The Devil's Banker

Rating:
Summary: The New Forsyth
Review: Simply put, a great tale. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and found it to be Reich's best yet. The methodical manner in which Chapel, the hero, unravels Mr. Gabriel's (the Devil's Banker) plot and tracks hims down reminded me of the hunt for the Jackal in Frederick Forsyth's Day of the Jackal, one of my all time favorites. If I had a criticism, it is that the book should have been longer. There were several subplots I was curious to learn more about, namely the traffic of pirated software in South America. Only one question: Is there really a sex club in Paris named Cleopatre?

Rating:
Summary: Well Worth Reading!
Review: Suspenseful, well-written and interesting. The plot of The Devil's Banker is very timely in view of what is now going on in the world and provides a well-balanced perspective. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Billionaire Muslim struck by missile
Review: That's how the story ends. There's no question there was an anti-Arab/Muslim bias in this book, but what's so odd about that? Americans want their American heroes to win. Arabs and many non-American Muslims want their own people or people of their faith to win. Isn't this a survival instinct of some kind?

Actually, I'm one of the former, the Americans who want their boys and girls to win the hop-scotch match, or whatever it is.

It would have scared me immensely if this Marc Gabriel fellow had succeeded, but it might have been an interesting change in the usual ending to a novel that endeavors to appeal to Americans. Kind of a "noire" turn of events, perhaps?

If they'd translate it into English (I'm still at the primary grade level in my Arabic), though, I'd be happy to read a book from the latter group. Not a Rushdie topic, I assume?

I liked the dips into European and Arabic language that Reich makes throughout this book. It gives the story a cosmopolitan feel.

But the ending was just a little abrupt, and maybe not all that credible. Wish it were Bin Laden struck by the missile instead of Marc Gabriel? I do, in a way, because I'm afraid of the man (Bin Laden). Of course, if he'd mellow out a little, that would be great, too.

Is Jihad compatible with being mellow? Good question. This book will make you think about such things, and you will learn. Diximus.

Rating:
Summary: Adam's goal is to track down the ruthless mastermind
Review: The Devil's Banker by Christopher Reich is the thrilling tale of Adam Chapel, a forensic accountant struggling against a horrific terrorist agenda. Adam's goal is to track down the ruthless mastermind who is manipulating immense amounts of money to stage an Armageddon before it is too late. But his enemy's powers are implacable and as far-reaching as the almighty dollar itself. Flawlessly recorded, completely unabridged, and dramatically narrated by John Lee, The Devil's Banker is a terrifying and an all-too-real drama which is enthusiastically recommended for audiobook collections.

Rating:
Summary: What a waste of a great writer
Review: The Devil's Banker is the first book by Reich that I have read. I was immediately gripped by his ability to tell a fast-paced, intriguing story. The characters are all richly drawn, realistically conflicted people. While there are a few lapses in continuity, the story is basically watertight, and manages to tread that fine line between a fictional thrill ride and fantastic unbelievability. I was disappointed in the end, though, because in spite of Reich's ability to form complex characters and to paint a no-easy-answers, realistically convoluted backdrop, I found the book to be covertly and chronically anti-Arab/Muslim. While an obvious sense of "good guys" and "bad guys" is necessary for the kind of story Reich tells, it is not necessary for the good/bad distinction to be drawn based on the characters' religious affiliation or ethnic origin. The overriding sentiment seems to be that the antagonist - and all the Arab/Muslim characters - are destined to be "bad guys" because of their ethnicity and religion; there is never so much as a quick nod to the concept that these characters are a very small subset of a large and vastly varied group of people. Rather, it is implied that the ethnicity of these individuals, rather than their particular personalities or experiences, which makes them violent and ruthless. While the protagonist and his supporting characters are not angels, they are not depicted as bad or evil, and their less desirable traits are explained and justified. The protagonist's wish for revenge is acceptable because of the pain he's suffered; the antagonist, however, who is also primarily motivated by a wish for revenge, is depicted as hostile, violent and unjustifiably vengeful. It's a shame, because this could have been a great story, if the two sides of the conflict had been treated in a more even-handed manner. Reich seems to be trying to say that there are no easy answers and no clear lines, but the outcome is that this concept applies only to the Anglo, and not the Arab/Muslim, characters. This, in the end, ruined the read for me.

Rating:
Summary: Bank on this for a devil of a great read
Review: There are many ways of fighting the war on terrorisim and Christopher Reich has written an enthralling novel about one of the least understood. Adam Chapel hunts terrorists by "following the money." It is not easy finding the "golden thread" and it is decidedly not dull for Mr. Chapel. The plan has been years in the making and inspite of painstaking care on the mastermind behind it, pieces of it come to light. Sarah Churchill hunts terrorists the old fashioned way. On the ground. As their lives intertwine they each do their part to uncover the plot which involves overthrowing the government of Saudi Arabia by the neuclear destruction of the White House while the Saudi King is guest of honor at a White House dinner. There are many twists and turns in the plot which will hold the reader, but throughout the novel one thought kept reocurring to me, i.e., that there was no suspension of belief needed to appreciate this story. It is frighteningly real and far too plausable for comfort. A superb effort!

Rating:
Summary: Fun read - terrorist hunting from the numbers side
Review: This was an enjoyable read overall. Being in the banking industry, I viewed this as "professional development" but fortunately for you, it didn't delve into banking in great detail. The story deals with an emerging threat and how the lead character, a PW accountant by training, hunts down the terrorist by tracking the finances. This activity complements the more familiar methods of combatting terror.
I thought the book was a great read overall, and the ending was climatic to be sure. Lots of twists and turns, and points of excitement throughout.
My only beef with the book is that my TV brain likes a neat ending that wraps up all the loose ends. These book writers like to stop short and end the book abruptly, and Reich's book is no exception.

Rating:
Summary: An ending as deflating as an exploding balloon
Review: What's wrong with this writer that he can't write a good ending? Why is it that so many mystery writers flunk the ending part of their final exams? Granted there is a certain sustained interest in the transnational mechanics and flow of terrorist money which sustains the plot.The hero's relationship with his English spy girl friend is so sappy and unfulfilling that watching soap operas is more enjoyable. Reich must have felt that if he set the plot in Paris, he'd capture the tourist reader. Reich's ending is so flat and unpolished that one can imagine he was under time constraints to finish. Remember those college exam time blue books, where the clock is ticking away and you are scribbling away to fill all 12 pages. Well, that is Reich pounding away with the clock ticking and not sure what he is writing. Nonsense, utter implausible nonsense.