I’ve heard a lot about Marc Elsberg’s best-selling novels: “Blackout”, “Zero” and “Helix”, so when I was offered a review of his latest book “Greed”, I decided without hesitation. The novel hooks up with genres such as crime, sensation and thriller.

The plot of the book

The plot is set in a time of crisis, which capitalism has led to. The society, which has had enough of the inequality in the distribution of goods and the poverty affecting them from all sides, decides to take to the streets and start protesting. What’s more, it seems that in a moment banks will go bankrupt, access to hard-earned savings will be severely restricted, international crises will start to emerge. The worst part is that there is a little fool of privileged people who can and will benefit from it, regardless of the ubiquitous poverty of the majority. But what remains is a small spark of hope, the famous Nobel Prize winner Herbert Thompson and his colleague are working on a formula to ensure access to prosperity for all citizens. The scientist was supposed to share his thoughts with eminent individuals during his speech at the Berlin summit, but an unfortunate accident (is it definitely an accident? Or maybe measured actions) causes a man to die in a car accident and thus does not reach the conference. Fortunately, there remains a witness to the accident, who is accidentally caught up in a dangerous game, drawn in by dangerous and dangerous people. Will he have the strength and determination to find out what this is all about and show the world the secret formula? Or maybe at some point he will have to give up and hide in a mysterious place to survive? You will find the answer to this question in the book.

What can we expect?

“Greed”, despite its large volume, almost 500 pages, is read very quickly because of the short chapters that the book consists of. In addition, the whole is divided into 7 parts, separating the main plot phrases.

Those who wonder if it will not be too difficult for them because it touches upon the subject of the economic crisis and thus presents many mathematical, economic and sometimes even physical theories, can reach for it calmly. Although these theories are being evaluated there, for the needs of one of the characters, who is not quite familiar with the scientific world, it is translated and explained in a more accessible way, and even enriched with drawings in some places. Also, as you can see, the author made sure that everyone could assimilate the reading and enjoy it.

One of the things that surprised me in the book were the protagonists, none of them seem to be so expressive as to be somehow specially memorable to me, but looking at the whole thing, they made up a harmonious team and perceived it as a whole, they are very much in the best possible way. Maybe the author is nice to show here that it’s not individuals that are important, but society in general, and that as a society the protagonists fight to reveal the truth and improve the life situation of others. These may be too far-reaching conclusions, but I take it this way, and each of you may have your own opinion on the subject.

Summary

To sum up, the book is engaging, but not to the extent that it is hard to put it off. Overall it is good and certainly worth reading. The big advantage is that it presents a different background than a typical detective story, it also raises social issues. The ending itself is also very specific, almost like the last sentence of Elsberg, gives us food for thought, and by the way it explains to us where the title “Greed” comes from. Until the very end, I was wondering what I left out of the book, since I cannot decipher how the title relates to the plot.

After reading “Greed”, I think I would like to reach for one of the author’s previous positions and see if they are as good and deep as this one. I haven’t decided yet which one it will be “Blackout”, “Zero” or “Helix”, but I will, I’m sure, share my opinion about it with you.

Where to buy a book?

In this box, you can find the most favorable offers for you in stores offering this particular book