This is a story about three smart, successful people who were once fast friends in college and have now been thrust together again in an unlikely, multi-layered investigation with far-reaching international implications and billions of dollars at stake. One is a forensic accountant for the SEC, one beta tests hardware and software for the US Department of Defense and the UK Ministry of Defense, and the third is a wildly successful entrepreneur, software developer and venture capitalist in Silicon Valley.
They get caught up in the hunt for a corrupt Swiss banker intent on finally unloading the last of the gold stolen by his father in World War II; a violent, narcissist leader of a Mexican drug cartel making his move to take over as the head of all cartels in Central America; and the daughter of a murdered Bulgarian arms dealer making the deal that will give her mother financial stability and get them both out of the increasingly unstable arms business.
The plot unfolds as financial crimes committed by insiders put common criminal activities to shame in a world where technology has increasingly insinuated itself into our lives to good and bad effects.
THOMAS MAURIN is the pen name of husband and wife writing team, Bonnie B. Hartley, Ph.D. and Michael T. Hartley, CFP®. They both write non-fiction books and articles regarding financial and family business topics and have delivered talks on those subjects internationally over the last 30 years.
Their Harvard friendship solid until graduation, when life’s pursuits separated the threesome. Branching off on their individual paths after graduation the trio reconnects thirty years later to solve a challenging international crisis. Numerous colorful players involved, deaths, along with a myriad of dark secrets buried for years surface, finally silence broken, trust abandoned.
Full of suspense, intrigue and every bit a page turner, you will gobble this novel up in no time. Nonstop action keeps the reader enthralled, sharp characters hold your attention. Never a dull moment with all the excitement at your fingertips with the turn of every page.
Looking forward to the next installment in this engrossing series. One incredible riveting read.
Broken Trust is a 2014 publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When a colleague is run down, Mary Catherine Fitzsimmons- “Fitz” to her friends, is determined to find out why. Her only clue is the allusion to a trust involving her father, who was once the Secretary of State to a prior presidential administration. As a current employee for the SEC, Fitz finds herself in one whale of a predicament. She will also find herself partnered with her former husband and their mutual friend, from their college days...thus forming “The 3 Musketeers”. The dark family secrets Fitz uncovers will lead the team to Switzerland, to London, to Washington D.C. To Grand Cayman as they follow the trail of money, stolen gold, a ruthless drug dealer, and the daughter of a former arms dealer looking for revenge and financial security. Along the way Fitz will discover the extent of her father's deceit and manipulation, which will out some Fitz's secrets as well.
This is a cleverly plotted crime novel, aptly titled .topped with lots action, adventure and interesting locales. Financial crimes are always interesting and not written about ad nauseam, so this was a refreshing change of pace for me. There were a few digs here and there on the evils of technology or perhaps just a bit of cautionary tale. The story moves forward at a fast pace, building the suspense steadily, but there is an emotional level to it as well, since Fitz will have to hear things about her father she never imagined, plus she must deal with the emotions just under the surface after coming face to face with her ex-husband,whom she hasn't seen in a great many years, and learning the shocking truth behind their break up years ago.
I enjoyed the introductions to the three main characters, Fitz, Charles, (Chas) and Jamie, we are sure to hear from again in the future. All three have well defined personalities, each bringing a unique niche to the table. There are a few personal loose ends that Fitz will have to deal with, especially with her father and former husband. It will be interesting to see what these three old friends will get up to next. I am looking forward to their future adventures because they have a wonderful chemistry together and make a great team. Over all an enjoyable read. 4 stars.
What a fast paced thriller to start off my 2015. Broken Trust takes ahold of you from the moment you start and doesn’t let you go until the very end. I love that the character works for a government agency when she could very well be living off her trust fund like most people would. I also liked that she was so willing to find and exposed the truth that she was willing to expose her family’s dirty laundry. I loved each character because each one was well developed and each one was so different, from the drug lords, world financiers and Heiresses to the government officials. I like the each of the main characters each had their own strengths and weaknesses from each other and that each one had secrets from each other. This made the story feel like each person was real, made you root for them. The plot kept you guessing and flowed flawlessly with all the twisted and turns. The uses of technology throughout the story took the story to the next level, making so much more believable. It was full of suspense and edge keeping on your toes the whole time. The last chapter sets up perfect for the next book and I can’t wait for it. If you’re looking for your next thriller check this one out, you won’t be disappointed. 4 out of 5 stars.
As much as I dislike the reviews on books that open with "This genre usually isn't the type I read so I was unsure if I'd like it, but ended up loving it", I can sort of say the same.
I tend to read general young adult books, as well as the odd few fantasy and science fiction. Rarely thrillers. If I remember correctly, the last time I read a thriller-type book would be Scorpia Rising from the Alex Rider series, which came out back in 2011. So yeah, it's been a while since I've read a thriller. Not only that, but the amount of thrillers I have read has been far and few.
Let me just say that Broken Trust has changed that. From the get-go, after the two page flashback opening, you're instantly plunged into a fast paced world of of Fitz, Chas, and James, as they try to stop Hans and the rest of the goons from getting what they want. The book was very well written had a handful of plot twists, none of which I saw coming. Overall I really enjoyed this story, and I'm glad it's going to be series. I look forward to the sequel's release, Broken Web, later this year. I'll definitely be reading that book too.
My only gripe, if you'd call it that, is that the back of the book doesn't really tell you what the story is about. Instead, it tells you to go to brokentrustnovel.com to read about the plot and characters. Not the end of the world, but if the book was picked up in a bookstore by someone browsing for reading content, that's not the kind of thing you would really expect.
A copy of this book was given to me after winning a Goodreads giveaway. Thank you for it!
Broken Trust is one of the first book in a new series. I did like the premise of the book. Three best friends from college are reunited by an investigation, which ultimately sets up the long ride they have up ahead, thus the three musketeers. They set out on a thrilling investigation to seek justice. Each character has their own way to solve them mystery which makes them different from one another, but relatable to the reader. This is a thriller with many twists and suspense. The novel was slow in the beginning though, and it was hard to attain my attention on the book. After the first couple of chapters, I was easily hooked on reading the novel, I did enjoy reading it beginning to the end.
I did like reading about many of the exotic locations mentioned such as, Switzerland, Monte Carlo, Bulgaria, and many more. The characters are put through several dangerous situations. The author seems knowledgeable about the financial and wealthy world, and I'm glad the author used that knowledge to benefit the plot, and made it fast faced and action filled. The book consists of drama, deceit, political status, and friendship. However, a lot of plot twists in one book can cause it to become predictable.
Although, it was a good book overall - it was quite predictable which I'm not a fan of. As I have said before, many plot twists can make a book predictable. Most thrillers become predictable once you become used to the author's use of writing and language. It was also a bit melodramatic in some parts which the novel could benefit without though. I do look forward to reading the sequel though. I would rate this novel 3.5 stars.
Disclosure* Review Copy was sent free of charge courtesy of Iread Book Tours.
Maurin kept me on my toes and had me thinking nonstop with this one. I was trying to solve it alongside the characters. I really love the way this novel is written. Maurin’s multifaceted writing provides a brilliant backdrop for this intense read. It was a joy to get lost in. The narrative makes this world and its events easy to picture. I really enjoyed how the author goes in-depth into the plot, engaging you intellectually while entertaining you all the while. The possibilities and probabilities opened up in this story are endless. This novel is suspense and mystery at its finest!
I appreciate the fact that the characters in this novel are older but still remember what it’s like to be young. Their friendship remains strong through all of the trials that they’ve encounters, both together and separately. Not only that, but these well-developed characters were such a treat to get to know. The thought processes and emotions of the main characters were just as intriguing as the overall plot of the story. There were a few times that I found the dialogue to be a bit forced, written the way one writes rather than the way that people talk. It wasn’t all the time, just a few sentences here and there.
Did I enjoy this story? Very much so. Would I read more of this series? I can’t wait! Will I be reading more by this author duo? You can bet your last gold bar on it.
Please note that I received a complimentary copy of this work in exchange for an honest review.
This is a great book. The friendship between Fitz, Jamie, and Chris was obvious. Even with the hard feelings between a couple of the characters, it was obvious that they all cared for each other and had each other’s backs no matter what was needed. These 3 Musketeers went farther than most friends would. My favorite character is Fitz. She is a tough girl, who stands up for what she believes in, and goes to the wall to protect those who are important to her. She will even protect people who haven’t always done the right thing.
There are parts of this story that went over my head. Some of the computer terms and programs were way above my knowledge, but I was still able to understand the story and enjoy it. The banking terms were also above me. Again, that did not take away from the story. I enjoyed reading Broken Trust from the first page until the very last page.
The settings in this book are amazing. I love the big cities, but the Cayman Island was my favorite. I could see the ports, the fancy hotels, and the elite businesses. When I can picture the scenes in my head I know that it will be a book that I happily recommend to others.
I was provided with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The story revolves around three college-time friends, thrown back together in life by destiny. Pursuing completely different tangential careers, the three form an unlikely partnership to solve some horrid crimes. What starts as an interesting investigation soon unravels into a very deep and far-sounding powerful problems, involving political conspiracies, underworld dealings, murder, artifacts from the world war and above all, battle for survival. Will the three friends manage to stay alive, leave alone solving the mysteries, is what the book takes us through.
The book was bewilderingly pacy! Each page had nail-biting suspense and I had to finish it one go. The numerous twists and turns in the plot add to the intrigue factor. At times, as the reader, I couldn't help wishing for a slight more depth into the characters of the three protagonists, only to help me empathise with them better. But that said, the authors have done a brilliant job churning out a superb suspense piece of work!
Welcome to a world full of family drama, reunited friends, economic, and political intrigue. Sound familiar? Maybe because this is the world we all live in! I felt as though I was running through different cities with the characters. Other wise known as the 3 Musketeers! They run to and from criminals in countries such as; Bulgaria, Switzerland, England, Grand Caymans, and the United States. Along the way, we meet a "bad-guy" who is really a strong woman looking out for her mother.
This is a coordinated effort by three friends risking their lives for justice. Their determination to uncover the truth is homage to people who paid the price with their own lives. Every chapter in this book smartly shows how the 3 Musketeers uncover criminal acts. The descriptive details effectively convey ways The 3 Musketeers broke the case by using drones, tracking devices, super computers, and old-fashion investigating. My favorite being old-fashion police work, of course. The message in the book being that the past does not hold secrets forever.
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Who doesn't love a character that works for a government agency when she could be living the life of a trust fund kid? Add to that being willing to expose the truth even it means exposing her family’s dirty laundry and you have an interesting concept. While some of it seemed a bit far-fetched and contrived as to why it was all illegal and why it mattered if her family was involved it still worked for me as a story. Granted the threesome did seem like a super hero golden team that seemed way too convenient but I can see more books in their future and they will probably be just as much fun to read. Besides they left too many character development strings left hanging loose they really need at least one more book to tie up everything neatly. That being said, it was nice that the heroine and hero didn't stop everything in their investigation and make up for lost time before easily solving the case and running away together. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Broken Trust is a fast-moving, exciting thriller, crime, mystery sort of tale which starts in Bulgaria, and via Basle, Monte Carlo, London, and America, ends up in Grand Cayman.
Our three goodies jet around all over the place (including by private jet) while simultaneously hacking into systems all over the world and I felt exhausted just trying to keep up with them. Likeable too, although perhaps a little bland. After all, who doesn’t love a flawed hero/heroine who gets things wrong or misbehaves? So, if I’m going to pick holes I’d say the characters lack depth and are a little too one-dimensional. But, that’s a minor point.
I’ve no idea how feasible the plot is, but the use of technology seemed spookily real and quite frightening. I’m sure the power play between the US government departments was all too real.
The ending seemed rather neat, although it was left open for a sequel, which could be interesting.
All in all, it's a good read and recommended if you enjoy this type of read.
An amazing fast paced thriller. "Broken Trust" is exciting from the moment you start reading it and continues until you read the last line of the book. The characters and plot are well developed and the story has excellent flow. "Broken Trust" has everything you would hope to read in thriller novel. There is love, friendship, backstabbing, and twists galore. I really enjoyed Thomas Maurin's style of writing. The chapters were short and the book was a breeze to read. Between The Three Musketeers there was nothing they couldn't accomplish together. They all had their strengths and weaknesses and even secrets, but that didn't stop them from taking down the bad guys. I can't wait to read the second book in this series, as I have a good feeling it will be just as good as the first. I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Broken Trust follows Fitz, who works for the SEC, as she investigates questionable practices by a bank. Fitz’s friend and coworker is killed during the initial investigation, and Fitz realizes his death was not an accident, spurring her onto investigating his case herself. She also stumbles upon the fact that her family has a secret trust at the bank, and works to figure out how her family may be involved in something shady involving the bank. Fitz ends up working with her ex, whom she hasn’t seen in years, and this brings in a lot of interesting conflict for the character and really brought her to life. I really enjoyed the relationship the two built during the story, it kept the thriller grounded, and made me more invested in both characters. I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Broken Trust grabbed my interest from the beginning and it was nonstop action and suspense until the very end.
When a colleague of Mary Catherine “Fitz” Fitzsimmons is run down by an SUV, saving her from the same fate, she is determined to find out what is going on. She is in way over her head and ends up working with friends she had gone to Harvard with. In fact, they had been so close they called themselves The Three Musketeers.
There are so many twists and turns and surprises that it was hard to put Broken Trust down and I like how it ended. There was a definite end to the story but the reader is left with an indication that there will be more stories to follow. I absolutely recommend this page turner and I can’t wait to read the next book in The Three Musketeers series.
Fast paced, action filled with a well-developed plot that leads the reader through a world of finance, technology and old wealth. There is a variety of characters ranging from drug lords, world financiers, heiresses and government officials. The technology is woven through out and very believable. The Three Musketeers reunited lead the reader on a thrilling investigation while the story slowly reveals more about their history together, love lost and love rekindled. The last chapter set the stage for the next book in the series and I can’t wait to read it!
“I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.”
If you love non-stop action, this is the book for you. The story begins with the main character, Fitz, an SEC Investigator and gradually we are introduced to the other two characters who will eventually make up a think-tank of investigators who are determined to stamp out evil financiers (and enjoy themselves along the way!)
The book was an interesting read, a bit melodramatic in places but easy to follow. I liked the characters and am looking forward to more character development in the next book. The subplots and twists were interesting and kept you on the edge of your seat. Just a note of caution, this book is for adult readers due to the mature content in a few of the scenes.
Love, lies and mayhem . What's not to love about all that in one book?!? Three friends reunited after college. They dubbed themselves the 3 musketeers who need to uncover some criminal acts while risking their lives. Each definitely have their own way of solving a problem but that just makes it more relatable. Lots of twist and turns to keep you from putting this book down. First book in a series that makes you wanting more. **I received a free book for an honest review**
Very interesting book about finding the truth. Who and What! I found myself unable to put the book down - I would say "Just one more chapter." Right away with Fitz's character I was hooked. I seemed to be able to totally relate with her. Very good read. I highly recommend Broken Trust. Bonnie and Michael did an excellent job keeping me wanting more!
I found this to be an exciting read. It was somewhat predictable but the journey was worth the trip. Lots of surprising twists and turns. I would recommend this book to all mystery and intrigue lovers.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review