"Financial Thriller".  It's an interesting genre of fiction.  One where there are always two extra characters hanging around.  "Money" and "Greed".   When these two players get together, a whole lot of interesting mayhem can ensue.

Stephen Frey's The Protégé exemplifies this idea.  Chris Gillette is the CEO of a hugely successful investment firm.  Chris can move billions of dollars faster than I can find that twenty I know is somewhere in my wallet.  And, he's basically a good guy.  But he's surrounded by some pretty greedy folks.  And when you're worth that much money, you'd better be real careful in whom you place your trust.

Chris's protégé David is young, smart, and eager.  But Chris doesn't know that David has a shady secret, and is being blackmailed.  And David isn't paying his tormentors in money; but in information.  About Chris.

Then there's Chris's newest manager, Allison.  She bought her way into Chris's firm with a 5 billion dollar investment.  But believe it or not, sometimes even 5 billion dollars isn't enough.  Not for having to put up with Allison's shenanigans.   They're annoying.  And maybe even deadly.

And now there's a "secret government agency" who wants a favor from Chris.  In exchange, they offer Chris the one thing he wants more than money - information about his parents.  But, really, who are these secretive people and what possible consequences might Chris's favor to them have on the world?

These issues, and several others, are the meat of this book.  Basically, one sub-plot after another, all surrounding Chris, and all converging in a climax that had me turning those pages really quick.

Because this book, if nothing else, is exciting.  We never know, from one minute to the next, which direction the story will go.  And with so many sub-plots, there was never a lull in the action. 

My only complaint with this book is some lack of realism.  First, David easily could have told Chris the truth about his past, and Chris would have done everything in his power to help him.  Sure, there might have been consequences, but none so bad as what his blackmailers are threatening.  His decision to keep quiet, and go along with the blackmail, just didn't ring true. 

Then there's Allison.  No one would put up with her antics.  She's annoying, intrusive, and potentially very dangerous.  That a high-powered CEO like Chris would put up with her for more than 10 minutes was ridiculous.  In real life, he would have told her to change her attitude, or take her 5 billion dollars and not let the door hit her on the way out. 

But other than those few unbelievable spots, this was a highly enjoyable book.  Chris is a very likable character, as a result we can't help but root for him.  Life through his eyes for just a few days provided a level of excitement unequaled in many other books.  Highly recommended for lovers of exciting financial thrillers.


Also by Stephen W. Frey:
Shadow Account
Silent Partner
The Inner Sanctum
The Takeover
The Vulture Fund
Trust Fund

Recommended: Yes