This is a well done story of a victim of OneCoin. By studying victims of cons, we are in a better place to prevent future occurrences and mitigate loss.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the Advanced Copy of Devil's Coin by Jennifer McAdam. A second round purchase for most libraries.

I have always been somewhat skeptical of crypto-currency and this book certainly does not help it. Jennifer McAdam tells the story of her hellish journey with OneCoin in her book, Devil's Coin. The story follows how McAdam becomes involved in what was a giant Ponzi scheme and multi-level marketing (MLM) scam all rolled up in one!

Unfortunately, the book can be very frustrating at times for different reasons. The first two chapters are a deep dive into McAdam's life. There are some heartrending moments that are poignant, but there also seems to be a bit too much included in these chapters. For instance, a detailed reliving of various relationships does not set up the rest of the book in any significant way. When OneCoin enters the picture, the book picks up again as McAdam details her foray into crypto. However, there is a lack of insight from time to time. McAdam never seems to realize the MLM aspect of OneCoin was a huge red flag from day one. Her journey from true believer to moral enemy feels disjointed.

Once McAdam turns on OneCoin, the book goes global, but this is where the narrative loses the reader. Chapter upon chapters feel like a laundry list of stories McAdam dug up online and she even admits multiple times she is not sure of their reliability. Other stories are pulled from police reports and not given full context. McAdam talks about how she is fighting the good fight, but she never makes the connections between what she does and their effects. I am still unsure if McAdam's actions had any effect on OneCoin. This is not to say I think she didn't. What I am saying is she does not tell me in the narrative.

The biggest stumble is that McAdam rarely digs into her own life after the first couple chapters. She begins a crusade against OneCoin, but only provides only passing references the effects on her family and friends who she talked into investing. I feel a much stronger book could have been made by focusing this story closer to home.

(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and William Morrow.)