Author: Dan Buzzetta

Publisher: Severn River Publishing

ISBN: 978-1-64875-633-7

In Dan Buzzetta's The Manipulator, we are immediately taken in by the first ominous scene. A man known only as Nino lounges on his spectacular yacht, M/Y Vulcania, docked near Malta, and he is conducting a phone call that is more of an ultimatum than a conversation. 

He asks the man on the other end if he is ready to assist him; for reasons of leverage we don't yet grasp, and the only possible answer is yes. 

Only later do the identities snap into place: Nino is Cosimo Benedetto, the covert mastermind of a sophisticated global criminal syndicate—hugely profitable, immensely powerful, and responsible for unspeakable, heinous crimes—and the caller is Ignatius Balatoni, a highly respected attorney and one of the founders of the elite New York firm Balatoni, Cartel, & Colin (BCC). 

With that single exchange, Buzzetta threads a sinister wire between the worlds of crime and the law that will hum throughout the book.

The narrative then centers on the novel's pivotal protagonist, C. Thomas (Tom) Berte is a brilliant Harvard-educated attorney. Tom has spent seven years as an associate at BCC. 

At the outset, he is engaged in defending alongside one of his firm's partners, AMX Corporation. The case appears unfavorable for BCC, and by all accounts, they are on the losing end.

Tom is summoned one morning to Ignatius Balatoni's office. Having met Ignatius only once before, during law school recruiting, Tom feels nervous and uncertain about the purpose of the meeting. Ignatius, a widely respected attorney known as "The Pope," informs Tom that he has recommended him for the position of Executive Deputy Attorney General. 

This key role involves managing the Justice Department's daily operations and reporting directly to the Attorney General, a former partner at BCC. 

The appointment is presented as a significant career advancement, one that could significantly strengthen Tom's credentials before he returns to BCC, possibly as a partner.

Tom accepts the position, unaware that his choice will trigger a meticulously planned chain of events orchestrated by someone he barely knows—events that will profoundly impact both his life and his wife's. 

At Tom's going-away party, and as the festivities wind down, Ignatius lowers his voice to warn Tom that the new role will uncover disturbing truths that might be better left hidden. 

Ignatius whispers that this situation was not his decision alone to make, ending their conversation with a trailing mumble that leaves Tom—and the reader—wondering about the secrets soon to surface and who truly controls the unfolding events.

Previously, when Tom told his mother about accepting the job, her noticeable lack of enthusiasm raised doubts in his mind, suggesting she may harbor concerns or reservations about this new chapter, prompting readers to question the reasons behind her subdued reaction.

Buzzetta further salts the yarn with personal details that hint at deeper entanglements. We learn that Tom was raised by his mother, who told him his father died in an accident before he was born. 

She worked as a bookkeeper, and despite modest appearances, they never lacked for money—something Tom never thought to question.

Tom's first assignment with the Justice Department arrives with chilling grandeur: he is tasked with leading a team empowered to dismantle Cosimo Benedetto's empire. 

However, tension emerges immediately when his assigned FBI partner, Special Agent Bruce Young, reveals a jealous disdain toward taking direction from a newcomer. 

As the story progresses, Young's resentment takes a dangerous and calculated turn, threatening Tom's career and freedom, and adding a layer of suspense that keeps the reader on edge.

Buzzetta masterfully maintains reader interest in The Manipulator by deliberately scattering a rich array of speculative clues and unresolved tensions that keep the narrative charged with mystery and suspicion.

His use of narrative techniques, such as the ambiguous phone call between Nino (Cosimo Benedetto) and Ignatius Balatoni, hints at layered alliances and covert power plays whose full implications gradually emerge, compelling readers to piece together the hidden motivations and webs of influence behind this ominous exchange.

He further sustains intrigue by threading subtle inconsistencies and enigmatic details through the story—such as Tom's mother's muted reaction to his career move, the undisclosed source of the family's monetary support, and Ignatius's cryptic warnings that "disturbing truths" lie ahead, suggesting malevolent forces at work beyond what Tom initially perceives. 

These narrative elements invite readers into a continuous process of questioning what is truly driving Tom's appointment, who holds genuine control over events, and what sacrifices are quietly demanded.

Additionally, interpersonal dynamics, like Special Agent Bruce Young's palpable resentment and the tension between Tom's professional duty and ethical dilemmas, add layers of suspense as motivations remain unclear and the stakes escalate unpredictably. 

Buzzetta's technique of introducing partial revelations and shadowy hints encourages readers to anticipate surprises and stay vigilant for shifting allegiances, thereby keeping the plot taut. 

The reader is actively engaged in deciphering the unfolding conspiracy, making them an integral part of the narrative.

The Manipulator offers an exciting exploration of power and ambition, packed with unexpected twists. Buzzetta's engaging storytelling will keep you guessing until the very end.

Follow Here To Read Norm's Interview With  Dan Buzzetta