Title: The Trail of Money
Author: Peter David Shapiro
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
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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