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The Penny Jumper
New York Times bestselling author James Grippando ventures into the world of astrophysics, high-stakes trading and the algorithms that up the game with THE PENNY JUMPER, a thriller about a young scientist lured to Wall Street by the promise of a pay-day that will offset her student loans and jump start her life.
Things haven't come easy for brilliant young astrophysicist Ainsley Grace. Her mother, an equally talented astrophysicist, died when Ainsley was just a child. A "brainiac" who started college at age sixteen and earned her Ph.D. before most people her age had even settled on a major, Ainsley struggled to fit in. But the pieces of her life seem to fall together when Ainsley teams up with her mother's former colleague at MIT to finish Project Cosmic Company, which her mother had been working on when she died.
Then the dream unravels.
Things haven't come easy for brilliant young astrophysicist Ainsley Grace. Her mother, an equally talented astrophysicist, died when Ainsley was just a child. A "brainiac" who started college at age sixteen and earned her Ph.D. before most people her age had even settled on a major, Ainsley struggled to fit in. But the pieces of her life seem to fall together when Ainsley teams up with her mother's former colleague at MIT to finish Project Cosmic Company, which her mother had been working on when she died.
Then the dream unravels.
195 pages, Hardcover
First published October 11, 2016
18 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
James Grippando
48 books1,217 followers The first thing you should know about bestselling author James Grippando is that he is no longer clueless—or so they say, after “A James Grippando Novel” was a clue for #38 Across in the New York Times crossword puzzle. James is the winner of the Harper Lee Prize for legal fiction and a New York Times bestselling author with more than 30 novels to his credit, including the popular series featuring Miami criminal defense attorney Jack Swyteck. His latest, "Goodbye Girl" (HarperCollins 2024), is the 18th in the Swyteck series. His novels are enjoyed worldwide in 28 languages. As an adjunct professor he teaches "The Law & Lawyers in Modern Literature" at the University of Miami School of Law. He is also counsel at one of the nation’s leading law firms, where he specializes in entertainment and intellectual property law, representing clients who have won more than 40 Tony Awards. He writes in south Florida with Atlas at his side, a faithful golden retriever who has no idea he’s a dog.
Series:
* Jack Swyteck
Series:
* Jack Swyteck
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
February 4, 2017
Astrophysicist Ainsley Grace is working for MIT's Project Cosmic Company to create the world's largest array of telescopes to discover life in the universe, working alongside the professor who her mother worked with when Ainsley was she was a young child. But, with debts mounting she accepts a contract to work on Wall Street, writing algorithms for high frequency trading. Suddenly she is arrested, accused of stealing company secrets and contacts an old friend, lawyer Connor Jameson.
This novella had me gripped from the start and never let go; clever, chilling and informative. Grippando's book also adds two short stories, equally inventive, from characters of his other novels.
This novella had me gripped from the start and never let go; clever, chilling and informative. Grippando's book also adds two short stories, equally inventive, from characters of his other novels.
October 9, 2018
Okay, I admit - I don't get the appeal of this author. So, if you are a fan, I am claiming some ignorance here. This is the first book I have read by him and it was a compilation of 4 short stories - one about a woman who made an algorithm to stop penny jumping in stocks and was arrested for believing to have sold the algorithm to someone, another was a short lawyer case about a woman who needed a lawyer pronto to help her beat an insurance suing, another was a woman who dreamt about her mother's killer and decided to take fate into her own hands, and the last was a three page honor to the author's family pet after he died. These were lawyer case stories that were so quick and wrapped up so tight - there was no character development, no enticement, no suspense - nothing. It was like someone telling you a boring story of a law case that you really have no interest in because you knew the ending within the first two minutes of the story. So for those who love Mr. Grippando, have at it. Me, I need something a bit deeper and more complex than what comes down to a 30 minute lawyer scene with very little known about anyone in the courtroom.
November 19, 2016
Crap!! This had to be a novel that #Grippando wrote before he became a name in the industry and my best guess is it was turned down by several publishers. Now since he has a following he can sell this crap to the unsuspecting public. Do not buy this book, borrow it from the library in my humble opinion
In my #pheorama opinion this book is nothing more than a weak attempt at a "gripping" novel. It reads like a Harlequin novel, not to say they are bad, Physicist grows up and follows her dream, gets railroaded by a villian and solves the problem with little or no conflict. Grippando, leave your first attempts at writing a book in the file cabinet please!
In my #pheorama opinion this book is nothing more than a weak attempt at a "gripping" novel. It reads like a Harlequin novel, not to say they are bad, Physicist grows up and follows her dream, gets railroaded by a villian and solves the problem with little or no conflict. Grippando, leave your first attempts at writing a book in the file cabinet please!
October 18, 2016
Whenever James Grippando writes a book, one can always know it is going to be a good read. I must admit I was surprised to find out who really betrayed Ainsley Grace.
As a dog lover who has had many dogs either die or been put to sleep, I can empathize with the article about Sam.
As a dog lover who has had many dogs either die or been put to sleep, I can empathize with the article about Sam.
March 11, 2017
The Penny Jumper includes one novella and a couple of short stories. The Penny Jumper has a solid premise, but the ending feels rushed and cliched. The short stories are too brief to leave an impression. I just read them this morning and already forget what they are about.
August 16, 2021
I picked this book from the library shelf almost at random. The place had only recently begun allowing patrons to come inside, after more than a year in which one had to request titles online and then phone when ready to accept them at the door. So there I was, enjoying the rare pleasure of browsing. I had never heard of James Grippando, but the premise of this novella, "The Penny Jumper," sounded promising: brilliant young coder has developed an algorithm that enables high-volume/high-frequency stock traders to save a penny per share when buying thousands of shares of stock. Those of course are the people getting rich in the market while we retail investors pick up crumbs if lucky. Almost by definition in popular culture they're the bad guys. But I figured it might be a good story.
It turns out Ainsley, the programmer, was only moonlighting for much-needed extra money. Her real work is at MIT, where she hopes to fulfill a lifelong dream of building the world's largest and most powerful telescope. That more important work—and her personal freedom—are threatened when she's arrested for the bogus crime of stealing her own code to sell it to a competitor. So then the story becomes a courtroom drama, complete with the acute frustrations of unreasonable arresting officers and prosecuting attorneys and outrageous accusations.
I was willing to go along with this new direction it had taken, but was also beginning to have misgivings. Aside from the main character, consider the other components of the story: The defense attorney she calls, and who immediately comes to her aid, happens to be an old flame ("someone who might well have made it to the top of her 'rest of my life' list"). Her accuser is a Russian, named Vlad, and on a quick trip to Hong Kong he makes someone one of those Godfather-style offers you can't refuse. Then there's the fatherly department head at MIT who appears supportive even as he's removing her from the project. These are stock characters. They, and Ainsley, belong in mass-market paperbacks with lurid covers in the checkout lane at the grocery store.
To be fair, Vlad's motive for having her arrested is kind of clever. So here is my problem with "The Penny Jumper" as well as with the other, much shorter stories included in the same book. Despite potential for drama, the whole thing is just too damned tidy to be reasonable. A similar issue comes up in "Death, Cheated," when another lawyer—also a former boyfriend—substitutes in for a woman being sued. She has just fired her lawyer and expects this guy to step in on the final day of the trial to sew up her case. The US legal system does not work that way. I'm not a part of it, but I know that much. To begin with, the one she fired would have to submit a motion to the court to withdraw as counsel. The judge would demand a very good reason before allowing it, and the woman offers no reason. That story too has an interesting little twist. But they're both too formulaic.
My impression is that all four stories here could have been more successful if written in a simpler era (say, as magazine fiction in the 1950s). They are moderately engaging but forgettable. Guess on my next trip to the library I'd better go in with a better idea of what I want.
It turns out Ainsley, the programmer, was only moonlighting for much-needed extra money. Her real work is at MIT, where she hopes to fulfill a lifelong dream of building the world's largest and most powerful telescope. That more important work—and her personal freedom—are threatened when she's arrested for the bogus crime of stealing her own code to sell it to a competitor. So then the story becomes a courtroom drama, complete with the acute frustrations of unreasonable arresting officers and prosecuting attorneys and outrageous accusations.
I was willing to go along with this new direction it had taken, but was also beginning to have misgivings. Aside from the main character, consider the other components of the story: The defense attorney she calls, and who immediately comes to her aid, happens to be an old flame ("someone who might well have made it to the top of her 'rest of my life' list"). Her accuser is a Russian, named Vlad, and on a quick trip to Hong Kong he makes someone one of those Godfather-style offers you can't refuse. Then there's the fatherly department head at MIT who appears supportive even as he's removing her from the project. These are stock characters. They, and Ainsley, belong in mass-market paperbacks with lurid covers in the checkout lane at the grocery store.
To be fair, Vlad's motive for having her arrested is kind of clever. So here is my problem with "The Penny Jumper" as well as with the other, much shorter stories included in the same book. Despite potential for drama, the whole thing is just too damned tidy to be reasonable. A similar issue comes up in "Death, Cheated," when another lawyer—also a former boyfriend—substitutes in for a woman being sued. She has just fired her lawyer and expects this guy to step in on the final day of the trial to sew up her case. The US legal system does not work that way. I'm not a part of it, but I know that much. To begin with, the one she fired would have to submit a motion to the court to withdraw as counsel. The judge would demand a very good reason before allowing it, and the woman offers no reason. That story too has an interesting little twist. But they're both too formulaic.
My impression is that all four stories here could have been more successful if written in a simpler era (say, as magazine fiction in the 1950s). They are moderately engaging but forgettable. Guess on my next trip to the library I'd better go in with a better idea of what I want.
March 29, 2018
A whole lot of action in packed into the 142 pages of author Grippando's 2016 novella. An astrophysics project, a computer algorithm, physics and high frequency stock trading - explaining all of these adequately with betrayal, a lawsuit and court hearings, academic politics, and an old beau for a lawyer is a lot to ask of a novella but Grippando does a good job and considering the esoteric subject, he might have lost his readers' interest at novel length. The book also contains two short stories featuring Grippando's series characters - Green-Eyed Lady (an Andie Henning story) and Death, Cheated (a Jack Swyteck story) - and Sammy and Me, a tribute to his dog.
Astrophysicist Ainsley Grace has teamed up with her mother's former colleague at MIT to finish Project Cosmic Company, which her mother had been working on when she died. She gets an opportunity to pay off her mountain of college debt by writing stock-trading codes for a high-frequency trading firm, writing algorithms to make sure her firm's supercomputers are faster than any others on Wall Street. The difference between making a billion and losing a billion dollars could be less than a nanosecond. When Ainsley is framed and indicted for stealing Wall Street trade secrets, her personal life, her career dreams, and even her research position at MIT are turned upside down.
Astrophysicist Ainsley Grace has teamed up with her mother's former colleague at MIT to finish Project Cosmic Company, which her mother had been working on when she died. She gets an opportunity to pay off her mountain of college debt by writing stock-trading codes for a high-frequency trading firm, writing algorithms to make sure her firm's supercomputers are faster than any others on Wall Street. The difference between making a billion and losing a billion dollars could be less than a nanosecond. When Ainsley is framed and indicted for stealing Wall Street trade secrets, her personal life, her career dreams, and even her research position at MIT are turned upside down.
May 14, 2022
This is first time I've read a short story, in fact didn't realise the book contained 3 stories when I picked it up.
I am a big Grippando fan, love his stories. However, this did not float my canoe. It started off very well, very gripping, then petered out as though he had something more important to be getting on with. Then, to my surprise there were two more stories, or should I say ideas for stories.
If I had bought this book I would have fealt cheated, but as of only borrowed it from the library, no harm, I'll put it down to experience.
I am a big Grippando fan, love his stories. However, this did not float my canoe. It started off very well, very gripping, then petered out as though he had something more important to be getting on with. Then, to my surprise there were two more stories, or should I say ideas for stories.
If I had bought this book I would have fealt cheated, but as of only borrowed it from the library, no harm, I'll put it down to experience.
September 10, 2017
After reading 3 chapters I wished the author had written a novel instead of a novella. At the end I appreciated that the length of the story was as it should be. A clever, diverting story. A spunky, freaky smart heroine. A ;earning experience unless you are au courant with how the stock markets do business in today's world. All in all, a very satisfying read.
October 8, 2018
Since I don’t have a degree from MIT, The Penny Jumper was too technical and way over my head. The second short story was just a yucky idea, the third obvious from the start and the dog story too sad. If you’re not Agatha Christie don’t bother to write short stories!
April 4, 2020
Actually 2-1/2 stars. This is a novella with a couple of short stories tacked on to the end. It is an interesting tale with a somewhat abrupt conclusion. I would equate this novella to a good TV movie, not great by any means, but not a waste of your time either.
May 31, 2017
Fun read, short novella. Two extra short stories.
July 26, 2017
Grippando doesn't disappoint ever. The Penny Jumper is a great story with a very satisfing end and the 2 short stories were great reads too. His tribute to his dog friend Sam brought me to tears.
November 4, 2018
Well done short stories. Loved Sammy and Me.
May 12, 2019
Great short story. Loved characters, suspense and some drama involved.
December 18, 2019
One good story. Looks like 4 stories but really 3. One good, one fair, nothing more.
January 4, 2020
High quality short story which makes easy to understand complicated matters.
August 10, 2022
The novella went quickly and painlessly.
February 1, 2026
excellent collection of short stories!
October 18, 2016
Always a winner!
As with all of James past books this is a winner. The concept of Wall st. trading and an astrophysicist heroine makes for very interesting reading. As usual the courtroom scenes really held your interest. The pleasant surprise at the end were the short stories with some of our old friends from James's other novels.
As with all of James past books this is a winner. The concept of Wall st. trading and an astrophysicist heroine makes for very interesting reading. As usual the courtroom scenes really held your interest. The pleasant surprise at the end were the short stories with some of our old friends from James's other novels.
February 27, 2017
An engaging quick read. I knew computer algorithms were used in trading, but before reading this book I didn't know what a penny jumper was.
February 16, 2017
A novella and 2 short stories... The Penny Jumper was a little technical in terms of trading but overall a good read. The other 2 short stories were well crafted.
Read
February 18, 2017I didn't realize that there were several independent stories which were just ok. The Penny Jumper story was good.
February 9, 2017
One long short story and 3 short stories. A very nice way to spend a snowy day.
December 21, 2016
I did not realize this was a novella and three other short stories when I started it. That pulled the rating down a bit for me. I learned a bit about high speed trading in the stock market with the main story of the collection. A new formula was apparently worth fighting and even dying for. Money to be made in the stock trade.
Two of the short stories were interesting and could have been good if developed further.
Two of the short stories were interesting and could have been good if developed further.
October 16, 2016
I always enjoy James Grippando books. This was a novella, and it went into territory the author has never touched before in his other books. Wall Street and algorithms. I would have like to learn more about the characters -- Ainsley, Connor, Vlad, and her professor/mentor. Alas, that can't be done in a novella.
November 22, 2016
This novella was a fun, quick read! I liked the fast-paced feel it had, and it was a great escape for a few hours. If you like novellas, and especially novellas that contain more than one story, then I recommend this one for you. In particular, you will want to be a fan of crime/detective fiction as well, as this novella takes its themes from that genre.
Read
May 28, 2017I like this author. I just don't do short stories. I never read a bad book by him.
November 4, 2016
Another wonderful fast moving legal thriller. You will love this Jack Swyteck novella. It has all the qualities you expect to read in James Grippando wonderful novels. Worth each 5 stars!
January 9, 2017
Wow. High frequency traders, computer algorithms, synchronization, international stock markets. Very intense. Written such that a non-astrophysicist could understand and follow.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews