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The Manipulator
When the scales of justice are tipped, lawyer Thomas Berte's brilliance is put to the ultimate test.
“…a masterful debut novel. Outstanding!” —James Chandler, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Misjudged
Thomas Berte, a Harvard-educated attorney at the peak of his career with a corporate law firm, is catapulted into the legal battle of a lifetime when the U.S. Attorney General offers him the position of Deputy Attorney General. Though a testament to his meteoric rise in the legal field, this career jump seems too good to be true.
Accepting the role, Tom is charged with a daunting bring down Cosimo “Nino” Benedetto, the enigmatic leader of an international crime syndicate. But as he digs deeper into his new responsibilities at the Department of Justice, Tom uncovers a disturbing connection between his former law firm—a bastion of his past achievements—and the very underworld empire he's determined to dismantle.
Blackmailed into betraying his principles, Tom is forced to question the foundations of his career and the legal system he has sworn to uphold. The chase for Benedetto becomes a personal crusade, challenging Tom's intellect, ethics, and resolve. This mission, fraught with life-threatening risks and shadowy adversaries, becomes not just a professional endeavor but a pivotal moment of reckoning.
The Manipulator intricately weaves the high-stakes drama of a man ensnared in the most defining trial of his life, where a stunning conclusion pits the pursuit of justice against the ultimate sacrifice of moral certainty.
_________________
Praise for The Manipulator:
“The action is fast paced, with a likable hero…” —Phillip Margolin, New York Times bestselling author of An Insignificant Case
“Well written and intricately plotted, Tom Berte is a character worth rooting for.” —Chad Zunker, bestselling author of Family Money and The Wife You Know
“…fast-moving…intriguing settings…replete with a lively cast of characters” —Joseph Badal, bestselling author and Military Writers Society of America Writer of the Year
“…a masterful debut novel. Outstanding!” —James Chandler, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Misjudged
Thomas Berte, a Harvard-educated attorney at the peak of his career with a corporate law firm, is catapulted into the legal battle of a lifetime when the U.S. Attorney General offers him the position of Deputy Attorney General. Though a testament to his meteoric rise in the legal field, this career jump seems too good to be true.
Accepting the role, Tom is charged with a daunting bring down Cosimo “Nino” Benedetto, the enigmatic leader of an international crime syndicate. But as he digs deeper into his new responsibilities at the Department of Justice, Tom uncovers a disturbing connection between his former law firm—a bastion of his past achievements—and the very underworld empire he's determined to dismantle.
Blackmailed into betraying his principles, Tom is forced to question the foundations of his career and the legal system he has sworn to uphold. The chase for Benedetto becomes a personal crusade, challenging Tom's intellect, ethics, and resolve. This mission, fraught with life-threatening risks and shadowy adversaries, becomes not just a professional endeavor but a pivotal moment of reckoning.
The Manipulator intricately weaves the high-stakes drama of a man ensnared in the most defining trial of his life, where a stunning conclusion pits the pursuit of justice against the ultimate sacrifice of moral certainty.
_________________
Praise for The Manipulator:
“The action is fast paced, with a likable hero…” —Phillip Margolin, New York Times bestselling author of An Insignificant Case
“Well written and intricately plotted, Tom Berte is a character worth rooting for.” —Chad Zunker, bestselling author of Family Money and The Wife You Know
“…fast-moving…intriguing settings…replete with a lively cast of characters” —Joseph Badal, bestselling author and Military Writers Society of America Writer of the Year
- GenresThriller
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 19, 2025
725 people are currently reading
1401 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 22, 2025
Nino Benedetto, the leader of a world wide crime syndicate devises a plan to compromise Tom Berte, the lawyer tasked with bringing him to justice. Once he’s manipulated events to frame Tom for crimes he didn’t commit, Nino plans to coerce Tom into helping him evade prosecution. The premise of this book was intriguing, but in some ways it missed the mark for me. It’s important to get some background in order to build story momentum, but it was slow to get going and was often just too wordy. The pace of the second half of the book picked up and led to a satisfying finish. Sometimes the first installment of a series has some growing pains and it takes a bit to determine what direction the series will go.
November 25, 2025
Absolutely compelling read! Buzzetta does a fantastic job of immediately drawing the reader into the storyline. He has a flair for descriptive details. The story moves forward engaging the reader in the plot development. I can’t wait to read the next book.
September 13, 2025
Great story and, while pretty unrealistic, a lot of fun to read. Looking forward to #2 in the series.
January 9, 2026
When destiny offers you everything you've ever wanted, the price tag rarely comes printed in advance. This uncomfortable truth sits at the heart of The Manipulator by Dan Buzzetta, a legal thriller that transforms familiar crime fiction territory into something far more intimate and philosophically compelling than its genre typically allows.
The Premise That Hooks You
Thomas Berte has achieved what most young attorneys only fantasize about. A Harvard Law graduate clerking for a Chief Judge, then ascending through the ranks of Balatoni, Cartel and Colin, one of the nation's most prestigious law firms. When the Attorney General personally offers him the position of Executive Deputy Attorney General, charging him with dismantling an international criminal syndicate, it feels like the culmination of a lifetime of hard work.
But nothing about Tom's ascent proves simple. His target is Cosimo "Nino" Benedetto, a ghost-like figure commanding a criminal empire so sophisticated that most law enforcement agencies have only recently become aware of its existence. Operating from the Vulcania, a floating fortress equipped with military-grade technology that renders it virtually invisible to surveillance, Benedetto represents organized crime evolved beyond anything the DOJ has previously confronted.
What distinguishes The Manipulator by Dan Buzzetta from countless other crime thrillers is the devastating revelation that awaits its protagonist. The investigation doesn't just lead Tom into professional danger; it forces him to confront foundational truths about his own identity that shake everything he believed about himself.
Character Construction That Earns Every Twist
Buzzetta demonstrates remarkable patience in constructing his characters. Tom Berte arrives fully formed as a principled attorney genuinely motivated by justice rather than ambition. His relationship with wife Brooke provides emotional grounding without descending into romantic cliché. Their interactions feel lived-in, weighted with history and genuine affection that makes subsequent stakes genuinely threatening.
The supporting cast serves the narrative without feeling disposable. FBI Special Agent Bruce Young represents institutional disillusionment personified, a decorated investigator whose resentments and hidden vulnerabilities transform him from ally to unwitting instrument of destruction. Ignatius Balatoni, the legendary firm founder known reverently as "The Pope," carries secrets that fundamentally reshape the story's moral landscape when finally revealed.
Most impressively, Buzzetta refuses to paint Cosimo Benedetto as a one-dimensional villain. The crime lord emerges as genuinely complex, capable of both horrific ruthlessness and profound paternal longing. His justifications for his empire carry a twisted logic that the narrative examines without endorsing.
The Web of Institutional Corruption
Beyond individual character work, The Manipulator by Dan Buzzetta offers a sobering examination of how criminal enterprises embed themselves within legitimate institutions. The discovery that BCC, the respected law firm where Tom built his career, has functioned as the Syndicate's legal apparatus for years creates layers of complicity extending far beyond any single bad actor.
This institutional corruption extends into law enforcement itself. The novel depicts how personal vulnerabilities create openings for exploitation, how systems designed to protect justice can be weaponized against it. When Tom finds himself framed for leaking confidential information, the machinery of the state that should protect him instead threatens his destruction.
The novel excels at demonstrating how manipulation operates at multiple levels simultaneously:
• Personal manipulation through family secrets and emotional leverage
• Professional manipulation through institutional corruption
• Systemic manipulation through the exploitation of legal processes
• Technological manipulation through sophisticated surveillance and digital fabrication
Pacing and Structural Achievements
Buzzetta orchestrates information revelation with impressive control. The central family revelation, which could have felt contrived in lesser hands, arrives only after sufficient groundwork makes it simultaneously surprising and inevitable. Earlier scenes featuring Ignatius Balatoni take on entirely new dimensions upon revisiting them mentally, suggesting careful structural planning.
The pacing accelerates appropriately as Tom's situation deteriorates. Sequences involving the FBI search of his apartment, his flight through New York streets, and the mounting evidence against him generate genuine tension. The reader shares Tom's disorientation as the ground shifts beneath him repeatedly.
The climactic confrontation aboard the Vulcania delivers the explosive resolution the narrative has been building toward, but the emotional confrontation between father and son proves equally compelling. Tom's impossible choice between using his father to save himself and protecting the man who has, however manipulatively, loved him from afar, captures the novel's thematic complexity beautifully.
Thematic Resonance
The Manipulator by Dan Buzzetta asks uncomfortable questions about merit and achievement. If your successes have been engineered by forces beyond your knowledge, do they still belong to you? Tom wrestles with this question even after his vindication, uncertain whether any of his accomplishments reflected genuine ability or simply Cosimo's orchestration.
The novel also examines how love can become indistinguishable from control. Cosimo genuinely loves his son, yet that love manifests through manipulation so pervasive it undermines Tom's entire sense of self. The mother who protected her son by concealing his heritage must reckon with whether protection through deception constitutes its own form of harm.
These questions resonate beyond the specific circumstances of international crime syndicates and federal investigations. They speak to universal experiences of discovering that trusted figures have operated from hidden agendas, that the stories we tell ourselves about our lives rest on foundations others have constructed.
Technical Craft
Buzzetta writes with obvious familiarity regarding legal proceedings, law enforcement operations, and corporate law firm culture. The details feel authentic without becoming didactic. Descriptions of the Vulcania's technological capabilities might push plausibility, but they establish the Syndicate's resources effectively while providing appropriately spectacular setting for the climax.
Dialogue serves character revelation without feeling overly expository. Tom's conversations with Ignatius particularly reward attention, as early exchanges contain foreshadowing only visible in retrospect.
Final Assessment
The Manipulator by Dan Buzzetta transcends genre expectations through its commitment to character complexity and thematic ambition. While delivering the propulsive plotting readers expect from legal thrillers, it never sacrifices emotional authenticity for narrative convenience. The result is a novel that entertains while also haunting, leaving readers to contemplate their own assumptions about identity, achievement, and the price of discovering uncomfortable truths.
For anyone seeking crime fiction that respects both its genre traditions and its readers' intelligence, this novel represents an impressive achievement worthy of attention.
The Premise That Hooks You
Thomas Berte has achieved what most young attorneys only fantasize about. A Harvard Law graduate clerking for a Chief Judge, then ascending through the ranks of Balatoni, Cartel and Colin, one of the nation's most prestigious law firms. When the Attorney General personally offers him the position of Executive Deputy Attorney General, charging him with dismantling an international criminal syndicate, it feels like the culmination of a lifetime of hard work.
But nothing about Tom's ascent proves simple. His target is Cosimo "Nino" Benedetto, a ghost-like figure commanding a criminal empire so sophisticated that most law enforcement agencies have only recently become aware of its existence. Operating from the Vulcania, a floating fortress equipped with military-grade technology that renders it virtually invisible to surveillance, Benedetto represents organized crime evolved beyond anything the DOJ has previously confronted.
What distinguishes The Manipulator by Dan Buzzetta from countless other crime thrillers is the devastating revelation that awaits its protagonist. The investigation doesn't just lead Tom into professional danger; it forces him to confront foundational truths about his own identity that shake everything he believed about himself.
Character Construction That Earns Every Twist
Buzzetta demonstrates remarkable patience in constructing his characters. Tom Berte arrives fully formed as a principled attorney genuinely motivated by justice rather than ambition. His relationship with wife Brooke provides emotional grounding without descending into romantic cliché. Their interactions feel lived-in, weighted with history and genuine affection that makes subsequent stakes genuinely threatening.
The supporting cast serves the narrative without feeling disposable. FBI Special Agent Bruce Young represents institutional disillusionment personified, a decorated investigator whose resentments and hidden vulnerabilities transform him from ally to unwitting instrument of destruction. Ignatius Balatoni, the legendary firm founder known reverently as "The Pope," carries secrets that fundamentally reshape the story's moral landscape when finally revealed.
Most impressively, Buzzetta refuses to paint Cosimo Benedetto as a one-dimensional villain. The crime lord emerges as genuinely complex, capable of both horrific ruthlessness and profound paternal longing. His justifications for his empire carry a twisted logic that the narrative examines without endorsing.
The Web of Institutional Corruption
Beyond individual character work, The Manipulator by Dan Buzzetta offers a sobering examination of how criminal enterprises embed themselves within legitimate institutions. The discovery that BCC, the respected law firm where Tom built his career, has functioned as the Syndicate's legal apparatus for years creates layers of complicity extending far beyond any single bad actor.
This institutional corruption extends into law enforcement itself. The novel depicts how personal vulnerabilities create openings for exploitation, how systems designed to protect justice can be weaponized against it. When Tom finds himself framed for leaking confidential information, the machinery of the state that should protect him instead threatens his destruction.
The novel excels at demonstrating how manipulation operates at multiple levels simultaneously:
• Personal manipulation through family secrets and emotional leverage
• Professional manipulation through institutional corruption
• Systemic manipulation through the exploitation of legal processes
• Technological manipulation through sophisticated surveillance and digital fabrication
Pacing and Structural Achievements
Buzzetta orchestrates information revelation with impressive control. The central family revelation, which could have felt contrived in lesser hands, arrives only after sufficient groundwork makes it simultaneously surprising and inevitable. Earlier scenes featuring Ignatius Balatoni take on entirely new dimensions upon revisiting them mentally, suggesting careful structural planning.
The pacing accelerates appropriately as Tom's situation deteriorates. Sequences involving the FBI search of his apartment, his flight through New York streets, and the mounting evidence against him generate genuine tension. The reader shares Tom's disorientation as the ground shifts beneath him repeatedly.
The climactic confrontation aboard the Vulcania delivers the explosive resolution the narrative has been building toward, but the emotional confrontation between father and son proves equally compelling. Tom's impossible choice between using his father to save himself and protecting the man who has, however manipulatively, loved him from afar, captures the novel's thematic complexity beautifully.
Thematic Resonance
The Manipulator by Dan Buzzetta asks uncomfortable questions about merit and achievement. If your successes have been engineered by forces beyond your knowledge, do they still belong to you? Tom wrestles with this question even after his vindication, uncertain whether any of his accomplishments reflected genuine ability or simply Cosimo's orchestration.
The novel also examines how love can become indistinguishable from control. Cosimo genuinely loves his son, yet that love manifests through manipulation so pervasive it undermines Tom's entire sense of self. The mother who protected her son by concealing his heritage must reckon with whether protection through deception constitutes its own form of harm.
These questions resonate beyond the specific circumstances of international crime syndicates and federal investigations. They speak to universal experiences of discovering that trusted figures have operated from hidden agendas, that the stories we tell ourselves about our lives rest on foundations others have constructed.
Technical Craft
Buzzetta writes with obvious familiarity regarding legal proceedings, law enforcement operations, and corporate law firm culture. The details feel authentic without becoming didactic. Descriptions of the Vulcania's technological capabilities might push plausibility, but they establish the Syndicate's resources effectively while providing appropriately spectacular setting for the climax.
Dialogue serves character revelation without feeling overly expository. Tom's conversations with Ignatius particularly reward attention, as early exchanges contain foreshadowing only visible in retrospect.
Final Assessment
The Manipulator by Dan Buzzetta transcends genre expectations through its commitment to character complexity and thematic ambition. While delivering the propulsive plotting readers expect from legal thrillers, it never sacrifices emotional authenticity for narrative convenience. The result is a novel that entertains while also haunting, leaving readers to contemplate their own assumptions about identity, achievement, and the price of discovering uncomfortable truths.
For anyone seeking crime fiction that respects both its genre traditions and its readers' intelligence, this novel represents an impressive achievement worthy of attention.
September 11, 2025
In Dan Buzzetta's The Manipulator, we are immediately taken in by the first ominous scene. A man known only as Nino lounges on his spectacular yacht, M/Y Vulcania, docked near Malta, and he is conducting a phone call that is more of an ultimatum than a conversation.
He asks the man on the other end if he is ready to assist him; for reasons of leverage we don't yet grasp, and the only possible answer is yes.
Only later do the identities snap into place: Nino is Cosimo Benedetto, the covert mastermind of a sophisticated global criminal syndicate—hugely profitable, immensely powerful, and responsible for unspeakable, heinous crimes—and the caller is Ignatius Balatoni, a highly respected attorney and one of the founders of the elite New York firm Balatoni, Cartel, & Colin (BCC).
With that single exchange, Buzzetta threads a sinister wire between the worlds of crime and the law that will hum throughout the book.
The narrative then centers on the novel's pivotal protagonist, C. Thomas (Tom) Berte is a brilliant Harvard-educated attorney. Tom has spent seven years as an associate at BCC.
At the outset, he is engaged in defending alongside one of his firm's partners, AMX Corporation. The case appears unfavorable for BCC, and by all accounts, they are on the losing end.
Tom is summoned one morning to Ignatius Balatoni's office. Having met Ignatius only once before, during law school recruiting, Tom feels nervous and uncertain about the purpose of the meeting. Ignatius, a widely respected attorney known as "The Pope," informs Tom that he has recommended him for the position of Executive Deputy Attorney General.
This key role involves managing the Justice Department's daily operations and reporting directly to the Attorney General, a former partner at BCC.
The appointment is presented as a significant career advancement, one that could significantly strengthen Tom's credentials before he returns to BCC, possibly as a partner.
Tom accepts the position, unaware that his choice will trigger a meticulously planned chain of events orchestrated by someone he barely knows—events that will profoundly impact both his life and his wife's.
At Tom's going-away party, and as the festivities wind down, Ignatius lowers his voice to warn Tom that the new role will uncover disturbing truths that might be better left hidden.
Ignatius whispers that this situation was not his decision alone to make, ending their conversation with a trailing mumble that leaves Tom—and the reader—wondering about the secrets soon to surface and who truly controls the unfolding events.
Previously, when Tom told his mother about accepting the job, her noticeable lack of enthusiasm raised doubts in his mind, suggesting she may harbor concerns or reservations about this new chapter, prompting readers to question the reasons behind her subdued reaction.
Buzzetta further salts the yarn with personal details that hint at deeper entanglements. We learn that Tom was raised by his mother, who told him his father died in an accident before he was born.
She worked as a bookkeeper, and despite modest appearances, they never lacked for money—something Tom never thought to question.
Tom's first assignment with the Justice Department arrives with chilling grandeur: he is tasked with leading a team empowered to dismantle Cosimo Benedetto's empire.
However, tension emerges immediately when his assigned FBI partner, Special Agent Bruce Young, reveals a jealous disdain toward taking direction from a newcomer.
As the story progresses, Young's resentment takes a dangerous and calculated turn, threatening Tom's career and freedom, and adding a layer of suspense that keeps the reader on edge.
Buzzetta masterfully maintains reader interest in The Manipulator by deliberately scattering a rich array of speculative clues and unresolved tensions that keep the narrative charged with mystery and suspicion.
His use of narrative techniques, such as the ambiguous phone call between Nino (Cosimo Benedetto) and Ignatius Balatoni, hints at layered alliances and covert power plays whose full implications gradually emerge, compelling readers to piece together the hidden motivations and webs of influence behind this ominous exchange.
He further sustains intrigue by threading subtle inconsistencies and enigmatic details through the story—such as Tom's mother's muted reaction to his career move, the undisclosed source of the family's monetary support, and Ignatius's cryptic warnings that "disturbing truths" lie ahead, suggesting malevolent forces at work beyond what Tom initially perceives.
These narrative elements invite readers into a continuous process of questioning what is truly driving Tom's appointment, who holds genuine control over events, and what sacrifices are quietly demanded.
Additionally, interpersonal dynamics, like Special Agent Bruce Young's palpable resentment and the tension between Tom's professional duty and ethical dilemmas, add layers of suspense as motivations remain unclear and the stakes escalate unpredictably.
Buzzetta's technique of introducing partial revelations and shadowy hints encourages readers to anticipate surprises and stay vigilant for shifting allegiances, thereby keeping the plot taut.
The reader is actively engaged in deciphering the unfolding conspiracy, making them an integral part of the narrative.
The Manipulator offers an exciting exploration of power and ambition, packed with unexpected twists. Buzzetta’s engaging storytelling will keep you guessing until the very end.
Follow Here: https://is.gd/JGoGej To Read Norm's Interview With Dan Buzzetta
He asks the man on the other end if he is ready to assist him; for reasons of leverage we don't yet grasp, and the only possible answer is yes.
Only later do the identities snap into place: Nino is Cosimo Benedetto, the covert mastermind of a sophisticated global criminal syndicate—hugely profitable, immensely powerful, and responsible for unspeakable, heinous crimes—and the caller is Ignatius Balatoni, a highly respected attorney and one of the founders of the elite New York firm Balatoni, Cartel, & Colin (BCC).
With that single exchange, Buzzetta threads a sinister wire between the worlds of crime and the law that will hum throughout the book.
The narrative then centers on the novel's pivotal protagonist, C. Thomas (Tom) Berte is a brilliant Harvard-educated attorney. Tom has spent seven years as an associate at BCC.
At the outset, he is engaged in defending alongside one of his firm's partners, AMX Corporation. The case appears unfavorable for BCC, and by all accounts, they are on the losing end.
Tom is summoned one morning to Ignatius Balatoni's office. Having met Ignatius only once before, during law school recruiting, Tom feels nervous and uncertain about the purpose of the meeting. Ignatius, a widely respected attorney known as "The Pope," informs Tom that he has recommended him for the position of Executive Deputy Attorney General.
This key role involves managing the Justice Department's daily operations and reporting directly to the Attorney General, a former partner at BCC.
The appointment is presented as a significant career advancement, one that could significantly strengthen Tom's credentials before he returns to BCC, possibly as a partner.
Tom accepts the position, unaware that his choice will trigger a meticulously planned chain of events orchestrated by someone he barely knows—events that will profoundly impact both his life and his wife's.
At Tom's going-away party, and as the festivities wind down, Ignatius lowers his voice to warn Tom that the new role will uncover disturbing truths that might be better left hidden.
Ignatius whispers that this situation was not his decision alone to make, ending their conversation with a trailing mumble that leaves Tom—and the reader—wondering about the secrets soon to surface and who truly controls the unfolding events.
Previously, when Tom told his mother about accepting the job, her noticeable lack of enthusiasm raised doubts in his mind, suggesting she may harbor concerns or reservations about this new chapter, prompting readers to question the reasons behind her subdued reaction.
Buzzetta further salts the yarn with personal details that hint at deeper entanglements. We learn that Tom was raised by his mother, who told him his father died in an accident before he was born.
She worked as a bookkeeper, and despite modest appearances, they never lacked for money—something Tom never thought to question.
Tom's first assignment with the Justice Department arrives with chilling grandeur: he is tasked with leading a team empowered to dismantle Cosimo Benedetto's empire.
However, tension emerges immediately when his assigned FBI partner, Special Agent Bruce Young, reveals a jealous disdain toward taking direction from a newcomer.
As the story progresses, Young's resentment takes a dangerous and calculated turn, threatening Tom's career and freedom, and adding a layer of suspense that keeps the reader on edge.
Buzzetta masterfully maintains reader interest in The Manipulator by deliberately scattering a rich array of speculative clues and unresolved tensions that keep the narrative charged with mystery and suspicion.
His use of narrative techniques, such as the ambiguous phone call between Nino (Cosimo Benedetto) and Ignatius Balatoni, hints at layered alliances and covert power plays whose full implications gradually emerge, compelling readers to piece together the hidden motivations and webs of influence behind this ominous exchange.
He further sustains intrigue by threading subtle inconsistencies and enigmatic details through the story—such as Tom's mother's muted reaction to his career move, the undisclosed source of the family's monetary support, and Ignatius's cryptic warnings that "disturbing truths" lie ahead, suggesting malevolent forces at work beyond what Tom initially perceives.
These narrative elements invite readers into a continuous process of questioning what is truly driving Tom's appointment, who holds genuine control over events, and what sacrifices are quietly demanded.
Additionally, interpersonal dynamics, like Special Agent Bruce Young's palpable resentment and the tension between Tom's professional duty and ethical dilemmas, add layers of suspense as motivations remain unclear and the stakes escalate unpredictably.
Buzzetta's technique of introducing partial revelations and shadowy hints encourages readers to anticipate surprises and stay vigilant for shifting allegiances, thereby keeping the plot taut.
The reader is actively engaged in deciphering the unfolding conspiracy, making them an integral part of the narrative.
The Manipulator offers an exciting exploration of power and ambition, packed with unexpected twists. Buzzetta’s engaging storytelling will keep you guessing until the very end.
Follow Here: https://is.gd/JGoGej To Read Norm's Interview With Dan Buzzetta
October 7, 2025
Thomas Berte is a hard-working lawyer working at the prestigious law firm Balatoni, Cartel & Colin in Manhattan in The Manipulator by Dan Buzzetta.
Thomas knows he has to put in his time in order to move up the corporate ladder to become partner, something he’s wanted since he was hired by the firm. But little does he know that the only surviving owner of the firm has some other plans for him. Ignatius Balatoni has been asked by a close friend, Attorney General Bradley Mitchelson and former partner at BC&C, if he knows of someone within the firm that could fill the Executive Deputy Attorney General position that will be vacant soon in his office. Ignatius undoubtedly knows that Tom is the perfect candidate for the position. He discusses the proposition with Tom soon after and things start moving very quickly from setting up a formal interview to actually being offered the position. Tom and his wife, Brooke, are ecstatic over how quickly things are progressing and how fast their move to Washington, D.C. is approaching.
As Tom begins acclimating to the new position and starts working on a top secret investigation, the reality of this new position starts to take a bit of a toll on him. The information he starts learning from his team is beyond staggering. The investigation is following none other than crime boss Cosimo “Nino” Benedetto, and his sophisticated global mafia group, The Syndicate. One piece of information specifically makes Tom realize that the people that he worked for at BC&C are not the people he thought they were. What does Tom find out about some of the partners at BC&C? What happens to Tom that has his and his wife’s lives spiraling out of control?
When Tom started finding out some very volatile information about not only Nino, but also the partners at BC&C, his perfect world immediately started crashing down around him. The very people he had warm feelings for now had him questioning everything he felt and thought about them. What was the information he found out about Nino and his connection to the BC&C law firm? Could this information even be legitimately real? What did this mean for the surviving owner, Ignatius Balatoni? He knew he had to get down to the bottom of things before taking criminal action against anyone. Little did he know that what was happening during this investigation would turn his life into living hell for him and his wife, Brooke.
This legal thriller was one that this reviewer couldn’t put it down. The buildup of Tom’s story within the first few pages is like the start of a slow roller coaster ride in which you build your momentum reaching the first peak on the ride. Once at the peak, you plummet down at full speed, holding on for dear life. Dan Buzzetta did just that for this reader. He did the slow ascent up the roller coaster and once at the top, his allows his readers plummet right into a fast-paced novel that will have its readers eagerly turning the pages to see what happens to Tom and Brooke.
Dan Buzzetta has been an attorney for three decades. He started writing The Manipulator during the summer of his first year of law school. Although aiming to complete the story after graduating law school, life had other plans for him. It was during the COVID pandemic that Dan decided to dust off the chapters he had written and try fulfilling his dream at becoming a published author.
Quill says: The Manipulator by Dan Buzzetta is one legal thriller that you will not be able to put down once you start reading. It is so intense, you believe you are right at the center of this criminal investigation as one of Tom’s team members. It has intrigue, well-crafted characters, and a storyline that could be made into a motion picture. It comes highly recommended!
Thomas knows he has to put in his time in order to move up the corporate ladder to become partner, something he’s wanted since he was hired by the firm. But little does he know that the only surviving owner of the firm has some other plans for him. Ignatius Balatoni has been asked by a close friend, Attorney General Bradley Mitchelson and former partner at BC&C, if he knows of someone within the firm that could fill the Executive Deputy Attorney General position that will be vacant soon in his office. Ignatius undoubtedly knows that Tom is the perfect candidate for the position. He discusses the proposition with Tom soon after and things start moving very quickly from setting up a formal interview to actually being offered the position. Tom and his wife, Brooke, are ecstatic over how quickly things are progressing and how fast their move to Washington, D.C. is approaching.
As Tom begins acclimating to the new position and starts working on a top secret investigation, the reality of this new position starts to take a bit of a toll on him. The information he starts learning from his team is beyond staggering. The investigation is following none other than crime boss Cosimo “Nino” Benedetto, and his sophisticated global mafia group, The Syndicate. One piece of information specifically makes Tom realize that the people that he worked for at BC&C are not the people he thought they were. What does Tom find out about some of the partners at BC&C? What happens to Tom that has his and his wife’s lives spiraling out of control?
When Tom started finding out some very volatile information about not only Nino, but also the partners at BC&C, his perfect world immediately started crashing down around him. The very people he had warm feelings for now had him questioning everything he felt and thought about them. What was the information he found out about Nino and his connection to the BC&C law firm? Could this information even be legitimately real? What did this mean for the surviving owner, Ignatius Balatoni? He knew he had to get down to the bottom of things before taking criminal action against anyone. Little did he know that what was happening during this investigation would turn his life into living hell for him and his wife, Brooke.
This legal thriller was one that this reviewer couldn’t put it down. The buildup of Tom’s story within the first few pages is like the start of a slow roller coaster ride in which you build your momentum reaching the first peak on the ride. Once at the peak, you plummet down at full speed, holding on for dear life. Dan Buzzetta did just that for this reader. He did the slow ascent up the roller coaster and once at the top, his allows his readers plummet right into a fast-paced novel that will have its readers eagerly turning the pages to see what happens to Tom and Brooke.
Dan Buzzetta has been an attorney for three decades. He started writing The Manipulator during the summer of his first year of law school. Although aiming to complete the story after graduating law school, life had other plans for him. It was during the COVID pandemic that Dan decided to dust off the chapters he had written and try fulfilling his dream at becoming a published author.
Quill says: The Manipulator by Dan Buzzetta is one legal thriller that you will not be able to put down once you start reading. It is so intense, you believe you are right at the center of this criminal investigation as one of Tom’s team members. It has intrigue, well-crafted characters, and a storyline that could be made into a motion picture. It comes highly recommended!
September 15, 2025
It may seem hard to imagine, but every year, a few giant commercial ships simply disappear. One day, they’re carrying north of 20,000 containers filled with everything from aircraft parts to diapers, and the next day, they’re gone, leaving no trace. These ships are huge. How do you lose a ship? It would be like losing the University of Kentucky. “Geez, honey, it was here yesterday….”
But with enough money and power, you can hide yourself, even if it’s on a billion-dollar luxury yacht. Of course, you’d have to really want to stay hidden, which implies a pretty sordid backstory. Welcome to Dan Buzzetta’s The Manipulator, where we get all this and more. White-shoe lawyers, violent criminals, prison guards from hell, and – oh yeah – the highest reaches of the US government.
Our story begins in the venerable law offices of Balatoni, Cartel & Colin (BCC), where an up-and-coming associate attorney named Tom Berte is pulled into the office of the firm’s founder and handed an unusual request. The reader senses strings being pulled and nefarious backstage goings-on that we can sense but not understand explicitly. Like a snowball rolling downhill, the story keeps picking up speed and getting bigger and bigger. Tom is suddenly leading a new team of people trying to track down the mysterious bad guy. Most of his coworkers are great, but some of them? Not so much:
“All your successes. All your achievements. All the glory, and awards, and victories. It was all me. You would have never made it to law school without me. You would have never been where you are without me! I made it all happen, not you. It was me. I made you! You’re nothing! You’re nothing without me! You’re a traitor!”
The bad guy controls his criminal enterprise from his stealthy boat – everything from drug smuggling to cybercrime to stock price manipulation. Anything where he can clear half a million dollars for an afternoon’s work falls into his zone of interest. His sophisticated electronics and lack of permanent base make for a slippery target. We come to understand that he’s the one pulling the strings, but which strings, and why, is hinted at, but not spelled out. In the end, all the pieces fall together.
Buzzetta’s The Manipulator is an exciting story, but the execution is a bit uneven – nothing a good copy editor couldn’t straighten out. I particularly remember one scene that “Segway’d” into another, an unfortunate image. But I also remember an interview I saw once with Mark Hamill, the actor who played Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars film. He recalled an incident in which he was concerned that his hair was still clean and dry after the scene in which they were almost squashed in a giant, filthy trash compactor. His older, wiser costar Harrison Ford looked at him and said, “Kid, it ain’t that kind of movie.” And if there were occasional concerns about writing style, well, this ain’t that kind of book.
But with enough money and power, you can hide yourself, even if it’s on a billion-dollar luxury yacht. Of course, you’d have to really want to stay hidden, which implies a pretty sordid backstory. Welcome to Dan Buzzetta’s The Manipulator, where we get all this and more. White-shoe lawyers, violent criminals, prison guards from hell, and – oh yeah – the highest reaches of the US government.
Our story begins in the venerable law offices of Balatoni, Cartel & Colin (BCC), where an up-and-coming associate attorney named Tom Berte is pulled into the office of the firm’s founder and handed an unusual request. The reader senses strings being pulled and nefarious backstage goings-on that we can sense but not understand explicitly. Like a snowball rolling downhill, the story keeps picking up speed and getting bigger and bigger. Tom is suddenly leading a new team of people trying to track down the mysterious bad guy. Most of his coworkers are great, but some of them? Not so much:
“All your successes. All your achievements. All the glory, and awards, and victories. It was all me. You would have never made it to law school without me. You would have never been where you are without me! I made it all happen, not you. It was me. I made you! You’re nothing! You’re nothing without me! You’re a traitor!”
The bad guy controls his criminal enterprise from his stealthy boat – everything from drug smuggling to cybercrime to stock price manipulation. Anything where he can clear half a million dollars for an afternoon’s work falls into his zone of interest. His sophisticated electronics and lack of permanent base make for a slippery target. We come to understand that he’s the one pulling the strings, but which strings, and why, is hinted at, but not spelled out. In the end, all the pieces fall together.
Buzzetta’s The Manipulator is an exciting story, but the execution is a bit uneven – nothing a good copy editor couldn’t straighten out. I particularly remember one scene that “Segway’d” into another, an unfortunate image. But I also remember an interview I saw once with Mark Hamill, the actor who played Luke Skywalker in the original Star Wars film. He recalled an incident in which he was concerned that his hair was still clean and dry after the scene in which they were almost squashed in a giant, filthy trash compactor. His older, wiser costar Harrison Ford looked at him and said, “Kid, it ain’t that kind of movie.” And if there were occasional concerns about writing style, well, this ain’t that kind of book.
September 24, 2025
The Author creates a compelling character in Tom Berte, an ambitious lawyer who is offered the job of the lifetime as the Deputy Attorney General in Washington DC. A great deal of the opening of the book is devoted to all of the very relatable struggles and debates a man, his wife, and his mother would have in considering such a huge life change. While Berte is the main point of view character, Buzzetta weaves in other points of view as skillfully as Frank Herbert, Michael Crichton, or dare I invoke Clancy? And that is important because these points of view include a complex and conniving chess master of a villain who always seems three steps ahead of everyone until the very end. His crime syndicate is sprawling, but feels grounded in the modern issues of today. As I understand, this is part of a planned series, and I look forward to rooting for and reading more of the saga of Tom Berte.
January 26, 2026
Let’s start with the good stuff. The Manipulator delivers plenty of drama, some delicious behind-the-scenes maneuvering (yes, the title absolutely earns its keep), and a steady dose of action. Dan Buzzetta clearly knows his craft—this is a professionally written book that moves smoothly and keeps the pages turning.
Now for the not-so-great. The story is very slow-paced in the first half, but even when it picks up, it is very predictable. No real surprises were waiting around the corner, and the plot unfolds in a way that gently but firmly guides the reader straight to the ending. If you enjoy knowing exactly where a story is headed and watching the pieces fall into place, this won’t bother you at all. But if you’re hoping for a jaw-drop moment or a last-minute twist, this one plays it safe.
Overall, a solid, well-executed read with plenty of intrigue—just don’t go in expecting the rug to be pulled out from under you.
Now for the not-so-great. The story is very slow-paced in the first half, but even when it picks up, it is very predictable. No real surprises were waiting around the corner, and the plot unfolds in a way that gently but firmly guides the reader straight to the ending. If you enjoy knowing exactly where a story is headed and watching the pieces fall into place, this won’t bother you at all. But if you’re hoping for a jaw-drop moment or a last-minute twist, this one plays it safe.
Overall, a solid, well-executed read with plenty of intrigue—just don’t go in expecting the rug to be pulled out from under you.
August 20, 2025
Tom always felt that everything fell on his lap and he was always saddened by the fact that he had not known his father who he believes is dead. But life will have more unbelievable accomplishments for Tom, he'll be asked to fill in the position of Deputy Attorney General, to lead the investigation to capture Cosimo Benedetto, a worldwide known gangster knee deep into extorsion, drugs, prostitution, cyber crimes, financial markets manipulation, and any other types of crime he could think of. Life will not be easy for Tom as he'll a learn hard truth and will have his competence and allegiances questioned in full. The story has a slow start but from part II onwards it becomes fast-paced and all seems to fall into place. The Manipulator is an easy and entertaining read.
I thank the author and his publisher for this ARC.
I thank the author and his publisher for this ARC.
October 27, 2025
The Manipulator, by Dan Buzetta
This new (2025) legal thriller series is well-written, fast-paced, and enhanced by details the author uses based on his own work as a litigation partner for a huge firm that handled international crimes. It was easy to like and root for young Thomas Berte, an attorney embroiled in a high-stakes game to bring down the leader of an international crime syndicate. Tom is earnest, honest, has a nice wife and mom rooting for him, but he gets an unexpected job in the Justice Department that turns his life upside down. Danger and cut-throat inner workings of every institution are riveting page by page. This reader loved this legal thriller and will be aboard Book 2 in the series to see how Tom Berte fares.
This new (2025) legal thriller series is well-written, fast-paced, and enhanced by details the author uses based on his own work as a litigation partner for a huge firm that handled international crimes. It was easy to like and root for young Thomas Berte, an attorney embroiled in a high-stakes game to bring down the leader of an international crime syndicate. Tom is earnest, honest, has a nice wife and mom rooting for him, but he gets an unexpected job in the Justice Department that turns his life upside down. Danger and cut-throat inner workings of every institution are riveting page by page. This reader loved this legal thriller and will be aboard Book 2 in the series to see how Tom Berte fares.
December 7, 2025
Not a thriller as advertised nor is it an action nor courtroom drama either. It is in actuality a family drama and political story and it is very drawn out- not my bag. The protagonist is effeminate and completely beta in my opinion, and furthermore not someone I found particularly likable. The antagonist is far-fetched and mirrors captain Nemo more than any plausible organized crime boss. It isn’t my thing at all, and awarded it an extra star more than I wanted for that reason. It is a fundamentally well-written book, and I think that it would appeal broadly to coastal female readers.
August 26, 2025
Buzzetta is a lawyer, and this is his debut novel. It is a legal thriller inspired by an actual case that he was involved with. I think this series holds promise, but there were a few irritants. First, I found the plot to be predictable with no surprises, and I love a good twist that I don’t anticipate. Also, I found the ending to be overly saccharine with too much about praising the main character. That said, most of it was both exciting and enjoyable and I would be happy to read the next one. Thanks to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. 3.25/5
September 26, 2025
Couldn’t finish it. It was so ridiculous in so many ways. Over the top descriptions of everything. The idea that someone would get an asst. directors job at the DOJ with so little experience would never have happened In the real world. Of course, it has happened in TRUMP world where he rewards people with jobs regardless of their qualifications. While I was curious as to who Tom’s father is or who is pulling the strings behind the scenes, I wasn’t curious enough to stay with it. There are so many excellent legal thrillers or murder mysteries, or whatever to read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2025
Dan Buzzeta has written a legal thriller filled with action and intrigue and a plot that reaches back in time and through generations. The tension builds as attorney Thomas Berte is offered the job of Deputy Attorney General of the United States and takes on investigating a case to try to bring down an international crime syndicate. But he soon learns that nothing is as it seems, including his own past and the person he’s become. I became engrossed in this thriller early and couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend it.
January 26, 2026
Absolutely excellent! The best I’ve read in a long time. While some of it is unrealistic, I loved the story. The one thing that is absolutely unrealistic is Bruce owing money with bad credit with a high level job. He would have lost his job with that financial status. The government wants to make sure employees, especially high level employees, cannot be blackmailed. Backgrounds including financial status are reviewed at hiring and again every so often. Back child support huge red flag!
September 2, 2025
The Manipulator offers deep character development and that feeling of walking a tightrope in the dark. A story about integrity and the fight to be the man you'd always hoped you were. Dan Buzzetta created a rollercoaster ride I enjoyed taking.
Thank you to Severn River Publishing for an advanced copy of this book.
Thank you to Severn River Publishing for an advanced copy of this book.
September 28, 2025
I truly enjoyed reading this well written legal thriller. The author had you wanting to read the next chapter to find out what happened next. I also am impressed with how well he had details in his story, making it come to life on the pages. Looking forward to reading his next book.
August 31, 2025
An amazing beginning to a new series. Lawyer Berte gets more than he bargained for. This is definitely a dangerous case and full of surprises and suspense. Don’t miss out.
September 1, 2025
Great!!
Great book one of best I ever read. Non stop political and legal thriller. I would highly recommend. Non regrets.
Great book one of best I ever read. Non stop political and legal thriller. I would highly recommend. Non regrets.
September 7, 2025
I wanted to like this book. It fell flat. Thought it might be the reader but no characters and plot were one dimensional.
September 29, 2025
Initially slow-going, but soon picked up. Looking forward to the next book in the series!
November 12, 2025
Great author!
From the first page, the book keeps you intrigued, I did not want to put it down. Looking forward to the next book in the seried.
From the first page, the book keeps you intrigued, I did not want to put it down. Looking forward to the next book in the seried.
November 29, 2025
utterly predictable
From start to finish, this book was predictable every step of the way. Very disappointing. Poorly written and trite from beginning to end.
From start to finish, this book was predictable every step of the way. Very disappointing. Poorly written and trite from beginning to end.
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