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Michael St. Pierre #4
The Thieves Of Legend
The next ingenious thriller in the Thieves series after The Thieves of Darkness —reformed thief Michael St. Pierre and his crew travel to China on behalf of the U.S. government to obtain a legendary diary that holds the clue to a long-forgotten mystery.
In a baffling world where East meets West and ancient meets modern, a horrific act sets former thief, Michael St. Pierre, on the trail of a mystery with roots more than a half- millennium in the past. Michael and his ex-girlfriend KC Ryan are coerced by a U.S. Army colonel to travel to opposite ends of China, each responsible for stealing an artifact to help solve an ancient puzzle. With their lives depending on each other’s success, they face off against the complex underworld of the Chinese triads, a twisted female assassin, and a madman whose only desire is to possess the secret held within the pages of a diary supposedly lost to time—a secret that would give him frightening power and lead to the downfall of nations.
Moving from the glittering casinos of Macau to its dark and dangerous backstreets; from the palace at the heart of China’s Forbidden City to the medieval castles of Spain; from the seaside mansions on the Amalfi Coast, to an uncharted pacific island, Michael is in a race against time to solve the riddle and save KC from certain death.
406 pages, Hardcover
First published August 23, 2011
9 people are currently reading
520 people want to read
About the author
Richard Doetsch
15 books300 followersA Mesmerizing Thriller Told in Reverse
(Yep, you start at the last chapter and go backwards)
Richard Doetsch returns with a stand-alone sequel to his international bestseller, The 13th Hour, published in twenty-two countries.
“At long last, Richard Doetsch returns to the clock-spinning world of THE 13TH HOUR. Its ingenious sequel, THE 13TH HOUR: CHAOS, is a jigsaw puzzle in book form—but that’s not all. It’s a love story, a political potboiler, and a thriller that upends expectations with every turn of the page. It carried me from heartbreaking opening to the razor edge of its ending in one sitting. My foot is already tapping as I wait impatiently for a third installment!”
James Rollins, #1 New York Times bestseller of The Last Odyssey
“I haven’t read a race against time this intense… The 13th Hour: Chaos is a time-bending adventure of epic proportions and scary consequences." Best Thriller Books
“Times flies—only backward—in this riveting new thriller! And the pages fly by, too! The story starts with a bang and hurtles in reverse toward a climax as clever as it is shocking.”
Robert Masello, author of The Haunting of H.G. Wells
“A clever story, cleverly told, by a master storyteller.”
Steve Berrry, New York Times Bestselling Author
A surprising and utterly original thriller, The 13th Hour: Chaos delivers pure, page-turning suspense—full of double-crosses, shocking turnabouts, and the inexorable power of love.
"The Thieves of Legend stole my breath with the sheer audacity of its storytelling, proving yet again that this series gets better with every installment. Bold, richly told, and rollicking with adventure, here is a thriller that demands to be read in one tension-wrought sitting. Count me a fan for life!"
James Rollins, New York Times Bestselling author of Bloodline
"The tension leaps off the pages in this classic, ticking-clock thriller. Watch out. You'll grip the pages so tight your knuckles will turn white."
Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author of The Columbus Affair
"Doetsch continues to demonstrate why he's one of the best thriller writers in the business." Booklist - Starred Review
Half-Past Dawn,
"One of the best thrillers of the year," -- ABC News
"A shocking thriller," -- San Francisco Chronicle
"Gut wrenching" -- The Huffington Post
"Half-Past Dawn is a superb character driven suspense tale." SDSR
"As hard as it is to believe, Half-Past Dawn is even better than The 13th Hour." The Journal Review
Jack Keeler has 24 hour to stop fate before it catches up with him... and the rest of the world.
From the international bestselling author of The 13th Hour and The Thieves of Darkness(both soon to be be major motion pictures) comes a "pulse pounding, mind-bending thriller that rewrites the genre"
Awakening to the mistaken headline that he and his wife, Mia, have been killed, District Attorney, Jack Keeler has only until dawn tomorrow to uncover an ancient mystery hidden in the depths of one of the country's most heavily guarded prisons.
A thriller spanning time, an Asian people out of legend, an assassin who will stop at nothing to avenge his death sentence, and a diary who's contents foretells the future, Half-Past Dawn is a race through the boarders of life and death, insanity and reason, and dreams and reality.
Everything else aside, it's a really fun read that will make you think even after the last page.
The Thieves of Darkness,
A bestseller around the world seems a bit strange for someone like me; I barely speak English, yet I’m published in 34 languages.
The 13th Hour (Atria Books;)—described as a cross between “The Bourne Identity” and “The Time Traveler’s Wife”—was acquired by New Line Cinema with Michael De Luca as producer and Michael Brandt and Derek Haas (“Wanted” / “3:10 to Yuma”) as screenwrite
(Yep, you start at the last chapter and go backwards)
Richard Doetsch returns with a stand-alone sequel to his international bestseller, The 13th Hour, published in twenty-two countries.
“At long last, Richard Doetsch returns to the clock-spinning world of THE 13TH HOUR. Its ingenious sequel, THE 13TH HOUR: CHAOS, is a jigsaw puzzle in book form—but that’s not all. It’s a love story, a political potboiler, and a thriller that upends expectations with every turn of the page. It carried me from heartbreaking opening to the razor edge of its ending in one sitting. My foot is already tapping as I wait impatiently for a third installment!”
James Rollins, #1 New York Times bestseller of The Last Odyssey
“I haven’t read a race against time this intense… The 13th Hour: Chaos is a time-bending adventure of epic proportions and scary consequences." Best Thriller Books
“Times flies—only backward—in this riveting new thriller! And the pages fly by, too! The story starts with a bang and hurtles in reverse toward a climax as clever as it is shocking.”
Robert Masello, author of The Haunting of H.G. Wells
“A clever story, cleverly told, by a master storyteller.”
Steve Berrry, New York Times Bestselling Author
A surprising and utterly original thriller, The 13th Hour: Chaos delivers pure, page-turning suspense—full of double-crosses, shocking turnabouts, and the inexorable power of love.
"The Thieves of Legend stole my breath with the sheer audacity of its storytelling, proving yet again that this series gets better with every installment. Bold, richly told, and rollicking with adventure, here is a thriller that demands to be read in one tension-wrought sitting. Count me a fan for life!"
James Rollins, New York Times Bestselling author of Bloodline
"The tension leaps off the pages in this classic, ticking-clock thriller. Watch out. You'll grip the pages so tight your knuckles will turn white."
Steve Berry, New York Times bestselling author of The Columbus Affair
"Doetsch continues to demonstrate why he's one of the best thriller writers in the business." Booklist - Starred Review
Half-Past Dawn,
"One of the best thrillers of the year," -- ABC News
"A shocking thriller," -- San Francisco Chronicle
"Gut wrenching" -- The Huffington Post
"Half-Past Dawn is a superb character driven suspense tale." SDSR
"As hard as it is to believe, Half-Past Dawn is even better than The 13th Hour." The Journal Review
Jack Keeler has 24 hour to stop fate before it catches up with him... and the rest of the world.
From the international bestselling author of The 13th Hour and The Thieves of Darkness(both soon to be be major motion pictures) comes a "pulse pounding, mind-bending thriller that rewrites the genre"
Awakening to the mistaken headline that he and his wife, Mia, have been killed, District Attorney, Jack Keeler has only until dawn tomorrow to uncover an ancient mystery hidden in the depths of one of the country's most heavily guarded prisons.
A thriller spanning time, an Asian people out of legend, an assassin who will stop at nothing to avenge his death sentence, and a diary who's contents foretells the future, Half-Past Dawn is a race through the boarders of life and death, insanity and reason, and dreams and reality.
Everything else aside, it's a really fun read that will make you think even after the last page.
The Thieves of Darkness,
A bestseller around the world seems a bit strange for someone like me; I barely speak English, yet I’m published in 34 languages.
The 13th Hour (Atria Books;)—described as a cross between “The Bourne Identity” and “The Time Traveler’s Wife”—was acquired by New Line Cinema with Michael De Luca as producer and Michael Brandt and Derek Haas (“Wanted” / “3:10 to Yuma”) as screenwrite
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
January 13, 2013
Just finished- a very well researched thriller- alot of action, great plot and terrific education on ancient China and Forbidden City.
November 14, 2012
“The Thieves of Legend” by Richard Doetsch, published by Atria Books.
Category – Mystery/Thriller
This is the fourth in the series of the exploits of Michael St. Pierre. I highly recommend that they be read in sequence, there are some references to past books that could have you scratching your head.
A brief history of Michael St. Pierre, a formidable thief that has forsaken his trade because his wife, who is dying, makes him quit. He makes a pact with the devil who promises to save her if he will pull one more job for him at the Vatican.
Things don’t work out too well and Michael’s wife dies.
Michael finds that he keeps getting drawn into thievery against his will and teams up with the beautiful KC. KC is also known for her skills as a thief.
In “The Thieves of Legend” they are both used by a U.S. Army Colonel to steal an ancient puzzle. The problem is that Michael’s part of the puzzle is in Macau and KC’s part of the puzzle is in China. The plot thickens when they find out that the Colonel has a twin brother and discover that only one can be trusted. There are also several other people that are on the hunt that may or may not be their allies.
If you are a fan of the series this is a definite “don’t miss” and if you looking for a good series that has plenty of action, mystery, and deceit you will want to take a look at this one.
Category – Mystery/Thriller
This is the fourth in the series of the exploits of Michael St. Pierre. I highly recommend that they be read in sequence, there are some references to past books that could have you scratching your head.
A brief history of Michael St. Pierre, a formidable thief that has forsaken his trade because his wife, who is dying, makes him quit. He makes a pact with the devil who promises to save her if he will pull one more job for him at the Vatican.
Things don’t work out too well and Michael’s wife dies.
Michael finds that he keeps getting drawn into thievery against his will and teams up with the beautiful KC. KC is also known for her skills as a thief.
In “The Thieves of Legend” they are both used by a U.S. Army Colonel to steal an ancient puzzle. The problem is that Michael’s part of the puzzle is in Macau and KC’s part of the puzzle is in China. The plot thickens when they find out that the Colonel has a twin brother and discover that only one can be trusted. There are also several other people that are on the hunt that may or may not be their allies.
If you are a fan of the series this is a definite “don’t miss” and if you looking for a good series that has plenty of action, mystery, and deceit you will want to take a look at this one.
April 3, 2014
I, too, was a "first reads" winner for this one who had to wait a while to get the book. As documented in other reviews, this was due to a glitch in the delivery chain. When I did receive the book (along with a very nice note from the author), I started on it immediately. I enjoyed it. It is a very unique story and will help if you have read previous entries (this was my first), as it took me a few chapters to settle into the characters. Definitely ramped up as it heads towards the final chapters and I really enjoyed the last pages when everything is tied together in satisfying and believable fashion. And I LOVED the hook at the end that (without giving anything away) will leave you looking forward to the next book in the series. Add me to the list of those who can't wait to read it, as well...THUMBS UP!
May 24, 2023
The Thieves Of Legend (Michael St. Pierre, #4) by Richard Doetsch
This is a stand-alone book. You don't have to read the prior books in the series to enjoy it.
In this installment of the Thieves series, the author switches the weight of the characters to a set of twin brothers. Jacob and Isaac Lucas were born to Admiral Howard Lucas and his wife, Lily. When Howard discovers a lost text from ancient China, he asks Lily to translate it. Until one day, she refuses to translate anymore. Howard loses his temper and hits Lily until she can't take it anymore. Lily takes Jacob back to Hong Kong, where she was from. Lily completely disconnects from her husband and the American way. Jacob grows as a Chinese man and soon takes over the Snake Triad and changes his name to Xiao Yan Wang.
Isaac follows in his father's footsteps and becomes a colonel in the army.
After a failed job that Simon, Michel St.Pierre's friend and a priest who does dirty laundry for the Vatican, Michael and his girlfriend, Katherine Colleen Ryan (KC) have a huge fight and KC decides to leave Michael and run to London to be with her sister, Cynthia. Unfortunately, KC is hijacked by Annabeth Sandoval (Annie) and she is drugged only to wake up in Beijing. She has to do a job for Annie or Michael will lose his life.
The same happens to Michael, who is approached by a Chinese man working for Colonel Lucas, Jon Lei. Michael is to infiltrate the Venetian Casino in Macau and steal a mythological box that used to belong to Admiral Zheng-He, who lived from 1371–1433 and circumnavigated the globe, and found the mystical island of Penglai. There's a box in the Casino that has a map that will help Colonel Lucas find the island. If he refuses, they will kill KC.
Meanwhile, Annie and KC have to steal from the Forbidden City in Beijing a set of notes that will help the Colonel understand the powers that lie in Penlai.
With their lives depending on each other’s success, they face off against the complex underworld of the Chinese triads, a twisted female assassin, and a madman whose only desire is to possess the secret held within the pages of a diary supposedly lost to time - a secret that would give him frightening power and lead to the downfall of nations.
Narrated from the third person point of view, this is a fascinating thriller that will keep you glued to the page. The characters are very real - they come out of the page. You can't help but identify with them. The plot is very well-researched and captivating. I had trouble putting the book down.
I enjoyed it very much and recommend it highly.
This is a stand-alone book. You don't have to read the prior books in the series to enjoy it.
In this installment of the Thieves series, the author switches the weight of the characters to a set of twin brothers. Jacob and Isaac Lucas were born to Admiral Howard Lucas and his wife, Lily. When Howard discovers a lost text from ancient China, he asks Lily to translate it. Until one day, she refuses to translate anymore. Howard loses his temper and hits Lily until she can't take it anymore. Lily takes Jacob back to Hong Kong, where she was from. Lily completely disconnects from her husband and the American way. Jacob grows as a Chinese man and soon takes over the Snake Triad and changes his name to Xiao Yan Wang.
Isaac follows in his father's footsteps and becomes a colonel in the army.
After a failed job that Simon, Michel St.Pierre's friend and a priest who does dirty laundry for the Vatican, Michael and his girlfriend, Katherine Colleen Ryan (KC) have a huge fight and KC decides to leave Michael and run to London to be with her sister, Cynthia. Unfortunately, KC is hijacked by Annabeth Sandoval (Annie) and she is drugged only to wake up in Beijing. She has to do a job for Annie or Michael will lose his life.
The same happens to Michael, who is approached by a Chinese man working for Colonel Lucas, Jon Lei. Michael is to infiltrate the Venetian Casino in Macau and steal a mythological box that used to belong to Admiral Zheng-He, who lived from 1371–1433 and circumnavigated the globe, and found the mystical island of Penglai. There's a box in the Casino that has a map that will help Colonel Lucas find the island. If he refuses, they will kill KC.
Meanwhile, Annie and KC have to steal from the Forbidden City in Beijing a set of notes that will help the Colonel understand the powers that lie in Penlai.
With their lives depending on each other’s success, they face off against the complex underworld of the Chinese triads, a twisted female assassin, and a madman whose only desire is to possess the secret held within the pages of a diary supposedly lost to time - a secret that would give him frightening power and lead to the downfall of nations.
Narrated from the third person point of view, this is a fascinating thriller that will keep you glued to the page. The characters are very real - they come out of the page. You can't help but identify with them. The plot is very well-researched and captivating. I had trouble putting the book down.
I enjoyed it very much and recommend it highly.
June 15, 2018
This book, the fourth and, at the moment, final installment in the Michael St. Pierre series, was a step down from the previous books. Without giving away any plot details, I will state that the double-crosses, hidden agendas, nor even the action scenes ever got my pulse racing.
Characters, such as Paul and Simon, that seemed independent in early books are now portrayed as nothing more than extensions of Michael. The final showdown seems forced, especially as ... and here is a spoiler ... the author never explains how the bad guys managed to finally find the island and navigate the treacherous reefs surrounding the island.
Now, for a comment on the entire series: Richard Doetsch needs to hire a fact checker, or date checker. I noticed two instances of historical inaccuracy in the books. To me, this would imply that there are others that I probably didn't catch. The first instance is an early book when Doesch remarks that Erwin Rommel died in Africa in 1945; Rommel died in October 1944 in Germany. The second instance, in this book, states that the Japanese invaded Hong Kong on January 8, 1942. The true date of the invasion was January 8, 1941. I'm not sure why, but these slight historical inaccuracies annoy me more than they probably should.
Characters, such as Paul and Simon, that seemed independent in early books are now portrayed as nothing more than extensions of Michael. The final showdown seems forced, especially as ... and here is a spoiler ... the author never explains how the bad guys managed to finally find the island and navigate the treacherous reefs surrounding the island.
Now, for a comment on the entire series: Richard Doetsch needs to hire a fact checker, or date checker. I noticed two instances of historical inaccuracy in the books. To me, this would imply that there are others that I probably didn't catch. The first instance is an early book when Doesch remarks that Erwin Rommel died in Africa in 1945; Rommel died in October 1944 in Germany. The second instance, in this book, states that the Japanese invaded Hong Kong on January 8, 1942. The true date of the invasion was January 8, 1941. I'm not sure why, but these slight historical inaccuracies annoy me more than they probably should.
December 22, 2023
I could not really get into this book, I have had hits or misses with this series, and this one was just not something I really liked.
It seemed like a lot of disparate plot points sort of mixed up and combined in no particular order, and that made the plot really meandering for me. There were parts of it liked, especially the last 75 or so pages, the action kicked up and it got really intense. In addition, parts of this were really gruesome and bloody, and that turned me off.
I also didn't care for how KC was portrayed. A professional thief, a smart woman, who made a lot of stupid decisions. It didn't feel like her character and that put me off. I did enjoy Michael and Busch, they were a great pair, and I really liked both of them.
Lastly, and this doesn't really matter much anymore because the book is over ten years old, but it sort of ended on a cliffhanger promising another book that never happened. Not my favorite.
It seemed like a lot of disparate plot points sort of mixed up and combined in no particular order, and that made the plot really meandering for me. There were parts of it liked, especially the last 75 or so pages, the action kicked up and it got really intense. In addition, parts of this were really gruesome and bloody, and that turned me off.
I also didn't care for how KC was portrayed. A professional thief, a smart woman, who made a lot of stupid decisions. It didn't feel like her character and that put me off. I did enjoy Michael and Busch, they were a great pair, and I really liked both of them.
Lastly, and this doesn't really matter much anymore because the book is over ten years old, but it sort of ended on a cliffhanger promising another book that never happened. Not my favorite.
April 15, 2023
I read the previous instalments in this series in 2017 and gave #3 a 4 star review, although now I can not recall anything about it. But this was just bad. It dragged on and used so much trickery, double-cross, triple -cross, reverse double-cross, twins, stolen identity etc. I just couldn't wait to get it over with.
June 23, 2021
Michael St. Pierre in another fast-paced adventure. He and KC are have been blackmailed by an Army colonel. They go to China to try to find pieces of an ancient puzzle. There is nonstop action with lots of scary happenings.
May 11, 2022
Excellent series!!
These plots are so well conceived. These characters are all so well developed. I don't know if or when the next book in the series is coming, but it will be well worth the wait.
These plots are so well conceived. These characters are all so well developed. I don't know if or when the next book in the series is coming, but it will be well worth the wait.
June 13, 2018
Great book! Great series...action-packed throughout
December 17, 2020
I NEED THE NEXT ONEEEEE you can't leave me with a cliffhanger like that
November 7, 2021
This book was pretty interesting being the main characters are thieves but I felt that it stretched out a little in the middle. I have trouble reading books over 275 words.
May 1, 2022
Excellent thriller!
December 5, 2013
After trying out a few different genres of books recently (check out my genre snob post), I decided to go back to the action/adventure side of things and check out The Thieves of Legend by Richard Doetsch. Featuring Michael St. Pierre as the main protagonist, The Thieves of Legend follows Michael and his ex-girlfriend KC as they travel to China to steal ancient artifacts. Part spy novel and part thriller, the novel is the fourth part of the Michael St. Pierre series and promises to be the most exciting installment yet.
The Thieves of Legend begins with Michael St. Pierre on a dangerous mission in Italy, working to obtain a secret file and mysterious Chinese puzzle box. Unfortunately for him, the items are missing, and he finds bodies in their stead. Later, after witnessing even more murders, Michael is able to escape. Soon afterwards in New York, he is propositioned by an Army Colonel to do some clandestine contract work. The strange part is that Michael is certain that the same Colonel was also in Italy committing some of the very murders he witnessed days earlier. Michael flatly turns down the Colonel's request, but a strange turn of events forces another meeting with the Colonel hours later in an NYPD interrogation room, with Michael as a suspect in a murder. Even stranger, the Colonel has files on all of Michael's past exploits, and threatens to expose him if he doesn't accept this assignment. With no other options, Michael agrees to fly to China to do the Colonel's bidding. Additionally, a recent fight between Michael and his girlfriend KC leads her to leave him and fly to her hometown in England. Unwittingly, KC winds up on a different flight and finds herself working on the same plot that Michael is. What will happen once they begin this new job in China? Who is ultimately behind their involuntary employment?
I'm no stranger to the strong male protagonist/inferior female character dynamic in spy/adventure thrillers (i.e. Dirk Pitt, Jordan Sandor, etc), but this one seemed different. In most of the novels I've read, the male lead is coupled with an adventurous but slightly inferior female whom he works with or must save at some point. It's not really a damsel-in-distress type of thing going on, but usually the female characters opposite the male lead are usually in need of rescue at one point or another. However, in The Thieves of Legend KC is different. She is just as capable as Michael and just as determined. It was refreshing to see the conflict between the two of them and it really fleshed out their characters. It give this story a bit more characterization, which I often feel is the weak point in these fast-paced action works. I found the rest of the book to be exciting and more than adequate for the genre. Michael was a likable character who didn't overplay the hero role, and the plot twists and turns kept me turning the pages. In all, if you're a fan of my other reviews of the Jordan Sandor series, this will definitely be another book (and series in general) to check out. I can't wait to dig in to the first three books in the series myself!
Todd (Reflections of a Book Addict)
Originally Posted: http://wp.me/p18lIL-20O
The Thieves of Legend begins with Michael St. Pierre on a dangerous mission in Italy, working to obtain a secret file and mysterious Chinese puzzle box. Unfortunately for him, the items are missing, and he finds bodies in their stead. Later, after witnessing even more murders, Michael is able to escape. Soon afterwards in New York, he is propositioned by an Army Colonel to do some clandestine contract work. The strange part is that Michael is certain that the same Colonel was also in Italy committing some of the very murders he witnessed days earlier. Michael flatly turns down the Colonel's request, but a strange turn of events forces another meeting with the Colonel hours later in an NYPD interrogation room, with Michael as a suspect in a murder. Even stranger, the Colonel has files on all of Michael's past exploits, and threatens to expose him if he doesn't accept this assignment. With no other options, Michael agrees to fly to China to do the Colonel's bidding. Additionally, a recent fight between Michael and his girlfriend KC leads her to leave him and fly to her hometown in England. Unwittingly, KC winds up on a different flight and finds herself working on the same plot that Michael is. What will happen once they begin this new job in China? Who is ultimately behind their involuntary employment?
I'm no stranger to the strong male protagonist/inferior female character dynamic in spy/adventure thrillers (i.e. Dirk Pitt, Jordan Sandor, etc), but this one seemed different. In most of the novels I've read, the male lead is coupled with an adventurous but slightly inferior female whom he works with or must save at some point. It's not really a damsel-in-distress type of thing going on, but usually the female characters opposite the male lead are usually in need of rescue at one point or another. However, in The Thieves of Legend KC is different. She is just as capable as Michael and just as determined. It was refreshing to see the conflict between the two of them and it really fleshed out their characters. It give this story a bit more characterization, which I often feel is the weak point in these fast-paced action works. I found the rest of the book to be exciting and more than adequate for the genre. Michael was a likable character who didn't overplay the hero role, and the plot twists and turns kept me turning the pages. In all, if you're a fan of my other reviews of the Jordan Sandor series, this will definitely be another book (and series in general) to check out. I can't wait to dig in to the first three books in the series myself!
Todd (Reflections of a Book Addict)
Originally Posted: http://wp.me/p18lIL-20O
June 21, 2015
PROTAGONIST: Michael St. Pierre, security consultant
SETTING: China
SERIES: #4 of 4
RATING: 3.25
Michael St. Pierre is a former thief who has used his knowledge of breaking and entering to build a very successful security consulting firm. His assignments often take him to exotic places around the globe. However, he and his equally adventurous girlfriend, KC Ryan, have promised each other not to undertake any assignments and focus instead on enjoying their life together. However, Michael finds he is unable to say no to his old friend, Simon, a Vatican priest who begs him to take on one more job. When KC finds that Michael has lied to her, she decides to return to her home in England to figure out what to do. Michael has shown no signs of willingness to make a permanent commitment, not because he doesn’t love KC but because he is wary as a result of the death of his first wife.
Both Michael and KC soon find themselves at the mercy of a US colonel, each being blackmailed into doing what he wants with the threat of death to the other if they do not cooperate. Michael must find an ancient diary hidden in the bowels of a luxury casino in Macau; KC must retrieve an antique box housed within China’s Forbidden Palace. Both assignments at first seem to be completely impossible. Michael is aided by a friend, Paul Busch, and one of his captors, Jon Lei, who help follow the complex plan that Michael has devised to accomplish the theft. Meanwhile, KC must partner with the unstable and dangerous woman who helped abduct her, Annie Joss, as well as an American woman who has deep knowledge of the Palace, as well as access to most of its secrets. Behind the scenes, two brothers are battling each other to gain control of both the artifacts.
Although the descriptions of the two settings where the thefts were to take place were fascinating, Doetsch showed much too much of his research in the case of the Forbidden Palace. The detailed descriptions of the lay-outs of the Macau casino and the Palace were difficult to envision—he could easily have established the impossibility of penetrating either site without going into a full-blown history of either. The actual thefts were both quite exciting—both Michael and KC were quite creative in how they approached the challenges they faced.
Even after experiencing success in their respective missions, there was yet another quest that needed to be completed, this being one that would save KC’s life after she was injected with a fatal poison. Although I was quite engaged by the earlier adventures, this is where the book fell apart for me. The conclusion was a free-for-all, with everyone betraying everyone else, and the melodrama of getting their hands on the cure for KC before one of the bad guys did was way over the top.
THIEVES was fast paced, which kept me reading, but it was so filled with improbable situations that its appeal didn’t hold up to the time test, i.e., that it didn’t hold its initial satisfaction a few weeks after reading it.
SETTING: China
SERIES: #4 of 4
RATING: 3.25
Michael St. Pierre is a former thief who has used his knowledge of breaking and entering to build a very successful security consulting firm. His assignments often take him to exotic places around the globe. However, he and his equally adventurous girlfriend, KC Ryan, have promised each other not to undertake any assignments and focus instead on enjoying their life together. However, Michael finds he is unable to say no to his old friend, Simon, a Vatican priest who begs him to take on one more job. When KC finds that Michael has lied to her, she decides to return to her home in England to figure out what to do. Michael has shown no signs of willingness to make a permanent commitment, not because he doesn’t love KC but because he is wary as a result of the death of his first wife.
Both Michael and KC soon find themselves at the mercy of a US colonel, each being blackmailed into doing what he wants with the threat of death to the other if they do not cooperate. Michael must find an ancient diary hidden in the bowels of a luxury casino in Macau; KC must retrieve an antique box housed within China’s Forbidden Palace. Both assignments at first seem to be completely impossible. Michael is aided by a friend, Paul Busch, and one of his captors, Jon Lei, who help follow the complex plan that Michael has devised to accomplish the theft. Meanwhile, KC must partner with the unstable and dangerous woman who helped abduct her, Annie Joss, as well as an American woman who has deep knowledge of the Palace, as well as access to most of its secrets. Behind the scenes, two brothers are battling each other to gain control of both the artifacts.
Although the descriptions of the two settings where the thefts were to take place were fascinating, Doetsch showed much too much of his research in the case of the Forbidden Palace. The detailed descriptions of the lay-outs of the Macau casino and the Palace were difficult to envision—he could easily have established the impossibility of penetrating either site without going into a full-blown history of either. The actual thefts were both quite exciting—both Michael and KC were quite creative in how they approached the challenges they faced.
Even after experiencing success in their respective missions, there was yet another quest that needed to be completed, this being one that would save KC’s life after she was injected with a fatal poison. Although I was quite engaged by the earlier adventures, this is where the book fell apart for me. The conclusion was a free-for-all, with everyone betraying everyone else, and the melodrama of getting their hands on the cure for KC before one of the bad guys did was way over the top.
THIEVES was fast paced, which kept me reading, but it was so filled with improbable situations that its appeal didn’t hold up to the time test, i.e., that it didn’t hold its initial satisfaction a few weeks after reading it.
February 16, 2013
I won a copy on Goodreads Firstreads.
This is another book that is stretching the normal time frame to get to me.It has already been about a month, hope it gets here soon.
Just hit the 6 weeks mark and still haven't gotten the book.Hope it is worth the wait.
Hit the 2 month mark and still no book.To the other winners-Has anyone gotten their copy yet?
Just heard from the author.There was a glitch with sending the books out and he just found out about it.He ordered the books, signed them and sent them out last saturady so they should be here soon.
I have come across some strange glitches as I have been reading.The first was when one of the characters talk about drawing 3 cards while playing stud poker(you don't draw extra cards in stud poker).The second glitch was on page 139.It reads "The population numbered over 10,000 with some 2,000 women and 410,000 eunuchs".(I would definitely say 410,000 would definitely make the population over 10,000.)The third glitch is on page 204.It reads " a rare postion for a woman in the fifties or even now,fifteen years later.The problem is the chapter is set in 1975 which would make it between 16 and 25 years later not 15.
I usually compare action stories to rollercoasters.You can usually figure out where you are going to end up but getting there is what is fun.This story was a little strange in that if it was a rollercoaster, then you would have a small hill and 2 or 3 turns and then a giant hill and the final big turn into the off-loading platform.In other words, just a little action scattered throughout the first two-thirds of the book and the last third just action.I usually like my action stories to have the action to be better spread out through the whole story.In wasn't bad, just a little slow at the beginning.
Another factor of action stories is that they usually requies a suspension of belief for a lot of the action.Truthfully if most people tried almost any of the things the heroes(or villians) get away with on almost every page, you would die.But you get so caught up with the action, you don't even think no way, you just say awesome and cool.This book really stretched my ability to suspend that disbelief.
Overall I have to say I enjoyed this story but I have read better action stories.Of course I have also read worse ones as well.
This is another book that is stretching the normal time frame to get to me.It has already been about a month, hope it gets here soon.
Just hit the 6 weeks mark and still haven't gotten the book.Hope it is worth the wait.
Hit the 2 month mark and still no book.To the other winners-Has anyone gotten their copy yet?
Just heard from the author.There was a glitch with sending the books out and he just found out about it.He ordered the books, signed them and sent them out last saturady so they should be here soon.
I have come across some strange glitches as I have been reading.The first was when one of the characters talk about drawing 3 cards while playing stud poker(you don't draw extra cards in stud poker).The second glitch was on page 139.It reads "The population numbered over 10,000 with some 2,000 women and 410,000 eunuchs".(I would definitely say 410,000 would definitely make the population over 10,000.)The third glitch is on page 204.It reads " a rare postion for a woman in the fifties or even now,fifteen years later.The problem is the chapter is set in 1975 which would make it between 16 and 25 years later not 15.
I usually compare action stories to rollercoasters.You can usually figure out where you are going to end up but getting there is what is fun.This story was a little strange in that if it was a rollercoaster, then you would have a small hill and 2 or 3 turns and then a giant hill and the final big turn into the off-loading platform.In other words, just a little action scattered throughout the first two-thirds of the book and the last third just action.I usually like my action stories to have the action to be better spread out through the whole story.In wasn't bad, just a little slow at the beginning.
Another factor of action stories is that they usually requies a suspension of belief for a lot of the action.Truthfully if most people tried almost any of the things the heroes(or villians) get away with on almost every page, you would die.But you get so caught up with the action, you don't even think no way, you just say awesome and cool.This book really stretched my ability to suspend that disbelief.
Overall I have to say I enjoyed this story but I have read better action stories.Of course I have also read worse ones as well.
December 31, 2012
Michael St Pierre and his, at the moment, ex-girl friend KC Ryan are about to embark on a life or death mission....not of their choosing in Richard Doetsch's latest fast paced thriller. Issac Lucas, a US Army is blackmailing Michael in doing an all but impossible mission....and they are going to use KC as the bait that is going to force Michael to take this assignment.
The job is going to take Michael , first to Macao and then to China, to steal a box containing a book and papers that could change the balance of power in the world !! Michael will take his best friend , Paul Busch(an ex-cop) with him to assist in this impossible task.And if Lucas has to use the threat of KC's murder as bait, he will use it. He is desperate to get this box and the information it holds. He claims if he doesn't get the box, it could mean the death of millions of people.Michael has another possible 'ace up his sleeve'..his mysterious friend , Simon ....a priest.
After KC leaves Michael and heads to the airport and a trip back to Londoon, she meets an interesting companion, Annie . Little does KC know how Annie is going to play a vital role in her life in the immediate future !! When KC's plane is cancelled, Annie offers her a ride on her military jet! .....but Annie doesn't know the destination is Granada and not London !! And that Annie is a compatriot of Lucas !!
This fast paced thriller is 'nailing' author Doetsch's name amongst the top of today's writers of international thrillers. Tom Clancy watch out !
The job is going to take Michael , first to Macao and then to China, to steal a box containing a book and papers that could change the balance of power in the world !! Michael will take his best friend , Paul Busch(an ex-cop) with him to assist in this impossible task.And if Lucas has to use the threat of KC's murder as bait, he will use it. He is desperate to get this box and the information it holds. He claims if he doesn't get the box, it could mean the death of millions of people.Michael has another possible 'ace up his sleeve'..his mysterious friend , Simon ....a priest.
After KC leaves Michael and heads to the airport and a trip back to Londoon, she meets an interesting companion, Annie . Little does KC know how Annie is going to play a vital role in her life in the immediate future !! When KC's plane is cancelled, Annie offers her a ride on her military jet! .....but Annie doesn't know the destination is Granada and not London !! And that Annie is a compatriot of Lucas !!
This fast paced thriller is 'nailing' author Doetsch's name amongst the top of today's writers of international thrillers. Tom Clancy watch out !
December 5, 2012
In "The Thieves of Legend," Richard Doetsch provides a well written story dealing with greed, master thieves and family relationships, all set in the exotic worlds of Beijing and Macau.
Michael St. Pierre is a professional thief. Promising each other a better life, he and his girlfriend, KC have promised not to do any more stealing. However, he's talked into one more caper, stealing back documents from an Italian castle.
KC's faith is Michael is ruined when she learns of his going back on his word. She decides to leave him but is waylaid by a woman she meets at the airport. This woman convinces KC to go on an adventure but is really a kidnapping. She's informed that she has to steal a part of an ancient puzzle or Michael will be killed.
Michael is also set up. The leader of a rogue U.S. military group orders him to steal another part of the puzzle or the man will order KC's murder.
In a fast-paced action thriller that the author makes quite believable, we also learn of Chine history, particularly after the Japanese defeat in WWII and the ransacking of the country by Japan in which many treasures were stolen.
We also have a conspiracy between two avaricious brothers who are competing for the treasure.
The plot leaves room for the author to describe the historical elements of the story. This and the author's excellent storytelling make the novel an very entertaining read.
Michael St. Pierre is a professional thief. Promising each other a better life, he and his girlfriend, KC have promised not to do any more stealing. However, he's talked into one more caper, stealing back documents from an Italian castle.
KC's faith is Michael is ruined when she learns of his going back on his word. She decides to leave him but is waylaid by a woman she meets at the airport. This woman convinces KC to go on an adventure but is really a kidnapping. She's informed that she has to steal a part of an ancient puzzle or Michael will be killed.
Michael is also set up. The leader of a rogue U.S. military group orders him to steal another part of the puzzle or the man will order KC's murder.
In a fast-paced action thriller that the author makes quite believable, we also learn of Chine history, particularly after the Japanese defeat in WWII and the ransacking of the country by Japan in which many treasures were stolen.
We also have a conspiracy between two avaricious brothers who are competing for the treasure.
The plot leaves room for the author to describe the historical elements of the story. This and the author's excellent storytelling make the novel an very entertaining read.
March 12, 2013
Oh wow... Since this is already the fourth book in the series I have the urge of finding the other 3. Gripping, smart and powerfully compelling. It's rare to find a book where mysticism meets modern world without it being too illogical. But this book blends it well. Michael St Pierre and KC are not ordinary thieves but I like the facts that they are also ordinary people with relationship issues like any normal person had. I haven't read the other books but Michael and KC seems not relying much on advanced gadgets a la James Bond, sometimes they required help and brute strength from their friends but I'm perfectly alright with it. Michael St Pierre is one of the rare character who is quick in thinking, creative and hardly depends on luck.
Though I don't fancy the elaborated personal history of the characters here. I find it a bit too long and tedious because all I care is the present day scenarios, what is going to happen next. And ironically Xiao, Lucas, Jon and Annie ultimately died in the end so what was that all for? LOL
A fun read, definitely worth my time reading it.
Though I don't fancy the elaborated personal history of the characters here. I find it a bit too long and tedious because all I care is the present day scenarios, what is going to happen next. And ironically Xiao, Lucas, Jon and Annie ultimately died in the end so what was that all for? LOL
A fun read, definitely worth my time reading it.
February 16, 2013
"The Thieves Of Legend" by Richard Doetsch
I was a Goodreads First reads winner of this thriller, I absolutely loved it! Well written, great characters, and the settings were so well described I felt like I was there. This is the first book by this author I have read. I am looking forward to more of Michael St. Pierre, and KC, they had great chemistry together. I was so glad for the snow today so I had a excuse to do nothing but sit and read. I will be looking out for the next one of the Thieves books and plan to read this authors other books too.
I was a Goodreads First reads winner of this thriller, I absolutely loved it! Well written, great characters, and the settings were so well described I felt like I was there. This is the first book by this author I have read. I am looking forward to more of Michael St. Pierre, and KC, they had great chemistry together. I was so glad for the snow today so I had a excuse to do nothing but sit and read. I will be looking out for the next one of the Thieves books and plan to read this authors other books too.
January 4, 2016
A different suspense story than the other books in this series. Richard Doetsch adds more characters then his normal cast. There are really two story lines going and not just Michael and his friends. It is not just Michael stealing something on his own. There is additional tension with the additional characters holding Michael & KC hostage against each other in search a of life giving vial. It is non stop tension that builds to the end of the book. Then in the end when all seems well their past jumps up to haunt them that they are not a wear of.
June 17, 2013
An okay continuation of the series. Wasn't crazy about the new characters and found the overall storyline to be just okay. The story was decent but I found it to be nice as interesting as the previous plots. Overall it seemed to focus more on the emotional side of things rather than on the mystery of the search. Not sure if I'll be reading the next one. Will have to wait and see if I like the blurb in the cover.
September 5, 2016
First off just want to say I love this series. This one did not disappoint at all. Fantastic plot and it was cool getting back with these characters. I will say this though near the end you were really wondering who was going to live and who was going to die. Really kept me going and near the end I couldn't put it down. Just a great read and I wish he would hurry and get the next one out, because he did leave it open for a next one. Cant wait for it.
October 29, 2012
Richard Doetsch is one of my favorite thriller authors. He's done it again with Thieves of Legend. If you're looking for a highly readable, fast-paced thriller that will keep you glued to a comfy chair until you're finished - this is the one for you! I was lucky to have the opportunity to read an advance copy before it was released. LOVED it!
May 11, 2014
I had this for awhile and planned on getting the books in the series before reading. I decided one night to just go ahead and read the story it was amazing and I couldn't put it down. This has very detailed history and places with well developed characters. A must read, now I need to read the others in this series.
October 2, 2013
As thrillers go, this was merely ok. I didn't feel the need to keep reading and walked away from it quite easily. The ending stretched the lines of plausibility and I'm not not talking about legends. On the other hand, I did enjoy the visit to Macau and to the Forbidden City. I just wish portions of the end hadn't been so hard to follow.
March 17, 2015
Consistent with the first three books, which is to say very entertaining. Though there are times when the backstories of new characters interrupt the flow of the plot, and Doetsch's insistence on shoehorning in mystical elements towards the very end each time never fails to feel at odds with the more grounded tone. All in all, though, another solid entry to this series.
February 10, 2016
A good thriller, with some fun twists. My first book from this series and from Doetsch and I'd definitely be interested in the next one. The characters are mostly exactly what you'd expect if you were watching an action movie, but that doesn't detract from anything. The scenes are well described and the action mostly keeps things rolling along even as the back story unfolds.
October 9, 2012
Enjoyable globe-trotting action/adventure story. Continues the on-going story of Michael St. Pierre, retired world-class thief that can never truly retire. As exciting as these stories are, I wish they'd get back to the blatant supernatural aspects of the very first book in the series.
May 28, 2015
The final installment(so far) in the Michael St. Pierre series. Wonderful wrap up with teasers on what's to come. I've enjoyed the characters throughout the series and look forward to more Michael and KC...
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