Chasing Money: A Marty and Bo Thriller

Balter introduces bumbling Oregonian business partners Marty Schott and Bo Bishop in this enjoyable debut caper and series launch. When the action kicks off, Marty, Bo, and their silent partner Nico are strapped to kitchen chairs in “a shabby little wood cabin about 20 miles west of Mt. Hood.” The group had intended to pitch a venture capitalist on their startup, Paladin; when they showed up to the meeting, however, they were kidnapped by a gun-toting trio and brought to the cabin. With Marty, Bo, and Nico restrained, a Russian man demands $10 million and a valuable painting, both of which, he says, the captives have stolen. Marty and Bo have no idea what he’s talking about, but after one of the thugs kills Nico, they manage to temporarily talk their way out of their fix. The Russian agrees to give Marty and Bo a few days to get the money and artwork back to him; if they don’t, they’re dead. From there, Balter’s heroes embark on a picaresque quest to find the painting and scrape together the money that grows funnier and more surprising every step of the way. Balter’s gift for pacing and dialogue make this a series to watch. (Self-published)