Forensic accountant Martin Hench stumbles onto a Ponzi scheme on Catalina Island, unwittingly drawing himself and a friend into a decade-long battle against ultra-wealthy investors exploiting California’s privatized prison system for profit. Blending financial intrigue with sharp social critique, the story exposes the systemic corruption and human cost of the prison-industrial complex, all while delivering fascinating insights into scams, technology, and the dark side of capitalism.
Set in 2006 and spanning a decade, the novel follows forensic accountant Martin Hench as he becomes entangled in a high-stakes financial conspiracy involving California’s privatized prison system. The story begins with Hench vacationing on Catalina Island, where he disrupts a local pyramid scheme, inadvertently drawing the ire of ultra-wealthy individuals who exploit the prison system for profit. The narrative explores the mechanics of financial fraud, Ponzi schemes, and the prison-industrial complex, delving into the intersection of technology, finance, and systemic corruption. The book is structured as a retrospective, with Hench recounting events that expose the exploitation and commodification of inmates, and it incorporates detailed explanations of financial and legal systems, often through extended expository passages.
Readers appreciated the book’s in-depth exploration of complex topics such as financial scams, the privatized prison industry, and the broader implications of capitalism and technology on society. Many found the educational aspects engaging, noting that the author made intricate subjects like tax auditing, copyright law, and the mechanics of pyramid schemes accessible and interesting. The protagonist, Martin Hench, was frequently cited as a compelling character, with some readers enjoying his intelligence, loyalty, and the dynamic between him and his friend Scott. The book’s humor, particularly its use of black comedy to balance unsettling subject matter, and the integration of real-world references and historical context, were also highlighted as strengths. Several reviewers mentioned that the book could be read as a standalone, despite being a follow-up to 'Red Team Blues.'
Some readers were critical of the book’s pacing and structure, describing it as slow, methodical, or weighed down by exposition. The plot was sometimes seen as secondary to the author’s social and political commentary, with several reviewers feeling that the characters served more as vehicles for the message than as fully developed individuals. The narrative’s focus on detailed infodumps and tangents about finance and law was found to be dense or exhausting by those seeking a more action-driven or character-focused story. A few readers questioned the credibility of certain plot points, such as the legal consequences faced by wealthy characters, and some felt that the book’s didactic tone overshadowed its entertainment value. There were also comments about the book’s treatment of issues like race and drug use, with some wishing for a deeper exploration of how these topics intersect with the prison system.
The book has received a generally positive response, with an average rating of 4.08 out of 5 from over 2,300 readers and nearly 300 full reviews. It is categorized as fiction, mystery, thriller, science fiction, and crime, and is available in audiobook format, with some readers specifically noting the quality of the narration. The novel is a prequel to 'Red Team Blues' but is accessible to new readers, and a third installment is planned. The author’s background as a techno-activist and his decision to distribute the audiobook outside of major platforms are noted as relevant context. The book’s title references a term from John Kenneth Galbraith describing the period during which embezzlement remains undiscovered, which is thematically linked to the story’s focus on hidden financial crimes and systemic exploitation.