Customer Reviews

Chameleon

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

When a book starts out with several clips of characters and then becomes a technical novel, I lose interest rather quickly.

I realize some character description is necessary, but dropping them all in on the first few pages makes the book difficult to follow. Add to that--the story is geared towards bankers and others in the finance world--all making it even more difficult to follow.

I had a hard time getting past the first three chapters in this story because I had to look up so much information that was presented. When reading, I would like the story to flow from page to page. Back story can be brought in without it being done in large sections. Character profiles can be done throughout the book with a well-written story without having to show me the characters all up front. This is hard to keep up with as the story unfolds due to having to flip back and forth and figure out where that person was from or what was important about why he was introduced on page 1.

If you are into the finance world, and you can get past the character drop-ins at the beginning, then this novel may be for you. Unfortunately, not my cup of tea.

Armchair Interviews says: May be of interested to those in finance industry.

What I really liked about this book is that the author clearly knows whereof he speaks, and the authenticity of the fascinating world in which his main character moves--fast-moving financial and uppercrust social circles from New York to London to East Hampton to Australia, just for starters--kept me turning pages throughout. (Never mind some of the hottest sex scenes I've read in a long time.) This is one book that should appeal to both men and women equally.

I am not generally a thriller fan, but this one held me.
Richard Hains has pulled a coup in this new financial thriller, and though it does not quite redefine the genre, CHAMELEON is both refreshing and energetic. The book opens in the madhouse of Wall Street, and soon degenerates into a viper's nest of intrigue. The main character has to flee New York, both in fear of his life and in hope of revenge. The hunts moves around the world (in English-speaking regions for the most part) and climaxes in the author's native Australia. The story's ending is its strongest suit, and Hains does an excellent job keeping us in his world.
I got much more out of this book than I thought I would, actually learning a few things about the financial world (aside from the decadence).

Richard Hains, financial expert, is the ultimate example of being an expert in the field he is discussing. His first novel, Chameleon, is brimming with the details only an insider in the setting would know. This gives it a does of realism that is hard to equal.

Jon Phillips is a successful bond trader for a large bank. He has devoted his life to advancing in his career until he is one of the most well known and best in the business. He has everything a man could desire- expensive car, condo and girlfriend. But he is unhappy, no longer feeling satisfaction with the direction his life is heading. He almost misses his quiet life growing up with his close knit family in Australia. He is unable to just walk away from it all though, the habit and lure of the money is too strong. So he plans an outrageous scheme to buy $30 million of United States bonds in a deal that could make him financially secure for the rest of his life. Unfortunately the idea, while brilliant, is also illegal. When his plan goes flamingly bad he is forced into flight, fighting to save his reputation and his life. Jon must take the offensive in a mental and physical battle with the enemies that set up his failure.

Hains has created a deeply detailed look at the world of high finance. He is able to bring the tension of Wall Street and build it into the suspense of the thriller. Then ending is unique also, unexpected and yet satisfying. The book does not delve into the morality of the original deal, it allows the character to suffer the consequences without speeches, subtle and it works. This is a thriller for anyone who is interested in world finance, Wall Street and a good, fun time.

I too am tired of so caller thrillers where I find I have guessed the conclusion before the end of the third chapter - so I bought this book, and like "former federal prosecutor" (how glamorous - sounds like a character from a thriller!), was not disappointed. I loved the gritty reality of the plot, and particularly enjoyed reading what felt like a real life narrative fused seemlessly with first class story telling - I can't wait for Mr Hains to follow up...

Do you like to suspend disbelief when reading a "thriller"? If so, then don't bother with Chameleon. This novel is believable, no doubt because its author bases his story on real-life events in the worlds of finance and crime, and on the nasty character traits of some who work (and play) in those worlds. The author, Richard Hains, an accomplished international businessman and investor, demonstrates his keen sense of observation as he takes his readers on a brilliant ride through high and low doings on Wall Street and around the globe.

Our anti-hero, Jon -- and he is an anti-hero, when dealing with both his enemies and his ladies -- seeks one last score, big enough to allow him retire large, or at least leave the rat race that Wall Street has become for this Australian transplant. But Jon can't pull this score off alone, for reasons based on federal regulations promulgated by the SEC to prevent this very kind of scheme. So Jon takes on accomplices and learns -- to his great detriment -- the first rule of crime: If you want to commit the perfect crime, do it alone. You show me accomplices and I'll show you trouble.

Jon's accomplices just happen to include Russian criminals who need to launder a spot of dirty cash. Jon's big score goes spectacularly awry for reasons that (realistically) have nothing to do with the merits of the deal but everything to do with the so-called logic of the marketplace. The Russians are none too happy and set about to recoup their losses -- their tactics include murder and arson -- while protecting themselves at Jon's expense.

Our anti-hero, however, isn't having any of it. He commences a globe-trotting counter-effort to protect himself -- his tactics include high-tech forgery and a bit of extortion -- and Jon proves himself a worthy anti-hero indeed. The ending, of course, is not to be revealed. Suffice it to say that Hains leaves Jon appropriately wondering -- all this, to what end?

The plot of Chameleon springboards from real events -- principally, Salomon Brothers' 1991 effort to corner the market in U.S. Treasury bonds, supplemented with dashes from the sagas of Long Term Capital Management, Drexel Burnham Lambert, and other spectacular collapses and scandals of the past two decades. Hains's characters are real and plenty compelling -- London barrow boy traders, ex-CIA operatives and former Soviets who made a ton of money in slightly dicey ways, Harvard Business School math wizards, a reporter for a London tabloid exploring her sexual orientation -- all finely observed, described and painted large. Hains has plainly done his research; he has the details right, details about yachting in the Hamptons, upper crust (and not so upper crust) pheasant hunts in the countryside outside London, wandering the family farm-ranch and surfing the beaches in Australia. Not to mention, of course, the highlife and the low life of Wall Street, in their offices and in their bedrooms (and in a few other choice venues).

The summer is over. Forget about those silly beach-reading tomes and pick up something that's both realistic and fun. Chameleon is a terrific read; it will keep you enthralled from start to finish.

I love thrillers and Chameleon lived up to the genre. The story moves at a very good clip - there are no tedious detours or digressions - and the characters are well defined and consistent. In other words, Hains does a nice job of creating a believable (well, almost!) world and keeping you in it without jolting you out with bad writing or inconsistent characters. I particulalry liked the sailing sequence in the middle involving Johnston - it was a memorable, visceral experience. Also, Jon's financial machinations are fun to watch for those working in the industry.

I really loved this book - not only was it exciting and full of twists and turns but also it gave a great overview of the financial markets.I also enjoyed the various international settings- from the Meat District in NY to Lorne australia.So glamorous but yet ...trust no-one and expect a surprise ending!
The sex scenes made for racy reading [and I do think the author pushed the envelope to the edge of accceptability here-only my opinion of course..]Overall a rivetting read but don't pass it onto Mother!
Kate Farmer

Bought the book for finance and got much more: Advanture, travel on three continents, intrigue and a great story. Could not put it down after the first 50 pages!

The novel takes a lot of literary license, which damaged its credibility, at least for me. For example, a person who committed very serious crimes went 'on the lam' from one country to another using his passpord and credit cards(?).

Since the central character is very shallow and not particularly in any way, it is rather difficult to care about his plight.

I can't recommend this book.