The Steal

The Steal (Book 1in To Catch a Leopard series) by C. W. Gortner and M. J. Rose 135 pages 

I was drawn to this novella because of the cover. The woman reminded me of Grace Kelly and Cary Grant when they made the movie “To Catch a Thief.” However, the movie is not based on this book as it was published in 2021.

When readers first arrive in Cannes for the 1957 film festival, they see the area through Jerome Curtis’ eyes. But he hasn’t come to enjoy the scenery, gawk at the film stars, play in the casinos or to watch the new movies. Instead, Jerome is there to investigate a jewel robbery. A robbery that, if he cannot solve, will cost the company he works for millions of dollars. He is confident that he can solve the case.

The jewels have been stolen right under the nose of their owner, Ania Thorne. Her father is the world-famous jeweler, Virgil Thorne. Ania has studied under him since she was child, and at 29 has also designed iconic pieces and is ready to take over the company’s majority.

Jerome is not the suave, elegant Cary Grant figure; he is more of a Colombo. Immediately he suspects a notorious jewel thief whose moniker is The Leopard because he always leaves a leopard print glove behind. Naturally, there is no such glove at this crime scene, which happens to be the fabled Carlton Hotel.

Jerome and Ania work every lead and every suspension that comes their way, whether it be in Cannes, Paris or New York. Their arrival in New York unearths startling evidence and gets them close to the thief.

Of course, I cannot forget the attraction that leaps between the Ania and Jerome. It’s fun to watch them steer around each other, trying to maintain their professionalism.

I’m looking forward to reading Book 2, “The Bait.” “The Steal" receives 5 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.  “The Steal” receives 5 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.

 

 

Seeing Red

Seeing Red by Sandra Brown       432 pages

Kerra Bailey is a TV journalist who finally convinces Major Franklin Trapper to sit for an interview on the 25^th anniversary of a hotel bombing in which the Major saved a number of people.  She actually went through John Trapper, the Major’s estranged son, hoping he could get her in to see his father.  John is a P.I. who left the ATF some time ago after disputes with his supervisors.  He is surprised that his father does grant the interview, but he refuses to be more involved.  After the interview is over, Kerra’s crew leaves her alone with the Major for some off-camera discussion.  While she is in the bathroom, she hears shots, then escapes out the window, only to fall into a ditch as she runs.  When she wakes up in the hospital, the Major is just holding onto his life and John knows that both of them are in danger.  Thus begins a sprint to see if the two of them can uncover who is behind the assault and how it connects with the bombing of the past.  Brown always keeps the action moving and the discovery of the relationship exciting.

Wired

Wired by Julie Garwood        336 pages


 FBI agent Liam Scott needs someone outside the agency to hack into FBI servers to discover a leak.  Allison Trent is working on her computer science degree and comes to his attention.  When he approaches her, she has no interest in doing the job.  Allison has secrets that she fears will come out if she works for Scott, so she refuses. With the help of some friends, he convinces her to help, but they find much more that they expect, putting them both in danger.  Fast paced action moves the story along.  I liked Allison, but she was a little too perfect.  Not only was she a skilled hacker and programmer, she was also a model on the side.  She refuses to see her cousin’s problems, allowing him to avoid punishment far longer than he should.