Steal Away

Adam Dutton & Beverly Laborde Mystery #1

by B.V. Lawson

Revenge is best served BOLD.

When Beverly Laborde becomes a con artist to exact vengeance on the man who shut down her grandmother's antiques business and sent her to an early grave, she comes face to face with the handsome but haunted Vermont police detective, Adam Dutton--who doesn't know whether to arrest her or ask her out on a date.

But Beverly and Adam soon face an even worse problem than their inconvenient growing attraction toward each other: they've both incurred the wrath of the wealthy and formidable Reginald Forsythe. Forsythe's criminal tendrils seem to reach into all areas of Vermont politics and the Northeastern Antiquities League. And he'll do anything to keep his dark secrets safe.

Beverly and Adam enlist the help of a sympathetic antiques dealer and the mysterious "Mr. X," but will it be enough to prove Forsythe is guilty not only of theft and bribery but possibly murder? Beverly and Adam soon learn that even though they may not be able to outgun their nemesis individually, together they might just have a fighting chance.

Genres: Mystery, Amazon, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Ebooks, Contemporary, Fiction

286 pages, Paperback

Published February 2, 2020

About the author

Thanks for visiting my profile! I'm an author of crime fiction, including the Scott Drayco mystery series, which has been honored by the American Independent Writers, Maryland Writers Association, named Best Mystery in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, and been a finalist for the Shamus Awards, the Silver Falchion, the Daphne Awards, the Foreword Book Review Awards, and the Kindle Book Awards. Library Journal said of the series, "worth putting on your reading list," and I hope you'll think so, too.

Reviews

[Carolyn]

2.5 stars. I felt like this was a little cartoonish - the characterizations a touch too dramatic, as Beverly wrung her hands or bit her lip to express her angst, the Forsyths were over-the-top malevolent, Zelda came on too strong too suddenly, etc. Not horrible, but I doubt I’ll read further in the series.

[Robert Crouch]

I was drawn straight into this enjoyable and intriguing story by the author’s easy going style and the character of Beverley Laborde. Her mission to confront the man who’d destroyed her grandmother’s business and life add a personal engagement that raised the stakes. However, her enemy strikes back by claiming she scammed him with a fake antique silver bowl, putting her on a collision course with detective Adam Dutton.

The chapters alternate between the two lead characters, allowing them to reveal the feelings and conflicts, which help the story crackle along. It’s clear that Dutton and Laborde will have to tread a tightrope between personal feelings and remaining objective as they become immersed in a conflict where loyalties are put to the test and it’s impossible to know who to trust.

But you have to trust someone when your life’s on the line and the enemy likes to crush whoever stands in his way.

This is the first book I’ve read by the author, which brought a welcome change from the usual, derivative crime fiction that seems to fill the shelves these days. Set in Vermont, New England, there were hints of buried treasure, plenty of sexual tension between the lead characters, and a host of intriguing support characters, who helped to drive this twisting thriller towards an exciting and satisfying climax.

Steal Away has whetted my appetite for the further adventures of Laborde and Dutton in the second book in the series.

[Cath]

This is the first book in the Adam Dutton & Beverly Laborde Mystery series. The two main characters are Beverly Laborde, a con woman looking to take down the man who sent her grandmother to an early grave, and Adam Dutton, a Vermont police detective. Beverly arrives at the Apple Valley resort spa, reckoning it will be the perfect place to hide in plain sight. Shortly after her arrival Detective Dutton calls on her, to ask her about a complaint from a person called Reginald Forsythe, who states a woman conned him out of an expensive silver Paul Revere bowl. His is extremely wealthy and has criminal links, with influence in the local politics and the Northwestern Antiquities League. Not a good man to have made an enemy of. It seems Adam has also gotten on his wrong side. Forsythe may be guilty of theft, bribery and maybe even murder. Adam will have to join up with Beverly if he is to solve the case and others linked to Forsythe, but they will also need the help of a friendly antique dealer, who isn’t under the Forsythe III or IV’s control.

An easy reading series, with intriguing and unusual characters, with just the right amount of bad guys and heroes with conviction. I can’t wait to see if there will be more to come. I received an ARC copy of this book from Hidden Gems and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.

[Douglas Williamson]

Our heroine is a con artist looking for revenge, while our hero is a detective looking for justice. Turns out they both have the same target, and a mutual growing attraction.

This is the first book in a new mystery series and I hope there are more to come. The story is very well written and grabs you right at the start and then never lets go. Our characters keep up a breakneck pace as they try to navigate through the twists and turns of the plot with new revelations at each turn. Not to mention the chemistry between them that might provide a distraction now and then. Overall, this was a face paced, highly entertaining book and I hope to see more from this author in the future.

Highly recommended.

I received an ARC from Hidden Gems for review purposes.

[Infosleuth]

Terrific start to a new series

Their methods are different, they keep getting in each other’s way but also bailing each other out of trouble. Beverly and Adam have undeniable chemistry that both are trying, and failing, to ignore. Add in a small town cast of wonderful characters, the world of antiques, a treasure map and some rich, powerful criminals. What you get is an exciting new mystery series that keeps you eagerly turning the pages.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jim Devinney]

Loved the book until...

I really loved this book until page 22. Why in the world authors feel like they have throw lesbians or LGBTQ in their novels now. This is the second book I have stopped reading this week. I don't care about this and would greatly appreciate it if you stopped doing this. Now I can't read your other books. Because I can't trust you to not blindside me with your sexual preference.

[J A]

Beverly Laborde is out for revenge on Reginald Forsythe - the man who drove her grandmother into bankruptcy - so she becomes a con artist. In that role, she encounters local cop, Adam Dutton.

What follows is a well-worked cut and thrust with mutual attraction, each trying to outdo the other but simultaneously needing to help each other.

I will definitely be reading the next in the series.

[Doug Yonce]

A quick-paced novel starring a beautiful con-artist seeking revenge and a handsome policeman to create enough romantic tension to ensure a continuation of the series. Good guys, bad guys, and "in-between" guys abound as Beverly seeks to avenge her grandmother with the assistance of an interesting cast of characters.

[Bob]

I really enjoyed this story!
Beverly Laborde and Adam Dutton are great characters and the story is very well written. It kept me turning pages the entire time. The story was believable and featured enough twists and turns to keep me wanting for more.

I highly recommend this story and cannot wait to read the next book in this series!!!

[Voracious Reader]

B.V. Lawson has started a new series with Adam Dutton, a Vermont police detective and alleged com artist Beverly Laborde finding themselves aiding each other to solve cases even though they work from different sides of the law. I think she has come up with a winning team with these two. I look forward to seeing them further develop in future books.

[Cullen]

The Deputy and the Con Artist

A very easy book to read. But very hard to put down. The characters are believable and most are very likeable. I find summarizing this book very hard. There is so much to this story I don't want to leave anything out But my rewrite is so very boring.

[PWA Allen]

I really enjoyed this story. Fast moving, interesting history concerning an object everyone is looking for. Adam and Beverly have both gotten over some horrible things in their past but are working together, sort of, to solve several murders. I loved all the quirky characters, such fun and am looking forward to book #2 .

[Nancy]

Adam Dutton is the police detective who is after a thief, then he is after a murderer, and it changes as time goes by. Beverly goes by different different color hair, different names but she is always after the same thing. Revenge for her grandmother. The bad guys just happen to be her uncle and grandfather. Beverly knows who the guilty party is but can she prove it. First book in a series.

[Kenneth Lingenfelter]

Beverly wants to avenge her grandmother's death by the man she feels caused it. Beverly has a original map and is looking for treasure. She meets Adam Dutton, a detective, and sparks start to fly. This is an enjoyable mystery that will keep you interested in finding out what happens next.

[BookWorm]

Decent writing and well developed characters. I didn't feel much urgency in the mystery but it was easy reading. Beverly and Adam had good chemistry but it's a shame they didn't spend much time together. I guess that's for the next book!

[Judy Strickland]

Good story and characters.

Good story line and characters but you left me hanging at the end. Don't like cliffhangers .

Won't
Thought you would let characters at least meet halfway.

[Leonore B. Kohn]

Editing

Reading this book would have been a lot more pleasant if the editing wasn't so poor. I found myself rereading several passages until I realised the editing errors. Liked the characters and the story. Just a little too long. Will definitely read the next one.

[Annette Sullivan]

ok

Not too sure what to type. I skipped a whole lot as I thought it was slow, found out I didn’t miss too much, except yet another murder. Interesting concept and construct for a book. It just reads slow.

[Geneva]

Steal Away the first book in a new series by B.V. Lawson. Good reading , I think it will be a great series.

[Michael Carter]

Good Read

Kept me awake and turning pages. I read at night in my bed to fall asleep. NOT this story. Try it!!

[colin west]

Kept me reading!

I love watching Antique TV programs here in the UK and so I enjoyed this novel linked to antiques!! And it's always interesting to read about other countries!!

[Don G]

A light, easy read. Formulaic, but enjoyable

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (11/12/2022)! 🎁

[dutch]

Wow

Great character s, fun story to read, Adam and Beverly will make a greater story line, loved it, what's next ???

[Jan]

Definitely not a page-turner. Did not keep my attention. Just ok read. A few errors in word placement.

[helen roberts]

Revenge

A well written and interesting story line . Well rounded characters that interact well together. A series that reader will enjoy.

[Greg Roy]

Great start for a series

Great start for a series. The chemistry between the two main characters will definitely grow as the series continues to develop.

[Stephanie]

4.5

[Murray Cole]

A female con artist who can change disguises and become the Robin Hood of thieves.

[Helen]

This was an easy bedtime read and the characters were relatable