With Intent to Deceive

by Michael Smigocki

Investigating a corporate bankruptcy is a typical assignment for Mike Stanton’s forensic accounting firm. Security Systems Corporation, however, is owned by the President’s brother and therefore no ordinary company. Mike’s discovery of some very unusual connections between SSC and the tragedy of 9/11, just three years ago, raises alarms up the chain of command and before long has White House Chief of Staff Kevin Rome throwing up roadblocks. His suspicions raised, Mike keeps digging, prompting the appearance of a government liaison in the form of leggy brunette Mirabella D’Souza who is assigned to monitor his team and “help” with the federal investigation. Wary at first, Mike is surprised to find that he and Mirabella become closer as they work, and with her assistance the bankruptcy investigation reveals ever more secret transactions. As the evidence mounts, so do the stakes—with the President up for reelection, Mike finds himself struggling to do his job in the face of escalated pushback from the Chief of Staff. When the Bankruptcy Trustee on the case and Mike’s best friend turns up dead, the accountant begins to understand the lengths to which someone will go to stop his probing. Unable to trust anyone—not even Mirabella, who has captured his guarded heart but whose loyalties remain conflicted—Mike must prove his theory and make his findings public before he loses everything he’s worked for…even, perhaps, his own life. And the ramifications of what he uncovers could change everything.

336 pages, Paperback

Published September 8, 2020

About the author

I am a CPA by trade who conducts forensic investigations of companies involved in complex financial litigation matters, fraud, bankruptcy, contract disputes, and other civil and criminal matters.

The Mike Stanton thriller series is a journey into the world of high stakes finance, political corruption, corporate espionage, fraud and white collar crime, and large dollar financial litigation.

Reviews

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Michael Smigocki hits a home run with this suspense thriller around the deceptions of 9/11. A great historical fiction piece for a first-time novelist....or is it? Set in Washington, DC, this story line could just as easily be set in 2020 as twenty years earlier. Great character development in the protagonist, Mike Stanton, and the circle of people who help him unwind the forensic accounting intricacies of the plot. Glad to know this is the first book of a series, and looking forward to book #2 in the Mike Stanton series.

[Misty SWANGER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Smigocki's debut novel is a fascinating thriller that I couldn't put down. With politics, national security, and forensic accounting the book reminds me of a Baldacci thriller but with a faster pace. The characters either win you over or you grow to hate them quickly. A story of lifelong friendship, possibly love, and mystery with each chapter. I can't wait for the next installment of Mike Stanton's investigative accounting. This character has a bright future to come!

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know nothing about forensic accounting (and I would never have thought it would be interesting at all), but this book not only made it interesting, it was a real page turner! Really enjoyed the character development, the references to places I know in the DC area, and the twists and turns of the plot. Congrats to the author, job well done! (Wish I could get the recipe for the mango vinaigrette…)

[Linda Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read!

One would never believe being a forensic accountant would be so dangerous. However, Smigocki has written an excellent thriller and I look forward to his next one.
Highly recommended this book.

[Jeannette Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible suspenseful thriller! Can’t recommend it enough!

[Beth Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down! Very easy to read and kept me guessing.

[Stanislav Zakovic · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really do not understand such high ratings. Skipped half of the book, couldn't be bothered.

[Leigh Grady]

I always love to read a thriller set in DC-it’s fun when places you know are referenced - I really liked the main character Mike Staunton -a good guy!

[Theresa M Powell]

Loved it! Whens the next book being release?

[Jim Mellon]

excellent along the lines of a Grissom novel