Book Review: The Successor

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Successor     Amazon US HC Amazon UK HC Amazon Canada HC
Stephen Frey
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Financial   Thriller   Political Intrigue
Series: Christian Gillette
Ballantine, Jan 2007, $25.95

The first African-American president of the United States Jesse Wood “invites” Everest Capital investment firm CEO Christian Gillette to meet with him at Camp David to discuss rumors that Castro died. Wood asks Gillette to use his international contacts to learn whether the Cuban communist dictator is dead or if this is just a fabrication. Gillette agrees to uncover the truth even if it means a questionably legal venture. As Wood explains it he wants to help a certain liberal Cuban group take power.

Meanwhile in Hollywood at the Oscar awards banquet, actress` Melissa Hart wins the Best Actress award, but rips her director father in her thank you speech. In Havana Dr. Nelson Padilla head of Los Secretos Seis has shady American support to destroy the current regime. Finally the Republican opposition sends Victoria Graham to expose and destroy Gillette and by association Wood with her payment being the CEO of Everest Capital. These three people join forces with the immediate goal to obliterate Gillette and behind that the long term objective to make Wood impotent with the stakes being American political power, control of Everest Capital, and taking over Cuba.

Though connecting the dots means leaving your plausibility logic elsewhere, fans of action-packed thrillers will appreciate this wild ride. The story line is fast-paced though filled with details that attempt unsuccessfully to add credibility to the premise. Fans of the author will appreciate Gillette’s latest fray as the hero struggles to survive amoral political intrigue that makes Wall St look like a high school economics class.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner