A Fatal Debt

A Novel

By: John Gapper

Narrated by: Alan Sklar

This timely debut thriller by an award-winning Financial Times columnist is a gripping tale of lethal intrigue set in the high-stakes world of Wall Street - where wealth and privilege are no match for jealousy and betrayal.

Ben Cowper, an attending psychiatrist at the prestigious New York-Episcopal Hospital, is stunned to learn the identity of the emergency patient he’s just been assigned to treat: Harry Shapiro, a Wall Street colossus and one of Episcopal’s most prominent donors. But a high-profile reversal of fortune has left the once powerful investment banker jobless, bitter, and possibly desperate - judging by the handgun his wife finds him clutching. In Ben’s expert opinion, Shapiro is a suicide waiting to happen. But when the headstrong financier balks at an extended stay in the hospital psych ward, Ben reluctantly releases him, bowing to political pressure from Episcopal’s chief administrator, who’s more concerned with the patient’s money than his mind.

Days later, the shocking news breaks: There’s been a murder in Shapiro’s Hamptons mansion. But even more shocking is the identity of the victim. A tragedy sets in motion an explosive chain of events that turns Ben Cowper’s life upside down.

As hard-nosed cops close in with harder questions, the hospital closes ranks to protect its own interests. But with colleagues freezing Ben out, innocent circumstances conspire to incriminate him. Hounded by a DA who’s out for blood, and haunted by the specter of a shattered career, Ben has no choice: He must delve into the hearts and minds of the people who know Harry best, uncover the secrets they’d rather die - or kill - to keep, and expose the truth behind a web of malice disguised as madness.

John Gapper is chief business columnist and an associate editor of the Financial Times, based in New York. He holds a degree from Exeter College, Oxford University, and won a Harkness Fellowship to study at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

©2012 John Gapper (P)2012 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Rarely does one read a first novel so selfassured, sharp, and compelling. A Fatal Debt offers a terrific premise and wonderful characters. It takes off like a rocket and doesn’t stop until its explosive conclusion.” (Joseph Finder, New York Times best-selling author)

“Is John Gapper a journalist with a novelist’s heart, or a novelist with a journalist’s instinct? Either way, he tells a great story. He says this is fiction, but it feels very real to me.” (Lee Child)

“John Gapper puts together an irresistible package: a psychiatrist pursuing a Wall Street murder mystery, while fighting for his reputation and maybe his life. This is a neatly crafted and well-written thriller, which shows why Gapper is a must-read columnist in the Financial Times. An audacious, assured debut.” (David Ignatius, columnist for the Washington Post and author of Bloodmoney)

Great Mystery/Thriller while also very informative

Gave great insight into the stock market crash of 2008, while also keeping the reader interested and hooked with a great mystery/thriller plot. Many plot twists and great ending.