14. A book with a con, deception, or fake

[LeahS]

I've watched two versions of The Flemish House by Georges Simenon on the television and thought it was an odd little story. Having read the book, I still think so, though it is very atmospheric. Being a murder mystery, it of course contains deception.

[Dubhease]

I read All's Well That Ends Well.

[Rebecca]

for this I read Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou.

[Ana O. ⭐]

The Love Hypothesis 4 stars.

[Jill]

What are you reading for this prompt?
I read To Love and Be Wise by Josephine Tey

[D.L.]

I read The Heist by Janet Evanovich - It has cons, deceptions & fakes galore!! A fun, light-hearted read :)

[Denise]

I read The Housemaid's Secret by Frieda McFadden, a sequel to the Housemaid. The plot is based on a deception, and Millie the Housemaid is keeping secrets from those around her

[Robin H-R]

I recommend



Empire of Deception: The Incredible Story of a Master Swindler Who Seduced a City and Captivated the Nation by Dean Jobb

I read this a couple years ago and it is fantastic! You know "Truth is stranger than fiction".

[Book Concierge]

I read

The Adventure Of the Christmas Pudding – Agatha Christie – 3***
This is actually a collection of short stories, in which Hercule Poirot addresses a variety of cases, and Miss Jane Marple solves the final case. Agatha Christie is one of my go-to authors when I want a break from everyday life and heavier, more literary reads. I just plain enjoy them. I’m also a fan of short stories, and this fit the bill nicely for winter evenings … one story per night.
LINK to my full review

[Tracy]

I almost read Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America by Maggie Haberman, but I just couldn't bring myself to spend any more brain cells on this man. Sorry Maggie!

Instead I read a thriller, which is not my normal fare.
Th1rt3en by Steve Cavanagh had a really intriguing tagline:
The serial killer isn't on trial, HE'S ON THE JURY.
How could this not draw you in?!

The defense attorney is an ex-conman, and the serial killer is a conman extraordinaire, with plenty of deception going on! Both characters are smart, and it was a page turner, so this is how I gave a thriller 5 stars.

[NancyJ]

Tracy wrote: "I almost read Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America by Maggie Haberman, but I just couldn't bring myself to spend any more brain cells on this man. ..."

There was a really memorable short story by Jeffrey Archer with this premise. I used to like courtroom dramas (The Runaway Jury was a favorite, and this sounds good. It must fit some 2024 prompts, right?

I’m done reading for Round 2 I think, but I might still move things around as I do the rejects. I use one of these for this prompt in round 2.
The Bandit Queens
Warrior Girl Unearthed
Hench
Six of Crows.

[Tracy]

NancyJ wrote: "Tracy wrote: "I almost read Confidence Man: The Making of Donald Trump and the Breaking of America by Maggie Haberman, but I just couldn't bring myself to spend any more brain cells..."

Yes NancyJ, Th1rt3en would fit in several of our 2024 prompts:

• ATY Best Books of 2023 (if I put it there at the end of the month, which I likely will)
• Ben & Jerry's (set in NYC, and I'm pretty sure there is at least on NYC flavor. The flavor "Americone Dream" would also work.)
• Connected to 2023 read (depending on what you read of course)
• Intelligence (FBI factors in, and the 2 main characters are very smart)
• Part of a Series (this is #4, but could be read as a stand alone - I did)
• 25 Beautiful Cities (NYC)
• Chilling Atmosphere? (it's definitely chilling, and mostly takes place in the winter in NYC)
• Single Word Title
• Number in Title

[Sherri]

For those looking for a book for this prompt I have started Rogues: True Stories of Grifters, Killers, Rebels and Crooks by Patrick Radden Keefe. I like it very much so far.