An Interview with Andrea Loizou, Author of The Devil’s Deal

The Devil's Deal is your first book. How would you sum it up?
It's a novel that teaches you how big finance works. The Devil's Deal is based on real events, but I've woven them into a thriller that's fun to read.

What topics does the book cover?
It's a complete course in finance, starting with the basics. Readers will understand the difference between bonds and stocks, and be able to talk about why we suffer one financial crisis after another. If you're scared of economics, here's the place to learn the truth about inflation, interest rates and unemployment. You'll also get clued up on commodities, currencies, crashes and cons. I'll even give you a working knowledge of derivatives, as long as you promise not to open your own trading floor!

How do you know all this stuff?
I qualified as a chartered accountant and then worked for a number of investment banks as a share analyst. For over a decade I've been teaching finance around the world. That's my day job, explaining how banks make - and lose - money.

What's the key to success in the financial markets?
I reckon there are two things. First up, you have to understand how risk and return are linked. It's the one fundamental idea that everyone in finance needs to crack. Risk and return tell you when it's the right time to buy shares or sell bonds, and whether Greece is in a worst state than Iceland.
Then you must know your own wants and needs. My teaching is based on the fact that every one of us has a distinct financial personality. Our attitude towards money is affected by what's around us. How often did your parents fight over money, did you have a girlfriend who was a shopaholic, do you get embarrassed by a great friend who is tight with his money? You've got to know yourself before you invest.

Do you think your book is a realistic portrayal of senior financial figures?
What surprises me is how corporate financiers are portrayed in the movies. They're all Gordon Gekko or Harrison Ford in Working Girl. They’re not at the top of the tree because they're quite good with spreadsheets and don't ruffle any feathers. It's not about the rugged, alpha male flying his helicopter into work. It's more about beta men. They weren't the guys who were bullied at school, but they're often the ones who aren't remembered. 'What happened to that quiet guy, Perkins?' 'Oh he's head of the World Bank now.'

How real is your book?
What's funny is that many of the things I wrote as fiction have now happened. The great tide of hatred that people feel towards bankers has led to violence and has caused anarchy. There are more and more stories in the press about workers who have deliberately sabotaged their firms. Without giving the end away, people do crack.

Finally, tell me one thing about you that people don't know?
I'm very good at pinball. Olympic standard. Sadly, it's a skill that's undervalued these days, but I'm hoping it'll come back into vogue!