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The Rich Guardian
The Rich Guardian is the story of one man sleepwalking through life without a sense of purpose or destiny. However, on 6 June 2018, his life is forever altered after an unexpected encounter with a foreigner who has a dark and secret past.
Clay’s new acquaintance puts him in the crosshairs of a superpower with unlimited reach.
There is nowhere to hide.
Clay’s new acquaintance puts him in the crosshairs of a superpower with unlimited reach.
There is nowhere to hide.
112 pages, Paperback
Published May 27, 2018
628 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 6, 2018
“Okay. Alexa, are you a he or a she?”
Author E. Clay has penned this fascinating short novel using Eddie Clay as his main character’s name. Of note E. Clay has written five novels under that moniker - The Seduction of Monet Dawson, The Crossover, The Syndicate: Operation Valiant Exodus, Fade to Black, and Lucid Nightmare as well as The Rich Guardian. He has also used the nom de plume Eddie Thompkins III
to publish Flagrant Misconduct, My Name is Elijah, and The Mogadishu Diaries, and third name Eddie Clay to publish Insider Threat. While it is unclear as to why he elects varied names because his books all tend toward thriller with paranormal features. As the author states, ‘One of the main objectives in writing this story was to encourage enlightenment and self-awareness of purpose.’
In THE RICH GUARDIAN Eddie lists the meanings of the many abbreviations used throughout this book – a very useful guide for most. The story focuses on Russia and espionage and even stranger manipulations of reality. According to the brief plot summary, ‘The Rich Guardian is the story of one man sleepwalking through life without a sense of purpose or destiny. However, on 6 June 2018, his life is forever altered after an unexpected encounter with a foreigner who has a dark and secret past. Eddie Clay’s new acquaintance puts him in the crosshairs of a superpower with unlimited reach. There is nowhere to hide.’
Eddie opens his story with a moody atmosphere that carries much symbolism ‘January 1, 2018 10:30 a.m. FSB Research and Development lab, St. Petersburg, Russia, secure location “Good morning, prime minister, director, and most welcomed guests. Today, I am honored to have managed such a talented team, unlike any ever assembled. The brightest scientists, engineers and innovators the world has to offer.” The keynote speaker confidently walked from the podium to engage his distinguished audience with VIP seating in the first two rows. In the center of the room was a long, oblong object with the Russian flag draped over it, almost touching the floor. “What the world offered in safety, we’ve surpassed. What the world lacked in style and comfort, we’ve improved. And what the world achieved in lethality, we’ve transcended. Ladies and gentleman, prime minister, director… behold modern innovation without peer,” he said with a raised fist. With a loud clap, the Russian flag draping the object vanished and reappeared hanging high from the rafters for all to see. Standing ovation. “Please remain standing for our great country’s national anthem.” Following the conclusion of the Russian national anthem the guests took their seats. The keynote speaker broke his salute and stepped near the exhibit. He delicately stroked the beautiful contours… of the new presidential limousine. The limousine was a sleek, black armored Mercedes loaded with Russian innovation: state-of-the-art technology designed to withstand an RPG attack or a roadside bomb intended for a tank, a communications package that could not be deciphered by the NSA or the British GCHQ,‘
Moving this odd presidential limousine that can fire missiles forward we encounter Eddie, his friend Tony, a life-sized hologram named Alexa (a fine pun on the new command devices answering questions in our homes at present!), and the mystery builds form there.
E. Clay writes with an immediacy that makes the twists and reconfigurations of reality credible. This is fine espionage/thriller/ paranormal writing that deserves to be a bit longer - if not a screenplay! Grady Harp, June 18
Author E. Clay has penned this fascinating short novel using Eddie Clay as his main character’s name. Of note E. Clay has written five novels under that moniker - The Seduction of Monet Dawson, The Crossover, The Syndicate: Operation Valiant Exodus, Fade to Black, and Lucid Nightmare as well as The Rich Guardian. He has also used the nom de plume Eddie Thompkins III
to publish Flagrant Misconduct, My Name is Elijah, and The Mogadishu Diaries, and third name Eddie Clay to publish Insider Threat. While it is unclear as to why he elects varied names because his books all tend toward thriller with paranormal features. As the author states, ‘One of the main objectives in writing this story was to encourage enlightenment and self-awareness of purpose.’
In THE RICH GUARDIAN Eddie lists the meanings of the many abbreviations used throughout this book – a very useful guide for most. The story focuses on Russia and espionage and even stranger manipulations of reality. According to the brief plot summary, ‘The Rich Guardian is the story of one man sleepwalking through life without a sense of purpose or destiny. However, on 6 June 2018, his life is forever altered after an unexpected encounter with a foreigner who has a dark and secret past. Eddie Clay’s new acquaintance puts him in the crosshairs of a superpower with unlimited reach. There is nowhere to hide.’
Eddie opens his story with a moody atmosphere that carries much symbolism ‘January 1, 2018 10:30 a.m. FSB Research and Development lab, St. Petersburg, Russia, secure location “Good morning, prime minister, director, and most welcomed guests. Today, I am honored to have managed such a talented team, unlike any ever assembled. The brightest scientists, engineers and innovators the world has to offer.” The keynote speaker confidently walked from the podium to engage his distinguished audience with VIP seating in the first two rows. In the center of the room was a long, oblong object with the Russian flag draped over it, almost touching the floor. “What the world offered in safety, we’ve surpassed. What the world lacked in style and comfort, we’ve improved. And what the world achieved in lethality, we’ve transcended. Ladies and gentleman, prime minister, director… behold modern innovation without peer,” he said with a raised fist. With a loud clap, the Russian flag draping the object vanished and reappeared hanging high from the rafters for all to see. Standing ovation. “Please remain standing for our great country’s national anthem.” Following the conclusion of the Russian national anthem the guests took their seats. The keynote speaker broke his salute and stepped near the exhibit. He delicately stroked the beautiful contours… of the new presidential limousine. The limousine was a sleek, black armored Mercedes loaded with Russian innovation: state-of-the-art technology designed to withstand an RPG attack or a roadside bomb intended for a tank, a communications package that could not be deciphered by the NSA or the British GCHQ,‘
Moving this odd presidential limousine that can fire missiles forward we encounter Eddie, his friend Tony, a life-sized hologram named Alexa (a fine pun on the new command devices answering questions in our homes at present!), and the mystery builds form there.
E. Clay writes with an immediacy that makes the twists and reconfigurations of reality credible. This is fine espionage/thriller/ paranormal writing that deserves to be a bit longer - if not a screenplay! Grady Harp, June 18
July 9, 2018
I did not read an e-Book. It was a paperback copy with a front and back cover.
The Rich Guardian is really what I consider a Novella: not too long and can be read in one sitting. Yes, I read it in one sitting. This was mainly because the book was exciting and well written and- then, I was done! I asked myself, "Is there more?" This question is always a sign of a good book.
Clay has written other books, some under other names, or variations of Clay. Some were noted to be bestsellers, none of which I have read, but for which I will be looking.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
The Rich Guardian is really what I consider a Novella: not too long and can be read in one sitting. Yes, I read it in one sitting. This was mainly because the book was exciting and well written and- then, I was done! I asked myself, "Is there more?" This question is always a sign of a good book.
Clay has written other books, some under other names, or variations of Clay. Some were noted to be bestsellers, none of which I have read, but for which I will be looking.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
July 13, 2018
This page gripping fast paced novel is full of brutal intelligence and ironic friendship between 2 men fighting against the FSB Russian Federal Security Service fight or flighting throughout every chapter cheating death unnoticed and figuring out who they are and what is to be expected of them. In other words, once you start reading you will not want to put it down. It will have you thinking: you should be thankful for your blessings. And like the quote goes, "Every day above ground is a great day, remember that."
September 15, 2025
I got this book through a Goodreads giveaway for an honest review.
I would say 3.5 but I am rounding up because I enjoyed it.
Spy/Espionage fans will enjoy this little Novella. very quick read. Filled with intrigue and Russian spies.
I marked it down to a 3.5 because of Date/time issues. At the beginning of the first two chapters there is a date and time. Then through out the rest of the book, at the beginning of the chapters there is only the time or nothing at all. Then the last couple chapters are clearly in the distant future of the events of the book, so it would have been nice to know how far. As well as when you do see the date, the protagonist's friend says tomorrow there is a auction, and then it goes to the next chapter and they are at the auction but the date is 6/7 days later?
I am not sure if I got an early edition and they have fixed the date issues, but if not that was very confusing to know the timeline.
There were also a lot of the times where Russian was used but the author never really translated what was said. So those parts of the dialogue were very confusing.
Other than those little issues, the story was very entertaining.
I would say 3.5 but I am rounding up because I enjoyed it.
Spy/Espionage fans will enjoy this little Novella. very quick read. Filled with intrigue and Russian spies.
I marked it down to a 3.5 because of Date/time issues. At the beginning of the first two chapters there is a date and time. Then through out the rest of the book, at the beginning of the chapters there is only the time or nothing at all. Then the last couple chapters are clearly in the distant future of the events of the book, so it would have been nice to know how far. As well as when you do see the date, the protagonist's friend says tomorrow there is a auction, and then it goes to the next chapter and they are at the auction but the date is 6/7 days later?
I am not sure if I got an early edition and they have fixed the date issues, but if not that was very confusing to know the timeline.
There were also a lot of the times where Russian was used but the author never really translated what was said. So those parts of the dialogue were very confusing.
Other than those little issues, the story was very entertaining.
June 6, 2018
Eddie Clay, who has for the first fifty years of his life not done much of anything, gets some insider information from a buddy in customs and bids on an unclaimed container. Disappointed at first about the limited-edition Mercedes he ends up with, events quickly turn sour. He realizes that the secrets of this vehicle could very easily kill him, and he races to figure out how to survive the wrath of the cars owner. Alex, a mysterious and multi-talented FSB agent picks up Eddie and takes control of the situation, but Eddie will have to decide who he can really trust.
Full of action that leaves you at the edge of your seat, this book was a quick read only in the fact that I was glued after the first 10-15 pages. Well written and free from grammatical or sentence structure errors. There is a little something for everybody, mystery, action, suspense, and thrills.
Full of action that leaves you at the edge of your seat, this book was a quick read only in the fact that I was glued after the first 10-15 pages. Well written and free from grammatical or sentence structure errors. There is a little something for everybody, mystery, action, suspense, and thrills.
June 7, 2018
The Rich Guardian by E. Clay is a quick, short read that grabs your attention right at the start. It's all about Eddie Clay who has kind of been skating through life, until he gets a unique opportunity. He buys an outfitted Mercedes with every upgrade imaginable, which might have ties to Russia, and then meets a mysterious man named Alex who says he can protect him. Eddie doesn't know who to trust in this fast paced story, that is full of suspense and mystery. Well written, this is a fun story filled with intrigue, that will keep you guessing until the end. Espionage, the Russian influence which is very timely, and holograms named Alexa make this book a fun romp that will keep your heart pumping. Highly recommend this writer and this fantastic short book.
June 19, 2018
Short and sweet, that is a perfect description for this book. OK, maybe not just that, but it is also exciting, fast, fun and thrilling. And much more.
The story is really simple, we have a main character who is kind of useless in his life so far, but he stumbles on a cool find, a car. But the car comes with a whole new world of problems, ties to Russia and whatnot, so Eddie, our guy, is not in a good place.
That is briefly what it is all about, and it is clear that the author wants to write a simple, action-packed, fun story that everyone can enjoy. What is even more important, he really does know how to write it. I just wish that the book is longer, but who knows, maybe the fast pace and tightness of plot would be ruined that way. For what it is, it is great, I really recommend it.
The story is really simple, we have a main character who is kind of useless in his life so far, but he stumbles on a cool find, a car. But the car comes with a whole new world of problems, ties to Russia and whatnot, so Eddie, our guy, is not in a good place.
That is briefly what it is all about, and it is clear that the author wants to write a simple, action-packed, fun story that everyone can enjoy. What is even more important, he really does know how to write it. I just wish that the book is longer, but who knows, maybe the fast pace and tightness of plot would be ruined that way. For what it is, it is great, I really recommend it.
January 14, 2020
Excellent book!!!
February 20, 2020
The Rich Guardian is a true page-turner. Simply excellent!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews