Rating: 
Summary: Not so Good
Review:
"Devil's Banker" is the Christopher Reich book I was afraid of--it is not up to the standard of "Numbered Account" and "First Billion."
It's a perfectly workmanlike book--it's just not up to Reich's standard. The plot is overly complicated in that because he gets more ambitious in this book & tries to develop a more complex plot, there's a lot that is unsatisfactorily developed. It's irritating & abrupt sometimes to jump from one story line to another so much.
Adam Chapel is well drawn. In what seems to be a Reich trait, other characters are not, especially Sarah Churchill, who just never resolves & comes into focus as a person for me.
Reich's up-to-the-minute plots & settings are great, playing off current events.
But, while this book is mildly entertaining, I found it really sort of an annoying read with its stops & starts & underdeveloped characters whose names confused me because I didn't know enough about them to keep them separate. Start with Reich's other books first.
Rating: 
Summary: Reads about as exciting as an accountant's spreadsheet
Review: Adam Chapel is a CIA agent who is actually a forensic accountant. He follows trails of money. There is an apparent plot for another terrorist attack in the US. To determine the source of the plot and to stop it, the CIA uses Adam Chapel to follow a trail of money which presumably would lead to the terrorists. Teaming with Chapel is British agent Sarah Churchill. They must race with time to prevent another disaster of at least equal proportion to 9/11.
A forensic accountant! Good G-d what will they think of next? Riech, a former banker, has written several previous novels concerning international high finance. All of them are considerably more successful thrillers than this one. There are many moments in this very long book that it reads about as exciting as an accountant's spreadsheet. The plot is highly predictable and the characters are, like this book, quite forgettable.
Rating:
Summary: Wish rating system allowed 1/2 stars as this is 3 1/2
Review: Adam Chapel is a former accountant indepently wealthy from a job at a big investment firm that is recruited into a new (sub) intelligence agency against the war on Terrorism. Chapel faces ther reality behind the glamourous new career when a bomb kills members of his fellow team, on the hunt of a terrorist.
A taped message has all the acronyms (and this book is loaded with them) on edge as it threatens another attack on American soil. Enter Chapel and his enigmatic partner Sarah Churchill from M-I6. Chapels, job is to help hunt the terrorists using numbers and accounts as his tools of the trade, follow the money trail that will lead to the Hijura.
Reich does many things right in this novel. He prints out pages and pages of suspense, International intrique, and a dab of romance between his lead characters(probably preparing for a Hollywood adaptation.) The main flaws I found with this thriller was its pace. While entertaining and intriquing enough to finish, it lagged purposely in parts. There was enough suspense, but not quite enough action to rate higher on my own scale of thriller novels.
This is a well written novel, with an interesting enough premise and plot to be worth the read yet would not label it a "must-read" by any means.
Rating: 
Summary: Great thriller! Loved it! Accountants rejoice!
Review: As an accountant, it is wonderful to read an excellent thriller where the hero of the story is an accountant. (We get such a bum rap most of the time in novels!)
I love Chris Reich's books and would recommend every one of them. This one is a very fast read with a ingenious plot-it would make a terrific movie. I thought the insights provided were extremely interesting related to terrorists and their activities. I've seen where he is called the "John Grisham of Wall Street". He's a much better author than Grisham, in my opinion. Merry Christmas C,S,N,K
Rating: 
Summary: Reich Scores Again
Review: Christopher Reich's latest effort, The Devil's Banker recaptures the magic of his first work, Numbered Account. The plot races along at breakneck speed, and Reich's historical research is so exacting and vivid that the reader feels they are watching rather than reading the book. Reich's timely tale is captivating and highly entertaining, a thriller, and page turner you don't want to miss.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointed
Review: Having a financial background adds much to my enjoyment of Christopher Reich novels.And I really enjoyed his first three books especially Numbered Account.
But I just could not get into his latest endeavor The Devils Banker. For me it was disjointed,overly complex which some people describe as "intelligent" but which I describe as obtuse. Most importantly it was mainly conversations among the characters rather than exciting action.
One might think he was attempting to write a LeCarre like novel. I'd rather re-read Numbered Account.
Rating:
Summary: Best Suspense of the Year!!
Review: I'm a book-a-week thriller reader and, as far as I'm concerned, THE DEVIL'S BANKER deserves the "thriller of the year" award.It's smart, exciting and as fresh as tomorrow's headlines. Don't miss this one!!
Rating:
Summary: Intriguing, fast-paced, but does not close the deal for 5/5
Review: On its own, this book is good, but it doesn't reach the level set by Reich's previous novels. This one got bogged down at times in financial complexities, too many characters and organizations.
But, it is enjoyable and entertaining. The plot is believable in this time of constant terror warnings. The writing is intelligent and smooth.
I think the conclusion is the main area where Reich did not hit his usual home run. I would call it a double--not disappointing but also not thrilling. The book could have used an epilogue or a few more chapters.
It is still a 4/5 stars for entertainment and quality. I think his previous books have been 5/5 stars and I expected it from this book too. It definitely kept my interest but didn't keep me up at night reading. There is no doubt in my mind that I will continue to read his books at first opportunity.
Rating:
Summary: Surprising Hero...Timely Story
Review: Reich's novel is a doozy. It is scary and very real. The accountant as hero part is surprisingly compelling. The twists and turns and red herrings keep you from figuring out the entire plot until the end. It is good old fashioned spy novel, as well as a thriller and tour through the world of finance. Really well paced and exciting. A quick, but engrossing read.
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?
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