Morals Clause
Author: John E. Riddle
3.5 out of 5 stars
Entrepreneur Sam Barns, has built a thriving travel tech business, and he’s ready to sell it and move onto a new business idea. After multiple offers, he sells his compay to Southern Industeries and agrees to sign a management contract to stay with the company for three years. However, Jack Blackwell, the CEO of Southern Industeries, sets up a situation that lets him claim that Sam broke the morals clause in his contract. Blackwell the fires Sam and pays him none fo the millions that Sam is owed. Sam refuses to back down and files a lawsuit that ends up taking years and Jack Blackwell is more than willing to resort to threats and violence to get what he wants.
This fast-paced plot is about the determination and patience it takes to go up against a billion dollar corporation. The story focuses more on the actions Sam takes as different things happen. While it mentions that the family is under a strain during the lawsuit, it’s not the focus of the story. There are many court room scenes and lawyer meetings., but there is also a little bit of action, like when Sam is attacked at one point.
The first chapter sets the story up as if Sam is telling us the story of how he’s ended up where he has. It was an interesting way to do it, and sometimes it did feel like someone was telling me a story with how it transitioned between chapters and the lack of details about other characters. He’s mostly sticking to the facts of what happened with a bit of reflection.
Sam is a former marine who’s become very business savvy. He’s earned millions as an entrepreneur. He just wants the money he’s owed from Blackwell. Jack Blackwell is willing to do anything to get out of paying Sam his money, even though hes probably spending just as much money on lawyers. There are times when he loses his composure very quickly ad basically throws temper tantrums. I thought it was a bit odd, but if he’s so used to not having someone stand up to him, then it makes sense.
The side characters are fairly one-dimensional. Everyone Sam hires to help him is competent, but we never learn much about them otherwise. His wife trusts him to make the right decisions, but the lawsuit ad threats do put a strain on her. However, we don’t know much about her besides being a devoted wife and mother, and she’s a good real estate agent. And all we learn about their son it that he’s good at golf. I would have preferred to see them more fleshed out.
Overall, I liked the book but there were some elements I didn’t like, mostly the lacking characterization. I decided to rate it 3.5 out of 5 stars. It also just wasn’t my cup of tea. Someone who likes courtroom dramas might like it more. I did check out the story description of the sequel, and it seems a bit more up my alley, so I might check it out.
Price through Amazon Kindle: $0.99
Link to buy: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DMQPCQM
(I do not benefit from the use of this link.)