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Oligarch #4
Escape?
Mikhail, one of the richest oligarchs on the planet, is kidnapped and held hostage in an unknown location. Captors' demands are something he's unable to meet. When the choice is between dying tortured or risking life to escape, there is no real choice. His people would spare no effort to release him, but they are clueless as to his whereabouts and need to investigate who's behind his sudden disappearance. Mikhail's desperate attempt to run away and his associates' endeavors to locate and free him lead to a climax that explodes in a series of breakneck shootouts and pursuits. Yet, the biggest challenge of them all may require overcoming one’s own nature.# Violence # Greed # Big Biz # Not for the faint of heart!
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Published April 4, 2025
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About the author
Nik Krasno
8 books443 followersNik Krasno is one of those writers who never thought he would end up authoring a book. He just knew that he had a story that apparently waited for the right moment to break out.
For many years and during the working weeks Nik had been involved in law and business in few Eastern European countries, getting to know some of the real oligarchs in person, while on weekends he usually returned to his home in Israel.
Witnessing the meteoric rise of a small number of individuals from modest citizens to mighty billionaires, Nik felt compelled to expose to the world the unique phenomenon taking place in this less familiar part of the globe, encompassing a period from Chernobyl disaster, preceding the Big Bang of the USSR, to modern day Ukraine. The storyline, combining imaginary scenes and known corruption and criminal schemes, which Ukrainian godfathers don't hesitate to use to get ahead of the others, develops at the backdrop of real historical events. Fictional characters are designed to reflect real behavior and mentality and provide decent entertainment for the readers.
Remember movies based on Bill Gates' and Mark Zuckerberg's biographies describing their path to wealth and glory? Although they were truly amazing, Nik thinks the rise of their Eastern billionaire peers is just a little more thrilling and unorthodox.
Not for the faint of heart!
For many years and during the working weeks Nik had been involved in law and business in few Eastern European countries, getting to know some of the real oligarchs in person, while on weekends he usually returned to his home in Israel.
Witnessing the meteoric rise of a small number of individuals from modest citizens to mighty billionaires, Nik felt compelled to expose to the world the unique phenomenon taking place in this less familiar part of the globe, encompassing a period from Chernobyl disaster, preceding the Big Bang of the USSR, to modern day Ukraine. The storyline, combining imaginary scenes and known corruption and criminal schemes, which Ukrainian godfathers don't hesitate to use to get ahead of the others, develops at the backdrop of real historical events. Fictional characters are designed to reflect real behavior and mentality and provide decent entertainment for the readers.
Remember movies based on Bill Gates' and Mark Zuckerberg's biographies describing their path to wealth and glory? Although they were truly amazing, Nik thinks the rise of their Eastern billionaire peers is just a little more thrilling and unorthodox.
Not for the faint of heart!
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 30, 2020
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
In 2016 I read and reviewed the first three books in Nik Krasno’s Oligarch series. I rated them successively with 5, 4 and 3 stars. I finished my review of Be First or Be Dead, the third book in the series, with a suggestion that the series had run its course and that maybe it was time for Krasno to use his skills on some new work.
Four years later, €$CA₽€? appeared and I was intrigued. Was this a new story, had Krasno re-found the magic of his first novel Rise of an Oligarch? No, €$CA₽€? cannot even be termed a sequel of Be First or be Dead, it is a continuation. Any reader who has not read the previous novel will struggle to follow the story or the characters.
And just like the second and third books, €$CA₽€? is light on plot and heavy on action. If you like non-stop violence, much of it extreme, you may well enjoy the novel. Krasno’s text is easy to follow. The events take place in Russia, Ukraine, Canada and London; much of it simultaneously, with switches chapter by chapter. We follow Mikhail and various members of his team with the narrative of Mikhail’s story in the first person and the others in the third person.
Krasno has repeated his earlier process of including a chapter written by a guest author although I still cannot understand the value of this.
I have to ask why Krasno is continuing with this story and I can only assume that he is reacting to demand for his previous work. If you have enjoyed the previous three books then you will probably enjoy €$CA₽€? but if you have not read the others then my advice is to read the excellent Rise of an Oligarch: The Way It Is: Book One by Carlito Sofer and Nik Krasno. If you follow the series from there and progress until €$CA₽€? you will probably rate it higher than the three stars that I have awarded.
In 2016 I read and reviewed the first three books in Nik Krasno’s Oligarch series. I rated them successively with 5, 4 and 3 stars. I finished my review of Be First or Be Dead, the third book in the series, with a suggestion that the series had run its course and that maybe it was time for Krasno to use his skills on some new work.
Four years later, €$CA₽€? appeared and I was intrigued. Was this a new story, had Krasno re-found the magic of his first novel Rise of an Oligarch? No, €$CA₽€? cannot even be termed a sequel of Be First or be Dead, it is a continuation. Any reader who has not read the previous novel will struggle to follow the story or the characters.
And just like the second and third books, €$CA₽€? is light on plot and heavy on action. If you like non-stop violence, much of it extreme, you may well enjoy the novel. Krasno’s text is easy to follow. The events take place in Russia, Ukraine, Canada and London; much of it simultaneously, with switches chapter by chapter. We follow Mikhail and various members of his team with the narrative of Mikhail’s story in the first person and the others in the third person.
Krasno has repeated his earlier process of including a chapter written by a guest author although I still cannot understand the value of this.
I have to ask why Krasno is continuing with this story and I can only assume that he is reacting to demand for his previous work. If you have enjoyed the previous three books then you will probably enjoy €$CA₽€? but if you have not read the others then my advice is to read the excellent Rise of an Oligarch: The Way It Is: Book One by Carlito Sofer and Nik Krasno. If you follow the series from there and progress until €$CA₽€? you will probably rate it higher than the three stars that I have awarded.
September 30, 2020
Wow, what a great story. This has been a fabulous series, which I’ve thoroughly enjoyed. I like Nik Krasno’s writing style, and the way he constructs the story that is not only entertaining, but has a certain edge to it, that I love in a book. Brilliant!!
The problem with being one of the richest men alive, is that everyone wants what you’ve got. So unfortunately for Mikhail several men decided they were prepared to do what ever it took to take some from him, and that meant kidnapping him. Mikhail wasn’t the toughest man alive, but he wasn’t prepared to give up without a fight. Even though they beat on him, somehow, he had to find a way out, as it wasn’t looking good for anyone coming to his rescue. There wasn’t a part of this story that I didn’t enjoy. It’s well worth a read. 5/5 Star Rating.
Verified Purchase Amazon Australia
The problem with being one of the richest men alive, is that everyone wants what you’ve got. So unfortunately for Mikhail several men decided they were prepared to do what ever it took to take some from him, and that meant kidnapping him. Mikhail wasn’t the toughest man alive, but he wasn’t prepared to give up without a fight. Even though they beat on him, somehow, he had to find a way out, as it wasn’t looking good for anyone coming to his rescue. There wasn’t a part of this story that I didn’t enjoy. It’s well worth a read. 5/5 Star Rating.
Verified Purchase Amazon Australia
Want to read
September 22, 2020I have a guest chapter in this book.
December 26, 2020
2020, A machine gun went BURP; BURP; BURP! Misha (young brother, wealthy) had been hit in the left leg, arm, & chest.
Gennady was the most sadistic, Senya never touched me.
Suzy (executor) had disappeared, & Misha slit Chief Arthur (security) throat.
The English Times headline “The Richest Man Disappears.”
Misha had disappeared. David (BMF) was very worried.
Kevin (former Scotland Yard) was being detained & suspected of murdering Mrs. Dooling (Richard’s HR ex-head).
Arthur Slotski (former chief of security) has died, but Mikhail Vorotavich (Misha’s brother, wealthy) is still alive kidnapped & is incarcerated in Krasnodar Krai of the Russian Federation.
Kevin checked Paul van Meer. He was unhurt, unconscious, but breathing well & had a steady pulse.
What were Sasha & David discussing?
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
Warning: This book contains descriptive accounts of extremely graphic adult content (racial hatred), violence, or expletive language &/or uncensored sexually explicit material (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Pansexual, Metrosexual (LGBTQIAPM), virgin, transvestite, incest, pedophile, rape, sodomy, minor/adult verbal, psychological, emotional, physical & sexual abuse, pornography, kidnapping/prostitution of a human trafficking (slavery) for sexual exploitation, AIDS/HIV, BDSM) which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive or have potential adverse psychological effects on the reader. If you are especially sensitive to this type of material, it is strongly advised not to read any further.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written political thriller book. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters & facts to keep track of. This could also make another great political thriller movie, or better yet a mini-TV series. It was just OK for me so I will only rate it at 4/5 stars.
Thank you for the free Author; Neplokho publishing PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Gennady was the most sadistic, Senya never touched me.
Suzy (executor) had disappeared, & Misha slit Chief Arthur (security) throat.
The English Times headline “The Richest Man Disappears.”
Misha had disappeared. David (BMF) was very worried.
Kevin (former Scotland Yard) was being detained & suspected of murdering Mrs. Dooling (Richard’s HR ex-head).
Arthur Slotski (former chief of security) has died, but Mikhail Vorotavich (Misha’s brother, wealthy) is still alive kidnapped & is incarcerated in Krasnodar Krai of the Russian Federation.
Kevin checked Paul van Meer. He was unhurt, unconscious, but breathing well & had a steady pulse.
What were Sasha & David discussing?
I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.
Warning: This book contains descriptive accounts of extremely graphic adult content (racial hatred), violence, or expletive language &/or uncensored sexually explicit material (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, Pansexual, Metrosexual (LGBTQIAPM), virgin, transvestite, incest, pedophile, rape, sodomy, minor/adult verbal, psychological, emotional, physical & sexual abuse, pornography, kidnapping/prostitution of a human trafficking (slavery) for sexual exploitation, AIDS/HIV, BDSM) which is only suitable for mature readers. It may be offensive or have potential adverse psychological effects on the reader. If you are especially sensitive to this type of material, it is strongly advised not to read any further.
An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written political thriller book. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters & facts to keep track of. This could also make another great political thriller movie, or better yet a mini-TV series. It was just OK for me so I will only rate it at 4/5 stars.
Thank you for the free Author; Neplokho publishing PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews