Eric Kinney turns to novel writing with “Scurry (Fraud Squad)” series

You could say Menlo Park is in Eric Kinney’s blood. The ties are deep. His father Chuck is a former Mayor and City Council member.

The long-time Menlo resident has worn many hats in the fintech industry. But we talked to him about one of his newest ventures — that of author.

His novel, Scurry (Fraud Squad) is the first of a four-book series — a Silicon Valley based, fintech thriller exploring the active warfare between sophisticated fraud rings and the U.S. banking system. Blending financial crimes investigation, money laundering schemes, AI-enabled fraud, insider threats, Marine special operations, endurance athletics — and an unexpected romance — the novel offers an insider’s view of startup culture and Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) inter-company coordination.

“The book includes real stores that I’ve fictionalized,” he explained. “I’m interested in financial crimes and scams.”

His second book Scurry (Fraud Syndicate), will be published in December. And he’ll start work on the third book in a few months.

Scurry is also the name of the company Eric founded.  And he’s recently joined the board of local nonprofit Beyond Barriers.

And yes, there’s a reason Eric is pictured poolside.

“Menlo Masters [which swims at Burgess Pool] is my community. I’ve gotten the chance to make a lot of great friends — smart,  outgoing, gregarious people. Makes me feel so lucky.”

Purchase Scurry Fraud Squad online.

Photos courtesy of Eric Kinney; top photo with his parents, Chuck and Marilyn