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The Dealmaker’s Will: A Novel
300 pages, Paperback
Published November 3, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 16, 2025
BOOK REVIEW - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐The Dealmaker’s Will by Walker Thrash is a thriller with a most unique and interesting premise! The plot focuses solely on the ability of the MMC Will’s ability to learn the 7 rules to close a deal and simultaneously make it happen. I was hooked from the beginning as Will meets the mysterious Julian who begins teaching Will the art of dealmaking and tasking him to win approval on a city bid. The series of meetings and conversations between these two characters are more than transactional as the reader begins to slowly learn about their motives, fears, and insecurities. Other players in the hunt to make the deal keep the reader guessing as to who is “playing” who and why. Will is a likeable entrepreneur that had me hoping he was genuine and would come out on top the whole time. However, as plot twists unfold and the characters become increasingly slippery and shifty, it is impossible to determine whether any of them are legitimate or trustworthy and who will ultimately seal the deal. For a story that primarily takes place in a town car, a business meeting or over the phone, Walker Thrash fully develops and humanizes these mostly shady characters and builds edge-of-your seat tension. Thrash also provides a surprising and satisfying ending. Who knew the nuts and bolts of making a business deal could be so compelling! I devoured this book in less than a day! I strongly recommend reading this “business thriller” for a fresh take on this genre of writing.
Thank you to Left Field Publishing for gifting me a copy of this book!
Thank you to Left Field Publishing for gifting me a copy of this book!
September 21, 2025
The Dealmaker’s Will is not my usual read but I loved it.
We follow Will who is a business entrepreneur and is approached by Julian after an auction. Julian has a proposal for Will and teaches him his 7 Rules. Julian is a brilliant character and I enjoyed his interactions with Vince.
All the characters are relatable and well written, Char in particular for me is inspiring as a female reader.
This book really gave me a lot to think about in how I approach problem solving and although I’m not involved in similar negotiations, this is relevant to all of us in our approaches to others.
I especially enjoyed the quiz and receipes at the end of the book as a nice extra touch!
We follow Will who is a business entrepreneur and is approached by Julian after an auction. Julian has a proposal for Will and teaches him his 7 Rules. Julian is a brilliant character and I enjoyed his interactions with Vince.
All the characters are relatable and well written, Char in particular for me is inspiring as a female reader.
This book really gave me a lot to think about in how I approach problem solving and although I’m not involved in similar negotiations, this is relevant to all of us in our approaches to others.
I especially enjoyed the quiz and receipes at the end of the book as a nice extra touch!
October 15, 2025
Disclosure. This post is a review of a book I was sent for free. All opinions are my own.
This story is set in the city of Golden in Colorado. I looked it up and it is a real place, although of course the story is fictional.
We meet the main character Will Powell in a very short 4-page opening chapter, where he is an unsuccessful bidder at a real estate auction, but an equally short chapter 2, really draws you into the book. It is shortly after and Will is still at the auction house, when Julian Darrow introduces himself to Will. Julian is an intriguing character who seems able to read the main contenders like a pro at the auction and requests a meeting with Will regarding a project.
The book quickly fleshes out some of the other main characters including Dexter Mathias, Will’s best friend, ex-brother-in-law and investor. When Will meets properly with Julian, he finds Julian has really done his homework on him. Julian appears to know all of Will’s portfolio and his relationship with Dexter. Why has Julian targeted Will? What is Julian’s agenda? And does Will accept Julian’s proposal?
As we interact with different characters, you are guessing who is on whose side and what secret motivations they may all have.
This book is not my usual sort of genre. It seems more of a literary read, but I certainly got drawn into it.
An intriguing psychological read.
This story is set in the city of Golden in Colorado. I looked it up and it is a real place, although of course the story is fictional.
We meet the main character Will Powell in a very short 4-page opening chapter, where he is an unsuccessful bidder at a real estate auction, but an equally short chapter 2, really draws you into the book. It is shortly after and Will is still at the auction house, when Julian Darrow introduces himself to Will. Julian is an intriguing character who seems able to read the main contenders like a pro at the auction and requests a meeting with Will regarding a project.
The book quickly fleshes out some of the other main characters including Dexter Mathias, Will’s best friend, ex-brother-in-law and investor. When Will meets properly with Julian, he finds Julian has really done his homework on him. Julian appears to know all of Will’s portfolio and his relationship with Dexter. Why has Julian targeted Will? What is Julian’s agenda? And does Will accept Julian’s proposal?
As we interact with different characters, you are guessing who is on whose side and what secret motivations they may all have.
This book is not my usual sort of genre. It seems more of a literary read, but I certainly got drawn into it.
An intriguing psychological read.
October 15, 2025
The Dealmaker’s Will by Walker Thrash wasn’t just another business thriller it’s a psychological chess match dressed in tailored suits and backroom deals. I felt every ounce of Will Powell’s desperation as he stumbled through the cutthroat world of real estate, only to meet Julian Darrow, a man who practically drips charisma and danger in equal measure.
Reading this book felt like sitting at a high-stakes poker table where every handshake hides a secret. Walker Thrash doesn’t just tell a story about deals; he exposes the anatomy of ambition, the quiet compromises, the late-night rationalizations, the slow erosion of who you thought you were. Watching Will get pulled deeper into Julian’s orbit was equal parts fascinating and unsettling. You can almost taste the temptation of success, even as you feel the trap closing in.
The 7 Rules that structure the story are genius; they're not just business principles, but moral checkpoints that make you pause and wonder what kind of deal you’d be willing to make for your big break. By the end, I wasn’t sure if Will had learned how to win or just how to lose more elegantly.
⚡️Thank you Left Field Publishing and Walker Thrash for sharing this book with me!
Reading this book felt like sitting at a high-stakes poker table where every handshake hides a secret. Walker Thrash doesn’t just tell a story about deals; he exposes the anatomy of ambition, the quiet compromises, the late-night rationalizations, the slow erosion of who you thought you were. Watching Will get pulled deeper into Julian’s orbit was equal parts fascinating and unsettling. You can almost taste the temptation of success, even as you feel the trap closing in.
The 7 Rules that structure the story are genius; they're not just business principles, but moral checkpoints that make you pause and wonder what kind of deal you’d be willing to make for your big break. By the end, I wasn’t sure if Will had learned how to win or just how to lose more elegantly.
⚡️Thank you Left Field Publishing and Walker Thrash for sharing this book with me!
October 11, 2025
3.5 stars, rounded up
The Dealmaker’s Will is an interesting story about manipulation, human nature and negotiation. Will is a forty-something former banker, current real estate entrepreneur struggling in his business. Julian is an older, experienced businessman who connects with Will to mentor him through an RFP ( request for proposal) project. Julian’s motivations do not become clear until far into the process.
I enjoyed that each chapter started with a relevant quote. I thought the novel was well written but I wonder how wide an audience it will appeal to. As someone who is familiar with the private equity world, I have an interest in this area but not sure that a book about deal making has a wide audience. I didn’t find a lot of emotional appeal until the last 20% of the story. I did like the character of Char, who is smart, quirky and creative. Otherwise, the novel is dominated by male characters, which is true to the reality of private equity.
Thanks to the author and Left Field Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
The Dealmaker’s Will is an interesting story about manipulation, human nature and negotiation. Will is a forty-something former banker, current real estate entrepreneur struggling in his business. Julian is an older, experienced businessman who connects with Will to mentor him through an RFP ( request for proposal) project. Julian’s motivations do not become clear until far into the process.
I enjoyed that each chapter started with a relevant quote. I thought the novel was well written but I wonder how wide an audience it will appeal to. As someone who is familiar with the private equity world, I have an interest in this area but not sure that a book about deal making has a wide audience. I didn’t find a lot of emotional appeal until the last 20% of the story. I did like the character of Char, who is smart, quirky and creative. Otherwise, the novel is dominated by male characters, which is true to the reality of private equity.
Thanks to the author and Left Field Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
September 21, 2025
The Dealmaker's Will is a masterfully woven tale that blends high-stakes strategy, emotional depth, and psychological intrigue into a compelling narrative that’s impossible to put down. From the very first chapter, the story pulls you into a world where power is currency and trust is rare. What sets this book apart is its sharp insight into the motivations that drive ambition, loyalty, and betrayal — all set against a backdrop of corporate warfare and personal reckoning.
The characters are multidimensional, flawed, and intensely human, each grappling with their own internal conflicts as they navigate a world where every decision carries weight. The pacing is brisk but never rushed, with each twist feeling both surprising and inevitable. Dialogue crackles with intelligence and tension, and the writing style strikes a perfect balance between elegance and grit.
What makes the novel truly memorable is its underlying message: even in a cutthroat world, redemption is possible — but it always comes at a price. Whether you're a fan of suspense, drama, or simply great storytelling, this is a read that will stay with you long after the final page. A smart, gripping, and emotionally resonant story that delivers on every level.
The characters are multidimensional, flawed, and intensely human, each grappling with their own internal conflicts as they navigate a world where every decision carries weight. The pacing is brisk but never rushed, with each twist feeling both surprising and inevitable. Dialogue crackles with intelligence and tension, and the writing style strikes a perfect balance between elegance and grit.
What makes the novel truly memorable is its underlying message: even in a cutthroat world, redemption is possible — but it always comes at a price. Whether you're a fan of suspense, drama, or simply great storytelling, this is a read that will stay with you long after the final page. A smart, gripping, and emotionally resonant story that delivers on every level.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews