An accountant’s life is a boring lot, or so we have been led to believe but if author Don VanLandingham’s Corruptacy is anything to go by, that of a forensic accountant is definitely less so. Jeffrey Allan is a forensic accountant working for the federal government, auditing and looking for potential fraud in the bankruptcy administration. Bankruptcy in the U.S. is overseen by court-appointed Trustees (usually lawyers) whose job it is to manage the assets of bankrupt individuals and ensure that the creditors receive everything they are entitled to receive. Jeffrey’s job is to monitor these Trustees and ensure they are not involved in any fraudulent activity. Along with the usual greedy Trustees who come up with an elaborate scheme to enrich themselves, occasionally Jeffrey will uncover a deeper and more sinister system of corruption within the system, linked to organized crime. With his college partner FBI Special Agent “Fast Eddie” Cruise, Jeffrey is prepared to go into battle against these miscreants, who, it appears, have links to not only organized crime but tentacles that reach high up into the federal government. For Jeffrey, Eddie, and their families, danger is always afoot when you take on the avarice and political ambitions of not only criminals but terrorists.

Corruptacy was both a surprise and an education. Very few people, I’m sure, actually understand how the bankruptcy system works in the United States, and through Jeffrey Allan’s adventure, author Don VanLandingham is able to simply and clearly outline the different procedures and conditions that make up a typical bankruptcy. The two principal protagonists, Jeffrey and Fast Eddie, were definitely archetypal characters that were easily identifiable and drew empathy from the reader. This story is full of twists and turns that surprise at times and allow the reader to stretch believability and coincidence from time to time. The two main characters’ emphasis on family and community values and the importance thereof provides an excellent counterpoint to the daily dangers of their professions. I particularly appreciated the ability of the author to weave in a full lesson on a part of the federal government that I’m sure very few of us know anything about. For a story about bankruptcy and accounting, it is fast-paced, exciting, anything but boring, and short enough to devour in one session. This was an enjoyable read and one I can definitely recommend.

Corruptacy by Don VanLandingham is the story of an accountant, Jeffrey Allan, who works bankruptcy fraud investigations. During what appears to be a routine assignment, he discovers some government employees are engaged in a villainous plot. Allan works with his good friend, FBI agent Eddie Cruise, to fight the evildoers. The novel’s antagonists realize that Allan and Cruise are onto them and respond by attacking Allan as close to home as it gets. But just when the situation seems very dark, the “good guys“ perform heroic actions to save the day. Although Corruptacy is a mystery and action/adventure book, it’s also fact-based. It could accurately be described as “faction,” or “fact-based fiction.” Because VanLandingham actually worked in the field of bankruptcy fraud investigation, the novel rings true with authenticity.

Corruptacy is a fascinating read. It’s a novel but is written like an autobiography. I learned a lot about the bankruptcy system in the United States. I wasn’t familiar with how bankruptcy fraud investigation works, but VanLandingham explained it well without intruding on the plot. The novel is filled with twists and turns, and the author does an excellent job of not giving away the ending. In fact, I thought something else was going to happen, but it didn’t, and that was another factor that helped keep me interested throughout the book. The protagonist, Jeffrey Allan, is a likable character and readers will sympathize with him as he faces, and overcomes, his problems. The novel’s conclusion is believable, complete, and satisfying. I highly recommend this enjoyable book by Don VanLandingham.