Economic systems rarely collapse without warning. Stockbroken by Billy and Jan Hemby centers on a market veteran who begins recognizing subtle signals that suggest a much larger financial event may be approaching.
Bo Parrott has spent forty years studying how financial markets behave during periods of both growth and instability. His career as an investment advisor has taught him to pay attention to the small indicators that others often overlook. When new patterns begin appearing in market data, Bo quickly realizes they resemble the early stages of past economic crises.
His growing concern intensifies when a sudden death draws him into the sphere of influential figures with significant control over financial systems. The deeper he looks, the more it appears that a coordinated effort may be underway to manipulate economic conditions for enormous profit. As Bo continues piecing together the evidence, the situation becomes increasingly dangerous. Speaking publicly about what he has discovered could disrupt the plans of powerful individuals who are prepared to do whatever is necessary to keep those plans hidden.
Amazon: https://bit.ly/4b8QXXf
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/249255765-stockbroken
Billy Hemby is a managing director with Level Four Financial, a division of CRI Advisors, PLLC, and has over thirty years of experience in the financial services business. With multiple books in publication, Jan Hemby is an award-winning fiction novelist and a regional featured speaker. The two are native North Carolinians with deep roots in Southern culture. Their goal is to bring to life money dynamics, global events, and local culture in story form that engages both experienced investment enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Visit them at their website.
Chapter One
From his office in the lower Manhattan financial district just a few blocks from Wall Street, Bo Parrott stared in disbelief as his phone rang . . . again.
With decades of experience as an investment advisor, Bo was no stranger to the long hours required to answer the barrage of client calls that defined his workday. The call volume typically increased whenever the storm clouds began to gather, signaling a stock market downturn. He was no stranger to that, either. But today it felt different. The phone had been ringing nonstop since he stepped through the door two hours earlier.
“What the hell is going on, Parrott? Did you see this coming?”
Bo recognized the voice as belonging to a client known for his strong personality yet weak command of genteel discourse. Howard Lanning may never have gotten a stomach ulcer, but he was more than capable of giving one to someone else. Bo studied the report streaming across his screen. Despite Howard’s abrupt delivery, his words echoed Bo’s own concerns.
“I’ll find out, and I’ll call you back as soon as I can.”
Spencer T. Barnes, Bo’s young assistant, sat across from Bo’s desk. “Howard Lanning?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Bo nodded. “Yes, but he’s not the only one. Our client base comprises a significant percentage of savvy investors, and many of them have caught wind of a potential shift in the stock market that could negatively impact their earnings. With over three thousand clients worldwide, that’s a lot of phone calls! They’ve been pouring in all morning.”
Bo powered up his laptop. Despite feeling unsettled about the possible rate hike from the Federal Reserve, he managed to smile as the charts began to populate his computer screen. He asked Spencer to move his chair closer for a better view.
“The indicators really are something to behold, especially when you consider what they represent. The lines are like a kaleidoscope with a panoramic effect and a beauty all their own.”
Realizing how that last statement may have sounded, Bo quickly backtracked as he darted his eyes in Spencer’s direction. “If you like that sort of beauty.”
Twenty-five years Bo’s junior, Spencer chuckled as he ran his hand through his side-part haircut. A few streaks of brown blended with his golden mane. “It’s growing on me.”
Bo continued, “A seafoam-green background serves as the canvas for the market indicators. They appear like an artist applying dabs of paint squirted onto a palette board.”
Spencer leaned in closer as Bo pointed to several images on his computer screen. “Each colorful line tells a story. Some lines have more relevance at specific coordinates on the chart’s workspace, and some have less. At zenith moments, the chart system behaves like a supernova: Brightness increases when the star explodes and releases most of its mass. When the mood is right in the stock market, the drama is something to behold.”
“What about today?” Spencer asked.
“Today, the mood appears dark and foreboding. Figuratively speaking, this chart represents a network of capillaries that have burst. Blood is gushing profusely. Unless a tourniquet is applied soon, the victim could die.”
Spencer leaned back in his chair. “Wow, it’s one thing to see these stock market configuration indices in multicolor. It’s another to interpret what it all means.”
What’s a detail, theme, or clue in your book that most readers might miss on the first read—but you secretly hope someone notices?
The murder of Edmond Brockett by his wife, Regina, in a suspicious house fire which appears to have been started by a hitman on assignment from a primary villain in the story as a red herring.
When did this story or idea “click” into place for you—was there a single moment you knew you had to write it?
In the stock market crash of 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 crisis.
Which character or real-life person surprised you the most while writing this book, and why?
Antagonist Kathryn Romanov is multi-dimensional and groomed for world power inspired by global espionage.
If your book had a soundtrack, what three songs would be on it and what scenes or moments would they pair with?
Chapter 3, Return to North Carolina from New York: “In My Mind I’m Going to Carolina” by James Taylor.
Chapter 40, The death of Selby: “Sky Full of Stars” by Coldplay
Chapter 53, Bo’s Retirement: “Feeling Good” by Michael Buble
What’s one belief, question, or emotional truth you hope readers carry with them long after they finish your book?
To find out the truth in a matter, follow the money trail.
Tell us about a moment during the writing process when the story (or message) took an unexpected turn.
An initiative to ignite global unrest blows up to destroy the dark consortium that originated the scheme.
If your protagonist (or the central figure in your nonfiction) could give the reader one piece of advice, what would it be?
Lessons learned from history could prove invaluable…and the high cost of forgetting those lessons could prove disastrous.
What real-world place, object, or memory helped shape a key element in your book?
The stock market crash of 1929.
What’s something you had to research, learn, or experience to write this book that genuinely shocked you?
The parallel between current market and economic events and those of the Roaring 20s is somewhat shocking.
If your book were invited to join a shelf with three other titles, which ones would make you happiest—and what would that shelf say about your story?
The Big Short, 1929: Inside the Greatest Crash in Wall Street History, and The Great Gatsby. That shelf would say that the book appeals to market enthusiasts, American history buffs, and readers of the classics and love stories.
ramblingmads 