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Phantom Money
The trial of a lifetime is about to begin . . .
At the center of Phantom Money lies Declan Collins, a brilliant criminal defense lawyer, who writes a screenplay woven around an ingenious money laundering scheme. The script is nothing more than an artistic dalliance until Matt Esposito, Collins’ best friend, gives it to Blackpool Studios, a new movie studio with big money. A week later, Collins and Esposito find themselves on a private jet to Mexico to meet with an investor interested in making the screenplay into a film. Unfortunately for Declan and Matt, the “investor” is Ramon Cayetano, the head of a very old and powerful Mexican drug cartel.
Cayetano desperately needs to launder one hundred million dollars of drug profits into the US within six months, and he intends to use Collins’s scheme to make that happen. Collins and Esposito are forced to play the lead roles in the illicit operation, thrusting them into a world of intrigue, violence, and mortal danger.
To survive, they must secretly launder a mountain of money in an impossibly short time, deceive an FBI strike team, and outwit the drug lord. Sean O’Keefe has written a complex and exciting page-turner (think The Firm meets Ozark) that will have his readers rapt until its dramatic ending.
At the center of Phantom Money lies Declan Collins, a brilliant criminal defense lawyer, who writes a screenplay woven around an ingenious money laundering scheme. The script is nothing more than an artistic dalliance until Matt Esposito, Collins’ best friend, gives it to Blackpool Studios, a new movie studio with big money. A week later, Collins and Esposito find themselves on a private jet to Mexico to meet with an investor interested in making the screenplay into a film. Unfortunately for Declan and Matt, the “investor” is Ramon Cayetano, the head of a very old and powerful Mexican drug cartel.
Cayetano desperately needs to launder one hundred million dollars of drug profits into the US within six months, and he intends to use Collins’s scheme to make that happen. Collins and Esposito are forced to play the lead roles in the illicit operation, thrusting them into a world of intrigue, violence, and mortal danger.
To survive, they must secretly launder a mountain of money in an impossibly short time, deceive an FBI strike team, and outwit the drug lord. Sean O’Keefe has written a complex and exciting page-turner (think The Firm meets Ozark) that will have his readers rapt until its dramatic ending.
419 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 2, 2021
33 people are currently reading
1021 people want to read
About the author
S. Alexander O'Keefe
3 books60 followersS. Alexander O’Keefe was born in Providence, Rhode Island. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Fordham University School of Law, and he practices law in Orange County, California. Mr. O’Keefe and his wife, Cathy, who live in Irvine, California, have three children. Phantom Money is Mr. O'Keefe's third novel.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 25, 2024
One corner of a money-laundering scheme
From the moment I started reading Phantom Money by S. Alexander O'Keefe my guts started to clench, and they didn't stop until I turned the last page. Probably the only thing missing was someone's dog getting shot (but surviving) trying to protect his owner. The action was smooth, slick, and deliberately paced to wring every last ounce of humanity from the pages. Characters were both likable and nasty. The storyline was credible, and as far as my feeble brain could follow, accurate. No explicit sex, although some graphic violence. Altogether, one he'll of a punch!
From the moment I started reading Phantom Money by S. Alexander O'Keefe my guts started to clench, and they didn't stop until I turned the last page. Probably the only thing missing was someone's dog getting shot (but surviving) trying to protect his owner. The action was smooth, slick, and deliberately paced to wring every last ounce of humanity from the pages. Characters were both likable and nasty. The storyline was credible, and as far as my feeble brain could follow, accurate. No explicit sex, although some graphic violence. Altogether, one he'll of a punch!
May 7, 2021
I won this book in a goodreads drawing.
A tax lawyer writes a screenplay about money laundering, and the head of a Mexican cartel just happens to need a large fortune laundered. The lawyer is co-erced, not only on pain of death, but also they abduct someone close to him.
He starts the scheme, meanwhile, the FBI, rival cartels and others are interested in the deal.
Fairly tense, with a couple of false endings.
A tax lawyer writes a screenplay about money laundering, and the head of a Mexican cartel just happens to need a large fortune laundered. The lawyer is co-erced, not only on pain of death, but also they abduct someone close to him.
He starts the scheme, meanwhile, the FBI, rival cartels and others are interested in the deal.
Fairly tense, with a couple of false endings.
April 26, 2021
Wooooo! What a freaking ride! Hooked from the very start, although I will admit the initial rundown of the scheme had me lost as I'm NOT financially fluent in the least. That said, this was an outstanding thriller full of suspense and action. LOVED IT!!!
August 9, 2021
Phantom Money
I enjoyed it. I hadn’t heard of the author but the write up sounded good so I tried it. Glad I did. Good plot that was believable. Good characters developed nicely. Bad guys were bad and you knew it. Good tension throughout the story. Nice twist at the end. Will definitely look for other books by this author. Recommended.
I enjoyed it. I hadn’t heard of the author but the write up sounded good so I tried it. Glad I did. Good plot that was believable. Good characters developed nicely. Bad guys were bad and you knew it. Good tension throughout the story. Nice twist at the end. Will definitely look for other books by this author. Recommended.
August 14, 2021
A great story !
A very complex scheme and storyline that was totally engrossing ! This story would make an excellent movie! Interesting characters who were believable and intertwined in a well developed introduction to each side of the story . Most enjoyable !
A very complex scheme and storyline that was totally engrossing ! This story would make an excellent movie! Interesting characters who were believable and intertwined in a well developed introduction to each side of the story . Most enjoyable !
August 14, 2021
Outstanding!
Wow. What a book. I agree with one reviewer who said that it would make a great movie. I couldn't begin to understand the complexities of the money laundering scheme that was in play, but I don't think it mattered. All you need to know is that there were a lot of moving parts, a short timeframe, and a hostage situation to boot. Absolutely excellent.
Wow. What a book. I agree with one reviewer who said that it would make a great movie. I couldn't begin to understand the complexities of the money laundering scheme that was in play, but I don't think it mattered. All you need to know is that there were a lot of moving parts, a short timeframe, and a hostage situation to boot. Absolutely excellent.
September 17, 2021
I always like a good thriller and this is one of the best. I didn't understand much of the financial money part but the complicated and violent intrigue was a captivating story. Great characters, lots of twists and turns, a fast paced plot and a jolt at the end.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
February 14, 2021
Mix a screenplay written by a lawyer with a studio back by a Mexican cartel looking to launder their money and you get the recipe for an entertains novel. I received an advanced digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
March 2, 2021
This is pretty entertaining. The author has written others books, and knows how to create a good story and characters. I stayed mostly engaged, and admire the author's imagination. The premise intrigued me, and it was executed pretty effectively.
Thanks very much for the ARC for review!!
Thanks very much for the ARC for review!!
April 25, 2021
This book seems well written, but was just not for me. The subject matter was not something that could hold my interest. I guess if financial suspense interest you, this book might be great, most of it went right over my head and it worked like a sleeping pill.
May 19, 2021
Phantom Money
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Initially I wasn't sure I would read the book in it's entirety. I did and it became hard to put down. It was fast paced the entire story. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to reading another book by Mr. O'Keefe.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Initially I wasn't sure I would read the book in it's entirety. I did and it became hard to put down. It was fast paced the entire story. I thoroughly enjoyed it and look forward to reading another book by Mr. O'Keefe.
February 21, 2021
This book is readable and entertaining, but there are logical flaws in the plot, and all the descriptions are a little tiresome, especially at the beginning. I like a better flow.
April 5, 2021
good book
April 11, 2021
Enjoyable storyline and read
May 10, 2021
Wow! A thriller with a lot of twists! Enjoy it! Thanks Goodreads!
Did Not Finish
May 19, 2021I was so super confused by Chapter 3 I couldn't finish.
June 2, 2021
Goodreads win. First time I am reading anything, O'Keefe. Exciting fast paced read.
July 30, 2021
Even though I'm not a lawyer nor do I know anything about money laundering, this book was pretty darn good.
April 24, 2022
For January my reading group, Novel Conversations, pocked a thriller, a financial thriller to be precise. I picked this one, partially because I had just received it in the mail, so it was at hand and mainly because my other such thrillers were packed away. I'm kind of glad I read this one. It feels more in line with reality.
Basic plot goes like this: Lawyer who defends people accused of laundering money is slightly bored with the repetition in crimes. So he creates a money laundering scheme and writes a screen play for a movie about it. His buddy tells some movie producer types about the screen play at a Hollywood party. The producer types offer to make the movie. The lawyer is intrigued but he wants to check the producer types' bona fides. The lawyer and his buddy fly to the moneyman's estate, where they are taken prisoner.
That is just the first act, so you know this book is going places. The moneyman is not who he seems. The lawyer and his buddy both needs to be free to work the scheme, so another relative is kidnapped to act a hostage. The scheme itself is not that intricate, but there are a lot of moving parts.
As with all thrillers, the fun is in seeing the good guys turn the tables on the bad guys and come out on top. This book delivers on all points. I enjoyed it a lot and I think you will to.
Basic plot goes like this: Lawyer who defends people accused of laundering money is slightly bored with the repetition in crimes. So he creates a money laundering scheme and writes a screen play for a movie about it. His buddy tells some movie producer types about the screen play at a Hollywood party. The producer types offer to make the movie. The lawyer is intrigued but he wants to check the producer types' bona fides. The lawyer and his buddy fly to the moneyman's estate, where they are taken prisoner.
That is just the first act, so you know this book is going places. The moneyman is not who he seems. The lawyer and his buddy both needs to be free to work the scheme, so another relative is kidnapped to act a hostage. The scheme itself is not that intricate, but there are a lot of moving parts.
As with all thrillers, the fun is in seeing the good guys turn the tables on the bad guys and come out on top. This book delivers on all points. I enjoyed it a lot and I think you will to.
May 7, 2021
This was a GoodReads giveaway win of a Kindle ebook.
I had a hard time dragging myself through this book. There was not enough action in the first 80%. It really lacked character development. I did not find any characters to like. There just was no reason to like any of them. I was sympathetic for the only true innocent who did not know what was going on, just that she was a hostage and had to save herself. Little sympathy for the dumb jocks who find themselves staring at a drug lord. I guess my biggest hangup was the entire bankruptcy premise. I mostly feel that bankruptcy demonstrates some inherent lack of integrity by those choosing to use it. Why am I rooting for someone without integrity?
Have a GoodReads.
I had a hard time dragging myself through this book. There was not enough action in the first 80%. It really lacked character development. I did not find any characters to like. There just was no reason to like any of them. I was sympathetic for the only true innocent who did not know what was going on, just that she was a hostage and had to save herself. Little sympathy for the dumb jocks who find themselves staring at a drug lord. I guess my biggest hangup was the entire bankruptcy premise. I mostly feel that bankruptcy demonstrates some inherent lack of integrity by those choosing to use it. Why am I rooting for someone without integrity?
Have a GoodReads.
May 24, 2021
Thank you to author S. Alexander O'Keefe for this FREE Kindle copy of Phantom Money. And thanks to Goodreads for hosting the opportunity.
I liked it. 3.5-star. A taut tale that kept me turning pages. Well done story, nicely done cover. I only had issues with a few too many editing oversights, and a couple instances where actions exceeded possibility. This is of course fiction, but it did throw me a bit. Otherwise, a good read.
I liked it. 3.5-star. A taut tale that kept me turning pages. Well done story, nicely done cover. I only had issues with a few too many editing oversights, and a couple instances where actions exceeded possibility. This is of course fiction, but it did throw me a bit. Otherwise, a good read.
June 9, 2021
Thanks to Greenleaf for providing the Kindle ebook through a Goodreads Giveaway.
Phantom Money is an enjoyable thriller with decent main character development and setting descriptions. My lack of comprehension regarding the financial details of the money laundering did not detract from the story. The author does a good job with ratcheting up the tension and with the twists and turns. I will keep an eye out for future Declan and Anna adventures or other works by Mr. O'Keefe.
Phantom Money is an enjoyable thriller with decent main character development and setting descriptions. My lack of comprehension regarding the financial details of the money laundering did not detract from the story. The author does a good job with ratcheting up the tension and with the twists and turns. I will keep an eye out for future Declan and Anna adventures or other works by Mr. O'Keefe.
December 13, 2022
Love this book so good, smart characters written smartly.
Excellent story, filled with double and triple cross plot. Declan has written a play that has caught the eyes of a producer but unfortunately he is not in Hollywood. Now Declan has to figure out how to save himself and his friend and his friends sister from the clutches of certain death.
Excellent story, filled with double and triple cross plot. Declan has written a play that has caught the eyes of a producer but unfortunately he is not in Hollywood. Now Declan has to figure out how to save himself and his friend and his friends sister from the clutches of certain death.
March 14, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Phantom Money is a game-changer, offering clear and practical advice to help anyone take control of their money. It breaks down complex concepts into easy-to-understand tips that empower readers to build a stronger financial future.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Phantom Money is a game-changer, offering clear and practical advice to help anyone take control of their money. It breaks down complex concepts into easy-to-understand tips that empower readers to build a stronger financial future.
August 24, 2024
Loved It!
This is my first time reading Mr O’Keefe. Finished book in a day. Loved the characters, kept me guessing, just enjoyed the reading.
This is my first time reading Mr O’Keefe. Finished book in a day. Loved the characters, kept me guessing, just enjoyed the reading.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews