Product Details

• Published on: 2000-09-21
• Formats: Audiobook, Unabridged
• Binding: Audio Cassette

Amazon.co.uk Review
It's hardly surprising that John McLaren has already sold the film rights to Black Cabs (along with his earlier Press Send), as this powerful thriller moves with the velocity of an action-packed movie. Using three London cabbies as his protagonists, the uncompromising picture of London life on both sides of the river is idiosyncratic and astringent.

When three cabbies attempt to make a killing on the stock market by eavesdropping on the plans of a corporate magnate to engineer a huge take-over, they find they have taken on the sinister might of international banking community. The beleaguered heroes, Len, Terry and Einstein, soon find the sharp suits they are up against have no scruples about using extreme violence to protect their interests--a top financial executive is discovered dead in the back of a cab, and the boys are forced to investigate a monumental cover-up. A further turn of the screw is provided by Len's desperation for the money--on which his daughter's life depends.

McLaren, who was once a banking director, has an insider's knowledge of the financial world and is particularly cutting when it comes to fiscal shenanigans: "the predator has to join in the auction or walk away beaten. In the testosterone-ridden, ego-filled world of big business, succeeding with a hostile bid is one of the most admired martial arts". --Barry Forshaw

Review
Failed footballer and black cab driver Len desperately needs money for his seriously ill daughter. He and his cabbie mates Terry and Einstein hatch an ingenious scam: through eavesdropping on the scheming conversations of city investment bankers in the back of their cabs, they learn about a huge takeover at Skidder Barton, an ailing corporate sector company and plot to benefit themselves from the information. An excellent, fast-paced financial thriller from the author of Press Send that brings the bankers of London's Square Mile and the 'Robin Hood' cabbies to life in a battle of self-interest vs solidarity. (Kirkus UK)

Daily Telegraph
'The premise of the story is delicious'

Customer Reviews

Lightweight trash but very entertaining trash
A very good premise - cabbies listening in on the conversations of their city clients - turned into a pretty good story. The quality of the writing is above average for this type of thriller although the dialogue is a little clunky at times.

I thoroughly enjoyed this - it kept me entertained for much of a long flight. It was certainly good enough to encourage me to read his other books.

Hopping into a cab isnt the same anymore!
I was simply blown away by the elementary nature of the premise John has used to craft this awesome tale. Since I am an investment banker myself and travel in black cabs often, I was forced to squirm a bit with a flashback to any ocassion when I might have "helped" the cabbie! I generally am averse to reading long novels as my attention span keeps waning if not engrossed very quickly but with Black Cabs I didnt want it to end! I am sure a lot of cabbies will owe John hefty tuition fees for teaching them this new fine art of eavesdropping! Black Cabs is the best airport purchase I have ever made!

Fantastic plot with many twists and turns
John McLaren is a master of capturing a reader's mind and imagination... this book has so many tiwsts and sub-plots in it that the reader doesn't know where the story is going. The plot fits so well together, with City executives pitting themselves against the humble London cabbie. Excellent stuff!