While he was being played, he learned to play the game.
Will Powell thought he controlled the deal. His real estate dreams have stalled, leaving him desperate and vulnerable. Enter Julian Darrow: brilliant, wealthy, and dangerously persuasive. Drawn into Julian’s world of ruthless deals, shadowy ethics, and rules, Will finds success within reach—but at what cost?
The Dealmaker’s Will combines the pulse-pounding intensity of a financial thriller with the emotional depth of a psychological drama. Will the price of ambition be higher than Will ever imagined? Blending the storytelling pace of a thriller with the emotional depth of psychological drama, Walker Thrash’s debut novel entertains as it educates—offering a business book on negotiation told through the lens of fiction.
Will Powell’s promising real estate career has stalled. Formerly a respected bank executive, he now faces stagnant projects, mounting debts, and growing doubts—both personal and professional. As his financial troubles intensify, Will desperately searches for answers at a high-stakes property auction, where he encounters Julian Darrow: a charismatic and enigmatic businessman whose wealth and reputation precede him.
Intrigued by Julian’s apparent mastery of negotiation, Will accepts an enticing offer: mentorship under Julian’s expert guidance, distilled into seven deceptively simple rules. Enthralled by the possibility of reclaiming his financial security, Will enthusiastically applies these teachings, quickly tasting success. Yet beneath the surface, Julian’s methods reveal a darker truth. Will finds himself manipulated into a broader, ruthless scheme orchestrated by his mentor, who is pursuing his own shadowy endgame.
Caught between admiration and betrayal, Will realizes too late that he’s merely a pawn—his ambitions weaponized against him. As his professional life unravels and personal relationships fray, Will must confront painful ethical questions: How far is too far when success is on the line? Can integrity survive amid ruthless competition?
REVIEWS!
“Every deal has an unseen architecture. The Dealmaker’s Will takes you behind the drywall and shows you how the real structure—forged from trust, timing, and leverage—is built. Smart, sly, and full of truth. –Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of DRIVE, WHEN, and THE POWER OF REGRET
“The Dealmaker’s Will is a masterfully woven tale that blends high-stakes strategy, emotional depth, and psychological intrigue into a compelling narrative that’s impossible to put down. From the very first chapter, the story pulls you into a world where power is currency and trust is rare. What sets this book apart is its sharp insight into the motivations that drive ambition, loyalty, and betrayal — all set against a backdrop of corporate warfare and personal reckoning. The characters are multidimensional, flawed, and intensely human, each grappling with their own internal conflicts as they navigate a world where every decision carries weight. The pacing is brisk but never rushed, with each twist feeling both surprising and inevitable. Dialogue crackles with intelligence and tension, and the writing style strikes a perfect balance between elegance and grit. What makes the novel truly memorable is its underlying message: even in a cutthroat world, redemption is possible — but it always comes at a price. Whether you’re a fan of suspense, drama, or simply great storytelling, this is a read that will stay with you long after the final page. A smart, gripping, and emotionally resonant story that delivers on every level.” –Darya, NetGalley and Goodreads Reviewer
“This book is a sharp, compelling read that blends corporate strategy, personal stakes, and psychological intrigue in a way that kept me hooked. Our main character Will’s journey alongside his new mentor Julian and his 7 Rules of sealing a deal is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. I loved how the story balanced ambition, loyalty, and betrayal while still weaving in moments of redemption. This author knew how to keep you engaged until the very last page, using additional tactics like a quiz and drink recipes at the end that made the reading experience even more special. As someone who works in sales, I found myself filling up the margins of this book with ideas on how to advance my own life inside and outside the boardroom.” –@leftonreadbyrachel, Goodreads reviewer and Bookstagram influencer
““If you don’t know who’s in control, it is most certainly not you.” That line sets the tone for The Dealmaker’s Will…it follows Will, an entrepreneur who meets Julian, a mysterious character with his own “7 Rules of Dealmaking.” What begins as a simple business proposal becomes something larger, pulling apart questions of ambition and power. The writing has sharp wit and real emotional weight. The push and pull between characters keep you guessing about who really is in control. While the setting is rooted in business, the themes reach further into loyalty, trust, and the choices people make when the pressure is high! AND how perfect is this…. In the ARC version, the book even came with its own mood drink called The Power Play. It is an espresso with a kick, made with two shots of espresso, half a teaspoon of cinnamon, one teaspoon of brown sugar or maple syrup, four ounces of steamed milk for a latte feel if you prefer, and a pinch of cayenne with a dusting of cinnamon on top. Bold, intense, and strategic, it matches the vibe of the story perfectly! –@moodlitandmixers, Bookstagram influencer
“What happens when a fast-talking auctioneer kicks off a story that keeps the drama and the thrillers high? The Dealmaker’s Will by Walker Thrash grabs you from page one and keeps you hooked the whole time. I was interested from the moment I read the description, and the book absolutely delivered. It opens with an auctioneer rattling off prices which sets the tone for everything that follows. The story moves quickly, blending thriller, drama, and moments that really make you think. One of my favorite parts was every chapter begins with a quote from someone different. Meryl Streep, Eleanor Roosevelt, Aristotle, Lou Holtz, and more provide the quotes. You wouldn’t expect them to fit together, but somehow they do. I found myself pausing to connect each quote to the story, which added a layer of reflection I didn’t see coming. The plot follows Will, the main character, as he’s pulled into something much bigger than he bargained for. The pacing is fast and I was genuinely invested in what was going to happen to him. It’s the kind of book that keeps you turning pages, waiting to see what happens next. If you’re into thrillers that make you think, I definitely recommend. This one’s for you.” –@_readwithkristen, Bookstagram influencer
“MUST READ THIS. The Dealmakers Will is more than just a business strategy guide — it’s a blueprint for mastering the essential skills that drive success in leadership, negotiation, and growth. Walker Thrash lays out a clear, actionable path to developing the mindset and abilities that separate good businesspeople from truly great dealmakers. What makes this book stand out is its comprehensive scope. It covers not just the art of closing deals, but also the deeper skills behind them:
— Building trust and credibility
— Mastering communication and influence
— Understanding human behavior and motivation
— Executing with clarity and confidence
For those new to the world of business, this book is an invaluable starting point. Think of it as a toolkit of skills to master — giving you both the foundation and the confidence to grow, lead, and thrive in today’s competitive environment. Highly recommended for entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone looking to sharpen their edge and expand their impact. Pick this one up wherever books are sold.” –businessmindsetbooks, Bookstagram influencer
“Intriguing novel about dealmaking, manipulation and human nature.” –crazziforbooks, Bookstagram influencer
“The Dealmaker’s Will by Walker Thrash is a thriller with a most unique and interesting premise! The plot focuses solely on the ability of the MMC Will’s ability to learn the 7 rules to close a deal and simultaneously make it happen. I was hooked from the beginning as Will meets the mysterious Julian who begins teaching Will the art of dealmaking and tasking him to win approval on a city bid. The series of meetings and conversations between these two characters are more than transactional as the reader begins to slowly learn about their motives, fears, and insecurities. Other players in the hunt to make the deal keep the reader guessing as to who is “playing” who and why. Will is a likeable entrepreneur that had me hoping he was genuine and come out on top the whole time. However, as plot twists unfold and the characters become increasingly slippery and shifty, it is impossible to determine whether any of them are legitimate or trustworthy and who will ultimately seal the deal. For a story that primarily takes place in a town car, a business meeting or over the phone, Walker Thrash fully develops and humanizes these mostly shady characters and builds edge-of-your seat tension. Thrash also provides a surprising and satisfying ending. Who knew the nuts and bolts of making a business deal could be so compelling! I devoured this book in less than a day! I strongly recommend reading this “business thriller” for a fresh take on this genre of writing.” –karenreadslotsofbooks, Goodreads reviewer and Bookstagram influencer
“The Dealmaker’s Will is not my usual read but I loved it. We follow Will who is a business entrepreneur and is approached by Julian after an auction. Julian has a proposal for Will and teaches him his 7 Rules. Julian is a brilliant character and I enjoyed his interactions with Vince. All the characters are relatable and well written, Char in particular for me is inspiring as a female reader. This book really gave me a lot to think about in how I approach problem solving and although I’m not involved in similar negotiations, this is relevant to all of us in our approaches to others. I especially enjoyed the quiz and receipes at the end of the book as a nice extra touch!” –lucyjslibrary, Goodreads reviewer and Bookstagram influencer
“Financial intrigue, stressed entrepreneur, venture capitalists….what a novel! The Dealmaker’s Will by Walker Thrash published by Left Field Publishing is quite the read!” –onechapteronesip, Bookstagram influencer
“When your real estate dreams are crumbling and a mysterious mentor offers you the keys to success, do you take them? Will Powell is desperate, vulnerable, and exactly where Julian Darrow wants him. Slowly, Will gets pulled deeper into Julian’s world of high-stakes deals and questionable ethics. This literary business fable reads like a thriller. It is fast-paced, tense, and bingeable. Thrash weaves business strategy seamlessly into the story, so you’re learning the 7 rules of dealmaking while being completely absorbed in Will’s journey. This November 2025 release is perfect for fans of business fiction with psychological depth.” –pratistha_reads, Bookstagram influencer
“Consulting is my day job, and since 30% of my reads last year were nonfiction, I jumped at the chance to read The Dealmaker’s Will from Left Field Publishing. This one blends financial thriller pacing with psychological drama, following Will Powell as he’s pulled into Julian Darrow’s high-stakes, morally gray world. I appreciated that each chapter started off with a quote from Maya Angelou to Chris Voss. Some brief romance scenes felt unnecessary, but overall this book was a satisfying read. grateful for the early copy! Highly recommend if you like fiction that makes you reflect as much as it entertains.” –seekingmynextread, Bookstagram influencer
“I’m still thinking about this book!! I have this presentation coming up for work and part of this project is to inspire and influence others. I keep going back to the seven rules of Julian! Rule #2 Everyone is self-interested. Serve their interests to achieve your own.” –turningpageswithpaige, Bookstagram influencer
“This book is not my usual sort of genre. It seems more of a literary read, but I certainly got drawn into it. An intriguing psychological read.” –Yet another blogging mummy, Book blogger
“Highly original. I was hooked on both the individual rules but also on the final outcome. The suspense builds up without you realising it. The characters are all interesting. Very clever and a good twist in the reveal at the end.” –b., NetGalley reviewer
“A sharp, fast-moving thriller filled with greed, secrets, and betrayal….the tension and pacing keep it entertaining.” –TaJonn, NetGalley reviewer
“What happens when a fast-talking auctioneer kicks off a story that keeps the drama and the thrillers high? The Dealmaker’s Will by Walker Thrash grabs you from page one and keeps you hooked the whole time. I was interested from the moment I read the description, and the book absolutely delivered. It opens with an auctioneer rattling off prices which sets the tone for everything that follows. The story moves quickly, blending thriller, drama, and moments that really make you think. One of my favorite parts was every chapter begins with a quote from someone different. Meryl Streep, Eleanor Roosevelt, Aristotle, Lou Holtz, and more provide the quotes. You wouldn’t expect them to fit together, but somehow they do. I found myself pausing to connect each quote to the story, which added a layer of reflection I didn’t see coming. The plot follows Will, the main character, as he’s pulled into something much bigger than he bargained for. The pacing is fast and I was genuinely invested in what was going to happen to him. It’s the kind of book that keeps you turning pages, waiting to see what happens next. If you’re into thrillers that make you think, I definitely recommend.this one’s for you. –_readwithkristen, Bookstagram influencer