Book Review: A Killing on Wall Street

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

A Killing on Wall Street     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Derrick Niederman
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Wiley, Jul 2000, $21.95, 198 pp.

In Rye, New York, someone fires one shot just below the heart of Kyle Hooperman, killing the arrogant but extremely successful Wall St. portfolio manager. Hooperman knew how to keep his clients happy as he seem to have the Midas touch buying stocks in the state of "KISS - Kompanies in Serious Shit" but with a long history of making money.

Hooperman's employer Rutherford & Hayes hires former money manager turned sleuth Cliff Cavanaugh to investigate what happened so they can ease the mind of their nervous clients. Cliff accompanied by his assistant Tracy de Grandpre, a student at NYU and a Broadway wannabe, begin to make inquiries at the firm and among those customers who might be unhappy due to a bad investment.

A KILLING ON WALL STREET is a creative consolidation of Remedial Introduction to Financial Investment 099 and a murder investigation. Readers will enjoy the humorous interplay between Cliff and Trace as he provides her with a primer on investment that will help many readers understand the money markets. However, that causes the plot to lack action and limits the insight into the suspects of Cliff's evaluations.

Though unique and intriguing, Derrick Niederman never decides which path he wants the plot to travel. Figuring out whether the book should be a who-done-it or an investment primer leaves the tale wagging the dog for much of the audience. Mr. Niederman has talent as his entertaining explanations are excellent, but he needs to tighten his focus so that a good book like this one can become a great novel.

Harriet Klausner

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