Eat What You Kill
Evan Stoess graduated from one of the best prep schools in the country, courtesy of an absent father who left him with a full scholarship, along with an abusive mother and stepfather. But despite a stellar education, Evan always felt like an outsider, living with the nickname “Kmart.” When he lands the job of his dreams as a stock analyst and promptly picks a winner, he is riding high, until the CEO of the company dies, plunging the stock price and costing Evan his job. A few months later, he finds a new job, this time with a company that shorts stocks, betting they will falter. Once again Evan is riding high until he’s not, but this time he realizes that if the current CEO dies, it will work in Evan’s favor. Murder is now an option, and if he gets away with it, there will be no stopping him. Surprisingly, Stoess is a sympathetic character despite his murderous ways, which makes this debut novel an emotional rollercoaster of a read. Recommend it to fans of financial thrillers, especially those by Christopher Reich and Joseph Finder. --Stacy Alesi