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Vortex
On land or at sea the vortex is mesmerising but lethal. Andy Duncan joins an investment firm in Hong Kong and quickly discovers that the same forces apply in business. The lure of power, money and status blurs moral boundaries and for those who covet the immense rewards on offer, one illicit act can lead to another, drawing them into a spiral of deception.
Duncan frames a junior clerk to save the career of a high-flying investment manager and is rewarded with rapid promotion. Transferred to the firm’s new Bangkok office, he is quickly embroiled in a corporate scandal and the disappearance of a beautiful teenage girl. The only way he can hang on to his career and his new lover is to trash every moral principle he ever held dear.
Prem Boonamee’s career is also on the up. Promotion in the Thai mafia is swift for those willing to follow orders to the letter. Since his first kill he has had little compunction about doing his masters’ bidding. All that troubles him is a recurring dream, of the girl he abandoned to her fate and what would be their final bloody meeting.
The future of the two men is inextricably linked, when the Thai underworld targets a major financial institution. Duncan appears to be able to trust only his lover and her uncle, the man likely to become the next Prime Minister of Thailand.
Vortex offers an authentic insight into Thai culture and the intricacies of an industry that has a profound influence on the world economy. As “The Wolf of Wall Street” tops the movie charts and Thailand is on the verge of political meltdown, Vortex is a fast paced, often humorous, but generally dark take on what happens when morals and avarice collide
Duncan frames a junior clerk to save the career of a high-flying investment manager and is rewarded with rapid promotion. Transferred to the firm’s new Bangkok office, he is quickly embroiled in a corporate scandal and the disappearance of a beautiful teenage girl. The only way he can hang on to his career and his new lover is to trash every moral principle he ever held dear.
Prem Boonamee’s career is also on the up. Promotion in the Thai mafia is swift for those willing to follow orders to the letter. Since his first kill he has had little compunction about doing his masters’ bidding. All that troubles him is a recurring dream, of the girl he abandoned to her fate and what would be their final bloody meeting.
The future of the two men is inextricably linked, when the Thai underworld targets a major financial institution. Duncan appears to be able to trust only his lover and her uncle, the man likely to become the next Prime Minister of Thailand.
Vortex offers an authentic insight into Thai culture and the intricacies of an industry that has a profound influence on the world economy. As “The Wolf of Wall Street” tops the movie charts and Thailand is on the verge of political meltdown, Vortex is a fast paced, often humorous, but generally dark take on what happens when morals and avarice collide
235 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 6, 2013
389 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 20, 2015
A hundred pages in there was no turning back from Vortex. Guess there was a clue in the title. Carrell understands the need to raise stakes and build tension to keep the reader hooked in this accomplished novel which I'll loosely describe as a financial thriller set in a tropical locale.
We follow the building and eventual collapse of a branch of an investment bank in the Far East. Most novels should have an overall message and the message that settles after Vortex has fallen is something along the lines of - Trust No One.
This is a story of greed and deceit in the shady world of investment management. A world that the author obviously knows well. Well enough to detail an elaborate scam unfold from cradle to grave. People get hurt, careers ruined, relationships faked and drugs taken... The prize of one billion dollars sits before the winner proving if any proof be needed that the greed for hard currency is indeed at the root of all evil. Vortex is described as a whirlpool - get too close and you get drawn in and thrown to the depths of the ocean. This a page turner and once you're in, you'd better have a few spare hours.
Carrell has made a brave choice to inform in narrative which he does without devaluing the story. What we have here is not only an entertaining yarn but also an informative look at the world of corporate investment slugs a peep into how and why capitalism often fails all but the super-rich.
Look forward to reading more from the author starting with the football book "A Matter of Life and Death."
We follow the building and eventual collapse of a branch of an investment bank in the Far East. Most novels should have an overall message and the message that settles after Vortex has fallen is something along the lines of - Trust No One.
This is a story of greed and deceit in the shady world of investment management. A world that the author obviously knows well. Well enough to detail an elaborate scam unfold from cradle to grave. People get hurt, careers ruined, relationships faked and drugs taken... The prize of one billion dollars sits before the winner proving if any proof be needed that the greed for hard currency is indeed at the root of all evil. Vortex is described as a whirlpool - get too close and you get drawn in and thrown to the depths of the ocean. This a page turner and once you're in, you'd better have a few spare hours.
Carrell has made a brave choice to inform in narrative which he does without devaluing the story. What we have here is not only an entertaining yarn but also an informative look at the world of corporate investment slugs a peep into how and why capitalism often fails all but the super-rich.
Look forward to reading more from the author starting with the football book "A Matter of Life and Death."
November 4, 2016
Oh My God, I have extremely strong desire to read this book!!! It's so appealing! I love mystery and adventure stories!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2015
Vortex continues the Thai theme established in my previous books, Thai Kiss and Thai Lottery but draws on over two decades working in the investment industry. Andy Duncan agrees to a three month internship at a leading firm just to please his father. Those around him are willing to do whatever it takes to win what they covet or just to hang on to the privileged lifestyle they already have.
Andy could observe from a distance or risk being dragged in by the vortex of avarice that seems to have gripped his colleagues... until the decision gets taken out of his hands.
It's available as an e-book and a paperback at Amazon.
Andy could observe from a distance or risk being dragged in by the vortex of avarice that seems to have gripped his colleagues... until the decision gets taken out of his hands.
It's available as an e-book and a paperback at Amazon.
March 11, 2014
I'm a dedicated fan of Carrell's books - this one does not disappoint.
Moving away from the notorious Thai bar scene - Vortex still demonstrates the author's amazing insight into Thai culture - but also an astonishing grasp of the world of high finance. Echoes of Wolf of Wall Street here - terrific book.
Moving away from the notorious Thai bar scene - Vortex still demonstrates the author's amazing insight into Thai culture - but also an astonishing grasp of the world of high finance. Echoes of Wolf of Wall Street here - terrific book.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews