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City of Thieves: The Controversial City Thriller
Nic Lamparelli works for a leading US investment bank in London. Starting at the bottom, he rises rapidly through the ranks to reach the pinnacle of his profession. Even at the top, he holds true to his principles while those around him abandon theirs. And that's what makes him special. Soon he has it a beautiful girlfriend, a high-flying career, an overpaid City job with a reputation as one of the bank's star analysts.Then one day he wakes up to find that things can go wrong - fast.His closest childhood friend Jack, also a star in the City, uncovers a plot to implicate Nic in an insider trading ring. And that is just the start. Before long, everything Nic has built up starts to crumble to pieces - his relationship, his career, his reputation. But can he hold true to his principles in the face of everything? Or will he succumb to temptation like so many others...
- GenresCrime
416 pages, Hardcover
First published May 11, 2009
12 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 31, 2023
Look me a good 100 pages to get into this novel but wow after that I could not put it down!!
Great lessons in life here
what does principles and integrity mean?? And the story is a classic good v evil ie Nicco sticking to his principles and Larry throwing his away for $$$.
I ask myself who was richer?? 😊😊
I loved this story and recommend it to everyone
Great lessons in life here
what does principles and integrity mean?? And the story is a classic good v evil ie Nicco sticking to his principles and Larry throwing his away for $$$.
I ask myself who was richer?? 😊😊
I loved this story and recommend it to everyone
September 20, 2019
In desperate need of a good editor. Too long by half, and they misogyny is hard to take.
November 2, 2019
Interesting story lacked killer final punch for killer ending.Interesting insight into how rating agents work tomorrow.
August 6, 2023
Decent story. It has suspense but not much. You will somewhat get an idea of how bulge bracket banks are. Overall it was good.
October 21, 2014
I was keen for a while to read a thriller set in the world of business, so took an interest in this title.
The book revolves around Niccolo Lamparelli, who joins a banking firm within London's Square Mile. As you might imagine, the book revolves heavily around characters being corrupt, and the bank's chief executive is shown to be a very shady and unpleasant character.
The book starts off with Niccolo impressing his bosses, but you can tell that behind the scenes some very dodgy characters are monitoring him, and after his climb up the firm's hierarchy, things start going wrong.
The pivotal moment comes around half way through the story, with a murder taking place, and this heavily influences the rest of the plot.
Overall, I thought this was a bit predictable but overall very well told, although a lot of the first half of the book seemed to be sleazy male characters making perverted comments about female colleagues and obsessing with casual sex.
Also, while I was a little annoyed the characters seemed to take far too long to prove the killer in a murder, where it was obvious to the reader who was guilty, there were much more good bits than bad bits. Niccolo is a character that you will mostly side with (although he proves to be slightly frustrating at times), and I loved the fact that he and his best friend Jack were given a backstory set around them meeting a Japanese sensei when they were children. The significance is explained later on, too.
There were some chillingly realistic moments too, particularly a scene where hundreds of bank employees get suddenly told their are redundant and escorted out of their workplace. Apparently that isn't too far from the truth at all.
The other good thing about the book was that the end, which was a little different to what I'd expected, did not disappoint.
The book revolves around Niccolo Lamparelli, who joins a banking firm within London's Square Mile. As you might imagine, the book revolves heavily around characters being corrupt, and the bank's chief executive is shown to be a very shady and unpleasant character.
The book starts off with Niccolo impressing his bosses, but you can tell that behind the scenes some very dodgy characters are monitoring him, and after his climb up the firm's hierarchy, things start going wrong.
The pivotal moment comes around half way through the story, with a murder taking place, and this heavily influences the rest of the plot.
Overall, I thought this was a bit predictable but overall very well told, although a lot of the first half of the book seemed to be sleazy male characters making perverted comments about female colleagues and obsessing with casual sex.
Also, while I was a little annoyed the characters seemed to take far too long to prove the killer in a murder, where it was obvious to the reader who was guilty, there were much more good bits than bad bits. Niccolo is a character that you will mostly side with (although he proves to be slightly frustrating at times), and I loved the fact that he and his best friend Jack were given a backstory set around them meeting a Japanese sensei when they were children. The significance is explained later on, too.
There were some chillingly realistic moments too, particularly a scene where hundreds of bank employees get suddenly told their are redundant and escorted out of their workplace. Apparently that isn't too far from the truth at all.
The other good thing about the book was that the end, which was a little different to what I'd expected, did not disappoint.
November 14, 2016
It showed that the author had good understanding of the financial world, (especially investment industry) was an interesting read. Started the book with well-balanced between thriller and sequence of events but the wrap up was not properly managed.
His understanding around the subject was excellent, talking about how the investment bankers think and the industry norms, the way an investment banker portray his/herself. However the way he handled the investigation around the story was lacking the expertise and there were missing parts here and there.
Overall the book was fast moving and for sure anyone in the industry would love it. If you ask me.. I would say it’s a good read and would recommend this book but by giving my feedback.
His understanding around the subject was excellent, talking about how the investment bankers think and the industry norms, the way an investment banker portray his/herself. However the way he handled the investigation around the story was lacking the expertise and there were missing parts here and there.
Overall the book was fast moving and for sure anyone in the industry would love it. If you ask me.. I would say it’s a good read and would recommend this book but by giving my feedback.
September 11, 2012
Fun, lighthearted read. Lovable characters, rootable main leads and hatable villains and dumb wives. Don't know much about the stock market world but it was fun having a peep! Some parts were underdeveloped though: *spoiler alert*
niccolocould should have shown more grief. Also Doctor Picton could have been sassier to match his mysterious, dangerous entrance at the start of the book. Overall I enjoyed the book though some parts could be elaborated on (ie. Lucy turned out to be kind of a superfluous character...) Mizuno parts were sometimes cheesy as well. But I loved all the Charlie parts!
niccolo
December 20, 2013
A book about honour, friendship and sacrifice. Though the themes are strong, I found the writing too pale in comparison. The abrupt change in the scenarios keeps the reader alert but too much of it caused frustration at certain points. One needs a basic understanding of the stock market to follow certain portions. Some characters remained superfluous. The sass and emotions that were present in the beginning were not sustained throughout.
Personally, I would call it an average read.
Personally, I would call it an average read.
November 14, 2013
A hard look at the sell side research. Really enjoyed this book. Every serious investor should read this. Having worked on the sell side, I can vouch that every scenario in the book is realistic and shows how honesty and sell side equity research are two opposite side.
May 7, 2015
Entertaining story
October 19, 2014
Good story, fast read and very much a story of our times. Greed and decent in the financial sector. Recommend for good light reading!!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews