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The Dali Deception
Dark, funny, effortlessly cool & utterly thrilling. Join Violet Winters as she pulls the heist of her life. Will she succeed or will she end up dead? For one-woman crimewave Violet Winters, stealing is as natural as breathing . When she's offered the heist of a lifetime , she barely hesitates before agreeing. Unfortunately taking this job means returning to the city she once called home. And Kilchester is a city so rotten it hasn't just spoiled the whole barrel, it's turned the contents to cider and sold it to schoolchildren. Which can mean only one thing... a smorgasbord of trouble. Violet's plan to steal a priceless masterpiece is... in her own words... 'a masterpiece' but can her crack team of misfits and ne'er do-wells use their diversely nefarious skills to bag the booty before the wheels come off? Will they fall victim to Kilchester's finest vertically-challenged psychopath, Violet's vengeful yet strangely-magnetic ex-lover or just the general human cack-handedness that accompanies all truly brilliant plans? Eat. Sleep. Steal. Repeat. Slick, funny and surreal , this fast-paced thriller will grab you by the scruff of the neck and hurl you into a criminal world like no other.
298 pages, Hardcover
First published June 20, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 31, 2016
Once in a while I like to stray outside the region of psychological thrillers but it usually takes a very clever plot (or very clever marketing!) to make me even think about adding to my toppling TBR pile. But when I was contacted by Adam Maxwell, the author, and asked to review his book, I was incredibly intrigued by the blurb and jumped at the chance to read what has been perfectly described as a "caper". And it helped that the cover was a great piece of artwork in its own right as well!
The first thing that sprung to mind when I started this was that it would make a fabulous film. It brought to mind the film remake of The Italian Job where a cast of unique and downright weird and wacky characters come together to perform a complex and difficult crime. But it also brought to mind all the crime caper films of the 1960s bizarrely crossed with those tv series of the 1980s like Minder and The Sweeney. What I'm trying to say is that it had a visual feel to it and it was very easy to imagine sets and dialogues working on either the Big or small screen. And the art house, colourful book cover also brought to mind cinema posters as well!
Violet, who left Kilchester after a breakup with a very nasty double-crossing ex boyfriend, is back in town and is now on the lookout for a team to help her steal a blank canvas. Hmmmmm, a blank canvas I hear you say? But this is no ordinary blank piece of art, it is a signed Salvador Dali and is going to make them a lot of money! The characters assembled by Violet are an interesting bunch and Adam Maxwell tries to avoid the classic criminal cliches. I loved Zoe especially and I thought Big Terry was a brilliant creation, he scared the hell out of me!!! And this is one of the strengths of this book, it really is the characters who make it! You really are willing them to succeed every step of their journey.
As the plot twists and turn until the job itself, you are kept up to date with a countdown to the big day which I was glad was there, especially as its not quite in chronological order at the start. Once I got into the story it certainly was one that I couldn't put down and read frantically for the last few chapters to see if the gang could get away with it.
I would happily read more about Violet and her gang as I definitely think they have much more to give, I just don't fancy living in the fictional Kilchester while all these gangster types are praying on the poor population!
I received a copy of this book via the author and this is my unbiased review.
The first thing that sprung to mind when I started this was that it would make a fabulous film. It brought to mind the film remake of The Italian Job where a cast of unique and downright weird and wacky characters come together to perform a complex and difficult crime. But it also brought to mind all the crime caper films of the 1960s bizarrely crossed with those tv series of the 1980s like Minder and The Sweeney. What I'm trying to say is that it had a visual feel to it and it was very easy to imagine sets and dialogues working on either the Big or small screen. And the art house, colourful book cover also brought to mind cinema posters as well!
Violet, who left Kilchester after a breakup with a very nasty double-crossing ex boyfriend, is back in town and is now on the lookout for a team to help her steal a blank canvas. Hmmmmm, a blank canvas I hear you say? But this is no ordinary blank piece of art, it is a signed Salvador Dali and is going to make them a lot of money! The characters assembled by Violet are an interesting bunch and Adam Maxwell tries to avoid the classic criminal cliches. I loved Zoe especially and I thought Big Terry was a brilliant creation, he scared the hell out of me!!! And this is one of the strengths of this book, it really is the characters who make it! You really are willing them to succeed every step of their journey.
As the plot twists and turn until the job itself, you are kept up to date with a countdown to the big day which I was glad was there, especially as its not quite in chronological order at the start. Once I got into the story it certainly was one that I couldn't put down and read frantically for the last few chapters to see if the gang could get away with it.
I would happily read more about Violet and her gang as I definitely think they have much more to give, I just don't fancy living in the fictional Kilchester while all these gangster types are praying on the poor population!
I received a copy of this book via the author and this is my unbiased review.
June 3, 2016
Planning a heist comes naturally to Violet Winters. She can be intimidating, manipulative and even the joker when she wants to be, but more importantly she can pick the most complicated lock at fifty paces. And besides, it’s in her blood.
Assembling a team of equally formidable masterminds with variable talents in a matter of weeks should be a piece of cake to someone with her family background expertise, as the next job will require specific hand-picked skills to carry out ‘The Dali Deception’. Plus, there’s the added bonus of wreaking havoc on her ex as payback for the last project which didn’t go quite as planned.
The elaborately hatched plan starts with a countdown to the date of The Dali Deception starting with how she recruits her elite squad and deals with their eccentricities. The introductions start one by one until the fully fledged members of the team include the bizarre choice of a twenty two year old computer hacker who resembles a twelve year old school girl, the muscle in the form of a mute female Arnold Schwarzenegger, Barry is the cocky logistics expert (he can find you any vehicle you desire quicker than Autotrader), and there’s a serial opportunist whose pretend secretary begrudges him drawing breath (the teabag being fished from bin scene is cracking).
But even these flashes of genius need a helping hand, as spanners are frequently thrown into the works and spontaneous solutions are required to keep them off the radar. The last thing Violet wants is to draw unnecessary attention to her team while they attempt to whip a most unusual ‘work of art’ by Salvador Dali from under the nose of its keeper.
During their quest they meet a vertically challenged foul-mouthed gangster, or Big Terry as he’s known. He has plenty of support from his hired security, but he still prefers to do most of the dirty work himself – he’s a nasty character who’s used to getting exactly what he wants and enjoys making people pay for disappointing him, especially if they have the audacity to refer to his small stature.
Every member of the team establishes themselves (and their quirks) quickly, and the camaraderie in Violet’s criminal fraternity is just superb. Seeing their bonds develop as the plot gains momentum is absolutely priceless, just like the peculiar blank canvas they have been commissioned to 'acquire'.
Katie is by far my favourite player. The subtleties of her body language when Violet ‘discusses’ things with her, or rather Violet talks and Katie shows approval or disapproval, gives her the strongest presence and yet she never utters a word throughout!
The Dali Deception is inventive and sparky. Constantly evolving, this quick-fire organised crime caper bounds along - I devoured it during the course of an afternoon when I'd only stepped in for a couple of chapters!
I think we'll be seeing a lot more of these talented odd bods, as somehow they don't seem the type to retire quietly from this honourable thievery lark...
(I received a digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review, with my thanks.)
Assembling a team of equally formidable masterminds with variable talents in a matter of weeks should be a piece of cake to someone with her family background expertise, as the next job will require specific hand-picked skills to carry out ‘The Dali Deception’. Plus, there’s the added bonus of wreaking havoc on her ex as payback for the last project which didn’t go quite as planned.
The elaborately hatched plan starts with a countdown to the date of The Dali Deception starting with how she recruits her elite squad and deals with their eccentricities. The introductions start one by one until the fully fledged members of the team include the bizarre choice of a twenty two year old computer hacker who resembles a twelve year old school girl, the muscle in the form of a mute female Arnold Schwarzenegger, Barry is the cocky logistics expert (he can find you any vehicle you desire quicker than Autotrader), and there’s a serial opportunist whose pretend secretary begrudges him drawing breath (the teabag being fished from bin scene is cracking).
But even these flashes of genius need a helping hand, as spanners are frequently thrown into the works and spontaneous solutions are required to keep them off the radar. The last thing Violet wants is to draw unnecessary attention to her team while they attempt to whip a most unusual ‘work of art’ by Salvador Dali from under the nose of its keeper.
During their quest they meet a vertically challenged foul-mouthed gangster, or Big Terry as he’s known. He has plenty of support from his hired security, but he still prefers to do most of the dirty work himself – he’s a nasty character who’s used to getting exactly what he wants and enjoys making people pay for disappointing him, especially if they have the audacity to refer to his small stature.
Every member of the team establishes themselves (and their quirks) quickly, and the camaraderie in Violet’s criminal fraternity is just superb. Seeing their bonds develop as the plot gains momentum is absolutely priceless, just like the peculiar blank canvas they have been commissioned to 'acquire'.
Katie is by far my favourite player. The subtleties of her body language when Violet ‘discusses’ things with her, or rather Violet talks and Katie shows approval or disapproval, gives her the strongest presence and yet she never utters a word throughout!
The Dali Deception is inventive and sparky. Constantly evolving, this quick-fire organised crime caper bounds along - I devoured it during the course of an afternoon when I'd only stepped in for a couple of chapters!
I think we'll be seeing a lot more of these talented odd bods, as somehow they don't seem the type to retire quietly from this honourable thievery lark...
(I received a digital copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review, with my thanks.)
June 9, 2016
Actual rating 4.5*
If you can imagine Oceans Eleven (the George Clooney/Brad Pitt
If you can imagine Oceans Eleven (the George Clooney/Brad Pitt
May 16, 2022
This book was kindly provided for review by the author. Thank you!
Readers who have been with me for some time know that the majority of the books I review tend to skew towards the science-fiction and fantasy variety. Every so often I read and review something “modern” but those tend to be few and far between. When I was contacted by Adam Maxwell and asked if I was interested in reviewing his book The Dali Deception, I admit I was a bit hesitant. Once I read the book description, however, I was intrigued. And once I actually started reading the book itself, I was hooked.
When is a painting not quite a painting? When it’s a blank canvas signed by Salvador Dali.
After being away from Kilchester for almost two years, Violet Winters is given the chance to get back in the con game. All she has to do is steal a priceless Dali painting and replace it with a fake. The only hitch is the painting is located in an underground bunker apartment owned by a security-obsessed banker. There’s only one way in and one way out and enough security to make the US federal government jealous.
As she’s been away for a while, Violet has to assemble an all-new team. This she does by calling in old friends and making new ones along the way.
The character of Violet Winters – and the rest of her motley crew – are an interesting bunch. It would have been so easy for Maxwell to rely on character tropes that readers have seen countless times. But Maxwell doesn’t do this and instead subverts what readers are expecting and in effect take them by surprise. While there are some criminal cliches that are almost impossible to avoid, even with those Maxwell takes them and gives them a unique twist.
Personally, I think my favorite characters were Zoe and Katie. As someone who has perpetually looked younger than she actually was, I can completely relate to her sometimes frustration. And as for Katie, I find her whole person intriguing and cannot wait to get to know her better. In The Dali Deception, we do not learn much about her but it is easy to like her.
Maxwell’s writing style with The Dali Deception is fast-paced and funny. While reading it I couldn’t help but think how well this story could translate to screen – preferably a tv series type thing that would allow the whole story to be told.
In the end, I really enjoyed reading The Dali Deception by Adam Maxwell. I’m glad to know there is a second book featuring this crew and it has already been added to my extensive To Be Read list. I absolutely recommend it to my readers and to anyone looking for something a little bit different.
Many thanks to Adam Maxwell for allowing me to read and review this book!
February 22, 2021
The first thing I wrote when I made my notes when reading THE DALI DECEPTION was that it was off to a great start! I love the writing style. Its modern, crisp and comedic prose draw you in, making you feel right at home with Violet.
Violet is the main character and is very likeable and funny. She's got a real no-nonsense, almost girl-power-like attitude which you warm to instantly. I must admit it, I have had my first gay fictional crush with Violet. She's very seductive and strong but has a vulnerability about her that makes her so loveable.
The rest of the crew had their own quirks and talents which lent to the comedy and saw them bond well in this brilliant tale of double-dealing. I thoroughly enjoyed the banter between them all and looked forward to the moments when they were at their "headquarters". It never failed to offer up a good belly laugh or ten and I often got strange looks from my Mam, who was often sitting across from me in the front room, reading her completely unfunny book. Poor her. She obviously hadn't had the pleasure I had of being sent a review request from a certain comedic mastermind A.K.A. Mr Adam Maxwell.
Speaking of the comedy, the humour in this brilliantly original novel was top-notch. It was fresh, never repetitious, and sharp as a tack. Very often I saw myself laughing out loud whilst downing a swig of tea which ended in it landing all down the days top. Cheers for the extra laundry, Adam!
The plot revealed itself very quickly, clearly and what a strong plot it was! Actually, the plot was so enticing, roughly 20% into the book I started to feel a real sense of excitement for the rest of the novel and was looking forward to the journey of how Violet and the motley crew was going to pull off this seemingly impossible heist!
This isn't the sort of novel I would ordinarily select when browsing a bookstore but I absolutely loved it! I will most certainly read more from this author. Actually, the more I read from authors who have kindly approached me with their books, the more books I am adding to my TBR (To Be Read) list for the future! To be honest, my TBR list is so long, I don't think I'll finish it in my lifetime.
I really hope to see more of the gang again, such was my enjoyment of THE DALI DECEPTION and I see there already is another enticing offering with his latest Kilchester outing: KILL IT WITH FIRE. I wholly intend on reading and reviewing it here in the future.
Adam Maxwell has incredible talent and is sure to go far. I would also like to thank Adam for his kindness in asking me to review his wonderful book. It was an absolute pleasure.
Violet is the main character and is very likeable and funny. She's got a real no-nonsense, almost girl-power-like attitude which you warm to instantly. I must admit it, I have had my first gay fictional crush with Violet. She's very seductive and strong but has a vulnerability about her that makes her so loveable.
The rest of the crew had their own quirks and talents which lent to the comedy and saw them bond well in this brilliant tale of double-dealing. I thoroughly enjoyed the banter between them all and looked forward to the moments when they were at their "headquarters". It never failed to offer up a good belly laugh or ten and I often got strange looks from my Mam, who was often sitting across from me in the front room, reading her completely unfunny book. Poor her. She obviously hadn't had the pleasure I had of being sent a review request from a certain comedic mastermind A.K.A. Mr Adam Maxwell.
Speaking of the comedy, the humour in this brilliantly original novel was top-notch. It was fresh, never repetitious, and sharp as a tack. Very often I saw myself laughing out loud whilst downing a swig of tea which ended in it landing all down the days top. Cheers for the extra laundry, Adam!
The plot revealed itself very quickly, clearly and what a strong plot it was! Actually, the plot was so enticing, roughly 20% into the book I started to feel a real sense of excitement for the rest of the novel and was looking forward to the journey of how Violet and the motley crew was going to pull off this seemingly impossible heist!
This isn't the sort of novel I would ordinarily select when browsing a bookstore but I absolutely loved it! I will most certainly read more from this author. Actually, the more I read from authors who have kindly approached me with their books, the more books I am adding to my TBR (To Be Read) list for the future! To be honest, my TBR list is so long, I don't think I'll finish it in my lifetime.
I really hope to see more of the gang again, such was my enjoyment of THE DALI DECEPTION and I see there already is another enticing offering with his latest Kilchester outing: KILL IT WITH FIRE. I wholly intend on reading and reviewing it here in the future.
Adam Maxwell has incredible talent and is sure to go far. I would also like to thank Adam for his kindness in asking me to review his wonderful book. It was an absolute pleasure.
August 8, 2016
It was nice to experience a woman in a role typically reserved for a male character.Violet is strong, ruthless and was born into the crime trade.
It is sort of an Ocean’s Eleven, on a smaller scale, and with a Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels feel to it. It also includes big memorable characters like Big Terry. A little man with a huge Napoleon complex.
As a reader you champion the con and the thieves, because out of the groups they are the lesser evil. In a way you want them to pull off the perfect heist.
I enjoyed the tongue in cheek irony of the blank canvas scenario. It is perhaps Maxwell’s way of pointing out the hypocrisy and comicality of what ‘experts’ perceive to be art or decide is art. Modern art can be a square coloured canvas with a toothbrush holder and toothbrush stuck out of the canvas. (Witnessed this myself in the Museum of Modern Art in New York). Things are only worth what people are willing to pay for them.
Maxwell lets his witty humour seep into this classic heist scenario. It’s a fast-paced crime caper with a strong woman as the main character. I’m sure we will be hearing about Violet and her band of merry misfits again.
*I received a copy of this book courtesy of the author.*
It is sort of an Ocean’s Eleven, on a smaller scale, and with a Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels feel to it. It also includes big memorable characters like Big Terry. A little man with a huge Napoleon complex.
As a reader you champion the con and the thieves, because out of the groups they are the lesser evil. In a way you want them to pull off the perfect heist.
I enjoyed the tongue in cheek irony of the blank canvas scenario. It is perhaps Maxwell’s way of pointing out the hypocrisy and comicality of what ‘experts’ perceive to be art or decide is art. Modern art can be a square coloured canvas with a toothbrush holder and toothbrush stuck out of the canvas. (Witnessed this myself in the Museum of Modern Art in New York). Things are only worth what people are willing to pay for them.
Maxwell lets his witty humour seep into this classic heist scenario. It’s a fast-paced crime caper with a strong woman as the main character. I’m sure we will be hearing about Violet and her band of merry misfits again.
*I received a copy of this book courtesy of the author.*
June 17, 2016
I have always wanted to be a 'gangsters moll' so the appeal of this book was like a dream to me.
Violet Winters is a fabulous character, as is Zoe Zimmerman, and with a reputation of being more than good at what she does, is asked to pull off a heist that is as brilliant as it's dumb. Well, who has ever heard of stealing a blank canvas?
This one, however, is signed by Salvador Dali and is worth a fortune and Violet has to steal it and replace it with a forgery.
The Dali Deception is exciting, funny and flows effortlessly. It isn't a lengthy novel so can be read in a few hours and believe me, those hours are very well spent.
Adam Maxwell is so convincing with this plot I wondered whether he has inside knowledge of his subject. The characterisation is perfectly formed and each one has a place in Violets world.
This well written tale reminded of the film 'Now You See Me' in the fact that a team of thieves pull off a simple but amazing stunt. With danger lurking, Violet and her 'team' work together and give the reader a tension filled thrill that both delights and enthralls.
There is a Q&A with the author Adam Maxwell on my blog tracyshephard.wordpress.com/
Violet Winters is a fabulous character, as is Zoe Zimmerman, and with a reputation of being more than good at what she does, is asked to pull off a heist that is as brilliant as it's dumb. Well, who has ever heard of stealing a blank canvas?
This one, however, is signed by Salvador Dali and is worth a fortune and Violet has to steal it and replace it with a forgery.
The Dali Deception is exciting, funny and flows effortlessly. It isn't a lengthy novel so can be read in a few hours and believe me, those hours are very well spent.
Adam Maxwell is so convincing with this plot I wondered whether he has inside knowledge of his subject. The characterisation is perfectly formed and each one has a place in Violets world.
This well written tale reminded of the film 'Now You See Me' in the fact that a team of thieves pull off a simple but amazing stunt. With danger lurking, Violet and her 'team' work together and give the reader a tension filled thrill that both delights and enthralls.
There is a Q&A with the author Adam Maxwell on my blog tracyshephard.wordpress.com/
November 24, 2018
Actual rating: 3.5
This was a really fun book. Some parts of it were a little bit caricature-y and I do always roll my eyes at the part at the end where the main character reveals that all the little hiccups along the way was part of their master plan all along, but I love a good heist story and for the most part this had a good cast of characters that played well off each other. Definitely a fun short read if you are in the mood for some good old art theft ;)
This was a really fun book. Some parts of it were a little bit caricature-y and I do always roll my eyes at the part at the end where the main character reveals that all the little hiccups along the way was part of their master plan all along, but I love a good heist story and for the most part this had a good cast of characters that played well off each other. Definitely a fun short read if you are in the mood for some good old art theft ;)
July 28, 2018
In theory this should be one of the easier reviews to write. I could just proclaim “I LOVED THIS BOOK” and whack a 5 star comment onto Twitter. Job done.
Not quite…that would be criminally understating how much I enjoyed Adam Maxwell’s fantastically fun crime caper The Dali Deception. I hope “crime caper” is an acceptable description but I cannot find a more apt snappy description. It was shades of Oceans 11 (though Violet’s crew are fewer than eleven), it had the gangster pizzazz of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and the humour of Hot Fuzz. I can only apologise that all my movie references are so out of date…I don’t see many films these days!
Violet is a crook (one of the nice ones). She was forced to leave Kilchester after a planned robbery went wrong – well when her boyfriend sabotaged her plan. Now she is back and it does not take long before a new opportunity presents its-self – steal an original Dali and replace it with a replica so the crime goes undetected. Tricky, but Violet has a plan oh and if she should happen to cross paths with her treacherous ex then there may be the chance to put a few things straight there too.
This was an audiobook listen and I grudged the time that my commute ended and I had to pause the story. Violet’s plan to steal an original (and most unusual) Dali from a heavily guarded underground location was brilliantly kept under wraps by the author who teased out clues as to how the heist would play out as the story unfolded.
She recruits a wheel-man, a computer expert, a con man and her muscle – all are wonderfully depicted in the story and they all clash, then bond and fall foul of calamity. You cannot help but love them.
Every good story also needs a villain and Kilchester’s criminal underworld is certainly ruled by a big personality (even if that personality is not contained within a big body).
Always important for an audiobook – the narrator. Big shout to RJ Alldred at this point, she was perfect and I hope to hear her narrate more stories soon – by far the clearest (and most pleasant) voice I have enjoyed listening to on my daily commute.
Did I mention that I loved this story? It’s true – an easy 5 star read (or listen in this case).
Not quite…that would be criminally understating how much I enjoyed Adam Maxwell’s fantastically fun crime caper The Dali Deception. I hope “crime caper” is an acceptable description but I cannot find a more apt snappy description. It was shades of Oceans 11 (though Violet’s crew are fewer than eleven), it had the gangster pizzazz of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and the humour of Hot Fuzz. I can only apologise that all my movie references are so out of date…I don’t see many films these days!
Violet is a crook (one of the nice ones). She was forced to leave Kilchester after a planned robbery went wrong – well when her boyfriend sabotaged her plan. Now she is back and it does not take long before a new opportunity presents its-self – steal an original Dali and replace it with a replica so the crime goes undetected. Tricky, but Violet has a plan oh and if she should happen to cross paths with her treacherous ex then there may be the chance to put a few things straight there too.
This was an audiobook listen and I grudged the time that my commute ended and I had to pause the story. Violet’s plan to steal an original (and most unusual) Dali from a heavily guarded underground location was brilliantly kept under wraps by the author who teased out clues as to how the heist would play out as the story unfolded.
She recruits a wheel-man, a computer expert, a con man and her muscle – all are wonderfully depicted in the story and they all clash, then bond and fall foul of calamity. You cannot help but love them.
Every good story also needs a villain and Kilchester’s criminal underworld is certainly ruled by a big personality (even if that personality is not contained within a big body).
Always important for an audiobook – the narrator. Big shout to RJ Alldred at this point, she was perfect and I hope to hear her narrate more stories soon – by far the clearest (and most pleasant) voice I have enjoyed listening to on my daily commute.
Did I mention that I loved this story? It’s true – an easy 5 star read (or listen in this case).
August 27, 2020
Rock and Roll Fabulous!!!
This is prime time, rock and roll, seriously cool, amazing stuff! I read the whole thing in one sitting. Absolutely could not put it down. I read some of those fabulous fight scenes with Katie and Violet to my family. They are awesome! Having two unarmed women totally kick five armed male bodyguards butts and make them look like complete loosers is the best! Show me more!!
This is prime time, rock and roll, seriously cool, amazing stuff! I read the whole thing in one sitting. Absolutely could not put it down. I read some of those fabulous fight scenes with Katie and Violet to my family. They are awesome! Having two unarmed women totally kick five armed male bodyguards butts and make them look like complete loosers is the best! Show me more!!
June 16, 2021
3.5 stars rounded up
A nifty, little heist caper in the tradition of Oceans 11 but with an all British cast and some kickass female protagonists. I'm taking half a star off for the author's use of the 'r' word which was completely unnecessary and gross, especially when there are so many better British insults they could have used. That was disappointing. Otherwise, it was a fun read.
A nifty, little heist caper in the tradition of Oceans 11 but with an all British cast and some kickass female protagonists. I'm taking half a star off for the author's use of the 'r' word which was completely unnecessary and gross, especially when there are so many better British insults they could have used. That was disappointing. Otherwise, it was a fun read.
April 9, 2020
A great heist / caper
Adam successfully creates a world of criminals and possibilities in a reality / comic world, which excites the devil inside. With a terrifying nemesis and amazing one liners and superb hyperbole that involve Wookiees and clown’s cars - the humour, violence and interplay are originally and superbly observed. A hoot!
Adam successfully creates a world of criminals and possibilities in a reality / comic world, which excites the devil inside. With a terrifying nemesis and amazing one liners and superb hyperbole that involve Wookiees and clown’s cars - the humour, violence and interplay are originally and superbly observed. A hoot!
July 16, 2021
A wonderfully delicious story about the most unlikeliest characters you could come across, Violet is the lock-picking brains and leader of the crew which also consists of a card-counting conman, a young looking tech expert, a near 7foot muscled up mute female and the obligatory get-away driver, all brought together to steal a painting by Salvador Dali from an underground flat, whilst being chased by the local gangster, who happens to be a foul mouthed midget called Big Terry.
Laughs aplenty in this fast paced thriller.
Laughs aplenty in this fast paced thriller.
September 20, 2021
Cool
Unusual, quirky and clever, strange characters from the long to the short it's all in this book of misfits,and weirdos!
Unusual, quirky and clever, strange characters from the long to the short it's all in this book of misfits,and weirdos!
June 8, 2016
I always welcome a review request from an author with a mix of trepidation and excitation. What if the magic doesn’t happen? What if no emotions get sparked? What if… I feel there is more pressure when you work on a book you haven’t picked yourself. Of course, you can decline and go back to your precious towering TBR. But sometimes a synopsis intrigues you. Sometimes a detail draws you in. Sometimes, something insides you stirs and tells you to jump out of your usual comfort zone. Sometimes you get the chance to find a real gem.
When her last job went wrong after she was betrayed by her boyfriend, Violet Winters left her business and her town. Eighteen months later, the perfect job offer presents itself, giving her the opportunity to make her come back, and finally find closure. The mission is to get a blank canvas signed by Salvador Dali delivered to a rich client, and Violet is the only one who can pull it off. To succeed, she needs a flawless plan and an A-team. But unresolved issues from her past and a local bigwig threaten to ruin it all. Can she get the work done without ending up in jail or getting reduced to cold meat?
She needed this. Being away from Kilchester had been irritating, but being away from the life had been excruciating.
Forced to leave her town and her job because of her ex-boyfriend, Violet is itching to get back to work and is more than ready when the Dali job is offered to her. Stealing a blank canvas and replacing it by a forgery is a challenge made for her. If you are anything like me, your extensive knowledge of art comes down to a few famous names and never-ending afternoon in museums staring at very ugly items supposedly representing something. Do not let this bring you down. The author makes sure you get a very good idea of the value of the piece and its background through the story. The same goes for the stealing market. I was not very sure I would understand or warm up to people whose job was to steal important and precious items in exchange for money, but Adam Maxwell managed to lure me to the dark side with a string of clever and funny characters.
“We don’t have nicknames because you’re too thick to remember who’s who when we have nicknames.”
Violet Winters is a professional thief. She is as cool as her job title. For her plan to succeed, Violet surrounds herself with the best. We follow the leader as she hires the members of her team one after the other. Every one of them has a special ability. I liked to think of them as the fingers of the same hand. I found the way Violet gathered each of them to be particularly clever. By the time she reunited them all, I had found my favorites and was eager to see them at work. I loved the idea of a team of thieves working together and I was pleasantly surprised not to be bothered each character had a bit of a cliché attached to them; the driver, the computer whiz, the conman, the muscle, and the mastermind. Still, the author manages to add a splash of originality in all of them, which gives you the feeling of knowing them while getting the opportunity to be surprised by them. Add a mix of humor and a strong team spirit, and you have me rooting for the thieves!
Sometimes you choose the wrong people.
Violet is dangerously good at what she does. Everyone can come up with plans, but few can master the art of the perfect plan. We are never given all the cards, still we are not left in the dark. The heist’s plans are revealed, the details of what happened in the past are given. We get to see everyone in action as events slip from Violet’s control and force them to act under pressure. I really enjoyed how every member of the team proved to be essential to the success of the mission. I should use the plural, because contrary to my assumption, stealing a single painting takes more than one big plan! When the news of Violet’s return spread, her ex-boyfriend gets in the way. But the biggest obstacle between the team and the painting is a tiny gangster with no limits. Meeting Big Terry was a huge surprise. I usually don’t care much for the bad guys, but I am definitely intrigued by the colossal villain that Adam Maxwell created.
The Dali Deception is an unputdownable steady-paced novel that delivers on everything you want and more. The tension slowly builds as every page takes you a little closer to the big day. With his novel, Adam Maxwell shows his readers that stealing is an art. I gave this book 4,5 stars.
I would like to thank Adam Maxwell for providing me with a copy of his book in exchange for an honest review.
This review was originally published on my blog @ https://chocolatenwafflesblog.wordpre...
When her last job went wrong after she was betrayed by her boyfriend, Violet Winters left her business and her town. Eighteen months later, the perfect job offer presents itself, giving her the opportunity to make her come back, and finally find closure. The mission is to get a blank canvas signed by Salvador Dali delivered to a rich client, and Violet is the only one who can pull it off. To succeed, she needs a flawless plan and an A-team. But unresolved issues from her past and a local bigwig threaten to ruin it all. Can she get the work done without ending up in jail or getting reduced to cold meat?
She needed this. Being away from Kilchester had been irritating, but being away from the life had been excruciating.
Forced to leave her town and her job because of her ex-boyfriend, Violet is itching to get back to work and is more than ready when the Dali job is offered to her. Stealing a blank canvas and replacing it by a forgery is a challenge made for her. If you are anything like me, your extensive knowledge of art comes down to a few famous names and never-ending afternoon in museums staring at very ugly items supposedly representing something. Do not let this bring you down. The author makes sure you get a very good idea of the value of the piece and its background through the story. The same goes for the stealing market. I was not very sure I would understand or warm up to people whose job was to steal important and precious items in exchange for money, but Adam Maxwell managed to lure me to the dark side with a string of clever and funny characters.
“We don’t have nicknames because you’re too thick to remember who’s who when we have nicknames.”
Violet Winters is a professional thief. She is as cool as her job title. For her plan to succeed, Violet surrounds herself with the best. We follow the leader as she hires the members of her team one after the other. Every one of them has a special ability. I liked to think of them as the fingers of the same hand. I found the way Violet gathered each of them to be particularly clever. By the time she reunited them all, I had found my favorites and was eager to see them at work. I loved the idea of a team of thieves working together and I was pleasantly surprised not to be bothered each character had a bit of a cliché attached to them; the driver, the computer whiz, the conman, the muscle, and the mastermind. Still, the author manages to add a splash of originality in all of them, which gives you the feeling of knowing them while getting the opportunity to be surprised by them. Add a mix of humor and a strong team spirit, and you have me rooting for the thieves!
Sometimes you choose the wrong people.
Violet is dangerously good at what she does. Everyone can come up with plans, but few can master the art of the perfect plan. We are never given all the cards, still we are not left in the dark. The heist’s plans are revealed, the details of what happened in the past are given. We get to see everyone in action as events slip from Violet’s control and force them to act under pressure. I really enjoyed how every member of the team proved to be essential to the success of the mission. I should use the plural, because contrary to my assumption, stealing a single painting takes more than one big plan! When the news of Violet’s return spread, her ex-boyfriend gets in the way. But the biggest obstacle between the team and the painting is a tiny gangster with no limits. Meeting Big Terry was a huge surprise. I usually don’t care much for the bad guys, but I am definitely intrigued by the colossal villain that Adam Maxwell created.
The Dali Deception is an unputdownable steady-paced novel that delivers on everything you want and more. The tension slowly builds as every page takes you a little closer to the big day. With his novel, Adam Maxwell shows his readers that stealing is an art. I gave this book 4,5 stars.
I would like to thank Adam Maxwell for providing me with a copy of his book in exchange for an honest review.
This review was originally published on my blog @ https://chocolatenwafflesblog.wordpre...
Read
June 17, 2016“The Dali Deception” is a modern English crime caper with a flavor of something that Ealing Studios might have released in the 60’s. On the surface the story is a tale of twisted morals and revenge while at its heart it’s a character study of a cast of diverse, quirky and delightful characters.
There’s a cool swagger to the literary tone of “The Dali Deception.” We meet Violet and Katie while they’re on a burglary job that isn’t all it seems. The women have clearly done this sort of work together once or twice and there’s ease between them. No hurry to accomplish their task, Violet chats with her trusted friend as they wait for their chance to complete the task and in so doing, we get a feel of the leading character and driving force for the plotline. We know before we read about the job that Violet has been deeply betrayed. She tells Katie a disturbing tale with the laid back calm that belies the terror she must have felt in the moment. Within the first few pages we get a sense of the motivating character and a hint of the craftsmanship to come.
“The Dali Deception” is an interesting story is well crafted and moves quickly. Even in the moments where the characters are preparing the field, they are interesting enough to bring the reader back to the table. Will Violet get her revenge? Will the well thought out crew be able to pull off stealing a blank Dali “painting?”
In no way has Maxwell reinvented the wheel but what he’s brought readers is a story that everyone will want to read. Is there honor among thieves? Read “The Dali Deception” and find out. You will love the work of this talented author.
There’s a cool swagger to the literary tone of “The Dali Deception.” We meet Violet and Katie while they’re on a burglary job that isn’t all it seems. The women have clearly done this sort of work together once or twice and there’s ease between them. No hurry to accomplish their task, Violet chats with her trusted friend as they wait for their chance to complete the task and in so doing, we get a feel of the leading character and driving force for the plotline. We know before we read about the job that Violet has been deeply betrayed. She tells Katie a disturbing tale with the laid back calm that belies the terror she must have felt in the moment. Within the first few pages we get a sense of the motivating character and a hint of the craftsmanship to come.
“The Dali Deception” is an interesting story is well crafted and moves quickly. Even in the moments where the characters are preparing the field, they are interesting enough to bring the reader back to the table. Will Violet get her revenge? Will the well thought out crew be able to pull off stealing a blank Dali “painting?”
In no way has Maxwell reinvented the wheel but what he’s brought readers is a story that everyone will want to read. Is there honor among thieves? Read “The Dali Deception” and find out. You will love the work of this talented author.
July 14, 2016
The Dali Deception by Maxwell was a delightful read, being taken through twists and turns to pull off a heist. The characters were real as was Violet and I could imagine the amazon, Katie. Will they really succeed in their task and will Big Terry thwart them?
June 19, 2016
Adam has surpassed all expectations in the twists and turns of his newest book.
I could not put it down untill I had finished reading it
This book is a must read
I could not put it down untill I had finished reading it
This book is a must read
August 5, 2021
I used to watch the TV show "Leverage", which had a great cast playing fun characters who exchanged wonderful banter as they undertook their Robin Hood-esque operations. But the show had a weak spot: the plotting. It was often a bit on the weak side, and the show had a particular weakness for relying on a glib "oh but here's the thing we never revealed to the audience until now" flashback mechanism to extricate those wonderful characters from a bad situation. It's a cheap and laxy way to build and resolve tension and it was my biggest gripe with the show.
A third of the way into this story of a criminal gang pulling off the theft of a painting, I thought to myself "I bet this guy is gonna 'Leverage' this.". And alas, that's exactly what happens, except in this case the characters aren't as fun or likeable as the Leverage ones were.
A third of the way into this story of a criminal gang pulling off the theft of a painting, I thought to myself "I bet this guy is gonna 'Leverage' this.". And alas, that's exactly what happens, except in this case the characters aren't as fun or likeable as the Leverage ones were.
October 27, 2022
This book tells the story of criminal mastermind Violet Winters and her plan to steal a Dali painting. Of course, it's never that easy, and there are many obstacles along the way. Who can she trust, who can she believe? And most importantly, will the job succeed?
This is a fast-paced story, told with a real wit and edge. The characters are minimalistically drawn, but have some depth, and you kind of like them by the end of the story. There are occasions when I kind of lost the narrative, had to go back a bit and re-read, and sometimes I was still a bit lost.
On the whole though, a really enjoyable read.
This is a fast-paced story, told with a real wit and edge. The characters are minimalistically drawn, but have some depth, and you kind of like them by the end of the story. There are occasions when I kind of lost the narrative, had to go back a bit and re-read, and sometimes I was still a bit lost.
On the whole though, a really enjoyable read.
March 28, 2021
A convoluted collection of characters made me think that "The Italian Job" had met "Hustle" to spawn this tale! I found it a good read, well presented and told, My only slight disappointment was the ending where the whole "hustle" is explained - that's not my favourite way of ending a book (or movie, or TV show). I'll be pleased to read more from this author.
October 6, 2021
I quite enjoyed the story even though crime novels are not my favoured genre. There was too much violence for my liking but I suppose that is to be expected in the criminal world. An interesting plot with an ending that was not what it seemed! You might wonder why I bothered to read it; Dali is one of my favourite artists. However, the references to Dali are fleeting.
January 2, 2021
Seeing as I read the series backwards I reallyobed seeing how Violet put the crew together and the adventure they go on... It was funny, gripping and I found myself snuggled in the book cave devouring the pages
September 24, 2021
Outsmarted
To me,this book was so mixed up it really did confuse everyone,her friends, her enemies, and one of her readers,me.Perhaps it would have made more sense if I had read it over a couple of days instead of a few weeks. But it has to hold your interest, right.
To me,this book was so mixed up it really did confuse everyone,her friends, her enemies, and one of her readers,me.Perhaps it would have made more sense if I had read it over a couple of days instead of a few weeks. But it has to hold your interest, right.
November 17, 2021
Teen?
Not sure what t o make of this and who it's for. It sort of Tears like teen fiction. It's not really funny but I did enjoy it. An easy romp. Sort of lock stock for kids maybe?
Not sure what t o make of this and who it's for. It sort of Tears like teen fiction. It's not really funny but I did enjoy it. An easy romp. Sort of lock stock for kids maybe?
June 22, 2026
Okay heist story
Everything seemed to run at a slow, steady pace with a rushed finish/explanation. Could have used more adversity (real or planned) along the way to keep reader's interest.
Everything seemed to run at a slow, steady pace with a rushed finish/explanation. Could have used more adversity (real or planned) along the way to keep reader's interest.
July 24, 2021
Dali Deception
Quite a bit like the movie Ocean's 11. A woman's heist or rather heistS. An artwork forgery, card counters, thieves, and explosive experts. Fast pasted.
Quite a bit like the movie Ocean's 11. A woman's heist or rather heistS. An artwork forgery, card counters, thieves, and explosive experts. Fast pasted.
January 20, 2025
Fantastic book, this is not a biased review at all...oops.
July 25, 2022
3.5 stars = I liked it. This caper story is sort of slow to roll, but the payoff makes it worth it.
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