Death by Wall Street: Rampage of the Bulls

Detective Louis Martelli, NYPD, Mystery/Thriller Series, Book 1

By: Theodore Jerome Cohen

Narrated by: Jeffrey A. Hering

Death by Wall Street: Rampage of the Bulls, a murder mystery, is based on real events. It is the story of how the oligarchs of Wall Street, doctors and others in the pharmaceutical research profession having significant conflicts of interest, and employees of two 'captured' US government agencies the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) by design as well as by simply refusing to pursue the evidence of malfeasance provided to them, deny patients life saving treatments that are demonstrated safe and effective in FDA-approved drug trials.

When the severed head of a Wall Street stock analyst turns up spiked on a horn of the Wall Street Bull, Detective Louis Martelli of the NYPD is assigned to track down the murderer. But why were this victim and the victims of two similar murders that followed singled out for execution?

Martelli eventually learns the answer to this question and tracks down the killer, but not before uncovering some of Wall Street's and the US government's darkest secrets pertaining to the US financial markets and the nation's health care practices.

About the author:

Theodore J. Cohen, PhD, holds three degrees in the physical sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has been an engineer and scientist for more than 40 years. He has been an investor since 1960, focusing almost entirely since 1980 on the world of biotechnology. His experience spans the dawn of the Age of Biotechnology in the late 1970's to today's era of ever more impactful successes in the field. Death by Wall Street: Rampage of the Bulls, is his first novel pertaining to the fields of investing and biotechnology. Dr. Cohen also has published more than 350 papers, articles, columns, essays, and interviews in the fields of communications and electronics, and he is a co-author of The NEW Shortwave Propagation Handbook from CQ Communications.

His first novel, Full Circle: A Dream Denied, A Vision Fulfilled, which is based on life as a violinist - Dr. Cohen plays with the Bryn Athyn (PA) Orchestra - was published by AuthorHouse in 2009. He also has written three novels that comprise his Antarctic Murders Trilogy: Frozen in Time: Murder at the Bottom of the World (Book I); Unfinished Business: Pursuit of an Antarctic Killer (Book II); and End Game: Irrational Acts, Tragic Consequences (Book III).

©2010 Theodore Jerome Cohen (P)2018 Theodore Jerome Cohen

Critic reviews

"[This] is a 'must read' for anyone who ever wondered why biotech stocks are not for the faint-hearted. What Cohen reveals about stock manipulation, the SEC, and the FDA will shock you." (Ed Silverman, Editor and Publisher, Pharmalot.com)

"[B]eneath its surface lies a terrible truth: the US financial markets and sleeping US Government caused hundreds of thousands of deaths." (Kerry M. Donahue, Esq., Chief Counsel, Care To Live)

"Well-researched and thought provoking..." (Kirkus Discoveries)

Revenge is a Dish Best Served with Irony

First, a note to all audiobook listeners, if you are listening to this book with an Alexa device enabled, be warned that one of the characters in this book bares the name "Alexis" which is used frequently and can many times unintentionally activate the Alexa "wake word".

The crux of this story revolves around greed, deception, financial gluttony, and is unintentional (but sometimes still known) consequences. It shows to what lengths some people will go when they are in the throes of desperation or depression. This book also clings to and perpetuates the saying "follow the money". If the listener is not intrigued by the specific details of corporate market advertising and its impact on moneymaking, when there will be several portions of the book which may fall by the wayside.

While the narrator's vocal cast is not highly distinct, it does have a consistent and steady rhythm which is both free of errors and plays well into the mentality and tempo of the main character. His voice is also vibrant and varied enough to keep the listener's attention without much effort and further he does not make the mistake of putting too much effort into a voice and thus making it sound fake, but rather he sticks with an easy variant of his own voice with enough of a change to make the distinction clear.

With the financial details being a vehicle that turns more into icing on the cake, this book at its core is a good old-fashioned murder mystery. Fans of classic murder mysteries will experience a moment of "oooh!" once the puzzle of corporate and financial breadcrumbs is revealed in its full picture. Paramount in the book is the main character himself and the connections he has made, further it is not hard to assume that he will become the linchpin of a decent series.

Loved this audio book

I first read paperback version of this book, and then listened to the audio book, both were great.

I love the crazy banter between Martelli and Missy Dugan and enjoyed the story line and the mixture of fact and fiction, and how the story kept me riveted in my chair right up to the last page. I enjoyed reading the Epilogue, which gives you details to what happened to the characters after the story ended.

Important Information for Voters of Our Time

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I just finished listening to this great Audible version of the book. Listening is a more engaging experience than simply reading quietly. The story information, while entertaining, is also based on nonfiction events surrounding especially the 2008 financial disaster and supposed cancer "cures" being widely promoted. The greedy truth behind this story is alarming. So much corruption went on and goes on.I hope this book helps others prevent or be taken advantage of by money schemes and schemers. Thanks for this truth!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Louis Martelli is a detective with a leg disability and yet is so clever and cunning as to be able to expose the criminals. He out-thinks everyone else and solves cases with finesse. Criminals walk right into the traps he sets.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The way the surveillance camera was placed was hysterical. The fact cancer drugs are more about greed than healing could make anyone cry.

Any additional comments?

A must read!

It always comes down to money

This is the second book of this author I have listened to. This storyline opened my eyes to the ruthless scheming and manipulation to foster monies for Wall Street clients. The politics is disgusting when money is more important than someone's life. The narrator did a great job of bringing this book to life.

GO MARTELLI! GREAT BOOK, FASCINATING SERIES!

I absolutely love Louis Martelli! He's old school with grit and nerve, and always gets the job done, his way. I'm captivated by the fact that's it's based on true events surrounding the 2008 financial collapse. If you're a thinker, like I am, like Martelli is, you'll be granted access to his mind and way of thinking, and I admire his can-do 'tude. It also contains a lot of information, but I found it easy to digest and understand. All in All, great murder mystery with great narration, enjoyed it and recommend it to others :)
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Great story of greed and revenge

I really enjoyed Death by Wall Street: Rampage of the Bulls by Theodore J Cohen. Due to my work experience, I sadly know that much of the story rings true. Government agency executives turn blind eyes, are paid by industries they regulate, and/or are using their experience to propel themselves to lucrative private sector jobs and not doing due diligence. I heard many similar real life stories, minus the deadly rampages. It was a very hard for me to feel sorry for the victims and almost hoped the killer got away with it. NYPD Lt. Martelli solves the crimes with the help of colleagues from within and outside of NYPD. I liked the epilogue describing what happened to all the characters. The narration by Jeffrey Hering was good and added to enjoyment. I definitely recommend this book!

Greed, murder and manipulation

This is an entertaining murder mystery that is generously interlaced with facts. Even though the story is a work of fiction, the issues it brings to light with the FDA, stock market and the security commission are real world problems, many of which are still present. It is definitely an eye opener. It breaks your heart that greed and manipulation of markets are more important than peoples lives. Listening to the audiobook version seemed to bring home the events and its effects on the people involved much more than just reading the words would have. The author did a great job of showing the corruption and faults in the system while still creating an intriguing murder mystery with realistic, appealing characters.

Interesting Story!

Two men in New York City and one man in Washington, DC were beheaded. Detective Louis Martelli headed up an investigation of the murders. This is not my usual genre, but I was sucked right into this one. This is very interesting! The narrator did a good job.

An exciting thriller

This book is about a pharmacy company trying to find a cure and their competition trying to contrive with Wall Street to manipulate the stocks. It involves the issues of drug testing and the personal story if the test subjects and also the murder of some of the people involved.

The story gets very complicated as they medical and criminal elements combine.

This is a really exciting listen as the story goes along. The narration is good and very understandable.

This book was provided free of charge in exchange for an hones review.

very interesting and heartbreaking

It's not hard to believe all the corruption, conspiracy , coverups, and greed involved with the emerging medications and those that profited from it could perpetrate such hideous crimes. I loved the tenacity and perseverance of the detective to find the truth and justice. I do however, believe the wrong person will be prosecuted. While he did the physical act of murder, those that submitted false reports and aided the corruption efforts to line their pockets causing innumerable death are the true villains in this story. A great story that left me heartsick. I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this and am giving an honest review. The narrator did a good job.