A Shared Confidence

by William Topek

Kansas City, 1935. Private detective Devlin Caine receives a telegram from his estranged older brother, a Baltimore banker who's been framed for embezzlement. At his brother's request, Caine comes to Baltimore, expecting nothing more than to offer a little useful advice. But in short order, he finds himself deeply involved in an elaborate confidence scheme. Never try to con a con, but Caine finds himself forced into doing just that. And he may just have the experience and know-how to take on a veteran master of the long con. But can he handle three different government agencies, his former boss, and a violent Chicago mobster who also appear on the scene? Working in a strange city and employing cons on top of cons, Caine struggles to save not only his brother's career, but possibly his own hide.

400 pages, ebook

First published May 27, 2012

About the author

William Topek is originally from the Midwest, but has lived and worked throughout the United States and overseas in public, private, and academic venues. He is a military veteran whose interests include film, fiction, history, and the art of storytelling.

Reviews

[Molly Ringle · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I started reading this book, I realized I was happy to see Devlin Caine again. Last year I read the first book of his adventures ('Shadow of a Distant Morning'), and I guess I've missed him. He's just so *fun*, keeping the ironic humor running even when life or large amounts of money are on the line.

As in the first book, Topek's prose is so clean and crisp it practically makes audible snapping sounds, and his research on the time period is amazingly well done, bringing the scenes to flawless life. And this plot is, if anything, even twistier, smarter, and more mischievously complex than the one in 'Shadow of a Distant Morning.' I marvel at Topek's (and Caine's) brain, being able to put all that together and keep it straight. I have to imagine he had index cards and whiteboards all over his writing office, laying out which characters knew what and when.

But for us readers, it's just fun to go along for the ride, and see if we can accurately guess who's conning who. Caine himself will throw you a few surprises on that front, but then he gets a few surprises right back in his face before the game is up. The charisma and entertainment of a good con (the subject of this book) gives it a lighter and more whimsical mood than its predecessor volume, which was darker and more life-and-death. But both stay afloat thanks to a wily but charming protagonist and a seriously smart author.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

William Topek has done it again! The novel “A Shared Confidence,” a sequel to “Shadow of a Distant Morning,” is spellbinding from start to finish. Our Private Investigator Devlin Caine receives a phone call at his Kansas City office from his estranged brother Nathan in Baltimore asking for help. The two brothers have not spoken since attending the funeral of their parents who died tragic deaths five years before. Devlin, although skeptical of his snobbish brother, catches a flight to Baltimore. Upon arrival he is delightfully surprised in being reunited with his brother and wife Marie, along with their two children. We fall in love with Devlin Caine all over again as Topek unveils his charming family-side. But, a high-drama con-artist story is about to unfold as Nathan, a prominent banker, tells Devlin he believes he is being set-up for embezzlement through someone’s fraudulent loans at his bank. The story becomes electrified with highly developed and descriptive characters as Devlin gets down-and-dirty with mobsters and con men involved in what is known as “the confidence game” to keep his brother out of prison. The confidence game is a trick where a mark is defrauded of thousands of dollars by first gaining their confidence and convincing them they can make a lot more money in the stock market. Devlin is sly and skilled at identifying officers at the bank responsible for the fraudulent loans, men willing to take his brother down without regard for his family, men who themselves are marks of a team of trained confidence scam artist feeding off their greed. Devlin is having none of it. He recruits his old friends from Kansas City to play roles in his own scam to catch them at their own game, but before he realizes it, he himself is being conned by old F.B.I. agents, intent on bringing down the ring of con-artist, but specially, one of the most wanted confidence men who is part of the grand scheme of things. If you were a fan of the movie “The Sting,” then you will really enjoy this caper. It’s fun, mind twisting, and filled with amazing mystery. You always learn something new with William Topek. He’s a fine author with talent galore.

[Wendy Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading Topek's first Devlin Caine adventure, Shadow of a Distant Morning, about a year ago. I really enjoyed it and A Shared Confidence is even better. If you like gumshoe mysteries, then Devlin Caine is right up your alley!

Not only is he an unorthodox character, but Topek twists and turns the plot, leaving the reader guessing where he is going with the storyline, but then it gradually all makes sense and you find you've been on one heck of a thrilling ride. His writing is true to the era, brilliantly bringing the nineteen thirties to life.

I enjoyed A Shared Confidence, meeting Devlin's brother and learning a bit more about the man himself. It was entertaining and the cons intrigued me on how they worked. If you enjoy a suspense mystery with a memorable investigator, pick up A Shared Confidence. I can't wait to see what Devlin gets up to next!

[Rubin Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Topek's Devlin Caine is no Raymond Chandler copy cat private eye
He's one of the best characters I'e read in years
great plot, characters and believable story highly recommend this series
Bravo Mr Topek Bravo !!!

[Melanie Adkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devlin Caine is back with a new mystery that puts his brother in the hot seat. Although they've been estranged for five years, Nathan Caine reaches out to his brother for help. Money is missing from his department at the bank and Nathan's name is all over it. The problem is, Nathan swears he didn't sign the documents allowing the money to be moved and ultimately taken.
Meanwhile in Kansas City, Devlin is meeting with a potential client about a situation he got himself into. It seemed okay. A quick way for the client to make money. What happened was he lost everything. Sensing there was nothing more he could do for the man, Devlin bid him goodbye and got back to his brother's problem. This was Devlin's chance to show his brother how well he did his job. Now all he had to do was get to Baltimore and find out who really took the money from the bank. Should be an easy case. People always left a trail, you just had to know where to look. Devlin finds out his brother's problem is tied up with state and federal agencies but for other reasons. Will the case blow up in Devlin's face or can he use the agencies resources and men to figure it all out?

LOVE Devlin Caine! He's a wonderful character! This is William Topek's second book and each one just gets better and better. The historical facts in this book are very accurate and fun to read. The book takes you to an age when detectives did almost anything to solve a case. You'll enjoy the intricate twists and turns in this book. Just when you're sure things have settled, something else happens to blow up all your theories. I recommend this book highly.

I didn't find issues with this one.

I gave this one 5 out of 5 books because I love an old fashioned detective novel.

[Alumine Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second novel by Topek, and American writer. It's published as an e-book, easy to buy off Amazon.

It's a well crafted story set in the 1930's MidWest USA, among con-men, the mafia, and the main Private Investigator Devlin Caine. It's easy to envisage this novel as a movie, shot in sepia, involving well dressed men and smoky bars, opulence and the vestiges of a lifestyle about to end as America enters the war.

Caine receives an enigmatic call from his almost-estranged brother Nathan asking for his professional help. Something is amiss in the bank Nathan works in and he fears he will be blamed for money that is missing.
Caine arrives at his brother's place and over the next few weeks works tirelessly uncovering a devious ploy by a con man to fleece people of great wads of cash.

And so the story goes. The setting is well researched as is the era and time of the novel. Good solid work, this is the second of the Devlin Caine adventures. The first is Shadow of a distant Morning. I am hoping Topek will publish again soon.