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Saturday, December 15, 2012

Book Feature - The Trail of Money - Peter David Shapiro


The Trail of Money
Title: The Trail of Money


Synopsis: An international suspense novel about money laundering and murder in Hong Kong.

Devastated by the death of his daughter, numbed by the dissolution of his marriage, and facing imminent collapse of his management consulting firm, Harry West embarks on his personal journey out of emptiness and loss when he takes on a project in Hong Kong, to evaluate a business deal involving the son of one of the richest men in Asia.

But the assignment is not what Harry expects. Instead, he is asked to uncover evidence of money laundering and corruption, evidence that will expose people who will stop at nothing to protect themselves. To discover the truth, Harry must draw on resources that he never knew he had.

Along the way, Harry's journey is shaped by two women in Hong Kong, an American journalist who is investigating the same business deal, and a long-lost love who comes back into his life.

A gripping and evocative international suspense novel about secrecy and corrupt dealings in Hong Kong and Shanghai, and a moving story about the bonds of love and memory, The Trail of Money keeps the reader guessing until the end.

Review by Tom McGee,  a Top Amazon Reviewer,  25 November 2012
Although I do not know author Peter David Shapiro, he contacted me via Amazon.com and asked me if I would be willing to read and review a free copy of his novel, “The Trail of Money.” I agreed and am so glad I did.

Having just read “The Last Man” by Vince Flynn, I did not expect much from an author I had never heard of; however, I was pleasantly surprised by “The Trail of Money”. In fact, hold on to your hats and brace yourself for a twisting turning suspenseful ride that will make you want to read more by this author. I was so intrigued by this 323-page murder suspense novel that I read it in one sitting, yesterday and wager that you will too!

At the onset, the author takes the reader back to 1994 and a peasant village in Shanghai, China where powerful secret corrupt governmental sources use eminent domain to obtain space for “New Shanghai,” the fourth village obtained at the expense of their residents–an act that resulted in Chen Qiwei’s parents suicide and his life’s mission to bring down those responsible.
Fast forward ten years to 2004 Hong Kong where the author introduces one of the richest men in Asia, the owner of a giant holding company and board member of Hong Kong Wireless (HKW), Woo Jian-Min.

In his forties, rich, yet insecure, Edward Woo seeks the respect that his father holds. Edward is a dangerous man with connection to the Chinese Mob–the Triad. With the backing of the corrupt and sinister money laundering, Shanghai based “New China Property Fund” who helped him finance his impressive TelePhase corporation and against his father’s will, Edward plans a forced takeover of HKW.

Elsewhere strangers on a United Airlines flight in route to Honk Kong, passengers Erin Haig and Henry West become acquainted while sitting together. At the time, they did not know that their jobs would pit them against those willing to do anything to accomplish their mission.

“The Trail of Money” is a descriptive, fast-paced suspense novel that will keep readers on their toes guessing who is responsible for the violence and corruption at the centerpiece of this entertaining story.

The author does an excellent job developing characters, a great storyline and vivid settings.

It has a spellbinding quality that makes it difficult to put down. I whole heartedly recommend this novel to those who love a great international suspense novel!
Enjoy!

From the Author:  Dear Readers,
When I’m asked whether the novel is realistic, I respond that it’s ripped from the headlines!  We’ve all seen the news stories about the demolition of villages and farms in China to make way for expansion of cities, the corruption, and money laundering, and executions of wayward out-of-favor party leaders.  These are real-life happenings and they are key drivers of the story in The Trail of Money.

The descriptions of Hong Kong are as realistic as I could make them, subject to liberties that I’ve taken to further the story. It’s also realistic that a management consultant like Harry West would balk at taking on a project involving money laundering, corruption, and murder, for which police, detectives, or ex-military are much better suited. On the other hand, Harry’s career includes quite unusual assignments so his decision to accept the project is not so surprising.

The Trail of Money is available in paperback and as an eBook, on Amazon, Barnes&Noble, and Book Depository (free shipping outside USA), in Boston-area bookstores, and elsewhere.

Published by PenLane Press, October 2012
ISBN: 978-0-9839244-2-5
Peter David Shapiro, pdshapiro@yahoo.com.
Website: www.peterdshapiro.com.
twitter: @pdshapiro1
Peter David Shapiro 
Author Bio
I live in the Boston area. Born in Montreal, Canada, I emigrated to the US after completing graduate school at Stanford. I toiled as a management consultant at one of the premier consulting firms, serving clients around the world including in Hong Kong, and now have my own consulting practice for occasional gigs although I spend most of my time writing and marketing novels, and trying to improve my flute playing.

The Trail of Money is a prequel to my first novel, Ghosts on the Red Line, which tells what happens when commuters see their Departed on Boston’s subway trains. Each novel is a very different story but they have important characters in common, including the main protagonist, consultant Harry Forrest West.

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