The Corporation

Crime Mysteries by Norman Shabel.

Fiction - Thriller - Conspiracy
359 Pages
Reviewed on 11/17/2024
Buy on Amazon

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    Book Review

Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

The Corporation is a conspiracy thriller by Norman Shabel. Joshua Ryan has retired from being a lawyer but is suddenly pulled back when Samuel Waterman, Ryan's old mentor, pleads for help. Waterman's sister has died in strange circumstances. Her company, Comtel International, is undergoing a merger but suddenly, senior employees begin dying. Ryan and his father-in-law, a private investigator called Yehuda Ben Zvi, begin their investigations but find themselves deep in a conspiracy that could bring the entertainment industry to its knees. Everything leads back to Comtel's founder, a US senator, and his son, the company CEO and president. When the US Attorney's office gets involved, things take a turn for the worse as Ryan uncovers secrets that could bring everything down. Can they get the truth out, or is it already too late?

The Corporation is one of the finest books in the Crime Mysteries series by Norman Shabel that just keeps on getting better. It's another action-packed story with no small amount of intrigue and suspense. We meet a character from an earlier story and are introduced to many more new ones, all developed as real people, easy to identify with, and likable, even the antagonists. Once again, Norman thrusts readers deep into a story that will hold their attention right from the word go. It's a rollercoaster journey, a fast-paced thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat all the way through, twisting and turning its way to the explosive ending. Although this is part of a series, you could easily read it as a standalone. However, I guarantee you that if this is your first Norman Shabel book, it certainly won't be your last. Loving the series and this is one of the best books yet.

Alma Boucher

The Corporation by Norman Shabel is about Joshua Ryan, a lawyer who had retired from practice. Ryan was contacted by his former mentor, Samuel Waterman, to assist in uncovering the mystery surrounding the deaths of his sister and her husband, who were seemingly healthy. Both individuals were employed at Comtel International, where the sister held an important executive position. The founder of Comtel, a U.S. Senator, faces a crisis as the billion-dollar merger with AMT Cable is jeopardized following a lost lawsuit. Ryan teamed up with his father-in-law, private investigator Yehuda Ben Zvi, to determine whether the deaths were natural. As more Comtel employees began to die under suspicious circumstances, the medical examiner continued to classify the deaths as natural. Ryan and his colleagues discover a web of dark schemes and financial deception and must reveal the truth before it is too late.

The plot in The Corporation by Norman Shabel is captivating and intricate. I was drawn in right from the beginning, making it hard to set the book down. The story was fast-paced and filled with action. There was not a single dull moment. The unexpected twists and turns continuously escalated the suspense and kept me eagerly turning the pages. The characters felt genuine and relatable. They were introduced gradually, making it easy to understand who they were. Ryan, Yehuda, and Samuel worked together effectively and achieved results from their dedicated efforts. The writing style was captivating and maintained my interest throughout the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to more from Shabel in the future.

Susan van der Walt

In The Corporation, Norman Shabel weaves a compelling narrative of murder, corruption, and greed. The mysterious deaths of ten Comtel employees and the lack of investigation from the authorities don't sit well with Sam Waterman. He is considered the Jewish version of Oliver Wendell Holmes of Rutgers Law, and his sister was one of the victims. He enlists an old student and retired lawyer, Jason Ryan, to help him investigate his sister's death. However, they are up against a mighty enemy - the Comtel operation and a senator and his son, who influence the political and legal arena. Since the senator and his security officer still have the mindset of their Marine days, exploring legal avenues is not their primary way of resolving issues.

The Corporation is book seven in Norman Shabel's Crime Mysteries series but works well as a standalone novel. Its primary focus is not on the investigation of the presumed accidental deaths but on the legal battles, the power plays, and the often fatal force used by the senator to deter or permanently silence his enemies. Sam and Jason must contact their network to counteract the senator's power plays and find justice for the victims. Between the many legal proceedings, financial information, and the vast cast of characters, the reader must be on their toes to follow along with the intricate plot. The Corporation has the hallmark of a genuine conspiracy thriller. I recommend it to readers of this genre who enjoy legal battles as part of the narrative.

David Jaggart

Joshua Ryan, a retired lawyer, is in the comfort of his Parisian apartment with his wife and baby daughter when his mentor, Sam, contacts him in need of legal and investigative assistance in America. Sam's sister, Helen, and her husband have died under unusual circumstances. Joshua enlists his private eye father-in-law, Yehuda, to oversee the investigative aspects of the case. Helen was a key executive at Comtel International, the largest entertainment company in America. Comtel is engaged in a massive corporate merger deal with another company. Interestingly, Helen wasn't the only senior Comtel employee to mysteriously end up dead. Could she and other senior employees have been targeted in an attempt to impede a class action suit brought up against Comtel? Most likely! The investigation points to corruption by senior government officials. How far is Joshua willing to go to achieve justice? Grab a copy of Norman Shabel's The Corporation, and you'll find the answer.

Norman Shabel delivers a stunning crime mystery steered by an iconic protagonist, Joshua. He is courageous and relentless. It was exciting seeing him and his crew navigate their way through this mystery despite the risks involved. The Corporation is certainly not your average thriller. Even though readers are provided with insight into the crime beforehand, there are still plot twists you won't be able to predict. The narrative is awash with danger, deception, cover-ups, abuse of power, financial intrigue, political drama, and conspiracy. The storyline is well-constructed and well-timed, with intense moments that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The journey to truth and justice is unrushed, and the build-up toward the ending is perfectly executed. Overall, the narrative is straightforward and engaging. You won't want to put this book down. The Corporation will appeal to readers who enjoy crime and conspiracy thrillers.

Divine Zape

The Corporation by Norman Shabel is a gripping crime mystery that delves deep into corporate dishonesty and moral dilemmas. The plot centers around Jack Evans, CEO of Comtel International, who faces a devastating class-action lawsuit resulting from alleged negligence that has caused the deaths of several employees. Joshua Ryan is a lawyer whose quiet life in Paris is disrupted when his former mentor, Samuel Waterman, requests his help to investigate the mysterious death of his sister, a Comtel executive, as a massive class action lawsuit threatens the company's future. Teaming up with his father-in-law, private investigator Yehuda Ben Zvi, Ryan uncovers a network of corruption linked to a powerful U.S. Senator and Comtel's CEO, Jack Evans, while facing scrutiny from the U.S. Attorney's Office. The conflict escalates quickly, with repercussions hitting the highest government levels.

The central conflict in The Corporation reveals the tension between corporate greed and ethical accountability. Evans and his legal team engage in a desperate cover-up to preserve both their financial standing and reputation. Characters like Jon Paulsen, the ruthless ex-CIA operative, and Alfred Lowry, the morally conflicted counsel, highlight the varying shades of ethics within this high-stakes environment. The multidimensional characters are compelling. Jack Evans is portrayed as a desperate yet cunning leader whose ambition clouds his moral judgment. Paulsen represents the darker side of corporate protection, exemplifying a merciless approach to problem-solving. Lowry, on the other hand, epitomizes the internal struggle between professional loyalty and personal ethics, providing a haunting reflection on the corporate world’s often-hidden ramifications. Norman Shabel has crafted an intriguing, nuanced narrative that features a captivating setting in the corporate world, examining corporate greed and crime. Readers will be enthralled to follow Joshua Ryan as he navigates a world filled with danger. This is a page-turner for thriller fans.