- Paperback: 480 pages
- Publisher: Coronet Books; New edition edition (7 Mar 2002)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0340819286
- ISBN-13: 978-0340819289
- Product Dimensions: 26.6 x 17.4 x 10.6 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 937,956 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Review
'Kilduff knows his territory well, writes authoritatively about it and spins a compelling tale ...riveting stuff' Irish Times on THE DEALER. "Quite simply, a first-rate novel from a first-rate writer." -- Shots 20011108 "A heady-paced thriller" -- Shots Magazine 20011108 'Kilduff knows the world of high finance and international banking inside out and he uses this insider knowledge to deliver an effective, punchy read' Irish Independent on THE DEALER 20011108 'A slick, punchy thriller by a banking insider, full of financial know-how' Daily Mail on SQUARE MILE 20011108 'An entertaining debut with an all-too-believable ending' Sunday Telegraph on SQUARE MILE 20011108 'A rattling good yarn. An exciting and topical thriller by a banking insider who knows his stuff.' -- Yorkshire Post 20011129 '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 on SQUARE MILE 20011129 'A world class page-turner -- The irish Independent 20011129 'An exciting and topical thriller by a banking insider, who knows his stuff.' -- Yorkshire Post 20011129
Yorkshire Post
'A rattling good yarn. An exciting and topical thriller by a banking insider who knows his stuff.'
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The Frontrunner is not a bad book. The best thing about it is that it holds your attention; I wouldn't rate it as highly as other reviewers have, but it is good enough to make me want to read more of Kilduff's work. A solid seven out of ten.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I purchased this book after having thoroughly enjoyed "the dealer" and "square mile". Like the previous two titles by the same author, this book was enjoyable and fast paced with insights into financial markets and world of high finance. Unfortunately with this one I found it too far fetched in places. Is every top financial leader in the free world a sexual deviant with something to hide and ambition to play with the markets for their own personal gain ? I would hope not ....
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I was so impressed with "The Dealer", I couldn't wait to read this book - the second Kilduff I managed to get my hands on. Where The Dealer earned 5 stars in my book, this trailed behind with only 3.
This book is so long, and with so many characters that Kilduff's potential for excellent writing was far too diluted. It also suffers from a peppering of corny lines, e.g. "She knew he was ready to trade." I really can't imagine that thought entering the mind of a dealer, and I have worked in the City.
The book moves at a pace and has a mature insight and reflection on the personal to get you hooked and caring: Jonathon's (the protagonist) wife's death from cancer and the pressures he suffers bringing up two children on his own, whilst holding down a consultancy job. Nikki, his PA, was a star and the book would have benefited from more of her quirky outlook on life.
Jonathon is sent to Hong Kong to investigate the trades going through his old firm Mitchell's, particulary purchases by ABC, a supposed hedge fund (but without a rogue trader where's the thrill?) In Hong Kong Jonathon meets his first frontrunner, Lauren, who we'll come back to later - after she's been sacked of course. The rogue trader in New York commits suicide, ABC goes down the pan and global markets plummet. Markets are like that, nerves act like a virus.
The leaders of the world's main banks decide on a strategy to push the market back up. Along with Jonathon's boss - a sophisticated and poised cuticle-obsessed Swiss with an underlying greedy and exceptionally sick nature - a couple of them decide to frontrun their own strategy and make the millions/billions they lost on their "secure" investments in ABC. (Why none of them decided to murder the king pin of that fund is lost to me - surely that much money turn would them, unless they had so little left they couldn't afford the hit man.) Anyway, to frontrun they turn to the two experts (for different reasons) with whom we are familiar - Jonathon & Lauren. Set up on new lucrative and secretive assignments in Bermuda with a number of trusts to play with, they quickly work out that all is not what it originally seemed...
I think the dynamics of the market and the products could have been better explained for the mass market. But if you think of the Barings & Leeson debacle and skip, you'll be relatively OK. If you're good with names then you should manage to keep up with all the characters. Some appear cameo, but actually become integral to the plot or the downfall of the main characters. Hideously greedy and status conscious bankers, who will stop at nothing, are darkly illustrated. And if you're into global travel plans, whether by air or car across Europe (Frankfurt to Italy), then this book provides a nice travel guide.
I was disappointed at the beginning, but stuck with it. Overall it lifted by the end. Something tighter would have lifted it to the standard of his earlier work.
A decent read, but not Kilduff's best.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Starts good, but then fizzles
The title of this book, "The Frontrunner", refers to an illegal practice that stock dealers can engage in: buying some stocks personally just before placing a large buy order for a... Read more
Published on 26 July 2003 by Rennie Petersen
Wonderful, fast-paced read
I've become a devoted fan of Paul Kilduff as a result of "Frontrunner." What a wonderful read! Read more
Published on 24 Nov 2001 by Pranay Gupte
E-finanace, sex and geo-politics in this must-read thriller
This one's the real can't-put-down, awake-all-night goods! Sparkling, original, top-class 2001 thriller, outrunning Dick Francis in pace, and John Grisham in authentic... Read more
Published on 26 Oct 2001
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