Another Review at MyShelf.Com

Con Ed

by Matthew Klein



      Kip Largo is an exciting new con-man character who just finished an eight-year prison sentence for fraud. Now middle aged, and trying to go straight, he works in a dry cleaners for $10.00 per hour, and is trying in vain to get an Internet vitamin business going.

Kip is sitting in a bar where he has just intervened in a scam gone wrong, and rescued a novice con man, when a gorgeous blonde spots him for the hustler he is and approaches him with a deal.  She wants him to con her wealthy husband out of his money...lie, cheat, or steal...just help her get even with the guy.  Largo isn't interested since it could lead to going back to jail.  Still, he desperately needs the money and the deal begins to sound too good to pass up when he discovers that his son, Toby, is into the Russian mob for several thousand dollars, and they are serious about collecting it.

Kip's fatherhood skills have been lacking, and he sees this as a chance to finally do something positive for his son.  He begins to organize a huge swindle that will lure the Las Vegas casino owner husband into his trap, knowing full well that failure could be fatal for himself and Toby. 

Klein is a master at plotting in this genre...never confusing or boring, with enough complications and surprises to keep you reading. Along with the story of greed and redemption, told with great humor, you sometimes wonder who has the biggest scam going, Kip or his adversaries.  Among the cast of exciting characters, Kip Largo is clever, charming, and outrageous. You gotta fall in love with him.

Klein takes time out from the story intermittently to give the readers mini-lessons on pulling outrageous cons.  What fun!  I think that we can expect more great stories from Matthew Klein.  I will certainly be watching for him.

The Book

Warner Books/Hatchett Group
March 13, 2007
Hardcover
0-446-57955-6
Mystery/Suspense
More at Amazon.com
Excerpt
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The Reviewer

Beverly J. Rowe
Reviewed 2007
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