Bob Minzesheimer of USA Today recently explored a trend he calls "recessionary fiction." While focusing on Recessionistas by Alexandra Lebenthal, Bob profiled a number of novels that trace their roots to the economic meltdown of 2008.
The article mentioned both Top Producer and The Gods of Greenwich. Here's the section where I was quoted:
Vonnegut, 52, a former investment adviser turned writer (and a fourth cousin to the late novelist Kurt Vonnegut) says hard times inspire novelists.
"Bad times, whether financial or otherwise, generate anger. And writers are trying to bottle emotional experiences for their readers," he says. "Novelists can offer retribution to their readers. In Top Producer, I feed a Ponzi artist to three sharks in front of 500 people at the New England Aquarium."
"I bet (Bernie) Madoff's victims would cheer this solution."
The New York Times describes my novels as “money porn,” “a red-hot franchise,” and “glittery thrillers about fiscal malfeasance.” Through fiction I explore the dark side of money and the motivations of those who have it, want more, and will steamroll anybody who gets in their way.