Taking Stock

CJ West
22 West Books (2007)
ISBN 0976778815
Reviewed by AJ Cooper for Reader Views (6/07)


Erica, the computer whiz, has been given the daunting task of developing a new program to allow ease of use for financial advisors in entry and completion of financial transactions. Unbeknownst to Erica, her boss Brad is setting her up for ruin, as well as jail time. Brad is working undercover and with the protection of a man who has great power over him, to steal from the company and his brother-in-law who heads up the entire company. Brad has access to every room and department in the company and is ensuring that he frames Erica for all of the money that is quickly disappearing from the customer’s accounts. Meanwhile Greg, the manager of customer services, has what he thinks is a hopeless crush on Erica and would do anything to get her attention and time.

Greg finally wins Erica over and they start a slow but sure romance.  Brad has to move fast to get all of the money for his secret partner and get out of the country as quickly as he can. Brad tries to escape his secret partner but realizes his secret partner has a large reach and even greater power than Brad. Brad makes an attempt on Erica’s life and things seem even more complicated with Greg when Erica makes a trip to Greg’s family farm. It all heats up as Brad attempts to escape and is caught and sent back to get the final payment for his partner. Brad also tries a last-ditch attempt at ensuring Erica is investigated by the company. The security department in the company is torn between Brad and Erica. Sarah, the new security member, is convinced by Brad that Erica has been stealing money from the company. Greg and Erica convince Stan, the long security member, something else is going on and that Erica is being framed. Stan solicits the help of the local police and catch Brad red-handed attempting to shoot what he thinks is Erica.

“Taking Stock” will interest anyone who enjoys a good mystery and a small glimpse into investing. I would recommend this book to any of my friends. I enjoyed trying to figure out the identity of the secret partner and what would happen next. Until the author identified the secret partner I did not have any idea who it was. I like it when I am not able to figure out the entire book prior to the end. I also really enjoyed that the author touched on the characters personal lives. The scenes from the farm allowed me to picture in my mind the layout of the land. It was very interesting at the end of the book for the author to offer an opportunity for two readers to solve the puzzle at the end and be able to meet the author and be a character in a future book.

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