‘A Deadly Deal’ by Simon Fairfax is the first book in a planned series of historical crime thrillers. This story is about corporate espionage and it is set in the 1980s.
Rupert Brett is a newly qualified surveyor in London in 1986 with a new job in the brokering industry. He soon discovers that there is a ruthless nature to the business that he never envisaged coming into this industry. It is that cutthroat that he wonders if he can find his way through without falling at the first post, as the competition is so fierce and no-one gives a damn.
Simon Fairfax’s debut novel hits the nail on the head describing the ruthlessness of everyone, from the deal makers to the money men. The backhanded deals and the way they think they are the best of their league, we are left with a very real picture of the characters in the story.
Rupert comes in blind but is soon finding himself falling into the same ways as his colleagues. The phrase work hard play hard was coined in this time and that is what he begins to emulate. He only realises that ‘Knowledge is power’ when it is too late and he is already up to his neck.
I appreciated that Simon Fairfax didn’t bring overly much technical phrases. I never once thought it was too much. In fact, I was rooted to my seat while I read this. The ruthless world in which Rupert found himself kept me in suspense as to what would be thrown at him next and what dodgy deals would go down.
A book that made me think all the brokering businesses and such like isn’t half as boring as I have always thought!
Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources and Simon Fairfax for the copy of the book and my place on the tour.
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