Top Producer: A Novel of Dark Money, Greed, and Friendship

Vonnegut, Norb

ISBN 10: 1400113423 ISBN 13: 9781400113422

Publisher: Tantor Audio, 2009

Synopsis

In a world that moves as fast as finance does, top producers have to think three steps ahead and make snap decisions. Theirs is a blurred version of reality, one that conceals moves as much as it rewards the bold ones. All too easily, scams can be disguised as success, and plotting can be mistaken for killer instincts. And as Grove O'Rourke finds out, "Nothing obscures vulnerability like success. Nothing that is, except for friendships."

But this book isn't about stocks and bonds-it's about people. It's about Grove O'Rourke, top producer at the investment firm of Sachs, Kidder, and Carnegie, and about his best friend, Charlie Kelemen, whose spectacular murder is carried out in front of hundreds of horrified party-goers at the opening of the novel. It's about Charlie's widow, who comes to Grove for help after her husband's death, even though she's hiding a dark secret. And it's about how money-vast sums of money-can cover up even the most glaring imperfections in relationships and fool everyone.

Well, almost everyone.

With the ease of someone who has lived in the world of top producers, Norb Vonnegut has crafted a sharp, dark thriller that will make you think-and then double-check your investments.

About this title

From the Back Cover

TOP PRODUCERS think three steps ahead and make snap decisions. Theirs is a blurred version of reality, one that conceals motives or rewards bold moves. All too easily, scams can be disguised as success; plotting can be mistaken for killer instincts. And it's all fun and games―until someone gets hurt.

"The gold standard for financial thrillers."―Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Grove O'Rourke is one such top producer at an elite investment firm. His job is his life. His colleagues are like family. One of them, Charlie, is legend―larger than life both in business and physique, loved by everyone. At least it seems that way, until his spectacular murder is carried out in front of hundreds of horrified party-goers...

"Shockingly accurate."―Bloomberg on the Economy

Charlie was Grove's best friend, and he'll do anything to help his widow. But she appears to be hiding a dark secret... Soon, Grove stumbles upon a web of false statements and forged documents, and learns the truth about Charlie's dealings―and those clients whose lives drastically changed the instant they signed a dishonest deal. And what he discovers is how money―vast sums of money―can bring out the best and worst in people. And sometimes even drive them to kill...

"An entertaining debut...about the cutthroat world of finance."―SmartMoney magazine

About the Author

Norb Vonnegut spent over two years at a money management firm in New York City, where he was a managing director responsible for equity and fixed income portfolios.

Edition details

• Publisher: Tantor Audio
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1400113423
• ISBN 13: 9781400113422
• Binding: Audio CD
• Language: English