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The Budapest Experiment
At what price does one sell their soul?... Set in 1991, the dawn of Post-Communist Hungary, this international thriller novel chronicles the exploits of Michael, an adventurous but struggling American entrepreneur. Navigating his way through the streets of Budapest he begins to make business connections, but behind the scenes he detects an air of mysticism, danger, and lurking evil.
This book is an intriguing story of seduction, guilt, money, power, and betrayal, as a series of business dealings and events leads Michael to a business consulting position within the Russian Mob. During this period of tumultuous political, economic, and social change, the “Organization” embarks on establishing a legitimate stronghold in Eastern European economies. Miller cleverly intertwines business, politics, steamy sex scenes, religion, and family life, all into this debut novel.
Entangled in the web of Mob culture, an examination of conscience reveals a spirit ravaged with feelings of guilt and betrayal, a rapidly growing bank account serving as the means to justify Michael’s actions. Pondering his future, he wonders if he can balance this extreme Budapest lifestyle with his “ordinary” family life back home. After padding his wallet for the past several months, would the Organization let him just walk away?
This book is an intriguing story of seduction, guilt, money, power, and betrayal, as a series of business dealings and events leads Michael to a business consulting position within the Russian Mob. During this period of tumultuous political, economic, and social change, the “Organization” embarks on establishing a legitimate stronghold in Eastern European economies. Miller cleverly intertwines business, politics, steamy sex scenes, religion, and family life, all into this debut novel.
Entangled in the web of Mob culture, an examination of conscience reveals a spirit ravaged with feelings of guilt and betrayal, a rapidly growing bank account serving as the means to justify Michael’s actions. Pondering his future, he wonders if he can balance this extreme Budapest lifestyle with his “ordinary” family life back home. After padding his wallet for the past several months, would the Organization let him just walk away?
- GenresThriller
458 pages, Paperback
First published May 25, 2015
5 people are currently reading
563 people want to read
About the author
Maurice G. Miller
1 book42 followersMaurice has been involved in the creative arts since his teenage years. Having worked and played in rock/blues bands for most of his adult life, the artistic role models that he came to admire were those authors that wrote the poetry, lyrics, and music that touch and move our very souls. Deciding to take a break from the music career, he has rededicated his creative energies toward writing.
Then there is the "business geek" side of him as well. With an MBA degree, and having started several entrepreneurial ventures, he has an obsession with new business ventures, data analytics, and statistics. This passion becomes very evident in his writing style.
Maurice's debut fiction novel, "The Budapest Experiment", an international thriller, is available now on Amazon http://amzn.to/1z1g09v
Lots more can be found, including book info, social media contacts, and blog posts, at: http://www.mauricegmiller.com
Looking forward to making lots of new friends and joining interesting groups here on Goodreads. If interested, please follow or send a friend request.
Then there is the "business geek" side of him as well. With an MBA degree, and having started several entrepreneurial ventures, he has an obsession with new business ventures, data analytics, and statistics. This passion becomes very evident in his writing style.
Maurice's debut fiction novel, "The Budapest Experiment", an international thriller, is available now on Amazon http://amzn.to/1z1g09v
Lots more can be found, including book info, social media contacts, and blog posts, at: http://www.mauricegmiller.com
Looking forward to making lots of new friends and joining interesting groups here on Goodreads. If interested, please follow or send a friend request.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
December 30, 2015
Needs to Focus More on the Story
The Budapest Experiment by Maurice G. Miller is a novel that rests on an intriguing premise…naïve US businessman sets out to establish a business consultancy in Budapest and unwittingly finds himself involved with the Russian mafia. Handled correctly, there was much scope here for a thriller that would see the man struggling not only to hold on to his business but to preserve his very life and the lives of his family.
Miller makes a creditable stab at writing this novel. The location, Budapest, is an area he seems familiar with and his descriptions of the city are alluring. His other great love is business and, while he writes about it with great enthusiasm, it proves to something of a lead weight around the story’s neck.
In the interests of genuine support, I offer this writer three words to ponder upon: story, restraint, craft.
STORY: In a fiction novel the story is everything. Anything that inhibits the story’s flow, that distracts, stalls or leads away for the book’s basic theme, is anathema and must be ruthlessly edited. Miller is so caught up in the life of Budapest, the touring and the descriptions of the city, the business deals his key protagonist is engaged in, the girls he meets, that the story doesn’t get off the ground until more than halfway through the novel. This is quite a long book, but the first sixty per cent is about business deals, intermittent sex scenes, more business deals, more sex scenes. Apart from the vague hint that the protagonist was involving himself with a Russian mob boss, the first half of the book is heading dangerously towards tedium and runs the risk of losing readers.
RESTRAINT: It is important for any writer to avoid over-indulgence in any aspect of his work. Miller tends to write too literally, recounting every movement and gesture that occurs in a scene. Some elements of scenes are described ad nauseam, in minute and unnecessary detail. This, unfortunately, forces the reader to begin to speed read, to skim over pages in which the story is standing still or disappearing altogether. Parts of the book need aggressive editing and much tightening up. Background in a thriller should rely on only a few carefully chosen, salient details that leave the reader scope for his own imagination. The sex scenes, too, are lacking in restraint and painted in rather too much lascivious detail to suit this particular reader’s taste.
CRAFT: Writing is a craft, a skill that deserves the writer’s full focus, devotion and a willingness to spend time over every word and phrase. The writing in The Budapest Experiment shows occasional lack of thought and care, is riddled with too many ill-chosen adjectives and verbs, and has too many examples of weak sentence structure that give a first draft, unedited impression. Too often in the welter of information too meticulously provided, the writing tends to be come laborious, and lacks sparkle, ingenuity and drive.
Other reviewers obviously enjoyed this novel and the essential plot does have promise. I am sorry if my review appears to be excessively critical but I believe that if this book is to be a good seller, it needs a serious re-edit along the lines mentioned above.
The Budapest Experiment by Maurice G. Miller is a novel that rests on an intriguing premise…naïve US businessman sets out to establish a business consultancy in Budapest and unwittingly finds himself involved with the Russian mafia. Handled correctly, there was much scope here for a thriller that would see the man struggling not only to hold on to his business but to preserve his very life and the lives of his family.
Miller makes a creditable stab at writing this novel. The location, Budapest, is an area he seems familiar with and his descriptions of the city are alluring. His other great love is business and, while he writes about it with great enthusiasm, it proves to something of a lead weight around the story’s neck.
In the interests of genuine support, I offer this writer three words to ponder upon: story, restraint, craft.
STORY: In a fiction novel the story is everything. Anything that inhibits the story’s flow, that distracts, stalls or leads away for the book’s basic theme, is anathema and must be ruthlessly edited. Miller is so caught up in the life of Budapest, the touring and the descriptions of the city, the business deals his key protagonist is engaged in, the girls he meets, that the story doesn’t get off the ground until more than halfway through the novel. This is quite a long book, but the first sixty per cent is about business deals, intermittent sex scenes, more business deals, more sex scenes. Apart from the vague hint that the protagonist was involving himself with a Russian mob boss, the first half of the book is heading dangerously towards tedium and runs the risk of losing readers.
RESTRAINT: It is important for any writer to avoid over-indulgence in any aspect of his work. Miller tends to write too literally, recounting every movement and gesture that occurs in a scene. Some elements of scenes are described ad nauseam, in minute and unnecessary detail. This, unfortunately, forces the reader to begin to speed read, to skim over pages in which the story is standing still or disappearing altogether. Parts of the book need aggressive editing and much tightening up. Background in a thriller should rely on only a few carefully chosen, salient details that leave the reader scope for his own imagination. The sex scenes, too, are lacking in restraint and painted in rather too much lascivious detail to suit this particular reader’s taste.
CRAFT: Writing is a craft, a skill that deserves the writer’s full focus, devotion and a willingness to spend time over every word and phrase. The writing in The Budapest Experiment shows occasional lack of thought and care, is riddled with too many ill-chosen adjectives and verbs, and has too many examples of weak sentence structure that give a first draft, unedited impression. Too often in the welter of information too meticulously provided, the writing tends to be come laborious, and lacks sparkle, ingenuity and drive.
Other reviewers obviously enjoyed this novel and the essential plot does have promise. I am sorry if my review appears to be excessively critical but I believe that if this book is to be a good seller, it needs a serious re-edit along the lines mentioned above.
January 1, 2016
Set in early 1990s in Hungary after the fall of the Soviet Union, this is a business thriller. Michael was in the real estate business but now that he has his business degree, he is ready to start his own business venture and has chosen exporting goods to the newly democratized (or nearly democratized) Hungary. While visiting the country, he becomes entwined with the Russian Mob and starts working for them as a consultant. He becomes quite wealthy so quickly that he & his wife can buy a home in their hometown of Boston.
He has become friends (in more than a friendly way) with the Mobs' girls. His wife & kids come to Hungary to visit and meet a couple of these "friends". How much does his wife really know, though? He does tell her that his business in Hungary is connected to the Mob but doesn't give her any detail.
He does meet the seedy side of the Mob's business when he is accused of stealing money from them. Number one rule of the Mob is not to mess with their money. He claims he is innocent and does get out of this trouble quickly and easily. But, how far will he get into the Mob's business? Can he get out if he wants to?
Unfortunately, there is a sequel to this book which I now have to read. Now that the FBI is "onto" him, what will he do? Will he work for the FBI or warn the Mob about the FBI? Answer is in the sequel. Darn!
He has become friends (in more than a friendly way) with the Mobs' girls. His wife & kids come to Hungary to visit and meet a couple of these "friends". How much does his wife really know, though? He does tell her that his business in Hungary is connected to the Mob but doesn't give her any detail.
He does meet the seedy side of the Mob's business when he is accused of stealing money from them. Number one rule of the Mob is not to mess with their money. He claims he is innocent and does get out of this trouble quickly and easily. But, how far will he get into the Mob's business? Can he get out if he wants to?
Unfortunately, there is a sequel to this book which I now have to read. Now that the FBI is "onto" him, what will he do? Will he work for the FBI or warn the Mob about the FBI? Answer is in the sequel. Darn!
June 12, 2015
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Maurice Miller takes us back in time (slightly) to pre-cell phone and pre-internet years when struggling entrepreneurs had to rely on making face to face connections with businessmen and organizations instead of tracking them down online.
Michael is a well rounded character who starts out with the best intentions, only to find himself in over his head with the contacts he's made and the business he's gotten involved with.
The reading flow is steady and the dialogue is great. One of the obstacles that Miller had to overcome was his use of characters who had learned English as a second language. But he was able to pull it off quite well.
The Budapest Experiment keeps the anticipation level high as you realize that Michael is headed for a disaster even before he himself realizes it. I'm quite anxious for the sequel.
Maurice Miller takes us back in time (slightly) to pre-cell phone and pre-internet years when struggling entrepreneurs had to rely on making face to face connections with businessmen and organizations instead of tracking them down online.
Michael is a well rounded character who starts out with the best intentions, only to find himself in over his head with the contacts he's made and the business he's gotten involved with.
The reading flow is steady and the dialogue is great. One of the obstacles that Miller had to overcome was his use of characters who had learned English as a second language. But he was able to pull it off quite well.
The Budapest Experiment keeps the anticipation level high as you realize that Michael is headed for a disaster even before he himself realizes it. I'm quite anxious for the sequel.
June 30, 2015
This book was ok for me. I liked that there was a little Russian Mafia in it. I liked that is was before cell phones. I think the character Michael has many layers in the book. I was not as drawn into this book as much as I hopes I would be. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
January 21, 2016
I must start by saying I received a signed copy of this book from the Author in exchange for an honest review.
I also must say it took me far longer than anticipated to get through this which is a shame because it's not at all a bad novel. I started it last summer, put it down about halfway through, and forgot about it for months. Well, I finally picked it back up and quickly finished. It's interesting it worked out the way it did because this book is very much a tale of two halves.
The first half of the book is essentially an American tourist/amateur businessman wandering around Budapest smoking cigars, eating McDonald's and navigating the local night life. For a number of reasons, this didn't really interest me - hence the 6-month break from the story.
The second half, on the other hand, is a fairly thrilling account of Michael (our tourist) dealing with the local mob. Due to his relative lack of business acumen and general idiocy, Michael finds himself in life-threatening situations on an increasingly consistent basis. So, essentially, Michael must morph from a bumbling tourist into his best Jason Bourne impersonation. Needless to say, the 2nd half of the book moves along much more quickly than the 1st.
All in all, this is a solid debut novel. I could have used less of the bumbling first half Michael but I will say the first half of the book did do a nice job of painting an accurate and interesting Budapest.
I also must say it took me far longer than anticipated to get through this which is a shame because it's not at all a bad novel. I started it last summer, put it down about halfway through, and forgot about it for months. Well, I finally picked it back up and quickly finished. It's interesting it worked out the way it did because this book is very much a tale of two halves.
The first half of the book is essentially an American tourist/amateur businessman wandering around Budapest smoking cigars, eating McDonald's and navigating the local night life. For a number of reasons, this didn't really interest me - hence the 6-month break from the story.
The second half, on the other hand, is a fairly thrilling account of Michael (our tourist) dealing with the local mob. Due to his relative lack of business acumen and general idiocy, Michael finds himself in life-threatening situations on an increasingly consistent basis. So, essentially, Michael must morph from a bumbling tourist into his best Jason Bourne impersonation. Needless to say, the 2nd half of the book moves along much more quickly than the 1st.
All in all, this is a solid debut novel. I could have used less of the bumbling first half Michael but I will say the first half of the book did do a nice job of painting an accurate and interesting Budapest.
March 22, 2016
Captivating and Intriguing Thriller
Looking to dive into the International business scene of Hungary, Michael believes nothing can touch him and jumps head first into the deep end of business with the Russian Mafia. He has a guardian angel but can she even save him from himself and the disaster he's heading into? He knows he shouldn't do the things he does, but he seems almost helpless to stop himself as he is seduced by the excitement, money, and beautiful women to the point of naivety.
I loved the way this story began and ended (although, warning, it was a cliff hanger). It's an intriguing and action-packed story with lots of description and Budapest flavor. It's filled with lots of descriptive sex scenes and I'll admit I moved over the last few as there were too many for my taste. It is well-written and moves at a pretty good pace. I do think it could be cut down to about 300 pages while still carrying the plot and characters.
I'm pulling for Michael because even though he's done a few bad things, like cheating on his wife and working for the mob, he appears to be a decent man, filled with guilt as he's caught up in the craziness of it all.
Looking to dive into the International business scene of Hungary, Michael believes nothing can touch him and jumps head first into the deep end of business with the Russian Mafia. He has a guardian angel but can she even save him from himself and the disaster he's heading into? He knows he shouldn't do the things he does, but he seems almost helpless to stop himself as he is seduced by the excitement, money, and beautiful women to the point of naivety.
I loved the way this story began and ended (although, warning, it was a cliff hanger). It's an intriguing and action-packed story with lots of description and Budapest flavor. It's filled with lots of descriptive sex scenes and I'll admit I moved over the last few as there were too many for my taste. It is well-written and moves at a pretty good pace. I do think it could be cut down to about 300 pages while still carrying the plot and characters.
I'm pulling for Michael because even though he's done a few bad things, like cheating on his wife and working for the mob, he appears to be a decent man, filled with guilt as he's caught up in the craziness of it all.
June 19, 2015
The Budapest Experiment by Miller is an adults-only story due to the many steamy sex scenes. In between is a look at the Russian mafia and Budapest itself. One is constantly on edge from the beginning as we fast forward to a later scene. It is also a morals-dilemma story whereby the protagonist, Michael, is having trouble assuaging his conscience as beautiful women tempt him. He keeps taking communion at St. Stephens so he is not seeing himself seriously sinning, breaking his marriage vows. Does this lack of conscience, and burgeoning wealth, help him in his dealings with the Mob? There is a twist at the end which will only be answered in the sequel, no doubt involving Peter and the Boss whose characters are also well-rounded, as are some of the women.
March 22, 2016
Loved reading this book and it was easy to get into and l would highly recommend it to anyone and l would love to read this book over and over again
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews