40 by 40

40 by 40 - a novel about the financial crisis of 2008, as seen through the eyes of business bad boy Roger Cashmore is bang on course for his life's ambition - 40 by 40. That's £40m of net liquid assets by the time of his significant birthday later this year. He's got £15m squirreled away at his offshore bank - Volcanic Bank in the Isle of Man - that's money earned from dividends, share sales and some of his "alternative" business deals with his network of Cheshire entrepreneurs, moneyed mentors and old pals with colourful pasts. It all sets him up for a life of lads' tours, fast cars, reality TV stardom as a celebrity entrepreneur, sex on the side, helicopters, football club ownership, a brand new designer house in Alderley Edge at the heart of Cheshire's Golden triangle, he's even set his wife Serena up in her own little interior design business to keep her busy and distracted. There's only one problem. It's 2008. As the year goes on, the banks close for business, the chill winds of recession blow through Cheshire and a violent crime wave of burglaries threaten the comfortable closeted existence of the footballers and entrepreneurs of Cheshire. All this provides Cashmore with new challenges to get his action plan back on track and to face the ultimate dilemma - can he stop himself from going over the edge.