Rating:  Summary: Difficult to put the book down. Very entertaining. Review: As a 28 year old expat banker living in Switzerland (as the book's main character), I think I'm in a pretty good position to say that Reich manages to put the reader where he wants to: In cold Switzerland, in a private bank. So if you wonder how it feels, go and read the book. Now; if you're just looking for action, there're plenty of reasons to read it too. Murders, extorsion, black mail, drug smugling, etc. A pretty good thriller. Worth reading it. When I saw how long the book was, I thought to myself... 2 weeks. It was over in almost one. I'm waiting for Reich's next one.
Rating:  Summary: Better than Grisham and much better than Baldacci Review: Great book! Slightly laborious at times, and seemed like some recent movies...A LITTLE TOO LONG FOR NO APPARENT REASON! I highly recommend this read, and to compare it to Grisham and Baldacci is a gross insult to Reich.
Rating:  Summary: Routine pot-bolier Review: Interesting plot, but poorly written. I'm prepared to accept the poor characterization and unconvincing dialogue, but a thriller writer should get the details right. Reich's incorrect use of medical jargon, and his description of the injuries suffered by the various protagonists, show that he is out of his depth. Worse (because the blurb on the cover sells his expertise in banking) he incorrectly titles, and misspells the author, of a standard finance text - Principles of Corporate Finance (page 423). If he can't get the elementary things right how convincing is the rest going to be?
Rating:  Summary: Couldn't put it down Review: I just moved from Finland to Zürich 2 months ago, and was excited to read a book written by a former college. I was fascinated by the way the author described the cruel banking world, and the story developed nicely, altho the environment blew out of hands in some phase. Starting with one man's vendetta and soon having world wide followings somehow lost the original idea. A couple minor points: The main character's murdered father had lived his childhood in the same address I now live as the bank's employee. This must be an inside joke :) Another, pretty annoying thing, was that the paperback I bought, was missing pages 335-386! Instead was a copy of the pages 387-425 (give or take the exact page numbers). So I missed a whole lot of the most exciting part, just when the real thrill started.
Rating:  Summary: Top Flight Entertainment Review: As good as they get for those who like fast moving thrillers a la Follett, Forsyth and Grisham. An added plus is the insight into Swiss Banking. One problem - I saw where the story was going a little too early. Still, you can bet it kept me reading. Especially good for anyone who is at all involved in finance or banking.
Rating:  Summary: Boring, unimaginative, unrealistic Review: I find the basic premise of this book to be totally unbelievable. Based on a few sketchy clues about the death of his father, the protagonist gives up a career in I-banking, something he has worked his whole life for, and goes off to Switzerland to work in private banking. It is simply a ridiculous premise. Compounding the flaw in the novel, the writing is boring and unimaginative. The characters are stereotypical. The plot is inane. The author tried to write an international financial thriller, but does not have the skills to describe the setting and plot. A few references to various streets and cities in Switzerland does not make an international thriller. The book is just plain bad.
Rating:  Summary: GRIPPING & SUSPENSEFUL Review: Reich weaves an interesting story, and the book is highly informative about Swiss banking, cursory investment banking activities, etc.. It was very suspenseful, but Nick would have been better off staying @ Morgan Stanley!!
Rating:  Summary: Loved it! Suspense, Intrigue and Information. Review: The book gripped me from the first page and never let go. I didn't know what to expect from a book which takes as its milieu the world of Swiss banking. I was really surprised how good it was. My husband got pretty mad telling me to alwasy turn out the light when I wanted to keep reading. Some of the book was too violent, but overall, I loved it. HIghly recommended!
Rating:  Summary: disappointing Review: similar to many, perhaps the greatest difference is murder for economic rationalism.
Rating:  Summary: Average, but worth a read Review: Below, I've read some scathing reviews of this book. (As an aside to some reviewers: DON'T give away every plot point. Try to remember that some people are actually going to buy the book anyway, no matter what you think!) Some of the criticism is certainly deserved. Characters aren't fully developed and most of the supporting cast are painfully drawn stereotypes. But overall the plot keeps moving and the setting (Zurich) and topic (Swiss banking and the financing of terrorists) are fresh and somewhat entertaining. I can't heartily recommend the book in hardcover, but you can't go wrong if you buy it in paperback. It will certainly hold your attention during a beautiful day on the beach.
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