This novella is set amid the high-octane advertising industry.  When Steve and Nancy Stackhouse, owners of Crocker and Stackhouse consultancy on Madison Avenue, take on a wealthy client, they believe their financial worries will be over. And their new client, Ukrainian businessman Zep Zephyr hopes the agency will give him a strong foothold on Wall Street and secure his legitimacy in America. From the start of this partnership, things go south. A compromising set-up, threats, strong-arming, and untoward business practices seem to be Zephyr family’s operating practice. When the securities and exchange commission and FBI get involved and Steve and Nancy’s worst fears are confirmed, not only did they sign a deal with the devil but they are now in the crosshairs of the Russian Mafia.

This is a swift and edge-of-the-seat read by advertising mogul turned author, Dr. James R. Gregory. Some pieces slowed the pace, like head-hopping or the thug’s prison scene, though it did heighten his ruthless edge. Of course, that’s just this reader’s opinion. But it doesn’t detract from the best of this book.

For those who love a thriller set in the world of international business, Zephyr’s War is a must-read. While there’s a lot to unpack with the various protagonist’s backstories, it all unfolds at a digestible pace. The author cleverly peppers the plot with page-turning elements, like a high-speed car chase, a retribution ride on an airplane, and a violent union conflict, among other twists. It makes me wonder how Gregory packed it all in a novella. But he did. And it’s nicely done. Kudos!

Book and image courtesy of PR By the Book