Restitution

Peter Tyler's successful Wall Street career and suburban life, both seemingly so stable, are ripped apart in an instant when his wife is killed. Each lead he chases to find the killer lands him in more trouble as he questions himself about his enemies and friends. Mark Deakins differentiates the varying characters--Russian bodyguards, a stoic father, a selfish executive, cynical cops, and many others. He expertly conveys the plot's suspense, deftly capturing its diverse emotions, values, and themes. Deakins's voices and distinct accents--from elegant European to streetwise New York--bring together this intriguing story of the bonds of friendship, family secrets, art history, and financial dealing. M.B. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

May 7, 2007
T
he plot setup of this debut thriller may sound familiar, if not trite: husband and wife in troubled marriage; wife found murdered; police focus on husband as prime suspect; husband must find wife's killer and clear his name. Fortunately, Vance does more than just embroider this theme. After the authorities accuse Peter Tyler, a kingpin at the Wall Street financial firm of Klein and Klein, of his wife's murder, Peter gets entangled in money scams, stolen art, a pharmaceutical giant and a brilliant, ruthless and byzantine act of vengeance. Peter's best friend, Russian business tycoon Andrei Zhilina, may hold the key, but not even Andrei's twin sister, Katya, has been able to contact Andrei in his Moscow office. Peter embarks on a strongly cinematic quest, which takes him from plush Manhattan offices and the Harvard Club to deserted warehouses and meetings with Moscow toughs. Vance's ambitious story line hangs together remarkably well, providing depth and surprises to what otherwise might have been just another fugitive action tale. 100,000 copies.