I am delighted to share my review today for A Deadly Deal by Simon Fairfax, this is the first book in the Deal series and it was a cracking read.

My huge thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my spot on the Blog Tour and for arranging my e-copy of this book.

A Deadly Deal

Moneymakers are king, no matter their methods. When an honest man stumbles into their world of deceit, will they drag him down to destruction?

London, 1986. Rupert Brett is eager to make his mark. But even though he’s newly qualified to tackle jobs within the cutthroat property brokering industry, his ambitions are blunted when he must face off against ruthless competitors. And with his career on the line, he finds himself adrift in the murky waters of insider trading where knowledge is the real currency.

Clinging to his ideals but beginning to realize how deep the corruption goes, Rupert’s unprepared when a group of hard-nosed developers frame him for murder. With few friends and the law on his tail, his only way out may be a bargain with the devil.

Can the young surveyor thwart his enemies’ plans in time to save his reputation and his life?

A Deadly Deal is the immersive first book in the Deal Series of historical crime thrillers. If you like conflicted characters, rich period details, and complex plotting, then you’ll love Simon Fairfax’s gritty page-turner.

Purchase Links – Amazon UK or US – Draft 2 Digital – KOBO

My Review…

I am so glad I read this book without really reading the synopsis properly. It meant I went into this story almost blind, I knew it would be about corporate espionage and that it would feature the ruthless deal makers set in the mid-1980s and that is about it.

So, corporate espionage, the means of using underhand techniques to get the deal done! Ok, I have simplified it but that is basically what it is. The deal makers, small print readers, lawyers, backers, money men and the power-hungry are portrayed so well in this story. The author, for me, nailed the ruthlessness, the underhanded deals, the backhanders and the swagger that the characters in this story have about them. They are the best at what they do and they know it. This adds such a wonderful sense of excitement and suspense to the story that it makes it such a page-turner

Rupert Brett is the main protagonist of the story and he soon realises that what he thought his new job would be like, the reality is very different. He gets caught up in the work hard play hard scenario along with his colleagues. When the synopsis mentions that “knowledge is the real power”, it really is true, this is something that Rupert is a little late to fully appreciate until he finds himself in very serious and deep water.

This is such a brilliant read that I found well-paced, it moves along at a good rate and doesn’t let up. I got the impression of Rupert starting to spiral but still be aware enough to hold his own. The author does mention some phrases, but nothing that you need a degree to understand. It kept me well and truly rooted in the story and the tactics of this world.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it is a series I am looking forward to. I would definitely recommend this one.

About the Author…

As a lover of crime thrillers and mystery, I turned what is seen by others as a dull 9 – 5 job into something that is exciting, as close to real life as possible, with Rupert Brett, my international man of mystery whose day job is that of a Chartered Surveyor.

Rupert is an ordinary man thrown into extraordinary circumstances who uses his wit, guile and training to survive.

Each book is written from my own experiences, as close to the truth as possible, set against world events that really happened. I go out and experience all the weapons, visit the places Rupert travels to, speak to the technical experts and ensure that it as realistic, as possible allowing you to delve deep in to the mystery, losing yourself in it for a few hours.

Social Media Links – Website – Facebook – LinkedIn

Check out the other stops on the Blog Tour…

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