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The Deal
Everything about Jonah Gray screams success -movie-star good looks, expensive clothes, a Park Avenue penthouse, and a seven-figure income. A cutthroat, rainmaking New York city commercial real estate broker, Jonah craves opulence and power. He beds models, romps the globe on the weekends and sees the world as his for the taking. Jonah Gray has it all. Or at least he had it all.When a friend presents Jonah with the deal of a lifetime, Jonah jumps at the chance. All Jonah has to do is act quickly, invest half a billion dollars in prime NY office buildings, and collect a huge payoff. But this golden opportunity is anything but. Within days of signing on, Jonah is mysteriously thrust into the epicenter of an international and personal scandal.Forced to explore a whole new territory where he can trust no one, and where danger, death and deception lurk at every corner, Jonah will learn some painfully hard lessons about the quest for easy money. Closing this deal could mean losing everything.
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First published May 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
July 30, 2012
Need to stop buying Kindle Daily Deals.
May 19, 2008
I'm nearly half way through this book and it is definitely keeping me on the edge of my seat especially with the latest twist!
Ok, I finished this book over the weekend and it was really really good. I did not see some of the twists coming but some I did pick up on. There were some times where it seemed to drag or I wondered if some of the scenes could have been deleted but over all it is a good book and worth reading
Ok, I finished this book over the weekend and it was really really good. I did not see some of the twists coming but some I did pick up on. There were some times where it seemed to drag or I wondered if some of the scenes could have been deleted but over all it is a good book and worth reading
August 6, 2012
Worst book of all time. Got is free and the first chapter was so bad it made me angry. So, technically I didn't finish it. I couldn't bear another page.
Don't read this ever.
Don't read this ever.
August 18, 2012
Got old quick, the money drugs and coolness just never clicked. Then the ending just kind of happened.
February 28, 2014
Mark March 4, 2014, on the Calendar because that's the date the sequel to **The Deal**, by * Adam Gittlin*, is going to be published. There is also supposed to be a third novel in this series, and I'm sure I'll be in line for that one as well. The second book is called **About Face**, and if it's even half as good as **The Deal**, readers should be flocking to favorite book stores to get it.
**The Deal** was my kind of novel right from the start. I enjoy stories about Wall Street and Finance in almost any situation because I think it's a fascinating subject which, if handled correctly, just can't go wrong. Adam Gittlin knows just how to use what could be confusing information as the basis for his story, without leaving me scratching my head wondering what just happened. Finance can be a bit on the tedious side to read about unless the author has such a thorough knowledge of the subject himself that he can break it down into easily understood segments. Add to that an excellent mind-bending mystery, and you've got what should be a best seller. That's exactly what **The Deal** has to offer: Best Seller quality.
**The Deal** begins with Jonah Gray living in a place he will not name for his own safety's sake. He says he cannot reveal much about his life currently, but he believes telling his story will have therapeutic value for him. What got him into the current predicament has to do with his receiving a call from an old friend of his, Andreu Zhamovsky, who is the head of Prevko, one of the world's most vital natural gas corporations working out of Russia. Andreu tells Jonah that Prevko has decided it's time to diversify their interests, and they want to begin by getting into New York Commercial Real Estate. Since Jonah, and his team, is at the top of the Commercial Real Estate market, it makes perfect sense for Andreu to contact him with an offer to be in charge of this project. Andreu has a few stipulations Jonah believes will be very difficult, if not impossible, to get past, but no matter what objections he voices, Andreu has a ready solution to bypass the concerns. If this deal gets done, the commission for each member of Jonah's team will be $1 million. On the basis of that number alone, Jonah believes he can convince his team to go along with this once in a lifetime opportunity. Even though the team voices the same concerns Jonah saw when he was first approached, they are eventually convinced to do the deal. Who can possibly say no to a cool $1 million when there's little risk or roadblocks standing in the way? So, the deal is a go for all concerned.
After everyone is on board, it's time to focus on what properties are/can be made available to close the deal. Each member of the team agrees to come up with one perfect seller encompassing all Prevco has specified. While it's being collected, this information is not made public, and the group only has 3 weeks to get the whole project wrapped. Whatever money or power the group needs to achieve this goal, Prevco is prepared to provide it from greasing a few palms to speed the process to outright bribery. At this stage, the important points are that the sellers remain ignorant of each other, and the 3 week time limit remains top priority. Jonah's team believes they've covered all that; they just need approval going forward with the right seller.
Meanwhile, off the radar, an event occurs which puts Jonah in a bad spot. His attention is diverted momentarily from the Commercial Real Estate Deal as facts surrounding the event come to light. This is where the "Aha!" feeling starts to grow. There's more to this than we originally thought. Much more. This is also a good place to sit back and enjoy the ride because I don't think anyone could unravel this mystery before the author is ready to give it up. There is one surprise after another from here until the end of the book. This is the spot at which if anyone interrupts your reading, the snarl reflex is all they're getting, so stand back and interrupt at your own peril!
For me, **The Deal** had everything I look for in entertaining fiction. It has a subject that is interesting enough to want to know more about how it all functions keeping buyers and sellers content with the deal they made. It has all kinds of complex characters that add layers to the story exactly because they are so varied. It's about loyalty stretched to its limits. It's also about how precariously positioned people at the very top of their profession can still be, and how far more vulnerable to sources outside their control than they ever imagined.
I received a free ARC from Net Galley in exchange for which I agreed to give an honest review. Honestly? I wish I could give this excellent book a 10* rating. Is it March 4 yet.....?
**The Deal** was my kind of novel right from the start. I enjoy stories about Wall Street and Finance in almost any situation because I think it's a fascinating subject which, if handled correctly, just can't go wrong. Adam Gittlin knows just how to use what could be confusing information as the basis for his story, without leaving me scratching my head wondering what just happened. Finance can be a bit on the tedious side to read about unless the author has such a thorough knowledge of the subject himself that he can break it down into easily understood segments. Add to that an excellent mind-bending mystery, and you've got what should be a best seller. That's exactly what **The Deal** has to offer: Best Seller quality.
**The Deal** begins with Jonah Gray living in a place he will not name for his own safety's sake. He says he cannot reveal much about his life currently, but he believes telling his story will have therapeutic value for him. What got him into the current predicament has to do with his receiving a call from an old friend of his, Andreu Zhamovsky, who is the head of Prevko, one of the world's most vital natural gas corporations working out of Russia. Andreu tells Jonah that Prevko has decided it's time to diversify their interests, and they want to begin by getting into New York Commercial Real Estate. Since Jonah, and his team, is at the top of the Commercial Real Estate market, it makes perfect sense for Andreu to contact him with an offer to be in charge of this project. Andreu has a few stipulations Jonah believes will be very difficult, if not impossible, to get past, but no matter what objections he voices, Andreu has a ready solution to bypass the concerns. If this deal gets done, the commission for each member of Jonah's team will be $1 million. On the basis of that number alone, Jonah believes he can convince his team to go along with this once in a lifetime opportunity. Even though the team voices the same concerns Jonah saw when he was first approached, they are eventually convinced to do the deal. Who can possibly say no to a cool $1 million when there's little risk or roadblocks standing in the way? So, the deal is a go for all concerned.
After everyone is on board, it's time to focus on what properties are/can be made available to close the deal. Each member of the team agrees to come up with one perfect seller encompassing all Prevco has specified. While it's being collected, this information is not made public, and the group only has 3 weeks to get the whole project wrapped. Whatever money or power the group needs to achieve this goal, Prevco is prepared to provide it from greasing a few palms to speed the process to outright bribery. At this stage, the important points are that the sellers remain ignorant of each other, and the 3 week time limit remains top priority. Jonah's team believes they've covered all that; they just need approval going forward with the right seller.
Meanwhile, off the radar, an event occurs which puts Jonah in a bad spot. His attention is diverted momentarily from the Commercial Real Estate Deal as facts surrounding the event come to light. This is where the "Aha!" feeling starts to grow. There's more to this than we originally thought. Much more. This is also a good place to sit back and enjoy the ride because I don't think anyone could unravel this mystery before the author is ready to give it up. There is one surprise after another from here until the end of the book. This is the spot at which if anyone interrupts your reading, the snarl reflex is all they're getting, so stand back and interrupt at your own peril!
For me, **The Deal** had everything I look for in entertaining fiction. It has a subject that is interesting enough to want to know more about how it all functions keeping buyers and sellers content with the deal they made. It has all kinds of complex characters that add layers to the story exactly because they are so varied. It's about loyalty stretched to its limits. It's also about how precariously positioned people at the very top of their profession can still be, and how far more vulnerable to sources outside their control than they ever imagined.
I received a free ARC from Net Galley in exchange for which I agreed to give an honest review. Honestly? I wish I could give this excellent book a 10* rating. Is it March 4 yet.....?
May 2, 2008
When I first heard about the new novel from Adam Gittlin, The Deal, I thought it had an interesting hook: big time commercial real estate in New York City. Seemed like an interesting backdrop to a thriller. That turned out to be true, but the heart of The Deal isn't real estate but trust and priorities. Who can you trust and what is most important to you.
The Deal is an fast paced thriller with an interesting setting and a creative twisting plot. But I will confess that the main character turned me off and this hampered my enjoyment of the book.
The commercial real estate business in New York provides the setting for the novel and it also helps introduce us to the central character Jonah Gray. Jonah not only works in the business but grew up around it as his father is a mover and shaker in the same field. Jonah's life and career is centered on this world. And a central aspect of the plot is focused on a real estate deal.
But once the plot really picks up steam the real estate aspect begins to fade away. At this point the traditional thriller aspects take over and the setting is just background. In some ways this is natural, and the setting provides a creative way to kick the plot off. But the author, who works in the business, also spends time having the character talk shop in ways that cause the plot to drag and may not interest readers.
I realize there is a fine line between a realistic setting and too much background, and the shop talk involved wasn't that distracting, but Gittlin might find the industry more fascinating than the average reader. For me, the book took a while to really get in a rhythm. Once it hit its stride it was a fast paced story and quick read, but it dragged a bit in setting the stage.
What really hampered my enjoyment of the book, however, was the main character Jonah. Jonah is an arrogant, narcissistic, jerk who depends on alcohol and drugs to keep him moving. He is consumed with making money and with showing his own wealth and power off in ostentatious ways whenever he gets the chance.
Gittlin in many ways set Jonah up this way so that when his life comes crashing down around him he will be forced to think about what really matters. Fine, but this doesn't change the fact that the character is a major league jerk. Maybe this is my Midwestern perspective coming through, but I grew tired of Jonah's constant descriptions of the accoutrement's of wealth and privilege and of his drug fueled drive for power and wealth.
As with the real estate aspect, much of this tone and style faded when the plot kicked in to second gear. But I found myself tired of Jonah over the first third of the book. Circumstances may force Jonah to think about what really matters in his life but he still ends the book unwilling to face the consequences of his actions or take responsibility for the destruction he has caused. He may care more about the people in his life but still comes off as an amoral spoiled brat. The entire story seemed almost unconcerned with concepts of right or wrong and Jonah reflects this perspective and seems to endorse it.
But I will fully admit I may be in the minority on this one. If you don't mind this kind of central character, The Deal is an entertaining thriller - particularly after the central plot twist is revealed. The twists in the plot effectively intertwine Jonah's personal and professional lives and ratchets up the tension. There are enough questions and mysteries involved to keep the reader off balance and guessing about how it is going to play out.
All in all The Deal is a competent thriller with a unique setting and main character. If you have an interest in high stakes commercial real estate or the powerful personalities who thrive in that environment you will enjoy it.
The Deal is an fast paced thriller with an interesting setting and a creative twisting plot. But I will confess that the main character turned me off and this hampered my enjoyment of the book.
The commercial real estate business in New York provides the setting for the novel and it also helps introduce us to the central character Jonah Gray. Jonah not only works in the business but grew up around it as his father is a mover and shaker in the same field. Jonah's life and career is centered on this world. And a central aspect of the plot is focused on a real estate deal.
But once the plot really picks up steam the real estate aspect begins to fade away. At this point the traditional thriller aspects take over and the setting is just background. In some ways this is natural, and the setting provides a creative way to kick the plot off. But the author, who works in the business, also spends time having the character talk shop in ways that cause the plot to drag and may not interest readers.
I realize there is a fine line between a realistic setting and too much background, and the shop talk involved wasn't that distracting, but Gittlin might find the industry more fascinating than the average reader. For me, the book took a while to really get in a rhythm. Once it hit its stride it was a fast paced story and quick read, but it dragged a bit in setting the stage.
What really hampered my enjoyment of the book, however, was the main character Jonah. Jonah is an arrogant, narcissistic, jerk who depends on alcohol and drugs to keep him moving. He is consumed with making money and with showing his own wealth and power off in ostentatious ways whenever he gets the chance.
Gittlin in many ways set Jonah up this way so that when his life comes crashing down around him he will be forced to think about what really matters. Fine, but this doesn't change the fact that the character is a major league jerk. Maybe this is my Midwestern perspective coming through, but I grew tired of Jonah's constant descriptions of the accoutrement's of wealth and privilege and of his drug fueled drive for power and wealth.
As with the real estate aspect, much of this tone and style faded when the plot kicked in to second gear. But I found myself tired of Jonah over the first third of the book. Circumstances may force Jonah to think about what really matters in his life but he still ends the book unwilling to face the consequences of his actions or take responsibility for the destruction he has caused. He may care more about the people in his life but still comes off as an amoral spoiled brat. The entire story seemed almost unconcerned with concepts of right or wrong and Jonah reflects this perspective and seems to endorse it.
But I will fully admit I may be in the minority on this one. If you don't mind this kind of central character, The Deal is an entertaining thriller - particularly after the central plot twist is revealed. The twists in the plot effectively intertwine Jonah's personal and professional lives and ratchets up the tension. There are enough questions and mysteries involved to keep the reader off balance and guessing about how it is going to play out.
All in all The Deal is a competent thriller with a unique setting and main character. If you have an interest in high stakes commercial real estate or the powerful personalities who thrive in that environment you will enjoy it.
May 17, 2012
The outstanding reviews of this book made me excited to purchase as a kindle daily deal. I knew that the first 100 pages or so would move slow, so I kept my patience in check and strapped on for the ride. I found that the first 100 pages were interesting and not so slow moving. It was the next 200 pages that had me begging for this story to be over. One reviewer said it was the type of story you stayed up late to finish. For me, not so much. I read the last 100 pages as fast as I could just to get the damned this done. And at the end I was like, whatever. Snore.
I didn't have the kindle buyer remorse that I get when purchasing a really horrible .99 book, but I didn't feel the story lived up to the previous reviews. It was an ok story that could have been trimmed down a bit and tightened up. The main character Jonah was absolutely one of the most despicable literary characters I've known, and his only saving grace was his relationship with Neo (no spoilers). Had I been in the same room with this man, I would have wanted to scuff his shoes, loosen the seam in the seat of his pants and possibly put an exploding ink pen in his briefcase. Gods, he was annoying.
I didn't have the kindle buyer remorse that I get when purchasing a really horrible .99 book, but I didn't feel the story lived up to the previous reviews. It was an ok story that could have been trimmed down a bit and tightened up. The main character Jonah was absolutely one of the most despicable literary characters I've known, and his only saving grace was his relationship with Neo (no spoilers). Had I been in the same room with this man, I would have wanted to scuff his shoes, loosen the seam in the seat of his pants and possibly put an exploding ink pen in his briefcase. Gods, he was annoying.
August 16, 2012
Would have made a great story, but plot development was mediocre and the pacing was slow. Too much time was spent describing non-essentials, e.g., how many browser windows the hero had open at one time and how he minimized or put them aside to be able to look at what he was looking at better. Unsatisfactory chapter endings left you guessing, though, which was I guess an attempt to make it more suspenseful or mystery-like/thriller-like than it can be. However, the story telling does pick up after the climax, and the novel actually starts racing towards a conclusion in the last 10 chapters. Makes you think what made him drag his feet the past 40+ chapters or why he couldn't make it more exciting. Unique storyline, though, especially with the Faberge eggs angle.
December 8, 2012
Poop. If poop could write, it would deliver a book much like this one: messy, nutty and rarely solid. However, much like pooping, it has pleasurable moments. Not worth your time.
July 24, 2016
Dull New York real estate. It does exist.
December 5, 2018
I originally chose this novel because of my interest in the business field, and after reading this it gave me an insight of business in the real world. Jonah Gray, the main character, goes through a series of journeys and obstacles, which gets him in a tough situation. This suspense was really captivating because I was dying to see what would happen to him in the end. I enjoyed this novel because it gave valuable life lessons, like how "easy" money is never easy, and everything comes with a price. The setting took place in New York, which is where I want to live in the future, but ti also gave me an insight on the ruthlessness and lack of trust in the real business world. Because business is a future career of mine, I felt like I connected to the novel, and the economics and real estate aspects of the novel really sucked me in. Overall, I would rate this book a 4/5 because even though it was good and it was entertaining, one con that brought my rating down was the characteristics of drugs and NY backstabbing behavior. Because those are characteristics that are not appealing to me, those brought my rating down. But aside from that, it gave me an idea of what business may be like in the real world and had a very interesting and surprising plot twist, so overall 4/5
July 24, 2020
I started this book 8 1/2 years ago but fell ill and put it aside. I've been meaning and meaning to get back to it, and I finally did this July 2020. Turns out that "The Deal" is a pretty good money/business/intrigue thriller. The main character, Jonas Gray, is sort of a "Bonfire of the Vanities" wealth-hungry, stylish Manhattanite who does real estate deals in between drinking prodigious amounts of Sapphire gin and snorting a lot of cocaine. Sleep, not so much; party, quite a lot.
He gets caught up in a very convoluted web of business deals and potential transactions that are tied up with a Fatal Attraction-type stalker dame and the theft of one of the long-missing Faberge eggs. I did mention "convoluted," didn't I?
Since I've lived just north of Manhattan for over four decades, and this story is set in the mid-2000s before the 2008 crash, I enjoyed the fancy label name dropping and detailed references to midtown and UES neighborhoods, restaurants, and landmarks.
I have seen, via Goodreads, that Mr. Gittlin has a few more "Deal" novels; I am going to hunt them down.
He gets caught up in a very convoluted web of business deals and potential transactions that are tied up with a Fatal Attraction-type stalker dame and the theft of one of the long-missing Faberge eggs. I did mention "convoluted," didn't I?
Since I've lived just north of Manhattan for over four decades, and this story is set in the mid-2000s before the 2008 crash, I enjoyed the fancy label name dropping and detailed references to midtown and UES neighborhoods, restaurants, and landmarks.
I have seen, via Goodreads, that Mr. Gittlin has a few more "Deal" novels; I am going to hunt them down.
November 16, 2011
I received a copy of this book through Goodreads' First Reads program!
An absolutely amazing thriller! Adam Gittlin uses deeply interesting character, infuses history into the plot, and then sprinkles pop culture on top to create one of the most addicting novels I have had the pleasure of picking up!
His main protagonist is Jonah Gray- a high-end commercial real estate broker in the heart of New York City. Following in his father's foot steps in every facet of his life, from his business ethics to his taste for fine things, Jonah finds himself acquainted with some of the city's highest rollers, the best of the best in business and the luckiest in life. While the reader follows Jonah around in what becomes a life-changing series of events, they get to know all sorts other characters, some of whom show their less-than-desirable sides, while others show that there really are good people still in powerful positions in the world. We become very familiar with Gray's business partners- the tough, successful leader Tommy, Jake, the partner who is rarely serious, but will go for the throat to close a deal, and the hard-headed, subtly alluring Perry. Stan Gray, Jonah's father, is his only remaining family since his mother died when he was young. A top gun in real estate, his father is Jonah's best and worst critic rolled into one, all in the name of helping his son succeed. We meet friends L and Andreu, who seem upon finishing the novel to be the respective angel and devil on Jonah's shoulders. I absolutely loved all of the characters, not just the select few mentioned here. Even the more minor characters, such as his father's chauffeur Mattheau, Angie, the girl Jonah finds to be too good to be true, and Parker, Jonah's doorman, prove to be multi-dimensional and the author allows them their own side stories and lives for the reader to be sidetracked into.
Another amazing aspect of this novel is the author's use of history in the plot. The first major problem the protagonist faces is when a stolen Faberge egg is planted on him at a party. This opens up doors to Russian and art history that is solidly visited throughout the novel and creates the central story line. I had only heard of these Russian treasures in passing, but "The Deal" explores their whole history, substituting a bit for the sake of the story, and exposes the reader to knowledge they may never have had the pleasure of possessing otherwise. For that, I am grateful to Mr. Gittlin.
Finally, Gittlin sprinkles popular culture all over throughout the novel to draw readers in to something they already are familiar with. This also serves, in my opinion, to show the reader that there is some similarities between them and this larger-than-life lifestyle the characters possess. While the reader may not have millions in the bank and maintain an honorable position in one of the largest and most successful real estate brokerage companies in the country, they can still appreciate the "Everybody Loves Raymond" reference, that the protagonist also listens to Beastie Boys, Rage Against The Machine, and Coldplay, or that he also has read and internalized Shakespeare and Edgar Allan Poe. If the reader can not connect to the characters' lifestyles in no other way, this serves as a great way to remember that they are just as real(as far as the novel is concerned) and the reader.
I am very excited that I got to read this novel. The mystery and suspense kept me from putting it down multiple times. I give it five out of five stars and would absolutely jump at the chance to read another novel by this author.
An absolutely amazing thriller! Adam Gittlin uses deeply interesting character, infuses history into the plot, and then sprinkles pop culture on top to create one of the most addicting novels I have had the pleasure of picking up!
His main protagonist is Jonah Gray- a high-end commercial real estate broker in the heart of New York City. Following in his father's foot steps in every facet of his life, from his business ethics to his taste for fine things, Jonah finds himself acquainted with some of the city's highest rollers, the best of the best in business and the luckiest in life. While the reader follows Jonah around in what becomes a life-changing series of events, they get to know all sorts other characters, some of whom show their less-than-desirable sides, while others show that there really are good people still in powerful positions in the world. We become very familiar with Gray's business partners- the tough, successful leader Tommy, Jake, the partner who is rarely serious, but will go for the throat to close a deal, and the hard-headed, subtly alluring Perry. Stan Gray, Jonah's father, is his only remaining family since his mother died when he was young. A top gun in real estate, his father is Jonah's best and worst critic rolled into one, all in the name of helping his son succeed. We meet friends L and Andreu, who seem upon finishing the novel to be the respective angel and devil on Jonah's shoulders. I absolutely loved all of the characters, not just the select few mentioned here. Even the more minor characters, such as his father's chauffeur Mattheau, Angie, the girl Jonah finds to be too good to be true, and Parker, Jonah's doorman, prove to be multi-dimensional and the author allows them their own side stories and lives for the reader to be sidetracked into.
Another amazing aspect of this novel is the author's use of history in the plot. The first major problem the protagonist faces is when a stolen Faberge egg is planted on him at a party. This opens up doors to Russian and art history that is solidly visited throughout the novel and creates the central story line. I had only heard of these Russian treasures in passing, but "The Deal" explores their whole history, substituting a bit for the sake of the story, and exposes the reader to knowledge they may never have had the pleasure of possessing otherwise. For that, I am grateful to Mr. Gittlin.
Finally, Gittlin sprinkles popular culture all over throughout the novel to draw readers in to something they already are familiar with. This also serves, in my opinion, to show the reader that there is some similarities between them and this larger-than-life lifestyle the characters possess. While the reader may not have millions in the bank and maintain an honorable position in one of the largest and most successful real estate brokerage companies in the country, they can still appreciate the "Everybody Loves Raymond" reference, that the protagonist also listens to Beastie Boys, Rage Against The Machine, and Coldplay, or that he also has read and internalized Shakespeare and Edgar Allan Poe. If the reader can not connect to the characters' lifestyles in no other way, this serves as a great way to remember that they are just as real(as far as the novel is concerned) and the reader.
I am very excited that I got to read this novel. The mystery and suspense kept me from putting it down multiple times. I give it five out of five stars and would absolutely jump at the chance to read another novel by this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2008
The Deal by Adam Gittlin is an action packed work of fiction from beginning to end. Not being my usual type of read I will have to say this book just sucked me in, tied me up and held me hostage all the way through. It really is a very intense storyline that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat.
Jonah Gray is a handsome, powerful and wealthy New Yorker that knows the In's and outs of the real estate market better than most brokers. He has worked his way up the ladder to become one of the leading brokers and is highly sought after in the market. He can have any woman he wants and has the wealth to which most of us would find mind boggling. Unfortunately for Jonah, his few vices will get him into a precarious situation that will send his life careening into a whirlwind of turmoil.
Andreu Zhamovsky is a close friend of Jonah's from childhood. Handsome, wealthy beyond even his friend, Andrew is a force to be reckoned with. Russian by birth and Russian to the present day does nothing to affect the young men's friendship.
Andreu presents Jonah with a deal to broker some New York real estate that could cause far too many problems. Does Andreu seek out Jonah for his broker skills or is it something more devious? Could the real estate just be a cover up to something so much larger or is everything as innocent as it seems?
Jonah finds himself in a new fury of activity that is quite the rush. This activity with it's pressures increases his use of drugs and Gin to a point that he really starts to question himself about if this is becoming more of a problem. What he used to use for focus and relaxation is now getting out of hand. Will Jonah be swallowed by his lifestyle or rescued by his conscience.
The storyline has us making more twists and turns than a two lane highway through the Smokey Mountains. Sharp unexpected curves could very easily lead to a life and death decision for Jonah. We can only hope that whatever ultimate decisions he makes will be the right ones but how good would our story really be if everything were so easy.
Our author has given us a story of intense emotions, international dangers and mind blowing action that make this is a book that should not be missed.
Jonah Gray is a handsome, powerful and wealthy New Yorker that knows the In's and outs of the real estate market better than most brokers. He has worked his way up the ladder to become one of the leading brokers and is highly sought after in the market. He can have any woman he wants and has the wealth to which most of us would find mind boggling. Unfortunately for Jonah, his few vices will get him into a precarious situation that will send his life careening into a whirlwind of turmoil.
Andreu Zhamovsky is a close friend of Jonah's from childhood. Handsome, wealthy beyond even his friend, Andrew is a force to be reckoned with. Russian by birth and Russian to the present day does nothing to affect the young men's friendship.
Andreu presents Jonah with a deal to broker some New York real estate that could cause far too many problems. Does Andreu seek out Jonah for his broker skills or is it something more devious? Could the real estate just be a cover up to something so much larger or is everything as innocent as it seems?
Jonah finds himself in a new fury of activity that is quite the rush. This activity with it's pressures increases his use of drugs and Gin to a point that he really starts to question himself about if this is becoming more of a problem. What he used to use for focus and relaxation is now getting out of hand. Will Jonah be swallowed by his lifestyle or rescued by his conscience.
The storyline has us making more twists and turns than a two lane highway through the Smokey Mountains. Sharp unexpected curves could very easily lead to a life and death decision for Jonah. We can only hope that whatever ultimate decisions he makes will be the right ones but how good would our story really be if everything were so easy.
Our author has given us a story of intense emotions, international dangers and mind blowing action that make this is a book that should not be missed.
February 12, 2014
Jonah Gray is a rising star in the world of New York Real Estate brokers. High dollar deals, women, booze, and drugs dominate his life. Then the opportunity of a lifetime comes his way. An old friend who owns a multi-billion dollar Russian oil company contacts him. It seems that his friend has decided to diversify his holdings and wants to invest in real estate. This is a huge deal There is only one hitch. The deal has to take place in three weeks. Jonah and the other associates at the small firm where he works go after this deal with everything they’ve got.
Then, without warning, everything starts to fall apart. He is used to juggling his job and his lifestyle, but when he meets a girl who seems to good to be true the lifestyle comes crashing in on him. On top of that he is unwittingly dragged into a heist. Now, as he scrambles to keep his life from falling apart and to make this deal happens he learns that you have to be careful who you trust and that everything that he knows is true may be built on lies.
The Deal is a fast paced, interesting novel. I have to be honest and say that I didn’t like the book very much at first. The story is told as a first person narrative. When the book begins Jonah Gray is a dope snorting, weed smoking, alcoholic, womanizer whose repulsive personality is only matched by his excessive ego. So when you have an immoral narcissist as your narrator the story can get old quick. I pushed on through and I found myself enjoying the story. There are a lot of plot twists and turns. At one point they can seem almost absurd when you look at them from the outside, But it works very well in the novel.
The author, Adam Gittlin, works in the world of commerical real estate so the parts of the novel dealing with that world are very informative. The characters are not very sympathetic at first, but that just gives Gittlin a lot of room to develop these characters. He does this very well. By the end of the book you find yourself interested in Jonah Gray. The Deal is full of surprises and plot twists. Overall it is a very good book. I recommend the book to anyone who enjoys a good thriller. The next Gray novel is scheduled to release in March. I look forward to reading it.
Then, without warning, everything starts to fall apart. He is used to juggling his job and his lifestyle, but when he meets a girl who seems to good to be true the lifestyle comes crashing in on him. On top of that he is unwittingly dragged into a heist. Now, as he scrambles to keep his life from falling apart and to make this deal happens he learns that you have to be careful who you trust and that everything that he knows is true may be built on lies.
The Deal is a fast paced, interesting novel. I have to be honest and say that I didn’t like the book very much at first. The story is told as a first person narrative. When the book begins Jonah Gray is a dope snorting, weed smoking, alcoholic, womanizer whose repulsive personality is only matched by his excessive ego. So when you have an immoral narcissist as your narrator the story can get old quick. I pushed on through and I found myself enjoying the story. There are a lot of plot twists and turns. At one point they can seem almost absurd when you look at them from the outside, But it works very well in the novel.
The author, Adam Gittlin, works in the world of commerical real estate so the parts of the novel dealing with that world are very informative. The characters are not very sympathetic at first, but that just gives Gittlin a lot of room to develop these characters. He does this very well. By the end of the book you find yourself interested in Jonah Gray. The Deal is full of surprises and plot twists. Overall it is a very good book. I recommend the book to anyone who enjoys a good thriller. The next Gray novel is scheduled to release in March. I look forward to reading it.
December 19, 2008
The Deal by Adam Gittlin starts out as the chance of a lifetime…
Young hotshot real estate broker, Jonah Gray is given three weeks to propose and put together a half-a-billion dollar Manhattan real estate purchase deal by a Russian oil tycoon who choses Jonah because of old family connections. Jonah starts the work in confidence of his abilities to get this deal done but what he doesn’t know is that he has actually become a pawn in an international game of intrigue involving stolen priceless artifacts, a mysterious Fabergé egg. As Jonah Gray gets deeper and deeper into uncovering the plot he gets more perilously in trouble losing almost everything he had or earned in the process.
I liked the protagonist in this novel. Jonah Gray is organized, smart, aggressive and speaks in a cock sure manner that gives him the edge in any situation – whether it be a matter of business or a matter of life and death. The other characters in the story are also well developed and well thought out. There are no slouches here. His team at work are complementary to his style. As details about Jonah’s father, Stan Gray, unfold it becomes clear where his intelligence, drive and business sense come from. I would say that Jonah’s nemesis in the story, Andreu Zhamovsky, was also unfolded one leaf at a time so that we could only see his weaknesses toward the end.
At the end of the day this book is simply impressive! Adam Gittlin writes with fluidity and authority. He has a hard driving style but an intricate plot so my mind was racing throughout the entire story. I found myself trying to figure out the next move and not upset when a twist in the tale proved me wrong. And Adam did young Jonah and us a favor: He left the ending open for a sequel.
And I know this is corny but I am going to go on record with it:
The Deal is the real deal!
Young hotshot real estate broker, Jonah Gray is given three weeks to propose and put together a half-a-billion dollar Manhattan real estate purchase deal by a Russian oil tycoon who choses Jonah because of old family connections. Jonah starts the work in confidence of his abilities to get this deal done but what he doesn’t know is that he has actually become a pawn in an international game of intrigue involving stolen priceless artifacts, a mysterious Fabergé egg. As Jonah Gray gets deeper and deeper into uncovering the plot he gets more perilously in trouble losing almost everything he had or earned in the process.
I liked the protagonist in this novel. Jonah Gray is organized, smart, aggressive and speaks in a cock sure manner that gives him the edge in any situation – whether it be a matter of business or a matter of life and death. The other characters in the story are also well developed and well thought out. There are no slouches here. His team at work are complementary to his style. As details about Jonah’s father, Stan Gray, unfold it becomes clear where his intelligence, drive and business sense come from. I would say that Jonah’s nemesis in the story, Andreu Zhamovsky, was also unfolded one leaf at a time so that we could only see his weaknesses toward the end.
At the end of the day this book is simply impressive! Adam Gittlin writes with fluidity and authority. He has a hard driving style but an intricate plot so my mind was racing throughout the entire story. I found myself trying to figure out the next move and not upset when a twist in the tale proved me wrong. And Adam did young Jonah and us a favor: He left the ending open for a sequel.
And I know this is corny but I am going to go on record with it:
The Deal is the real deal!
March 13, 2016
I won't say this was all the way down with the 1-star books I've read, but it really was difficult to get all the way through. Good writing can make up for a far-fetched plot, and a believable plot with a main character you root for might make up for poor writing, but put together a pretty unsympathetic main character (telling the story first person), a ridiculous plot full of so many coincidences they couldn't BE coincidences, and some pretty painful writing, and... well... it's over, at least.
On the plus side, the author does a good job explaining some complex real estate transactions - but more like he's writing a text book than novel. They totally pulled me out of the story several times. And his descriptions of Jonah's wealth seriously reminded me of a gushing 12-year-old's description of her dream home.
Especially frustrating was a formatting issue at least with the Kindle edition - there were no line breaks or other ways to show at times when when the action switched from one place to another. You would be reading about a scene in a coffee shop and the next line
Like this would be taking place with different characters in a different place.
Highly distracting!
On the plus side, the author does a good job explaining some complex real estate transactions - but more like he's writing a text book than novel. They totally pulled me out of the story several times. And his descriptions of Jonah's wealth seriously reminded me of a gushing 12-year-old's description of her dream home.
Especially frustrating was a formatting issue at least with the Kindle edition - there were no line breaks or other ways to show at times when when the action switched from one place to another. You would be reading about a scene in a coffee shop and the next line
Like this would be taking place with different characters in a different place.
Highly distracting!
July 31, 2015
I received this audio book as a gift in exchange for a hones and unbiased review. This is a great audio book! It is dangerous and destructive and twisted. Like a cat and mouse game where nothing is as it seems to be, this story keeps us guessing. One of the main characters, Jonah is extremely intelligent and we read along as he put pieces of a unbelievable puzzle together. It is like National Treasure vs Wall Street Tycoons. This story is so good, it is worth a second reading!
The author, Adam Gittlin did a fantastic job writing this book. It is so well written and twisted, that a person can't possibly guess the outcome and get it right. Just when you think you know what is happening, another door or character gets introduced. The narrator, Jack Chekijian did a fantastic job delivering this story to us too. Hos voices are highly entertaining and easy on the ears. This book was truly a joy to listen too!
The author, Adam Gittlin did a fantastic job writing this book. It is so well written and twisted, that a person can't possibly guess the outcome and get it right. Just when you think you know what is happening, another door or character gets introduced. The narrator, Jack Chekijian did a fantastic job delivering this story to us too. Hos voices are highly entertaining and easy on the ears. This book was truly a joy to listen too!
January 8, 2014
*I received this title Oceanview Publishing, - through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication January 14, 2014.*
This book put me in the mind of the movie a Wolf on Wall Street…but the business in real estate. The author did an outstanding job with Jonah Gray’s character as you go from hating to loving him all in the span of the novel as he tries to undo the damage his deal with Andreu Zhamovsky has unleashed. The author masterfully put together a secondary cast of characters that kept Jonah running on all cylinders. Though many may been unfamiliar with the real estate background the author takes time to provide a description of what the characters are thinking as it goes along.
After reading this book, a sequel is definitely needed. For a break against the normal romance novel, I recommend this book.
This book put me in the mind of the movie a Wolf on Wall Street…but the business in real estate. The author did an outstanding job with Jonah Gray’s character as you go from hating to loving him all in the span of the novel as he tries to undo the damage his deal with Andreu Zhamovsky has unleashed. The author masterfully put together a secondary cast of characters that kept Jonah running on all cylinders. Though many may been unfamiliar with the real estate background the author takes time to provide a description of what the characters are thinking as it goes along.
After reading this book, a sequel is definitely needed. For a break against the normal romance novel, I recommend this book.
July 5, 2012
Another good summer page-turner. I loved the insights this provided into the high-flying commercial real estate world in New York City. Kindle version has some formatting issues which were mildly annoying, but the story moved along so briskly that they became less and less noticeable. Characters were realistic and plot somewhat convoluted in places--but overall a really enjoyable read that immersed me in a world that's otherwise completely foreign to me.
June 30, 2015
This book was all right if drugs, expensive living, and detailed real estate markets in NYC are your thing. If not, scrutinize the publisher's summary to see if it calls to you anyway. The style was not as cohesive or fluid as might be. Frankly, it bored me. There was just no fun in it at all.
It also did not provide adequate variety to allow the audio performer to share in crafting a memorable work of fiction.
It also did not provide adequate variety to allow the audio performer to share in crafting a memorable work of fiction.
November 1, 2013
Well written, intriguing suspense. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, the story line and the use of the author's real estate experience, knowledge of Manhattan and the inclusion of a bit of art history. Just enough sexual tension, greed, subterfuge and violence round out this excellent thriller!
November 12, 2011
This is a really good read. A tangled web of real estate deals in Manhattan put our hero in considerable danger. Lots of good twists and turns. I really liked the fact that the author developed the characters in this story. So many suspense tales are all about the plot but neglect to make the characters interesting. Highly recommend.
May 13, 2012
I very much enjoyed this book. While it has a few chapters that are a bit tedious as it gets bogged down in so much real estate talk that doesn't last long and is well worth getting through to get to the rest of the story. Intense, exciting mystery! Highly recommend.
May 29, 2012
An exciting read, lots of action, like an edge of your seat thriller. I didn't like the main character because of his arrogance, drug use and disregard for others. But perhaps that was exactly the author's intent.
September 21, 2012
A hot shot NY real estate broker is set up by an old "friend" in what he thinks is the biggest deal of his career; but it turns out he's being framed and things get ugly and violent in a short period of time. Rather convoluted plot but interesting.
October 13, 2012
I could not finish this :(. Started out with an interesting set of characters and premise (a little like Bonfire of the Vanities) but the writing was awful. The story got quite convoluted and I lost interest. Thumbs down.
June 18, 2013
This was horrible. I am glad I had a borrowed book and don't pay anything for it. The writing is amateur. The details are meaningless to the story. All the main characters are unsympathetic. Not worth finishing. Walk away from this book!
August 4, 2013
Pick a plot! This book was so convoluted that it was painful to read. The unsympathetic main character & narrator did nothing to keep my interest. I would have been happy with a good real estate mystery.
November 25, 2013
I didn't have high expectations for this one. And it starts out pretty slow, overburdened with the history of real estate. BUT it gets going and I thougt the ending was tightly written and kept me guessing. So, overall, I'd recommend it.
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