ABOUT THE BOOK
CEO succession thriller: Power games are played in the boardroom, while other deadly moves occur in the shadows.
Threats are mounting against an innovative business intelligence firm. Its CFO, Jon Kiza, a behind-the-scenes operator, hasn’t been in the spotlight. But when the CEO vanishes, and a game-changing deal starts unraveling, he's thrust into an unexpected race for the top job —where he faces Paxton Stump, the firm's charismatic rainmaker. Guile and patient positioning are pitted against charm and flamboyant thrusts. It’s a duel between the chess-minded quant and the warrior poet.
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While on a trip, Jon is put in the crosshairs of alluring forces he didn't see coming. A smear campaign takes shape, and he realizes that far more dangerous threats lurk in the shadows. Cornered, he fights back. Meanwhile, Paxton bags a game-changing deal with a client prospect, but obstacles follow, and the goal posts keep shifting. Regardless, the bacon winner won’t be stopped.
Of the two, who will sway the board?
Set across multiple cities, Black and White Smoke is an international, fast-paced corporate thriller packed with boardroom intrigue, spiced with corporate espionage, and with characters diced by unchecked greed.
In this world, every tidbit of information is leverage. And every choice has consequences. Lovers of the Succession mini-series, Alger's The Darlings, or Cencioni's Four Obsessions of an Executive- This one is for you.
EDITORIAL & READERS REVIEWS
Papa’s boardroom thriller, a debut, demonstrates a sharp understanding of the corporate world and the philosophies of power of those who master it… Papa escalates suspense well, grounding readers in corporate structures and dynamics before opening into thriller territory. Prose is sharpest during moments of tension, with layered conversations unfolding like chess matches where each sentence conceals calculation in a convincingly realized milieu where perception matters more than truth.
Takeaway: Tense and convincing corporate thriller centered on a missing CEO.
Great for fans of: Christopher Reich’s The First Billion, Patrick Hoffman’s Clean Hands — BookLife Editorial Review (Click here to see more)
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In his debut novel, Black and White Smoke: C-Suite Woes, Thomas V. Papa delivers a high-stakes corporate thriller that exposes the ruthless underbelly of global finance… Black and White Smoke will resonate strongly with professionals in finance, management consulting, and technology who enjoy seeing the complexities of high-level negotiations and market disruptions portrayed with technical accuracy. It is also a compelling read for fans of character-driven thrillers who appreciate an underdog protagonist who relies on intellect and doggedness rather than brute force to prevail. Readers looking for a nuanced exploration of the ethical dilemmas found at the intersection of private ambition and corporate responsibility will find Papa's debut particularly rewarding. — Book Award Pro Editorial Review
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A brilliant corporate suspense novel, wrangling with a huge plate of what I can only call… genuine second-hand anxiety. Jon waking from severe illness to discover photographs with the power to derail his personal and professional life, and VASPI executive Paxton Stump being followed on a train, are the stuff of Michael Crichton's Disclosure. The writing itself is fast-paced and polished… This novel is a win for readers who have a hankering for true boilerplate stories, financial thrills, and executive power struggles. It will also appeal to fans of books like Rieger's The Heirs and Alger's The Darlings. Very highly recommended. — Jamie Michele for Readers’ Favorite
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A must-read. The writing is crisp, engaging, and filled with well-crafted dialogue that brings the story to life. The thought-provoking work also got me thinking about issues like data firms and their importance in this era of AI. The characters were well-developed, and Thomas also ensured all events and places were vividly captured, which helped to create a mental picture of what was happening. The narration was amazing, and the readers will also appreciate the flawless flow of the plot, which ensured no room for confusion. —Frank Mutuma for Readers’ Favorite
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