The Account

A financial conspiracy reaching back to before WWII informs the premise of this exciting fourth novel from Mann (Foreign Body). When unwary Julia Lang, a chic young publicity director for an upscale London hotel, is courted by sexy, 60-something Robert Brand, one of the world's richest men, she is caught up in the intrigue of a global banking conspiracy. After impregnating Julia, Brand transfers $20 million in her name to a secret account in Geneva's prestigious Banque Eberhardt-but he dies before he can give her the account number. When Brand's vengeful widow learns of the transfer, she coerces the bank's founder, Paul Eberhardt, who has recently come under the suspicion of the Federal Banking Commission, to hide evidence of the money. In response, Julia employs a soldier of fortune, Guy Ravenel, to recover the funds. Blackmail, kidnapping and murder fill the subsequent pages as the action moves deftly back and forth among Geneva, London, New York, Paris and Acapulco. Despite no-frills prose that maintains a certain aloofness, the plot sustains a strong narrative pull and manages a semblance of romantic tension to its very end. (Mar.)