The Letter Writer

Rating:
Summary: A Real Page Turner!
Review: Fast-paced, thoroughly enjoyable account of greed, excess, boredom, and intrigue in America in the early days of the millennium. Accurate portrayal of the stock market swings at that time.
June 2000. In a prosperous Seattle suburb, material life could hardly be better. But pastor Lars Renquist wonders if it isn't too good. Wendy, a young divorcee, is torn between an older and younger man. Retiring professor, Pete Hansen, is surrounded by departmental intrigue. Jack, a successful restauranteur, is diverted by Eve. And feisty Adele Whitaker, running largely on a diet of sex and Jack Daniel's, fights for control of her money. Into these topsy-turvy lives falls a free copy of The Rich Man's Investment Letter put out by the irrespressible David Dulalley, who is not without personal intrigues of his own. Lured by the prospect of financial security and stock market gains, this intriguing cast of characters sign up for one of his Golden Cruises and plunge into the stock market for the first time--just before the crash of 2001! --- This masterly account of modern America is a feast of characters, crosscurrents, foolishness and hope.

Rating:
Summary: Wow! Did I ever enjoy this book!
Review: I could not put this book down until I reached the end -- and then I didn't want it to end. I will certainly be watching for more books by this author. It has been a long time since I have read such a thoroughly enjoyable book. Well done!

Rating:
Summary: A compelling satirical spoof of those frantic get-rich-quick
Review: The Letter Writer by Robert Mercer-Nairne is a compelling satirical spoof of those frantic get-rich-quick schemes and too-good-to-be-true financial intrigues that were to climax in the great stock market crash of 2000. In a prosperous Seattle suburb, an assemblage of ordinary and seemingly well-off individuals have the (mis)fortune to encounter a free copy of "The Rich Man's Investment Letter". They sign up for one of his Golden Cruises and entire the stock market... just before the 2001 crash! At times scathing, witty, rollicking funny or all too serious, The Letter Writer is a compelling parable of greed, overreaching, vanity, and the human struggle to understand what truly matters in life... when not diverted by material wants and needs. Although a work of fiction, The Letter Writer is strongly recommended reading for anyone taking "flyers" in stock market schemes in the hope of getting rich quick.