FATAL GREED (Greed Series #1)

A fast paced story of unexpected twists...what greed can do to destroy a person. The author takes the reader into the minds of big corporations and destruction they can create. Mr. Mefford also shows heartwarming personalities that I fell in love with. An excellent story!

Good story line, but the characters rang false. I really grew to dislike them as the book went on. I also felt that the "dramatic conclusion" was rushed to the point where you said to yourself "that's it?"

Good story line, but the characters rang false. I really grew to dislike them as the book went on. I also felt that the "dramatic conclusion" was rushed to the point where you said to yourself "that's it?"

When an author takes a single book and then converts this into an experience not just a book, this is when the generic rating system is just not enough. We first received Fatal Greed followed by Lethal Greed. It was only after this that we realised the author had a whole campaign set up around his new releases, #SummerofGreed.

Of course, one of the perks of this campaign are numerous giveaways but I for one was truly fascinated by the time, effort and thought the author had taken into launching the series. Where most authors publish one book and then focus all their resources on that one book, here was an author who was doing it differently and thinking on a far larger scale. Impressive.

Now, on to Fatal Greed. The undercurrents of lust, excessive desire and greed in general reminded me of Seven (Brad Pitt & Kevin Spacey). It's sickening to imagine these things and yet you know it happens. I did find some of the sex imagery a bit disturbing so those easily disturbed by such scenes may want to read the sample chapter first.

John W. Mefford can certainly write and pull you into the story in ways you won't expect. If you have an open mind and crave for a plot that is imaginative and exciting, Fatal Greed must be on your reading list.

Would I recommend this read? Abso-bloody-lutely. I have only said that for one other book.

Overall assessment:
Content: 4.5/5
Editing: 4.5/5
Formatting: 4.5/5
Pacing: 4.5/5

Offensive content?: Based on language, settings and overall content, I would recommend this book for adult readers.

Disclosure: I received a review copy of this book from the author. I did not receive any payment in exchange for this review nor was I obliged to write a positive one.

Fatal Greed by John W. Mefford is a 2014 publication. I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The title of this book is certainly apt. This story is one so many can relate to. Michael Doyle is blindsided when his company is bought out and a new regime will soon be in charge. If that weren't enough to grapple with, Micheal stumbles upon a the body of a young woman who worked with the company. But, it gets better. Michael's neighbor, a married man with a young family is arrested for the murder. Something in Micheal makes him want to find out the truth about this young woman's death and hopefully reunite the young family with their father .
In the background of the story is Micheal's commitment issues. He has difficulty in that department in several areas of his life, but the main problem is with his longtime girlfriend, Marisa. By all accounts the relationship is pretty solid, even though Marisa really wants him to put a ring on it.
As Michael begins digging into the murder at the request of the local newspaper, he becomes close the the deceased woman's mother, Rosemary. His work life is getting more and more murky as he becomes the hatchet man for the new boss. Between trying to solve a murder and laying off long time loyal employees and dealing with his personal life, Micheal has a lot stress in his life. But, he rises to the occasion determined to come out on the other end with his integrity it tact.

This story was all too real on so many levels. The takeover and the ruthless layoffs and greed of top management was depicted perfectly. It wouldn't surprise me if these tactics weren't practiced in real life. Why not? Maybe not with an actual murder, but all the rest of it was spot on. While this may have been just a crime story, it still left me feeling a little queasy because it was just so realistic. Yes, greed is one of the worst sins , but it is the vice which eventually causes so many downfalls. It will come back to haunt you, you can count on it. While the crime in this book is solved, the story is not finished just yet. I loved the way the story played out. Obviously the author put a great deal of thought into this one and let it all play out in real time with the characters developing as the story progresses. Marisa and Michael are a great couple and made a good team even though they went through some rough patches. I have the other book in the series all queued up and ready to go.

John W. Mefford’s Fatal Greed offers a complex blend of raw sensuality, sharp violence, mystery, and even occasional unexpected godliness, all packaged around a seemingly meaningless murder. Corporate greed forms the background, with characters innocent and guilty drawn into a murderous web. The protagonist, with his job under threat and his girlfriend looking for commitment (possibly another threat), soon finds himself following the threads of loose ends, while some relationships fall apart and others draw ever tighter. Ecological, financial, social, emotional and corporate greed all claim their due. But one fatality points the way to truth.

The protagonist’s voice, humor and depth all feel pleasingly real. Fatal Greed is an adult novel, a fascinating puzzle, and a really good read.

Disclosure: I won a copy and I’m pleased to offer my honest review.

This was definitely a true to form suspense. It kept me intrigued throughout, and as each new clue arose I found myself guessing what might happen next. It starts with Michael, who learns that his employer has been bought by another company. After hearing the news, he stumbles across a body of a young woman who worked at the company. Soon, his neighbor is arrested for murder and Michael begins his quest to unraveling just what exactly is going on.

I think what set this book apart and made it great is several things. For one, in the story you were given a lot of clues and details but you're never quite sure of what exactly is going to play out. I also loved the greed theme. The typical large company, with its layoffs and the greed of upper level management and large corporations. Greed can be a consuming thing that can lead to so much destruction and corruption, which is depicted here. I'm looking forward to seeing how the greed theme plays out in the other three book of the series.

Fatal Greed is definitely a keep-you-on-your-toes suspense that I would recommend to anyone who is a fan of mysteries, suspense, crime novels, and thrillers. John W. Mefford's writing was excellent, the plot highly entertaining and fresh.

Greed is a terrible thing! This mystery/suspense novel by John W. Mefford the first in his Greed Series will take you on a journey to right several wrongs perpetrated by several very greedy individuals. They will stop at nothing to form the merger of a giant Indian company with a small North Texas oil company. Michael, a laid back kind of guy with definite commitment issues (just ask his long time girlfriend) has just found out about the merger and steps out for a breath of air where he finds someones arm sticking out of a black garbage bag. From that moment forward Michael knows he has to find the killer which for some reason is not being covered very well by the local press and one of his friends and co-worker has been arrested for the murder.

More and more strange things keep happening and Michael ends up working with the newspaper to uncover the real story. Meanwhile he and his boss have been told that they will have to fire 15% of the workforce so that the new company can make more of a profit. How this all ends--of course I can not tell you--what I will say there is a direct link to the next in the series! And yes, I really enjoyed this book-it kept me guessing and entertained and now I have to wait to get the second in this series.

This book is simply not for me. Fifteen "chapters" later the main protagonist (apparently with commitment issues) discovers his purpose in life is to discover who killed Vivienne ( a woman who he hardly knows) because he was shocked by his stumbling over a black pastic bag containing her dismembered body.
We had brief flashes of a corporate take over and feelings of dissatisfaction. We also have a lot of disjointed episodes and discussions that actually seems to go nowhere and does not seem to aid in a developing plot. The characters seems one sided and I could not sympathize with any of these characters.
After 35 "chapters" I gave up. I simply felt no inclination to go on reading. Yet so many reviewers apparently have a high regard for this book. Maybe I stopped too soon......and maybe I did not.

This book is unexpectedly exciting and true to life without all the added romance that tends to distract from the storyline. Although I was a little put off by the offensive language, I was intrigued and quickly engrossed in this first book of the series. Although greed is a subject not addressed commonly in books, I enjoyed how Mefford was able to accurately portray the consequences of it when Michael becomes involved in it.

This novel is full of mystery, suspense, and fascinating characters who will keep you anxious for the next in the series. I actually read book 4 in this series first and am excited that although this is a series I can still understand the plot now that I’m ‘connecting the dots’. For adult readers this book is perfect as Mefford has a real talent for writing while involving you in a perfectly convoluted and intricate tale.

~The Book Stalker Reviewed

Michael Doyle is mid level management in a small financial company. His life begins to fall apart when the top brass announces they have sold out to an international conglomerate. Michael is sure he, and many of his friends will lose their jobs. His depression is cut short when he discovers the dismembered body of a coworker. Shocked out of his depression, he finds purpose investigating this gruesome murder. His trail leads to corrupt cops, blackmail, a cowed city government and more.
I found this book to be an interesting read. Far from the normal detective novel. Michael has no training and isn't interested in fighting crime, or solving mysteries. He's an average guy who has been pushed too far and is asking “why”. The plot was well thought out and I didn't find any plot holes, or unrealistic escapes, or incredible insights into “who done it”. All in all a well written book and worth reading.

"Fatal Greed" by John W. Mefford is the first book in his "Greed" series.
IT Manager Michael Doyle fears for his job when he learns that his employer is merging with an international corporation. Little did he know that this would be the last thing on his mind once he stumbles upon a mutilated body behind the building he works in. One of his friends and co-workers has been arrested for the murder and Michael takes it upon himself to get to the truth. His investigation leads him into a world filled with greed, suspense and mystery.
A great storyline with interesting characters, enough action and excitement and a satisfying ending makes you want to carry on with the next book without delay.

The mystery was in finding the mystery. I made it through 25% of the book before becoming bored and deciding to quit. This is more of a romance novel with the illusion of a mystery hidden somewhere in the background.