The unlikely hero of The Legacy is a floor trader at a New York brokerage. This is a venue familiar to the author, Stephen Frey, and he rapidly and very effectively sketches a stereotypic trader with severe character flaws. Cole Egan is an adrenalin junkie who is two steps away from financial ruin and one step away from cement shoes. The risk of his questionable trading activity is superceded only by the threat of his illegal gambling. Clearly, he is a loser in both endeavors.

Initially, Cole displays virtually no endearing qualities. He is arrogant and selfish. Despite a hedonistic lifestyle, he doesn't seem to experience any great enjoyment. As the novel progresses, he re-discovers the resolve and strength of character that had been left behind when he moved to the big city.

His roommate, in a too expensive apartment, is the first to encounter the professional "leg busters." Nicki Anderson is a sweet young tagalong who happens to be the girl-next-door from hometown Duluth. She is also a rent-paying tenant. Cole is so self-indulged that he has never really noticed Nicki, or perhaps his lack of romantic interest is some vestige of his midwestern moral upbringing. Nicki is one of thousands of American immigrants into NYC. Her naïve supermodel aspirations meet with predictable disappointment.

Suddenly, as all seems lost, Cole receives an undiscovered tape of JFK's shooting. It is a paternal legacy that is worth millions and promises to rescue Cole. However, the host of new enemies accompanying the videotape threatens to exchange the pending cement boots for a millstone.

The majority of the new enemies are cardboard cutouts. The government and crime figures are not very believable. The motivation of Cole's major nemesis is sadly underplayed despite a potentially interesting beginning. Development of the characters is adequate, but the novel clearly hangs upon its action-oriented story. Thankfully, the plot has a few twists; however, the major surprise is really no surprise at all. The motivations of Cole's major nemesis and the "evil" government officials come off too pat for a really good story.

This is an acceptable, but undistinguished, book. Stylistically, it's nicely out together and pleasant to read. Rapid readers will enjoy its fast track style. There are no derailments to slow the reader down.

--Steve Nemmers