Square Mile: Amazon.co.uk: Paul Kilduff: Books

Amazon.co.uk Review

A blue-blooded London-based global investment bank is in trouble after major financial irregularities in the Far East. You don't need to be Sherlock Holmes to work out the inspiration for Paul Kilduff's first novel, Square Mile, a thriller based on low deeds in high places in The City. His hero Anthony Carlton works for investment bank Steen Odenberg where he has to know "a call from a put, a currency swap rate from an interest rate swap...the cable rate from the Swissy rate and an over-the-counter warrant from a listed equity." Carlton is ambitious. Working his way doggedly up the gilded pole, he starts the book in clear awe of the world of finance. But he isn't so much impressed by its impact on the global economy as he is by the stylish dress codes of his colleagues and their six or even seven-figure salaries.

The author trades profitably on insider knowledge of city institutions and global financial systems garnered during his six years spent working with a US securities house. We learn much about the "fine check lilac shirts, bold stripes, occasional braces, yellow ties, heavy dangling cufflinks, doubled breasted suits," that his hero aspires to. But the detailed listing of brand names and accessories as an index of social values is a trick that has been done many times before, not least in Tom Wolfe's Bonfire Of The Vanities and Brett Easton Ellis's American Psycho. The difference is that they did it to make a political point. You feel that Kilduff just likes expensive kit.

When a director of Steen Odenberg is found murdered, Carlton is drawn reluctantly into the police investigation and embarks on a voyage of discovery about his own uncritical acceptance of this gold-plated world. In other hands this could be the literary equivalent of mogadon. But Kilduff's prose style, relying on the rapid delivery of short sentences coupled with a wealth of detail--mostly about wealth--and a pacey plot, makes this a thoroughly entertaining and gripping read--even if you're not interested in the world of high finance. --Alex Benady

Review

'SQUARE MILE offers a complete initiation into the financial City ... Kilduff's plot is immaculately conceived' -- Law Society Gazette 'An attractively written first novel, whose strength lies in the creation of the bank's atmosphere and the detailed analysis of financial jiggery-pokery.' -- Evening Standard 'A slick, punchy thriller by a banking insider, full of financial know-how' -- Daily Mail 'Kilduff writes with authority ... He handles the world of high finance and soft-top BMWs with aplomb' -- Irish Times 'An entertaining debut with an all-too-believable ending' -- Sunday Telegraph 'The most gut-tightening, enthralling tale I have read for a long time' -- Dublin Commuting Times 'A gripping read. Great pace, exciting, well-researched ... If you liked John Grisham's The Firm, then you only need to know one thing. This is better!' -- Accountancy Ireland --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

ONE NOT TO PUT DOWN 11 Jun 2004

By BRIAN RODGER

Format:Paperback

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE READ ONE OF PAUL KILDUFF'S BOOKS BUT IT CERTAINLY IS NOT THE LAST. A BRILLIANT STORY LINE THAT LEAVES YOU NOT WANTING TO PUT THE BOOK DOWN BUT WONDERING WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT AND WHERE. BEING AN ENGINEER WITH NO "CITY " BACKGROUND I QUICKLY FOUND MYSELF RELATING SOME OF THE STORY LINES TO MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCES WITH PENSION FUNDS ETC.
PAUL HAS WRITTEN THIS BOOK IN PLAIN ENGLISH IN SUCH A GREAT WAY THAT EVEN IF YOU HAVE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF "CITY" WORKING OR LANGUAGE YOU ARE EASLY GOING TO UNDERSTAND STORY LINE, UNLIKE SOME BOOKS THAT FLIT BACK AND FORWARDS THE WHOLE WAY THROUGH LEAVING YOU LOOSING THE PLOT.
I ENJOYED IT SO MUCH THAT NOW THE FIRST AUTHOR I HUNT OUT IS PAUL KILDUFF.

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A great read for the tube into the city 27 Mar 2004

By J R Lenox

An exciting story that gives unique insite into the working of the control group for a makor investment bank. The story has a likeable main character, is fast paced - and takes you from London as only known by an insider to Amsterdam and Hong Kong on a mission to really find out what is going on at a large institution that turns out to be rotten to the core.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Square Mile 7 Jun 2004

By "sherlockone"

Paul Kilduff's first novel. This, surely, is the first of many. A most enjoyable read from somebody who obviously has first hand experience of the ways of London's movers and shakers.

At the end of the novel I was half expecting the final immortal lines taken from that old Country and Western number, 'Deck of Cards'.
'And friends, the story is true..........I know...........I was that man'.

Best writer since rewritable CDs ... hahahahaaaaa

Kilduff, I get down on my knees and lick the floor you dribble on. Words cannot express the sheer genius of the collection of little words bound between the cover of this page... Read more

Published on 23 Nov 2006 by Mr. J. J. Lee

A well-penned fast-paced City thriller

A thoroughly excellent and entertaining read. Paul Kilduff really gives deep insight into each of the main characters and as the story moves along, the reader's loyalty to each... Read more

Published on 8 Aug 2003 by Nestor

Slow to start but gripping once you get going

This is one of the most enjoyable reads I've had for a long time. I'd just finished reading The Money Makers by Harry Bingham which was superb beyone belief, so it was always going... Read more

Published on 4 Oct 2001 by Rob Galkoff

Good debut

Three and a half stars really!

This is well-written by someone clearly in "the know". I also found the dry humour used to describe City life thoroughly... Read more

Published on 25 Mar 2001

Second half doesn't live up to the brilliant beginning

The opening two chapters are a must-read: his crisp prose and penetrating inisghts take one straight into the heart of the City. Read more

Published on 23 Sep 2000

Not too good

Although I was intriqued at first and was mildly entertained I must say that I soon found myself fighting bravely to reach the last page and hide it in my bookshelf. Read more

Published on 17 July 2000

Fast paced action.....you just can't put the book down

A really riveting read from start to finish. Once I picked the book up I just couldn't put it down and managed to finish it within the space of two days! Read more

Published on 17 May 2000 by lsmales@hotmail.com

A "Must-Read" for anyone who works in the City!

As a commuter from Suffolk to the City I normally read a few chapters of a book a day on the train and then nod off. A book takes, on average, two weeks to read. Read more

Published on 7 May 2000

Excellent book with a spookily believeable plot.

This book is too realistic for words. Working in the City myself, I can imagine that this sort of muder and intrigue actually occurs.

Published on 12 April 2000

Started out a bit slowly but picked up speed quickly

I enjoyed this book very much. Although I found the details at the beginning questionable, as the work progressed, they proved necessary. Read more

Published on 30 Mar 2000 by B. Franklin

Square Mile [Hardcover]

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