What happens when an author weaves together love story, mystery, mythology, and action / adventure? Can the
resulting book successfully combine all these disparate genres? In his first book, R. Scott Taylor proves that
the answer to that question can be a resounding yes.
Professional thief Adam Beesler arrives in Boston to prepare for the heist that he hopes will prove to be the
pinnacle of his larcenous career. In one week’s time the city of Boston will host a gem convention featuring an
irresistible collection of priceless jewels; jewels which Adam plans to steal. While his partner-in-crime and
mentor, Nicky Simms, directs the groundwork for the robbery from the comfort of a Las Vegas strip club, Adam
settles into a hotel, cases the convention site, and becomes involved in a mystery even more dangerous and
precarious than the theft itself.
Wandering the streets of Boston, Adam catches just enough glimpses of an elusive stranger to know that he is
being followed. However, as hard as he tries, Adam is never able to corner the man tailing him. What does the
stranger want with Adam? Is he a fellow thief? A law enforcement officer? An assailant looking for a lucrative
mark? When the two finally come face-to-face in a Boston pub, the stranger agrees to exchange a story for the
price of a bar tab. Over several evenings, Adam’s new drinking partner recounts the tale of Stingy Jack, a saga
stretching back to seventeenth century Ireland and filled with characters from Irish mythology. How much of the
tale is an Irish tall tale, and how much of it is Jack’s own story and his attempt to confess and repent of his
life as a fellow thief?
In addition to the mysterious stalker-storyteller, Adam meets a young woman, Clarissa, with whom he is
immediately taken. He is so enchanted with her that Adam considers abandoning his life of crime to pursue this
new love interest. Indeed, he determines that this heist will be his swansong. At this point Nicky arrives in
Boston and Adam discovers that Jack’s enchanting tale may be something more than just a fanciful myth - that he
may be playing the role of a pawn in some sort of supernatural Devil’s gambit.
Myth, mystery, legend and love combine to make this tale one which will have the reader guessing even after
the last page is read.