What do you think?
Rate this book
Martelli NYPD #2
House of Cards: Dead Men Tell No Tales
Who killed Matthew B. Richardson III? Banksters or Islamic terrorists?
The head of one of the largest investment banking and securities firms in the United States has been assassinated in Times Square in the middle of New York City's annual celebration of Halloween, the Festival of the Dead. Louis Martelli, NYPD, is one of the first detectives on the scene.
The case rapidly spirals downward into a maelstrom of death and intrigue linked both to the financial meltdown of 2008 and international terrorism. Who is behind the murders, and why is the FBI attempting to shut down Martelli's investigation before it even can get started? Martelli eventually learns the answers to these and other questions but not before discovering how two Wall Street financial institutions have been complicit in funding Islamic terrorism.
The head of one of the largest investment banking and securities firms in the United States has been assassinated in Times Square in the middle of New York City's annual celebration of Halloween, the Festival of the Dead. Louis Martelli, NYPD, is one of the first detectives on the scene.
The case rapidly spirals downward into a maelstrom of death and intrigue linked both to the financial meltdown of 2008 and international terrorism. Who is behind the murders, and why is the FBI attempting to shut down Martelli's investigation before it even can get started? Martelli eventually learns the answers to these and other questions but not before discovering how two Wall Street financial institutions have been complicit in funding Islamic terrorism.
Audible Audio
First published January 1, 2011
5 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Theodore Jerome Cohen
69 books39 followers
Flash Fiction for Animal Lovers
For Alzheimer's Patients and their Caregivers
January 23, 2026
https://alztivities.com/product/flash...
Pandamonium
November 29, 2025
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4HT3FBQ
Hunting Dinosaurs
November 22, 2025
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G3CX1QD8
Larry the Laughing Hyena
November 17, 2025
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2MMST48
Пепе будує гніздо
October 30, 2025
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FYJ5GDRN
佩佩築巢記
October 29, 2025
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FY7ZCYV8
ペペが巣を作る
October 29, 2025
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FY7BL1LK
Twig
October 19, 2025
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FWZ2WQ5R
Roly Poly
September 20, 2025
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FRYWMYWD
Our Mother Can Turn into a Dragon: And Speak in Tongues
November 11, 2024
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DL62633R
The Collected Works of Prof. Emil Heisseluft – 2nd Edition
April Fools’ Humor for Amateur (Ham) Radio
April 4, 2024
https://www.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 3, 2016
Reviewed by Lee Ashford for Readers' Favorite.
“House of Cards” by Dr. Theodore Jerome Cohen is the second of Cohen’s novels featuring NYPD Detective Louis Martelli.
When a prominent philanthropist and CEO of a major Wall Street Investment firm is gunned down in Times Square, Martelli is assigned the case. For reasons not yet clear, the FBI suddenly appears on the scene, demanding NYPD turn over the case to them.
The Mayor and Police Commissioner reject the FBI’s ‘request’, agreeing only to work cooperatively with them. As more bodies begin to turn up, Martelli discovers the common denominator linking the murders.
When he learns the FBI is withholding information, Martelli wisely decides to not trust his FBI contact, and moves ahead with the investigation. But this time, he might have bitten off more than he can chew.
He’s making some mighty powerful people angry, and some of them will stop at nothing to get their way. There is an excellent chance he won’t live to the end of the book. Will this be the final Cohen story featuring Martelli?
“House of Cards” is another gem from the brilliant imagination of Dr. Cohen. As with his other novels, Cohen valiantly researched the background setting for “House of Cards”, tying fact and fiction together in a manner that can only be described as genius. I do have one complaint, though: Detective Martelli is only a part of the fiction. America could use a few Martellis right now.
In that vein, I zealously urge you to read “House of Cards”, as well as Cohen’s other novels. The facts behind the fiction need to become widely known. Dr. Cohen’s exceptional Martelli novels are a most enjoyable way to learn those facts. Somebody needs to be held accountable, and you, the reader, can help make that happen.
Read “House of Cards” by Dr. Theodore Jerome Cohen, and tell your friends to do the same. They will thank you.
“House of Cards” by Dr. Theodore Jerome Cohen is the second of Cohen’s novels featuring NYPD Detective Louis Martelli.
When a prominent philanthropist and CEO of a major Wall Street Investment firm is gunned down in Times Square, Martelli is assigned the case. For reasons not yet clear, the FBI suddenly appears on the scene, demanding NYPD turn over the case to them.
The Mayor and Police Commissioner reject the FBI’s ‘request’, agreeing only to work cooperatively with them. As more bodies begin to turn up, Martelli discovers the common denominator linking the murders.
When he learns the FBI is withholding information, Martelli wisely decides to not trust his FBI contact, and moves ahead with the investigation. But this time, he might have bitten off more than he can chew.
He’s making some mighty powerful people angry, and some of them will stop at nothing to get their way. There is an excellent chance he won’t live to the end of the book. Will this be the final Cohen story featuring Martelli?
“House of Cards” is another gem from the brilliant imagination of Dr. Cohen. As with his other novels, Cohen valiantly researched the background setting for “House of Cards”, tying fact and fiction together in a manner that can only be described as genius. I do have one complaint, though: Detective Martelli is only a part of the fiction. America could use a few Martellis right now.
In that vein, I zealously urge you to read “House of Cards”, as well as Cohen’s other novels. The facts behind the fiction need to become widely known. Dr. Cohen’s exceptional Martelli novels are a most enjoyable way to learn those facts. Somebody needs to be held accountable, and you, the reader, can help make that happen.
Read “House of Cards” by Dr. Theodore Jerome Cohen, and tell your friends to do the same. They will thank you.
July 26, 2018
A great detective story laced through with thought provoking facts about the 2008 USA financial/housing crisis. An assassination during the New York Halloween celebrations starts the ball rolling for detective Louis Martelli to be drawn into an investigation of murder, duplicity and terrorism. The author mixes facts with fiction brilliantly, bringing to light shocking facts about the corruption in the US financial world, while at the same time creating a thrilling murder mystery. The narrator also did a good job of bringing the story and characters to life. His pace was just right and his vocal intonation enhanced an already intriguing story. I really enjoy how this author interweaves financial market revelations into the basis of his stories.
October 9, 2017
Narrative nonfiction explaining the 2008 financial crisis in a captivating manner
“And still, not a single financial executive responsible for the financial meltdown of 2008 has gone to jail.” An embellished nonfiction story with many true facts and real people who brought about the housing and financial problems and how it affected millions of people. True and terrible information is revealed in this book, and the author has done a great service by writing this book to reveal shocking truths. I can read this because it is in story format while books like Dark Money upset me too much to finish reading.
“And still, not a single financial executive responsible for the financial meltdown of 2008 has gone to jail.” An embellished nonfiction story with many true facts and real people who brought about the housing and financial problems and how it affected millions of people. True and terrible information is revealed in this book, and the author has done a great service by writing this book to reveal shocking truths. I can read this because it is in story format while books like Dark Money upset me too much to finish reading.
April 18, 2015
complex murder of a wall street banker complicit in the financial meltdown of 2008 is murdered. despite thousands of suspects of irate customers, turns our one client is a front for something far more deadly .. good story but too much jargon used.
June 27, 2018
Loved this one!! I definitely have to read the first one in the series now, I really loved the characters, the sarcasm/smart-assiness of it all, and the mystery. Very interesting and thought-provoking look at the financial collapse a decade ago, it really gave me a good understanding of it, and when I see numbers my mind goes silly so that's saying something. Great murder mystery, and I can't wait to read more from good ole' Martelli. Great good, great narration.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
March 10, 2025
This high quality detective book is loaded with hard core sleuthing, good old investigation and a real mystery. The characters are interesting, the dialogue quite realistic and the flow keep the reader interested. Also the audio quality of the performance is exceptional.
February 22, 2024
Book: **
Performance: ****
The best thing this recording has going for it is the narration; from a completely nostalgia aspect it reminds me of the old radio detective dramas in the 50-60's ... which I still listen to. That was what hooked me when I listened to the sampe and what ultimately saved the book. The series follows an NYPD detective (and military vet with a prosthetic leg) who plays fast and loose with the rules to get the bad guys ... not a plus in my book as it typically lends to lazy writing.
In this episode, Martelli falls into a conspiracy involving a terrorist organization and a fraudulent hedge fund scheme Collateralized Debt Obligation (CDOs) and Credit Default Swaps (which were at the center of the financial crisis of 2008 ... of which the author apparently needs to go into great detail using info dumps thinly disguised as dialog. Too much unneeded detail is the watchword for this piece as the author shows off his mastery of jargon and testosterone replacements.
For some reason not completely clear to me (outside a typical manly measuring contest), Martelli also needs to stay clear of the FBI (they guys that would normally get involved in this kind of thing) , so he engages in various hijynx to make them the rube here while he himself engages in extrajudicial activities that somehow never taint the case. Just for fun, he also throws in a few pontifical monologues a a jab or two at the NYPD administration ('cause they got nuttin' better to do than get in the way of real police work). Then you have the cheesy ending that is cleaned up in the Epilogue …
I was given this free advance review/listener copy (ARC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#HouseOfCards #MartelliNYPD #FreeAudiobookCodes
Performance: ****
The best thing this recording has going for it is the narration; from a completely nostalgia aspect it reminds me of the old radio detective dramas in the 50-60's ... which I still listen to. That was what hooked me when I listened to the sampe and what ultimately saved the book. The series follows an NYPD detective (and military vet with a prosthetic leg) who plays fast and loose with the rules to get the bad guys ... not a plus in my book as it typically lends to lazy writing.
In this episode, Martelli falls into a conspiracy involving a terrorist organization and a fraudulent hedge fund scheme Collateralized Debt Obligation (CDOs) and Credit Default Swaps (which were at the center of the financial crisis of 2008 ... of which the author apparently needs to go into great detail using info dumps thinly disguised as dialog. Too much unneeded detail is the watchword for this piece as the author shows off his mastery of jargon and testosterone replacements.
For some reason not completely clear to me (outside a typical manly measuring contest), Martelli also needs to stay clear of the FBI (they guys that would normally get involved in this kind of thing) , so he engages in various hijynx to make them the rube here while he himself engages in extrajudicial activities that somehow never taint the case. Just for fun, he also throws in a few pontifical monologues a a jab or two at the NYPD administration ('cause they got nuttin' better to do than get in the way of real police work). Then you have the cheesy ending that is cleaned up in the Epilogue …
I was given this free advance review/listener copy (ARC) audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
#HouseOfCards #MartelliNYPD #FreeAudiobookCodes
August 2, 2023
I enjoy how Mr. Cohen delivers his work when in an audiobook. Listening to the story is like watching a police movie in my mind. I have listened to previous Martelli books and have enjoyed them. Narrator Greg Rizzo does a great job of capturing the persona of Detective Louis Martelli.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews