Title: The Fractured Tree
Author: Justin Wheatley
Publisher: Independently published
Genre: Financial-Thriller, Mystery
First Publication: 2022
Language: English
Book Summary: The Fractured Tree by Justin Wheatley
A riveting financial thriller about temptation, choices, and the ruthless pursuit of profit and power in the City of London and the oil and gas fields of America.
In 2014, environmentalists want to ban fracking, which has powered America to become the top oil producer in the world. Saudi Arabia is worried that too much supply will depress oil prices. One man has a plan that will make him billions.
Into this world, twenty-four-year-old Sebastian has the seemingly good fortune to be offered a dream job working for Edouard de Tocqueville, one of the most powerful bankers in the City of London. But, dazzled by the opportunity laid out before him, Sebastian fails to see the devastating consequences of his actions…
Book Review: The Fractured Tree by Justin Wheatley
A good thriller needs a premise that captures the reader’s imagination by portraying some fear or concern that genuinely impacts the reader, either consciously or subconsciously. The story then continues to unfold and keep its narrative drive by including characters that the reader can connect with or relate to in some manner. This helps keep the reader interested in what happens next. In many cases, the novels are characterized by having a large number of short chapters, each of which ends with a cliffhanger incident or an anticipation of an event that compels the reader to continue reading the following chapter. All of these goals are met in Justin Wheatley’s The Fractured Tree, a financial thriller that keeps the reader engaged until the very end and, inadvertently, leaves them feeling cynical about the morals and directions our society is taking.
The Fractured Tree is an engrossing story that takes place in the City of London and focuses on the relentless pursuit of profit. Environmentalists have called for a ban on fracking in 2014, even though it is what has propelled the United States to become the world’s largest oil producer. Saudi Arabia is also concerned that an oversupply of oil would cause prices to fall. And one businessman has devised a plan that would bring him a fortune worth billions of dollars.
The plot revolves around Sebastian, a twenty-four-year-old who is thrust into this world when he receives a job offer from Edouard de Tocqueville, one of the most powerful financiers in the City of London. This event serves as the catalyst for the plot that unfolds throughout the story. On the other hand, Sebastian’s dream job turns out to be quite a challenge for him to accomplish.
Sebastian, now well-off, travels the globe with Edouard as his personal secretary, attending confidential meetings with clients and learning the details of high-stakes monetary operations. He appreciates his newfound power and wealth, as well as the enticing opportunities that come with his new position. However, Sebastian is so captivated by the opportunity that has been offered to him that he fails to recognize the catastrophic effects that his actions would have.
It may be challenging to strike the right balance while writing a financial thriller book, just as it can be challenging when writing legal or political thrillers or any other sort of subgenre thriller novel. The storyline must dedicate substantial time and attention to the subgenre’s subject matter, in this instance finance, without letting such parts overwhelm the readers who are not expert in the subject. The Fractured Tree jumps right into the conflict and never eases the intensity of the tension throughout. In addition to all of the plot twists and killing, there is financial jargon that I find difficult to even comprehend at this point. However, Justin Wheatley breaks down complicated financial concepts such as hedge funds, debentures, and CDS into language that is easily understood by the general public. He also explains the inner workings of financial institutions and the people who really hold our financial fate in their hands.
Through his masterful writing and presentation, Justin Wheatley manages to make even the most dry subject fascinating and entertaining. Ingeniously conceived, skillfully written, and deftly carried out, The Fractured Tree is an outstanding and all-too-believable financial thriller. This book delves into the murky realm of high finance, the oil and gas industries, as well as the manipulation of markets and people. It’s interesting and captivating, but also all too plausible, which is a little frightening.
