The Devil's Banker

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: 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.