The Arena

Two Americans, who have a successful healthcare software company, want to branch out into the European market seeking distributors in Italy and Spain. The Americans run on guts and nerve and little understanding of Europe. The Italian Giancarlo is from the stifling upper class of Rome, with unsavory political connections. He decides to steal the proprietary information from the Americans and use it to establish a new business. The Spaniard Enrico has a growing healthcare software business and sees the Americans and their products as complimentary and exciting partnership. Through negotiations -and cultural stumbling- Ed and Gannon succeed in getting the distribution contracts. At the end of the negotiations, Ed goes to Italy to visit a customer, but dies. By who? Whom can Gannon trust? He forms a tentative alliance with the Spaniard. With Ed's death, the FBI pursues Gannon's potential responsibility for his death, since he is the beneficiary. Gannon deals with his insecurities, the Italian and the U.S. government as he tries to piece back his shattered world. How does he explain this to his family and keep them safe? He feels as if in an arena, not knowing who is the beast and who is the matador. The fast paced conclusion culminates in the mountains of Utah, a showdown of nerves and intelligence.
About the Author: John spent over 25 years in international business. During the long trips he always had time to observe and write about the places he visited. Out of these he has crafted many stories. John fills his stories with unusual characters from far-away lands and exotic situations. It's the American who has the stressful time as the protagonist. John's style tends to be murder mystery and business intrigue, but he has also ventured into Science Fiction as well. John has been writing for many years sharing his work with family and close friends. Several encouraged him to pursue a more serious writing endeavor, but the family and job that paid the bills left little room for serious writing time, let alone an agent and publisher. Now that John and his wife Prudence have escaped corporate life he's decided to engage writing more seriously and pursue getting his work published, primarily through Amazon's Kindle. Thanks for taking an interest in his writing adventures!