The Job by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg

Review by The Mole

Nick Fox, master con-man, is caught on camera committing a simple but audacious theft. FBI Special Agent Kate O'Hare is the only person to have arrested Fox in the past and so she is requested for the case. The problem is that the FBI have recruited Fox and Kate is convinced that the crime is not his style and she trusts him not to be working his stings any more. Another "Fox" crime occurs elsewhere in Europe but this time Fox is with Kate at the time - not that she can admit that to anyone! Between them Kate and Nick take on one of the biggest crime lords on the planet in a scheme that is audacious, dangerous and a massive con.

I have previously read "The Heist" - the first of this series of books - and it was a serious amount of fun. Fast furious and totally unbelievable - escapism at it's very best. This book seems more settled, comfortable in that the writers seem to know the characters better and both Nick and Kate - although Kate still has distinct boundaries - are allowed to get away with more.

And we find listed a recipe for mushy peas... well, the writers are American so I suppose we can forgive them that mistake.

I can really see these books making the big screen as they have all the elements and while little bits are a little "adult" they could so easily be good family fun.

A real pleasure to read - watch out for this pair (Fox and O'Hare OR Evanovich and Goldberg).

Publisher - Headline
Genre - Adult thriller

The Heist by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg

Review by The Mole

FBI Special Agent Kate O'Hare has been pursuing Nicholas Fox, a major con man, for some time and finally brings him to book. Before Fox gets to court he manages to escape and O'Hare is removed from the case. O'Hare takes time off work and decides to pursue him on her own time only to find that she is forced to work outside the law to catch a much bigger fish than Fox.

The Heist is one of those books that you know the ending to long before you get there - a bit like a fairy story but for grown ups. Kate is an ex-navy seal. No, there aren't and haven't been any female navy seals and the authors acknowledge that - but it's a work of fiction! Yes, Kate could single handedly take on a division of the best in the world and come out unscathed - but so can Arnie.

Technically you might call this a thriller and yes it is but compare it to a roller coaster ride - not a lap around Brands hatch on the back of a professional motor cycle champion! And like a rollercoaster you will come away smiling from ear to ear. It's not the greatest plot, you could drive a bus through some of the oversights but you will enjoy the read. I thought Kate was a great character and I felt the same about Nick - but Kate and Nick? That bit didn't convince me.

I wouldn't normally compare books I've read but this had the same feeling to it as J T Brannan's "Stop at Nothing" so Brannan's fans should enjoy this one (and vice versa, obviously).

Publisher - Headline
Genre - Adult thriller

Buy The Heist from Amazon