BKMT READING GUIDES
The Banker's Wife
by Cristina Alger
Paperback : 368 pages
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3 members have read this book
"Immersive, satisfying, tense--and timely: This is probably happening for real right now."--Lee Child
"First-rate...Slick, heart-hammering entertainment."--The New York Times Book Review
On an early morning in November, a couple boards a private plane bound for Geneva, ...
Introduction
A USA Today Bestseller
"Immersive, satisfying, tense--and timely: This is probably happening for real right now."--Lee Child
"First-rate...Slick, heart-hammering entertainment."--The New York Times Book Review
On an early morning in November, a couple boards a private plane bound for Geneva, flying into a storm. Soon after, it simply drops off the radar, and its wreckage is later uncovered in the Alps. Among the disappeared is Matthew Werner, a banking insider at Swiss United, a powerful offshore bank. His young widow, Annabel, is left grappling with the secrets he left behind, including an encrypted laptop and a shady client list. As she begins a desperate search for answers, she determines that Matthew's death was no accident, and that she is now in the crosshairs of his powerful enemies.
Meanwhile, ambitious society journalist Marina Tourneau has finally landed at the top. Now that she's engaged to Grant Ellis, she will stop writing about powerful families and finally be a part of one. Her entry into the upper echelons of New York's social scene is more appealing than any article could ever be, but, after the death of her mentor, she agrees to dig into one more story. While looking into Swiss United, Marina uncovers information that implicates some of the most powerful men in the financial world, including a few who are too close to home. The story could also be the answer to Annabel's heartbreaking search--if Marina chooses to publish it.
The Banker's Wife is both a high-stakes thriller and an inside look at the personal lives in the intriguing world of finance, introducing Cristina Alger as a powerful new voice in the genre.
Excerpt
MarinaMarina stood on the balcony of her suite at Le Meurice and looked out at the glistening lights of Paris. The view was spectacular, particularly at night. To the west, the Eiffel Tower and Roue de Paris stood illuminated against the night sky. Across the rue de Rivoli, les Jardin des Tuileries glowed, as if lit from within. Marina considered waking up her fiancŽ, Grant, so he could enjoy the view with her. But there would be time for that. Their trip had just begun. Instead, Marina sat down at the table. She sparked a cigarette, inhaled. It felt good to have no work to do, no functions to attend, no emails begging response. She could read a book. She could do her nails. She could do nothing at all. The night was hers. Here in Paris, it was just beginning. ... view entire excerpt...
Discussion Questions
1) What was your initial impression of the three women? Did that change at all as the book went on? Did you like one of their storylines more than the others?2) The women are doubted by men in many ways: Swiss United doesn’t expect Annabel to investigate Matthew’s death, Grant and his father assume Marina will give up her job for a life of wealth and no one seems to expect anything of Zoe. Let’s talk about the ways they bypassed expectations and proved themselves as capable women.
3) This book is going to be adapted into a TV series. How do you think this story will play out on the series? What do you hope they include? Let’s cast the leading roles: Annabel, Marina, Zoe, Matthew, Grant, Owen, James.
Weblinks
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Author's website
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Publisher's Book Info
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Rosamund Pike to star in TV series adaptation of book
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NYT Book review
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Book Club Recommendations
Recommended to book clubs by 2 of 2 members.
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