Skin in the Game

This book was very hard to follow. There were quite a few characters and it was not easy keeping up with them. The book would go back and forth in time and that was very confusing. I got very frustrated trying to keep up.

Too much psychological and philosophical rambling, the “hero” didn’t really do that much, no real character development, poorly written action scenes and the ending was contrived. The plot was interesting but not enough to save the rest of this mess. I can’t recommend this book at all.

Note, copy provided to me by author for review:

In a literary market rife with books boasting intrigue and adventure, it was a pleasure to come across this offering from Tomas Byrne, as it brought not only thrill and chase, but it's all done with an artful intricacy and strong style.

Joe Hawkins is an ex-US State Department agent teaching in England. His experience is in politics and related concepts, but as evidenced in the book's action, he might well have a bit of the operative in his pedigree as well. And when his brother, Sam, a high-ranking figure in the financial firm Density, initially disappears and is then found dead, Joe picks up the trail to track down the bad guys.

But wait. The book actually opens in some kind psycho-psychiatric torture facility, with a shadowy male figure under the brutal needle of a Dr. Krug, who is himself watched closely by Kate Farrow, she there to access memories that it seems Krug is trying his best to bury. And since it's written in present tense, at the beginning and when revisited later, you know you should be paying attention.

The rest? Past tense, of course, standard issue, easiest to follow. So while for the first third or so of the book the reader's confusion trickles steadily higher, clarifying clues seep in just enough to mitigate a full-blown mind-bender. And that's a good thing, because as we start to become inundated with Joe and Kate's metaphysical tangents, we need a string on which to pull ourselves along in the plot. And beware, there are acronyms aplenty, some phonetic or familiar, some not, but don't be afraid to keep a crib sheet. it could come in handy a few times.

This is a book that demands attention, even during the more ethereal moments. You know we all have those times, when reading a book, where our eyes and minds skip over some of the details we've determined are less central to the book's purpose. We skim readily, and yet still understand that the "limpid azure pool, reflecting the golden rays and cottony billows from the sky, nestled quaintly in the feathery, verdant expanse of arboreal proliferation" is a pond in a forest. Here, though, such a cursory reading could easily omit some detail without which sensibility is more hard-won later in the book. Simply, if you peruse, you could very well lose.

It is busy. I mentioned metaphysics, but there're also various doses of psychology, psychiatry, politics, philosophy, finance, economics, warfare, sociology, plus more, and several combinations of those subjects as well. So it is busy, and a challenge at times, but well worth the effort.

I did find the meta-stuff to be a little long-winded at times, especially when Joe and Kate start expounding about love, self, and our places in the world. And the dialogue could be, at times, frankly awkward. Chiefly, this is because there's sometimes a halting merging of corporeal action and reaction with what's being said. In some cases, an unspoken gesture plays the placeholder in an alternating dialogue, and that's not always clear, so you're not sure who is saying what. Other times, that gesture, such as a nod or a glance, is between two similar quotes, and you're left to wonder whether it applies to one party or another. But to be fair, once you've read thirty or so pages, you'll hopefully pick up on the back and forth, staccato rhythm, and following becomes an easier task.

And we have England, Germany, Uzbekistan, Dubai, all familiar espionage locales, but this time with a corrupt corporate edge, blended with the ubiquitous "national security" license to slaughter, maim, and deceive, so it's got all the basics, but with the benefit of never bowing to the easy strategy of going all formulaic on the reader.

There are twists, too: a big one, some smaller ones, and a few in between, yet none are gratuitous, and they're sewn neatly and tightly into the plot. You might see some coming, but I dare say you won't see them all. But no spoilers here.

No, you'll have to get hold of this one yourself, and make the time to read closely. If indeed the reward is in the doing, I hope Mr. Byrne was rewarded as well for writing this book as I was for reading it.

One of the most impressive things about Tomas Byrne’s debut novel is that it achieves a winning balance, presenting a conspiracy thriller big enough to impress but also building an intimate and emotionally charged empathy between his characters and his readers. That Byrne writes in the present tense perhaps assists this fluidity of movement from the macro to the micro and back again, an all important-trick in a complex and intelligent novel like Skin in the Game that seeks to explore the individual’s perilous if not powerless position in relation to the capabilities of the New World Disorder’s real ruling class.

We first enter what quickly becomes a geographically wide-ranging narrative by way of British Intelligence psychiatrist Kate Farrow, the new girl on the team “tasked” (as they say in these kinds of stories) with the responsibility of extracting the truth from the wonderfully named “Subject 13”. 13 is mysterious, handsome (of course), and knows something crucial that Kate’s bosses are desperate to find out. Understanding like most torturers that the infliction of physical pain can be counter-productive when it comes to extracting the truth (the victim of the violence will simply say anything to make the experience stop and is often rendered incapable of reliably surrendering what information he or she possesses), they are relying on Kate’s skills of manipulation to penetrate the mystery. And so the ride begins.

Before long, we’re zooming around the planet, piecing together an all-encompassing web of corrupted manipulation that ties together high-level finance and government ruthlessness. One is reminded of Orwell’s dystopian nightmare Nineteen Eighty-Four and torturer O’Brien’s promise to Winston Smith, the novel’s doomed protagonist: “We control life, Winston, at all its levels. You are imagining that there is something called human nature which will be outraged by what we do and will turn against us. But we create human nature.”

Byrne’s vision is of such a world. He warns us not to fear the enemy “within” so much as the horrifying truth that the enemy is actually all around us, governs us, knows and controls everything we do and is prepared to do anything to preserve its power. One immediately recoils at such a thought, and attempts to deny the implications, but the insistency of the writing and the thrust of the unfolding plot make it impossible but to draw the same stark conclusions.

I received an electronic copy of this book by the author for an honest review. Joe Hawkins got a little more than he bargained for when he decided to teach a class on Terrorism at Oxford University. After his brother Sam leaves him a package and then promptly disappears, Joe is thrust into the world of international finance, corruption, and world politics. Skin in the Game was packed full of intrigue, money, power, and corruption with a large number of important characters. Joe and Kate were my favorites, in regards to their story lines and their personal character. Joe, in the face of it all, triumphed over evil when he used his strength of will to persevere. Kate, in spite of the fact that the odds were against her, used her ingenuity to help Joe when no one else would. Overall, I thought the plot was well paced and had enough twists to keep me interested. This book is believable because, like real life, everything does not get wrapped up into a nice, neat package. I recommend this book to those who enjoy a good thriller and I look forward to reading more by this author.

Dr. Kate Farrow (psychiatrist, interrogator) & Dr. Cameron Krug (Former President APA, psychiatrist, neurologist, interrogator) are discussing their client Subject 13 (aka Jack Pierce, terrorist, weapons, drugs, human trafficking).
It seems he has been interrogated so many times he has lost his mind. Or has he?

Ahmad Ghazali (Density Capital) & Omar Sadir (investment manager, Dhatan Investment Authority) were aboard the 100’ Baglietto yacht Al Kamar that set in the Dubai Marina Yacht Club. The 2 were discussing Sam Hawkins (Princeton).
Ahmad went upstairs to make a call & just as he started to speak…
KABOOM! The yacht exploded.

The unknown sniper took care of the guy with the detonator device.
Later Sofi Watt (MI5 agent, lawyer, King’s College, Cambridge, NCA) & Detective Inspector Hamish McLeod (London P.D) were discussing how Density Capital Passage fund invests in markets in Central Asia, Middle East & North Africa.

Density Capital filed a grievance against Sam Hawkins a top notch commodity-trader in the investment firm. Sam had also gone rogue. This led to North Africa; Gold/Diamonds. Professor Joe Hawkins (Oxford, Columbia, PS) it seems is listed on Sam’s legal documents. His offshore account is in New Jersey.
The Shard (London) is the host of the huge international investors meeting.
Cadan Blake Density Capital (spokesperson, Sr. partner) announced Passage II Fund is going to be introduced. Bertram Mercier (head of sales, DC supervisor), Alan Trompett, Laith Khaldoun & Claire Nelson (legal advisor) were in attendance.
Sofi Watt & Detective Inspector Hamish McLeod were interviewing Professor Joe Hawkins (Oxford). Joe was informed Sam might be involved in some illegal funding that caters to Islamic fundamentalist groups (terrorists).
Laith Khaldoun (MS, Finance, Ecole Polytechnique) informed Qasim Qadi (Chief Investment Officer DIA, University of Chicago) & Dr. Abdullah Samarrai (Chief Investment Officer DIA) Sam Hawkins is missing.
When Joe finally got home his house had been ransacked.
Professor Carl Frazier (Christ Church College, killed) & Sam Hawkins were later murdered!

But why?

The portfolio of International investors now contains: Density Capital, Baexter Technologies (merger Frye Rayman), Mandrake Resources, Anno Domini Christian, Trust & White Throne Investors Passage Finance (broker/private bank), & an affiliate Serbon Surveillance (private security). All are being investigated.
Michele Scordato (m) & Joe Hawkins (36) were having a meeting in Paris about the Global corporate entities.

Another big meeting. Those in attendance were: Barrendt Trace (Mandrake Resources), Lincoln Covington (Baexter Technologies), Harold Sallow (British Foreign & Commonwealth Office), Marlon Freeman (US State Department) Cadan Blake (Density Capital), Laith Khaldoun (Density Capital), Dr. Abdullah Samarrai (DIA) Qasim Qadi (DIA), & Prince Nasid (Dhatan Emirate). The discussion topic the PPL & infrastructures of Uzbekistan

Next on the hit list were Ahmad Ghazali, Omar Sadir, Kris Maarten, Richard Blumee, & Sofi Watt. What will happen to them?

What about Claire Nelson?
What secrets does the Christ Church Cathedral (Oxford) hold?

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.

A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. Wow, a very well written international conspiracy thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great covert operation movie, or mini TV series. Another book at the top of my 2015 list, There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Goodreads; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

Joe Hawkins left his job at the State Department for a quieter life in Academia at Oxford, but his quiet life is shaken to the core when his brother goes missing. Joe uses some of his old contacts to try to help him find his kid brother who seems to have disappeared into the corrupt world of international finance. He joins forces with unlikely ally, Kate Farrow, an MI6 psychiatrist trying to recover vital information from a terrorist who appears to have lost his memory after being tortured. Together, the two of them will unlock a plot that will threaten the free world

The major geopolitical and economic forces at play in today’s globalized world form the basis of Tomas Byrne’s compelling narrative.
Byrne depicts capitalism at its worst - greed as the driver of corruption in the business and investment world aided by government complicity. The exploitation of under developed parts of the world at all costs provides a fertile ground for the rise of terrorism.
This is a book that will appeal to the reader who is looking to be enlightened and entertained.
The story moves quickly from one vividly-depicted locale to another in the Middle East and Europe including Dubai, Oxford, London, Paris, Istanbul, Berlin and Zurich.
Your emotions are strung out by the masterful character development provoking empathy, shock, disbelief, disgust, hatred and compassion at various points in the narrative.
You are left feeling you have viewed a complex endangered world with evil people conspiring for their own selfish means. But in Byrne's story the best instincts of others will carry humanity forward as it has throughout millenniums. We just need to be vigilant to the reality of the world and the forces that continually try to manipulate it for selfish gain.
This book will keep you reading late into the night and eagerly awaiting Tomas Byrne’s next work.

What an impressive debut from Tomas Byrne. If you’re a bit tired of square-jawed action heroes operating in a simplified good-versus-evil world, then Skin in the Game is an uncommonly smart thriller. Whilst it has some terrific suspense sequences, with shootouts and explosions, it locates its twisty-turny plot in the world of realpolitik, where government and high finance are operating in the shadows for immense private gain. The complex aspects of this conspiracy are not dumbed down for the reader, but Bryne takes pains to make them comprehensible and entertaining to the reader. It left me feeling I had gotten a sharp insight into how the powerful, influential and rich got that way! If you’re looking for a thriller that has got guts and a brain, then Skin in the Game is highly recommended indeed.

Intelligent Page Turner!

Byrne weaves a dark realist story around some of the political events of our time -- financial corruption and government torture in a world where big business calls the shots sometimes to the detriment of everyday citizens. Skin in the Game nails all of the triggers of the thriller genre: cliffhangers, perilous dilemmas, jeopardy, complexity and strong characters culminating in a tension bursting climax with a twist. But what I really loved about the book was the inner life of its main characters. It is here where the story takes on a literary side, showing us the contours of a collective psychology in a world where political events seemingly get bigger and further out of our control. Byrne offers us a breath of fresh air from the stereotypical political thriller in which our good government saves us from the bad guys and instead paints a grey and nuanced landscape in which it is impossible to know who is really good or bad. An outstanding debut.

Byrne's engaging writing draws us effortlessly into a gripping narrative that moves along at a deceptively fast pace. Thoughtful, thorough and laced with the intrigue of power, politics and money - it's themes are not only relative to our times but lush with the timeless mysteries of human nature.

Skin in the Game is an important novel from an author we will be hearing more from.

With insight reminiscent of Dan Brown, Byrne peels back the curtain in this riveting ride. Like secrets from Skull and Bones we glimpse players behind a cloaked World Order. Combining a cacophony of intrigue, high finance, political discord, terrorism and psychology, the reader can only be left wondering "what if". Byrnes characters encompass the totality of the human psyche, from good and evil to frailty and strength and all that lies between. Marrying character study with page turning tension, Byrne strikes the right balance in his debut novel. Leaving the door open, I can only look forward to the next installment.

I did enjoy this tale, when I finally finished it; however, it was a bit of a struggle to keep all the threads in cohesive order and remember which character (there were many) was on which side.

I would have another go at one of Tomas’s works again though.

Byrne spins an interesting story, the characters are well crafted, but the book is a bit convoluted and overly complex. Whenever I see comparisons to other authors but lacking anything new in the genre, I find it more a imitation of the previous material rather than a new and unique treatment.

I just finished this book last night. Very good read. Excellant storyline. Once I started the first chapter I couldn't put it down until I finished. I gave it a five star rating. Highly recommend it and can't wait until the next one is published. Keep up the good work.

Excellent Book, very well written. I've read a number of books from this sort of Genre, and this book is worth reading. The Characters are interesting, and there are enough twist and turns that keep you guessing. It was hard to put down. I look forward to Tomas Byrne's next book.