by Brad Meltzer
Two brothers stumble upon what looks like the perfect crime only to find out that they are the targets of professional criminals.
Reviewed by: Michael J. Griffin
About Michael J. Griffin
Most of my new authors that I read come from recommendations from friends. This was no exception. I finally gave in and read Meltzer's "The First Counsel" and immediately went out and got his two previous books "The Tenth Justice" and "Dead Even."
As much as I enjoyed those books, I think that Meltzer has come into his own with this latest entry.
Oliver and Charlie Caruso are the Odd Couple of brothers. Oliver is more rigid and adheres to all kinds of rules while Charlie is the loosey-goosey type. Both of them work in the same banking office, with Oliver having a corporate job while Charlie, who is a bohemian sort, has a cubicle-dwelling job.
It all begins when they get a fax asking for $3 million to be transferred to a savings account. After a little detective work, they find out that the supposed recipient of this money is actually dead.
Another co-worker, who works at the security desk, confronts them with the information and what they plan to do with it. Rather than turn in the brothers, he offers them into the scam, $3 million, split three ways.
There is an immediate furor when the money disappears. All branches of the government are called in. Curious, Oliver calls and finds out that there is not $3 million in the account they have set up, but $313 million.
Since they know they have left fingerprints all over the place at their firm, both Carusos and Sam, the security guard all try to take off, but not before Sam is shot by some Secret Service agents. Both Carusos flee to Florida to find out about this supposed dead man who was supposed to receive the money.
Things get even more haywire in Florida. The Carusos meet the daughter of the dead man, and while Charlie is suspicious of her, Oliver buys into her story.
While delving further into the whole situation, they find that a computer program has fooled the banks, and that if put in the wrong hands, this program could permanently cripple the world's economy.
The story climaxes in the Happiest Place on Earth, Disney World, in the tunnels under all the rides and attractions.
I read this book in a couple of sittings, and found Meltzer's pacing and character fleshing to be the best he's done in all of his books.
Now that I've finished the book, let me go check my bank account. Hey! Where did all my money go?
Click here to buy this book, or read more about it at Amazon.com: The Millionaires
Copyright © by Michael J. Griffin, 2003
Reviewed by Michael J. Griffin:
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