The Successor
by Stephen Frey
Published by Ballantine Books
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Reviewed by Andrea Sisco
Christian Gillette is chairman of Everest Capital, an important and well-known private equity firm in New York. Gillette's talent for handwork, perseverance and making money has pitted him against some powerful and dangerous people. He usually beat them all.
Jesse Wood, the first African-American President of the United States, once choose Gillette as his running mate--and then rescinded the offer. Now, several years into Wood's first term as President, he needs Gillette's help.
The President of Cuba is dead, and the Cuban government is keeping it a secret. There is a quiet movement within the U.S. and Cuba that is plotting a coup. Wood wants Gillette to meet with the men who wish to overthrow the government to determine the chances of a successful revolution. The problem is that Gillette will be on his own. If Gillette is found out, Wood will disavow any knowledge of Gillette's activities.
Things are not as secret as Wood and Gillette believed and there are people (some close to Gillette) who will go to great lengths to sabotage Woods, Gillette and the revolution.
The Successor is a scintillating read that covers the New York financial industry, government and Hollywood. There are many characters and scene flashes so the reader must carefully follow the story. It would be easy to get lost if you happen to skip a page.
Armchair Interviews says: The Successor will draw you in and keep you reading.