October 2003

Plastic Gods

A Rich Coleman Novel Vol. 2

by William Manchee

Top Publications Trade Paperback

ISBN 1-929976-23-2

Rich Coleman's son Matt has just passed the bar exams and is anxious to make his fortune practicing law. Unfortunately his plans to be a PI attorney have been soured by tort reform. Matt's new bride Lynn is a marketing major and, with the help of her college professor, comes up with a brilliant marketing plan - convince people that the credit card companies are manipulating them into a permanent state of financial slavery. Since their financial distress is a result of these practices there is no shame involved in filing a bankruptcy to get out of their grip and become a free person again.

As a result of this plan business booms and bankruptcy filings climb. Of course several banks that are involved in predatory credit card practices are severely hurt. The problem is that these are very powerful people and they do not want his success to continue, nor do they want other lawyers copying his success in other parts of the country. One particular banker, Frank Hill of Midsouth Bank, is particularly disturbed by the serious financial losses his bank is suffering as a result of all these new bankruptcies. To save his bank from these crippling losses he orders some very drastic and ruthless measures to stop Matt and Lynn and to destroy their Debt Relief Centers of Texas.

Hill's actions turn out to be quite effective and the Debt Relief Centers of Texas are put out of business. But as Matt reels from the devastation inflicted upon him, he concocts a plan to, not only destroy Frank Hill and Midsouth Bank, but to expose the credit card conspiracy in a way that will force Congress to do something about it. Love, greed and revenge fuel this raging thriller about the evil spawned by the Plastic Gods we love and cherish.

REVIEWS

by Cindy Daniel, author of the Death Warmed Over Mystery Series

Matt Coleman is fresh from his bar exam and follows his father’s footsteps into bankruptcy law. But Matt is from the new school of get rich quick lawyers and he has a new bride with a marketing degree to help him achieve that dream. A dream they realize much faster than expected.

Matt and his wife Lynn find their niche in the infomercial field. Their brainchild of exposing the banking industries enslavement of the American people is a huge hit with the public. Their bankruptcy firm is up and running with more business and more money than they ever imagined. Not everyone is thrilled about the infomercials, however. Namely - the Texas Bar Association, who believe the infomercials do not adhere to legal advertising ethics, and MidSouth Bank of Houston, who believe they are losing millions of money as a direct result of Matt’s bankruptcy filings.

With their dream quickly turning into a nightmare, Matt and Lynn find they have made themselves the target of unscrupulous individuals who go to any means necessary to take revenge against those they feel have taken something from them. Means and methods that include taking down the empire of wealth the young lawyer accumulated, using the press to take down the practice and people the media helped create, and taking the very thing Matt Coleman held dearest.

Now, admittedly, it’s not a real stretch to imagine greedy lawyers, and bankers who would go to any means to keep their money to themselves. Or is it? I started reading the book thinking it would be the same old story about greed and corruption. But it’s not. Manchee takes it to another level. At times I found myself thinking some of the scenarios were too far-fetched. But for some reason I was drawn to the story. I had to know what happened and if the bad-guys would be held responsible. And when I finished the last page, I was wondering…could this really happen?

William Manchee has given us a great read for a time when stock markets and interest rates are fluctuating. PLASTIC GODS - Is it fiction or fact?

by Harold McFarlen from Florida Amazon - Top 50 Amazon Reviewers (#39) - December 22, 2003

"Plastic Gods" is a suspense packed thrill ride through the worlds of power politics, the legal system, and finance. This is easily one of the most exciting fiction novels of the year. When Matt Coleman starts his bankruptcy legal practice his wife Lynn comes up with a fantastic marketing plan - convince people that the credit card companies are manipulating them into a permanent state of financial slavery. Since their financial distress is a result of these practices there is no shame involved in filing a bankruptcy to get out of their grip and become a free person. As a result of this plan business booms and bankruptcy filings climb. Of course several banks that are involved in predatory credit card practices are severely hurt. The problem is that these are very powerful people and they do not want his success to continue, nor do they want other lawyers copying his success in other parts of the country. The head Midsouth Bank is desperate to stop Matt at any cost and the story really takes off from there. This is a very well written book that draws the reader into the storyline and doesn't let them go until the very end. I had to read the entire book at one setting to see how Matt would resolve his problems. ... An excellent story, masterfully done, and recommended for those who like a good suspense story

Reviewed by Denise M. Clark – November 3, 2003

As an expert at bankruptcy laws, and having practiced it in his field for a quarter of a century, author William Manchee has penned his second exciting novel featuring lawyer Rich Coleman and his son, Matt.

Though Matt’s desire is to become a private eye attorney, his new wife, Lynn, and college professor Swensen manage to talk him into exposing credit institutions and their one ultimate goal – driving cardholders to their knees in debt. But Matt and Rich get more than they bargained for when warnings and minor incidents disrupt their lives. Before long, Matt barely manages to escape an attempt on his life and ends up in a federal prison.

Non-stop plotting action makes ‘Plastic Gods’ a book you can’t put down. While the subject matter might seem daunting and somewhat uninteresting, such isn’t the case. In fact, credit cards and enormous debt makes for a unique premise, for many of us are caught in that trap already. Well-drawn characters and a nearly perfect balance between narrative and dialog make this ‘financial thriller’ a winner.

by Norman P. Goldman

When I picked up a recent edition of the Saturday mornings edition, The National Post, a Canadian newspaper, and turned to the financial section, what immediately hit me was an entire section devoted to consumer debt and credit cards.

Coincidentally, the day before I had received William Manchee’s recent legal thriller Plastic Gods, that although is a work of fiction, revolves around this same theme.

The story ventures into the world of powerful and unethical financial institutions dangling credit cards before those least equipped to resist it that ultimately lead them to financial and personal disaster.

Matt Coleman is a young lawyer, just out of law school. He and his wife, who are aided by Lynn’s marketing professor, decide that in order to jump start Matt’s practice, they would embark on a series of info commercials, whereby consumers would be shown that it is not sinful to file for bankruptcy. Banks would be shown to be the culprits. Consequently, much of blame would be placed on the shoulders of these financial institutions rather than the debtors.

As the novel unfolds, Matt’s and his wife Lynn’s brilliant marketing plan prove to be a tremendous financial success and Matt’s law practice takes off like a rocket. However, along the way, Matt has also managed to ruffle a few feathers among some financial institutions. One particular bank, the Midsouth Bank, does not take too kindly to Matt and Lynn’s activities, and are quite disturbed at the serious financial damage that is being caused to their institution and the bankruptcies they now have to endure. This leads the chief executive officer to take some very drastic and ruthless measures leading to tragic consequences affecting Matt and his wife, as well as others.

The author’s distinct and simplistic writing style takes the reader on a surprising and unpredictable ride that keeps you in constant suspense as what is around the next bend. Action aficionados will not be disappointed, and although the book is a work of fiction, its theme is tantalizing. It is sure to leave many a reader thinking about some of the unsavory banking practices pertaining to credit card marketing and what is looming behind closed doors of these institutions.

Absorbing Read …….. Happy to Recommend … 5 stars

The Review

As a follow up to Death Pact in which we met Rich Coleman and his wife Erica, comes Plastic Gods. The book opens with attorney Coleman ruminating over his life with Erica, his children and his law practice. Coleman is surprised when eldest son Matt announces his marriage plans to a woman he has only recently met. Matt and Lynn hold an almost single minded determination to quickly become very wealthy. Their plan is to tap into the potential bankruptcy market. Lynn’s college professor Swensen is convinced that disreputable forces are at work behind easy credit enjoyed by many until they can no longer pay their bills. Rich cautions both Matt and Lynn against investing all their money too quickly. But, before long Matt’s charm and knowledge of bankruptcy law along with Lynn’s penchant for marketing the pair engender a TV campaign that brings in more work than either dreamed.

It doesn’t take the banking industry long to notice that bankruptcy filings in the northern part of Texas are suddenly burgeoning. MidSouth executive vice president Douglas Barnes, chairman of the board Frank Hill and a treacherous ex Marine, Hans Schultz join forces to coerce Matt out of the bankruptcy scene. Matt will not budge. Hill and Schultz step up their campaign to include murder, defamation and lots of dirty tricks. Following Matt’s being set up by a supposed landscaper needing debt relief; Matt faces not only jail and probation but a hefty fine as well. When the depraved banker and his deadly henchman endanger Lynn they have gone too far. Matt uses his jail time to fine hone a strategy for settling the score between himself and Frank Hill. The FBI, police from Texas to the east coast, the stock market and even Federal Congressmen all figure in this tale.

One of Manchee’s best Plastic Gods is a nail biter. From the opening paragraphs when Rich Coleman reflects over his own life and muses about his son’s surprising decision to become an attorney through the whole action packed tale we follow Matt on his headstrong journey into a life he never expected. Matt’s impulsive determination carry him and those with whom he associates into jeopardy, lethal danger and a crassness the naīve young man never suspected existed. Writer Manchee’s long years as an attorney hold him in good stead as he guides the reader through what might be far less interesting reading if offered by a less gifted writer. The reader is drawn right into the setting as Matt faces questioning by the Texas Bar Association, trial and incarceration. Manchee’s writing skills only increase as he continues producing narrative after narrative filled with zestful characters, absorbing premise and spine tingling action.

I did not find Lynn a particularly likeable character when first introduced, however she grew on me, and I was saddened to read of Hans’ attack upon her. Matt’s terrified concern for his wife, his predictable desire for revenge against the banking entity and chairman Hill in particular were handled with deftness. This reader was caught up in the tale and wanted Hill brought to swift and certain justice as well. Potent emotions, perilous conspiracy, treachery, perplexing tale, a keen eye for detail are all bound into this stunning work as writer Manchee offers the reader a peek into a side of banking and credit most of us never realized might exist. I enjoyed following the strategy outlined for bringing Hill and those associated with him to justice. While Plastic Gods is a work of fiction the tale offered by writer Manchee certainly gives the reader something to think about when we receive our next bank card credit offer in the mail.

Not for the faint of heart. Excellent read, happy to recommend.

Reviewed by: molly martin

http://www.angelfire.com/ok4/mollymartin

http://www.AuthorsDen.com/mjhollingshead