The Scam: A Fox and O'Hare Novel

Evanovich is on a role so far this year, in my opinion. I loved Wicked Charms, the third fun and mostly silly installment in her Lizzie and Diesel series, and I loved this fast-paced, intriguing installment in the Kate O'Hare and Nick Fox series. Last but not least this year will be the latest Stephanie Plum book in November.To be honest, I like the Kate and Nick series more and more with each book, and I think I like it more than the other two series right now. What's the difference? All her series books, alone or co-authored, have fast-paced action sequences, tricky plots, and engaging, lovable, memorable characters. In my review of Wicked Charms, I pointed out how she's mirroring her writing formula from the Plums in the Wickeds, and while there are still classic Evanovich elements in the Kate and Nick books, such as eccentric sidekicks and explosions, the Kate and Nick books come across to me as more mature. I don't mean her other books are juvenile, not at all, but the Kate and Nick books are toned down and a tad more serious, great for readers who think her other work is a little too over-the-top. In this series, every single character takes his or her job very seriously, something only one or two of the characters in her series seem to do. The witty banter is present, but it's tastefully slipped in as testament to a character's personality. Jake, Kate's dad, laments the lack of rocket launchers in a plan. Nick comes on to Kate with flirty--and randy--charm. Kate keeps Nick in place with well-aimed reminders of the fact that he's a criminal free only by the good grace of the US government. Nothing outrageous that screams, "Look at me, I can write funny stuff!" I don't know if that's Goldberg's influence, or just the tone they wanted to take with the series, but I like it.However, they're not serious enough to show a whole lot of character development--everyone just is what he or she is, and done--but that's Evanovich's MO, it works for her, and that's what I expect--and enjoy--from her. No Jodi Picoult or Nicholas Sparks soul-searching tear-jerkers here. The only exception, arguably, is Kate and Nick's falling in love and forming a romantic relationship. I say "arguably" because, on one hand, this is book four and we've watched Kate and Nick flirt and smolder and work seamlessly as a team for a little while now, and they've have a reasonable amount of time to reach that level of regard for each other, so it's the logical and inevitable end result and we don't question it, right? Sure. But on the other hand, ninety percent of any development that went on was behind the scenes, because Evanovich books have strong, jump-in-with-both-feet plots, but lack bumbling-through-the-wilderness-of-my-emotions character insight. We see the story unfold from several characters' point of views but only go deep enough to grasp motivations and fill in gaps in plot progression. We get enough mood indicators to give us accurate mental images of facial expressions and vocal tones, but not a whole lot else. Another Evanovich MO is he said--she said--said, said, said--with some ask and the occasional whisper or shout, but it amounts to the same--enough indication to scratch the surface and present a mental image. So while we accept that Kate and Nick have fallen in love, we--or at least I--don't feel like I witnessed the fall. One minute Nick's telling her, "You look amazing in that dress," and the next he's all, "You are my EVERYTHING." But I can't really complain about it, because the romance is very, very much a subplot, so of course it wasn't front and center. Still, my heart yearns... ;PBut I have to say, despite the lack of insight, I am so, so glad Kate and Nick got together (romance is my genre, so yes, that's what I naturally focus on), and I really hope their romantic subplot progresses into serious commitment and doesn't just hover in the we're-going-to-date-for-ten-years-first range, because I think it would be really unique, endearing, and entertaining to watch those two pull off elaborate schemes for "work" and stumble their way through domesticity in their down time, as it were. That doesn't mean they have to get married, settle in the 'burbs, and pop out a set of twins within the first year--please no!--but I think Evanovich could have a heyday with portraying that kind of relationship. LOTS of comedy potential. Also, it's refreshing and so, SO satisfying to see one of these series couples GET TOGETHER! I love the Plum books, but I am getting really sick of Stephanie's indecision regarding her two (of a fashion) suitors. We're on book twenty-two, for heaven's sake! I hope she picks one soon, I don't even care which anymore. Lizzie and Diesel got together in Wicked Charms, if I remember correctly, but I felt it was more Diesel taking physical advantage of Lizzie's attraction to him--even though I know better. Evanovich wouldn't allow him to be quite that shallow.But anyway! This was really good book. An intelligent, gripping plot that never lags, hilarious and compelling characters who have big, individual personalities, and the setting is consistently well-described and realized, taking you all over the world. To places I've never heard of, actually, but I think they're real. Evanovich usually uses real places. Kate's a bad*ss FBI agent and Nick's a beguiling con man, love them both. It's a light, quick read if you need to relax or pass the time on a plane, you'll do nothing but smile. :)

The book is great. I love this series and have all the books including the online exclusives. I love the charaters. The story is very good. I have read all the one star reviews because it shocks me that it received ones. I am going to address two solo and the rest generally. Okay the general address is that yes it was written by Goldberg and Evanovish. Most writers use several styles it is j other as comedy based as The one for... series and definitely not as monk. Also you will never find a book that I saw not hated by someone. The fact that it only had six at 530 plus, one of them said it should be a five, should show it is a good book. The first review I want to deal with is the lack of morale titles oh bother. The book series is about conning criminals so they are put away you can't do that on a shoe string budget. Also since when is spending money the same.as terrorism, murder, and drugs. Besides hello it is fiction. Now about the one that said it deserves five but because of the cliff ending it got a one. I get it a ending that leaves one of the main characters hanging like that sucks but it had to happen SPOILER ALERT. If you look at the highlights you will see Nick tells kate she is his everything. Kate still does not want to face up especially to herself just what Nick means to her. This makes her it is probably the only thing that would. Yeah author could try to though in a moment like that into the middle but it would take away from the story line and not be half a s good. I love it even though I hate it. The twist is going to allow them to grow the relationship develop all the characters even more and it is a necessary moment not a ploy. Good job authors. The next book will be released in June..

The Scam by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg is the fourth Fox and O’Hare book and it was amazingly awesome. I give this book a five butterfly rating because this book just like all of the others is fabulous. I love that in this one just like the first three, it starts with these little cons leading into the big one that they are going to end up doing. Their first con is in Hawaii mostly because that’s where Jake is when he needs Kate’s help and they figured might as well start conning the Oahu mobster first, then that leads them into going to Las Vegas where they see Evan Trace and that starts the big con that way.That leads them into going to Macau with two other guys that they had help them before and eventually they get the Hawaiian mobster in there. They had to then turn things around when Evan Trace decided to ask their two friends, and the Hawaiian mobster into doing something for another casino he has going up in Macau which led them into doing a 180 turn with their own con.That got them to get their big con going really well. Overall though they got two bad guys for the price of one in witness protection and they got everyone that Trace was laundering money for. It was an awesome book that was filled with a lot of awesome scenes, funny antics. I am quite happy with The Scam by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg. I will highly recommend this series to my friends.Anyways until next time enjoy this book review brought to you byBaroness’ Book Trove.To read more book reviews like this one please visit my site: baronessbooktrove.com

I'd saved all four o'hare and fox books to read on holiday and I'm glad I did. It was fabulous to read all of them one after the other. They are great reads and the two characters have quickly become two of my favorites. They are well drawn characters, believable in their incredulity. Love Jake and all the peripheral characters too. These are funny, fast and easy to read. I'd recommend these happily and I can't wait for the next installment.Hurry up Janet and Lee!!!

Another great novel from the talented Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg. Must say I have not read any of Ms Evanovich's books that I did not like. An easy, fast paced read. A thriller with plenty of laughs. I am pleased with my purchase and would buy again.

Loved every minute very clever how they worked the scam to get rid of some very bad guys very sharp timing through out.

Buy the whole series you wont regret it. Very well written, captivated from the start, love ever book even the short stories that give backdrops to the main characters. A very enjoyable read.

A great read as usual, can't wait to start the next one.