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Gen Delacourt Mystery #5
Swindle Town
Private Investigator Gen Delacourt plunges deep into San Francisco's exclusive, high-end bar scene when she's hired to find a rash of missing wine bottles. As the mystery unfolds, her search leads away from the wayward empties and into the moneyed lair of a hidden extortionist. Everyone she encounters is wearing a mask, and the players' deception spells danger for Gen, and, finally, pits her between two women who want the same guy. Can this savvy detective save Shiloh James, childhood friend of the man she loves?
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2015
77 people are currently reading
262 people want to read
About the author
Molly Greene
15 books180 followersHello readers! I am the author of the Gen Delacourt Mystery Series, which includes Mark of the Loon, The Last Fairytale, Paint Me Gone, A Thousand Tombs, Swindle Town, Lock the Cellar Door, Midnight at Half Moon Bay, and The India Archives.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 2, 2015
“I’ve found that relationships are predictable. Whoever cares least has the power.”
Since we left Genevieve Delacourt in A Thousand Tombs, book 4 of the Gen Delacourt mystery series, she and Mackenzie Hackett have been getting more serious about their relationship. Gen has started spending most weekends at Mack’s place in Oakland. She’s developed a penchant for gardening—gently nurturing pea shoots and oregano to maturity—and, despite herself, she has come to love Stella, Mack’s rescue dog.
One night, Mack takes Gen to an upscale wine and jazz bar called The Cosmo Club, to meet his old friend and musician, Shiloh James. During their visit they are introduced to Julie Russell, the owner of the club, who appears to be in love with Shiloh though they are clearly not in a relationship. When Julie learns that Gen is a private investigator, she immediately hires her to look into the club’s missing wine bottles. The bottles were empty so there’s no missing profit, but Julie suspects there may be more to it.
Of course, there is, and what Gen discovers during her investigation will turn out to have far more serious consequences than just a few bags of lost recycling. Unfortunately for Gen—but fortunately for readers—this mystery will stretch her detecting abilities to their limit, not to mention putting a heavy strain on her personal life.
Swindle Town is another fun mystery in a very entertaining series. Greene’s characters are, as always, real and vibrant people whom I enjoy spending time with. I look forward to reading the subsequent books in this series.
Since we left Genevieve Delacourt in A Thousand Tombs, book 4 of the Gen Delacourt mystery series, she and Mackenzie Hackett have been getting more serious about their relationship. Gen has started spending most weekends at Mack’s place in Oakland. She’s developed a penchant for gardening—gently nurturing pea shoots and oregano to maturity—and, despite herself, she has come to love Stella, Mack’s rescue dog.
One night, Mack takes Gen to an upscale wine and jazz bar called The Cosmo Club, to meet his old friend and musician, Shiloh James. During their visit they are introduced to Julie Russell, the owner of the club, who appears to be in love with Shiloh though they are clearly not in a relationship. When Julie learns that Gen is a private investigator, she immediately hires her to look into the club’s missing wine bottles. The bottles were empty so there’s no missing profit, but Julie suspects there may be more to it.
Of course, there is, and what Gen discovers during her investigation will turn out to have far more serious consequences than just a few bags of lost recycling. Unfortunately for Gen—but fortunately for readers—this mystery will stretch her detecting abilities to their limit, not to mention putting a heavy strain on her personal life.
Swindle Town is another fun mystery in a very entertaining series. Greene’s characters are, as always, real and vibrant people whom I enjoy spending time with. I look forward to reading the subsequent books in this series.
March 25, 2015
With each new novel I become a greater fan of Molly Greene’s work. She is skillful in creating entertaining, original, interesting & well developed stand alone novels that together form a tightly connected interrelated series. Swindle Town and its predecessors provide the reader a very another original and intriguing plot that is impelled by likeable and accomplished characters that live, work and play in the San Francisco Bay Area and the Sonoma County Wine Country. You will enjoy reading this series if you are drawn to this beautiful and interesting part of our world.
Swindle Town is a very well written story driven by a very inventive and original plot which includes deception, a fraud and a scam. It is a very enjoyable mystery featuring suspense and surprise with a some romance between attractive and intelligent protagonists.
I highly recommend you download and enjoy Swindle Town.
Swindle Town is a very well written story driven by a very inventive and original plot which includes deception, a fraud and a scam. It is a very enjoyable mystery featuring suspense and surprise with a some romance between attractive and intelligent protagonists.
I highly recommend you download and enjoy Swindle Town.
May 25, 2015
The Gen Delacourt Mystery Series includes Mark of the Loon, The Last Fairytale, Paint Me Gone, A Thousand Tombs, and Swindle Town... with more to come in the future. I've just sped through and thoroughly enjoyed these first five books, and will write a bit about each of them...
Swindle Town is the fifth book so far, and perhaps my favorite of the five. By this time in the series, the characters and their relationships are well-established so (for me) it was the storyline that made this one so good. Who would have thought that an investigation into some missing -- empty -- wine bottles could become so involved, intriguing, and interesting?! Thoroughly enjoyable, and I am looking forward to book six.
Swindle Town is the fifth book so far, and perhaps my favorite of the five. By this time in the series, the characters and their relationships are well-established so (for me) it was the storyline that made this one so good. Who would have thought that an investigation into some missing -- empty -- wine bottles could become so involved, intriguing, and interesting?! Thoroughly enjoyable, and I am looking forward to book six.
January 28, 2015
This is my second book by this author and I am loving the storylines, smooth intelligent writing, characters with depth, and the research work done by the author in each topic addressed in the book.
what you need to know: each book concludes, you do not need to read in order as the author slips in updates..that said, I am going to purchase Book 2...I have read Book 1, "Mark of the Loon" and highly suggest you read that also.
what you need to know: each book concludes, you do not need to read in order as the author slips in updates..that said, I am going to purchase Book 2...I have read Book 1, "Mark of the Loon" and highly suggest you read that also.
June 1, 2020
Great series, can't wait for book 9
December 1, 2023
Love, love this series. That characters are wonderful! Keep them coming!
March 24, 2015
Sassy, spunky private eye Gen Delacourt is back in a new mystery from Molly Greene that finds the amateur detective up to her ears in secrets, lies – and wine.
Molly Greene’s Gen Delacourt mysteries have been among my favorites since the series began several years ago. Over the course of four novels readers have followed Gen on her adventures in San Francisco as she works to uncover truths, catch bad guys, and keep herself alive in the process. In her fifth outing, Swindle Town, Gen is hired to track a series of disappearing empty wine bottles that ultimately leads her into the employment – or maybe the clutches – of a secret high-society wine club where membership fees are in the thousands and a good vintage may be worth killing over. Working the case becomes complicated for Gen when she uncovers connections that hit close to home for her boyfriend, SFPD detective Mack Hackett. Charged with keeping her investigation a secret, she’ll have to put her all into unraveling a mysterious series of threats on the wine club’s owner before things escalate and one of her many, many suspects decides to make their final move.
Swindle Town is a fabulous addition to a dependably entertaining series, brimming with all the wit, intrigue, and adventure readers have come to expect from Gen Delacourt and company. With her growing knack for spinning a grand mystery, author Molly Greene keeps the reader guessing until the novel’s conclusion. The intricacies of California’s wine culture create a fascinating backdrop for Gen’s latest case. It’s a show in which the private eye, fond as she is of life’s simpler pleasures, feels utterly miscast, but her resourcefulness pulls her through and she learns about the pastime of thousand-dollar vintages alongside the reader. Greene’s research of wine collecting contributes to the uniquely interesting undercurrent that drives Gen’s unpredictable plight. On her journey toward identifying a dangerous blackmailer, Gen comes face-to-face with wealthy would-be connoisseurs and all manner of characters, cluing her in on the wild and crazy world of the secretive rich. And as she skirts along the fragility of her new friendships, surprising revelations abound that will test her trust.
Greene has always filled her novels with memorable supporting characters, particularly Gen’s swoon-worthy love interest, Mack Hackett; in Swindle Town, there are familiar faces and new appearances alike. Cambria Butler, Gen’s good friend and the subject of Book #2, The Last Fairytale, uses her resources to help Gen on the case, while Mack’s childhood friend Shiloh James comes on the scene for the first time (and, hopefully, not the last). With every new character she creates, Greene always manages to add another colorful layer to the enchanting world of her novels. Combined with her expert twisty-turny sense for mystery and the lighting-like chemistry she creates between Gen and Mack, Greene delivers yet another delightful novel with Swindle Town.
(Review © Casee Marie, originally published on LiteraryInklings.com. A copy of the book was provided for the purpose of review.)
Molly Greene’s Gen Delacourt mysteries have been among my favorites since the series began several years ago. Over the course of four novels readers have followed Gen on her adventures in San Francisco as she works to uncover truths, catch bad guys, and keep herself alive in the process. In her fifth outing, Swindle Town, Gen is hired to track a series of disappearing empty wine bottles that ultimately leads her into the employment – or maybe the clutches – of a secret high-society wine club where membership fees are in the thousands and a good vintage may be worth killing over. Working the case becomes complicated for Gen when she uncovers connections that hit close to home for her boyfriend, SFPD detective Mack Hackett. Charged with keeping her investigation a secret, she’ll have to put her all into unraveling a mysterious series of threats on the wine club’s owner before things escalate and one of her many, many suspects decides to make their final move.
Swindle Town is a fabulous addition to a dependably entertaining series, brimming with all the wit, intrigue, and adventure readers have come to expect from Gen Delacourt and company. With her growing knack for spinning a grand mystery, author Molly Greene keeps the reader guessing until the novel’s conclusion. The intricacies of California’s wine culture create a fascinating backdrop for Gen’s latest case. It’s a show in which the private eye, fond as she is of life’s simpler pleasures, feels utterly miscast, but her resourcefulness pulls her through and she learns about the pastime of thousand-dollar vintages alongside the reader. Greene’s research of wine collecting contributes to the uniquely interesting undercurrent that drives Gen’s unpredictable plight. On her journey toward identifying a dangerous blackmailer, Gen comes face-to-face with wealthy would-be connoisseurs and all manner of characters, cluing her in on the wild and crazy world of the secretive rich. And as she skirts along the fragility of her new friendships, surprising revelations abound that will test her trust.
Greene has always filled her novels with memorable supporting characters, particularly Gen’s swoon-worthy love interest, Mack Hackett; in Swindle Town, there are familiar faces and new appearances alike. Cambria Butler, Gen’s good friend and the subject of Book #2, The Last Fairytale, uses her resources to help Gen on the case, while Mack’s childhood friend Shiloh James comes on the scene for the first time (and, hopefully, not the last). With every new character she creates, Greene always manages to add another colorful layer to the enchanting world of her novels. Combined with her expert twisty-turny sense for mystery and the lighting-like chemistry she creates between Gen and Mack, Greene delivers yet another delightful novel with Swindle Town.
(Review © Casee Marie, originally published on LiteraryInklings.com. A copy of the book was provided for the purpose of review.)
February 10, 2015
Putting her trust issues aside, private investigator Gen Delacourt plunges into a relationship with Detective Mack Hackett. A cozy date at a jazz club lands Gen a case that proves less than challenging, but the trail leads to a high-brow, members-only club whose owner ups the ante when she hires her to uncover her blackmailer. Finding out that the gorgeous and sophisticated Amanda Grant has conquests (and haters) that reach way beyond her clientele and into Mack’s close circle, Gen would normally give him a heads up, especially when danger looms. Just when she’s found her bearings in a committed relationship, will the confidentiality clause Amanda made her sign threaten the unconditional trust Mack has placed in her?
Secrets, fraud and double-dealings mar the beautiful love story that Gen and Mack share in this installment of Molly Greene’s exciting Gen Delacourt mysteries. This time, the setting is sophisticated and alluring. The lush and cosmopolitan hangouts of blue-bloods and wannabes. Delectable wine, classy decors and a good breading doesn’t exclude the beautiful people from being swindled, though, and Gen finds herself in the thick of a case whose tentacles hit way too close to home.
Molly Greene once again holds the perfect balance between her heroine’s wants and needs while strategically placing pawns in a new game where the winner won’t take it all. And that’s what makes this series satisfying and original. Its three-dimensional characters are so real that never really make the cut to either angels or villains. Apart from Mack, that is. He’s a book boyfriend, through and through. Give me domestic scenes where he prepares breakfast for Gen and Stella, his clever almost-human dog, and my grin stays put for hours.
The writing in this one is Molly Greene at her best. No-nonsense, honest and evocative. Add the beautiful settings, the original plot and a love story that keeps Gen and Mack’s fans on our toes, and you’ve got a winner!
Oh, and the ending simply melted me…
Secrets, fraud and double-dealings mar the beautiful love story that Gen and Mack share in this installment of Molly Greene’s exciting Gen Delacourt mysteries. This time, the setting is sophisticated and alluring. The lush and cosmopolitan hangouts of blue-bloods and wannabes. Delectable wine, classy decors and a good breading doesn’t exclude the beautiful people from being swindled, though, and Gen finds herself in the thick of a case whose tentacles hit way too close to home.
Molly Greene once again holds the perfect balance between her heroine’s wants and needs while strategically placing pawns in a new game where the winner won’t take it all. And that’s what makes this series satisfying and original. Its three-dimensional characters are so real that never really make the cut to either angels or villains. Apart from Mack, that is. He’s a book boyfriend, through and through. Give me domestic scenes where he prepares breakfast for Gen and Stella, his clever almost-human dog, and my grin stays put for hours.
The writing in this one is Molly Greene at her best. No-nonsense, honest and evocative. Add the beautiful settings, the original plot and a love story that keeps Gen and Mack’s fans on our toes, and you’ve got a winner!
Oh, and the ending simply melted me…
May 14, 2015
There's a comfort as a reader when you get to know an author through her work. You know that, the more you read of that particular author's writing, you can always depend on a quality product. And that is absolutely true of Molly Greene. I had the very good fortune of "meeting" Molly about the time the Girl with Book Lungs was beginning. She's been extraordinarily gracious and patient with me and, instead of ME finding a way to reward HER, she always ends up being the one to reward me with an excellent story.
Molly's Gen Delacourt mysteries are set in one of my favorite places: San Francisco. I know that, by reading these stories, I'll catch glimpses of the place I enjoy so much and remember my visits there. But that's just a personal added bonus.
Not technically a cozy mystery, Swindle Town is the fifth Gen Delacourt mystery. Gen is a private investigator. My, I mean, her boyfriend, Mack, is a member of the San Fran Police Department. The mystery in Swindle Town seemed rather easy; something Gen would zip through within a matter of chapters. But, as is the case with so much in life, there is more than what meets the eye. As she investigates some missing empty wine bottles, Gen is pulled into a bigger mystery that seems to expand chapter by chapter. Everyone seemed to be a suspect to me and I couldn't imagine how it would all end. Each chapter perfectly sets up the next, which makes it very difficult to set this book aside! But one of the best things about these stories is the characters. The way each is written means that, as readers, you really get into their minds and hearts. They are more than words on a page; they are people whose adventures and romances and everyday lives you can clearly see in your mind's eye as you read.
Swindle Town is another great installment and another great piece of fiction from Molly Greene.
Molly's Gen Delacourt mysteries are set in one of my favorite places: San Francisco. I know that, by reading these stories, I'll catch glimpses of the place I enjoy so much and remember my visits there. But that's just a personal added bonus.
Not technically a cozy mystery, Swindle Town is the fifth Gen Delacourt mystery. Gen is a private investigator. My, I mean, her boyfriend, Mack, is a member of the San Fran Police Department. The mystery in Swindle Town seemed rather easy; something Gen would zip through within a matter of chapters. But, as is the case with so much in life, there is more than what meets the eye. As she investigates some missing empty wine bottles, Gen is pulled into a bigger mystery that seems to expand chapter by chapter. Everyone seemed to be a suspect to me and I couldn't imagine how it would all end. Each chapter perfectly sets up the next, which makes it very difficult to set this book aside! But one of the best things about these stories is the characters. The way each is written means that, as readers, you really get into their minds and hearts. They are more than words on a page; they are people whose adventures and romances and everyday lives you can clearly see in your mind's eye as you read.
Swindle Town is another great installment and another great piece of fiction from Molly Greene.
November 14, 2015
PI Gen Delacourt is hired by the owner of an exclusive club to find out why her club has so many missing wine bottles. Her investigation leads to another exclusive club where she finds the patrons are victims of a scam being run by the club’s beautiful owner, Amanda Grant. Then, to add to her complications, she’s hired by Amanda to find out who is sending her threatening notes. Gen’s life takes an unexpected turn when Shiloh James, a childhood friend of her boyfriend, SFPD detective Mack Hackett, becomes romantically involved with the owners of both clubs.
Swindle Town by Molly Greene, the fifth book in the Gen Delacourt mystery series, is a different kind of mystery. While there’s plenty of action, unlike other mysteries, there aren’t dozens of corpses piling up page after page; just a finely-crafted story with enough twists and false leads to keep you wondering who the bad guy or gal is until Gen wraps it up and ties it with a beautiful bow near the end.
Greene handles her characters well, so well that you love some and feel sorry for others—the hallmark of fine fiction.
Swindle Town by Molly Greene, the fifth book in the Gen Delacourt mystery series, is a different kind of mystery. While there’s plenty of action, unlike other mysteries, there aren’t dozens of corpses piling up page after page; just a finely-crafted story with enough twists and false leads to keep you wondering who the bad guy or gal is until Gen wraps it up and ties it with a beautiful bow near the end.
Greene handles her characters well, so well that you love some and feel sorry for others—the hallmark of fine fiction.
Read
February 10, 2016fun, clean read
Gen Delacourt is plunged deep into San Franciscos exclusive, high-end bar scene when shes hired to find a rash of missing wine bottles. As the mystery unfolds, her search leads away from the wayward empties and into the moneyed lair of a hidden extortionist. Everyone she encounters is wearing a mask, and the players deception spells danger for Gen, and, finally, pits her between two women who want the same man. Can she save Shiloh James, childhood friend of the man she loves?
Gen Delacourt is plunged deep into San Franciscos exclusive, high-end bar scene when shes hired to find a rash of missing wine bottles. As the mystery unfolds, her search leads away from the wayward empties and into the moneyed lair of a hidden extortionist. Everyone she encounters is wearing a mask, and the players deception spells danger for Gen, and, finally, pits her between two women who want the same man. Can she save Shiloh James, childhood friend of the man she loves?
August 25, 2016
A good read for a summer night
I've been working my way through this series this summer and I can't get enough. I love the characters, the mysteries are plotted well, and the reading experience definitely beats watching TV. I'm also interested in some new storylines that were set up in this book and wondering where things will go from here. Another great book from Greene! I can't wait to read the next one.
I've been working my way through this series this summer and I can't get enough. I love the characters, the mysteries are plotted well, and the reading experience definitely beats watching TV. I'm also interested in some new storylines that were set up in this book and wondering where things will go from here. Another great book from Greene! I can't wait to read the next one.
January 31, 2017
I read all of the Gen Delacourt Mystery novels and picked this one for a review, because I liked it best (so far!)
I think the story particularly resonated with me, because I love wine ;o)
Molly Greene is a fantastic writer with great storytelling skills. I took me a while to "get" private investigator Gen Delacourt, but by book 5 I have warmed to her - in fact, I find her an extremely original protagonist with a lot of depth and potential.
I look forward to the next instalment!
I think the story particularly resonated with me, because I love wine ;o)
Molly Greene is a fantastic writer with great storytelling skills. I took me a while to "get" private investigator Gen Delacourt, but by book 5 I have warmed to her - in fact, I find her an extremely original protagonist with a lot of depth and potential.
I look forward to the next instalment!
March 5, 2015
light, entertaining.
This series is entertaining and light. I like that the mysteries to be solved are not murders, that makes them more interesting. Characters are not very complex or overly developed which detracts but not too much. You are compelled to find out what's going on and you like Gen Delacourt as she learns to detect.
This series is entertaining and light. I like that the mysteries to be solved are not murders, that makes them more interesting. Characters are not very complex or overly developed which detracts but not too much. You are compelled to find out what's going on and you like Gen Delacourt as she learns to detect.
August 18, 2015
Finished this book on a vacation. It's a novel with a bit of a unique plot. The hero female PI figures out the case and sets things up for future novels in the series.
Nothing particularly great about the story, nor did the author push the edges in good taste (thankfully) so I'm giving it the standard 3 stars for a novel that is pretty good. (Rarely would a novel get better rating than that.)
Nothing particularly great about the story, nor did the author push the edges in good taste (thankfully) so I'm giving it the standard 3 stars for a novel that is pretty good. (Rarely would a novel get better rating than that.)
July 13, 2015
Swindle Town
Excellent read. I had a hard time putting this book down. There was a great balance of intrigue and romance, with a touch of humor to make it all seem real. If you like mystery and suspense without a lot of gore, then this is the book for you.
Excellent read. I had a hard time putting this book down. There was a great balance of intrigue and romance, with a touch of humor to make it all seem real. If you like mystery and suspense without a lot of gore, then this is the book for you.
August 2, 2015
I skipped ahead a book or so in the series and it is interesting to see how the character is evolving.
I did enjoy the plot of this book. She is investigating a high-end wine club in San Francisco and there were lots of twists and turns.
I did enjoy the plot of this book. She is investigating a high-end wine club in San Francisco and there were lots of twists and turns.
December 20, 2015
Normally I do not read stories like this, but I liked the book a lot. I think a little more action would've been nice, but the story kept a believable plot and the author has a down to earth style of writing.
February 20, 2015
this lawyer turned detective explores the inner workings of the human condition as she finds out who did what and why and how. it's a good series. suggest you start with the first book.
June 15, 2015
Great story
I was caught up in this story all the way through it was very intriguing and I liked the way it ended
I was caught up in this story all the way through it was very intriguing and I liked the way it ended
July 13, 2015
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August 18, 2015
Great book
This is the first I've read of the Gen Delacourt series and I loved it! Definitely going to be reading more. Flows well making for a seamless read. Good job!
This is the first I've read of the Gen Delacourt series and I loved it! Definitely going to be reading more. Flows well making for a seamless read. Good job!
January 3, 2016
This was a really fun read. I like a mystery that isn't a murder mystery and Gen is a really fun main character whose head to be in.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews