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Due Diligence    by Jonathan Rush Amazon.com order for
Due Diligence
by Jonathan Rush
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Minotaur, 2011 (2011)
Hardcover, e-Book

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* *   Reviewed by Hilary Williamson

Jonathan Rush develops his story of international financial shenanigans slowly and steadily (one could say with due diligence) introducing both those whose greed makes them participants in the misdeeds, and the young protagonist who uncovers them, almost to his undoing.

It all begins when Mike Wilson, a high stakes gambler and CEO of utility company Louisiana Light offers Pete Stanzy, a managing director of Wall Street investment bank Dyson Whitney a deal he does not want to refuse. It's almost too good to be true, but if Dyson Whitney helps Wilson buy out BritEnergy (which is worth at least as much as Louisiana Light itself), they stand to make over seventy million.

Rob Holding, a new associate at Dyson Whitney, is thrilled to be made part of the team to put it all together. But, as he works the interminable hours required, stressing his relationship with Emmy (his girlfriend and almost fiancée), he wonders why their client didn't work with their usual investment bank, why their offer to BritEnergy is higher than it needs to be, and why they're paying Dyson Whitney so much. He sees red flags everywhere.

No-one at Dyson Whitney wants to hear about it. And unfortunately, when Rob mentions his concerns in passing to a friend, a journalist overhears them. The identity of the naysayer eventually gets back to Mike Wilson, who needs this deal to save his own hide and who has shady associates. There's a murder and Rob and Emmy end up on the run to the U.K., where they have to stay alive long enough to expose another 'Enron waiting to happen'.

If you enjoy mysteries steeped in international high finance, then dive into Due Diligence. Though it develops slowly, there's more than enough action in the exciting finale.

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