The Millionaires

by Brad Meltzer

Book Overview

Two brothers at an exclusive bank are suddenly asking themselves "Who wants to be a millionaire?" when they opt to take some money from an abandoned account. In this thriller by the bestselling author of "The First Counsel, " the men find themselves with extra zeros in their pockets and a friend dead. How will they stay alive?

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0446527297
• ISBN13: 9780446527293
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Warner Books (NY)
• Length: 496 Pages
• Weight: 1.49 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.4" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 13 years and up

Customer Reviews

PITCH PERFECT READINGS OF AN ALMOST PERFECT CRIME

Tony Goldwyn, grandson of Hollywood's legendary Samuel Goldwyn, gives a convincing delivery of popular author Brad Meltzer's latest foray into thrillerdom. Even if Goldwyn did not bear that open-doors name he would be a standout. Multi talented, he produces, directs, acts (Oliver Stone's "Nixon" and "The Pelican Brief"), and is a commanding voice-over artist ("Tarzan" and "Pocahontas"). His television credits are also impressive - "Frasier," "L.A. Law," and "St. Elsewhere." Scott Brick is an equally deft performer who also read Meltzer's "First Counsel." "Cyrano," "Hamlet," and "Macbeth" are among his stage credits, while many will remember him in the motion pictures "Robin Hood" and "Men In Tights." "The Millionaires," Meltzer's fourth thriller takes us into the rarefied world of million dollar banking, cyber pyrotechnics, and then to of all places Disney World. It's a fast paced romp that will please this imaginative writer's fans. Oliver Caruso is in the employ of one of Manhattan's most upscale banks, Greene & Greene. The institution is so select that two million is needed just to achieve the status of client. Oliver's been toiling for Henry Lapidus, an exec at this financial palace. Regrettably, Lapidus doesn't appreciate Oliver's ministrations and is attempting to scuttle his minion's career plans. What's the poor guy to do? He enlists the aid of his younger brother, Charlie, who has problems staying gainfully employed. The pair decide to take three million dollars sitting in an abandoned account. They'll soon be living the life of Riley - if Riley had a seven figure deposit in an offshore bank, that is. What a piece of a cake - with a very rich icing. They've found the perfect crime. Problem is, make that plural, problems are that somehow the original three million has undergone a cyberspace evolution and become $300 million. Not only that but some others at Greene & Greene had their own plans for the funds in this abandoned account, and someone is found dead. Now the bros are really in hot water. The local authorities are after them as is the Secret Service. However, they do manage to get to Florida, attempting to follow the money to the daughter of the account's late owner. Said owner was a techno wiz for Disney, a mind boggling inventor. As amazing as the wiz's invention is, it's really nothing compared to what Oliver and Charlie eventually discover in this page-turner of a tale. Those with an interest in high and low finance will find enjoyment aplenty in "The Millionaires." Meltzer fans will revel in their author's latest spin on boardroom crime.

A guaranteed page-turner!

What would you do if you could steal and not get caught? That is the question at the heart of `The Millionaires'.Two brothers, Charlie and Oliver Caruso work for Greene And Greene, a private bank that will only take customers willing to put in at least two million dollars. When the brothers Caruso are doing a check of accounts, they come across an account that should have been closed, but suspiciously remains open, and in the account lies three million dollars. After investigating further into this matter, they find the man who the account belongs to is dead.While their wheels are spinning about what to do, the brothers decide to take the money from the account, and transfer it to an account for themselves...after all who would miss the money?As their plan goes into motion, a fellow co-worker gets killed, and the Secret Service are on their tail tracking every move.How did anyone know what they did? Why is the Secret Service involved? Who is the mysterious woman also tailing them? And how will the brothers prove their innocence?Now on the run for the murder of their friend, Charlie and Oliver must work quick if they are to find the answers to these questions, but what they find is a shocking secret that will change their lives.`The Millionaires' is another fast-paced, page turner from Brad Meltzer, the best-selling author of `The First Counsel'. And while the plot gets a little confusing, Meltzer manages to keep the reader hooked all the way to the tidy ending. With loads of shady characters, unexpected plot twists, and shocking secrets revealed at just the right time, `The Millionaires' proves to be a sure bet for non-stop entertainment.Brad Meltzer has written another winner, that will surely fly up the best-seller lists, and keep readers anxiously awaiting his next novel.Nick Gonnella

Meltzer's Best book yet.

I read in one night. I had no intention of staying up to 3:00 a.m. to finish it but I did. I simply could not stop reading. The characters are great, the dialogue is believable, funny, and at times poignant.But most of all, it was the details. It's terrifically technical--who would think banking would be not only interesting, but frightening. I may just it all under my mattress from here on in.Read it. You'll lose sleep, too.

Finally a novel I can recommend again!

Over the last few months there wasn't a novel out there that interested me, and I'm glad THE MILLIONAIRES have arrived. This is one fun book and it is wittingly written. The premise is unique and the whole setup is very interesting as two guys are trying to pull a $300 million stunt, but they're no pros and there you have the dilemma and also the fun. The exotic locale of Florida makes it almost a vacation read and if you plan one in the near future then this is the book you want to take along. Another book that you may want to consider as it plays in the international business scene and high-powered corporate stuff, and I of course recommended highly is the high-profile thriller by Alec Donzi, THE CONSULTANT.

Meltzer latest is better than Grisham

I've read Meltzer's three earlier books and think very highly of them, especially The First Council. Though I've been looking forward to The Millionaires, I was worried that he was due for a bit of a letdown. I am very pleased to say that The Millionaires may be his best yet.Oliver and Charles, two brothers, decided to steal three million dollars from the bank at which they work. They need the money to help their mother with her bills and to get out of debt themselves. They develop what they believe to be a fool-proof plan. Someone, however, is one step ahead of them, and the price they pay as a result is high. The Millionaires is written from the first-person perspective of the main character, Oliver, which makes for a very fast and entertaining read. In fact, Meltzer may be one of the finest first-person writers around today. Each of his characters is well developed and the plot moves quickly. The twists and turns that make this novel so entertaining are unexpected yet believable, which only adds to the feel of the story. Of course, perhaps the most interesting aspect of the book is that as we follow the characters through their ordeals, we can relate to the dilemma that they faced in deciding to take the money.Other recommendations - The Tenth Justice, Dead Even, and The First Council by Brad Meltzer. Anyone who enjoys Jeffery Deaver, James Patterson, Vince Flynn, John Sandford, or any of John Grishams older books will love this author.