The Developer” series is comprised of 5 novels, best defined as dramas or thrillers, focused on the life of a villainous office building developer, Alexander (Xander) Kellogg. The saga incorporates dozens of characters who intersect within integrated plots, covering a turbulent economic period from 1978 to 1995 in Denver, Colorado. The story is loosely based upon a composite of dynamic developers and property owners, as well as hundreds of real estate professionals, that the author interacted with over his 45-year commercial real estate finance and appraisal career. Many of the plots reflect actual real estate stories and historical events.
Xander Kellogg, a consummate promoter, uses bribery and manipulation on his quest to create his legacy office brand while creating many enemies. Addicted to his bravado, Kellogg takes on multiple projects which strain his capital resources, leading to collaboration with questionable partners including a criminal syndicate that laundered drug money to fund his 65-story aSpire Tower. Xander’s “win at all costs” personality leads to challenges in his professional and private life, including a murder trial where he bribes a juror.
Kellogg buys a bank to over-leverage his projects, although the rapid expansion of risky loans create problems when the economy plummeted in 1986. To maximize loan proceeds, Xander excessively refinances the company office portfolio using bribery and forgery.
With a likely second murder arrest and collapse of his bank, Kellogg steals $80 million in partnership funds, opens offshore accounts in his wife’s, (Maggie) name, and plans to flee to a country lacking U.S. extradition powers. Maggie steals the funds that include $9 million of the drug cartel’s money. Maggie flees to Switzerland, where Bolivian cartel hitmen savagely kill her and attempt to kidnap her daughter, Chanelle, who has inherited the stolen funds. Chanelle reportedly dies in a plane crash.
Xander is arrested for murder and subjected to house confinement when he is killed in a powerful home explosion. Several suspects are named, although Robert Kellogg, Xander’s brother, a private investigator, a resolute detective, and a crafty district attorney collaborate to solve the crime. An ambitious U.S. Attorney issues an arrest warrant for a powerful congressman. The prosecutor’s desperate attempt to convict the congressman results in a controversial trial impacted with witness tampering and mind control.
Robert defends several lawsuits and tries to save the firm after defaulting on the $350 million office loan. Xander’s surprise heir disrupts the company, but a wise counselor guides the firm through a challenging time.
Robert is assassinated when the syndicate demands a refund of $250 million used for the construction of the disastrous aSpire Tower. The CIA and DEA raid the money launderer’s Grand Cayman headquarters and plot to kill the Bolivian cartel leaders. The saga concludes when a financial partner recapitalizes the firm’s assets and provides funds to acquire distressed office buildings, solidifying the legacy of Kellogg Development Company.
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