Good Reads
23 June 2009
by Mango
A fun, enlightening, fast read
Commercial fiction perfectly suited to our times: set against the backdrop of the credit crisis, with investment bankers as the villains. Author Moore, a real-life financial analyst, invites us for an inside view of the big brokerage houses - with insider trading, price fixing, and testosterone-laden, greedy, and cutthroat men (yes, mostly men) who inhabit that world. Moore's description of the insider financial world feels authentic. The various plot lines twist, turn, and come together in the end. And the multi-national characters (European, American, British) are consistent with multinational banks. It’s a timely but very easy read - as much commercial fiction is. There's sex, murder, betrayal, world politics, and moral lessons learned. There's a lot to be learned, especially about how far these banks are willing to go to satisfy their often questionable goals.
The Telegraph
22 July 2009
by Jeremy Jehu
Jeremy Jehu gets the adrenalin going with the latest batch of thrillers
City of Thieves is ... a potent indictment of the City’s mindless, reflexive greed ...
Shots mag
July 2009
by Fiona Messenger
An excellent tale
In this book he [Moore] has done the unthinkable: he’s made City mechanics interesting ... and manages to write with intelligence without being patronising.
Moore moves the plot at a decent pace, making sure that the reader understands all reasoning and motive before moving on, but he does this in such a way that you barely notice. There is love interest, which these days seems to be inevitable, but, importantly, they are plot crucial, unlike so many “let’s throw them in to bed together because I need to regroup” novels, of which there is a plethora.
There are rich and powerful people involved in the plot, and it isn’t the run of the mill ‘scamming the scammers’ tale, but a lot more involved and it really draws you in. The book is also frighteningly convincing, and could get you really concerned about the real shenanigans going on, which despite various Audit and Financial commissions, could take a long time to get uncovered, and when they do, it may not be much unlike the way Moore’s book ends. Again, frighteningly convincing.
This is an excellent tale ... and I highly recommend it.
Literary Review
July 2009
by Jessica Mann
An insider's view of insider trading ...
... written with vigour and authority
INSEAD Business School
11 August 2009
INSEAD Knowledge: Book Review
Cyrus Moore's first novel, 'City of Thieves', is well timed
A thriller that puts the boot into bullies and crooks in the City of London and the rest of the financial world may well sell better now that investment bankers are our favourite villains.
... The author is obviously good at numbers and analysis. His description of deals feels authentic, as you might expect from a former telecom analyst ....
International Business Times
12 August 2009
by Andrew Wood
The writing is to the point
It's a good read. The plot involves sex, money, murder, betrayal and Middle East politics, as well as some East Asian-style philosophising about loyalty and integrity. There's also a main character out for revenge for what happened to his best friend ....
The Wharf
2 July 2009
by Rob Virtue
A story many of us who have to make moral judgements in ordinary lives can relate to
When Cyrus Moore wrote a thriller about City greed no-one wanted to know. It's a
different story now.
It was seven years ago when Cyrus Moore completed a novel on the battle between honour and greed in the City. But publishers showed little interest in a thriller based in the finance sector. Now with the industry on its knees that has all changed and Cyrus' tale of an analyst's fight to do what is right is hitting the shelves across the world.
City am
25 June 2009
by Jeremy Hazlehurst
Bullets, bombs and books on the front line
He [Moore] has put his experience to good use in this pot-boiling thriller about machinations and the possibility of honour in an environment where nobody else has any... If you want to get some sand between the pages of a plot-driven, sub-Grisham thriller this summer, then this will do the job.
Book Club Forum
27 July 2009
by Honestfi
Books that leave you with no resolution
Of the books read recently, City of Thieves by Cyrus Moore and Trust Me by Jeff Abbot have fairly open conclusions insofar as 'the fight goes on' - both excellent, and Moore's could open a lot of debate (and anger actually).
Mike Ripley Column
27 July 2009
by Mike Ripley
Getting away with murder
Considering its propensity for venality and double-dealing, I find it odd that the City of London and the institutions therein has not been featured in more crime novels than it has. Recent events have certainly raised the profile of the banking industry and only the other day I suffered abuse from some hooded youths on a street corner who attempted in vain to attract my attention with cries of "Oi! You old banker!".
However, those smashing people at Sphere brought us the debut mystery, City of Thieves by one Cyrus Moore, who I am told was a major player in investment banking in the City ....
Irish Examiner
17 August 2009
by Afric McGlinchey
This is a brilliantly constructed, intelligent, thrilling ride...
... an eye-opener for anyone unfamiliar with the world of corporate finance
Radiochick
5 October 2009
by Karen McMillan
Book of the Week
The current global recession and credit crunch has been headline news for some time so I approached City of Thieves with some interest. It was recommended as a page-turning thriller set in the world of investment banking - and I was curious to see if a book set in the financial world would actually capitvate, or if it would be a dull account of bankers and number-crunching. I admit it took me a couple of couple of chapters to get into the novel, but then it was a fast-paced and exhilarating read ... Not since Wall Street or Bonfire of the Vanities has greed and power been so accurately depicted ... this modern-day morality tale is a gripping read.
Wheeler's Bookshop, New Zealand
October 2009
by Wheeler's Bookshop staff
'Irresistable'
Billed on the cover as Grisham meets Cityboy this book for me was more like the Charlie sheen / Michael Douglas movie WallStreet of the 80’s but it does stack up. I found it irresistible and took every spare moment I had to immerse myself once again in the book. This is about what happens when you have the perfect life, a great career, girlfriend, money, reputation as a star analyst and one day it is all gone and you are literally caught being the eight-ball having to fight to keep what you had.
Accountancy magazine
May 2010 edition
by Julia Irvine
A novel look at banking
... a rollercoaster, page-turning plot - involving large sums of money, a champagne, sex and fast car lifestyle, investment analysts in clients' pockets, untrustworthy colleagues and murderous outcomes ...
Book Lovers
23 December 2010
by Bookworm
Fast paced
Cyrus Moore's book City of Thieves shows the murky insider dealings of price fixing and how the big broking houses manipulate share prices for their own and their clients' gain. The lenghts that these broking houses go to achieve their goals makes this book worth a read.
Douban
See this site for scores of recent reviews from China
Mystere Jazz
10 June 2011
par Paul Maugendre
Cyrus Moore, qui lui-même est un fin analyste boursier sous le nom de Cyrus Mewawalla, et dont il pourrait être le portrait de Niccolo, nous plonge dans les arcanes des banques et sociétés d’investissement. Dont le mot d’ordre est : "Je ne vous paie pas, les gars, pour être de bons analystes. Je vous paie pour que vous nous gagnez de l’argent." Tout est résumé dans cette petite phrase. Il existe bien dans l’entreprise un service de déontologie, mais ce n’est qu’une façade, et il ne pèse pas lourd devant l’avidité redoutable des chefs de service. "Ils arnaquent tout le monde ; ils se servent de leur jargon juridique pour que leurs profits acquis par duperie paraissent légaux. Et que fait l’Etat pendant ce temps-là ? Rien ! Il ferme les yeux !" Les grenouillages en tous genres font florès, encouragés au contraire. Tout est bon pour que les profits engrangés soient optimisés. D’ailleurs comme le déclare Larry en réponse à la question "Mais si un analyste a un brusque accès d’intégrité, que ferez-vous pour le convaincre de marcher droit ?" est assez significative de la moralité de ce milieu: "Ce genre de personne n’existe que dans notre imagination. Pure chimère. On n’en trouve qu’au cinéma. Dans la vie réelle, les choses sont beaucoup plus simples que ça. Les enjeux sont trop gros. D’un simple coup de fil, je peux ruiner la vie d’un individu".
Amazon
Selection of reviews from the world
31 July 2009
by Mark 1 (New York)
A great City thriller
I have worked in the City of London and on Wall Street for many years and was duly impressed by how realistic the main characters were in this fast paced thriller. In fact this book has such a realistic feel to it I had to stop myself from believing that I had worked with, or for, some of the companies and protaganists.
Building on this base of strong characters the author has woven a complicated but compelling page-turner with a surprise ending. A great fun read..I can only wait for the film.
1 August 2009
by M. Braley (Oxford)
Gripping read, revealing and skilled characterisation
I enjoyed reading this book. Having worked in the City of London the interplay of the characters was realistic enough for me not to want to put this book down. I'm already looking forward to the sequel! As a teacher I could imagine that students would be interested in learning about and discussing City of Thieves.
4 July 2009
by A. Shababi (London)
Lee Child Jnr.
I had never heard of this author before but thought would try his book out. Finished it in 3 days. I am usually a Lee Child type of author fan and must admit this was not far off. Excellent. Once you get into it was hard to put it down. My wife who does not usually read is halfway through it. Can't wait for the next installment.
10 August 2009
by JJK (London)
A great read - difficult to put down
A believable - but slightly disturbing - thriller based in the City. Once started, this book is difficult to put down until finished. Highly recommended.
14 October 2009
by Nestor Badudoy (London)
Saw this title at the airport , thought "why not" - glad I purchased it!
I was looking in the bookshop of the airport while waiting for my flight and the title caught my eye, as did the front cover (similar to 1 Canada Square, Canary Wharf) and, after reading the synopsis, decided to buy the book. I couldn't put it down during my 15-hour flight and finished it after 3 days. I thoroughly enjoyed the book from start to finish, being a fan of this type of book (Stephen Frey, Paul Kilduff, John McLaren).
18 January 2010
by Frances S. Peck (UK)
The inside track
I really enjoyed reading this book! I loved getting the inside track on the financial world, plus the drama and intrigue, glamour and humour. Also really liked the philosophical thread that runs throughout. For me I know a book's good when I start looking forward to snatching moments in a busy day to read it, and miss its world once I've finished. City of Thieves achieved both.
16 August 2010
by First Review (UK)
Utterly gripping
If you have worked in the city this will be a great read for you. If you have not worked in the city it is a MUST read!
For a first book the characters have been carved and formed in a strong way but also allow you to add your own interpretation as to their being. The storyline is developed so well you feel you are amongst it.
I found myself rationing myself to a few chapters a visit. I hope the characters surface again.
23 December 2010
by Calbrez (UK)
Really good!
Good plot, with several interesting twists. I honestly enjoyed this book and City's culture is well captured. Worth the money. Highly recommended!
30 January 2011
by R Parker (New Zealand)
A brilliant financial thriller
Cyrus Moore's City of Thieves is a first rate financial thriller. Using his real life experience as the top telco analyst in London he has written a terrific page turner about how investment banks in the City of London really operate. I can't wait for his next book.
26 July 2011
by Nightman (UK)
Excellent City thriller
I've read a number of City thrillers and this is definitely one of the best ... Good plot and decent twists.
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