"Don't miss this gripping and powerful novel."

"Money Matters lets us taste the rich flavor of the many small worlds of Southern California through the adventures of the two highly likable main characters, a white middle-class young woman and an Americanized illegal Mexican young man. Mix in a murder mystery, drug cartels, dirty politics, a Yuppie sister, falling apart parents, and a lot of mouth-watering meals, and I guarantee you'll have a great read."

"A riveting narrative."

“Money Matters is a fast-paced thriller wrapped in the complexities of current world politics with a broad network of characters speaking the languages of Southern California."

"Does it matter whether you have money? This is the question posed by Brian Finney’s delightfully well-written novel. The narrator, Jenny, has two part-time jobs and earns a paltry $30,000 a year. She is happy with this until she is unfairly evicted from her apartment and is obliged to move in with her older sister Tricia, a hard-driving real estate agent who sells houses in Venice, California and has no sympathy for her sister’s lack of ambition. Jenny is the more likeable of the two, because, unlike the self-centred Tricia, she readily extends a helping hand to friends, one such friend being Felicia, housekeeper to a millionaire businessman named Todd for whom Jenny does part-time flower maintenance. Todd’s brother is running for Governor and is promising to bring illegal immigration from Mexico to an end. A subplot involves Miguel, Felicia’s niece, who runs afoul of the immigration authorities. Jenny seeks the help of Eduardo, the CEO of an immigrant rights organization, to whom she is strongly attracted. Jenny finds that money does matter, but so does kindness to others. Traditionally, literature has a twofold purpose: to delight and instruct. Finney’s narrator Jenny delights us by being lively, interesting, kind and compassionate; and she provides an instructive account of how the authorities are persecuting illegal Mexican immigrants. Money Matters compels the reader’s attention from beginning to end and is highly recommended to anyone who enjoys reading contemporary fiction."

"In Jenny Carter, Brian Finney has created a uniquely contemporary protagonist: a millennial couch-surfing amateur sleuth who finds herself in a swirl of corrupt politics, a deadly international drug cartel and romances lost and found. Money Matters is an enjoyable read and a real page-turner that I highly recommend."

"The book is wonderful. Written so well and interesting. Really loved it and saved it to read again."

"Brian Finney creates a mystery novel that hooks the reader from the opening chapter in Money Matters. Jenny Carter is 27-year-old living with sister in Venice, California after being evicted from her apartment. The two sisters are complete opposite as Tricia is obsessed with money and status and Jenny is more passive and believes in helping others. It’s through her willingness to put others before herself that finds her in the mix of corrupt politics, social matters, and dangerous cartel business when her friend Felicia comes to her and asks her to look into finding a missing friend. Finney creates a protagonist that is kind, compassionate and as a strong sense to help those in trouble. The story was a quick read as you dive deeper into Jenny’s world and that of current events that are going on such as immigration rights. The characters and dialogue felt natural and were developed nicely throughout the story. If you’re a mystery lover and in need of a good novel that keep you on your toes this is the book for you. I’m definitely going to be looking into more novels from the author as I found the book to be a page turner in excitement and thrills."

"In Brian Finney's novel Money Matters, Jenny agrees to help her coworker look into a missing person. What she thinks will be a quick visit to a landlord eventually leads her to discover darker connections between Republican candidates, drug cartels, undocumented workers, and more. The story is well-plotted, with plenty of moving pieces and different agendas. With a part-time gig watching surveillance tapes and another watering plants, Jenny's an unlikely sleuth. I felt like she took this challenge mostly because she was bored. But she stumbles into more information, and can't let it go. She keeps uncovering new layers and new connections, turning her look into a missing ex-girlfriend into a high-stakes international drama. As she investigates, Jenny discovers more strength in herself, too. Selfishness and money motivate the antagonists to do horrible things, a realistic motive, although some of the villains were a little too mustache-twirlingly evil for me. Jenny -- and the reader -- could always tell who's good and who's evil, because there's not a lot of grey here. The plot really highlights the haves and have-nots in our society. Jenny, who's just getting by on part-time work, sees both the extreme wealth of CEOs and political candidates, and the constant financials struggles of Felicia, Miguel and other undocumented workers. Money is power here, with wealthy men able to make problems disappear, and undocumented workers powerless to get their full paychecks. This doesn't just set the conflict in motion, it helps Jenny discover what she needs, too, and grow from being shruggy and accepting, to a young woman determining her own goals. At times, the characters are told, not shown, to the reader. For example, hard-working Felicia is described as "fiercely independent" more than once, but we only really see her asking Jenny for help and asking her what to do next. Still, I laughed at the descriptions of slacker Gary, Jenny's "boyfriend" who really just wants to get stoned and play games. The final pages are a letter from a young man who was deported back to a country he can't remember. This brings the story back from an investigative adventure to a reminder of the very real human cost of deportation."

"What does money have to do with integrity? Clearly money cannot buy either honesty or integrity but it’s used to highlight the underside of politics in Brian Finney’s novel Money Matters, a novel of “illegal” immigrants being deported without due process, and the politicians who put them in that place for personal profit. So how does a naïve protagonist, still finding her way in the world, become the heroine of such a story? Her two jobs, the disappearance of a generous woman, and her friendship with the maid of a man whose plants she tends all play a role. While resolving the mystery of Susan, who disappeared, she encounters corrupt politicians and a Baja drug cartel. She also finds both her spine and her voice. Set during the election of 2010 in Southern California, this is a story about right and wrong, about money and corruption, about rights, gutsiness, and the cleverness of a woman without much to lose—except her love. A touch of romance and a bit of sibling rivalry round out the story, which goes beyond either mystery or thriller to encompass political issues that have only gotten more fierce and frightening since the 2010 election. This is a timely tale as well as an entertaining one. Author Brian Finney has written eight non-fiction books. Born in England, he taught at the University of London as well as four universities in Southern California."

"Incredibly smart, current, witty, lively and well-paced."

"This was a very well done story. The blending of fiction and non-fiction was great and it pulled me in. It pains me to see just how many injustices there are in this world, but it also gives me hopes to know that there are plenty of people fighting for what's right. Love will always find a way."

"Brian Finney's novel Money Matters presents the big-ticket issues of serious inequality that affect all of us in today's teetering America, including immigration policy, political corruption, wage disparities, personal relationships, individual morality, and more, as experienced by a cast of characters whose lives, like all of ours, are impacted significantly by the small and large choices of daily life. And there's a love story too! The reader becomes increasingly aware that in all things that matter, we sometimes have to jump into the heart of danger to find safety."

"Money Matters is that rare breed, a socially-conscious detective story, in which author Brian Finney skillfully inserts himself into the thoughts of his characters, shifting voice from a young female security investigator to a distraught Mexican immigrant without missing a beat. He navigates the many faces of a not-long-ago Los Angeles, from shadowy underworld to trendy Venice Beach to the corrupt halls of power. It’s a good, quick read that leaves the lasting impression of a population searching for identity in a society fighting for its own soul."

"I was hooked from the first few pages and then couldn't stop reading. The focus is on a 26 year old woman who is trying to find herself and her place in the world. Her values are stellar and in diametrically opposed views from many of the other characters. This book takes on issues of immigration and current sociological problems and incorporates them in a stirring, suspense story that culminates beautifully at the books end. I couldn't recommend more highly."

"First: full disclosure. The author is married to a distant relative of mine and I count him a friend. Second: it's gratifying to see so many positive reviews, both for Brian's sake and because the book deserves it on merit. Third: I wouldn't be writing this if I did not believe the novel is worthy of all the praise that the other reviewers have heaped on it. The interweaving of the mystery elements and the political elements is very skillfully done. Perhaps the most impressive thing is that a professor emeritus (he's even older than I am!) has so successfully found his way into the mind of a 27-year-old of the opposite sex. Fourth: I read it in a single sitting. Make sure you have time when you pick it up: it's hard to put down."

Wonderful book - read it and recommend it to your friends. They will thank you.

"Money Matters by Brian Finney is an engaging read. Finney asks a compelling question in the title – does money matter and for what purpose? The novel combines mystery and romance against a backdrop of today's political reality and a "coming to self" story of a young woman. The question is examined in the contrasting characters of the heroine Jenny and her cynical, money-hungry sister. The “mystery” also explores the question of what matters while addressing a timely topic – immigration and the powerful super rich. Finney did a great job in making Venice and other parts of LA come alive with specific details that draw the reader into place. And I eagerly read as Jenny unravels the mystery and finds personal conviction to answer the question about what really does matter."

"Wow, what a story! What a thrilling experience, filled with fast paced action, a hint of romance and an amazing life changing journey! From the beginning, we can relate to the protagonist, who seems to be at a crossroads in her life, not content with herself, spinning around in circles inside the same old story, and yet never finding the courage to step up and speak up. Haven’t we all experienced that, at some point in our lives? A little bit too cozy in our small comfort zone, afraid of facing the wonders and, inevitably, the dangers of a life worth living…. Well, for Jenny is a lot harder to find the courage, constantly living in the shadow (and in the apartment) of her sister - a super modern, super sexy, collagen filled and silicon enhanced Barbie, which inherited her fierce attitude from her father. The two sisters have very different views on life, which often causes them to fight about everything. But when a friend entrusts Jenny with finding the truth about a colleague, that somehow seems to awaken her hidden resources and she starts to stand up for herself, starting with leaving Gary. This is the first sign of her independence and she wants more, enjoying a new and exciting high. She seems to be waking up from a long and numbing slumber and soon is forced to confront the powerful forces that are swirling around her - the world of the rich and powerful. She experiences a hurtful truth, the fact that everybody can be easily dismissed as nothing and can be already forgotten even before leaving the building. With that painful realization in mind, she embarks on a journey of self discovery and she finds hidden strengths inside herself, such as standing up to three powerful and vicious men – she, a part time flower girl. Well, don’t we all know it – only after hitting rock bottom you are able to rise again, step out of your comfort zone and change your life around. If you are looking for an amazing book that will keep you glued to the page all weekend, Money Matters by Brian Finney is the one!"

"This story was truly touching and I love that I have access to cultural exposure in books. On the outside looking in the outside always looks better, I love how this novel highlights the importance of family, love, and the real value of money as well as the feelings and struggles of being an Immigrant. I found myself loving more books that dive into cultural realities that I'm not exposed into often. I grew close to the character Jenny because she reminds me of myself because she is selfless, caring, and passionate."

"This might be called a political novel as it revolves around current events and the impact of current political policy. I had not read a novel in quite some time, and am happy to recommend this novel as it is so well done."

"I really enjoyed reading this mystery thriller! It's a definite page turner that feels very culturally relevant in the current politics."

MONEY MATTERS is a thriller with something important to say about life in today's world. I couldn't put it down!

"This book kept me interested all the way through! The insight into a different culture was fascinating. I would have liked to see a little more showing and not telling, as there were parts that tended to have a surplus of description, however that seemed to be the individual style of this book, which I came to appreciate as I continued to read."

"I enjoyed the story, character development, and dialogue. There were plenty of plot twists that I didn’t see coming and that added to the book’s mystique. When I stopped reading to work, I found myself wondering what happened in the book, and replaying parts of the novel in my head to see if I could figure more out. It has been a while since I enjoyed a book this much. It’s a first-class mystery, thriller, and suspense with perfect pacing."

"I am a big fan of detective mysteries, and the plot and twists got me hooked. The narration captures every nuance of the unique and engaging characters that the author developed beautifully. A relatable protagonist plus a mystery waiting to be unraveled, with politics on the side and little sprinkle of romance? The perfect combination! Will definitely listen to this again soon."

"Captured my attention from beginning to end. I liked the characters. Jenny, the protagonist is a broke millennial who lives with her sister. There’s a lot of tension between the two of them. In the beginning, when Jenny’s first asked to help find her employer’s girlfriend who’s gone missing, she’s unsure of her skills as a detective, but by the end she’s pretty comfortable in the role of investigator and negotiator. I won’t spoil the ending but she gets some help in solving the novel from an immigrants’ rights organization. There are some good twists in the book."

"The cast of characters in this book was interesting: two sisters with different outlooks, a nasty CEO and his wannabe politician brother, two undocumented immigrants, a deadbeat boyfriend and a new love interest… The cast made it worthwhile. Narration was also good and the accents sounded authentic. A slow paced but entertaining book."

"This story is not one I expected but I am so glad I stumbled upon it. We are all children of immigrants, whether first, second, third generations of more and this is the heart-wrenching story of one such family. I highly recommend it to everyone!"

"Money Matters by Brian Finney.This book has a lot of twist and turns a great plot with lots of interesting characters Jenny Miguel Dan and so on,Jenny was trying to figure out why money matters or if it really does matter.her sister was always one about money which she really didn't like and didn't want to be like her sort of sister rivalry i say,she had to live with her until she found her way out,so along the way she was learning from politicians how money matterd she worked for him watering plants.This book is greatly written a wonderful plot twist a lot of mystery,love story and politics and immigration what more could you ask for in a novel.If you want to know why or how money matters please read this book for yourself highly recommended. A book you just can't put down til your finished reading it a fast read easy read great author a great plot twist and turns what can I say I loved reading this book Money Matters."

In his brief and outstanding novel, Money Matters, Brian Finney explores and reveals modern issues prevalent in the Los Angeles Area, especially on matters pertaining to immigration. To her sister Tricia, Jenny appears to be weak-willed, too trusting of people and also a walk-over. However, Jenny only sees the world differently. Even when surrounded by political drama, bigotry, and materialism she is one of the few who chooses to be empathetic and not make all her important decisions based only on money. Unfortunately for her, Jenny is caught up in the whirlwind going on, making her question her own decisions and point of view. In the end, she will have to learn to stand up for herself and fight for what she believes in but not before she is able to get rid of the toxic people around her and survive the threats of a ruthless drug cartel. The feature of the book that I appreciated the most was its inclusion of modern and relatable matters. The author adeptly explores the topic of immigration while revealing the unfortunate lives of some of the victims. Brian Finney discerns political agendas and discloses self-centered intentions. Ultimately, the author seeks to challenge the reader to become cognizant of the drivers behind various political plots before making a decision on whom and what to support. The life of Tricia, a driven and opinionated person who ascribes to popular notions is paralleled to that of Jenny, the main character. The comparison between their outlooks on politics, career choices, and life, in general, is used to bring out the ideas of two opposing sides that are popular in our modern world. Jenny, as the main character is expertly developed to represent the voice of the minority who find themselves questioning their own unpopular believes. Most of the scenes and dialogues in the book are suspenseful which makes the novel even more captivating. Jenny faces a cruel gang whose actions are unpredictable. The conversations are realistic and the characters are imperfect which adds to the surprising nature of the story. The subplots complement the main plot and the ends of the plot tie together. The issues that Jenny faces at the beginning are solved by the end which makes reading the book satisfying. The absence of any major grammatical errors also makes reading seamless. I only identified one insignificant error. Money Matters by Brian Finney is definitely worth reading especially for readers curious about immigration and other related issues. Readers who may not relate to similar themes may not enjoy the book. I rate it 4 out of 4 stars.

Money Matters: A Novel by Brian Finney is a fast-paced novel with hints of crime and intrigue, a novel that explores cultural and political themes. The protagonist is twenty-seven-year-old Jenny, a young woman who works two part-time jobs but whose life is about to spiral out of control when she tries to find out why the girlfriend of her boss has just disappeared. Her boss is the affluent CEO of a mutual fund company, Todd. In seeking to learn more about the disappearance of Todd's last girlfriend, Jenny is pulled into a nightmare of the kind of power she never imagined: big money, connections to a cartel, and the immigration question against the backdrop of a vicious mid-term election. Is she prepared for what is about to happen next in her quest for answers, and can she resist the lure of money? Money Matters: A Novel by Brian Finney has strong plot points, a powerful premise, and elaborately developed characters. Jenny is a simple techie girl working surveillance videos for an agency while doing part-time work for Todd, but her curiosity sets her on a path she never envisaged. Her character is strong and her hunger for truth can be very costly for her. The author explores the seamy side of politics and the power of dirty money in this tale. The writing is strong, a delight in itself. Relationships are well developed. I enjoyed the intrigue, the realism infused into the writing, and the sophisticated characters. Brian Finney's Money Matters is a book for readers looking for something engaging, well paced and emotionally rich.