UNKNOWN

From Stranger Genius Award-winning playwright Paul Mullin, acclaimed for his plays Louis Slotin Sonata and The Sequence, comes a gripping debut novel inspired by his time in the executive suite of the nation's largest home loans bank during the chaotic ramp-up to the Great Mortgage Meltdown.

When Tom scores his dream job at Seattle's iconic home-town bank, he believes he's secured a ringside seat to the high-stakes chess match for control of the lucrative subprime mortgage market. But as the boardroom's ruthless games unfold, Tom realizes he's just another pawn in their perilous pursuit of power and profit.

Imagine The Circle colliding with The Big Short, with a dash of Fifty Shades of Grey tossed in.

Paul Mullin is a versatile writer whose work spans novels, plays, poetry, and screenwriting. His plays have been performed across North America, earning such accolades as The Stranger's "Genius Award" in theatre. Louis Slotin Sonata was notably read for scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory before its Off-Broadway debut and won the L.A. Drama Critics Award for Outstanding World Premiere. Mullin has also premiered works like The Sequence and The Ten Thousand Things, showcasing his dramatic innovations. He co-wrote and co-produced It's Not in the P-I, a living newspaper about a dying newspaper, which received national critical acclaim. Beyond the stage, Mullin has authored feature film scripts, television documentaries, and his memoir The Starting Gate. He founded Loud Mouth Lit, a live reading series celebrating fresh voices from the Salish Sea. Baltimore-born, Mullin now resides on a horse farm in South Seattle with his wife, championing locally grown storytelling.

Brendan Kiley is a seasoned journalist and editor with a rich background in arts and cultural criticism. He has made significant contributions to Seattle's media landscape, particularly through his work at The Stranger, where he served as the Arts Editor. In this role, Kiley honed his editorial skills, guiding a team of writers and shaping the publication's voice in arts journalism. His expertise extended to mentoring young critics, as he led workshops to cultivate the next generation of arts writers.Kiley's editorial acumen is complemented by his ability to engage with diverse topics, from theater reviews to in-depth cultural analysis. His tenure at The Stranger showcased his knack for balancing creativity with precision, ensuring high-quality content. Beyond editing, Kiley's work reflects a deep commitment to fostering thoughtful dialogue in the arts community. His legacy as an editor continues to influence Seattle's vibrant cultural scene.

K. Brian Neel is a multifaceted artist celebrated for his innovative contributions to book design. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Neel has crafted visually stunning and conceptually rich designs that captivate readers. His work seamlessly blends artistic creativity with functional design, ensuring that each book is not only a vessel for words but also a work of art. Beyond his achievements in book design, Neel is a playwright, performer, and educator, bringing a unique perspective to his creative endeavors. His designs reflect his diverse artistic background, incorporating elements of theater and visual storytelling. Neel's dedication to pushing the boundaries of book design has earned him recognition in the literary and artistic communities, solidifying his reputation as a visionary in the field.