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Christian Gillette #4
The Successor
Make-or-break decisions involving millions of dollars are all in a day’s work for Christian Gillette, chairman of Everest Capital, New York’s most renowned private equity firm. He’s taken on the toughest, most powerful, and often most dangerous adversaries and prevailed–all the while honing his skill for being cool under fire, literally. But now Gillette will be put to the ultimate test. He’s offered the chance to seal a deal unlike any other, one that goes beyond boardrooms, balance sheets, and even Everest itself–one that will leave its mark on history.
Gillette is no stranger to Jesse Wood, the first African American president of the United States, having been Wood’s chosen running mate in his historic bid for the White House. Though still slightly upset over being dropped from the ticket at the eleventh hour, Gillette’s not about to ignore the chief executive’s summons to a top-secret meeting at Camp David. There, Wood drops a bombshell: The president of Cuba is dead. Cuba’s communist regime has kept the dictator’s demise hush while it races to fill the power vacuum. And the United States is poised to support a cabal of Cuban professionals plotting a coup. The President wants Gillette to meet with the conspirators and size up the chances for a successful capitalist revolution. But by no means can his mission be traced back to the White House. If anything goes wrong, Gillette is on his own.
And if certain people have their way, something will go wrong. For the conspiracy to liberate Cuba isn’t the only one afoot. Enemies in high places, who will go to any lengths to wreak revenge on Gillette and to unseat President Wood, have set in motion a campaign of deception, sabotage, and murder whose shockwaves will resonate from the streets of Havana to the Oval Office. But for Gillette, who has just named his alluring and ambitious protégé, Allison Wallace, as his successor at Everest, the greatest peril may lie much closer to home.
The Successor is blue-chip Stephen Frey, marshaling his flawless instincts for edgy, provocative, breathtaking suspense with a master’s touch.
From the Hardcover edition.
Gillette is no stranger to Jesse Wood, the first African American president of the United States, having been Wood’s chosen running mate in his historic bid for the White House. Though still slightly upset over being dropped from the ticket at the eleventh hour, Gillette’s not about to ignore the chief executive’s summons to a top-secret meeting at Camp David. There, Wood drops a bombshell: The president of Cuba is dead. Cuba’s communist regime has kept the dictator’s demise hush while it races to fill the power vacuum. And the United States is poised to support a cabal of Cuban professionals plotting a coup. The President wants Gillette to meet with the conspirators and size up the chances for a successful capitalist revolution. But by no means can his mission be traced back to the White House. If anything goes wrong, Gillette is on his own.
And if certain people have their way, something will go wrong. For the conspiracy to liberate Cuba isn’t the only one afoot. Enemies in high places, who will go to any lengths to wreak revenge on Gillette and to unseat President Wood, have set in motion a campaign of deception, sabotage, and murder whose shockwaves will resonate from the streets of Havana to the Oval Office. But for Gillette, who has just named his alluring and ambitious protégé, Allison Wallace, as his successor at Everest, the greatest peril may lie much closer to home.
The Successor is blue-chip Stephen Frey, marshaling his flawless instincts for edgy, provocative, breathtaking suspense with a master’s touch.
From the Hardcover edition.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 16, 2007
About the author
Stephen W. Frey
28 books262 followersFor the last 15 years I’ve been lucky enough to be a novelist. Until recently the books were set in the worlds of Wall Street and Washington. In addition to writing, I’ve also had a career in finance with specialties including merger & acquisition advisory and private equity at firms like J.P. Morgan in New York City and Winston Partners just outside D.C. in northern Virginia.
So, it seemed natural to write about those two worlds and, fortunately, the publishing industry agreed. My first book was published in 1995, The Takeover; about a secret group of men who were trying to destroy the U.S. monetary system by engineering a massive corporate takeover. I have followed The Takeover with 13 more novels all set in high-level finance and national politics.
Recently, I decided to alter the theme. The novels will still have a financial focus, but Wall Street won’t be the backdrop. We’ll get out into the world more. And there will be a man versus nature element for the hero in every novel. Hell’s Gate, available August 2009, is set in Montana and involves forest fires and why many of them start.
I live in southwest Florida with my wife, Diana, and we have since 2004 after moving down here from northern Virginia. Given the new direction of my books, it seems like a hurricane ought to make an appearance in a novel sometime soon.
So, it seemed natural to write about those two worlds and, fortunately, the publishing industry agreed. My first book was published in 1995, The Takeover; about a secret group of men who were trying to destroy the U.S. monetary system by engineering a massive corporate takeover. I have followed The Takeover with 13 more novels all set in high-level finance and national politics.
Recently, I decided to alter the theme. The novels will still have a financial focus, but Wall Street won’t be the backdrop. We’ll get out into the world more. And there will be a man versus nature element for the hero in every novel. Hell’s Gate, available August 2009, is set in Montana and involves forest fires and why many of them start.
I live in southwest Florida with my wife, Diana, and we have since 2004 after moving down here from northern Virginia. Given the new direction of my books, it seems like a hurricane ought to make an appearance in a novel sometime soon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
November 2, 2010
Christian Gillette, Stephen Frey's complicated protagonist, is called on by the President of the United States to help engineer a coup in Cuba. Along the way there is political intrigue, suprise romance, unexpected loss and death that make for a an exciting read.
When I read books like this I try to ignore the biases and political views expressed and just enjoy the action. For that this book satisified.
However, one is left wondering if Gillette will reappear in Frey's books, now that he has left his post as Chairman of Everest Capital. We will see...
When I read books like this I try to ignore the biases and political views expressed and just enjoy the action. For that this book satisified.
However, one is left wondering if Gillette will reappear in Frey's books, now that he has left his post as Chairman of Everest Capital. We will see...
July 6, 2008
This is probably my least favorite of Frey's books. It wasn't bad, but it had too many characters and too many plots, too many people spying on others, etc.. to keep up with. I'm still not positive who was working for who- or maybe by the end I didn't care! This may have been the last Christian Gillette book in the series.
September 26, 2009
THIS WAS A GREAT STORY WITH LOTS OF CHARACTERS WOVEN TOGETHER LIKE AN EXPERT. ONLY PROBLEM IS THE ENDING WAS BROUGHT TOGETHER AS THOUGH STEPHEN HAD A DEADLINE TO MEET AND EVERYTHING JUST ENDED! IT WAS STILL A GREAT READ, MY FIRST ONE BY THIS AUTHOR BUT I WILL READ MORE.
October 15, 2011
Narrated by Holter Graham. The story line seemed a little far-fetched. I don't understand why it took a brilliant business person so long to figure out he was being conned.
October 26, 2017
2.5-3
It's like the author just ran out of steam. The main character is in peril in a crazy, moderately implausible scenario and then... bam! Epilogue - "7 months later" and we learn the rest in a lookback.
My annoyances:
Allison is supposed to be beautiful, rich, and brilliant, yet she has been mooning over Christian like a lovesick middle schooler for years - jealous every time he has a hot young girlfriend (all women in this series are either falling all over Christian, or they are his lesbian secretary).
Christian is an idiot. He ignores his security manager's advice (repeatedly, if you've read the other books) and gets shot at more than any corporate executive in history. Why don't the investors wonder about him getting into all these crazy situations? Nope? Just hand him millions of dollars. He also can't recognize . And then after the "Fade to Black - Everything's fine" ending, we are supposed to believe that this insane workaholic
There's plenty of backstabbing and crime going on in big business without thugs having to barge in with guns in every. single. book. The whole MuPenn insurance scam subplot would have been a pretty interesting story on its own. Too bad we didn't go there.
It's like the author just ran out of steam. The main character is in peril in a crazy, moderately implausible scenario and then... bam! Epilogue - "7 months later" and we learn the rest in a lookback.
My annoyances:
Allison is supposed to be beautiful, rich, and brilliant, yet she has been mooning over Christian like a lovesick middle schooler for years - jealous every time he has a hot young girlfriend (all women in this series are either falling all over Christian, or they are his lesbian secretary).
Christian is an idiot. He ignores his security manager's advice (repeatedly, if you've read the other books) and gets shot at more than any corporate executive in history. Why don't the investors wonder about him getting into all these crazy situations? Nope? Just hand him millions of dollars. He also can't recognize . And then after the "Fade to Black - Everything's fine" ending, we are supposed to believe that this insane workaholic
There's plenty of backstabbing and crime going on in big business without thugs having to barge in with guns in every. single. book. The whole MuPenn insurance scam subplot would have been a pretty interesting story on its own. Too bad we didn't go there.
November 30, 2018
I like reading novels by Stephen Frey for his ability to credibly portray goings-on in the business world. This novel takes him out of his realm, in my opinion. Taking a private equity kingpin and using him to execute a coup de tat in Cuba is a difficult plot line - and it does not really work.
Lots of characters, constantly changing points of view, uncertainty as to which characters were legit and which were spies - it all added up to a lot of confusion. And then it all came to an abrupt end.
I liked how this book started, but the more I read, the more I just wanted to be finished with it.
Lots of characters, constantly changing points of view, uncertainty as to which characters were legit and which were spies - it all added up to a lot of confusion. And then it all came to an abrupt end.
I liked how this book started, but the more I read, the more I just wanted to be finished with it.
December 11, 2019
Wow what an abomination. I enjoyed the previous book because I enjoyed the character of Christian Gillette. My critique was that the men in the book were a little weak when it came to being 'fooled' by beautiful women.
The final book in this saga sees Gillette become an absolute idiot simply because of a beautiful woman half his age is wooing him. It's pathetic and I really didn't care about his stupid mid-life crisis. He's a bajillionaire and unsatisfied? Whatever. At least the ending was what it should have been. Just shouldn't have been so hard to get there.
The final book in this saga sees Gillette become an absolute idiot simply because of a beautiful woman half his age is wooing him. It's pathetic and I really didn't care about his stupid mid-life crisis. He's a bajillionaire and unsatisfied? Whatever. At least the ending was what it should have been. Just shouldn't have been so hard to get there.
January 15, 2018
Complete rubbish. I take some responsibility myself - I normally research the subject matter more thoroughly. I obviously got caught up in the excitement of previous Christian Gillette series. From Chairman and owner of a highly successful private equity firm, to heading a militia to overthrow the Cuban Govt. Seriously off topic for the author, and not in a good way. Couldn't read past page 116. Shelved. 0/10
January 23, 2021
Fenomenalna seria, jednak ostatnia część długo się rozciąga, żeby od połowy ruszyć z kopyta, a zakończenie zbyt szybkie i trochę niewyjaśnione, albo wg mnie autor mógł więcej opisać przebiegu zdarzeń od wykonania misji, co się potem wydarzyło, a przede wszystkim co się stało z osobami odgrywającymi główne role w całym spisku, tego mi tutaj brakuje, a najbardziej szkoda mi przyjaciela Chrisa, Polecam !!!
June 21, 2017
Experience tells me that best-selling thrillers are not for me, but I had to have an audio book for a trip and succumbed, thinking, how bad can it be? Reader, how many times can a grown man shudder, wince, or brush aside coincidence and remain interesting? The number of cliches per paragraph should embarrass the author and his editor, but this seems to be what passes for a good read these days.
May 16, 2020
I read this is 2013 a that time I gave it 4 stars, today I am giving it 3 stars. Don't get me wrong it is a very good book and I enjoyed it, I didn't enjoy it 4 stars worth. When I read a book the star system is kind of like leaving a tip in a restaurant, my tip in 2020 wasn't as big as it was in 2013. :)
November 14, 2018
So unbelievable. He's an investment guy, not Batman. Keep him in his realm.
July 13, 2019
Frey seemed to want to wrap this one up in a hurry. Not one of his best!!!
March 18, 2020
It is a page turner to be honest, but it was unnerving how naive Christian Gillette was all throughout the story.
March 15, 2023
It was ok figured it out prior to the ending but did not expect the final conclusion. I would recommend this book it is entertaining.
January 9, 2017
Just read this for the setting (Cuba)
January 20, 2011
I've completed my latest audio book, The Successor by Stephen Frey. Last year I listened to the first in this series starring Christian Gillette, a business mogul who becomes the leader of Everest Financial Capital, one of the largest private equity firms in existence. That first book was filled with the tension surrounding his rise to power, but also many thriller aspects such as attempts on his life by rival power seekers. It was a true "business thriller".
This book is the fourth book in the series and possibly the last. Mr Gillette has now been a powerful man of finance for many years now and in his mid 50's. He has successfully raised absurd amounts of money for his clients and shared the vast wealth with his partners. He has now been tapped by the US President to go to Cuba and, due to rumors of Fidel Castro's death, secure the future of American interests as Cuba joins the global marketplace. I found the plot to be disjointed, however, and I believe Mr Frey missed the mark this time.
The business aspects of this one were mostly non-existent, with the protagonist having turned over most of the responsibilities of running the firm to Ms Allison Wallace. Its very obvious from early on that Allison would become the "successor" as well as his love interest but it seemed Mr Gillette was the last one to figure it out. The thriller aspects of the novel were left to the very end, added, it almost seems, as an afterthought. The major meat of the novel instead focuses on Mr Gillete's mid-life crisis and his falling for a young 22-year old, who we readers figure out at the beginning is an actress, introduced in the very first scene. When the author discloses that "ah-ha" moment of who this 22-year old really is, I couldn't believe he expected me to not have figured that out long before.
I think the author had a trap to climb out of: he had a protagonist who, in the first three books had risen to such powerful heights that he had no more room for growth. I think he tried to refocus his goals and take him in a different direction but instead he ended up thrusting him into an improbable scenario and then didn't follow through with a believable plot. I am hopeful Mr Frey will put this series to rest and begin anew.
This book is the fourth book in the series and possibly the last. Mr Gillette has now been a powerful man of finance for many years now and in his mid 50's. He has successfully raised absurd amounts of money for his clients and shared the vast wealth with his partners. He has now been tapped by the US President to go to Cuba and, due to rumors of Fidel Castro's death, secure the future of American interests as Cuba joins the global marketplace. I found the plot to be disjointed, however, and I believe Mr Frey missed the mark this time.
The business aspects of this one were mostly non-existent, with the protagonist having turned over most of the responsibilities of running the firm to Ms Allison Wallace. Its very obvious from early on that Allison would become the "successor" as well as his love interest but it seemed Mr Gillette was the last one to figure it out. The thriller aspects of the novel were left to the very end, added, it almost seems, as an afterthought. The major meat of the novel instead focuses on Mr Gillete's mid-life crisis and his falling for a young 22-year old, who we readers figure out at the beginning is an actress, introduced in the very first scene. When the author discloses that "ah-ha" moment of who this 22-year old really is, I couldn't believe he expected me to not have figured that out long before.
I think the author had a trap to climb out of: he had a protagonist who, in the first three books had risen to such powerful heights that he had no more room for growth. I think he tried to refocus his goals and take him in a different direction but instead he ended up thrusting him into an improbable scenario and then didn't follow through with a believable plot. I am hopeful Mr Frey will put this series to rest and begin anew.
January 14, 2021
The Chairman, The Protegé, The Power Broker, and The Successor are the four novels that are the Christian Gillette Series. Read them in order to glean the most from this story. The stories will stand alone, but you'll miss connections and scratch your head with a lack of understanding. Plus, you'll miss out on some good storytelling.
Plot. Christian Gillette, a handsome 30-something genius, is unexpectedly elevated to Chairman of Everest, a money management firm, via the unexpected death of his boss. Through the four novels, you will learn that Christian is a brilliant financier, buying and selling companies, making his clients, and his staff, multi-millionaires. Deciding 'who to trust' is paramount to his success. Romance, deal-making, back-stabbing, life and death situations, friendships, self-doubt, questions of loyalty, judgement, good guys, bad guys - all swirl through a world of high finance.
Liked. Was prepared to be unenthusiastic about a story of high finance. Boring, right? Nope! This series will hold your attention, not one math problem. It's a terrific tale of suspense, intrigue, even political espionage. There is a lot to the character of Christian Gillette; he's not "just another pretty face". Narration is fine, no issues. A bit slow in tempo, so pumped the iPhone up to 1.3 - not an issue.
Not so hot? Sometimes Christian comes across as a bit immature - most of the time a brilliant alpha male, in charge. His character could have been smoother. A bit cliché, in places, but very readable.
Recommended. High finance can be exciting stuff!
Plot. Christian Gillette, a handsome 30-something genius, is unexpectedly elevated to Chairman of Everest, a money management firm, via the unexpected death of his boss. Through the four novels, you will learn that Christian is a brilliant financier, buying and selling companies, making his clients, and his staff, multi-millionaires. Deciding 'who to trust' is paramount to his success. Romance, deal-making, back-stabbing, life and death situations, friendships, self-doubt, questions of loyalty, judgement, good guys, bad guys - all swirl through a world of high finance.
Liked. Was prepared to be unenthusiastic about a story of high finance. Boring, right? Nope! This series will hold your attention, not one math problem. It's a terrific tale of suspense, intrigue, even political espionage. There is a lot to the character of Christian Gillette; he's not "just another pretty face". Narration is fine, no issues. A bit slow in tempo, so pumped the iPhone up to 1.3 - not an issue.
Not so hot? Sometimes Christian comes across as a bit immature - most of the time a brilliant alpha male, in charge. His character could have been smoother. A bit cliché, in places, but very readable.
Recommended. High finance can be exciting stuff!
November 17, 2012
Another fun Stephen Fry novel starring Christian Gillette--the head of private equity firm Everest Capital, and his two closest allies at the firm, Allyson Wallace and Quentin Stiles.
Christian is called upon by U.S. President James Wood to be the U.S. government's contact man for a small group of Cuban rebels who are planning to overturn the Communistic government of Cuba. President Wood is eager to be on the "right side of history" and plans to offer U.S. support for the proposed coup. Ironically, however, although the novel was written in 2005--well before Barack Obama even ran for President of the United States, President Wood is the first U.S. African American President and, as such, is being targeted by conservative political factions--targeted and set up for impeachment.
A somewhat convoluted plot ensues, with many twists and turns along the way. As the plot unfolds, there is so much switching back and forth between factions, however, that it sometimes became confusing. Nevertheless, the story was told with great detail and kept me wanting to keep reading to see what was next. Even though it feels somewhat rushed at the end, The Successor is still an enjoyable, fast-paced, fun read.
Christian is called upon by U.S. President James Wood to be the U.S. government's contact man for a small group of Cuban rebels who are planning to overturn the Communistic government of Cuba. President Wood is eager to be on the "right side of history" and plans to offer U.S. support for the proposed coup. Ironically, however, although the novel was written in 2005--well before Barack Obama even ran for President of the United States, President Wood is the first U.S. African American President and, as such, is being targeted by conservative political factions--targeted and set up for impeachment.
A somewhat convoluted plot ensues, with many twists and turns along the way. As the plot unfolds, there is so much switching back and forth between factions, however, that it sometimes became confusing. Nevertheless, the story was told with great detail and kept me wanting to keep reading to see what was next. Even though it feels somewhat rushed at the end, The Successor is still an enjoyable, fast-paced, fun read.
December 1, 2016
Christian Gillette is the head of Everest Capital, a renowned private equity firm in NYC. He's well-known for his skills in dealing with dangerous adversaries. This time, he is offered a chance to help President Jesse Wood, a close friend of his. Gillette was first in line for the job of Vice President, until Wood abruptly changed his mind. It's a long story, but Gillette harbors no ill feelings towards the president. When he is offered the job of staging a coup in Cuba, he can't pass it up. This sets him up for a very dangerous mission, one in which he is in all kinds of dangers - both those he knows about and those he doesn't.
November 3, 2008
Most of the book was pretty good (like most Stephen Frey books) but I have real issues with the climax and ending. It seemed like Frey just gave up on the book and wrote an ending in about an hour (and about 10 pages). There wasn't much thought or creativity at the end and that really bothered me. This book was a decent installment in the Christian Gillette series, but I would recommend all the others before I recommended this one.
August 17, 2009
Having read the series with Christian Gillette from its inception, I always look forward to the next adventure with the billionaire investor. this tale didn't let me down. A little far=fetched perhaps, but a good story non the less. The only thing that I thought was that perhaps the end was a little quick. It just seemed to me that Mr. Frey all of a sudden got tired of the chase and decided to end it in like 10 pages. Still looking forward to reading Hell's Gate.
January 27, 2013
Christian Gilettee, head of an investment firm, is tabbed by the U.S. president, to go to Cuba to assess the situation there and determine whether the U.S. should aide in the revolution. An associate, Allison, has romantic interest in Gillette.
The imtrigue depens as different factions desire different outcomes in Cuba. Gillette faces deceit, threats and violence
Before e situation is dissolved
The imtrigue depens as different factions desire different outcomes in Cuba. Gillette faces deceit, threats and violence
Before e situation is dissolved
August 31, 2013
Bad bad bad!
Frey is great in writing financial thrillers, but definitely fails in political ones. A long, dragged build up, boring to say the least, wrapped up in 30 pages and a flashback.
I felt cheated, the author must have gotten bored or the manuscript been so crap that the flashback was the last resource editors could think of
Sad end for the cool Christian Gillette saga
Frey is great in writing financial thrillers, but definitely fails in political ones. A long, dragged build up, boring to say the least, wrapped up in 30 pages and a flashback.
I felt cheated, the author must have gotten bored or the manuscript been so crap that the flashback was the last resource editors could think of
Sad end for the cool Christian Gillette saga
February 4, 2014
Audiobook Review
Christian Gillette Series
2 1/2 Stars Series Avg Rating
Narr: Holter Graham
Frey's original idea of Christian Gillette Private Equity CEO/Secret Agent/Almost-Politician was good at the core, but became smarmy. I kept reading thinking perhaps the series would get better. It got worse. Stupid, unlikeable characters, ridiculous situations and poor dialogue dooms this series.
Christian Gillette Series
2 1/2 Stars Series Avg Rating
Narr: Holter Graham
Frey's original idea of Christian Gillette Private Equity CEO/Secret Agent/Almost-Politician was good at the core, but became smarmy. I kept reading thinking perhaps the series would get better. It got worse. Stupid, unlikeable characters, ridiculous situations and poor dialogue dooms this series.
July 24, 2016
A rather predictable thriller. Christian Gillette is a rich hedge fund manager. He is recruited by the president of the US for a top secret mission to Cuba. There is a secret group of people there wanting to overthrow the Castro regime that the US is trying to help. Exactly what his role is is a bit unclear.
April 3, 2008
I have to admit, Stephen Frey's Christian Gillette books are wearing a bit thin for me. This one just had too many characters to keep track of, and I didn't really care much what happened to any of them.
October 11, 2009
Chairman - Protege - Power Broker - Successor. In this order, follow the career of Christian Gillette through these four novels. The best is the Chairman and then the rest are a blur, but some were better than others.
October 3, 2010
Chairman - Protege - Power Broker - Successor. In this order, follow the career of Christian Gillette through these four novels. The best is the Chairman and then the rest are a blur, but some were better than others.
November 16, 2012
A lot of uninteresting characters made the book a little dull. It also seemed a bit choppy going back and forth between the individuals. At times I felt like the author just created characters and made them fit together.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews