I know little about the banking world and high finance, and in fact my idea of high finance is trying to balance my check book. So it was with some trepidation that I started reading Chameleon by Richard Hains - the concept of a novel revolving around the banking world did not seem like a great read.
I quickly realized that my reservations were unfounded. Mr. Hains has done a fabulous job in this, his first book. The quality of the writing is outstanding. The characters and plot are carefully developed, and the writing style has none of the usual jerkiness found in a first time author; he writes with the authority and ease of a seasoned professional.
The main character is Australian born Jon Phillips, who through a combination of skill, cunning, and a certain amount of luck, has worked his way up to the top table of Government bond traders working on Wall Street. Jon however, is not a satisfied man, as he realizes that gradually the banking industry is changing, and with his style of financial horse trading becoming obsolete, his days at the top are numbered.
Although financially comfortable, Jon wants that last big stock market hit to allow him to retire. He formulates a plan to manipulate a section of the stock market. Not only will the bank make a huge profit, but he personally will then have the funds he needs to escape from the rat race.
His plan is daring, and in his mind virtually risk free. In order for it to work, though, he must have access to a very large sum of money for a short time. His savior comes in the form of a fellow bank employee and board member Earnest Johnston. It transpires that Earnest has a client who is willing to place $35 million to assist in the transaction. What Jon does not realize at the time is that the money is dirty, and Earnest is merely assisting the client in a money laundering scheme on a grand scale.
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