Long careers often produce a kind of instinct that can’t be explained through data alone. Stockbroken by Billy and Jan Hemby follows an experienced investment advisor who begins to sense that something beneath the surface of the financial world isn’t adding up.

For decades, Bo Parrott has built his reputation on carefully analyzing markets and guiding clients through uncertainty. As retirement approaches, he plans to step away from Wall Street and return home to North Carolina with his wife, Selby. Before leaving, however, a pattern in the data captures his attention. Despite widespread optimism and record performance, Bo sees subtle indicators that suggest a far more troubling reality.

When a sudden death places him in the path of powerful international figures, Bo begins uncovering a system designed to profit from economic turmoil. Behind closed doors, a network of elites appears to be preparing for a financial collapse that would devastate ordinary investors while enriching those who engineered it. As Bo digs deeper, the discovery becomes increasingly dangerous. The people behind the plan have influence, resources, and a willingness to silence anyone who threatens to expose the truth before the next financial crisis unfolds.

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This book releases on April 2, 2026. Preorder it today!

Excerpt

Chapter One

From his office in the lower Manhattan financial district just a few blocks from Wall Street, Bo Parrott stared in disbelief as his phone rang . . . again.

With decades of experience as an investment advisor, Bo was no stranger to the long hours required to answer the barrage of client calls that defined his workday. The call volume typically increased whenever the storm clouds began to gather, signaling a stock market downturn. He was no stranger to that, either. But today it felt different. The phone had been ringing nonstop since he stepped through the door two hours earlier.

“What the hell is going on, Parrott? Did you see this coming?”

Bo recognized the voice as belonging to a client known for his strong personality yet weak command of genteel discourse. Howard Lanning may never have gotten a stomach ulcer, but he was more than capable of giving one to someone else. Bo studied the report streaming across his screen. Despite Howard’s abrupt delivery, his words echoed Bo’s own concerns.

“I’ll find out, and I’ll call you back as soon as I can.”

Spencer T. Barnes, Bo’s young assistant, sat across from Bo’s desk. “Howard Lanning?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Bo nodded. “Yes, but he’s not the only one. Our client base comprises a significant percentage of savvy investors, and many of them have caught wind of a potential shift in the stock market that could negatively impact their earnings. With over three thousand clients worldwide, that’s a lot of phone calls! They’ve been pouring in all morning.”

Bo powered up his laptop. Despite feeling unsettled about the possible rate hike from the Federal Reserve, he managed to smile as the charts began to populate his computer screen. He asked Spencer to move his chair closer for a better view.

“The indicators really are something to behold, especially when you consider what they represent. The lines are like a kaleidoscope with a panoramic effect and a beauty all their own.”

Realizing how that last statement may have sounded, Bo quickly backtracked as he darted his eyes in Spencer’s direction. “If you like that sort of beauty.”

Twenty-five years Bo’s junior, Spencer chuckled as he ran his hand through his side-part haircut. A few streaks of brown blended with his golden mane. “It’s growing on me.”

Bo continued, “A seafoam-green background serves as the canvas for the market indicators. They appear like an artist applying dabs of paint squirted onto a palette board.”

Spencer leaned in closer as Bo pointed to several images on his computer screen. “Each colorful line tells a story. Some lines have more relevance at specific coordinates on the chart’s workspace, and some have less. At zenith moments, the chart system behaves like a supernova: Brightness increases when the star explodes and releases most of its mass. When the mood is right in the stock market, the drama is something to behold.”

“What about today?” Spencer asked.

“Today, the mood appears dark and foreboding. Figuratively speaking, this chart represents a network of capillaries that have burst. Blood is gushing profusely. Unless a tourniquet is applied soon, the victim could die.”

Spencer leaned back in his chair. “Wow, it’s one thing to see these stock market configuration indices in multicolor. It’s another to interpret what it all means.”

About the Authors

Billy Hemby is a managing director with Level Four Financial, a division of CRI Advisors, PLLC, and has over thirty years of experience in the financial services business. With multiple books in publication, Jan Hemby is an award-winning fiction novelist and a regional featured speaker. The two are native North Carolinians with deep roots in Southern culture. Their goal is to bring to life money dynamics, global events, and local culture in story form that engages both experienced investment enthusiasts and casual readers alike.

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