Read Ebook {PDF EPUB} Influence by Chris Parker Influence by Chris Parker. I was intrigued to hear about Influence; a psychological thriller which I was interested to see is set in my home city of Nottingham. What I discovered upon reading was a fascinating crime thriller with an interesting concept. ‘You were born with nothing. Knowing nothing. And from the moment you took your first breath the influence began.’ The first in a trilogy, Influence introduces us to Marcus Kline, an expert in communication and the art of influencing and reading people. Marcus is a man who can seemingly read a person’s thoughts by picking up on the most subtle of signals. This was an idea which immediately intrigued me. We are presented here with a fascinating character who is clever and quite mysterious. Chris Parker himself has studied communication for many years and his knowledge on the subject was evident throughout the novel. Whilst there was a lot of information to take in, the attention to detail was excellent and it made for a thought provoking read. Before long, a situation arises where Marcus and his skills are needed… ‘He also had one very special, and secret, source of support.’ Events in the novel take a sinister turn as Detective Inspector Peter Jones is investigating a series of grisly murders. Frequently turning to his skilled friend for advice on cases, Peter needs Marcus more than ever to get to the bottom of the unusual deaths. So begins a gripping search for answers with an interesting array of characters. I was kept guessing to the very end as to who was responsible for the crimes and I never quite knew who could be trusted which kept up the interest. The crimes themselves were very gruesome and there were some very chilling moments in the novel. One particular moment made me glad I didn’t choose to rent the ground floor canalside apartment I once looked at! ‘The question is what do you want to be known for?’ I liked that this was a novel that focused on the psychological rather than just the physical. It raised interesting points about how easy it is to manipulate a person and how vulnerable a person can be, despite how bright and skilled they may be. This was also present in the alternate storylines that weave through the novel. This isn’t just about Peter and Marcus solving a crime but it is about their relationship with each other and with their partners and colleagues. Also, whilst they may play a smaller role, some of these supporting characters had their own stories to tell, stories that may develop as the trilogy progresses. ‘Sometimes, though, the ocean took you as its plaything’ I enjoyed reading Influence . It has the appeal of a gripping crime novel combined with a thought provoking look at the power of the human mind. I await with interest the next instalment in the trilogy to see what lies ahead for Marcus Kline. Influence is published by Urbane Publications. Many thanks to Matthew at Urbane for providing a copy for review. Bookends and BinEnds. "sharing life's experiences, which gather like volumes between bookends" Bookmark: Influence (Chris Parker) … Influence is the greatest force on earth. Influence equals power; the power to affect people and events. The most powerful people alive have the greatest influence. And they can use it for good or bad … At the heart of ‘Influence’, an intelligent, intense and relentlessly thrilling novel, lies the hunt for a killer. The question for the reader … who is the hunter, who is the hunted? This is a novel written by an author completely on top of their craft. Writing with first hand knowledge about the complexities of influence, Chris Parker hypnotises the reader, effortlessly drawing you into the character of Marcus Kline, a central protagonist and the “world’s leading authority on communication and influence”. It is impossible to immerse yourself into the thinking of such a cleverly manipulative player without your thoughts wrestling with the ‘good or evil’ paradox lurking not far below the surface. Kline’s professional and personal relationship with Detective Inspector Peter Jones is very much at the heart of this intriguing investigation into a gruesome murder. Both Jones and Kline are complex, credible characters … you are further drawn into their psyches through their partners-in-life. In the case of Marcus Kline, the dark secret being hidden from him by Anne-Marie Wells, his wife, creates separation, remoteness even … but as the book builds to its remorselessly thrilling climax could it be the saving grace? Peter Jones is organised and patient, but intense and weighed down by his responsibilities. Immersed in an investigation, he feels every twist and turn; his natural patience is directly challenged as the killer strikes again and the search appears to be no closer to unearthing an identity. And as suspicions fall on someone inextricably tied in to him and to the investigation, how will he deal with this added pressure? Chris Parker is a talented writer who builds the story intelligently, crafting his characters with care and layering in depth as the plot builds. This should be no surprise as he is an acknowledged expert in his field, professionally immersed in communication and influence. This is no one-dimensional murder mystery; ‘ Influence ‘ draws you in and makes you examine the power of the mind … in the hands of a master storyteller you are taken on a pulsating journey which informs as much as it thrills. The climax plays with your mind in the same way the manipulative Marcus Kline uses his clients thoughts and fears and hopes to help them grow. This book twists and turns, leaving you guessing … I found myself struggling to put it aside. Something in the intensity of the writing, the lure of the characters and the pace and power of the plot keeps you hooked, compelled almost … perhaps Marcus Kline’s professional skills as an influencer are subliminally at work! Influence by Chris Parker. A killer is out there, seemingly choosing his victims without motive. Can the power of his influence (and his murders) be halted? There is a slow build up to the first murder in this book as the main characters are introduced – Marcus Kline a master communicator, and his great friend DCI Peter Jones. Marcus Kline’s methods and working practices are described, and the novel explores the power of communication and influence, which gives the reader plenty to think (and talk) about. Meanwhile background characters – Marcus’s wife, DCI Jones’ partner etc – are introduced, with interesting perspectives on the storyline. The killer’s thoughts and actions are gradually introduced, as the story draws to an exciting end with twists and breath-holding moments. This is the first book in Chris Parker’s trilogy. It can be read as a stand-alone book – though I strongly recommend moving on to Book 2, Belief , which is brilliant! I read the second book in the trilogy, Belief , first and gave it 5*s. I then read this one. I found the background building in this book too protracted for my taste. The rather gory description of a murder was definitely not for me, and so pushed the rating down to a 2*. Readers who are happy with a bit of gore, will probably disagree with my rating. The last few chapters of Influence are very similar in pace, style and excitement to Belief . I’m very much looking forward to Book 3 in the trilogy, but hoping the pace will be similar to Belief , and any murders are clever rather than violent. Influence by Chris Parker. Chris Parker may fly under the radar, but it’s not because of a lack of accomplishment. The NYC drummer (who started playing drums at the age of three) has had a career spanning more than five decades with a wide variety of artists. From Don McLean, Bonnie Raitt and Paul Butterfield in the 70’s, to Bob Dylan and Ashford and Simpson in the 80’s, to Donald Fagen in the 90s all the way to Cher in the 00’s, Chris has been there, done that and continues to do. What makes Chris especially unique is that he’s an artist in every aspect of the word, and uses his drumming to influence his painting and vice versa. Chris sees creativity in everything and it’s evident in whatever he creates. DiversityInc. DiversityInc is a for-profit company which focuses on promoting sex and ethnic diversity in the corporate workspace. It was founded in 1997 by Luke Visconti, who continued as chairman as of April 19, 2020. [1] Since 2001, the company has held an annual diversity awards dinner in which it honored the “most diverse” corporations with at least 1,000 U.S.-based employees. [2] DiversityInc has formally been under the umbrella of Allegiant Media, which was also founded by Visconti. [3] Its CEO is Carolynn Johnson. [4] At least two percent of the company’s gross revenues go to its non-profit foundation, DiversityInc Foundation, to provide scholarships to three educational institutions. The company is also aligned with a number of left-leaning advocacy organizations. [5] Mission & History. DiversityInc’s mission is to highlight and promote left-leaning versions of diversity within corporate America based on sex, race, and ethnicity. Its work is primarily done through DiversityInc.com, the DiversityInc Best Practices site, and its DiversityInc Top 50 competition, through which it identifies the “most diverse” corporations which employ at least 1,000 Americans domestically. [6] Founded in 1997 by Luke Visconti, DiversityInc endorses left-wing identity politics concepts such as “implicit bias,” the largely rejected [7] term “Latinx,” aggressive policing of so-called microaggressions, and opposition to gender-based professional dress standards. [8] [9] [10] DiversityInc has also held events focused on women of color and supplier diversity. The first “Women of Color and Their Allies” event was held in October 2018. [11] The 2019 event’s keynote speaker was Kimberle Crenshaw, a professor of law who claims that white privilege and racism are dominant in America, backs abortion as part of sex equality, and coined the term “intersectionality,” which is often used by left-leaning academics, media, and politicians to claim cross-over between various minority groups which are allegedly and actually oppressed. [12] [13] DiversityInc’s supplier diversity awards have been given to corporations which specifically back diversity as a key component of which supply vendors they hire. [14] DiversityInc Top 50. The DiversityInc Top 50 awards assess six areas of corporate diversity based upon surveys filled out by corporations which compete for the awards. [15] Companies are graded upon factors such as: Overall workforce diversity, including but not limited to management, senior management, top 10 percent paid staff, and promotions. Senior leadership and the creation of diversity-specific departments. Employee resources which are designed to promote diversity and the rise of non- white non-males through the company, including but not limited to diversity training, company benefits, and company practices. The diversity of suppliers and practices which are designed to create more supplier diversity. Finally, non-profit donations which are targeted to “people from underrepresented groups,” company matching donation policies, and employee volunteering policies. The awards are given to both overall left-leaning diversity as well as diversity in specific areas and industries. The 2019 lists, for example, included but were not limited to lists of regional companies, utility companies, and companies with qualified talent acquisition practices, policies for disabled and LGBT-identified employees, focuses on women of color and executive women, and veterans. The largest specialty list in 2019 was LGBT- focused, with 34 companies on the list. [16] Tickets to the 2019 dinner started at $1,499. [17] The annual DiversityInc Top 50 awards dinner draws hundreds of attendees from winner companies. The 2020 event’s agenda included presentations from academics and corporate leaders, as well as a presentation by Northwell Health CEO Michael Dowling on gun control. [18] Northwell Health has donated one million dollars to restricting legal access to firearms. The company also held a gun control-specific forum in December 2019. [19] The awards themselves are widely supported by large corporations. Over 30 large corporations, such as AT&T, Cigna, and Hershey, sponsored the 2020 dinner. [20] Companies regularly announce being placed on the list. [21] Alliances and Featured Partners. DiversityInc features 30 “partners” which each pay $250,000 for promotion of partner work in diversity and other areas of importance. Each partner is a corporate entity, such as Beoing, ADP, and TD Bank. [22] DiversityInc charitable donations go to groups with which it has “philanthropic alliances.” The groups, which include the aggressive LGBT-interest campaign group GLSEN, are primarily racial, ethnic, and gender-based, and include a number of educational and business entities. [23] DiversityInc Foundation. The non-profit DiversityInc Foundation receives funding from the DiversityInc’s revenue and Visconti’s speaking fees. The Foundation provides scholarship funding to low-income college students at Bennett College for Women, New Jersey City University, and Rutgers University. Bennett College is a historically black college, New Jersey City University focuses on Hispanic and other ethnic-minority efforts, and all three institutions have connections to Visconti, who is a trustee of Bennett and Rutgers, and sits on the foundation board of NJ City University. [24] The Foundation received over $483,000 in 2017. That year, no money was given to Bennett College; the Smithsonian Institution, the National Organization on Disability, and other organizations received funding. A combined $300,000 was given to NJ City University and Rutgers out of $481,000 donated. [25] Leadership. DiversityInc Board Chairman Luke Visconti founded the company in 1997 and grew it to include the DiversityInc Top 50 in 2001. He also founded the company’s parent, Allegiant Media. Visconti formally stepped down as CEO in 2018. [26] Visconti is also heavily involved in diversity work beyond his company. He is vice chairman of the National Organization of Disability, is on a board for the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, and is special assistant to the Chief of Naval Operations for talent development and diversity. Visconti previously served for almost 10 years in the U.S. military, including eight years on active duty, and since leaving the military served on the Chief of Naval Operations Executive Panel to promote diversity. Visconti’s written work includes endorsement of “white privilege” and the idea that non-minorities (such as Han Chinese in China and whites in America) cannot properly understand racism. [27] DiversityInc CEO Carolynn Johnson served as the company’s chief operating officer for 16 years before taking the top spot in May 2019. She previously worked in marketing for two companies and has a MBA from Rutgers. She is also director of the DiversityInc Foundation and on the National Board of Directors for the corporate diversity internship group INROADS. [28] Johnson has described herself as “an angry black woman.” [29] She also endorses intersectionality and a “glass ceiling” among female executives. [30] She is a member of a number of racial- specific groups such as the NAACP, the National Black MBA Association, and the National Society of Hispanic MBAs. [31] Chris Parker is Director of Research and Data Analytics. He previously worked in corporate statistics and was a professor of psychology. [32] Niraj Kataria is DiversityInc’s Chief Client Engagement and Marketing Officer. His background includes entrepreneurial activity in the corporate diversity space. He was DiversityInc’s chairman. [33] Financials. Because it is a privately-held company, DiversityInc is not legally required to disclose financial information. It did announce that it donated 4.6 percent of its revenues to the DiversityInc Foundation in 2012, which totaled $329,875. [34] [35] This would suggest that the company’s revenues were about $7.2 million that year.