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A Few Bad Men: A True Story
What Happens When Power Corrupts Lawmakers?
John Reid spent years building the life he always wanted, a beautiful family, a luxury yacht, a holiday home. But this all comes crashing down around him when he is wrongfully accused by New Zealand government officials of masterminding a colossal tax fraud against well-heeled investors.
Finding himself at the centre of a national scandal, and with the threat of a long prison sentence looming, John battles to clear his name. Despite his lawyer’s best efforts, the fight will never be fair. New Zealand’s Serious Fraud Office is renowned for its prosecutorial prowess, and the country’s top QC has his sights set on putting John behind bars for good.
As the case gets further underway, John uncovers a thread of corruption that runs deeper than he could ever imagine. With justice spiraling further out of reach and the verdict ever closer, John must draw on every reserve he has to be in with a chance of overcoming the odds in what becomes a David-versus-Goliath fight.
Based on true accounts, A Few Bad Men is a gripping true crime thriller about one man’s fight for justice in the face of a broken, corrupt system.
John Reid spent years building the life he always wanted, a beautiful family, a luxury yacht, a holiday home. But this all comes crashing down around him when he is wrongfully accused by New Zealand government officials of masterminding a colossal tax fraud against well-heeled investors.
Finding himself at the centre of a national scandal, and with the threat of a long prison sentence looming, John battles to clear his name. Despite his lawyer’s best efforts, the fight will never be fair. New Zealand’s Serious Fraud Office is renowned for its prosecutorial prowess, and the country’s top QC has his sights set on putting John behind bars for good.
As the case gets further underway, John uncovers a thread of corruption that runs deeper than he could ever imagine. With justice spiraling further out of reach and the verdict ever closer, John must draw on every reserve he has to be in with a chance of overcoming the odds in what becomes a David-versus-Goliath fight.
Based on true accounts, A Few Bad Men is a gripping true crime thriller about one man’s fight for justice in the face of a broken, corrupt system.
- GenresNonfiction
416 pages, Paperback
Published July 23, 2024
10702 people want to read
About the author
John Reid
1 book55 followersJohn's teenage years were full of sport. His early business years involved senior trading positions within the financial markets. At the age of 26, he founded his own merchant bank. Recently, John finished writing his true legal thriller - A FEW BAD MEN. It tells his own shocking true story of a wrongful setup and criminal prosecution by government agencies, his David Vs Goliath fight against hidden corruption and impossible odds, and his family's struggle.
The book took 4 years to write, and nearly 20 years of experience, and shocking discoveries. Please check out the website for further information. In particular, note the PHOTOBOOK Link at the bottom of the website; and the chance for a reader to own a share in the movie rights.
Outside of business, John's interests include: all things family; boating; scuba diving; and mixed martial arts, in which he is a 2nd Dan Black Belt and a registered instructor.
The book took 4 years to write, and nearly 20 years of experience, and shocking discoveries. Please check out the website for further information. In particular, note the PHOTOBOOK Link at the bottom of the website; and the chance for a reader to own a share in the movie rights.
Outside of business, John's interests include: all things family; boating; scuba diving; and mixed martial arts, in which he is a 2nd Dan Black Belt and a registered instructor.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 16, 2025
This is quite a book.
It helps that I know the author and many of the individuals mentioned in it, but the story reads like a thriller, and the evidence that the author puts before the reader of deliberate attempts to pervert or prevent justice by organs of the New Zealand government and their agents is genuinely disturbing. It shakes my confidence in the integrity of government, and that is a most unpleasant thought.
John Reid emerges as a resilient man hounded unfairly and dishonestly, but never destroyed,
and he has pulled few punches in calling out the wrongdoers. To call a public servant a liar or a withholder or fabricator of evidence is a major charge, and Reid has no doubt that the evidence backs up his assertions.
In the Trumpian world we are about to reenter this book serves as a warning of the power of the deep state, even in little old New Zealand.
I commend the book to all intelligent people.
It helps that I know the author and many of the individuals mentioned in it, but the story reads like a thriller, and the evidence that the author puts before the reader of deliberate attempts to pervert or prevent justice by organs of the New Zealand government and their agents is genuinely disturbing. It shakes my confidence in the integrity of government, and that is a most unpleasant thought.
John Reid emerges as a resilient man hounded unfairly and dishonestly, but never destroyed,
and he has pulled few punches in calling out the wrongdoers. To call a public servant a liar or a withholder or fabricator of evidence is a major charge, and Reid has no doubt that the evidence backs up his assertions.
In the Trumpian world we are about to reenter this book serves as a warning of the power of the deep state, even in little old New Zealand.
I commend the book to all intelligent people.
June 28, 2024
I thought this might go over my head (I’m just a baby who knows nothing of investments) but it reads like a film and I finished it in 2 days.
There’s a lot of info at the start, but it all comes together by the court scenes. The author does a fabulous job at breaking down the complicated financial info so that it’s digestible. I loved the balance between the case and the author’s home life/how his family dealt with it.
There’s a lot of info at the start, but it all comes together by the court scenes. The author does a fabulous job at breaking down the complicated financial info so that it’s digestible. I loved the balance between the case and the author’s home life/how his family dealt with it.
June 29, 2024
Absolutely fascinating read! This explains why some people do not trust the government! or at least why some with power can pick on those without- however ala David and Goliath they do not fold but respond and dig and maybe seem to get a little miraculous help along the way...the courtroom scenes are totally spell-binding.
January 6, 2025
A well written and engaging book.A David v Goliath struggle between a Kiwi entrepreneur and the NZ judicial system hell bent on a conviction.John Reid ( the author) was accused of fraud.
The author dissects the underlying corruption within the government system.The legal process lasted for 6 years!
A real page turner.
A highly recommended book.
Howard Dobson.
The author dissects the underlying corruption within the government system.The legal process lasted for 6 years!
A real page turner.
A highly recommended book.
Howard Dobson.
January 8, 2025
'A few bad men' is a compelling read showcasing an absolute badass family. This book is a true testament to John, Robbie and Sam's strength, resilience and faith in a battle against pure corruption.
John Reid went from going to one of the most hated men in NZ to no doubt one of the most respected (rightly deserved).
A must read.
John Reid went from going to one of the most hated men in NZ to no doubt one of the most respected (rightly deserved).
A must read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2025
Best book I've read for a while- had me turning the pages late into the night! For fans of tue crime and legal dramas. An inspiring story despite forcing the reader to question their faith in justice.
March 1, 2025
I won this in a Goodreads giveaway, all views are my own.
This was almost a DNF for me. Too much jargon, company names and people to keep track of. While the government stuff got kind of interesting, it became too convoluted for me to follow. Others might like this though.
This was almost a DNF for me. Too much jargon, company names and people to keep track of. While the government stuff got kind of interesting, it became too convoluted for me to follow. Others might like this though.
January 15, 2025
Won my free copy from Goodreads giveaway! Post read coming soon!
April 14, 2025
An incredibly eye-opening listen (audible). The U.S. military going against their own men, power struggle of rankings, and so much more.
October 14, 2025
A complex set of circumstances so well written that even I could follow them.
A great read and a sobering look at how powerful government offices and prosecutors can behave - very worrying.
A great read and a sobering look at how powerful government offices and prosecutors can behave - very worrying.
September 17, 2024
I won the book AFew Bad Men John Reid he wrote a nice note in the book. I start to read i cound not but it down . It it true crime nothing but the best.It got muder in i cant to see the movie when it comes out.Ons you get in it you can put down .
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews