The Heist Book Review

The Heist

Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg 

Rating (out of 5): 4.5

Genre: Mystery Fiction 

Release Date: June 18, 2013

Series:Fox and O'Hare

Series Volume: 1

Profanity: Mild

Violence: Mild

Sexual Content: No sex

Age Recommendation: Adult

Author Website:

http://www.evanovich.com/
http://www.leegoldberg.com/

Summary (From Amazon):
Nicolas Fox is an international con man, famous for running elaborate scams on very rich and powerful people. He knows that the FBI has been hot on his trail for years—particularly FBI Special Agent Kate O’Hare. But just when it seems that Fox has been captured for good, he pulls off his greatest con of all: He convinces the FBI to offer him a job, working side by side with O’Hare.

Their first assignment takes them to the side streets of Berlin, the California desert, and remote Indonesian islands as they team up to catch Derek Griffin, a corrupt investment banker charged with stealing millions from his clients. Finding Griffin on his private island is going to test O’Hare’s patience and Fox’s skill. High-speed chases, pirates, and Toblerone bars are all in a day’s work . . . if O’Hare and Fox don’t kill each other first.

Review:

This is my second Janet Evanovich book and I must say that I was much happier with this one than the first that I read by her. As for Lee Goldberg I love the series Monk so I figured I couldn't go wrong with him co-writing. I chose The Heist based on the fact that I'm a sucker for a good con and a coworker recommended it.

I was not disappointed. This book had me laughing from the get go and only let up long enough to allow me to fall for Nick and grow to like Kate enough to cheer her on.

Kate O’Hare is an ex-Navy SEAL turned FBI agent. She’s tougher than most men and eat just as much as them as well. She's take charge, but still somehow always manages to get food on her shirt. She's made it her mission to catch Nicolas Fox. Nick is a natural con man and the harder the con, the more enjoyment he gets out of it. When he's finally caught by Kate he manages to talk (or should I say con?) his way into working for the FBI instead of going to jail. He is teamed up with Kate and the two are sent off to catch the elusive Derek Griffin. The story is an lighthearted read and doesn't take too long to get through, but is still highly enjoyable. The con/heist isn't laid out in a 'wow I never would have figured that out' kind of way but explained as the book and characters pull it off and plan it. Though there were still plenty of clever moments that made me smile, especially during the first half of the book while Nick was pulling off a pretty funny heist.

The characters are funny and varied as Nick and Kate build their crew. The two most notable (and loveable) were the flamboyant actor Boyd Capwell and adrenaline junky Wilma Owens aka Willie. Boyd's acting had me in fits of laughter while Willie is just crazy enough to make you fall in love with her. Kate's father was by far my favorite additional character. After all, who won't love a dad who can kill a man 16 different ways with a pair of tweezers and who's idea of a care package includes very explosive toys. I really hope to see more of them in later books.

The story is fast paced and never gets very confusing. It is fairly simple and not too complicated, but a book as fun as this really doesn't need to be. The story has fun twists and turns while throwing the characters in crazy situations and pulling them out in ways just as insane.

I listened to this as an Audio book and really enjoyed Scott Brick's reading. His voice was pleasant and he pulled off a variety of different voices well, though he was not as varied as I've heard other people read. I was able to keep up with the story well and didn't get lost while listening.  

Over all this is a great fun read. If you need a quick easy laugh or if you enjoy a good heist pick up this book.

~Dawn

My review for the prequel short story The Shell Game can be found here

Stealing the Preacher Book Review

Stealing the Preacher

Karen Witemeyer

Rating (out of 5): 5

Genre: Christian/Historical Fiction

Release Date: Jun 1, 2013

Series: None, but one related book: Short Straw Bride

Violence/Profanity/mature content: Mild violence, none of the rest

Age: Young Adult +

Author’s Website: http://www.karenwitemeyer.com/

Book Summary (from author’s website):

On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can scarcely believe it when he’s forced off the train by a retired outlaw and presented to the man’s daughter as the minister she requested for her birthday. Worried this unfortunate detour will ruin his chances of finally serving a congregation of his own, Crockett is determined to escape. But when he finally gets away, he’s haunted by the memory of the young woman he left behind—a woman whose dreams now hinge on him.

For months, Joanna Robbins prayed for a preacher. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. A man to help her discover answers to the questions that have been on her heart for so long. But just when it seems God has answered her prayers, it turns out the parson is there against his will and has dreams of his own calling him elsewhere. Is there any way she can convince Crockett to stay in her little backwoods community? And does the attraction between them have any chance of blossoming when Joanna’s outlaw father is dead-set against his daughter courting a preacher?

Review:

This is the third book by Karen Witemeyer that I’ve read and I must say that she hasn’t let me down yet. Stealing the preacher is a delightful read that captivates you (literally) from the very first chapter.

It doesn’t take long to see where the title comes in to play in this book as Crockett Archer, on his way to a new preaching position, finds himself kidnapped from the train and hauled off as a birthday present for the outlaw’s daughter. Joanna Robbins has been praying for a preacher to come and is more than a little surprised when one shows up in the most unconventional of ways. The two of them end up working together to both unite their community and lead Joanna’s father into the faith.

There is more to this story than just the main characters (as delightful as they are) and every one of the characters in this book add life and depth to the story from Joanna’s grumpy but loveable father to the rambunctious neighbor Jackson. And as I learned more about each character especially Joanna’s father, I fell more and more in love with the book.

Karen’s writing style is another thing that I enjoyed. I can be picky when it comes to an author’s voice or style, but no fear with Ms. Witemeyer. Her descriptions are delightful, weather it’s a picturesque church service or a thunderous rainstorm each scene is written in a way that makes the words come to life as I’m reading them. As for the book’s third person point of view her switching between the characters never left me jarred or confused as sometimes happens in books. Her style kept me engulfed in the story and never faltered keeping my attention solely on the book.

My only discrepancy was the way Crockett handled the situation with Holly. I won’t spoil it for you, but it just reaffirms to me that when doing ministry with the opposite gender always have a third person with you to back up the situation.

This story is one that balances, fun, laughter, faith, and redemption with a flair of action and danger to keep one turning page after page until the book is done. 

~Dawn