Review: The Banker’s Wife by Cristina Alger

Title: The Banker’s Wife

Author: Cristina Alger

Published: July 2018, G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Format: Hardcover, 352 pages

Source: Publisher via Get Red PR

Summary:

On an early morning in
November, a couple boards a private plane bound for Geneva, flying into a
storm. Soon after, it simply drops off the radar, and its wreckage is
later uncovered in the Alps. Among the disappeared is Matthew Lerner, a
banking insider at Swiss United, a powerful offshore bank. His young
widow, Annabel, is left grappling with the secrets he left behind,
including an encrypted laptop and a shady client list. As she begins a
desperate search for answers, she determines that Matthew’s death was no
accident, and that she is now in the crosshairs of his powerful
enemies.

Meanwhile, ambitious society journalist Marina Tourneau
has finally landed at the top. Now that she’s engaged to Grant Ellis,
she will stop writing about powerful families and finally be a part of
one. Her entry into the upper echelons of New York’s social scene is
more appealing than any article could ever be, but, after the death of
her mentor, she agrees to dig into one more story. While looking into
Swiss United, Marina uncovers information that implicates some of the
most powerful men in the financial world, including some who are too
close to home. The story could also be the answer to Annabel’s
heartbreaking search—if Marina chooses to publish it.

My thoughts: This was my first time reading Cristina Alger and let me tell you, it will definitely not be my last! I really enjoyed this fast-paced thriller that delves into the financial world – a world of private banking and off-shore accounts. It kept me captivated and engaged from start to finish, and had some great twists thrown in to boot!

This book is driven by strong, fierce females and it was such a nice change of pace in a thriller. Don’t get me wrong – I’m all for the unreliable narrator…but it’s refreshing that our narrators here are not unreliable. They are strong, independent women in their own right. Annabel has just learned that her husband has been killed in a plane crash and she is determined to find the real truth of what happened. Marina, an investigative journalist, is writing one last story to honor the death of her boss and mentor, despite the fact that the information she uncovers could have severe consequences for herself and her soon-to-be-family. 

I loved the way this story came together, the way it alternates from Annabel’s chapters to Marina’s chapters. As the story progresses, vital information is slowly released and just at the right moment it seems, and it plays well off the two narratives – though never do the two women come together. This really hooks you and keeps you glued to the pages.

I fully admit I really don’t know much about the world of finance, and know nothing about off-shore banking. But, I never once felt lost in this book. Cristina really does a great job taking us into this world without it getting too bogged down. It was enjoyable, it was thrilling, it was interesting – I felt that I learned something and yet I was still entertained. 

This is a fast-paced, fascinating, thrilling read that is sure to be a hit this summer. I found myself completely immersed in this book, not sure where it was all headed and enjoyed every second of it. It’s certainly a binge-worthy, addicting read!