The Manhattan Swindle by Jay Perin is Book 2 of the One Hundred Years of War series. The seventies are in full swing, and the streets are awash with cocaine. Jared Sanders is so close to taking control of the White House, but one person stands in the way of the criminal oilman: Senator Temple. But this time, Temple has others with him. The oldest three oil business clans have joined to fight Sanders. The heirs are a New York City blueblood, a hunted Navy SEAL, and a lawyer who wants a seat in the supreme court. Together they can defeat Sanders, and not one bullet will be needed. But family secrets keep rearing their heads, getting in the way, and causing the heirs to stumble. Can they succeed in toppling Sanders? And what secrets stand in the path of success?

The Manhattan Swindle by Jay Perin follows on from Book 1 of the One Hundred Years of War series. I did not read the first book, but I would recommend reading them in order. I found this one easy to follow because the author has provided enough back story to pick up the story well. I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline, full of suspense and intrigue with lots of action. The characters were well developed, engaging, and relatable people with real lives and a story that, no doubt, is played out somewhere in the world every day. The family trees of the two prominent families were helpful, and the Afterword was an excellent addition, helping to explain some of the more complex points in the story. And, if you love chess, the titles of the books in the series will make perfect sense to you. The Manhattan Swindle is an excellent book, engaging and exciting reading. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Three blueblood families ally themselves against a common enemy and fight for control over the gas and oil industry in the suspenseful political thriller, The Manhattan Swindle: Book 2 of the One Hundred Years of War series by Jay Perin. Senator Temple is planning for his corporate empire's future, and Lilah plays a large part in them. Because of her heritage, Lilah is the keystone in his scheme. Her marriage to a Kingsley will seal the alliance between the Kingsleys, the Barrons, and the Shepherds. Their dynasty will gain control of the energy empire. At the moment, Lilah is still recovering from the abduction, assault, and harrowing escape she recently experienced. Lilah is just beginning her preparations to enter MIT in the autumn. However, the Senator did not take Lilah's obstinacy and her affection for Harry Shepherd into account. Nor did he consider the vengeance they and Sanders hold for each other. Can Senator Temple convince Lilah and Harry to fall in with his plans? Or will Lilah and Harry's relationship and the need for retribution get in his way?

Brimming with intrigue, conspiracy, and betrayal, The Manhattan Swindle by Jay Perin is an exciting thriller. The story is captivating with its diverse and exotic backdrops, complex plotline, and intricate development of the primary characters' lineages. The story takes place in the 1970s. Even though the story world does not fully follow history, the plot accurately portrays actual events and people. Although it is the second book in a series, the book does very well as a standalone. The power struggle fought and the characters' histories easily segued into the plot without a hitch. The likable protagonists, vile antagonists, and dramatic scenes create an exciting and suspenseful story that promises to entertain everyone who enjoys thrilling novels involving a power struggle between family empires.

The Manhattan Swindle by Jay Perin is the second installment in the One Hundred Years of War Series. Welcome back to the pivot of change in world history as the story takes place in the seventies. Criminal oil baron Jared Sanders is back, and this time, he is close to pulling strings in the White House. But Senator Temple is still present to stop him at any cost, and this time, he has some support. The three oldest clans in the oil business have each produced an heir: Lilah would be a lawyer or a supreme court justice if everything goes well, Harry got into the SEAL program for a particular reason, and Alex is taught to live by the motto: family first. As a triumvirate, they have the power to defeat Sanders and create a new beginning - if only Sanders would take the bait.

The Manhattan Swindle is a fascinating series about oil, money, America, corruption, deceit, crime, lies, and revenge. The work sees every figure in the oil game in a predicament of sorts, and it provides a good narrative that illustrates the perspectives of all the players. Author Jay Perin doesn’t seem to take sides. The storyline may appear complex, but you understand what is essential as the characters lead you through the progress of their interactions. The Manhattan Swindle has a lot of tension and excitement, and identifiable feelings that keep everything straight. You will never feel lost in it. You can feel sympathetic to many of its characters in their specific situations, especially the three heirs. This second installment doesn’t disappoint, and it is a must-read for its explanation of how greed perverts the politics of oil.