Posts Tagged 'thief'

Such Charming Liars by Karen M McManus

Published November 12, 2024 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Mystery

Kat and her mom, Jamie, have lived with Gem since Kat was four and they fled her abusive father. Gem runs a jewelry forgery business and Jamie has realized that this is not the life she wants for her daughter and has asked to leave the business. Gem says if she does one more job she can leave it all behind her. Jamie is supposed to switch out a valuable necklace at a wealthy man’s birthday party while dressed as wait staff. On their way to the party, though, they run into Luke, whom Jamie was married to for 48 hours years ago, and his son, Liam. Undeterred, Jamie vows to get in and do the job so they can have a fresh start. Unfortunately, it becomes clear that Jamie will not be able to perform the switch due to circumstances beyond their control, and Kat is forced to step in for her. As she approaches the wealthy guests, she sees Luke is now dating the daughter of the wealthy billionaire having the birthday party and knows it is part of a grift, but as long as no one gets in her way she does not care what Luke and Liam are up to. Then, a terrible tragedy happens that completely upends the party and locks down the estate. What will happen is Kat can’t switch the necklace? Will she and Jamie get embroiled in the latest scandal to befall this family? Is there any way for Liam and Kat to work together and possibly reconnect their sibling relationship lost long ago?

Fans of McManus’s One of Us is Lying will enjoy this title from beginning to end. There are many twists and turns in the story as it slowly becomes clear who is working against each other and how the plans for each character get altered along the way. Kat and Liam have both had unconventional childhoods, but both are resourceful and resilient with every new challenge that comes their way. The supporting characters are all interesting with ulterior motives, but there is a lot going on so the final resolution may take some readers by surprise. The setting has a fun, throwback feel like the Clue Mansion and there are lots of places for the characters to explore while they are stuck on this property. Recommended for readers looking for light, well developed mysteries.

Thieves’ Gambit by Kayvion Lewis

Published December 13, 2023 Uncategorized Leave a Comment
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Genre: Mystery/Adventure

Ross Quest, a seventeen-year-old girl raised by a single mother in a famous thieving family, is desperate to break out on her own and experience a little normalcy. However, her plans fall apart when her mother is kidnapped and held for ransom and she is forced to dive deeper into the thieving world by entering the Thieves’ Gambit. The Thieves’ Gambit is an elaborate three part competition designed to pit the world’s best thieves against each other. The winner earns one wish, any wish, that is guaranteed to be granted. The winner is also required to work for the organization running the gambit for an entire year with no questions asked. Ross did not have any interest in doing this, but after exploring all options realizes she must in order to truly save her mother’s life. Can she compete among very determined and talented young thieves such as herself? Can she save her mother without condemning herself to another year or intense thief work? Is it possible she might find some common ground with the other teens in the competition?

Fans of heist shows and books will be immediately drawn to this title. It’s exciting, fast paced, and has many twists and turns as Ross tries to outmaneuver her opponents no matter what obstacles are placed in her way. The other characters are well described and it’s easy to see where they are all coming from, but that doesn’t change the crazy lengths they will all go to in order to win the competition. Ross has been warned her entire life not to trust anyone and the few times she has it has ended in disaster. She does not plan to make that mistake again, but some of the contestants help her see that trust isn’t always a bad thing…or is it? Highly recommended for anyone looking for a fun, fast paced escape. 

Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

Published October 3, 2011 RAC , Realistic Fiction 1 Comment
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Genre:  Realistic Fiction

# of Pages:  298

RAC Book:  Yes

Kat is back in this sequel to Heist Society.  Kat has now gotten over her aversion to planning and executing heists and has been doing so on her own for months, much to the dismay of Hale and her other friends.  When she is approached with a huge job she cannot resist taking it on, despite the fact that her Uncle Eddie has forbidden anyone in the family from going after this particular gem.  Initially, Kat believes the heist went perfectly, but soon discovers a major hitch that she must rectify before it is too late.

Fans of Ally Carter will love this book as much as her others.  It is fun, clever, and the characters are all well-developed.  There are some unresolved issues between both Kat and Nick and Kat and Hale, which is an unfortunate effect of a series that plans to go on for awhile.  The story of the emerald is interesting and will engage readers.  A fun and entertaining read.

Starcrossed by Elizabeth C. Bunce

Published April 18, 2011 Adventure , Fantasy , RAC Leave a Comment
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Genre:  Fantasy

# of Pages:  359

RAC Book:  Yes

Digger lives as a thief and a spy, but when her partner is killed by the King’s police she must go into hiding so that she does not meet the same fate.  She becomes Celyn, a lady-in-waiting, to a family that is going to a remote castle for the winter.  Digger believes this will be the perfect getaway from the city, but when she gets there finds that one of the guests, Lord Daul, knows her true identity and threatens to reveal it unless she becomes a spy for him.  As Celyn begins snooping around the castle looking for clues she finds much more than she expected and must decide whom she should trust.

Starcrossed begins a bit slow and will frustrate some fantasy readers because fantasy elements are not as prominent as they are in some other books.  However, the plot in this story carries many twists and turns that will keep readers wanting to know more about the people who have come together in this castle for the winter.  Celyn, Lady Merista, and many other characters continue to grow and develop until it seems like the reader actually knows them.  Fans of Graceling will want to check this one out.

Heist Society by Ally Carter

Published May 17, 2010 RAC , Realistic Fiction , Uncategorized 1 Comment
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Genre:  Realistic Fiction

# of Pages:  287 p.

RAC Book:  Yes

Katarina Bishop is the daughter of a notorious thief, but has decided to get out of the business in order to go to a prestigious boarding school.    When she is kicked out of the school for a crime she did not commit, she finds out that a powerful man has decided to target her father as the culprit for some paintings of his that were stolen.  If she is not able to find and return the missing paintings to him then he will hurt her father.  One way or another she finds herself back in the world of heists and cons.

For those who loved the Gallagher Girls books this will be another winner.  The characters are fun, the plot twists and turns, and there is room for a sequel.  Recommended for those who enjoy heist books or are simply looking for a fun summer read.

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