I received a complimentary digital copy of “ A Most Private Bank” through Net Galley in return for an honest review.
The novel’s plot summary intrigued me: high level financial chicanery in a Swiss private bank in which both great amounts of money and people’s lives are at stake. As with most people , I knew almost nothing about the Swiss banking system, except that they exist for the fabulously rich who keep their wealth hidden and protected.
Swiss private banks pride themselves on handling their client’s affairs, i. e., their money, with complete discretion. These banks are owned and run by a family and or some other closely associated people who are not responsible to any stockholders. As long as the forms are correctly filled in and the government rules adhered to, the provenance of the assets in the steel vaults is not their concern.
Jim Dixon, an expat American ,is the head of a small trading concern in Switzerland. No longer able to work in Wall Street after his hedge fund fell awry of the SEC, he lives and works abroad. By Swiss standards his operation is not much, maybe in the tens of millions in assets in play. But he and his small staff is always looking for more.
Then one rainy day a stunning young woman awaits him in his office. She identifies herself as Chris Rosenblum the daughter of an old friend, recently deceased. Of course she is beautifully dressed and coiffed as only the careless rich can be. She has a proposition: she wants Dixon to arrange the takeover over a Swiss family - owned private bank which is having problems due to some bad trades. As MS Rosenblum outlines her plan , his misgivings fade, especially as Chris offers a fee of five percent of the expected $100 million dollars involved. The prospect of a five million dollar fee eases his doubts , somewhat, just enough to get him started into a tangled and very dangerous affair.
With that bit of an introduction, the story drew this reader in. While I knew nothing about the whole Swiss banking system, the author obviously does. He gives the reader just enough information to make everything believable. Dixon layers financial transactions , manipulations and players without ever losing the reader in unnecessary detail . The character of Jim Dixon is of a man who walks a fine line at the edges the legalities of the banking system, with the certain knowledge that everyone is out to get rich- or richer, since one can never have enough wealth. He is a fascinating character. Dixon is smart, but is he smart enough? His cocky self-assurance is barely covers the knowledge that the in waters he swims in “ …you are either become a shark, or. Become lunch.” Words to live by for as the novel unfolds , Dixon is swimming with some very dangerous waters indeed. He pushes himself to the edge, not knowing whom he can trust including the seductive Chris Rosenblum.
“ A Most Private Bank” moves at a quick pace, with a finely constructed plot and a primary character who despite his flaws is a one the reader can root for. The climax is tautly done with nothing sure until the final page. Fans of classic film noir should recognize a heritage of “ The Maltese Falcon” , which is hardly a bad thing for a novel to have.
Cautions: cynicism , amorality, drug use and greed. All expected in a novel of high finance. One other thing— Jim Dixon has a fixation with very expensive, collector item Swiss watches. I wish I had written their names down to look them up, especially when in his world a current Rolex is low end déclassé.

Recommended as a good, entertaining and worthwhile crime novel.

Wow! This was a book that I needed. I was coming off of a disappointing read and A Most Private Bank by Andreas F. Clenow did not let me down. This is a well written book and I didn't want the book to end. If you haven't already do yourself a favor and purchase this book now. I can't wait for another novel by Andreas. He has a new fan in me. Thank you to NetGalley and Cameron Publicity & Marketing Ltd for this copy.