BEN JONSON and A CASE OF FRAUDULENT CONVERSION
With a nose for the truth and a flair for the dramatic, Ben Jonson investigates five cases of financial irregularities, where all is not as it seems at first, and in the process, demonstrates that accountants are not always dull and boring… In the title story, Ben Jonson, forensic accountant extraordinaire, auditions for the local amateur operatic society, then finds himself defending its director against an accusation of embezzlement. Meanwhile, he has to deal with a startling revelation about a member of his staff and a puzzling coolness at home in relations with his partner, Marcus…
Author's Notes
1 A Case of Fraudulent Conversion
Ben is keen on the operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan, and likes the idea of performing some of the famous ‘patter’ songs, in particular, the ‘Nightmare Song’ from Iolanthe. However, the next production of CAOS is scheduled to be Patience, and so he tries for the role of Bunthorne (a ‘Fleshly Poet’ generally considered to be a satirical representation of Oscar Wilde). This does not go as well as he had hoped, and he is destined for the chorus…
Ben suggests that the perpetrator of the fraud may have used an overseas account. This is because it is relatively easy to deceive those looking at accounts (such as reporting accountants, shareholders and even auditors) if funds are apparently in some foreign deposit, as it is then not easy to obtain confirmation of the balance direct from that institution. The fraudster then can remove funds from the company whist apparently showing them to be in this overseas account.
2 A Day at the Races
Ben is reading the reviews of his performance in “The Pirates of Penzance” when he receives an unexpected invitation… Later, a chance encounter with an old acquaintance sets him off on another investigation into potential financial shenanigans…
3 A Woman Scorned
Ben is asked to investigate when the alluring Ros Thurstan suspects her soon-to-be ex-husband is concealing money from her. In the meantime, Janet is trying to give the firm a new image, and Ben has a new rival in the operatic society…
4 The Art of Mediation
Ben receives a plea for help from the director of the operatic society, then is asked to look into the affairs of a country house hotel. Meanwhile, Janet and Randall are causing him some concern..
5 The Spirit of Christmas
What seems to be a straightforward accident claim takes an unexpected turn when a remark by Ben’s housekeeper makes him think again, and the planning of the office Christmas party proves to be challenging…
Release
Great news.... Geoffrey Benson’s book will be published on 30 April 2019. It will be available in all formats and the ISBN numbers for each are below..
- ISBN 9781788483469 (Paperback)
- ISBN 9781528918619 (Hardback)
- ISBN 9781528918626 (Kindle e-book)
- ISBN 9781528962384 (ePub e-book)