Death by Wall Street: Rampage of the Bulls (Martelli NYPD, #1) by Theodore Jerome Cohen

Death by Wall Street: Rampage of the Bulls (Martelli NYPD, #1) Reviews

• 
  Grampy

  Reviewed by Lee Ashford for Readers' Favorite.
  
  “Death by Wall Street” by Dr. Theodore Jerome Cohen is a brilliant work of fiction, constructed on an extensive list of facts which are documented throughout the book.
  
  NYPD Homicide Detective Lou Martelli is assigned an investigation in which was found the decapitated head of a stock analyst – impaled on a horn of the Wall Street Bull statue. Reading the newspaper a few days later, Martelli learns of a similar case in Washington D.C., where the head of another victim is found tossed into the lap of a statue in D.C.
  
  When a third head is found in New York City, Martelli finally gets a break: a homeless man witnessed the murder. Calling in all the favors he can, coupled with many “I owe you one” promises, Martelli begins piecing together the puzzle, only to learn that the murder victims had been engaged in an incredible game of stock manipulation and corporate sabotage. They were, in fact, culpable in the deaths of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people, and in general were just not nice people.
  
  “Death by Wall Street” is an insightful look at a very real problem today, wrapped within a greatly entertaining murder mystery. Dr. Cohen is no stranger to researching background material for his novels, and “Death by Wall Street” is littered with footnotes linked to true events discovered during his research.
  
  With painstaking attention to details and accuracy, Cohen has crafted a unique mystery which should enthrall every reader. His characterizations of Martelli and associates are as believable as your next door neighbor. A masterful blend of fact and fiction, “Death by Wall Street” will be with you for a long, long time. I would be remiss if I didn’t urge you to get your copy now.
  
• 
  Carolyn Wilhelm

  Important Information for Everyone Presented as a Story
  
  I have listened to the Audible version and also read the book. Both experiences were quite different to me. The audible version was an intense experience as the oral reader had the perfect voice which matched the genre, mystery suspense thriller -- which kept me on the edge of my seat although I had read the book. It would be good to listen when you have some time or want to exercise as it is not relaxing to hear about the stock market and healthcare "cure" corruption. It is fiction based on real events and it seemed more like I was an insider to the plot when listening to the spoken word. I felt more "in" the story through the listening experience.
  
  The book is good when you want to read quietly. I thought this book was going to be a story about financial information of stock market manipulations by big companies, but it also delved into the healthcare industry. If you have ever lost a loved one to cancer or knew someone who needed a promising drug, this is a must-read. Nonfiction events are woven into a narrative to enlighten the reader about how big pharmacy works while newer drugs with proven track records are defeated. Ill people need help and this book is discouraging about Wall Street, Washington DC, and big pharma. A sad story that teaches the information voters need to make informed decisions -- if only the "little people" had more power. The author worked to make this information entertaining and exciting while revealing disturbing information and truths.Great read! The author worked to make this information entertaining and exciting while revealing disturbing information and truths.
• 
  Laura

  I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
  
  This book is based on a true story -- which intrigued me from the beginning. This is the first in a series.
  
  The story starts out great with a chilling description of a murder scene in the center of Wall Street. However, once the Detective Martinelli starts his investigation, there are a lot of long conversations detailing stock trading [info dump]. I listened to this as an audio book and it was very difficult to digest all at once [I did go back and relisten to the information] -- perhaps it would have been easier if I had read rather than listened to all of this exposition. After completing the book, I understand why all this information was provided but I wish the author had found a way to provide the stock information in a more understandable format for a lay reader.
  
  The story itself moved along well, with a sufficient amount of action and likeable characters. I liked that Martelli was a disabled vet with a war injury -- and there is some background provided on how he and his family dealt with his disability.
  
  One odd thing, the author has a penchant for describing clothing using brand/designer names and then providing the price tag for them. There did not seem to be a point to it in terms of the story and I found it distracting.
  
• 
  Rabid Reader

  This is an entertaining murder mystery that is generously interlaced with facts. Even though the story is a work of fiction, the issues it brings to light with the FDA, stock market and the security commission are real world problems, many of which are still present. It is definitely an eye opener. It breaks your heart that greed and manipulation of markets are more important than peoples lives. Listening to the audiobook version seemed to bring home the events and its effects on the people involved much more than just reading the words would have. The author did a great job of showing the corruption and faults in the system while still creating an intriguing murder mystery with realistic, appealing characters.
• 
  Ann

  This is the second book of this author I have listened to. This storyline opened my eyes to the ruthless scheming and manipulation to foster monies for Wall Street clients. The politics is disgusting when money is more important than someone's life. The narrator did a great job of bringing this book to life.
• 
  Gary Wilhelm

  "Important Information for Voters of Our Time"
  Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
  I just finished listening to this great Audible version of the book. Listening is a more engaging experience than simply reading quietly. The story information, while entertaining, is also based on nonfiction events surrounding especially the 2008 financial disaster and supposed cancer "cures" being widely promoted. The greedy truth behind this story is alarming. So much corruption went on and goes on.I hope this book helps others prevent or be taken advantage of by money schemes and schemers. Thanks for this truth!
  
  
  Who was your favorite character and why?
  Louis Martelli is a detective with a leg disability and yet is so clever and cunning as to be able to expose the criminals. He out-thinks everyone else and solves cases with finesse. Criminals walk right into the traps he sets.
  
  
  Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
  The way the surveillance camera was placed was hysterical. The fact cancer drugs are more about greed than healing could make anyone cry.
  
  
  Any additional comments?
  A must read!
• 
  Mary

  Good story however at times there was useless dialogue.