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Power and Money #7
Последна сделка
Саймън Ейот, бързо изгряващата звезда в „Ревиър Партнърс" - една от най-големите инвестиционни фирми в Бостън - като че ли е подредил живота си както трябва: женен отскоро за красивата Лиза, работеща в сферата на биотехнологиите, той е на прага да приключи първата си голяма сделка.
Затова Саймън е разстроен, когато Франк Кук, един от собствениците на „Ревиър" и негов тъст, отказва финансиране на инвестицията във фирма, специализирана в продукти за Интернет. Но гневът му бързо се превръща в ужас, когато няколко дни по-късно Франк е намерен мъртъв в отдалечената си къща на брега на морето. На всичко отгоре полицията бързо разкрива, че Саймън е може би последният, който го е видял жив...
Затова Саймън е разстроен, когато Франк Кук, един от собствениците на „Ревиър" и негов тъст, отказва финансиране на инвестицията във фирма, специализирана в продукти за Интернет. Но гневът му бързо се превръща в ужас, когато няколко дни по-късно Франк е намерен мъртъв в отдалечената си къща на брега на морето. На всичко отгоре полицията бързо разкрива, че Саймън е може би последният, който го е видял жив...
398 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
102 people are currently reading
536 people want to read
About the author
Michael Ridpath
65 books312 followersBefore becoming a writer, Michael Ridpath used to work as a bond trader in the City of London. After writing several financial thrillers, which were published in over 30 languages, he began a crime series featuring the Icelandic detective Magnus Jonson. He has also written five stand-alone thrillers, the latest of which is The Diplomat’s Wife, published in February 2021. He lives in London.
And if you want a free copy of his novella, The Polar Bear Killing, and to sign up to his quarterly newsletter, just click this link: http://eepurl.com/dlzgFH
And if you want a free copy of his novella, The Polar Bear Killing, and to sign up to his quarterly newsletter, just click this link: http://eepurl.com/dlzgFH
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
not4me
July 6, 2025Not for me
Clean
Purchased from Amazon November 13, 2015
Clean
Purchased from Amazon November 13, 2015
June 20, 2020
In this mysterious thriller we accompany Simon Ayot, a top-notch venture capitalist from Boston. Life is good for Simon. His boss – and-father-in law – has his back, and he loves his wife Lisa. All that changes abruptly. First, his father-in-law denies a life-or-death financing round for Simon’ largest tech-client. And when Simon visits him in his country house, he finds the old man dead. In the ensuing murder-investigation Simon becomes the prime suspect. But are the cops really his major problem? And what role does the pharmaceutical corporation BioOne, a client of Simon’s firm, play in all these events? There is only one thing Simon knows for sure: To stay alive and to save his marriage, he must figure out who killed his father-in-law. And who will be the next to die.
As with most novels, Ridpath’s style and story make it easy to fly through the page of this financial thriller – the novel’s subtitle is more than justified. Moreover, I enjoyed the dialogue and the narrative tempo, as well as the great depiction of how venture capitalists work. If you are looking for a spine-tingling murder-mystery with money-managers from the northeast, this is your book.
As with most novels, Ridpath’s style and story make it easy to fly through the page of this financial thriller – the novel’s subtitle is more than justified. Moreover, I enjoyed the dialogue and the narrative tempo, as well as the great depiction of how venture capitalists work. If you are looking for a spine-tingling murder-mystery with money-managers from the northeast, this is your book.
September 21, 2019
Enjoyable glimpse into the world of venture capital intertwined with a serial killer mystery and a family drama. I also learned more about big pharma.
I liked the mix of regular, workaday business life and home life as Simon becomes suspected of the murder of his father-in-law who was also his boss. The police suspect Simon immediately and Simon's wife begins to doubt him as well. Simon must snoop around to determine the real killer since the police are to distracted trying to find evidence against him.
The venture capital firm Simon works for has investments in many businesses. I got a titch confused by some of the business relationships and how much of an ownership share the different entities had in each other.
Also, although the police suspect Simon, they don't arrest him, conveniently allowing him to follow leads on his own. Maybe that's realistic but parts of it struck me as a bit too convenient.
Despite a few confusing and contrived elements, overall I enjoyed the murder mystery, the big money stakes, and Simon's basic decency. Three stars.
I liked the mix of regular, workaday business life and home life as Simon becomes suspected of the murder of his father-in-law who was also his boss. The police suspect Simon immediately and Simon's wife begins to doubt him as well. Simon must snoop around to determine the real killer since the police are to distracted trying to find evidence against him.
The venture capital firm Simon works for has investments in many businesses. I got a titch confused by some of the business relationships and how much of an ownership share the different entities had in each other.
Also, although the police suspect Simon, they don't arrest him, conveniently allowing him to follow leads on his own. Maybe that's realistic but parts of it struck me as a bit too convenient.
Despite a few confusing and contrived elements, overall I enjoyed the murder mystery, the big money stakes, and Simon's basic decency. Three stars.
April 7, 2017
I had not read a Ridpath novel for nearly 20 `years - this one continued his theme of writing financial thrillers. This time an Englishman based in Boston Venture Capital is the centre of the story, as his world starts to fall apart. The narrative maintains a strong momentum all the way through and I found I read it very quickly, always a sign that the pace of the book has got me caught up in the story.
July 21, 2017
This book was different than the cover art suggested (I got it straight to the Kindle and so I didn't see the cover notes and just dug in). I expected Sci-Fi and got more of suspense, thriller, who-dun-it. I must say I was not disappointed. It's a book that holds your attention and it is well written. It was a fairly quick read for a book its size, which says something about it's content as well. Overall, I enjoyed this one.
January 2, 2019
Took a few chapters for Ridpath to find his stride here, but once he did it was fine. The very end felt a bit cobbled together, but overall it was enjoyable.
April 14, 2016
49/100
Nach drei physisch ziemlich hilflosen Helden hat Michael Ridpath mit dem ehemaligen Gardekavalleristen Sir Simon Ayot einen vergleichsweise wehrhaften Helden ins Haifischbecken der Finanzmärkte geworfen. Aber, abgesehen von einer Prügelei mit drei Russenmafiosi, in deren Verlauf er auch noch dem Falschen zu Hilfe kommt, ist auch dieser findige Quereinsteiger in die Finanzbranche ein eher passiver Held, der ohne Hilfe von außen den Moment der Wahrheit nicht überlebt hätte.
Ridpath wird erst drei Bücher später in der Lage sein einen Helden zu entwickeln, der sich seiner Haut wehren kann, tatsächlich stellt sein erster Alex Calder-Roman Absturz und der vorhergehende Fatal Error mit seinem Drama von Freundschaft und Verrat den Gipfel seiner Finanzmarkt-Krimis dar.
Der gut lesbare Stil ist auch in Feindliche Übernahme der Aktivposten, sonst bleibt das Opus vier in Sachen Charakterzeichnung und Kapitalmarkt-Thrills hinter den Vorgängern wie den Nachfolgern zurück. Auf Simon prasselt einfach zu lange Zeit zu viel Unverständliches herein, abgesehen davon sind Helden, die zwei Drittel des Buches ihre Frau zurück haben wollen, auch wenn sie ihnen noch so unmotiviert einen Tritt nach dem anderen verpasst, ohnehin nicht so mein Ding.
Durchaus denkbar, dass die feindliche Übernahme im direkten Vergleich mit dem Erstling Der Spekulant sogar besser abschneiden würde, aber beim ersten Streich und großen Durchbruch war das Konzept Börse für Dummies mit einer Prise Mord noch neu. Für mich ist das Opus vier klar der schwächste von Ridpaths Investment-Krimis, habe das Buch nicht um sonst zwei mal abgebrochen, die wirtschaftlichen Fakten sind so weit überzeugend, die Ehekrise und das Verbrechen eher unterdurchschnittlich.
Nach drei physisch ziemlich hilflosen Helden hat Michael Ridpath mit dem ehemaligen Gardekavalleristen Sir Simon Ayot einen vergleichsweise wehrhaften Helden ins Haifischbecken der Finanzmärkte geworfen. Aber, abgesehen von einer Prügelei mit drei Russenmafiosi, in deren Verlauf er auch noch dem Falschen zu Hilfe kommt, ist auch dieser findige Quereinsteiger in die Finanzbranche ein eher passiver Held, der ohne Hilfe von außen den Moment der Wahrheit nicht überlebt hätte.
Ridpath wird erst drei Bücher später in der Lage sein einen Helden zu entwickeln, der sich seiner Haut wehren kann, tatsächlich stellt sein erster Alex Calder-Roman Absturz und der vorhergehende Fatal Error mit seinem Drama von Freundschaft und Verrat den Gipfel seiner Finanzmarkt-Krimis dar.
Der gut lesbare Stil ist auch in Feindliche Übernahme der Aktivposten, sonst bleibt das Opus vier in Sachen Charakterzeichnung und Kapitalmarkt-Thrills hinter den Vorgängern wie den Nachfolgern zurück. Auf Simon prasselt einfach zu lange Zeit zu viel Unverständliches herein, abgesehen davon sind Helden, die zwei Drittel des Buches ihre Frau zurück haben wollen, auch wenn sie ihnen noch so unmotiviert einen Tritt nach dem anderen verpasst, ohnehin nicht so mein Ding.
Durchaus denkbar, dass die feindliche Übernahme im direkten Vergleich mit dem Erstling Der Spekulant sogar besser abschneiden würde, aber beim ersten Streich und großen Durchbruch war das Konzept Börse für Dummies mit einer Prise Mord noch neu. Für mich ist das Opus vier klar der schwächste von Ridpaths Investment-Krimis, habe das Buch nicht um sonst zwei mal abgebrochen, die wirtschaftlichen Fakten sind so weit überzeugend, die Ehekrise und das Verbrechen eher unterdurchschnittlich.
April 15, 2016
ebook Kindle Unlimited
After young venture capitalist Simon Ayot finds his father-in-law lying dead from a gunshot wound, and all the damning evidence points to Simon. With the police determined to prove his guilt, and even his grief-stricken wife beginning to suspect him, he races to clear his name and save his marriage-all too aware that the next murder may very well be his own....
The venture capital company rev under the surface has many changes, scheming corruption under the surface including many personal isses.
The founder health is catching up on him so has let Frank and other partners know that he is about to retire with Frank or an outsider would take over His initial friend and partner was expecting to take charge. He had on pper a successful investment Biotec based on a yet untested product in clinical trials. Tests are keept secret but some know including Dnial that the results are showing that after six months use a side effect of strokes was high. But the company owner did not want to see this and had covered up deceiving investors, market and himself as well
"Move over, John Grisham. A new star has entered the world of popular action fiction." -Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan
"Michael Ridpath plots his story tightly and smoothly and roams all his worlds, virtual and otherwise, with authority."-New York Times
After young venture capitalist Simon Ayot finds his father-in-law lying dead from a gunshot wound, and all the damning evidence points to Simon. With the police determined to prove his guilt, and even his grief-stricken wife beginning to suspect him, he races to clear his name and save his marriage-all too aware that the next murder may very well be his own....
The venture capital company rev under the surface has many changes, scheming corruption under the surface including many personal isses.
The founder health is catching up on him so has let Frank and other partners know that he is about to retire with Frank or an outsider would take over His initial friend and partner was expecting to take charge. He had on pper a successful investment Biotec based on a yet untested product in clinical trials. Tests are keept secret but some know including Dnial that the results are showing that after six months use a side effect of strokes was high. But the company owner did not want to see this and had covered up deceiving investors, market and himself as well
"Move over, John Grisham. A new star has entered the world of popular action fiction." -Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan
"Michael Ridpath plots his story tightly and smoothly and roams all his worlds, virtual and otherwise, with authority."-New York Times
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2015
REALLY, REALLY GOOD READ!
At the very beginning I wasn't absolutely sure about this book but by the third chapter I was hooked and ended up finding it very hard to putt down. The characters and the story line are done so we'll it not only puts you in the story experiencing it the characters themselves become like family. I'm still thinking about them and would love to read more stories featuring these people and the businesses they are in. This is a definite winner and the kind of boo ok that makes you want to read everything by this author which is exactly what I'm going to go look into. Get this book-you'll be highly entertained as you transport to their world of investments, pharmaceutical morals, life choices and a great thrilling mystery. :)
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! :D
At the very beginning I wasn't absolutely sure about this book but by the third chapter I was hooked and ended up finding it very hard to putt down. The characters and the story line are done so we'll it not only puts you in the story experiencing it the characters themselves become like family. I'm still thinking about them and would love to read more stories featuring these people and the businesses they are in. This is a definite winner and the kind of boo ok that makes you want to read everything by this author which is exactly what I'm going to go look into. Get this book-you'll be highly entertained as you transport to their world of investments, pharmaceutical morals, life choices and a great thrilling mystery. :)
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!! :D
November 17, 2015
A pretty enjoyable book that was free in the kindle store. It was listed as a thriller, and although there were a few touch and go moments, some blood and a murder or two that needed solving, it was missing those blood-curdling, nail biting, hold-your-breathe moments that most thrillers have. I rather liked that. Simon Aoyt, a venture capital associate, becomes the primary suspect in the murder of his father-in-law which causes marriage and work problems.
3 1/2 stars...still rounding up. :)
3 1/2 stars...still rounding up. :)
November 29, 2015
Well written who done it.
I enjoyed the mix of financial world with the biotechnology world. There were lots of twists and the characters are well developed. A good read.
I enjoyed the mix of financial world with the biotechnology world. There were lots of twists and the characters are well developed. A good read.
December 13, 2015
I really enjoyed the mix of the financial and bio-tec worlds. This book had a few twist to it and it was a well written story and characters.
January 29, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. There were a couple things that felt a little odd. The British spellings and terms in a book set in the U.S. was a bit strange. When its in dialog, fine, it's a British character, but otherwise I would have preferred it to stick to American English. I also felt the writer didn't explain well enough Simon's background of how he came to be in the position he was or why he was in America. This could have been set up better, especially if Simon turns into a recurring character.
Otherwise, I enjoyed this interesting story about the world of finance and how desperate one can get to "make it." The reason for the deaths was pretty easy to guess early on but the perpetrator wasn't. All the loose ends were neatly tied up. It was interesting considering this was written when the internet was not nearly as sophisticated as it is today, so it was interesting to see detective work being done in the streets and not behind a computer. I agree with other reviewers who did not like the wife, her reactions were way out of proportion. The other characters, especially Simon, were really good. Likely I would enjoy other books from this writer.
Otherwise, I enjoyed this interesting story about the world of finance and how desperate one can get to "make it." The reason for the deaths was pretty easy to guess early on but the perpetrator wasn't. All the loose ends were neatly tied up. It was interesting considering this was written when the internet was not nearly as sophisticated as it is today, so it was interesting to see detective work being done in the streets and not behind a computer. I agree with other reviewers who did not like the wife, her reactions were way out of proportion. The other characters, especially Simon, were really good. Likely I would enjoy other books from this writer.
September 1, 2022
I enjoyed reading the book. I'm British, wouldn't usually enjoy a book set in USA's financial heartland, but the author has provided a British lead character. That did the trick for me, successfully taking my personal perspective into the story.
The plot struck me as a little bit thin near the end, when the hero was trying to win back his wife. But overall there was good pace, plenty to keep me engaged, and a good climax. There are plenty of twists and turns to the plot, some good detective work by the hero, and I was nearly all the way through the book by the time I thought I knew who the real baddie was.
And the Kindle book was well edited. I noticed only one typo which is good going these days.
The plot struck me as a little bit thin near the end, when the hero was trying to win back his wife. But overall there was good pace, plenty to keep me engaged, and a good climax. There are plenty of twists and turns to the plot, some good detective work by the hero, and I was nearly all the way through the book by the time I thought I knew who the real baddie was.
And the Kindle book was well edited. I noticed only one typo which is good going these days.
April 15, 2018
This was an entertaining murder mystery told from the point of view of the prime suspect, who is striving to prove he didn't do it. The plot involves a venture capital firm and several of the start-ups they have financed. The author does a good job of presenting multiple alternative killers, and our hero doggedly tries to figure out which of them did it, all the while figuring prominently in the police detective's sights. The writing was good, and I was not able to guess 'whodunit' before the protagonist did. This was a very good read and I'd like to read more by Ridpath.
January 17, 2024
Low four, maybe a three on not so good days. The premise looks interesting enough, and some of the characters are compelling enough. It's just that partially I wasn't convinced of the turnaround of the main lady, and partially it was barely about the markets. In any case it's not three, but it's not five either.
April 15, 2018
Good Read
I learned more about be venture capitalism then I ever thought I would. I had to wonder about some seemingly lapsed in thinking, i.e., why the gun found in their home did not immediately strike them as a key clue.
I learned more about be venture capitalism then I ever thought I would. I had to wonder about some seemingly lapsed in thinking, i.e., why the gun found in their home did not immediately strike them as a key clue.
January 6, 2020
A extremely well written, quality book exploring venture capital, murder mystery and straining of personal relationships. This is achieved while exploring Pharma and other technological advancement in development, funding and scientific research.
May 28, 2017
Excellence is always expected of Michael Ridpath! And he delivered!
April 11, 2018
Well written
I sure didn't see that ending until the end. The story was well done. The wife was not overly likeable but Simon was a fantastic character. I enjoyed the book.
I sure didn't see that ending until the end. The story was well done. The wife was not overly likeable but Simon was a fantastic character. I enjoyed the book.
May 12, 2018
A very enjoyable and intelligent mystery read. I'm glad I found this author. I will read more of his work.
September 3, 2018
DNF... no plot really
May 5, 2020
Excellent novel
Very exciting thriller clear and engaging enjoyed every moment was never left bored grabbed my attention and imagination at every level.
Very exciting thriller clear and engaging enjoyed every moment was never left bored grabbed my attention and imagination at every level.
May 5, 2021
Имав ниски очекувања, а добив солиден трилер од областа на капитални инвестиции и биотехнологија.
November 18, 2021
I'm not used to the technical talk about capital ventures but it didn't take long to figure out what was going on. Very interesting and very tense. Loved it!
June 18, 2022
Fun Financial Thriller
A fun read. It keeps the reader guessing as the twists and turns take place. One can’t help but to sympathize with the main character.
A fun read. It keeps the reader guessing as the twists and turns take place. One can’t help but to sympathize with the main character.
May 17, 2025
Clever and fun only knocky corny romance for main character
November 4, 2016
Not my usual reading genre but ok.
June 17, 2022
Within the thriller genre, the books by the author occupy the financial markets niche. However, very little from the technicalities within the private equity world are revealed. For example, the investment approach appears to be driven by emotion rather than supported by a thorough framework developed by seasoned investors. It is also unclear which metrics are used to drive investment decisions and this tells me that the reader is not taken very seriously. Also, the firm in question operates without a compliance officer, and from there the plot holes keep mounting.
The premise of the book, ie a string of homicides to push through the approval of a drug, is far too incredulous. The pacing is such that it makes for a quick read and is void of symbolism and figures of speech, in other words, hardly a literary work. Mildly entertaining, but what is even more entertaining is bringing this back to the second hand book store.
The premise of the book, ie a string of homicides to push through the approval of a drug, is far too incredulous. The pacing is such that it makes for a quick read and is void of symbolism and figures of speech, in other words, hardly a literary work. Mildly entertaining, but what is even more entertaining is bringing this back to the second hand book store.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews