A Fatal Debt by John Gapper

The crash of the Wall Street Market ushered in a new era of consciousness of the wrongdoings of those running the U.S. financial system. Fatal flaws came to light, and the American people demanded retribution for the misuse of their money. When the government, in an attempt to hinder a looming economic depression, bailed out large financial institutions, the lives of millions of Americans were instantly changed. There was a large focus on the impact of these events on lower and middle-class citizens, but in "A Fatal Debt", debut author John Gapper creates an imaginative thriller, focusing on a CEO who also saw a drastic change of life after the financial crash.

Harry Shapiro had it all. A high profile position as owner and president of a top financial institution at the heart of Wall Street provided him with the luxurious lifestyle most people can only dream of. Unfortunately, the combination of one sour deal, in this case the purchase of a smaller, struggling company, and the market crash left a lasting mark on Shapiro's life. After a public hearing finds Shapiro at fault for the collapse of his company, the once confident financier is left jobless and depressed. 

This is how Ben Cowper, a young psychiatrist at New York's Episcopal Hospital finds Shapiro. When Harry's wife discovers her husband in his study, clutching a handgun, she immediately brings him to the hospital. After a short assessment of the man, Ben believes that Shapiro is suicidal and that he should be kept in the hospital for further evaluation. But Harry will have no part of this diagnosis. At the encouragement of the hospital, which received generous donations from the Shapiro family, Ben decides to release Harry from the psych ward and to treat Harry at his home. 

After a chat with Harry, Ben feels that he is making some progress. Shapiro seems content with his situation, and willing to work with Ben. A few days later, Ben is shocked to learn of a fatal shooting in the Shapiro's mansion. With the profile of Shapiro's psychiatric condition suddenly raised, Ben finds himself inside a murder investigation that could lead loss of his job, medical license, and even his life. 

Gapper has created an edge of your seat thriller that grabs you from the very beginning. Drawing on the events surrounding the market crash, he introduces fascinating characters into the high-stakes world of Wall Street. Despite losing a bit of urgency in the last third of the story, the opening events are strong enough to propel the reader through the rest of the book. A mixture of murder investigation, legal thriller, and medical drama, "A Fatal Debt" is a fast paced novel that should not be missed.

For more information visit the author's website http://www.johngapper.com/,

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4 Responses to “A Fatal Debt by John Gapper”

  1. 365_books_a_yearJune 25, 2012 at 9:29 AM

    Hi Ethan. Found your blog through your comment in the Book Blogs site. Great reviews. I'm following through GFC. I think I'll find some great books, based on your reviews, for my husband who doesn't read a lot. He's starting to get back into reading.(He's going to college right now, too)

    My blog is at: http://365-books-a-year.blogspot.com/

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    Replies
    1. EthanJune 25, 2012 at 9:00 PM

      Thanks for reading! I'm sure that I've reviewed something that will appeal to both you and your husband.

      Delete
  2. Jonathan WilhoitJune 26, 2012 at 8:45 AM

    Great review, E. Now I want to track down this book and read it. :)

    Jonathan
    www.ireadabookonce.com

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