Title: Reminiscences of an Accidental Embezzler
Author: Howard E. Hallengren
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 978-1524541361
Pages: 318
Genre: Literature & Fiction
Reviewed by: Tony Espinoza

Read Book Review

If there is one thing about following one’s dreams or goals in life which most people have a hard time coming to terms with, it is the fact that it always takes more time than one can imagine. The excitement and drive to accomplish one’s goals or dreams often bring an expectation that energy will cause a sudden shift in the world around them, allowing that dream or goal to become a reality. Yet in truth, dreams and goals are often long and at times tedious journeys in life, and only by sticking down the path set before them can they become a reality. Yet sometimes the path can become warped, and you can find yourself on a path totally unfamiliar and too late to turn around.

In author Howard E. Hallengren’s Reminiscences of an Accidental Embezzler, the author explores this concept through the story of a young man with a destiny to become the head banker of a major bank in Zurich. After some success, he finds himself in over his head when he decides to set up a seemingly foolproof embezzlement from the bank he works for. This decision leads him on a path from his high-profile job in Zurich to the banks of New York and Los Angeles and back to New York again as he attempts to set up one of the most daring embezzlement schemes of all time.

The way the author layers the narrative with intrigue and heart-pounding thrills is great to see come to life in this novel. The attention to detail the author gives to the financial tools and institutions the protagonist works in or through made this feel more compelling and relatable, and the tension which builds from the very first page as the character sees the possibility of his scheme coming crashing down on him by such a simple means made the narrative feel alive and chilling on the page. The character development was great, as the author brought a humanizing aspect of the protagonist to life while also showcasing the criminal mind at work and the self-absorbed professional with little to no regard for the lies he tells to those around him.

This is the perfect read for those who enjoy financial crime thrillers, especially those with rich character development and international settings. The way the narrative begins at such a fast pace and then shifts to rich story development and layered backstory felt seamless and natural, making this pacing feel so engaging as a reader.

Memorable, thought-provoking, and entertaining, author Howard E. Hallengren’s Reminiscences of an Accidental Embezzler is a must-read literature and fiction financial crime thriller. The fact this character was not some hardened criminal but an average man who attempted the impossible made this a compelling story, and the twists and turns the narrative takes and the final fate of this protagonist will keep readers invested until the final sentence.