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Kingdom's Con Men
“Banned by 1000 Churches!”
And yes, Kingdom's Con Men would indeed be banned if some people had their way. But it's nothing to be afraid of, confused about, angry or offended over. Kingdom’s Con Men strives to be thought-provoking, that’s all.
Beyond being a mere crime novel, it takes its time to explore why its two scammers--one an Atheist, the other an ordained minister--decide to take to the road to conduct their cons, specifically targeting corrupt megachurch ministers. In the process, it offers a satirical overview of the current evangelical landscape.
Folks familiar with the nuances of the book’s insular brand of church life will appreciate Kingdom’s Con Men’s authenticity and familiarity. Those new to it will enjoy an initiation into a world that’s equally odd and intriguing. It’s that rare read that manages to captivate both believers and nonbelievers alike.
As cunning teens, Roland Wade and Nicholas Johansen thrive by swindling the naïve residents of their Bible Belt-like town, Kingdom, OH. When a failed scam lands Roland in juvie, he discovers and embraces—truly embraces—religion. He becomes a minister, earnest and gifted at spreading the gospel. By age 30, however, after routinely being taken advantage of by other ministers, and seeing them prosper despite their hypocrisy and promotion of the “prosperity gospel” he despises, he becomes disgruntled.
As far as Nicholas is concerned, religion ruins everything. In infancy, as per a shyster pastor’s suggestion, his blindly devoted parents abandon him as not to hinder their ministry duties. At his workplace—Kingdom’s sole house of ill repute--he’s surrounded by reverends who revel in living recklessly, while prospering and preaching to the contrary on Sundays.
After over a decade of being apart, fate brings Roland and Nicholas together again. Though they share a sense of loneliness, lack of direction, and little else, Nicholas somehow convinces Roland to join him in reembracing the deceptive qualities that made them exceptional scammers as youth, to again run cons—this time, only on the people they both most despise: immoral megachurch ministers.
They thrive in their efforts, then the duo disbands, separately seeking honest living in Chicago. A reckless attempt at one last con reunites them. It puts both men’s lives at risk.
Kingdom’s Con Men is irreverently funny, clever, enlightening, and challenging throughout, and it resonates with the depth and fervor of a spiritual hymn that touches the very soul—whether one believes in a soul or not.
And yes, Kingdom's Con Men would indeed be banned if some people had their way. But it's nothing to be afraid of, confused about, angry or offended over. Kingdom’s Con Men strives to be thought-provoking, that’s all.
Beyond being a mere crime novel, it takes its time to explore why its two scammers--one an Atheist, the other an ordained minister--decide to take to the road to conduct their cons, specifically targeting corrupt megachurch ministers. In the process, it offers a satirical overview of the current evangelical landscape.
Folks familiar with the nuances of the book’s insular brand of church life will appreciate Kingdom’s Con Men’s authenticity and familiarity. Those new to it will enjoy an initiation into a world that’s equally odd and intriguing. It’s that rare read that manages to captivate both believers and nonbelievers alike.
As cunning teens, Roland Wade and Nicholas Johansen thrive by swindling the naïve residents of their Bible Belt-like town, Kingdom, OH. When a failed scam lands Roland in juvie, he discovers and embraces—truly embraces—religion. He becomes a minister, earnest and gifted at spreading the gospel. By age 30, however, after routinely being taken advantage of by other ministers, and seeing them prosper despite their hypocrisy and promotion of the “prosperity gospel” he despises, he becomes disgruntled.
As far as Nicholas is concerned, religion ruins everything. In infancy, as per a shyster pastor’s suggestion, his blindly devoted parents abandon him as not to hinder their ministry duties. At his workplace—Kingdom’s sole house of ill repute--he’s surrounded by reverends who revel in living recklessly, while prospering and preaching to the contrary on Sundays.
After over a decade of being apart, fate brings Roland and Nicholas together again. Though they share a sense of loneliness, lack of direction, and little else, Nicholas somehow convinces Roland to join him in reembracing the deceptive qualities that made them exceptional scammers as youth, to again run cons—this time, only on the people they both most despise: immoral megachurch ministers.
They thrive in their efforts, then the duo disbands, separately seeking honest living in Chicago. A reckless attempt at one last con reunites them. It puts both men’s lives at risk.
Kingdom’s Con Men is irreverently funny, clever, enlightening, and challenging throughout, and it resonates with the depth and fervor of a spiritual hymn that touches the very soul—whether one believes in a soul or not.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 8, 2026
Wow, I have a lot to say about this book.
First off, this novel is magnificent. I loved it, so let's get that out of the way. In fact, I'm a little stunned something this good seems to be wallowing in total obscurity, with minimal sales and reviews. The book popped into my Amazon feed, and I leapt on it because I love tales of the con (like White Men Can't Jump and The Hustler), and I love Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis.
If I'm not mistaken this is Daniel Myatt's debut novel (and only novel?) Many authors, in writing their first novel, take the opportunity to cast their philosophies and life experiences on a semi-fictional character. In this instance, that character is Nook, who becomes a vehicle for Myatt's musings on religion, family, life, women, LGBTQ issues, food, sex, and music.
Nook's childhood friend is Roland, and even as children, they love the con. They love the trickery, the acting, the planning, and the exuberance of separating some rube from their money. After a con goes inevitably wrong, however, they go their separate ways. Roland takes the fall and winds up in juvenile detention. Nook, due to family commitments, remains in sleepy Kingdom, Ohio, but quickly finds his vocation in a house of ill repute. It is an adult extravaganza, offering liquor, women, drugs, and gambling right in the midst of their sleepy little well-behaved town.
Roland, however, when confronted with the decadent lifestyles of his prison counterparts, quickly embraces the Christian faith in a big way. He becomes a true child of God, so much so he grows into a pious, dedicated, self-righteous minister. As such, he stumbles headfirst into the hypocrisy and venality so prevalent in the local clergy, especially among the "prosperity" churches.
When his disgust and bitterness overwhelm him, he is soon reunited with his childhood friend, Nook, and the duo find their new calling: Separating rotten but gullible clergymen from their money. I'll let you read the book to see how things turn out.
I loved this book. I loved the chronology of opening with a con and then telling the origin story. The writing is fantastic, and the religious elements were handled passionately and sincerely, reminding me of James Baldwin. The problem, however, is this is probably a book with minimal mass appeal. It is marketed on Amazon in the atheism category, but that doesn't really do it justice. In fact, I think a lot of atheists would have a hard time enjoying this because the depictions of Christian faith are so strong. There is a lot of Bible stuff.
Conversely, there might be minimal appeal to many Christians, because the clergy is painted in such a negative light, and there's so much ick. At times it seems like Roland is the only true and honest Christian minister in the entire Midwest.
I would have liked to have seen Mr. Myatt tweak some things, foremost among them, the PoV. I think each chapter should have been identified as "Nook" or "Roland" so the reader can quickly discern whose point of view they are reading. Additionally, I think one of the characters deserved a better ending. Finally, I was very surprised we never heard again of the mental health patient to whom young Roland provided counseling.
Ultimately, minor points. This is a fantastic book that deserves to be read, and I salute Daniel Myatt for writing the kind of books that really resonate.
First off, this novel is magnificent. I loved it, so let's get that out of the way. In fact, I'm a little stunned something this good seems to be wallowing in total obscurity, with minimal sales and reviews. The book popped into my Amazon feed, and I leapt on it because I love tales of the con (like White Men Can't Jump and The Hustler), and I love Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis.
If I'm not mistaken this is Daniel Myatt's debut novel (and only novel?) Many authors, in writing their first novel, take the opportunity to cast their philosophies and life experiences on a semi-fictional character. In this instance, that character is Nook, who becomes a vehicle for Myatt's musings on religion, family, life, women, LGBTQ issues, food, sex, and music.
Nook's childhood friend is Roland, and even as children, they love the con. They love the trickery, the acting, the planning, and the exuberance of separating some rube from their money. After a con goes inevitably wrong, however, they go their separate ways. Roland takes the fall and winds up in juvenile detention. Nook, due to family commitments, remains in sleepy Kingdom, Ohio, but quickly finds his vocation in a house of ill repute. It is an adult extravaganza, offering liquor, women, drugs, and gambling right in the midst of their sleepy little well-behaved town.
Roland, however, when confronted with the decadent lifestyles of his prison counterparts, quickly embraces the Christian faith in a big way. He becomes a true child of God, so much so he grows into a pious, dedicated, self-righteous minister. As such, he stumbles headfirst into the hypocrisy and venality so prevalent in the local clergy, especially among the "prosperity" churches.
When his disgust and bitterness overwhelm him, he is soon reunited with his childhood friend, Nook, and the duo find their new calling: Separating rotten but gullible clergymen from their money. I'll let you read the book to see how things turn out.
I loved this book. I loved the chronology of opening with a con and then telling the origin story. The writing is fantastic, and the religious elements were handled passionately and sincerely, reminding me of James Baldwin. The problem, however, is this is probably a book with minimal mass appeal. It is marketed on Amazon in the atheism category, but that doesn't really do it justice. In fact, I think a lot of atheists would have a hard time enjoying this because the depictions of Christian faith are so strong. There is a lot of Bible stuff.
Conversely, there might be minimal appeal to many Christians, because the clergy is painted in such a negative light, and there's so much ick. At times it seems like Roland is the only true and honest Christian minister in the entire Midwest.
I would have liked to have seen Mr. Myatt tweak some things, foremost among them, the PoV. I think each chapter should have been identified as "Nook" or "Roland" so the reader can quickly discern whose point of view they are reading. Additionally, I think one of the characters deserved a better ending. Finally, I was very surprised we never heard again of the mental health patient to whom young Roland provided counseling.
Ultimately, minor points. This is a fantastic book that deserves to be read, and I salute Daniel Myatt for writing the kind of books that really resonate.
July 1, 2025
Goodreads giveaway.
3.5 Stars.
Good story. Very well written. Better than most giveaways I’ve read.
3.5 Stars.
Good story. Very well written. Better than most giveaways I’ve read.
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