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    Black Fridays
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    Black Fridays
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    Black Fridays
    Audiobook11 hours

    Black Fridays

    Written by Michael Sears

    Narrated by Erik Bergmann

    4/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    Sometimes a man can be redeemed. But not in the way he expects.

    Jason Stafford is a former Wall Street hotshot who made some bad moves, paid the price with two years in prison, and is now trying to put his life back together. He's unemployable, until an investment firm asks him to look into possible problems left by a junior trader who died recently in an accident. What he discovers is big - there are problems, all right, the kind that get you killed.

    But it's not his only concern. Stafford has another quest as well: to reclaim his five-year-old son, "the Kid," from his unstable ex-wife, and then learn just what it means to make a life with him. The things Stafford discovers about himself in the process are every bit as gripping as his investigation, and when the two threads of his life come together - the results are unforgettable.

    Black Fridays marks the arrival of a remarkable new writer.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateSep 18, 2012
    ISBN9781101579558
    Unavailable
    Black Fridays

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    Reviews for Black Fridays

    4/5

    95 ratings24 reviews

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    • 4/5
      It shows when an author 'writes what they know'. Well done and I second Jonathan Kellerman in that this is a compelling, beautifully written thriller.
    • 3/5
      The first in a crime series, this novel features a financial trader who has just been released after serving 2 years in jail. He is hired by a firm to uncover any financial irregularities prior to an anticipated SEC investigation after the suspicious death of one of its traders. More interesting to me than the mystery was the protagonist's relationship with his autistic son, "the Kid", his efforts to obtain custody from his unstable ex=wife, and his coming to terms with the trials of living with an autistic child. As a crime novel, this book was barely ok. As a father/son story it was half-way decent.
    • 4/5
      Jason Stafford went to Prison for his crimes and paid his dues. Now he is out and wanting to get his life back on track. He wants to reconnect with his ex wife and son. Which was the plan from the get go. Jason had her all set up with money to care for herself and her son and enough for them to get started when he was in the clear. However things do not always go as planned. Jason tries to contact his ex wife and she wants nothing to do with him anymore. She has remarried and pawned their autistic son off on her elderly mother. Who has come to know little Jason's (Kid) routine however he doesn't get out much and is kept in a dark room. Jason goes to Louisiana to pick up his son and try to reconnect with him and has no idea how but gets some help and starts actually learning from the Kid things he never realized in his life.He learns that someone wants him to work for them even after his stint and actions in the trading business the reason he went to prison and gets himself into more than he bargained for. Murder's, kidnappings and excitement all rolled into one.For me it started out a little slow in the first couple of chapters however as the book moves along I became more engrossed. Good read.
    • 4/5
      Black Fridays begins with Jason Stafford's release from prison. He returns to New York City and hopes to start a new life with his ex-wife and child. Unfortunately Jason's ex has not gone along with the game plan. Jason had patiently explained to Angie that they needed to get a divorce and transfer assets from his name to hers in an effort to protect her and retain money before he was indicted. He thought she understood that the divorce was only a ruse and they would get back together once his legal issues were finalized. Unfortunately Angie is a high-maintenance alcoholic that only thinks of herself and she has left New York and returned to Louisiana and her family. So Jason returns to an empty apartment, initially purchased as an investment. His life is on hold as he is on parole for three years and cannot leave the five boroughs of New York without permission from his parole officer. This doesn't stop Jason from leaving New York and going to Louisiana to get his son, Jason Jr. or the Kid.The Kid suffers from autism and requires special care. Jason knows that he's facing an uphill struggle in his efforts to provide the best care possible for the Kid. He also knows that the Kid needs a very strict regimented life in order to handle life. Jason quickly gets used to "beige" and "black" days and the food quirks of the Kid. In a few short weeks Jason and the Kid have made a bond and a life that works for them.Jason is prohibited from returning to trading and he knows that it may be difficult to obtain gainful employment. But Jason's knowledge base and his imprisonment history have made him the perfect man to investigate the history of a deceased junior trader at an investment firm. Little does Jason know that this "investigation" is placing not only his life, but his son's life, in peril. Sometimes accidents are not what they seem and Jason is finding out that there have been too many accidents associated with people at this particular investment firm. Not only does Jason have to contend with co-workers that won't reveal anything useful, but he also has the FBI pushing him into a corner, as well as his ex-wife and her bid to take their son away again.Black Fridays is a thriller that provides some insight into dealing with autism and behind the scenes looks at the trading world. The title is an obvious play on the historical "black Fridays" seen as a result of Wall Street trading as well as the Kid's required black clothing on Fridays. Jason isn't really an "any man" even though he doesn't come from a privileged background. Prior to his arrest, Jason was living a life that many of us may not be able to comprehend with multiple residences, extravagant and luxurious purchases. Jason struggles to build a new life for himself and for his son, while struggling to understand the bond market and what has been happening at the investment firm. Jason's desire for his ex-wife's return fizzles out quickly after learning about her remarriage and one night of sex with Wanda (a co-worker to a magician friend). All of the characters presented are highly believable (thanks in part to reality TV in presenting the lifestyles of the rich, famous and infamous). I found the parts of the story that dealt with trading and bond discussions to drag just a bit, but the knowledge presented was necessary in order to understand the story. The portions of the story dealing with Jason and the Kid were at times comical and others sad. Black Fridays provides the reader with trading fraud, blackmail, murder, parental kidnaping, battery, family bonding, and a hint of romance. Mr. Sears has provided a story that quickly gripped me and had me rooting for Jason and the Kid until the end. I found Black Fridays to be a relatively fast read and one that I can recommend for thriller readers looking for something just a little bit different.
    • 4/5
      Black Friday's is the story of Jason Stafford. He worked on Wall Street and was caught embezzling money from his employer. He spent time in jail. His marriage was ruined, lost all the money, had a child that he doesn't know when he is released. Once he starts on his new life out of prison he retrieves his son from his ex mother in law. His son is Autistic and he has a lot to learn. He takes his son back to New York and enrolls him in a special school. Jason calls his son Kid because that is what he responds to. Jason is hired to investigate a company by an old friend. Once he starts the investigation is when things start to pick up.I found the book slow moving at first. Once the investigation gets going is when all the interesting things start happening. I am not very familiar with Wall Street but this book was not hard to follow in the financial end.The ending was one that I did not expect but was not surprised. So who is the one that is the mastermind behind this big scam that Jason is hired to investigate? If you like thrillers and finance then give this book a try.
    • 5/5
      I almost didn't read this book because I realized it was about Wall Street and that is a subject *I abhor and ignore. But needing a book for the eveningm I delved in and read it straight through. Big money, big crime, this is an insider's tale of a world where fortunes can be made or lost at the click of Wall Street's button, and the stakes can be life and death. I no longer look at Wall Street as a subject to ignore, financial crime is now more interesting because of author Michael Sears. At the heart of the story is Jason Stafford's quest to reclaim his life after two years in prison, and making a home for his 5 year old autistic son. Getting in the way is his uinstable ex-wife and her criminally-minded new husband.. One of the best. parts of the book for me is the story within the story of getting his son, having to get him again when the ex-wife kidnaps him, and the action that ensues. Not one dull moment in this extraordinary book. and you will find yourself turning each page, wondering what is coming next. Needing a job after being in prison, Jason needs work and takes short term employment looking into irregularities left by a junior trader who just died in an accident. Mr..Sears takes on an adventure mixed with crime, parenting, romance and most of all, great characters. This is a first time novel for Mr Sears, and the prose is remarkable. Having worked for 20 years on Wall Street, his knowledge comes through but in a very readable way. A second novel is being written, featuring Jason Stafford and his son. I will be one of the first customers, if Black Fridays is an indication of Michael Sears talents. I recommend this book for anyone, male or female, as it has something for everyone in it, but in a readable, compelling way.
    • 4/5
      This book definitely exceeded my expectations. First and foremost this book is a mystery/thriller book, but it also has a heartwarming relationship between the main character, Jason, and his son. Jason just got released from prison and finds himself back in the world of Wall Street. Not only does he have to solve the mystery of the activities of a recently deceased junior trader, he now has to take care of his autistic son.While I enjoyed the mystery part of this book I absolutely loved the relationship between Jason and his son, to me that is what made this book great. I did have a problem with the ending of the book, it seemed to be a bit unresolved and wrapped up really quickly. Other than that I would recommend this book to others.
    • 5/5
      Black Fridays – Michael Sears received First Reads ArcIf you were to ask what impels me to pick up a debut novel I’d likely give you a variety of reasons depending on the moment, it could be attributed to planet alignment, a recommendation from a fellow bookworm, eye-catching cover art, or my insatiable curiosity upon reading the synopsis on the back cover. In this case, it was the back cover that tweaked my interest.Jason Stafford doesn’t sound like your typical thriller hero. After serving two years in prison for illegal trading practices he is now concentrating on gaining custody of his autistic son. Seems rather bland until you throw in his current consulting job at a high profile firm, where he is asked to audit the trades of a junior partner who has died in an accident. Or was it an accident? The further Jason digs into the trading history, the more questions and layers of cover ups emerge, all the while Jason is trying to cope with a completely new lifestyle as he attempts to bond with his son.Michael Sears writes passionately about Wall Street trading and gives the reader a small window into what goes on behind the scenes without boring or making it hard to grasp for the common reader. I for one am uninterested in how it works, but for the purpose of the story I was able to follow along and grasp the important aspects that made it so personal to the protagonist. And Jason is a guy I found myself rooting for. From someone who seemed to have the world on a platter, to a guy struggling to put his life back together, we watch a determined individual try to make sense of the craziness around him and discover what matters most.An enjoyable read and an author to watch in the future.
    • 4/5
      “Black Fridays” by Michael Sears is a debut novel that tells the tales of greed, protective fatherhood, and a lifestyle of greed and selfishness. Jason Stafford is the main character who is a financial wall street expert. He does not always make the best decisions for himself or for others. However, as a result of some of his choices, he is convicted and sentenced to prison for fraud where he serves two year in prison. He must leave “the Kid,” his autistic child to whom he is devoted when sent to prison. His love for his son, and the fight to regain his life with “The Kid” is well developed. His ex-wife is not a pleasant character and adds a bit of antagonism and her character could have been better developed though the focus is primarily on the relationship between Jason and his son. The book contains wall street and investment information, which I admit to not understanding, but it makes the reader feel as if Jason really is a knowledgeable financial expert. The story line also focuses upon what it would be like to have an autistic child with needs that cannot always be met and the joys and struggles parents have when raising a special needs child. The primary characters are well developed but I felt nothing but apathy toward Jason’s ex-wife Angie or any of the other secondary characters. This was a well done debut novel and it will be worth following Sears writings to see how he develops his skill. I give this book a rating of 4 and thank Putnam and LibraryThing for providing an advanced copy of this book to read.
    • 4/5
      Jason Stafford has nothing. He was once a top Wall Street trader living the high life, but after a getting in over his head with falsified profits and fraudulent trades, he finds himself at the end of a two year jail sentence with no money, an estranged ex-wife who has his only son, and seemingly no future job opportunities. You can imagine his surprise when the CEO of a large Wall Street firm asks Jason to investigate the trades of a junior trader who recently died in a boating accident. Intrigued by the prospect to work in his old environment and desperate for any kind of income, Jason accepts.As he begins to reclaim his professional dignity, Jason also is determined to gain custody from his alcoholic ex-wife. Jason Jr., nicknamed "the Kid", has been diagnosed with autism and is not getting the care he needs. With his ex just as unstable as his son, Jason is shocked to learn that the Kid is locked in a room all day. Risking his parole, Jason flies to Louisiana to retrieve his son. When he returns to New York, son in tow, Jason is forced to reevaluate his life, and learn to live with his unique son.Meanwhile, Jason's investigation is revealing a larger conspiracy than even he expected. As he digs deeper into the web of fraud he attracts the attention of Wall Streets power players as well as agents from the FBI. When he uncovers a system that will certainly rock the entire financial institution, Jason must decide what to do with the information. If he makes the wrong decision, it could cost him his life.With this excellent debut novel, author Michael Sears enters the thriller genre with a bang. His knowledge of Wall Street brings a unique perspective to the story. This timely tale of financial deceit flows at a perfect pace, never getting bogged down in the details that are presented. While the thriller side of the story is entertaining, it is the father-son relationship that really places the novel on a higher level. Jason's adjustment to becoming the guardian of his autistic son is the secret to this story's success. Sears subtly crafts the two characters, making the reader truly care about the son and root for the Father's redemption. I will admit that the secondary characters were not as strongly conceived as Jason and the Kid, but the focus on the two far outweighed the lack of development in the others. Overall, "Black Fridays" is a thriller with heart that I highly recommend.
    • 5/5
      Ok so I won this book on goodreads from firstreads a little while back. I absolutely loved this book. The only thing that was semi-disappointing to me was not having an actual cover, but the content of the book most definitely made up for that! The book is about a guy on wallstreet and he gets caught up embezzling money and goes to prison, then he gets out and has to pick up the pieces of his life, which includes a son who has autism and a drunk ex-wife. I don't want to spoil this book for anyone, so in short I loved it! I rated it 5 out of 5 stars I had a hard time putting it down right from the start. I almost cried for Jason the main character in many parts of the book, and truly enjoyed the fact that it had a happy ending:) I would recommend this book to anyone, well anyone high school and older, it was a wonderful book, so go get and read it. The book hits shelves Sept. 18th 2012 I obviously own an ARC copy and can't wait to see what the cover really looks like when it does come out, because in the copy I have the picture a few pages in is different then the one above. Thank you goodreads for such an awesome book!
    • 2/5
      I didn't enjoy the Wall Street aspects of this book and just skimmed it for the time the main character spent with his autistic son. Even those scenes aren't enought to make me recommend the book.
    • 4/5
      After spending the last two years in prison, former Wall Street trader Jason Stafford is asked to consult on the trades of a young trader who was recently killed in a boating accident. What the firm doesn’t need is the SEC breathing down their neck or the bad publicity. Jason needs the cash, as he wants to take care of his son, since his ex-wife is too disturbed to deal with an autistic child. Dealing with a scam that could be a killer and a child who is obsessed with cars makes this an intense novel. There are many books about Wall Street scandals and yet Michael Sears adds more by adding “The Kid” to the mix. The reader sees Jason Strafford develop into a human being and not another money-hungry investment broker. He may have lost all is money, spent two years in jail, but learns that there is more than millions of dollars to make one’s life meaningful. This book was very entertaining.
    • 5/5
      Great book. Certainly current events story with all the recent events on Wall Street of embezzlement, Ponzi schemes, etc. Jason was a trader just released from prison after two years for fudging the numbers which had resulted in millions of dollars in his pocket. His scheme unlike Ponzi ones didn't hurt innocent peoples savings, having been a corporate trader.Jason is hired by a trading firm to try to find the source of suspected foul play. He leads an exciting and tense life while doing this. His ex-wife has stolen some of his ill-gotten gains and has divorced him. Jason's son, the "Kid," has autism but improves under Jason's care.Enjoyed the book, some tense moments.
    • 4/5
      Although a first novel, this book doesn't show it. The story grabs you and holds on. You actually care for Jason Stafford, a fallen Wall Street trader, fresh out of prison and wodering what to do next. His struggles to adapt to an autistic son and a new job, while coming to terms with his changed environment are human, easy to grasp. The jargon of the Wall Street insider is tough but Sears does a great job of interpreting it for the liberal arts majors and blue collar types. My best response to "how good is it"-- When is the sequel coming out.
    • 4/5
      This was a great was an exciting and wonderful book. A great thriller Jason Stafford, a former trader, who has just been released from prison following a two year stint for white collar crimes. He gets hired as a consultant at a firm to investigate alledged wrong doings on the part of some junior traders. As he is doing this job he is also adjusting to being a single father of an autistic five year old. A good book that grabs you after the first few pages. I recommend it highly.
    • 4/5
      An exciting thriller of a Wall Street prison parolee, Jason Stafford, apon his release is hired by Weld Securities to investigate the death of a young and up-in-coming day trader, Brian Sanders, that was found flooting in the New York City harbor. Jason's investigation takes him down a long and winding road of corruption and unethical trade practices, while also trying to re-establish a healthy relationship with his autism son.
    • 4/5
      This is a really good book. I was concerned that as a first novel there would be some holes, but after finishing this book I realized that it was as good as Lee Child's "Killing Floor". I do not want to give away anything about the book but black friday does not mean what I thought it would mean before I read the book. I really like the way the story plays out in his work, but the real story is his relationship with his son. I can not wait for another book by Michael Sears and his characters Jason and "the Kid"
    • 5/5
      Jason Stafford is a former Wall Street hotshot fresh off a two year stint in prison. While his first focus is rescuing his autistic son from his unstable ex-wife, he soon becomes consumed by a job looking into potential fraud at a rival brokerage firm.Let me preface this by saying I really enjoyed this book. I planned on reading a few pages before goings to bed, and ended up staying awkaw half the night to finish it. It's that good. But, to me the plot was secondary. I never really cared enough, or frankly believed in the "thriller" aspects to be that invested in the outcome of the plot.What I found fascinating was the characters. I really liked that Jason, while clearly a "good" guy, wasn't perfect. He was the same guy after prison as before. He cuts corners and puts his own self interst first - illegal or not. The Kid's story was most compelling of all. Usually I find the home life scenes kin thriller's annoying. In this case I wanted more.The author blurb indicates Sears is working on the next Jason Stafford book. I can't wait.
    • 5/5
      Great Read! Jason Stafford will be around for a good long time, especially with the state that our finical system is in these days!!! I enjoyed to details and interactions between Jason Stafford and the Kid. Autism is everywhere, Mr. Sears has developed a true character with 'the Kid'!Can't wait for the next Jason Stafford novel so I can see where Mr. Sears takes us.....
    • 5/5
      It would not be a stretch to say that Black Fridays by Michael Sears could easily be my book of the year.. for just about any year! What a storyteller. There is no point in the book where you feel as though you're reading a debut novel by a man who made his living as a financier.The story begins as Jason Stafford is finishing up his prison sentence for creative bookkeeping in the grand scale. He can never work again as the trader that he was, but he can do a little off the cuff investigating into some suspected funny business at a similar company.First, he's got to make a quick trip to the Crescent City and rescue his autistic son, "The Kid", from his alcoholic ex-wife and her sadistic boyfriend.Once he begins flipping over rocks at his new job, things get serious quickly.. and people begin to get hurt. Between the dual plot lines of following the money trail of another gang of Wall Street manipulators and learning to care for and protect his son this is a book that you really don't want to put down.. except that you do want it to last as long as possible also!I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys intriguing fiction. This is an exceptionally entertaining story filled with suspense, intelligent humor and characters that you care about. It has a great style! Michael Sears is busy writing his next installment of the adventures of Jason Stafford and The Kid and I can't wait to buy it. Seriously!
    • 5/5
      Black Fridays by Micael Sears is an excellent story of the corruption found in the financial world. The ramifications of corrupt business dealings on personal lives is well documented in this well written tale. This story also delves into the world of Autism and the affects this disease has on the entire family. Sears has a wonderful way of weaving the threads of professional and personal lives together in this book. I didn't think I would care for this book, but I totally devoured it and highly recommend it. I am very pleased I was selected by LibraryThing to review this book.
    • 5/5
      Thoroughly enjoyed the book! In the first chapter, I didn't like the main character, but he admits later in the book he didn't like himself when he didn't have his son. Then he gets his son back, and goes through the process of learning to communicate with him and autism. I found the mystery part gripping, and the exchanges with his autistic son fascinating! Really a great read!
    • 4/5
      A fast-paced financial thriller, with a good subplot centering on an autistic child. Well worth a read.