Square Mile Tales by Tony Drury

 

                                       

Paperback:   210 pages

Genre: Autobiographical, Politics, Finance, Banking

Publisher: City Fiction 2023

Source:  The Author

First Sentence: It may seem unlikely but I was appointed to my Square Mile banking position when having coffee with my boss in the middle of Whipsnade Zoo, a few miles off the M1motorway.

Review Quote: The following four-star review was posted on Amazon 8 June 2023.

Over the last few years I’ve read a fair number of Tony Drury’s books and they’re all a good yarn. He certainly knows how to tell a good story. The difference here with Square Mile Tales, is that it’s not fiction – something that’s often hard to believe. Tony seems to have met anyone who’s anyone in The City and has stories about them to tell too. I wouldn’t say Tony was the best writer in the world but he is a great storyteller. I enjoyed this latest foray into autobiographical writing and think you will too.

My Opinion: I have read and always enjoyed this authors fiction writing, also having met him a few years ago I was curious to read his autobiography. Knowing a little of his background I was expecting it to be fascinating and informative.

This personal account of the financial and political turbulence of the last forty plus years was intriguing even with my minimal understanding and interest in such matters. The stories about the many thought provoking characters he has met during the course of his career are told with wit and humour.

I now feel I understand a little more about the world of city banking and politics, plus I throughly enjoyed the personal glimpses into his family life. An engaging account written by an interesting man. Worth reading.

My Reviews  Megan's Game   The Deal   Cholesterol   Novella Nostalgia Series

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads: 

Prepare yourself for a helta-skelta ride around the City of London.

Experience what media tycoon and fraudster Robert Maxwell was really like, up close. Imagine having dinner with controversial Conservative Member of Parliament Nadine Dorries, become enraged by the secret filming of Diana, Princess of Wales, puzzle at the appearance of Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith at Woburn Abbey and wonder why Ghislaine Maxwell hoped to meet the author at a party.

‘Square Mile Tales’ is the autobiography of a man who spent over forty years in banking and corporate finance, was awarded the coveted Fellowship of the (Chartered) Institute of Bankers, who wrote the text book on Finance House, who co-founded ProShare Investment Clubs and brought share ownership into the lives of many and who explained it all in his best-selling book on the subject.

Tremble with fear as the author was arrested by Chinese guards at the Hong Kong/Shenzhen border, as he was rushed to hospital in Beijing into the care of Dr Wang and how he became chairman of a Japanese media company to conclude an eventful career.

But ‘Square Mile Tales’ is much, much more as the author recalls his fifty-four years of marriage and the economic, political and social background, to the events dominating his years in the City of London.

Author Profile:         

Courtesy of City Fiction
 

Tony is the author of five DCI Sarah Rudd City thrillers. In each, he draws upon his career as a London financier to expose the underworld of dark practices and shadowy characters. None, however, are able to withstand the bravery and incisive detection methods of one of the police force’s bravest officers. Her juggling of career demands, husband, children and her own demons, make riveting reading.

He has written two more novels, which trace the early career of probationary police constable Sarah Whitson. In ‘On Scene and Dealing’ she meets her future husband Nick. In ‘Journey to the Crown’ she has a devastating affair with Dr Martin Redding. The final chapter jumps ahead to sample her future life as a private detective.

Tony has created an innovative series as a novella writer. Reflecting iconic cinema classics, his first is ‘Lunch with Harry’, which is inspired by ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’. Others include ‘Twelve Troubled Jurors’ (echoing ‘12 Angry Men’), ‘Forever on Thursdays’ (capturing the drama of ‘Brief Encounter’) and ‘The Man Who Hated’ (based on the Michael Douglas film, ‘Falling Down’).

He has written short-stories wherein the net proceeds go to HEART UK – The Cholesterol Charity. He is an ambassador for the charity.

In May 2023 City Fiction published Tony’s autobiography telling of his forty years working in the City of London.

Aged seventy-six, Tony is a follower of the wisdom of Albert Einstein: “When a man stops learning, he starts dying.” He lives in Bedford with his wife Judy. They value every trip down the M1 to Watford to be with Grandson Henry..

Photographs and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites:

 City Fiction Publishing - Website    Tony Drury on Twitter

Tony Drury - Amazon Author Page      Goodreads Profile

Cholesterol by Tony Drury

Paperback: 256 pages                                                                                                  
Genre: Thriller, Romantic Suspense,
Publisher: City Fiction June 2013
Source: City Fiction
First Sentence: His chest was exposed and there were electrodes attached to his skin.
Main Characters: Adrian Dexter, DCI Sarah Rudd
Setting: London
My Opinion: A thriller with some romance that will keep you intrigued. Once again, this prolific author has produced a novel with a story that is compelling enough to make it a worthwhile read, especially if you are a fan of his writing or romantic suspense in general.


Other Tony Drury Titles Reviewed:  Megan's Game   The Deal

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

Adrian Dexter is a corporate financier struggling through the turbulence of recession in 2012. Far away from the City of London, the love of his life waits for him in Johannesburg – as does his mortal enemy and notorious South African fraudster, Nigel de Groot. When Adrian meets the beautiful Helen Greenwood and they embark on a passionate affair, he begins to feel young again. But his new found happiness is about to be rudely interrupted. A business merger, an unexpected pregnancy, a kidnapping, a royal ambush – suddenly Adrian’s life is spiralling out of control. Will DCI Sarah Rudd save the day by solving a killer’s cryptic clue? And then, of course, there’s those nasty fatty deposits lurking beneath the surface


Author Profile:

Tony is the author of five DCI Sarah Rudd City thrillers. In each, he draws upon his career as a London financier to expose the underworld of dark practices and shadowy characters. None, however, are able to withstand the bravery and incisive detection methods of one of the police force’s bravest officers. Her juggling of career demands, husband, children and her own demons, make riveting reading.

He has now written two more novels which trace the early career of probationary police constable Sarah Whitson. In ‘On Scene and Dealing’ she meets her future husband Nick. In ‘Journey to the Crown’ she has a devastating affair with Dr Martin Redding. The final chapter jumps ahead to sample her future life as a private detective.

Tony has created an innovative series as a novella writer. Reflecting iconic cinema classics, his first is ‘Lunch with Harry’, which is inspired by ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’. Others to follow include ‘Twelve Troubled Jurors’ (echoing ‘12 Angry Men’) and ‘Forever on Thursdays’ (capturing the drama of ‘Brief Encounter’).

He writes short-stories wherein the net proceeds go to HEART UK – The Cholesterol Charity. He is an ambassador for the charity.

Aged seventy, Tony is a follower of the wisdom of Albert Einstein: “When a man stops learning, he starts dying.” He lives in Bedford with his wife Judy. They value every trip down the M1 to Watford to be with Grandson Henry.


Photographs, Trailer and Biographical Information courtesy of the following sites.

Tony Drury - Facebook   City Fiction - Facebook   Twitter - mrtonydrury

Goodreads - Author Profile     Tony Drury - Official Author Website    Amazon Author Page

The Deal by Tony Drury

Paperback: 248 pages                                                                                                 
Genre:Romantic thriller
Publisher: City Fiction 2012
Source: The author's publicist in return for an honest and unbiased review.
First Sentence: Ascent...yes, ascent, he pondered, as he quietly relayed the melody in his mind.
My Opinion: Having thoroughly enjoyed Megan's Game the debut novel from this author, I was delighted to be given the opportunity to read and review The Deal his second novel.
This is a romantic thriller, a genre appeals to many, an easy read that keeps you turning the pages as the plot builds. The setting in the financial district and a publishing house I found of particular interest.

Précis Courtesy of Goodreads:

The pressure is on for corporate financier Oliver Chatham. As the City languishes in recession, he is under contract to raise two million pounds for a publishing company.
But it’s not only money at stake – if he is successful, Amanda Wavering, woman of his dreams and sister of the publishing house’s chief executive, will consummate their relationship; if he fails, no deal.
As if this wasn’t challenge enough, Oliver’s finance house becomes caught up in a battle of ferocious egos, as new bloods battle with the old guard for the future of the business. While old school boss Charles Harriman fights his own demons and the terrifying kidnap of his child, fearless corporate researcher Sara Flemming takes her reputation – and her life – right to the edge in her bid to expose the dodgy dealings of a Russian mafioso.
Will Oliver get what he bargained for – or will he learn the hard way that you should never mix sex and the City?



Author Profile

Biography in the Author's own words, Courtesy of Goodreads.

I was born in Birmingham and being the son of a Bank Manager I started my career in banking. In the 1960′s job security was very important. I joined the Midland Bank, Kidderminster, where I married the manager’s secretary Judy.

I was transferred to a Birmingham branch and from there my career changed. I joined a Secondary Bank much to the dismay of my parents.

In 1973 I was moved to London and promptly ran into the Secondary Banking Crisis and did well to keep my job I realised I was intellectually limited (ok: thick), so I wrote the text book on Finance Houses. It was published by Robert Maxwell who offered me a job as Managing Director of Waterlow Publishers. A year later he told me to “f**k off”, but he paid my contract.

The next ten years were spent building up a financial publishing company which went onto the stock market. I managed to buy the local squash club as well. I also had partnerships in a print company and a design studio. This experience was all very helpful in my career at the present time.

By now, I had written six financial books, the best being ‘Investment Clubs: the low risk way to stock market profits’, which was sponsored by Barclays Stockbrokers and sold 25,000 copies.

I set-up ‘ProShare’ in the early 1990′s to help shareholders form Investment Clubs.

St. Helen’s Capital was born in 1998 and by 2006 I had built it into the most successful PLUS Markets advisory firm.

I sold out of St. Helen’s in 2006 and promptly walked into the latest recession which virtually wiped me out.

I am still married to Judy (pictured). We have a son Chris and a daughter Emma, a son-in-law Simon (a barrister) and a daughter-in-law, Samantha. Chris and Samantha have now given us our first grandchild, Henry, who is the most gorgeous baby ever and I love him to bits.

I worked hard for the Conservative Party and was an Association Chairman and a County Councillor. I left when David Cameron betrayed the Party by entering into a totally unnecessary Coalition with the Lib-Dems (minority Government was staring him in the face). However, I have now rejoined in support of Andrew Selous, our local MP.

On my 60th Birthday, I decided I needed a new hobby, something a bit less energetic. I started writing fiction, mainly because I’ve spent most of my life telling stories. ‘Megan’s Game’ was my first book, which took five years to write and it was published in May 2012, followed by ‘The Deal’ in October 2012 and then ‘Cholesterol’ in June 2013. Very excited that my fourth novel ‘A Flash Of Lightning’ was released on the 21st November 2013 and most recently, 'The Lady Who Turned' was published in September 2014.

A bit of luck came my way and some producers who had read ‘Megan’s Game’ said they would like to make it into a film……..The script is now written and the film will be released in 2014. The producers loved the locations, Aberdovey in Wales, the City of London and the South of France.

Another film company in London has just bought the rights to my fourth novel 'A Flash Of Lightning' and is currently in development.



Photographs and biographical information courtesy of the following sites.

Tony Drury- Facebook   Amazon Author Profile   Official Author Website - Tony Drury

Twitter Profile   City Fiction Publishing - FB Page    City Fiction Publishing - Website    

 Goodreads Author Profile

Megan's Game by Tony Drury

                                                            

Paperback:  247 pages
Genre: Romantic Thriller
Publisher: City Fiction 2012
Source: Tywyn Public Library
First Sentence: The early morning sky was unusually cloudy as Lance Corporal Rhys Williams of the 1st Battalion, The Welsh Guards, tried to cushion his body from the bumps inflicted by the uneven and dusty road leading back towards southern Basra.
Review Quote: 'Tony Drury's crime/romance/finance exposé packs a punch' Money Maker Magazine.
My Opinion:  Fun to read.


I had never heard of this author before his début novel was recommended to me by one of the district nurses' that looked after my husband last Spring. However now I have I will most certainly be reading the other titles he has already published including the most recent 'A Flash of Lightning'. 

This romantic thriller was such fun to read, especially so for me as much of the novel is set in the beautiful region I am fortunate enough to now call home. I enjoy reading books set in surroundings that I am familiar with, an extra bonus for a change to be able to picture places without imagination. Do not get me wrong though I get much pleasure from using my imagination when reading normally, the very reason I always read the book before seeing the film. As a matter of fact I think this novel would convert well to television or big screen, but then I am bias, the scenery alone is stunning without the romance and mystery. (Note - I have just seen on the author's FB page that Megan's Game is being made into a film, I could not be more thrilled!). Tony Drury's personal knowledge of the world of finance and the region in Wales where the story is partly set has made for a plot that flows smoothly throughout.

Megan of the title is a young war widow still trying to come to terms with the death of her husband in Basra. Living in the beautiful Cardigan Bay area of Wales, she works as a sports teacher in a village school and at a local Outward Bound Centre. Her life changes one weekend when she plays in a local tennis tournament, finding herself partnered with a local holiday home owner. Megan and her partner David get on well together and there is an immediate spark of attraction between them. However his life is mainly in London where he is immersed in the world of  finance, very different from Megan's life in Wales. With two such different lifestyles can a relationship between them ever work?  To complicate things further David is preoccupied with the suspicious activities of a city broker and even finds himself a suspect in a murder enquiry. How can he ever hope to have a successful love affair with Megan? The odds are certainly against them getting the happy ever after ending. 

Anyway as I have already said this was fun to read, a successful mix of two genres that had me reading way past after the lights should have been turned out!  An impressive début from an author that will appeal to a wide cross section of readers.


A fabulous trailer for the book!





Author Profile

Tony is a corporate financier based in the City of London, he is a Fellow of the Institute of Bankers and a Member of the Securities Institute. He has written extensively over the years and is particularly well known for his financial and political books. He blogs weekly for www.enterprisebritain.com - both in his name and that of his alter ego, Mr. Angry.

He decided to pursue his love for fictional novels by becoming a Romantic Thriller Writer and in May 2012 released his first book 'Megan's Game' which is being released as 'Megan's Game' - The Film.

Tony Drury is also a fully elected member of the Romantic Novelists' Association. 

Read his fuller biography here 

The biographical information and photo used in this post are with thanks to the following websites, where you can also find more information about the author and his writing.


You Tube    Tony Drury - Facebook   Amazon Author Profile   Official Author Website - Tony Drury

Twitter Profile   City Fiction Publishing - FB Page    City Fiction Publishing - Website