Martin Bodenham's Blog, page 3
November 13, 2017
My new thriller is published today
Damon Traynor leaves a glittering career on Wall Street to set up his own private equity business. When it is the winning bidder in the multi-billion dollar auction for a government-owned defense company, his firm’s future success looks certain.
But soon after the deal closes, Damon makes an alarming discovery—something that makes the recent acquisition worthless. Then he learns he was duped by the financially-strapped federal administration and that there are many others in the same position. Facing financial ruin, he investigates the US treasury officials behind the transaction.
What Damon uncovers is a terrifying web of organized crime—extending all the way to the White House itself—involving blackmail and assassination on an industrial scale. When those around him begin to die, Damon finds himself locked in a deadly battle with the leader of the free world.
“Bodenham’s unique insight into the world of high finance has created another authentic financial thriller.” Lord Leigh of Hurley
“On the money. Finance and politics mixed into a thrilling, deadly cocktail.” Derek Thompson, author of the Spy Chaser thriller series
“Bodenham, a former a private equity fund manager, has hit gold with Shakedown, a riveting thriller about the high risks in high finance.” Jerry Kennealy, author of the Nick Polo mystery series
“Bodenham brings an insider’s savvy to this tale of intrigue and deception. Think Absolute Power meets The Firm and you’ve got the inside track on this heart-pounding thriller. Relentlessly entertaining!” Lawrence Kelter, bestselling author of Back to Brooklyn
“Shakedown is a crash course in corporate intrigue, government conspiracies, and espionage. The action is swift and the characters are relentless. Don’t miss out on this ride.” J.J. Hensley, author of Bolt Action Remedy and Resolve
November 9, 2017
Shakedown hits the shelves Monday
My latest crime thriller novel, Shakedown, hits the shelves Monday.
Even better news, you can pre-order your copy now at the following links:
Down and Out Books – my publisher
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Damon Traynor leaves a glittering career on Wall Street to set up his own private equity business. When it is the winning bidder in the multi-billion dollar auction for a government-owned defense company, his firm’s future success looks certain.
But soon after the deal closes, Damon makes an alarming discovery—something that makes the recent acquisition worthless. Then he learns he was duped by the financially-strapped federal administration and that there are many others in the same position. Facing financial ruin, he investigates the US treasury officials behind the transaction.
What Damon uncovers is a terrifying web of organized crime—extending all the way to the White House itself—involving blackmail and assassination on an industrial scale. When those around him begin to die, Damon finds himself locked in a deadly battle with the leader of the free world.
“Bodenham’s unique insight into the world of high finance has created another authentic financial thriller.” Lord Leigh of Hurley
“On the money. Finance and politics mixed into a thrilling, deadly cocktail.” Derek Thompson, author of the Spy Chaser thriller series
“Bodenham, a former a private equity fund manager, has hit gold with Shakedown, a riveting thriller about the high risks in high finance.” Jerry Kennealy, author of the Nick Polo mystery series
“Bodenham brings an insider’s savvy to this tale of intrigue and deception. Think Absolute Power meets The Firm and you’ve got the inside track on this heart-pounding thriller. Relentlessly entertaining!” Lawrence Kelter, bestselling author of Back to Brooklyn
“Shakedown is a crash course in corporate intrigue, government conspiracies, and espionage. The action is swift and the characters are relentless. Don’t miss out on this ride.” J.J. Hensley, author of Bolt Action Remedy and Resolve
August 20, 2017
Shakedown available for pre-order
https://www.amazon.com/Shakedown-Mart...
July 24, 2017
Early reviews – Shakedown
Well, the early reviews for my latest thriller novel, Shakedown, are in. One of the most nervous times for an author is when your publisher sends out the advance review copies for early feedback. After all, none of us likes to spend a year on our precious creation only to see it slammed by its first readers. The good news is, if these reviews are anything to go by, you’re going to love it.
The book will be published by Down & Out Books in November, but US readers can already pre-order the paperback on Amazon right now. Here’s the link. The Kindle version will be available for pre-order next month.
I hope you’re enjoying the summer…
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July 3, 2017
Cover for my latest novel – Shakedown
The cover for my latest novel has just arrived. SHAKEDOWN will be published by Down & Out Books this November.
[image error]Damon Traynor leaves a glittering career on Wall Street to set up his own private equity business. When it is the winning bidder in the multi-billion dollar auction for a government-owned defense company, his firm’s future success looks certain.
But soon after the deal closes, Damon makes an alarming discovery—something that makes the recent acquisition worthless. Then he learns he was duped by the financially-strapped federal administration and that there are many others in the same position. Facing financial ruin, he investigates the US treasury officials behind the transaction.
What Damon uncovers is a terrifying web of organized crime—extending all the way to the White House itself—involving blackmail and assassination on an industrial scale. When those around him begin to die, Damon finds himself locked in a deadly battle with the leader of the free world.
“Bodenham’s unique insight into the world of high finance has created another authentic financial thriller.” Lord Leigh of Hurley
“On the money. Finance and politics mixed into a thrilling, deadly cocktail.” Derek Thompson, author of the Spy Chaser thriller series.
“Bodenham, a former a private equity fund manager, has hit gold with Shakedown, a riveting thriller about the high risks in high finance.” Jerry Kennealy, author of the Nick Polo mystery series.
June 10, 2017
Cover for my latest novel
The cover for my latest novel has just arrived. SHAKEDOWN will be published by Down & Out Books this November.
[image error]
Damon Traynor leaves a glittering career on Wall Street to set up his own private equity business. When it is the winning bidder in the multi-billion dollar auction for a government-owned defense company, his firm’s future success looks certain.
But soon after the deal closes, Damon makes an alarming discovery—something that makes the recent acquisition worthless. Then he learns he was duped by the financially-strapped federal administration and that there are many others in the same position. Facing financial ruin, he investigates the US treasury officials behind the transaction.
What Damon uncovers is a terrifying web of organized crime—extending all the way to the White House itself—involving blackmail and assassination on an industrial scale. When those around him begin to die, Damon finds himself locked in a deadly battle with the leader of the free world.
“Bodenham’s unique insight into the world of high finance has created another authentic financial thriller.” Lord Leigh of Hurley
“On the money. Finance and politics mixed into a thrilling, deadly cocktail.” Derek Thompson, author of the Spy Chaser thriller series.
April 14, 2017
Writing is a lonely pursuit
In my old life as a private equity investment fund manager, I had the opportunity to meet many different people. I’d spend so many hours in meetings; rarely did I have time to myself. Now, in my new life as a storyteller, I have learned one thing: writing is a lonely pursuit. Don’t misunderstand me; I’m not complaining. Sometimes, you have to have time alone in order to appreciate what is going on around us.
Nowadays, sitting in front of my computer, I can go for hours without seeing another person. Most times, the only distraction is outside my study window when a wild animal or bird moves into my peripheral vision. Depending on the season, deer, raccoons, hummingbirds and even river otters make regular appearances as they pass through our backyard. This week, I’ve had the company of this beautiful barred owl. Every day, it has sat outside my window for two or three hours at a time, looking directly at me.
Writing is a lonely pursuit, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
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March 29, 2017
Brexit will lead to greater UK prosperity
Teresa May’s formal Brexit letter to EU Council President, Donald Tusk, earlier today triggers Article 50 and marks the start of a two year divorce proceeding. At the end of this period, the UK will have withdrawn from the EU after almost half a century. The key reasons for Britain’s departure, according to the Brexiteers, are the return of sovereignty to the UK parliament and an end to the costly unelected bureaucracy in Brussels.
History students will know that today’s action is not the first time Britain has chosen to leave Europe. The last time was in 1534 when King Henry VIII led the campaign to remove the Pope’s influence in England and Wales and to terminate sizeable payments to Rome. The driver for the Brexit decision back then was Henry’s unsuccessful attempt to obtain the Pope’s sanction for his divorce from his first wife, Catherine of Aragon. At the time, scaremongers from the Remain camp talked in terms of eternal damnation for the whole country.
There is much doom and gloom surrounding the UK’s current Brexit decision, with many in the press and even some UK members of parliament predicting economic disaster resulting from the uncertainty ahead. I am much more optimistic. I believe the UK’s best years lie ahead and that, free of the EU’s shackles, the country will once again become a leading example of a powerful, free trading nation. After all, not long after the break with Rome almost five hundred years ago, Britain went on to become the most dominant nation on earth with an empire spanning one quarter of the world’s land mass and including almost one quarter of the global population at the time.
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January 24, 2017
The Absurdity of Canada’s Energy Policy
Today, President Trump signed an executive order facilitating the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, something that had been rejected by his predecessor. This is welcome news for the struggling Albertan economy, weakened by two years of low oil prices. Once built, Keystone XL will carry 800,000 barrels of oil per day from Canada’s oil sands south to Nebraska and on to the Gulf Coast. But Alberta wouldn’t have to depend on the vagaries of another country’s choice of political leader if it wasn’t for the absurdity of Canada’s energy policy.
Canada is the world’s fifth largest oil producer. The country’s oil production far exceeds its own requirements, and yet the nation still imports some 600,000 barrels per day. Who would invent such an absurd system? The answer lies partly in economic history. In the past, the eastern provinces of Canada found it cheaper to import oil from the Middle East rather than ship it around the coast (through the Panama Canal) or overland by rail. But things have changed dramatically in the last five years. Care to guess where most of the country’s oil imports come from today? That’s right; the US now accounts for some 60%.
The historic reliance on cheap oil from the Middle East meant there was little incentive to build infrastructure connecting western Canadian oil producers to eastern Canadian markets. With Mr. Trump heralding his “Buy America” policy, it is time for our political leaders to do the same. It is time to invest in pipeline infrastructure running west to east rather than north to south. The proposed “Energy East” pipeline may be the answer, provided Canadians don’t allow political and environmental concerns to delay the project for decades.
If we don’t act now, the next time we face a 1970s type oil price shock or, more likely, when our neighbour to the south changes its approach to energy, Canada will be facing substantial economic disruption.
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December 17, 2016
Season’s Greetings
Just a short note to wish all my readers Happy Holidays and a great 2017.
This little hummingbird sits outside my study window most days and keeps me company while I’m writing.
