Plastic Gods

William Manchee

10/5/2003

Reviewed by Molly

As a follow up to Death Pact in which we met Rich Coleman and his wife Erica, comes Plastic Gods. The book opens with attorney Coleman ruminating over his life with Erica, his children and his law practice. Coleman is surprised when eldest son Matt announces his marriage plans to a woman he has only recently met. Matt and Lynn hold an almost single minded determination to quickly become very wealthy. Their plan is to tap into the potential bankruptcy market. Lynn’s college professor Swensen is convinced that disreputable forces are at work behind easy credit enjoyed by many until they can no longer pay their bills. Rich cautions both Matt and Lynn against investing all their money too quickly. But, before long Matt’s charm and knowledge of bankruptcy law along with Lynn’s penchant for marketing the pair engender a TV campaign that brings in more work than either dreamed.

It doesn’t take the banking industry long to notice that bankruptcy filings in the northern part of Texas are suddenly burgeoning. MidSouth executive vice president Douglas Barnes, chairman of the board Frank Hill and a treacherous ex Marine, Hans Schultz join forces to coerce Matt out of the bankruptcy scene. Matt will not budge. Hill and Schultz step up their campaign to include murder, defamation and lots of dirty tricks. Following Matt’s being set up by a supposed landscaper needing debt relief; Matt faces not only jail and probation but a hefty fine as well. When the depraved banker and his deadly henchman endanger Lynn they have gone too far. Matt uses his jail time to fine hone a strategy for settling the score between himself and Frank Hill. The FBI, police from Texas to the east coast, the stock market and even Federal Congressmen all figure in this tale.

One of Manchee’s best, Plastic Gods is a nail biter. From the opening paragraphs when Rich Coleman reflects over his own life and muses about his son’s surprising decision to become an attorney through the whole action packed tale we follow Matt on his headstrong journey into a life he never expected. Matt’s impulsive determination carry him and those with whom he associates into jeopardy, lethal danger and a crassness the naïve young man never suspected existed. Writer Manchee’s long years as an attorney hold him in good stead as he guides the reader through what might be far less interesting reading if offered by a less gifted writer. The reader is drawn right into the setting as Matt faces questioning by the Texas Bar Association, trial and incarceration. Manchee’s writing skills only increase as he continues producing narrative after narrative filled with zestful characters, absorbing premise and spine tingling action.

I did not find Lynn a particularly likeable character when first introduced, however she grew on me, and I was saddened to read of Hans’ attack upon her. Matt’s terrified concern for his wife, his predictable desire for revenge against the banking entity and chairman Hill in particular were handled with deftness. This reader was caught up in the tale and wanted Hill brought to swift and certain justice as well. Potent emotions, perilous conspiracy, treachery, perplexing tale, a keen eye for detail are all bound into this stunning work as writer Manchee offers the reader a peek into a side of banking and credit most of us never realized might exist. I enjoyed following the strategy outlined for bringing Hill and those associated with him to justice. While Plastic Gods is a work of fiction the tale offered by writer Manchee certainly gives the reader something to think about when we receive our next bank card credit offer in the mail.

Not for the faint of heart. Excellent read, happy to recommend.

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