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The Gatekeeper
As the global economy teeters on the brink of collapse, Whitney Cogswell is thrust into the role of CEO of a large regional bank. His rise to power is as improbable as it is dangerous. Totally out of his depth with no real-world experience, a bloated ego, and a hollow understanding of the financial world, he’s the perfect puppet for the scheming executives beneath him—each with their own eyes set on the throne.
DeeDee Davino, his sharp-witted and fiercely loyal assistant, is the only thing standing between Cogswell and utter disaster. Tasked with managing his blunders and fending off the corporate vultures circling overhead, DeeDee navigates a labyrinth of office politics, seductive affairs, and backstabbing ambition. She uncovers the dark secrets that could destroy everything, starting with the bank itself.
Meanwhile, Dave Powers, a marketing genius on the brink of losing everything, is recruited to turn the bank's fortunes around. While Dave's programs propel the bank to unprecedented growth, an explosive bribery scheme threatens to take down the entire banking juggernaut.
In this thrilling rollercoaster of corporate ambition, personal vendettas, and compromising sexual encounters, the bank’s leadership team must grapple with their own mistakes and greed. Can this collection of power-hungry incompetents survive the devastating storm? Or will their own scandals be the final nail in the coffin as the economic crash reaches their doorstep?
DeeDee Davino, his sharp-witted and fiercely loyal assistant, is the only thing standing between Cogswell and utter disaster. Tasked with managing his blunders and fending off the corporate vultures circling overhead, DeeDee navigates a labyrinth of office politics, seductive affairs, and backstabbing ambition. She uncovers the dark secrets that could destroy everything, starting with the bank itself.
Meanwhile, Dave Powers, a marketing genius on the brink of losing everything, is recruited to turn the bank's fortunes around. While Dave's programs propel the bank to unprecedented growth, an explosive bribery scheme threatens to take down the entire banking juggernaut.
In this thrilling rollercoaster of corporate ambition, personal vendettas, and compromising sexual encounters, the bank’s leadership team must grapple with their own mistakes and greed. Can this collection of power-hungry incompetents survive the devastating storm? Or will their own scandals be the final nail in the coffin as the economic crash reaches their doorstep?
292 pages, Paperback
Published December 12, 2016
2 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Michael A. Sisti
16 books8 followersMulti book award winner Michael Sisti is a prolific writer, having written books in three genres - thriller fiction, self-help, and humor. He has also collaborated with an award-winning film producer/playwright and written a TV drama series that they are currently pitching to various studios.
As a serial entrepreneur having founded over 25 companies, Mike got an early start in life, launching his first business venture at age 11, and writing professionally in his early 20s.
His focus since childhood has been to recognize the unexpected fun that surrounds us all. This mindset sharpens his creative skills and adds to his sense of humor while providing the basis for his writing.
After growing up in Brooklyn, Mike spent 50 years in northern New Jersey. He then moved to Rhode Island, and on to Sarasota, FL. He then spent three years in Greenville, SC before returning to the Sarasota area. Each residence along the way has provided countless adventures that have become the basis for his storytelling.
Mike shares his extensive business experience with other entrepreneurs looking to grow their own businesses. He also advocates for young adults looking to begin their careers.
As a disciplined writer, Mike is at his computer about 6:30 every morning but finds time to play golf and explore the nearby parks and beaches near his home. He and his wife also like to travel. Mike is an accomplished cook, creating his own recipes. Send him an email and he’ll share recipes with you.
As a serial entrepreneur having founded over 25 companies, Mike got an early start in life, launching his first business venture at age 11, and writing professionally in his early 20s.
His focus since childhood has been to recognize the unexpected fun that surrounds us all. This mindset sharpens his creative skills and adds to his sense of humor while providing the basis for his writing.
After growing up in Brooklyn, Mike spent 50 years in northern New Jersey. He then moved to Rhode Island, and on to Sarasota, FL. He then spent three years in Greenville, SC before returning to the Sarasota area. Each residence along the way has provided countless adventures that have become the basis for his storytelling.
Mike shares his extensive business experience with other entrepreneurs looking to grow their own businesses. He also advocates for young adults looking to begin their careers.
As a disciplined writer, Mike is at his computer about 6:30 every morning but finds time to play golf and explore the nearby parks and beaches near his home. He and his wife also like to travel. Mike is an accomplished cook, creating his own recipes. Send him an email and he’ll share recipes with you.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 19, 2017
At first I thought my failure to keep a grip on the long cast of characters was going to sink me and at felt a few early point of view shifts were a little too sharp, however once I settled into this very fast paced book I really enjoyed it. Sisti has structured this story with very short chapters that add to the pacey feel. We are trotted through literally years in which a business grows from nothing into a large regional bank, and then collapses in the trauma field of the financial crisis started by the 2007 sub-prime mortgage collapse in the USA.
The gatekeeper in the male testosterone fired world is a woman, and not one modelled on a kick-arse beauty that can floor any man with a combination of looks, intelligence and gymnastic battle crafts, the likes of which have never yet actually been witnessed in real life. All the characters are just about believable, if in many cases rather clichéd. With so many actors to follow it was as well that many were solidly familiar, stock personalities.
This book makes business acquisitions and mergers seem like exciting stuff, and as if this isn’t enough there is an interesting bit of sexual intrigue as well. This is a fun read, one that once it had me hooked had no trouble keeping me so.
Sisti is a good pulp fiction writer. I mean that with the greatest of respect. He writes in a sharp entertaining, to the point, style, that draws unrepentantly on those characters that surround us all in real life. And all this is done without any demonstrable physical violence, murder, torture, or natural disasters. I’m sure I’ll read another Sisti before very long.
For the traveller, those short chapters make this book just right for reading on a crowded train.
The gatekeeper in the male testosterone fired world is a woman, and not one modelled on a kick-arse beauty that can floor any man with a combination of looks, intelligence and gymnastic battle crafts, the likes of which have never yet actually been witnessed in real life. All the characters are just about believable, if in many cases rather clichéd. With so many actors to follow it was as well that many were solidly familiar, stock personalities.
This book makes business acquisitions and mergers seem like exciting stuff, and as if this isn’t enough there is an interesting bit of sexual intrigue as well. This is a fun read, one that once it had me hooked had no trouble keeping me so.
Sisti is a good pulp fiction writer. I mean that with the greatest of respect. He writes in a sharp entertaining, to the point, style, that draws unrepentantly on those characters that surround us all in real life. And all this is done without any demonstrable physical violence, murder, torture, or natural disasters. I’m sure I’ll read another Sisti before very long.
For the traveller, those short chapters make this book just right for reading on a crowded train.
January 5, 2017
The third book read by this author brings to life a first hand insight of professional and interpersonal relationships in the contrasting environments of business success and failure. The personalities of the principal characters are empathetically developed to reflect their efforts to benefit personally from the opportunities presented by the growth of the businesses with which they are involved. The reality of individual informal power and influence overlaying formal organizational hierarchy through the leverage of family ties and personal interactions leads to several surprises as the story unfolds. The gatekeeper DD uses her personal armory in full to retain success.
January 3, 2017
His previous book was so good, I decided to try this one. This is just as good or even better. The author takes you through the incompetence and 'silliness' that often occurs within business when individuals are promoted to senior positions in spite of their previously displayed incompetence. The humor will have you hysterical and, I'm sure, you'll recognize very similar situations that occurred in your own work environment. The devotion of some employees is commendable, but unable to steer this juggernaut. I literally read it in one day. I love books that hold your attention.
January 5, 2017
I spent 29 years as a CEO of a large credit union of the SW coast of Florida. We were in the epicenter of the great recession and the subprime mortgage meltdown. The book, especially the ending, brought back memories. It's well researched and plausible. Lots of tongue in cheek humor with a lot of veiled winks to real companies and events. Great read.
January 22, 2017
I was a manager for a large international corporation stationed in different parts of the world and I met and dealt with many people just like the characters in this book. Their incompetence made me smile and kept my interest.
Sisti tells an entertaining story of greed, ruthless business behavior, bribes and political scandals, in the center of which is the “shit-for-brains” son-in law of a street savvy businessman, who used his influence to maneuver him into the position of CEO of a growing regional bank.
Can the “Gatekeeper” avoid a financial catastrophe?
A skillfully written book, enjoyable reading, fascinating from the first page to the very end.
Sisti tells an entertaining story of greed, ruthless business behavior, bribes and political scandals, in the center of which is the “shit-for-brains” son-in law of a street savvy businessman, who used his influence to maneuver him into the position of CEO of a growing regional bank.
Can the “Gatekeeper” avoid a financial catastrophe?
A skillfully written book, enjoyable reading, fascinating from the first page to the very end.
June 22, 2017
Fast paced, interesting read
This book provides an in depth look into the business and banking world with a myriad of personalities and many unexpected twists and turns along the way. The author did an excellent job with his story development and creation of characters. A very enjoyable read.
This book provides an in depth look into the business and banking world with a myriad of personalities and many unexpected twists and turns along the way. The author did an excellent job with his story development and creation of characters. A very enjoyable read.
December 27, 2016
Lots of diverse characters take so many unexpected turns that you can't wait to see how the story plays out. This is a modern story of how executives compete within a company, scruples be damned. A few expectations but lots of surprises at the end. Read this book!
June 17, 2017
Fast moving twists!
Well written corporate analysis of greed,power, fulfillment and downfall. All the elements that mirror real life events condensed in a testy business environment. Enjoy.
Well written corporate analysis of greed,power, fulfillment and downfall. All the elements that mirror real life events condensed in a testy business environment. Enjoy.
November 22, 2017
An interesting cast of characters grab you and take you on an adventure as they build their empire, only to have greed & dishonesty bring it crumbling down around them. Laced with humor it is hard to put down.
October 30, 2017
Fun easy read which I enjoyed.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews