The Banker Spy weaves history into a contemporary thriller about ex-lovers who become entangled in a web of international intrigue. Investment banker Peter Armstrong believes he’s left his past in the States. He has an exciting new job in London and is managing the largest equity offering in European history. Behind him are an incident at his old employer and a broken engagement. He thinks his only problem is his client—an automobile company desperate for cash. Then he receives a phone call from his ex-fiancée, Dayna Caymus, a beautiful and unpredictable CIA agent. When Peter discovers that his client is secretly working for the German government the two ex-lovers enter into an uneasy alliance which their past sometimes helps and sometimes hurts, all the while sorting through their feelings for each other. Dayna puts her mission first, leading Peter into a labyrinth of deception and conspiracy. Peter loses his client, his job, and almost his life as they race to learn Germany’s secrets—secrets that could start a nuclear war.
MY THOUGHTS
The Banker Spy caught me off-guard. I really like reading books with thrills, chills and espionage. I like reading books about history, but to put them all together? It was like a banana split - yummy, sweet and left me wanting more, even though I was satisfied.
Byrnes has obviously done his homework, because the details of Germany were really intriguing, but not to take anything from the characters. Peter and Dayna both have their own baggage, and yet, they compliment one another and Byrnes does a super job of building those characters. There's also the plot - I wouldn't think of investment banking and the CIA as being alot to run off with, but Byrnes has a rock solid plot and it works perfectly. I was thoroughly entertained from cover to cover and I think those that enjoy thrillers will love this book!!
Byrnes has obviously done his homework, because the details of Germany were really intriguing, but not to take anything from the characters. Peter and Dayna both have their own baggage, and yet, they compliment one another and Byrnes does a super job of building those characters. There's also the plot - I wouldn't think of investment banking and the CIA as being alot to run off with, but Byrnes has a rock solid plot and it works perfectly. I was thoroughly entertained from cover to cover and I think those that enjoy thrillers will love this book!!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR - Bill Byrnes was an investment banker with Alex. Brown & Sons for 17 years. After that he was a Distinguished Teaching Professor of Finance and, subsequently, member of the Board of Regents at Georgetown University. He's founded three companies and has served on the boards of six public companies. He holds degrees from Georgetown University and the University of Michigan. His interests include European and Mesoamerican history, wine collecting, and automobiles. He's happiest around the water and on the tennis court. Bill, his wife, and their two poodles divide their time between Washington, DC and West Palm Beach, FL. http://thebankerspy.blogspot.com/
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Wendy, I'm glad this one had everything you were looking for and more. Thanks for the review!
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