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Richard Coleman #2
Plastic Gods
Nearly thirty years after Rich Coleman and Erica Fox narrowly survive their chilling death pact they are still together and thriving. Rich Coleman's son Matt has just passed the bar exams and is anxious to make his fortune practicing law. Unfortunately his plans to be a PI attorney have been soured by tort reform. Matt's new bride Lynn is a marketing major and, with the help of her college professor, comes up with a brilliant marketing plan - convince people that the credit card companies are manipulating them into a permanent state of financial slavery. Since their financial distress is a result of these practices there is no shame involved in filing a bankruptcy to get out of their grip and become a free person again. As a result of this plan business booms and bankruptcy filings climb. Of course several banks that are involved in predatory credit card practices are severely hurt. The problem is that these are very powerful people and they do not want his success to continue, nor do they want other lawyers copying his success in other parts of the country. One particular banker, Frank Hill of Midsouth Bank, is particularly disturbed by the serious financial losses his bank is suffering as a result of all these new bankruptcies. To save his bank from these crippling losses he orders some very drastic and ruthless measures to stop Matt and Lynn and to destroy their Debt Relief Centers of Texas. Hill's actions turn out to be quite effective and the Debt Relief Centers of Texas are put out of business. But as Matt reels from the devastation inflicted upon him, he concocts a plan to, not only destroy Frank Hill and Midsouth Bank, but to expose the credit card conspiracy in a way that will force Congress to do something about it. Love, greed and revenge fuel this raging thriller about the evil spawned by the Plastic Gods we love and cherish.
Paperback
First published June 30, 2004
About the author
William Manchee
39 books192 followersWilliam Manchee is an attorney by trade and practices consumer law in Texas with his son Jim. Originally from southern California, he now lives in Plano, Texas. He is the author of 25 novels including the Stan Turner Mysteries, Rich Coleman Novels, and the Tarizon Saga.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 2, 2021
This was a good book that was impossible to put down once I started reading. This is the second book in the Richard Coleman series and continues Rich and Erica's story. I did not read the first book so I was a little lost for a while but quickly caught up. I would recommend that you read the first book for total enjoyment. Their son Matt is a lawyer specializing in Consumer bankruptcy. Greed and corruption in the banking industry is exposed. I received this as a arc book via Voracious Readers and voluntarily chose to review it.
October 22, 2012
I was sent this by the publisher as a gift, as the book I actually won, Unconscionable by the same author, was having trouble in production. That was so nice of them and I appreciate it! Thank You!
Especially since I really enjoyed it!
A story about a newly married lawyer, Matt, who is specializing in consumer bankruptcy. (His father Richard, is also a lawyer. Rich's story is in the first of the series, Death Pact.) With the help of his new wife, Lynn, they launch an advertising campaign in Texas that, at first, they were trying to tell people how easy it was to declare bankruptcy and gain new clients, thus making them richer faster. But as their company grew, they came to realize the need to be a consumer advocate and make the public aware of how banks and lenders made it easy to obtain credit and end up paying thousands of dollars in interest without lowering the principal. The vicious cycle was ruining people's credit, marriages and the like. But in doing so, he 'pissed off' the wrong people and was threatened by big, powerful, greedy known and unknown sources.
A little stutter y in places where the story line could have gone a little more smoothly. I think this is a topic that the world should be made very aware. Because credit is so easy to obtain these days, it puts us in a false security that we can have anything we want and pay for it later; a temporary high. Without realizing that those consequences can be tragic if we don't have the resources to pay back what we borrowed. All the hard earned money gone with no dent in the principal. The bigger the dollar amount the bigger the interest due. And the only winners are those lending institutions! Consumer beware!
Especially since I really enjoyed it!
A story about a newly married lawyer, Matt, who is specializing in consumer bankruptcy. (His father Richard, is also a lawyer. Rich's story is in the first of the series, Death Pact.) With the help of his new wife, Lynn, they launch an advertising campaign in Texas that, at first, they were trying to tell people how easy it was to declare bankruptcy and gain new clients, thus making them richer faster. But as their company grew, they came to realize the need to be a consumer advocate and make the public aware of how banks and lenders made it easy to obtain credit and end up paying thousands of dollars in interest without lowering the principal. The vicious cycle was ruining people's credit, marriages and the like. But in doing so, he 'pissed off' the wrong people and was threatened by big, powerful, greedy known and unknown sources.
A little stutter y in places where the story line could have gone a little more smoothly. I think this is a topic that the world should be made very aware. Because credit is so easy to obtain these days, it puts us in a false security that we can have anything we want and pay for it later; a temporary high. Without realizing that those consequences can be tragic if we don't have the resources to pay back what we borrowed. All the hard earned money gone with no dent in the principal. The bigger the dollar amount the bigger the interest due. And the only winners are those lending institutions! Consumer beware!
May 4, 2014
I received a copy of Plastic Gods from the publisher for review.
I found Plastic Gods to be a book about greed, attaining goals, and not backing down. It is also a book about principle (although it may come across more as sticking to your guns than a virtue). The book is, finally, about the lengths that some parties may go to in order to stop others.
It is a good read, but may come across as....formulaic....in certain respects to some readers. For example, since Matt Coleman is a bankruptcy lawyer and a portion of his clients have done business with MidSouth Bank, it follows that MidSouth will (and does) try to do something to him. The 'formulaic' aspects do not, in my opinion, detract from the story and I enjoyed the book from beginning to end.
I found Plastic Gods to be a book about greed, attaining goals, and not backing down. It is also a book about principle (although it may come across more as sticking to your guns than a virtue). The book is, finally, about the lengths that some parties may go to in order to stop others.
It is a good read, but may come across as....formulaic....in certain respects to some readers. For example, since Matt Coleman is a bankruptcy lawyer and a portion of his clients have done business with MidSouth Bank, it follows that MidSouth will (and does) try to do something to him. The 'formulaic' aspects do not, in my opinion, detract from the story and I enjoyed the book from beginning to end.
June 10, 2012
I received this book from the Goodreads "First Read" program.
I love a good who-done-it and this book has plenty of it! It was an easy read and very hard to put down. Mr. Manchee spins a great deal of financial truth it his tale of greed, enlightenment and revenge. A very good book!
I love a good who-done-it and this book has plenty of it! It was an easy read and very hard to put down. Mr. Manchee spins a great deal of financial truth it his tale of greed, enlightenment and revenge. A very good book!
June 20, 2021
This is the first book by this author that I have read, and I received this review copy via 'Voracious Readers',
It is based around an interesting real life situation the way that the financial institutions were persuading the US population that lots of credit was necessary for good life, but it left those people with almost no chance of ever being debt free and paying a large percentage of their salaries in interest.
Enter a young, just qualified Attorney called Matt, who wants to satisfy his ambition by setting up a bancruptcy business to help those who can't cope with their debts. In partnership with his new wife he sets up three offices, and soon gets more business than he can cope with and so starts to hit the banks hard as they lost money.
The first part of this book is concerned with a lot of background and scene setting and I found it quite slow and wondered when the thriller aspect would come to the fore. However then one of the banks decides to stop this avalanche of bankruptcies, initially by discrediting Matt and his firm, and then by more direct action. This is when things get exciting, and for me more interesting.
I have taken off one star for the rather slow start but I have taken off another star for the very poor editing, there are a lot of misspelled words and even words missing, unfortunately this got worse towards the end of the book and really spoiled the reading experience and several critical passages were spoiled for me by my having to go back and re-read it to try and guess what the author intended.
I found this book very interesting, as I didn't really know just how much the credit industry had affected the USA, it was similar in the UK, but generally not as uncontrolled.
It is based around an interesting real life situation the way that the financial institutions were persuading the US population that lots of credit was necessary for good life, but it left those people with almost no chance of ever being debt free and paying a large percentage of their salaries in interest.
Enter a young, just qualified Attorney called Matt, who wants to satisfy his ambition by setting up a bancruptcy business to help those who can't cope with their debts. In partnership with his new wife he sets up three offices, and soon gets more business than he can cope with and so starts to hit the banks hard as they lost money.
The first part of this book is concerned with a lot of background and scene setting and I found it quite slow and wondered when the thriller aspect would come to the fore. However then one of the banks decides to stop this avalanche of bankruptcies, initially by discrediting Matt and his firm, and then by more direct action. This is when things get exciting, and for me more interesting.
I have taken off one star for the rather slow start but I have taken off another star for the very poor editing, there are a lot of misspelled words and even words missing, unfortunately this got worse towards the end of the book and really spoiled the reading experience and several critical passages were spoiled for me by my having to go back and re-read it to try and guess what the author intended.
I found this book very interesting, as I didn't really know just how much the credit industry had affected the USA, it was similar in the UK, but generally not as uncontrolled.
August 13, 2020
I received this as a free review book via Voracious Readers Only, and during covid lockdown this site has been a boon. Plastic Gods is fast paced and easy to read, addressing a genuine concern for many people. However, I found the constant switching between first person and third person a bit disorienting. This is the first book I have read by this author. Possibly if I read more of his work that technique would become more familiar.
It felt to me like reading a newspaper article - heavy on factual narrative and light on detail and colour. This is not necessarily offputting - as I say it's the first time I have read this author and I think it would become more comfy with familiarity. So yes I would read another of these books.
It felt to me like reading a newspaper article - heavy on factual narrative and light on detail and colour. This is not necessarily offputting - as I say it's the first time I have read this author and I think it would become more comfy with familiarity. So yes I would read another of these books.
October 14, 2021
This was my first book read from recommendations from Voracious Readers and was so impressed. Was a whole new type of legal thriller in the subject of banks making credit to easy knowing people will never get out of debt and an attorney and his marketing wife coming up with helping those people thru declaring bankruptcy. Having spent my career in the financial world it even opened my eyes to what is going on. Excellent plot and characters with a storyline to what I found similar to John Grisham. Highly recommend!
March 7, 2021
Absolutely cracking read. William Manchee is the new John Grisham - with bells on!
This is a first class read, mixing the greed and callousness of global financiers with a page turning plot, I genuinely couldn’t put this book down. It’s so well written I’d defy anyone to pick it up and not be immediately engrossed.
If I could give this book 11 out of 10, I would. Go on, read it. You absolutely won’t be disappointed.
This is a first class read, mixing the greed and callousness of global financiers with a page turning plot, I genuinely couldn’t put this book down. It’s so well written I’d defy anyone to pick it up and not be immediately engrossed.
If I could give this book 11 out of 10, I would. Go on, read it. You absolutely won’t be disappointed.
October 8, 2021
Kindle Copy for Review
I received a free copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review.
Corruption and greed are a deadly combination which makes for a riveting read. We are drawn into a world of making choices. A quick paced story that will keep you entertained.
It follows Coleman years later as his grown son becomes a lawyer and his fight in the greedy financial world. A thought provoking read.
I received a free copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review.
Corruption and greed are a deadly combination which makes for a riveting read. We are drawn into a world of making choices. A quick paced story that will keep you entertained.
It follows Coleman years later as his grown son becomes a lawyer and his fight in the greedy financial world. A thought provoking read.
October 29, 2021
It is a simple story but written in a great style that captures the reader's attention. The story starts slow and while it did not engage me completely, it was enough to pique my interest to keep going. The second half of the book is very well written with good suspense and drama. Really liked the turn of events and the smartness of the plot in the end.
January 16, 2022
I received this via Voracious Readers Only. Power, greed, revenge and an interesting plot premise. I enjoyed the story and was keen to see how it developed and ended. The writing itself didn't always flow easily at times and the abrupt change in narrator added to this. My first William Manchee and I will definitely try another of his books.
October 25, 2020
Thanks to Voracious Readers for this book. I loved this book. It was so real, based on greed and power. The moral was “Don’t get mad; get even.” Action packed, great characters. Highly recommend this read. I will definitely look into more by the author.
February 27, 2021
I loved the angle and the cleverness of this book, however, I found it to be rather politicised and somewhat contrary to my personal views. As a result, I couldn't properly enjoy the book. Writing and plot were excellent though.
March 13, 2023
I enjoyed this much more than the first book. People struggling with debt and credit this book really hit home and it’s great to see some people get their comeuppance. Enjoy it more than I thought I would. Nicely written and keeps you interested.
August 10, 2018
Great book, I finished it very quickly which is always a good sign.
August 1, 2020
Didn't get past Chapter 7. The dialogue is forced and new events tend to jump all around without a good flow.
December 11, 2020
Really enjoyed this book. Plenty of suspense, and a few times had me sitting on the edge of my seat wide eyed with what just happened. Easy to read, but still had plenty to think over.
September 24, 2021
A great story and I will be reading more by this author in future
P F
P F
June 22, 2021
This was an exciting book that I had received from the author and Voracious Readers (Only?) in return for an honest review.
This book is a legal thriller that rushes headfirst into one of the greatest threats that the American consumer faces - large amounts of unbridled credit.
The book itself tells an interesting tale as it outlines some of the societal issues that are a result of the consumer having access to large amounts of credit by subprime lenders.
As far as reviews go, I really liked this book in spite of the fact that in parts it does seem rushed. As such, I would give this book a solid three and three quarter stars out of five (that rounds up to four stars).
As with all reviews, this is just my five cents worth.
This book is a legal thriller that rushes headfirst into one of the greatest threats that the American consumer faces - large amounts of unbridled credit.
The book itself tells an interesting tale as it outlines some of the societal issues that are a result of the consumer having access to large amounts of credit by subprime lenders.
As far as reviews go, I really liked this book in spite of the fact that in parts it does seem rushed. As such, I would give this book a solid three and three quarter stars out of five (that rounds up to four stars).
As with all reviews, this is just my five cents worth.
Read
February 27, 2021I really enjoyed this book. Great story line , something that concerns me, so interested anyway. Easy to read, good mix of excitement, romance and thought provoking.
Sara Lee
Sara Lee
June 9, 2012
I received this through the GoodReads Giveaway.
This is supposed to be the 2nd in the Rich Coleman series; I have not read number one. Rich Coleman does not feature prominantly at all in this book, it is centered on his son Matt and his attempt to bring down a major southern bank.
Rich introduces us to Matt as a very materialistic man but also sort of lazy. Matt meets a woman with the same type of goal: make as much money as possible in the easiest manner. Matt & Lynn marry and open up a debt relief center. Lynn's tv commercial does not bring in as many new customers as hoped so they redo it an informercial format and the customers start to pour in.
Banks become alarmed as they see ther profits start to shrink and get a temporary injunction to stop the center. Knowing that it is only a temporary move, MidSouth Bank's Frank Hill puts a plan into motion to make sure Matt is permanently disabled. He send his henchman to find an employee of Matt's to create the illusion of fraud, gets Matt sent to prison, kills Lynn and a friend and expects no repercussions.
Matt pleads guilty to save Lynn's life even though he is innocent of the crime he is accused of and is shocked when she is killed. He vows revenge and pulls people into his mad scheme with ease.
We are sent across Texas, to New York and Washington DC. We visit congressmen and detectives and even a pawn shop owner. And still, I am bored.
The book reads very easily but there is NO emotion at all. There is a scene where Matt tells Lynn that he was out with a prostitute, but didn't know and it was a set-up. He assures her that nothing happened and her reaction is, "Oh Matt, you better be telling me the truth!". That's it...really? There are several high points in the book where you expect the emotion to drive the story forward, but it is treated as another hurdle leaped.
I didn't like Matt or Lynn and didn't really care what happened to them. When Lynn is killed, I thought that maybe a more likable person was waiting in the wings, but no such luck.
I was very interested in the subject of the story itself and it was laid out clearly for even a layperson to understand the basic premise of predatory credit lending. I just wish the characters were more alive. Rich Coleman popped up in the first person narrative very rarely and it was quite jarring to get to that part and he is saying that he called such and such and apparently things were happening behind the doors that even readers didn't know. It was a little strange.
The cover is nice; it's refreshing to not see actual people on the cover.
This is supposed to be the 2nd in the Rich Coleman series; I have not read number one. Rich Coleman does not feature prominantly at all in this book, it is centered on his son Matt and his attempt to bring down a major southern bank.
Rich introduces us to Matt as a very materialistic man but also sort of lazy. Matt meets a woman with the same type of goal: make as much money as possible in the easiest manner. Matt & Lynn marry and open up a debt relief center. Lynn's tv commercial does not bring in as many new customers as hoped so they redo it an informercial format and the customers start to pour in.
Banks become alarmed as they see ther profits start to shrink and get a temporary injunction to stop the center. Knowing that it is only a temporary move, MidSouth Bank's Frank Hill puts a plan into motion to make sure Matt is permanently disabled. He send his henchman to find an employee of Matt's to create the illusion of fraud, gets Matt sent to prison, kills Lynn and a friend and expects no repercussions.
Matt pleads guilty to save Lynn's life even though he is innocent of the crime he is accused of and is shocked when she is killed. He vows revenge and pulls people into his mad scheme with ease.
We are sent across Texas, to New York and Washington DC. We visit congressmen and detectives and even a pawn shop owner. And still, I am bored.
The book reads very easily but there is NO emotion at all. There is a scene where Matt tells Lynn that he was out with a prostitute, but didn't know and it was a set-up. He assures her that nothing happened and her reaction is, "Oh Matt, you better be telling me the truth!". That's it...really? There are several high points in the book where you expect the emotion to drive the story forward, but it is treated as another hurdle leaped.
I didn't like Matt or Lynn and didn't really care what happened to them. When Lynn is killed, I thought that maybe a more likable person was waiting in the wings, but no such luck.
I was very interested in the subject of the story itself and it was laid out clearly for even a layperson to understand the basic premise of predatory credit lending. I just wish the characters were more alive. Rich Coleman popped up in the first person narrative very rarely and it was quite jarring to get to that part and he is saying that he called such and such and apparently things were happening behind the doors that even readers didn't know. It was a little strange.
The cover is nice; it's refreshing to not see actual people on the cover.
February 27, 2013
Plastic Gods by William Manchee
Read this series out of order by reading book #3 first which I loved. Then book #1 and I will read this book #2 now because I love the series.
This one concentrates on the two boys Erica and Richard have and bring up lightly the past.
Ryan has decided that yes he does want to follow in his dads footsteps and be a lawyer. Matt does also. One so he can help people, the other for the money.
Matt has decided to wed Lynn after knowing her a few weeks and they want to do bankruptcy law and tell Richard how they plan to do it and make a killing...they open a bankruptcy office, 3 divisions and get a $50k loan and now they owe with school debt over 100$k.
Love the travel to Alaska but threats start on his life. Many times over things really heat up. He gets set up many times, can he keep from the cartel?
All the information you gain about the credit card business and the interest/finance charges.
Lots of ideas, action and suspense, travel and family life.
After now having read all 3 books in this series I wish there was one when Erica and Richard were first starting their family-having the children. The series seems to have missed that period of time...
Read this series out of order by reading book #3 first which I loved. Then book #1 and I will read this book #2 now because I love the series.
This one concentrates on the two boys Erica and Richard have and bring up lightly the past.
Ryan has decided that yes he does want to follow in his dads footsteps and be a lawyer. Matt does also. One so he can help people, the other for the money.
Matt has decided to wed Lynn after knowing her a few weeks and they want to do bankruptcy law and tell Richard how they plan to do it and make a killing...they open a bankruptcy office, 3 divisions and get a $50k loan and now they owe with school debt over 100$k.
Love the travel to Alaska but threats start on his life. Many times over things really heat up. He gets set up many times, can he keep from the cartel?
All the information you gain about the credit card business and the interest/finance charges.
Lots of ideas, action and suspense, travel and family life.
After now having read all 3 books in this series I wish there was one when Erica and Richard were first starting their family-having the children. The series seems to have missed that period of time...
November 9, 2013
An exhilarating and action-packed legal thriller. Matt Coleman just passed the bar exams and is looking to get rich quick. He and his new wife Lynn start up a law practice together specializing in bankruptcy. Matt and Lynn decide to promote their business by showing American's that they are being conned into debt and how they can get out of it by claiming bankruptcy. When the banks take a direct hit, they begin to take action, no matter the cost.
I loved this book. It was hard to put down and the characters are so believable. The author really does a great job at pulling the reader into the book and holding their attention until the very last page. Matt is a really great guy, and even though he starts out as a very materialistic guy, he begins to understand the more important things in life. He also isn't afraid to take a stand against a bigger, more powerful force for something he truly believes in. Lynn is a very supportive wife who was creative and helped Matt get the practice off the ground. I enjoyed this book just as much as I did the first in the Richard Coleman series!
I loved this book. It was hard to put down and the characters are so believable. The author really does a great job at pulling the reader into the book and holding their attention until the very last page. Matt is a really great guy, and even though he starts out as a very materialistic guy, he begins to understand the more important things in life. He also isn't afraid to take a stand against a bigger, more powerful force for something he truly believes in. Lynn is a very supportive wife who was creative and helped Matt get the practice off the ground. I enjoyed this book just as much as I did the first in the Richard Coleman series!
June 20, 2012
I won a paperback copy of the book in a First Reads giveaway.
The main reason I didn't give this book more stars was because the dialogue was unrealistic. It sounded forced and made it difficult to identify with any of the characters.
The other small thing that bothered me was how easily the protagonists got rid of the henchman of the primary antagonist. The henchman had been causing problems throughout the story and then two of the characters finally meet him face to face and he's out of the story. It would have been more realistic if there had been more of a struggle.
If you take away these two concerns, this could be a very good book. The plot was excellent and kept me interested when I could ignore the bad dialogue.
The main reason I didn't give this book more stars was because the dialogue was unrealistic. It sounded forced and made it difficult to identify with any of the characters.
The other small thing that bothered me was how easily the protagonists got rid of the henchman of the primary antagonist. The henchman had been causing problems throughout the story and then two of the characters finally meet him face to face and he's out of the story. It would have been more realistic if there had been more of a struggle.
If you take away these two concerns, this could be a very good book. The plot was excellent and kept me interested when I could ignore the bad dialogue.
November 22, 2015
Plastic Gods is the story of Matt and Lynn they are Lawyers running a very licrative Law practice specializing in Bankruptcy. They are both obsessed with greed and amassing great wealth. All is going great until their success begins to take a toll on Houston's Mid South Bank. The President Frank P. Hill is a very powerful ruthless Banker, at first he plays some dirty tricks on Matt trying to discredit him and get him to back off. When that doesn't work Matt is warned one / last time to stop his vicious attacks on the credit card industry or else he will suffer Dearly!
June 6, 2012
I was fortunate to win this book from Goodreads giveaways. It was not the style of writing that I typically read, but the story was very interesting--I found that I wanted to find out what was going to happen next. The overall premise is a bit chilling--how greed can cause people to do things that most people would find abhorrent.
May 31, 2012
First read win/ At first I thought this was a religious book from the title but it was some completely else. i loved the thrill I felt from reading it. I was always wondering what would happen next. Really well done.
August 8, 2012
Excellent book. Story line deals with issues that we see today. Book was a page turner. I always wanted to read just one more page to find out what was going to happen next. Some sad parts in the book, but Mr. Coleman gets his revenge in the end!!
December 21, 2013
A huge thanks goes out to William Manchee for sending me this book. Like the other two I was very impressed with the story line and characters. As always I love this family and the trouble they get into is flabbergasting. This is an excellent book i would recommend this one to many people.
August 30, 2014
Young attorney Matt Coleman starts up "Bankruptcy Relief Centers" to help people get out of debt. When it becomes a huge success and starts to hurt the banks, how far will Big Finance go to stop him?
Excellent!
5 stars
Excellent!
5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews