The Village Banker

Rating:
Summary: A Delightful Mystery Novel
Review: As a Brazilian national who had the privilege of reading a manuscript copy of The Village Banker, by Alexander Reed, I whole-heartedly agree with Mr. Douglas Hughes review and additionally vouch for the authenticity of the author's settings and characters. I can also add that the novel makes one wish one could meet all the interesting people that the novel's hero met, or, at least, that one could as sharply and compassionately remember and picture them and their pathos in such an easygoing story-telling style. Through the hero's international banker's eyes, peoples' and countries' foibles and souls parade without condescendence or prejudice, meanwhile revealing individual aspects of their distinct cultures. This is something that too few authors have had the ability to bring to the knowledge of the American reader without resorting to the usual stereotypes or jumping to the easy conclusions.
Reed's achievement is that he does all of the above while fast pacing an exciting and very original mystery novel!
All in all, as my wife who has just finished the now published copy says: "Additionally to a thriller, a wonderful primer on international finance and the first book that depicts the capitalist banker as a compassionate philosopher!" And that says it for Reed.

Rating:
Summary: Read it. You'll like it.
Review: I was priviledged to read the final proof of this book. I think it's an excellent read. The author knows his subject, having spent many years in the banking business in Latin America, most notably Brazil, the setting for the novel. His characters are very believable, and the entire story has a sense of reality about it.

Rating:
Summary: High Finance Thriller-South of the Border
Review: The Village Banker, in spite of its innocent title, is not the usual cosy cup of tea whodunnit. Part seductive travelogue through South America, part insider expose of international banking, and all excitement as its sophisticated protagonist,Peter Reynolds,sweeps the reader into an ominous world of international high finance. Ever wonder how politics, banking and large corporations dance a deadly tango of control across the globe? Alexander Reed's, The Village Banker, immerses the reader in an up close and deadly look at the intricate web of sophisticated schemes the world's rich and powerful use to expand their wealth and power.
Peter, the book's protagonist, is especially well drawn. His character immediately grabbed me, lulling the reader with a sense of competence and quiet that soon became overshadowed by doubt and danger at the discovery of his colleague's murder. Reed's skill in creating compassion for ancillary characters, his sensitivity to women and the story's blend of sweet new romance with deadly corruption holds the reader in suspense page after page. A primer for who,what and why money makes the world go round-- often to the point of implosion-- The Village Banker is not only a great read, but filled with insider information, leaving the reader never again able to look at an article in the international financial news without examining its underside. Everthing you want a thriller to be,The Village Banker provides a breathless finale as well as leaving the reader with a mini-crash course in international finace.