Chasing Money: A Marty and Bo Thriller

by Michael Balter

The murder of a shady art dealer kicks off a desperate search for $10 million and a mysterious missing masterpiece.

Winner - 2024 Crime Thriller of the Year - Best Thrillers
Winner - 2024 Feathered Quill Award - Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
Winner - 2023 Best Indie Book Award - Crime Thriller

Marty Schott is having a very bad day. His dreams of wealth are dying along with his struggling startup. His bank account is empty. His wife is threatening to leave him. Marty and his business partners have pinned their hopes on a meeting with a new investor at a fishing cabin on the slopes of Mt Hood. Instead, they’re held at gunpoint by a Russian killer. When he murders their newest business partner in front of them, Marty and Bo are plunged into a dangerous game that could cost them everything.

To save their lives, the two friends bargain for time to find and return ten million dollars and a mysterious missing painting the killer claims they stole. There’s only one problem. They don’t have any idea what he’s talking about. The only man who might know is their dead partner, Nico, who won’t be spilling his secrets now.

Nico was a paradox, a small-time art dealer with big-time money. He’d come to them with cash to invest, connections in the art world, and a creative idea. Maybe they should have asked Nico more questions - but Marty and Bo needed the money. Now, they have to navigate a maze of lies, untangling the connections between Nico and a strip club owner, an aging artist, a bogus baron, and a talented forger. Their frantic search will uncover a web of greed and deception - and a painting that might be the world’s most valuable missing masterpiece.

"Gritty descriptions, simmering threats, and a wry sense of humor contribute to a countdown to disaster. Exceptionally clever and compelling." - Midwest Book Review

"Packed with action. A strong voice paired with authentic dialogue… Witty and engaging.” The BookLife Prize

"A gritty, heart-pounding thriller that grabs you from the first page and won’t let you get away!” - Michael Lindley, author of the Amazon #1 Hanna and Alex Low Country mystery series.

"The DaVinci Code for grownups. Don't miss this impressive debut novel!" - Warren C. Easley, author of the award-winning Cal Claxton Mysteries.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Mystery

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2023

About the author

Michael Balter is an Amazon best-selling author known for his sharp wit and high-stakes crime fiction. His debut novel, Chasing Money, received multiple honors, including the Best Indie Book Award for Crime Thrillers, gold medals from the Feathered Quill and the Military Writers’ Society of America, the Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal for Crime Fiction, and the 2024 Crime Thriller of the Year Award from BestThrillers.com.

His second novel, The Vatican Deal, won the CIPA EVVY Gold Medal for Thrillers & Suspense and became an Amazon #1 Hot New Release. Dead Exit, the third novel in the Marty and Bo thriller series, will be released in July 2026.

Born in Berlin, Michael grew up in a bombed-out building. When the Berlin Wall went up, his family fled to America. During the Vietnam War, he served as an air traffic controller at Udorn Air Force Base in Thailand. Michael earned a degree in aerospace engineering before joining Intel Corporation in the early days of Silicon Valley. He later became an entrepreneur, launching ventures ranging from a voice-recognition startup to an art company and a private equity firm. A business partner’s kidnapping by a Russian mobster inspired elements of Chasing Money.

Michael lives in Charlevoix, Michigan, and is working on his next novel. Learn more at mbalter.com

Reviews

[Luigi Rondanini · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are some spoilers in my review.

I was completely engrossed from the first chapter of Michael Balter's new crime thriller "Chasing Money." The opening scene throws readers right into the action as entrepreneurs Bo and Marty walk into a high-stakes meeting that takes a sudden and dangerous turn. Before they know what's happening, they find themselves held at gunpoint and threatened into chasing down millions of dollars and a mysterious[ly] lost painting.

From there, I absolutely could not put this book down. Balter confidently leads his characters through twist after twist, ramping up the stakes and hurtling towards an incredibly satisfying conclusion. Each short, punchy chapter ends on a cliffhanger that compelled me to keep going. I listened to the audiobook version and was thrilled by the narrator's gritty voicework that made me feel like I was right there with Bo and Marty in the seedy Oregon underworld.

The characters themselves feel familiar in all the right ways, with just enough detail to bring them to life without slowing things down. Watching their relationships strain and evolve under pressure makes them even more compelling. Overall, with its propulsive plot, cinematic action, and memorable characters, "Chasing Money" had me hooked from start to finish. I blazed through it in one addictive sitting, and my day's work was gone without regrets. For thriller fans wanting an entertaining page-turner, this one is not to be missed!

[Kaila · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Vatican Deal is an action-packed crime thriller that has everything that makes a crime thriller great- lies, secrets, deception, betrayal, and danger. This book is the second book of A Marty and Bo Thriller series but can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.
Marty and Bo, two business partners, are dragged into a crazy situation after they decide to partner with Nico. Unbeknownst to both Marty and Bo, Nico got himself mixed up in quite a few scams, with one dealing with fraudulent artwork. Now, a Russian oligarch is after the painting he was promised and $10 million. The only person who knows anything of this (Nico) is shot dead, and now it is up to Marty and Bo to retrieve the painting and cash.
This book is a fun, quick read, packed with enough drama and suspense to keep you invested to the very end. I enjoyed the added humor as well as the unique characters- they added a lot to the story. The pacing was perfect, and I appreciate the author for getting straight to it (with the death of Nico). A solid 4-star read!
Thank you NetGalley, Mission Point Press, and Michael Balter for this read!

[Thomas Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book by Balter! I read thrillers by the big name authors and its good to find a new author that is of that quality. The "heroes" Marty and Bo are serial entrepreneurs which is an unlikely background for thriller characters. It puts a different angle on the thriller genre that usually uses spies, police, lawyers or other government or legal fields. Lots of action that keeps you reading. Very well written for a first book. Enjoy!

[Abbey Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect mix of heist, history, and humor. I loved this book from start to finish! Each character captivates you in their own way, and makes the reader feel like they are part of the storyline. A very impressive debut novel!

[Military Writers Society of America (MWSA)]

MWSA Review

Chasing Money: A Marty and Bo Thriller is a twisting mystery romp, a mixture of satire and dark humor that keeps readers hooked from the first page.

Marty and Bo are struggling entrepreneurs, always chasing money to fund their struggling new business. When they connect with Nico Scava, he seems to be the perfect angel investor: the answer to their prayers, with connections in the art world and a creative idea. But instead, Nico proves the adage, “Be careful what you wish for.”

The plot involves the Russian mob, faked artwork, a bogus baron, violent murders, and a frantic chase from a cabin on Mount Hood to a Portland strip club. Debut author Michael Balter’s wry humor, clear writing style, and knowledge of art history make this a captivating story.

Balter has teamed up with Mission Point Press, a publishing firm with a history of transforming first-time authors into success stories. Chasing Money, published in 2023, has already garnered an impressive roster of literary awards. This is the first of two Marty and Bo thrillers, with a sequel eagerly anticipated.

Review by James Elsener (May 2025)

[Lawrence Freedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally from the first paragraph I was captured - asking myself: "What the hell? Where is THIS going." And I was standing in a bookstore, just looking over a shelf of mystery books for a good read. I never heard of this author or this book.
The scene was captured men tied to chairs, being questioned by scary men looking for life and death answers. The scene was so well written that I felt I was IN one of the chairs, being threatened! After purchasing, and reading the whole story, I was not disappointed. Mr. Balter writes in a manner that the reader Feels like he is right IN the action. And with all the twists and turns in the Chasing Money story -- this made me Not want to put this book down.
Just go to the bookstore and read the very first pages and you will see what I mean!

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the narration of Frits Zernike

Marty and Bo are two regular guys seeking investors in a start-up business. The two if them find themselves running into Russian thugs, artists, con-artists, drug addicts, oh a royal . Soon they are suspects of stealing millions of dollars and a mysterious painting, Having only four days to prove their innocents if not their families and dog will be killed.
You will be hard to put this thriller down.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads drawing.

Some tech entrepreneurs go to a meeting in the Oregon woods, only to find their putative investors are really mobsters wanting their $10 million and a painting back. Instead of calling the police or the FBI, Marty and Bo decide to try to handle things themselves.

They find all kinds of embarrassing situations while trying to keep their families in the dark.

Next time, just call the cops!

[Jacqueline Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely fun book to read with an exciting premise. “What happens when you get money from the wrong people” can be prominent in the entrepreneur’s mind, and Chasing Money has a very fun, engaging, and apocalyptic take on the concept. I love all of the characters, not just Marty and Bo, but Natalya, Tom Barnes (if you know you know), and Dirty Harry himself. This is a great weekend read!

[Jackie Martello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic character-driven thriller. A bit of a slow burn that steadily grows more and more suspense for the reader. A truly masterfully crafted story with terrific narration. Looking forward to reading more from the author.

[Andy Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thriller that shocks your brain hard at the first few pages then sucks you in till you have to stop just to take a breath. And it just keeps going. It’s a technical masterpiece reaching from the author’s background and fine art’s sorted history.

I can’t believe this is the author’s first book! If you’re like me you’ll be trying to figure out what’s next from him.

[Jason · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring and tedious. Plot was confusing and could not follow motivations for the main characters.
Did not finish this one.

[cherde crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable and captivating

I enjoyed this story. I tend to open a book without reading the cover or description and sometimes it works and others I have to to read the cover. This one keeps you wanting to read more. I can't wait to read the rest of their adventures.

[Justine Lavin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to like Protagonists

I found it difficult to get this one started. We have the two main characters, Bo & Marty (narrated by Marty). They have homes with spouses and children, but they’re not likable family men. The story is narrated by Marty who seems to care more about money and how to get more of it even if it’s causing him more issues and destroying his family. We don’t hear too much about Bo’s family so the reader doesn’t really know if he’s destroying his as well.

Bo & Marty make bad decisions, and when it’s shown that they’re bad decisions they just… make more bad ones. I found myself getting completely frustrated with the main duo which means I have trouble caring about them and what happens to them. I think Marty’s family feels the same way. His kids seem indifferent when he’s kicked out of the house and yeah, I get it. Completely understandable.

The side characters seemed like caricatures; the Russian mob, the IRA, the strip club dancer turned wife, the crazy eccentric artist. I can honestly say I didn’t really care about or like any character here, main or otherwise. Except maybe the dog, because… dogs.

That said, the story itself was interesting and different once it got going and I was invested enough to want to see how it all wrapped up (even if it ended with me shaking my head and wondering “they didn’t learn their lesson‽”).

Good books make me want to never put it down and make me want to keep reading to find out what happens. This book was the kind of book that I keep on my Kindle and pop open to read a chapter while in a doctor’s waiting room. It was only about 3/4ths of the way through that the plot interested me enough to sit down and read it at home.

Being that this was only the author’s first book (is this going to be a series?) I’m going to give him some slack and assume that he’s just getting the feel of the characters and hopefully they’ll begin to flesh out more in future books. Maybe Marty & Bo will make better decisions and focus on more than just where the money is coming from and how to get more of it. Maybe I’ll give them a shot a few books down the line. The author did have an interesting plot so once the characters are more developed I’m sure things will mesh seamlessly.

[Rox Burkey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Balter crafts a nonstop action-adventure crime thriller set in Oregon. Marty tells the story in the first person, making it personal. He and his business partner, Bo, are entrepreneurs in a Paladin start-up. Marty and his wife are at odds over his chasing this business dream. Everything about this story is perfect. Thrills, action, fear, uncertainty, and doubt are woven into a realistic story. Well-researched discussions on World War II, art history, and the lengths people will go to win keep listeners and readers on the edge of their seats.

Marty and Bo start the story at gunpoint with a maniac waving a gun demanding an unknown painting and ten million dollars. Their business partner Nico seems to understand but has permanently stopped speaking. Tracking clues, uncovering deceptions, and learning the truth take Marty and Bo on an unbelievable journey.

Listening to the story unfold flashed vivid pictures of these characters' situations. The excellent prose left no stone unturned as each character and their idiosyncrasies contributed to the story. This debut novel by Michael Balter is a winner in the believable situations, riveting, realistic character development, and realistic, fast-paced dialog made this listen impossible to set aside until it finished.

The narration by Frits Zernike was outstanding. Perfect pacing, well-timed voices, and accents easily delineated the characters. There were no problems with the audio, and I enjoyed this voice. Lucky for listeners and readers, the author is working on another Marty and Bo thriller, which this listener hopes is narrated by this outstanding voice actor. Fans of crime thrillers who revel in action adventure will enjoy this book to the very end and beg for more.

[Anne Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a riveting story of two regular guys seeking investors in a start-up business, a risky venture of which their wives do not approve, who run into a host of unusual characters from Russian thugs, artists, con-artists, drug addicts, to minor royalty. Suspected of stealing millions of dollars and a mysterious painting, they are given four days to prove otherwise or they and their families and dog will be killed, yet they have nothing to go on. Accidental and deliberate murders follow. I read from lunchtime to ten o’clock to finish it, forgetting to eat dinner. If you are an art enthusiast, a WWII history buff, a murder mystery fan or just looking for a good book, this is your ticket to be immersed in great read.

[Michael Slavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start! Interesting, with some good bad guys, unexpected, them some art comes into the story.
It had some bumps but ended well.

What I liked:
-As I said, great start.
-The bad guys.
-Involvement of paintings, some real some forgeries.
-The business of the good guys, and the raising money.
-The old painter/artist and his caregiver.
-There were some very good little passages here and there.

What I didn't like:
-Too much back story really slowed the book down about 50% in, them picked up.
-And again at 70%, way too much backstory on the paintings and WW II. Skipped over, skimmed as best I could.
-The end slid in okay, but the best, for me, was the beginning.

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly interesting! This is an enthralling mystery with interesting main characters! The plot is quick paced and inevitably intriguing! This book had such a captivating mystery and amazing twists and turns. Every part of the story kept you wanting to read more! I am excited to read the next book in the series. The writing quality is also great no mistakes and a clear character voice in the narration! Each character has a distinct voice and the main characters pov is true to the characters motivations and qualms. Truly love this book! Its a great fast paced mystery with interesting characters and a clear character voice.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marty and Bo have a start up and need money. Marty's wife is ready to leave him and all seems lost. They get a call from a potential investor, but he turns out to be a Russian mobster who believes they stole 10 million dollars and a valuable art painting and is demanding it back. The mobster accidentally shoots and kills their friend and they have to pretend they know what is going on just to survive. Before this is over, more people die, but they find an investor and Marty gets back with his wife.

[Caroline 'relaxing with my rescue dogs' · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first experience with both this author and narrator and I am so glad that I have found them as it wont be the last. The story itself is addictive. and I needed to keep listening to find out how it ended. I loved the way that it wasnt until nearly the middle that you discover what is the start up was, it had me intrigued until it was revealed.

It was such a different plot and it worked so well. The narration really suited the story, it really dragged you into the story.

[Rich Buickerood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ordinary

Quite frankly, I don’t know why this book allegedly won so many awards, it was ordinary at best and I will not read book two in the series. The plot dealt with two unsuccessful venture capitalists who inadvertently get involved with a missing piece of art and missing millions.

[Richard Marzetti · Rating 4 out of 5]

“He’s just afraid of being left behind, like all of us.”

Starts fast and dangerous, has a passage where a lot of backstory gets filled in, and then races to the finish!

Two guys running a start up get more than the investment they’re looking for… in fact, they get plenty of interest from gangsters & art thieves, and barely make out from their pitch.

[Sienna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing Money is a fast, addictive thrill ride from start to finish. Marty and Bo are the kind of underdogs you can’t help but root for as they’re swept into a deadly hunt for a missing masterpiece. The story is sharp, funny, and packed with tension, with twists that keep you hooked the whole way through. A highly entertaining and absolutely recommendable crime thriller.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Impossible to put down. Darkly funny & a surprisingly fascinating read! Entrepreneurship, art-history, murder mystery, lost relics of WWII, this thrill ride covers a lot of ground and never has a dull moment. A thrilling read from start to finish!

[Valerie K. Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic debut novel! Great story that grabs your attention from the first page. Fast-paced Baldacci-esque mystery/thriller with well-researched historical references. I look forward to more from this author.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing Money: Michael Balter's thrilling Novel about a deadly hunt for a lost painting and a fortune captivated me immediately. The fascinating characters, plot twists, and snarky humor combined brilliantly to create a gripping tale.

[Natalie Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing Money - My new favorite Thriller
Chasing Money: Michael Balter's thrilling Novel about a deadly hunt for a lost painting and a fortune captivated me immediately. The fascinating characters, plot twists, and snarky humor combined brilliantly to create a gripping tale.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by cyc member

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you for the advance copy of your book. Unique setting for the crime drama setting. Good story with well-researched historical references.

[Grace Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great first time novel! The twists and turns always surprised me while remaining authentic. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys the genre.