover and description is highly misleading.It is supposed to be thriller but the whole plot is understood in the first few pages. From then on, it just goes on and on and it felt as though we are reading it second time. He needs to first learn what a thriller means before attempting one!
It starts off as a decent thriller promising to be an international one but soon becomes a teach-yourself-about-corporate-workings book. You know it is badly edited when
1)Almost the first 30% of the book introduces so many characters and has detailed descriptions of what happens in a Bank( when it had nothing to do with the main plot point of the book)
2)the main protagonist that the blurb talks of, doesn't come till half of the book.
I understand the book is about Banking sector but when it is almost clear in the first 50 pages that the book is about money laundering done by banks, there is nothing to look forward to for the rest of the book.
Nobody cares about the final 'twist' in the tale . It was a lame attempt to justify the 'thriller' , the book is marketed to be. On hindsight, I should have known from the title and 'also from author' list that this is another bad wannabe-thriller book. I don't understand the count down to only 48 hours when nothing significant is going to happen at the end. The build-up of it (time at the beginning of every chapter) is as if some big nuclear war is going to happen at 00hours!
I try reading Indian authors now and then hoping some one impresses as much as Ashwin Sangh or Samit Basu but still yet to find such high quality writers except the mentioned two people.
Biggest strength : 'Better' at writing than many contemporary 'popular' Indian authors.
Biggest drawback : The suspense part is completely missing in the book.
He turns out to be so though he is not that bad a writer. While the author is definitely a more than decent writer, the cover and description is highly misleading.It is supposed to be thriller but the whole plot is understood in the first few pages. From then on, it just goes on and on and it felt as though we are reading it second time. He needs to first learn what a thriller means before attempting one!
It starts off as a decent thriller promising to be an international one but soon becomes a teach-yourself-about-corporate-workings book. You know it is badly edited when
1)Almost the first 30% of the book introduces so many characters and has detailed descriptions of what happens in a Bank( when it had nothing to do with the main plot point of the book)
2)the main protagonist that the blurb talks of, doesn't come till half of the book.
I understand the book is about Banking sector but when it is almost clear in the first 50 pages that the book is about money laundering done by banks, there is nothing to look forward to for the rest of the book.
Nobody cares about the final 'twist' in the tale . It was a lame attempt to justify the 'thriller' , the book is marketed to be. On hindsight, I should have known from the title and 'also from author' list that this is another bad wannabe-thriller book. I don't understand the count down to only 48 hours when nothing significant is going to happen at the end. The build-up of it (time at the beginning of every chapter) is as if some big nuclear war is going to happen at 00hours!
I try reading Indian authors now and then hoping some one impresses as much as Ashwin Sangh or Samit Basu but still yet to find such high quality writers except the mentioned two people.
Biggest strength : 'Better' at writing than many contemporary 'popular' Indian authors.
Biggest drawback : The suspense part is completely missing in the book.
March 30, 2014
Ravi Subramanian has been eulogized by the Wall Street Journal as the John Grisham of banking. And as you devour this gripping, intensely thrilling masterpiece, you will have no option but to agree.
To writing links together an anti-nuclear protest-gone-wrong in Kerala, and dubious diamond trading in Europe and Africa, with the day to day running and nefarious activities of an MNC bank's Bandra branch; and he has done a splendid job at that.
The prologue sets the tone and the mood for the entire book as you are made to travel through the dangerous terrains of Angola and suddenly shifted 20 years back to Kerala. Knowing that these stories are intricately linked to a bank, the adrenaline kicks in to devour the book.
The better part of the story is that there is no single point focus on one character throughout. The protagonist keeps on changing from time to time, though of course the latter half of the book focuses on Karan. The author has spared us details of each characters life, merely giving us some insight and moving on thus not breaking the flow.
Also, as a true suspense teller, he keeps the mystery building where it matters the most, thus dissuading you from keeping down the book.
Unlike other modern day also-thrillers Ravi spares us the tutorials of working of the bank and divulges only minor details which are necessary to build up the plot.
However the best part of the book is the end which to say the least was unexpected and splendidly written and which the writer nonchalantly sums up in his dedication "To all the bankers' out there, playing a game with customers' trust" And with all the Cobrapost news engulfing the media, the story and its triumph truly sets in.
Of course the book wasn't without its share of flaws. Quite a few things were unrealistic (especially Joseph Braganza) and may seem immature to some of us. But seen in perspective of the entire story, they seem invisible clinks in the armor of a splendid imagination and story telling.
Ravi Subramanian, eagerly awaiting the arrival of your next book ...
http://freakychakra.wordpress.com/201...
To writing links together an anti-nuclear protest-gone-wrong in Kerala, and dubious diamond trading in Europe and Africa, with the day to day running and nefarious activities of an MNC bank's Bandra branch; and he has done a splendid job at that.
The prologue sets the tone and the mood for the entire book as you are made to travel through the dangerous terrains of Angola and suddenly shifted 20 years back to Kerala. Knowing that these stories are intricately linked to a bank, the adrenaline kicks in to devour the book.
The better part of the story is that there is no single point focus on one character throughout. The protagonist keeps on changing from time to time, though of course the latter half of the book focuses on Karan. The author has spared us details of each characters life, merely giving us some insight and moving on thus not breaking the flow.
Also, as a true suspense teller, he keeps the mystery building where it matters the most, thus dissuading you from keeping down the book.
Unlike other modern day also-thrillers Ravi spares us the tutorials of working of the bank and divulges only minor details which are necessary to build up the plot.
However the best part of the book is the end which to say the least was unexpected and splendidly written and which the writer nonchalantly sums up in his dedication "To all the bankers' out there, playing a game with customers' trust" And with all the Cobrapost news engulfing the media, the story and its triumph truly sets in.
Of course the book wasn't without its share of flaws. Quite a few things were unrealistic (especially Joseph Braganza) and may seem immature to some of us. But seen in perspective of the entire story, they seem invisible clinks in the armor of a splendid imagination and story telling.
Ravi Subramanian, eagerly awaiting the arrival of your next book ...
http://freakychakra.wordpress.com/201...
February 23, 2013
With three best selling thrillers on banking already in his kitty, Ravi Subramanian continues to keep the readers on the very edge with this Bank lore. To be honest, I have never read Ravi Subramanian before so I did not know what cracker of a plot was awaiting me!! But now after reading this financial thriller, I intend to visit each of his reads...
So the plot kick offs in Angola where a covert CIA agent seals off an arms deal in lieu of blood diamonds. The author then takes us to an episode in the past in Kerala where a resort owner is falsely accused of a crime that he has not committed. Laying down these two brief but essential blocks, the author steers the plot to his home ground – yes you guessed it right!! – The Greater Boston Global Bank (GB2) in Mumbai. At GB2, the author acquaints us not only with the power games (which turn as twisted as the plot proceeds) but also with a sundry of characters. With people in power trying to usurp even more power by manoeuvring each possible opportunity for their own gain while heady & young Relationship Managers trying to climb their way up the corporate ladder by any possible means, GB2 is fast becoming a breeding ground for rivalry & competitions. However, the “who wins it-who loses it” mood at the bank is hampered by a series of murders & it’s long before someone really starts connecting the dots & voila!! A pattern emerges. This is when, Karan Punjabi – the ex-banker, who is now the Financial Editor at The Times of India, steps in & opens up the Pandora’s Box as he unearths the real reasons for the death of GB2 employees.
Read complete review at:
http://poojareviewer.blogspot.in/2012...
So the plot kick offs in Angola where a covert CIA agent seals off an arms deal in lieu of blood diamonds. The author then takes us to an episode in the past in Kerala where a resort owner is falsely accused of a crime that he has not committed. Laying down these two brief but essential blocks, the author steers the plot to his home ground – yes you guessed it right!! – The Greater Boston Global Bank (GB2) in Mumbai. At GB2, the author acquaints us not only with the power games (which turn as twisted as the plot proceeds) but also with a sundry of characters. With people in power trying to usurp even more power by manoeuvring each possible opportunity for their own gain while heady & young Relationship Managers trying to climb their way up the corporate ladder by any possible means, GB2 is fast becoming a breeding ground for rivalry & competitions. However, the “who wins it-who loses it” mood at the bank is hampered by a series of murders & it’s long before someone really starts connecting the dots & voila!! A pattern emerges. This is when, Karan Punjabi – the ex-banker, who is now the Financial Editor at The Times of India, steps in & opens up the Pandora’s Box as he unearths the real reasons for the death of GB2 employees.
Read complete review at:
http://poojareviewer.blogspot.in/2012...
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