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The Collectibles Trilogy #3
The Conciliators
The award-winning Collectibles series continues with The Conciliators, Book 3 by James J. Kaufman. The series has reached more than 100,000 readers worldwide. The Conciliators finds Preston Wilson's life imploding. Under fire, thanks to the financial deception of a college friend, the CEO finds himself in trouble with the FBI, the Russian mafia, and his creditors. He could lose everything and end up in jail. If he doesn't come up with a plan and quick, he may also see his wife and shareholders follow him to prison. Inspired by the lessons he was taught by attorney Joe Hart, Preston sets a new course, vowing to fight for what matters most: his family, his friends, and his relationships with the Collectibles.
428 pages, Hardcover
First published September 7, 2015
25 people are currently reading
257 people want to read
About the author
James J. Kaufman
7 books21 followersAn attorney, businessman and former judge, James J. Kaufman has published several works of non-fiction.
The Collectibles, his debut novel, draws heavily from his experiences in law, his dealings in the business world, and his interactions with people from widely different backgrounds. Kaufman lives in Wilmington, North Carolina, with his wife, Patty, and is working on his second novel.
The Collectibles, his debut novel, draws heavily from his experiences in law, his dealings in the business world, and his interactions with people from widely different backgrounds. Kaufman lives in Wilmington, North Carolina, with his wife, Patty, and is working on his second novel.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 13, 2025
James J. Kaufman concludes The Collectibles Trilogy with The Conciliators, a book attempts to carry forward loyalty, redemption, and morality while exploring the complexities of relationships, personal growth, and what it means to rise above adversity. However, as the final entry in a trilogy that began with such emotionally rich and character-driven storytelling, this book left me feeling underwhelmed. While there are elements worth appreciating, my biggest disappointment lies in the shift of focus and the overly complex plot involving bank fraud, which detracted from the core appeal of the series.
The term conciliator general meaning is to make peace between two parties. I suppose there were elements of this in the storyline but nothing that overwhelms the plot.
The story picks up with Preston Wilson, a successful businessman of many Mercedes Benz dealerships, has again become entangled in some less than ethical business practices. Just as before, he has been complacent as the CEO and has not been following business protocols that Joe Hart had set up for him.
Marcia Gordon, Preston’s wife, is once again upset with her husband for poor business practices and jeopardizing their future. She often questions her love for him and often contemplates divorce.
Katherine Kelly, his daughter, plays a new role in his life, offering both emotional stability and professional advice. To me, she appears too caught up in her new career to be of much support. Maybe that is just what twenty-three-year-olds do.
The Conciliators largely revolves around a plotline of corporate intrigue and bank fraud, which consumes much of the story's attention. The narrative explores Preston's attempt to untangle and resolve the crisis while maintaining his integrity along the way. On the surface, this sounds like fertile ground for dramatic tension and meaningful lessons. However, the execution is where the novel falters. I do mean boring.
The Absence of Tommy, Missy, Harry, Corey, and Johnny was a real downer for me. What made The Collectibles and The Concealers particularly special were the stories of the "collectibles" themselves. Tommy, Missy, Harry, Corey, and Johnny brought unforgettable character and comedy to the series. Each character played a minimized role which was very disappointing.
The Overly Complex Bank Fraud Plot played a significant portion of The Conciliators is dedicated to unraveling a web of corporate and financial crimes. Preston is thrust into the depths of bank fraud investigations, legal battles, and corporate scheming. While I can appreciate Kaufman’s attempt to tackle complex themes like corruption, greed, and justice, the execution left a lot to be desired. It is, after all, a series about the Collectibles.
More importantly, this focus detracts from what made the earlier books so compelling. The heart of The Collectibles Trilogy lies in its examination of human relationships, personal growth, and the ripple effects of acts of kindness. By shifting so much attention to the bank fraud storyline, this final installment loses sight of those fundamental themes.
That said, The Conciliators does have its merits. Kaufman’s prose remains clear and accessible, and his ability to depict the nuances of human emotion and moral dilemmas is evident in various parts of the story. There are moments of genuine insight and reflection, particularly when Preston grapples with questions about integrity and personal responsibility.
Additionally, the book continues to explore themes of redemption and forgiveness, which align with the overarching messages of the trilogy, Conciliators. Kaufman’s commitment to these values provides moments of inspiration and resonance, even if they are somewhat overshadowed by the weight of the procedural plot.
The Conciliators aims to bring closure to The Collectibles Trilogy, but unfortunately, it falls short of delivering the emotional impact and narrative focus that defined its predecessors. The sidelining of key characters like Tommy, Missy, Harry, Corey, and Johnny diminishes the sense of community and shared humanity that made the earlier books so memorable. Meanwhile, the overly complicated and drawn-out bank fraud storyline feels more like a distraction than a compelling centerpiece.
While there are still glimpses of Kaufman’s talent for exploring personal growth and moral integrity, they are often buried beneath a dense and convoluted plot. For fans of the series, the book might still be worth reading for the sake of closure, but it’s hard not to feel disappointed by what could have been a more fulfilling conclusion.
If you’re considering embarking on The Collectibles Trilogy, I would still recommend the first two books wholeheartedly. They embody the heart and soul of the series and deliver a deeply rewarding reading experience. Unfortunately, The Conciliators doesn’t quite live up to the same standard.
I purchased this book on Kindle.
The term conciliator general meaning is to make peace between two parties. I suppose there were elements of this in the storyline but nothing that overwhelms the plot.
The story picks up with Preston Wilson, a successful businessman of many Mercedes Benz dealerships, has again become entangled in some less than ethical business practices. Just as before, he has been complacent as the CEO and has not been following business protocols that Joe Hart had set up for him.
Marcia Gordon, Preston’s wife, is once again upset with her husband for poor business practices and jeopardizing their future. She often questions her love for him and often contemplates divorce.
Katherine Kelly, his daughter, plays a new role in his life, offering both emotional stability and professional advice. To me, she appears too caught up in her new career to be of much support. Maybe that is just what twenty-three-year-olds do.
The Conciliators largely revolves around a plotline of corporate intrigue and bank fraud, which consumes much of the story's attention. The narrative explores Preston's attempt to untangle and resolve the crisis while maintaining his integrity along the way. On the surface, this sounds like fertile ground for dramatic tension and meaningful lessons. However, the execution is where the novel falters. I do mean boring.
The Absence of Tommy, Missy, Harry, Corey, and Johnny was a real downer for me. What made The Collectibles and The Concealers particularly special were the stories of the "collectibles" themselves. Tommy, Missy, Harry, Corey, and Johnny brought unforgettable character and comedy to the series. Each character played a minimized role which was very disappointing.
The Overly Complex Bank Fraud Plot played a significant portion of The Conciliators is dedicated to unraveling a web of corporate and financial crimes. Preston is thrust into the depths of bank fraud investigations, legal battles, and corporate scheming. While I can appreciate Kaufman’s attempt to tackle complex themes like corruption, greed, and justice, the execution left a lot to be desired. It is, after all, a series about the Collectibles.
More importantly, this focus detracts from what made the earlier books so compelling. The heart of The Collectibles Trilogy lies in its examination of human relationships, personal growth, and the ripple effects of acts of kindness. By shifting so much attention to the bank fraud storyline, this final installment loses sight of those fundamental themes.
That said, The Conciliators does have its merits. Kaufman’s prose remains clear and accessible, and his ability to depict the nuances of human emotion and moral dilemmas is evident in various parts of the story. There are moments of genuine insight and reflection, particularly when Preston grapples with questions about integrity and personal responsibility.
Additionally, the book continues to explore themes of redemption and forgiveness, which align with the overarching messages of the trilogy, Conciliators. Kaufman’s commitment to these values provides moments of inspiration and resonance, even if they are somewhat overshadowed by the weight of the procedural plot.
The Conciliators aims to bring closure to The Collectibles Trilogy, but unfortunately, it falls short of delivering the emotional impact and narrative focus that defined its predecessors. The sidelining of key characters like Tommy, Missy, Harry, Corey, and Johnny diminishes the sense of community and shared humanity that made the earlier books so memorable. Meanwhile, the overly complicated and drawn-out bank fraud storyline feels more like a distraction than a compelling centerpiece.
While there are still glimpses of Kaufman’s talent for exploring personal growth and moral integrity, they are often buried beneath a dense and convoluted plot. For fans of the series, the book might still be worth reading for the sake of closure, but it’s hard not to feel disappointed by what could have been a more fulfilling conclusion.
If you’re considering embarking on The Collectibles Trilogy, I would still recommend the first two books wholeheartedly. They embody the heart and soul of the series and deliver a deeply rewarding reading experience. Unfortunately, The Conciliators doesn’t quite live up to the same standard.
I purchased this book on Kindle.
September 11, 2015
James Kaufman’s final novel in his Collectibles trilogy, The Conciliators is a wild rollercoaster ride with unexpected plot twists, a fabulous page turning mix of family and crime drama. Using impeccable grammar the complex tale is told with a dialogue that perfectly reflects each of his complicated and multi faceted stars and co-stars both good and bad. His “thinking man’s” narrative brilliantly communicates his perplexingly elaborate storyline. And the timely tuck in of his humor lightens a sometimes very intense tale. It was gratifying to watch the metamorphosis of his main protagonist into a better man. Listening to his message that we are not an island, and that friends come in surprisingly different packaging, plus doing the right thing is the right thing to do.
I have loved each one of the novels and can’t wait to see where this author takes me next.
Preston Wilson once again finds himself and his company, Wilson Holdings in dire straights. This time because of a friend he hired, having if not illegal then definitely unethical dealings with the business’s bank who is also under indictment and being investigated by the FBI for federal crimes and perhaps implicated in international conspiracies. And even though Preston’s done nothing wrong the whole debacle could bring he and his luxury car conglomerate down by association. Unfortunately Katherine Kelly, Preston’s long lost daughter is the one who broke the story while working as an investigative reporter for a newspaper and she’s hoping this won’t affect the brand new relationship she and her father have formed. Some good news is that Preston has called on one of his former mentor’s associates who is probably the only person he knows that’s good enough to get him out of this nasty mess. And maybe reconnecting with some of his Collectibles, the group his mentor asked him to look after, is what he needs to put him in the right frame of mind.
I have loved each one of the novels and can’t wait to see where this author takes me next.
Preston Wilson once again finds himself and his company, Wilson Holdings in dire straights. This time because of a friend he hired, having if not illegal then definitely unethical dealings with the business’s bank who is also under indictment and being investigated by the FBI for federal crimes and perhaps implicated in international conspiracies. And even though Preston’s done nothing wrong the whole debacle could bring he and his luxury car conglomerate down by association. Unfortunately Katherine Kelly, Preston’s long lost daughter is the one who broke the story while working as an investigative reporter for a newspaper and she’s hoping this won’t affect the brand new relationship she and her father have formed. Some good news is that Preston has called on one of his former mentor’s associates who is probably the only person he knows that’s good enough to get him out of this nasty mess. And maybe reconnecting with some of his Collectibles, the group his mentor asked him to look after, is what he needs to put him in the right frame of mind.
September 29, 2016
Great conclusion to the trilogy.
The only reason this got a 4-star rather than a 5-star is that it seemed a little heavy on narrative when dialog might have moved the story forward faster. Aside from that, it gave the reader insight into the legal and banking systems at the same time it preserved the human aspect of the story.
The only reason this got a 4-star rather than a 5-star is that it seemed a little heavy on narrative when dialog might have moved the story forward faster. Aside from that, it gave the reader insight into the legal and banking systems at the same time it preserved the human aspect of the story.
November 10, 2015
Very good story.
Didn't read the other books in this series, that reason didn't know the background of the some characters. What matters in this life is true friends, they are there to help and hold you up. Wild ride, unexpected plot twists.
Didn't read the other books in this series, that reason didn't know the background of the some characters. What matters in this life is true friends, they are there to help and hold you up. Wild ride, unexpected plot twists.
November 20, 2018
Fantastic book about the character! Great trilogy! Must read in order!
November 11, 2016
Disappointed in the last of the trilogy. The first two books were much better.
February 17, 2017
This series was a great story, great lessons learned and a great message to be had. Read all three in the series, and at the end you'll have that, "now what do I read or do" feeling.
September 11, 2015
I have read both books in The Collectibles series by James Kaufman. I love the story and the current tempo and storyline. Joe Hart made an indelible impression on Preston Wilson. As Preston continues building his relationships with his daughter, The Collectibles, and his wife and child, tragedy strikes. Preston has a tough time believing what he is facing with the FBI, the bank (his creditors) and the Russian Mafia. He was helped along the way by several of the Collectibles who did their part to keep the Russian mafia away.
This is a non-stop story with new developments and actions. The story also has a lot of heart and showcases the beautiful writing style of James Kaufman. In the end, Preston recognizes what matters most in life.
This is a non-stop story with new developments and actions. The story also has a lot of heart and showcases the beautiful writing style of James Kaufman. In the end, Preston recognizes what matters most in life.
October 21, 2015
Just finished reading Jim Kaufman’s third and final book of the Collectors’ trilogy The Conciliators. Once again Kaufman has demonstrated his greatness as a storyteller but I believe his ability to robustly develop the depth of his characters sets him apart from all
of the contemporary authors writing today.
As he artfully explores the humanity of his many characters I find my own humanity percolating to the surface for contemplation. This is truly Kaufman’s gift to his readers.
His willingness to share his soul and spirit with us is extraordinary and I fervently hope he continues to write and celebrate the human condition.
of the contemporary authors writing today.
As he artfully explores the humanity of his many characters I find my own humanity percolating to the surface for contemplation. This is truly Kaufman’s gift to his readers.
His willingness to share his soul and spirit with us is extraordinary and I fervently hope he continues to write and celebrate the human condition.
February 6, 2016
The Conciliators is James Kaufman's best book yet. I enjoyed being reminded of Joe Hart and how people were effected by his generosity, integrity, and loyalty for years after his death. This 3rd book of the series is filled with even more interesting well-defined characters. The women are beautiful and I can easily imagine loving the men. The various locations in the story are so well-depicted that I want to visit the small towns and hike the trails. The criminal investigations, the banking and accounting aspects, and legalize is written to be interesting but not too far-fetched for a layman to follow. Would love to see this story on the silver screen.
December 1, 2015
I won this book in the Goodreads.com giveaway.
James J. Kaufman's "The Conciliators" is a ball of intrigue, mystery and suspense.
Preston Wilson's life is falling apart. His CFO has taken liberty with the finances of Wilson Holdings; the FBI gets involved, as well as the Russian Mafia and his creditors.
Kaufman's story takes you on the trip of your life. It is a fast paced book with an intertwining and twisting plot.
A Must read!
James J. Kaufman's "The Conciliators" is a ball of intrigue, mystery and suspense.
Preston Wilson's life is falling apart. His CFO has taken liberty with the finances of Wilson Holdings; the FBI gets involved, as well as the Russian Mafia and his creditors.
Kaufman's story takes you on the trip of your life. It is a fast paced book with an intertwining and twisting plot.
A Must read!
December 3, 2016
A good ending for the trilogy
Like the other two books in this trilogy, I found The Conciliators a fascinating read and thought provoking . I was sorry when the book ended that I wouldn't find what happened to the Collectibles in the future.
Like the other two books in this trilogy, I found The Conciliators a fascinating read and thought provoking . I was sorry when the book ended that I wouldn't find what happened to the Collectibles in the future.
July 21, 2016
This book concludes the Collectables series. It does not really feel like the end of the story. All the loose ends are neatly tied up, yet something seems undone. Like other books in this series, the character development is excellent. The plot serves to bring these characters together.
May 10, 2016
Action packed with bringing everyone into the book and getting there issues resolved - enjoyed this trilogy! Thanks!
February 11, 2017
I want another. When is the next book coming out?
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews