When Vultures Dance follows Seth Farragut, a young hedge fund manager, as his drive to take over a bankrupt auto supplier leads to an indictment for insider trading. A "vulture" investor who excels at highstakes trading of distressed companies' securities, he makes decisions that all too easily cost others their jobs and create plenty of enemies. Under the influence of tough, attractive Lauren Hayward, he bets everything on the survival of a small Chicago manufacturing company that could, if he can rescue it, be his career-making score. But his quest spawns an attempted murder, suicide, and the prospect of years in prison.
Seth is more than a Type-A, fast trading up-and-comer. He is a loner who increasingly questions what he does for a living after seeing first-hand the consequences of his actions. He finally meets someone who opens him up to love and a life beyond trading and money. Meanwhile, in the background, Wall Street is in turmoil as the economy tumbles. When Vultures Dance explores themes that are all over today's news: the growing divide between the haves and have-nots, the rule of capitalists over the shrinking blue collar work force, and the stupendous wealth accumulation by a very few. Goodwin's eye for detail brings the headlines to life.