Just finished reading 'Numbered Account' and wow, what a ride! The banking backdrop felt so fresh compared to typical spy thrillers. I could practically smell the polished mahogany desks and hear the hushed Swiss bank whispers.

What really grabbed me was how Reich makes finance thrilling - who knew numbered accounts could be this suspenseful? The protagonist's journey from ordinary banker to uncovering dark secrets had me flipping pages way past bedtime.

The flashback technique is genius! Instead of dragging the story backward, Reich propels it forward while filling in backstory. It's like getting puzzle pieces that immediately click into place rather than sorting through a jumbled box.

Some pacing wobbles here and there - a few transitions felt abrupt - but when the tension hits, it hits hard. That scene with the nuclear threat over Israel? Chillingly plausible, especially reading it post-9/11.

The prose sparkles in moments too. That opening line about 'glowing pearls' stayed with me - such a vivid way to describe city lights from a banker's perspective. Reich clearly knows his banking world inside out.

While not perfect (some characters could use more depth), it's that rare thriller that educates as it entertains. After this, I'm definitely checking out Reich's other works. If you want Wall Street meets Jason Bourne, this delivers!