The Patriots Club
Christopher Reich
Delacorte, Jul 26, 2005
ISBN: 0385337280

Thirty-two years old Thomas Bolden has come a long way from his youth growing up on the meanest streets of Chicago. Today he is director of the New York investment bank Harrison Weiss and is dating a nice girl Jennifer Dance. However, just minutes after he proposes to Jenny, two thugs kidnap him and take him to a partially constructed office building in Harlem. There, another stranger orders Thomas to tell him everything he knows about Crown and Bobby Stillman if he wants to live. Thomas knows nothing having never heard of either person. He manages to escape.

However, his escape has not freed Thomas. He has run afoul of THE PATRIOTS CLUB, a secret group of influential individuals who since the beginning of the republic has insured certain political privileges remain intact. This group needs to eliminate Thomas who knows too much, starting by destroying aspects of his life, as they methodically hunt for him and his fianc e.

This is a terrific thriller that will remind readers of The Firm although THE PATRIOTS CLUB members seem tougher. The storyline is action-packed from the moment Thomas meets the muggers and never slows down until the final High Noon confrontation. Though lacking the financial shenanigans that Christopher Reich is known for (see THE DEVIL'S BANKER) fans of a tense somewhat by the numbers suspense tale starring David and his Goliaths will want to read this solid novel.

Harriet Klausner