by David Sirota
First published 2006
David works as a mortgage broker in California's booming real estate market. He spends his days structuring deals for clients who stretch their finances to buy homes they can barely afford. The commissions look good, but David starts questioning the ethics of his profession when he sees families losing their life savings. His colleague Maria warns him about predatory lending practices, while his boss pressures him to close more high-risk loans. David faces a choice between his financial security and his conscience. As the market shows signs of instability, he must decide whether to stay in a system he no longer believes in or find a new path forward. This story examines the human cost of financial speculation.
Genres: fiction, business, contemporary, 21st-century, finance
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: conscience-vs-profit, moral-dilemma, redemption
Setting: California
Period: 21st-century
491 pages · Paperback · Kaplan Publishing