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Fox and O'Hare #4
The Scam
The fourth book in the fast-paced, action-packed Fox and O’Hare series from Janet Evanovich, #1 bestselling author of the blockbuster Stephanie Plum novels, and Lee Goldberg, bestselling author of the Monk series.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2015
2972 people are currently reading
8220 people want to read
About the author
Janet Evanovich
332 books41.1k followersJanet Evanovich is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Stephanie Plum series, the Lizzy and Diesel series, twelve romance novels, the Alexandra Barnaby novels and Trouble Maker graphic novel, and How I Write: Secrets of a Bestselling Author, as well as the Fox and O'Hare series with co-author Lee Goldberg.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,708 reviews
August 4, 2015
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
Reading Janet E. books has become the literary version of partaking in some delicious cake for me – I realize it’s nothing but empty calories but I don’t feel bad about eating the whole thing until some buzzkill comes and pees on my parade . . .
I’ve read nearly everything Evanovich has written - alllllll the Plums, the Alex Barnaby books, the Lizzy & Deisels, even some of her fluffy romances. That being said, 3 Stars is about as good as it gets from me. Let’s face it, these books aren’t real high up there on the smarty-farty scale, but I still love them.
The Scam is #4 in the Fox & O’Hare series. Per usual, we’re following the traditional format for these good cop/bad cop stories. Kate is the goodguy gal – an FBI agent who always gets her man. Nick is . . . well, her man. He spent much of his adult life on the 10 Most Wanted list, but once he was finally captured by Kate the Feds decided to use him for good instead of evil. Now Kate and Nick work as an unlikely duo taking down some of the biggest criminals in the world. The only thing that really changes is the bad guy, the location, and which of Kate’s father’s buddies will be recruited as a faithful sidekick.
This go ‘round their mission is to stop a money laundering operation that cleans up the dirty cash of some serious high rollers . . .
It’s up to Kate and Nick to “swindle the swindlers” . . .
(Sidenote: That line is followed up by Brad Pitt saying “only in the morning.” One of the best quotes EVER!)
Where was I????? Oh yeah, Kate and Nick have to infiltrate this casino and take down the bad guy. This time they’ll enlist the help of the regulars – Kate’s father Jake, Boyd the actor, and Chet the special effects guru, and they’ll also add Jake’s old buddy, the former Somali pirate Billy Dee . . .
Like I said, these books don’t take a whole lot of brain cells to get through, but they are total fun and as long as Evanovich and Goldberg keep cranking them out, I’ll keep reading them. Some extra fun this time was the relationship FINALLY went to the next level . . .
and an ending that makes me just have to read #5 . . .
(Extra Damon and Reynolds gifs added for Anne because she has TERRIBLE taste in men)
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review (but I still buy my own copy of these once they are released because I’m a disgusting book hoarder). Thank you, NetGalley!
Reading Janet E. books has become the literary version of partaking in some delicious cake for me – I realize it’s nothing but empty calories but I don’t feel bad about eating the whole thing until some buzzkill comes and pees on my parade . . .
I’ve read nearly everything Evanovich has written - alllllll the Plums, the Alex Barnaby books, the Lizzy & Deisels, even some of her fluffy romances. That being said, 3 Stars is about as good as it gets from me. Let’s face it, these books aren’t real high up there on the smarty-farty scale, but I still love them.
The Scam is #4 in the Fox & O’Hare series. Per usual, we’re following the traditional format for these good cop/bad cop stories. Kate is the good
This go ‘round their mission is to stop a money laundering operation that cleans up the dirty cash of some serious high rollers . . .
It’s up to Kate and Nick to “swindle the swindlers” . . .
(Sidenote: That line is followed up by Brad Pitt saying “only in the morning.” One of the best quotes EVER!)
Where was I????? Oh yeah, Kate and Nick have to infiltrate this casino and take down the bad guy. This time they’ll enlist the help of the regulars – Kate’s father Jake, Boyd the actor, and Chet the special effects guru, and they’ll also add Jake’s old buddy, the former Somali pirate Billy Dee . . .
Like I said, these books don’t take a whole lot of brain cells to get through, but they are total fun and as long as Evanovich and Goldberg keep cranking them out, I’ll keep reading them. Some extra fun this time was the relationship FINALLY went to the next level . . .
and an ending that makes me just have to read #5 . . .
(Extra Damon and Reynolds gifs added for Anne because she has TERRIBLE taste in men)
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review (but I still buy my own copy of these once they are released because I’m a disgusting book hoarder). Thank you, NetGalley!
March 5, 2024
Four stars for another fun romp with Fox, O’Hare and friends.
Like Evanovich’s popular Stephanie Plum series, there’s always chaos, bad guys, and goofy feature characters. Unlike the Plum series, the plot changes and I’m not still annoyed over the “will she or won’t she and with which one” that plagues that series. (I stuck with that series for more than 20 books but the ongoing love silliness started getting old).
Sure, the chemistry heats up between Nick, who is the hunky, urbane, bad boy con man, and our attractive FBI agent Kate, but its value as a background theme just ratchets up the tension. For the better.
Did I mention that these books are just plain fun to read. A nice change of pace from the darker, more violent mysteries I find myself devouring in the winter months.
Someone compared this series to Hart to Hart. For me, it’s more Moonlighting meets Remington Steel— yeah, I just dated myself in a big way!! Le sigh— that’s probably why I enjoy reading these books.
Skip the old lady references— it’s a really fun, escapist read with great gadgets and a kooky cast of characters… 😎
(Reviewed 2/1/22)
Like Evanovich’s popular Stephanie Plum series, there’s always chaos, bad guys, and goofy feature characters. Unlike the Plum series, the plot changes and I’m not still annoyed over the “will she or won’t she and with which one” that plagues that series. (I stuck with that series for more than 20 books but the ongoing love silliness started getting old).
Sure, the chemistry heats up between Nick, who is the hunky, urbane, bad boy con man, and our attractive FBI agent Kate, but its value as a background theme just ratchets up the tension. For the better.
Did I mention that these books are just plain fun to read. A nice change of pace from the darker, more violent mysteries I find myself devouring in the winter months.
Someone compared this series to Hart to Hart. For me, it’s more Moonlighting meets Remington Steel— yeah, I just dated myself in a big way!! Le sigh— that’s probably why I enjoy reading these books.
Skip the old lady references— it’s a really fun, escapist read with great gadgets and a kooky cast of characters… 😎
(Reviewed 2/1/22)
October 18, 2015
This series is just so fun! Capers, cons, and heists always pique my interest, and this book was no exception.
I have always pictured Nick Fox as Cary Elwes' con artist character Despereaux on Psych.
He has the smirk,
the same suave con man attitude,
the unflappable calm in any situation,
and always pulls it off and gets away.
In this installment, Kate O'Hare of the FBI andCary Nick decide to take down an evil Casino owner who gets off on violence and power. Think mallets and piranhas.
They soon assemble a team, include more baddies into the con, and go to work. I love Kate's retired military dad...he needs more page time. He often saves the day on the cons as well as with his daughter's love life.
Thank you Netgalley for a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
I have always pictured Nick Fox as Cary Elwes' con artist character Despereaux on Psych.
He has the smirk,
the same suave con man attitude,
the unflappable calm in any situation,
and always pulls it off and gets away.
In this installment, Kate O'Hare of the FBI and
They soon assemble a team, include more baddies into the con, and go to work. I love Kate's retired military dad...he needs more page time. He often saves the day on the cons as well as with his daughter's love life.
Thank you Netgalley for a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 31, 2015
Another GREAT episode in the Fox and O'Hare series! I always picture Nick as Robert Wagner from the old TV series To Catch a Thief and O'Hare as Jennifer Hart from another old TV starring Robert Wagner,Hart to Hart. Hopefully there will be many more episodes to come because I am hooked.
September 22, 2015
Yikes! I requested The Scam on Netgalley because I had read the first three books in Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series and enjoyed them well enough to make it worth giving this one a try. The Stephanie Plum books I read were completely light but sufficiently funny and likeable to fill the occasional need for a mindless read -- like the short lived satisfaction of a cheap chocolate bar. But The Scam -- which is part of a new series Evanovitch is co-authoring with Lee Goldberg-- didn't work for me at all -- and I don't think that it's because it's the fourth in a series of which I had not read the previous books. The characters seemed trite and not particularly interesting or likeable, and the story was choppy and all over the place. I should have stopped reading well before the end, but based on the high ratings for this book and series I was hoping to reach a point where all would be redeemed -- or at least pick up a bit. But all I reached was the conclusion that there's really no accounting for taste. 2 stars rather than 1 because there's nothing actually offensive about The Scam -- and I am overlooking the cheap shots at Canadians -- but I just didn't enjoy it. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read The Scam -- and I do mean that
sincerely. I've taken many risks requesting books outside of my usual reading patterns or comfort zone often to great success, so the occasional miss is a price worth paying.
sincerely. I've taken many risks requesting books outside of my usual reading patterns or comfort zone often to great success, so the occasional miss is a price worth paying.
August 2, 2015
Title: The Scam, book #4 in the "Fox and O'Hare" series.
Written By: Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg
Release information: tentatively scheduled on-sale date is 15 September 2015 - Bantam Books -- Random House. More info: www.evanovich.com or www.randomhousebooks.com
----> please note: an advanced reader's copy (ARC), I corrected eBook proof was kindly provided free of charge via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review without quotations from the publication. THANK YOU! ☺️ <----
Read: July, 2015
Format: eBook via Samsung Galaxy Tab4 - Kindle app.
Genre: fiction, humor, romance, law enforcement, FBI, FBI informant(s), military -retired, action/adventure, mystery, caper/robbery/scam/swindling, strong female MC. Occasional swearing and mild-moderate violence/fighting.
My rating (1-5 star scale): 4.75 "I looooove this series" stars!
As I must be careful what I post, I'll open with the previously released book synopsis:
"Nicolas Fox is a charming con man and master thief on the run. Kate O’Hare is the FBI agent who is hot on his trail. At least that’s what everyone thinks. In reality, Fox and O’Hare are secretly working together to bring down super-criminals the law can’t touch. Criminals like brutal casino magnate Evan Trace.
Evan Trace is running a money-laundering operation through his casino in Macau. Some of his best customers are mobsters, dictators, and global terrorists. Nick and Kate will have to go deep undercover as high-stakes gamblers, wagering millions of dollars—and their lives—in an attempt to topple Trace’s empire.
It’s a scam that will take Fox and O’Hare from the Las Vegas strip, to the sun-soaked beaches of Oahu’s North Shore, and into the dark back alleys of Macau. Their only backup—a self-absorbed actor, a Somali pirate, and Kate’s father, and an ex-soldier who believes a rocket launcher is the best way to solve every problem. What could possibly go wrong?"
My remarks:
I truly feel that this is the best book in the series so far!
I am a long-time Evanovich fan and really enjoy her Stephanie Plum series. I was a little worried that this collaboration would be disappointing, but I have been so pleasantly proved wrong with each installment so far!
I do feel this series needs to be read I order as it would be a bit difficult to fully understand the back story between Kate O'Hare, FBI Agent and Nick Fox, Hottie Swindler without that early information. There are often some little innuendos referenced that one will appreciate best if completely familiar with the whole series, especially how Fox comes up with his "character" names-freaking hilarious!!!
This tale of "bad guy gets chased by good guys" has the absolute funniest twist whereas the "bad guy" is actually a "good guy" informant but it isn't public information. Instead, the FBI uses Fox's unique skills set as a lifetime grifter to bring down top wanted master criminals with O'Hare as his handler. Let me just say, the heat and sparks flying between Fox and O'Hare is a deeee-lissssh-us side benefit of this series! Yowza!
It's just really fun and funny to see how the Fox-O'Hare team and their band of misfits come up with ways to swindle the swindlers in the name of the law/FBI. Super creative crime fighting!
I really am not able to say more at this time, but would be super happy to answer ANY questions (if you're still reading way down here), at any time! ;))
Thank you for stoping by, always.
Cheers!
Lisa (@NurseLisainOhio - GR, NetGalley, Twitter, tumblr, Pinterest , IG, Google+, etc.)
Written By: Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg
Release information: tentatively scheduled on-sale date is 15 September 2015 - Bantam Books -- Random House. More info: www.evanovich.com or www.randomhousebooks.com
----> please note: an advanced reader's copy (ARC), I corrected eBook proof was kindly provided free of charge via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review without quotations from the publication. THANK YOU! ☺️ <----
Read: July, 2015
Format: eBook via Samsung Galaxy Tab4 - Kindle app.
Genre: fiction, humor, romance, law enforcement, FBI, FBI informant(s), military -retired, action/adventure, mystery, caper/robbery/scam/swindling, strong female MC. Occasional swearing and mild-moderate violence/fighting.
My rating (1-5 star scale): 4.75 "I looooove this series" stars!
As I must be careful what I post, I'll open with the previously released book synopsis:
"Nicolas Fox is a charming con man and master thief on the run. Kate O’Hare is the FBI agent who is hot on his trail. At least that’s what everyone thinks. In reality, Fox and O’Hare are secretly working together to bring down super-criminals the law can’t touch. Criminals like brutal casino magnate Evan Trace.
Evan Trace is running a money-laundering operation through his casino in Macau. Some of his best customers are mobsters, dictators, and global terrorists. Nick and Kate will have to go deep undercover as high-stakes gamblers, wagering millions of dollars—and their lives—in an attempt to topple Trace’s empire.
It’s a scam that will take Fox and O’Hare from the Las Vegas strip, to the sun-soaked beaches of Oahu’s North Shore, and into the dark back alleys of Macau. Their only backup—a self-absorbed actor, a Somali pirate, and Kate’s father, and an ex-soldier who believes a rocket launcher is the best way to solve every problem. What could possibly go wrong?"
My remarks:
I truly feel that this is the best book in the series so far!
I am a long-time Evanovich fan and really enjoy her Stephanie Plum series. I was a little worried that this collaboration would be disappointing, but I have been so pleasantly proved wrong with each installment so far!
I do feel this series needs to be read I order as it would be a bit difficult to fully understand the back story between Kate O'Hare, FBI Agent and Nick Fox, Hottie Swindler without that early information. There are often some little innuendos referenced that one will appreciate best if completely familiar with the whole series, especially how Fox comes up with his "character" names-freaking hilarious!!!
This tale of "bad guy gets chased by good guys" has the absolute funniest twist whereas the "bad guy" is actually a "good guy" informant but it isn't public information. Instead, the FBI uses Fox's unique skills set as a lifetime grifter to bring down top wanted master criminals with O'Hare as his handler. Let me just say, the heat and sparks flying between Fox and O'Hare is a deeee-lissssh-us side benefit of this series! Yowza!
It's just really fun and funny to see how the Fox-O'Hare team and their band of misfits come up with ways to swindle the swindlers in the name of the law/FBI. Super creative crime fighting!
I really am not able to say more at this time, but would be super happy to answer ANY questions (if you're still reading way down here), at any time! ;))
Thank you for stoping by, always.
Cheers!
Lisa (@NurseLisainOhio - GR, NetGalley, Twitter, tumblr, Pinterest , IG, Google+, etc.)
September 21, 2015
The Scam by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg is a 2015 Bantam publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
At long last, I am finally reunited with my favorite anti-hero- Nick Fox! It seems like it's been a long time since we last touched base with Nick and Kate, but some things are worth the wait.
Our favorite dynamic duo has been assigned a most interesting and unusual case that will have them traveling to Las Vegas, Oahu, and Macau in order to infiltrate a casino magnate whose money laundering network could have ties to some of the most unsavory and dangerous people in the world, such as the mob, ISIS, or foreign dictators.
This may be one of the riskiest and most dangerous jobs the couple had been assigned up to this point, but Nick seems right in his element, as he plays high stakes games and bask in all the luxuries the casinos have to offer for high rollers.
But forget baccarat, the couple has placed their most important wager on their plan to take down super villain Evan Trace, but what they thought was a sure bet, might actually leave them in a real bind, with only Kate's dad and a Somalian pirate as back up.
On a more personal note, Kate is finding it harder to resist the charming Nick Fox as their attraction to one another grows stronger and their chemistry becomes more potent. Kate is becoming more addicted to the intoxicating and exciting world Nick has drawn her into.
The last book was a caper style novel, very slick and polished, so I wondered how on earth this amazing writing duo was going to top it. Well, there is still a con, but it's more like a 'sting' operation or as the apt title suggests… a scam.
Kate and Nick slide seamlessly into the world of high stakes gambling, ritzy casinos, luxury hotels, and high class travel all over the globe, by setting themselves up as high rollers throwing away millions of dollars in one night. They are just the type of people Evan Trace loves to see in his casinos… so let the games begin!
I love Nick Fox to death, even though he's not exactly a 'good guy' in the strictest meaning of the term. I am envious of his boldness, his ability to take risks, to act first- think later, and his overall confidence and optimism.
Kate, of course, still has to behave professionally, her job being to keep Nick under control , but she's beginning to see things Nick's way more often than not.
“ I'm feeling 'lucky' today,” Nick said, looking out at the surf. “Let's go swimming.”
“How does 'lucky' equate to swimming?”
“You would put on a little bikini, and we'd go into the water together, and then I'd get even luckier.”
“That's a fantasy”.
“True, but I plan to make it a reality.”
“Not gonna happen.”
“It's inevitable. I always thought we'd eventually get together,” Nick said.
“Well, so did I , but I imagined it would be in an interrogation room, courtroom, or your jail cell.”
“This is better.”
“I suppose, but it was fun when I hit you with a bus.”
“Yeah, and I enjoyed crashing into you with the armored car.” He moved close and kissed her just below the ear. “Thinking about it gets me feeling romantic.”
“Listen, mister, there's no romance.”
“Okay,” he said, “no romance. Just hot, sweaty sex.”
“No!”
“Just a little.”
“No!”
“A kiss.”
“Maybe a kiss.”
Needless to say, this is a fun, exciting, fast paced story, with a lot action, suspense, danger and a little bit of romance too. Once again, the plotting is tight, the dialogue snappy, smart- witted, and the characters continue to evolve as time moves on.
Yes, this story was certainly worth the wait, however… with the heart racing set up for the next installment, these fabulous authors had better be brainstorming and those word processors better be burning hot right now, because I don't know how long I can stand the suspense!
I love this series and highly recommend it to mystery, suspense, thriller fans, romantic suspense fans will like this one too. These stories are rated PG-13- so everyone should be able to enjoy them.
4.5 stars
At long last, I am finally reunited with my favorite anti-hero- Nick Fox! It seems like it's been a long time since we last touched base with Nick and Kate, but some things are worth the wait.
Our favorite dynamic duo has been assigned a most interesting and unusual case that will have them traveling to Las Vegas, Oahu, and Macau in order to infiltrate a casino magnate whose money laundering network could have ties to some of the most unsavory and dangerous people in the world, such as the mob, ISIS, or foreign dictators.
This may be one of the riskiest and most dangerous jobs the couple had been assigned up to this point, but Nick seems right in his element, as he plays high stakes games and bask in all the luxuries the casinos have to offer for high rollers.
But forget baccarat, the couple has placed their most important wager on their plan to take down super villain Evan Trace, but what they thought was a sure bet, might actually leave them in a real bind, with only Kate's dad and a Somalian pirate as back up.
On a more personal note, Kate is finding it harder to resist the charming Nick Fox as their attraction to one another grows stronger and their chemistry becomes more potent. Kate is becoming more addicted to the intoxicating and exciting world Nick has drawn her into.
The last book was a caper style novel, very slick and polished, so I wondered how on earth this amazing writing duo was going to top it. Well, there is still a con, but it's more like a 'sting' operation or as the apt title suggests… a scam.
Kate and Nick slide seamlessly into the world of high stakes gambling, ritzy casinos, luxury hotels, and high class travel all over the globe, by setting themselves up as high rollers throwing away millions of dollars in one night. They are just the type of people Evan Trace loves to see in his casinos… so let the games begin!
I love Nick Fox to death, even though he's not exactly a 'good guy' in the strictest meaning of the term. I am envious of his boldness, his ability to take risks, to act first- think later, and his overall confidence and optimism.
Kate, of course, still has to behave professionally, her job being to keep Nick under control , but she's beginning to see things Nick's way more often than not.
“ I'm feeling 'lucky' today,” Nick said, looking out at the surf. “Let's go swimming.”
“How does 'lucky' equate to swimming?”
“You would put on a little bikini, and we'd go into the water together, and then I'd get even luckier.”
“That's a fantasy”.
“True, but I plan to make it a reality.”
“Not gonna happen.”
“It's inevitable. I always thought we'd eventually get together,” Nick said.
“Well, so did I , but I imagined it would be in an interrogation room, courtroom, or your jail cell.”
“This is better.”
“I suppose, but it was fun when I hit you with a bus.”
“Yeah, and I enjoyed crashing into you with the armored car.” He moved close and kissed her just below the ear. “Thinking about it gets me feeling romantic.”
“Listen, mister, there's no romance.”
“Okay,” he said, “no romance. Just hot, sweaty sex.”
“No!”
“Just a little.”
“No!”
“A kiss.”
“Maybe a kiss.”
Needless to say, this is a fun, exciting, fast paced story, with a lot action, suspense, danger and a little bit of romance too. Once again, the plotting is tight, the dialogue snappy, smart- witted, and the characters continue to evolve as time moves on.
Yes, this story was certainly worth the wait, however… with the heart racing set up for the next installment, these fabulous authors had better be brainstorming and those word processors better be burning hot right now, because I don't know how long I can stand the suspense!
I love this series and highly recommend it to mystery, suspense, thriller fans, romantic suspense fans will like this one too. These stories are rated PG-13- so everyone should be able to enjoy them.
4.5 stars
October 18, 2015
Actual Rating 3.75 stars
Like I said when I picked up this book, I'm not sure what led me to it, as I previously stated that I wouldn't continue the series... but I saw this book pop up on my libraries Overdrive site and I said, "what the heck."
The Fox and O'Hare series is a fun buddy-cop series about a female FBI agent, Kate O'Hare, working cases with a infamous con artist and international criminal turned FBI informative and asset, Nick Fox.
You have the classic push-pull relationship, good cop bad cop set up and of course lots of sexual tension.
I read another review that said of the series, "it's like picking up some delicious junk food: you know it's just empty calories but it's so much fun you eat it anyway." This is the perfect summation in my opinion. I don't pick up this series to be blown away or inspired but the books are a lot of fun.
And to my surprise, I liked this book more than the second and third in the series, which I was sent for review. I thought The Scam brought back some of the classic stuff from the first book and I was impressed.
And the ending? Of course now I have to wait for the fifth book and read it. LOL
Like I said when I picked up this book, I'm not sure what led me to it, as I previously stated that I wouldn't continue the series... but I saw this book pop up on my libraries Overdrive site and I said, "what the heck."
The Fox and O'Hare series is a fun buddy-cop series about a female FBI agent, Kate O'Hare, working cases with a infamous con artist and international criminal turned FBI informative and asset, Nick Fox.
You have the classic push-pull relationship, good cop bad cop set up and of course lots of sexual tension.
I read another review that said of the series, "it's like picking up some delicious junk food: you know it's just empty calories but it's so much fun you eat it anyway." This is the perfect summation in my opinion. I don't pick up this series to be blown away or inspired but the books are a lot of fun.
And to my surprise, I liked this book more than the second and third in the series, which I was sent for review. I thought The Scam brought back some of the classic stuff from the first book and I was impressed.
And the ending? Of course now I have to wait for the fifth book and read it. LOL
January 25, 2016
FBI Agent Kate O'Hare and her criminal mastermind charge, Nick Fox, set up an elaborate plan to take down a casino owner, who is laundering money for terrorists and the Yakuza. Meanwhile, Kate's father and an old Army buddy manage to piss off a Hawaiian mobster, who is eventually drawn into the scam. The usual funny dialogue, sexual tension between our lead characters, and many beautiful locations, ranging from Oahu to Hong Kong/Macau, and the much less glamorous Las Vegas strip. Usual lite fare fun. 3.5 stars.
February 21, 2018
Prob higher than 3 for this type of book, aka literary fiction, only kidding- about the literary fiction, not the stars. It is light, fluffy, and very entertaining. Read Kelly (and the Book Boar)'s excellent- and needless to say- very entertaining review .
March 8, 2016
3.5*
Now, this was fun.
Light, fast-paced, action packed, with some sexy, lusty banter between the main characters, this is such book candy. Books like these are great for inbetween readings of the darker, grittier books and more literary stuff I usually (try to) read. I just gobbled it up.
An unlikely but hot duo, Nicholas Fox (on FBI's Ten Most Wanted list as fugitive #7 turned informant) and Kate O'Hare (FBI-agent extraordinaire) are setting up a scam to stop money-laundering casino boss Evan Trace's criminal ways. With the help of their notable friends and Kate's father, they jetset between the US, Hawaii, and Macao to do just that. On the way they experience some setbacks and encounter certain dubious characters, but in the end manage to pull it off. Now it's time for some celebrations...Isn't it?
I think Evanovich and Goldberg have finally taken this series up a notch. The previous books were okay, and this one was definitely way better than okay. Can't wait for the next installment.
Review copy supplied by publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a rating and/or review.
Now, this was fun.
Light, fast-paced, action packed, with some sexy, lusty banter between the main characters, this is such book candy. Books like these are great for inbetween readings of the darker, grittier books and more literary stuff I usually (try to) read. I just gobbled it up.
An unlikely but hot duo, Nicholas Fox (on FBI's Ten Most Wanted list as fugitive #7 turned informant) and Kate O'Hare (FBI-agent extraordinaire) are setting up a scam to stop money-laundering casino boss Evan Trace's criminal ways. With the help of their notable friends and Kate's father, they jetset between the US, Hawaii, and Macao to do just that. On the way they experience some setbacks and encounter certain dubious characters, but in the end manage to pull it off. Now it's time for some celebrations...Isn't it?
I think Evanovich and Goldberg have finally taken this series up a notch. The previous books were okay, and this one was definitely way better than okay. Can't wait for the next installment.
Review copy supplied by publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a rating and/or review.
September 18, 2017
The target is a Brad Pitt doppelganger. Oh my...
Owner of a casino and a money laundering suspect.
“Alone time with Trace isn’t high on my list of preferred activities,” Nick said. “That guy is scary.”
“The piranha got to you?”
“The way he thinks got to me. He’s a con man and a sociopath.
Visions of Culinary Heaven
Getting access to a buffet, even a bad one, is like someone handing me a free pass to heaven.”
Nick smiled wide. “You’re equating a buffet to heaven?”
“Okay, so maybe not heaven. Maybe to Disneyland.”
A painting of dogs playing poker.
Piranhas are his murder clean up team. Disturbing. But I'm glad it's not Jaws.
We are family. Or will be soon.
Kate smiled at her dad. “He’s good.”
“Not as good as you,” Jake said. “Because you caught him.”
“Hey,” Nick said. “Whose side are you on?”
“Kate’s,” Jake said. “Always.”
Nick nodded. “As it should be.”
Bring the Pirates
“I am a ruthless Somali pirate,” he said.
She gestured to his feet. “You’re wearing sneakers with Velcro straps.”
“You need comfortable footwear to be ruthless.”
Fake movies, dinosaur sets and becoming the jungle. It's all Zen.
Safety comes first.
“We’re here to protect you,” Dumah said. “Mr. Trace has put us in charge of your safety. If anything happens to you in Macau, we’ll be held accountable.”
“So do us a favor and stay out of dark alleys while you’re here,” the stairwell guy said, slightly pitched forward, his hand cupping his privates.
“It’s not the same. The only person attacking anyone in dark alleys with knives these days is Kate, and she lets them live.”
Someone had to say it.
“They say that patience is a virtue.”
“That might be true,” Jake said. “But in my experience, the virtuous are usually the first to die.”
The Canadian mafia, pirates and the Yakuza. Don't forget Trace.
“I’ve seen cookie jars with better security,” Nick said.
And there's a massive cliffhanger. You have been warned. Please keep book 5 next to you before you start this.
Finishing these books is as easy as finishing a box of Milano cookies.
Owner of a casino and a money laundering suspect.
“Alone time with Trace isn’t high on my list of preferred activities,” Nick said. “That guy is scary.”
“The piranha got to you?”
“The way he thinks got to me. He’s a con man and a sociopath.
Visions of Culinary Heaven
Getting access to a buffet, even a bad one, is like someone handing me a free pass to heaven.”
Nick smiled wide. “You’re equating a buffet to heaven?”
“Okay, so maybe not heaven. Maybe to Disneyland.”
A painting of dogs playing poker.
Piranhas are his murder clean up team. Disturbing. But I'm glad it's not Jaws.
We are family. Or will be soon.
Kate smiled at her dad. “He’s good.”
“Not as good as you,” Jake said. “Because you caught him.”
“Hey,” Nick said. “Whose side are you on?”
“Kate’s,” Jake said. “Always.”
Nick nodded. “As it should be.”
Bring the Pirates
“I am a ruthless Somali pirate,” he said.
She gestured to his feet. “You’re wearing sneakers with Velcro straps.”
“You need comfortable footwear to be ruthless.”
Fake movies, dinosaur sets and becoming the jungle. It's all Zen.
Safety comes first.
“We’re here to protect you,” Dumah said. “Mr. Trace has put us in charge of your safety. If anything happens to you in Macau, we’ll be held accountable.”
“So do us a favor and stay out of dark alleys while you’re here,” the stairwell guy said, slightly pitched forward, his hand cupping his privates.
“It’s not the same. The only person attacking anyone in dark alleys with knives these days is Kate, and she lets them live.”
Someone had to say it.
“They say that patience is a virtue.”
“That might be true,” Jake said. “But in my experience, the virtuous are usually the first to die.”
The Canadian mafia, pirates and the Yakuza. Don't forget Trace.
“I’ve seen cookie jars with better security,” Nick said.
And there's a massive cliffhanger. You have been warned. Please keep book 5 next to you before you start this.
Finishing these books is as easy as finishing a box of Milano cookies.
November 27, 2015
I was looking for a light read that I could escape to when I needed a break from another book that I was reading which was much heavier (and somewhat depressing). At any rate this book fit the bill.
I have only read one other book by Evanovich and had enjoyed it. The Scam is a light thriller with romance thrown in to spice it up. The plot however is sound. Kate, the FBI agent and Nick (a sort of reformed criminal) working with the police have uncovered a casino magnate who is laundering some money from some very bad gangsters.
There is comedy for sure with the interactions between Kate and Nick and also this time we have the opportunity to see Kate’s dad, an ex-soldier who likes to use a rocket launcher to solve a lot of problems.
For me The Scam is like taking the afternoon off to play. A fun, enjoyable read.
I have only read one other book by Evanovich and had enjoyed it. The Scam is a light thriller with romance thrown in to spice it up. The plot however is sound. Kate, the FBI agent and Nick (a sort of reformed criminal) working with the police have uncovered a casino magnate who is laundering some money from some very bad gangsters.
There is comedy for sure with the interactions between Kate and Nick and also this time we have the opportunity to see Kate’s dad, an ex-soldier who likes to use a rocket launcher to solve a lot of problems.
For me The Scam is like taking the afternoon off to play. A fun, enjoyable read.
September 11, 2015
I have read a lot of Janet Evanovich from Plum, Lizzy and now the Fox and O’Hare series and have enjoyed the stories because they are light, fun and quick reads. Scam is number 4 in the Fox and O’Hare series so if you haven’t read the others it really shouldn’t be a problem because the extra characters are flat and the author always has a way of catching up the new readers. Kate O’Hare is the good cop AKA FBI who has been tasked working with one of the FBI 10 most wanted men in America Nick Fox.
Each story is basically the same Nick and Kate find bad guys, scam the bad guys while using a band of marry men and women. This time around their mission is to stop money laundering operations at a casino in Las Vegas. They bring Jake O’Hare, Boyd the actor and Chet special effect guru along with a former Somali Pirate Bill Dee. I love Kates dad he is always good for a laugh which there is plenty to go around. Kate kick butts which made for some really good scenes and yes finally the relationship is taken to the next level as well as a cliff hanger.
The Scam as a lot of twist and turns that might get you a little lost but they pull it all together in the end. If you are into the TV show White Collar this is a you can’t miss book.
Advance copy sent from Netgalley
Each story is basically the same Nick and Kate find bad guys, scam the bad guys while using a band of marry men and women. This time around their mission is to stop money laundering operations at a casino in Las Vegas. They bring Jake O’Hare, Boyd the actor and Chet special effect guru along with a former Somali Pirate Bill Dee. I love Kates dad he is always good for a laugh which there is plenty to go around. Kate kick butts which made for some really good scenes and yes finally the relationship is taken to the next level as well as a cliff hanger.
The Scam as a lot of twist and turns that might get you a little lost but they pull it all together in the end. If you are into the TV show White Collar this is a you can’t miss book.
Advance copy sent from Netgalley
June 25, 2024
Oh my god, this book packs such a huge punch!
We have an ensemble of sketchy AF villains like an ex gambling cheater turned into casinò entrepreneur, with nerve damaged deformed hands (because of the cheating) and a penchant for sadism, an Hawaiian mob boss with ties with the Yakuza, a mercenary from the first book that could blow up Nick and Kate’s con, and so much more!
Add a daring con, a couple of wrenches that will really put Nick in trouble and give him a run for his money.
Kate was truly hilarious in this book, between her role in the con and her realization that she cares about Nick and that he feels the same, YES these two have finally admitted their feelings for one another and have took a huge step in their relationship! Anyway, I loved Kate, Nick, and the crew.
The cliffhanger finale was a nice touch (although I admit that I would’ve hated it if I had to wait for the next book to come out) and such a teaser for the next book!
We have an ensemble of sketchy AF villains like an ex gambling cheater turned into casinò entrepreneur, with nerve damaged deformed hands (because of the cheating) and a penchant for sadism, an Hawaiian mob boss with ties with the Yakuza, a mercenary from the first book that could blow up Nick and Kate’s con, and so much more!
Add a daring con, a couple of wrenches that will really put Nick in trouble and give him a run for his money.
Kate was truly hilarious in this book, between her role in the con and her realization that she cares about Nick and that he feels the same, YES these two have finally admitted their feelings for one another and have took a huge step in their relationship! Anyway, I loved Kate, Nick, and the crew.
The cliffhanger finale was a nice touch (although I admit that I would’ve hated it if I had to wait for the next book to come out) and such a teaser for the next book!
November 8, 2018
Just when I was about to say the JE had way too much influence on this story with repeated bad guys with different names but same behaviors and side kicks and those stupid interruptions to further the main duo from getting together (ignore the outrageous run-on sentence)... that ending happened.
All I can say is I’m glad I have the next book on tap.
Scott Brick continues to do an amazing job with narration.
All I can say is I’m glad I have the next book on tap.
Scott Brick continues to do an amazing job with narration.
June 21, 2016
My least favorite of the series. I'm not into the setting for this book; Macau. Don't know why.
September 17, 2015
Thank you to RANDOM HOUSE and Netgalley for providing a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
3.5 stars
Like the first three books in this series, The Scam was a quick read that flew right by. And yet somehow, it lost a bit of its polish for me with this installment. It felt like the plot was all over the place, and it was simply too intricate to describe with an even flow. Too many details bogged down the story. The first three could be blown right through, but you had to pay closer attention to this one. Because of that, the series lost its easy breezy feel.
We know Kate and Nick by now (not enough about Nick, in my opinion, and at this point I wonder if we’ll ever get any more details on him,) and their characters haven’t deviated since the The Heist. The same players that were brought into previous cons were utilized here as well, and it was fun to see them all again. Boyd and his eccentricities about throwing himself into his roles are becoming the highlights of each book for me. He is a fun character to read about, because he’s so off the wall and unpredictable. I like seeing Kate’s family in each installment; it gives us a better sense of who she is and shows us how she caters to her role in the FBI, her role as Nick’s partner, and her roles as sister, aunt, and daughter.
Nick really amped up the flirting in this one, and he got more of a rise out of Kate than he as in the past. Heads up – this book ends on a cliffhanger, and while in some cases I don’t mind a cliffhanger, I feel like it’s unnecessary here. There was almost a year between release dates for these books, and that’s just too long to wait for an answer to a cliffhanger ending. The scene could have just as easily been the beginning scene for the next book. While this book didn’t capture quite the same magic as the first three books in this series had, it was still entertaining. Fingers crossed the series gets its momentum back with the next book!
Some of my favorite little bits between Kate and Nick:
“Are you flirting with me?”
“Honey, my intentions are way past flirting.”
“Your intentions could get you a knee in the groin.”
Nick grinned. “At least your mind’s on the right body part.”
* * *
“Would you like me to come to your suite?”
“You want half of my steak, right?”
“No, babe. I want all of you.”
Kate took a beat to steady herself. “I need time.”
“The ball’s in your court.”
This review was originally posted at Badass Book Reviews.
3.5 stars
Like the first three books in this series, The Scam was a quick read that flew right by. And yet somehow, it lost a bit of its polish for me with this installment. It felt like the plot was all over the place, and it was simply too intricate to describe with an even flow. Too many details bogged down the story. The first three could be blown right through, but you had to pay closer attention to this one. Because of that, the series lost its easy breezy feel.
We know Kate and Nick by now (not enough about Nick, in my opinion, and at this point I wonder if we’ll ever get any more details on him,) and their characters haven’t deviated since the The Heist. The same players that were brought into previous cons were utilized here as well, and it was fun to see them all again. Boyd and his eccentricities about throwing himself into his roles are becoming the highlights of each book for me. He is a fun character to read about, because he’s so off the wall and unpredictable. I like seeing Kate’s family in each installment; it gives us a better sense of who she is and shows us how she caters to her role in the FBI, her role as Nick’s partner, and her roles as sister, aunt, and daughter.
Nick really amped up the flirting in this one, and he got more of a rise out of Kate than he as in the past. Heads up – this book ends on a cliffhanger, and while in some cases I don’t mind a cliffhanger, I feel like it’s unnecessary here. There was almost a year between release dates for these books, and that’s just too long to wait for an answer to a cliffhanger ending. The scene could have just as easily been the beginning scene for the next book. While this book didn’t capture quite the same magic as the first three books in this series had, it was still entertaining. Fingers crossed the series gets its momentum back with the next book!
Some of my favorite little bits between Kate and Nick:
“Are you flirting with me?”
“Honey, my intentions are way past flirting.”
“Your intentions could get you a knee in the groin.”
Nick grinned. “At least your mind’s on the right body part.”
* * *
“Would you like me to come to your suite?”
“You want half of my steak, right?”
“No, babe. I want all of you.”
Kate took a beat to steady herself. “I need time.”
“The ball’s in your court.”
This review was originally posted at Badass Book Reviews.
September 20, 2015
3.5/5
Mon avis en Français
My ENglish review
As always, I was curious to immerse myself in a novel by Janet Evanovich and this series allows me each time to have a good time with a light and funny reading.
We find as always a new investigation or a new scam I should say, performed to bring down a Casino owner, money launderer for all the biggest criminals of this world. It is up to Kate and Nick to find a ploy to make him fall and thus start a new adventure. But as always, this plan remains far from easy, even with the help of their associates that we have great pleasure to see again here as always. Yes, Willie will be there, along with our beloved crazy actor or Kate’s father who is eager for action and fits easily in rather complicated situations. But that’s not all, because we have some new characters.
As you can see, we are carried away in a new well-planned scam as always and it was very interesting to see what the characters were thinking again. In addition, there is also an evolution for the relationship between Kate and Nick and although everything is very complicated and tense, it’s nice to see how far it will advance and progress.
So it was a nice book to read, especially for holidays, if we do not expect anything too complicated.
Mon avis en Français
My ENglish review
As always, I was curious to immerse myself in a novel by Janet Evanovich and this series allows me each time to have a good time with a light and funny reading.
We find as always a new investigation or a new scam I should say, performed to bring down a Casino owner, money launderer for all the biggest criminals of this world. It is up to Kate and Nick to find a ploy to make him fall and thus start a new adventure. But as always, this plan remains far from easy, even with the help of their associates that we have great pleasure to see again here as always. Yes, Willie will be there, along with our beloved crazy actor or Kate’s father who is eager for action and fits easily in rather complicated situations. But that’s not all, because we have some new characters.
As you can see, we are carried away in a new well-planned scam as always and it was very interesting to see what the characters were thinking again. In addition, there is also an evolution for the relationship between Kate and Nick and although everything is very complicated and tense, it’s nice to see how far it will advance and progress.
So it was a nice book to read, especially for holidays, if we do not expect anything too complicated.
August 4, 2023
Another great addition to this wonderful and funny series that always makes me laugh. It's like watching a good heist movie.
The con is as great as always, and Nick and Kate are at their best.
The only flaw is that the next book isn't out yet, and with this dramatic cliffhanger at the end, I can't wait to get my hands on it. That is the disadvantage of all unfinished series; you always have to wait to know what is going to happen when you would like to know it right now. I enjoyed this read so much that I even forgive the authors for this cliffhanger, which I usually hate in my books.
The con is as great as always, and Nick and Kate are at their best.
The only flaw is that the next book isn't out yet, and with this dramatic cliffhanger at the end, I can't wait to get my hands on it. That is the disadvantage of all unfinished series; you always have to wait to know what is going to happen when you would like to know it right now. I enjoyed this read so much that I even forgive the authors for this cliffhanger, which I usually hate in my books.
June 4, 2019
Still entertaining and fun but the Moonlighting Curse hit me there at the end. See, romantic tension dies when you bring your couple together. It is why Remington Steele stayed so consistently good over so many seasons. Why Moonlighting flopped. No matter how weak your plot, romantic tension keeps things interesting. But when your characters give into their tension...well, the story just crashes.
That's what drew me away form Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum novels. And that is, I fear, what will draw me away from this series.
But we'll see what future books bring.
That's what drew me away form Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum novels. And that is, I fear, what will draw me away from this series.
But we'll see what future books bring.
June 26, 2017
I am reading these out of order, but I've found that Evanovich's writing allows for this. This book is a light read. It has just enough of everything you need: action, quirky characters, danger, and expensive cars getting blown to bits.
Plus, the audiobook has Scott Brick's extremely listen-to-able voice.
Winner, winner chicken dinner!
Plus, the audiobook has Scott Brick's extremely listen-to-able voice.
Winner, winner chicken dinner!
October 8, 2021
This one picked up the action again! I liked how the danger was amped up again, plus the con was more interesting again
No freaking gondolas!
Who comes up with this stuff, the book was funny and action packed and had great action again. The con itself was multilayered, smarter, and Boyd and the pirate had great banter. I wish Jake had gotten to use his rocket launcher. There were piranhas too. I loved Evan as a bad guy, and Kate got to be entirely bad ass
Also, finally ... Finally haha. Anyone who has read it knows what this paragraph is about 😂 finally!
Ending on a cliffhanger, I definitely want to read the next one now to see what the heck happened in that beach house 😳
I totally still recommend this series for those liking fast paced, thrillers with humor and dare i say romance?
No freaking gondolas!
Who comes up with this stuff, the book was funny and action packed and had great action again. The con itself was multilayered, smarter, and Boyd and the pirate had great banter. I wish Jake had gotten to use his rocket launcher. There were piranhas too. I loved Evan as a bad guy, and Kate got to be entirely bad ass
Also, finally ... Finally haha. Anyone who has read it knows what this paragraph is about 😂 finally!
Ending on a cliffhanger, I definitely want to read the next one now to see what the heck happened in that beach house 😳
I totally still recommend this series for those liking fast paced, thrillers with humor and dare i say romance?
April 3, 2019
I enjoyed this story by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg. The two MCs track down a criminal to Hawaii. They are helped by Kate's father, an ex-military man. I think I'll go back and start with the first book in the series to get more of a feel for the characters.
August 1, 2022
Another fun installment of the Fox and O’Hare series. Of course, I want a little more from the romance side, but the action and comedy really make up for it.
September 22, 2015
ARC provided by the Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This series just gets better with the release of each new book. It has Evanovich's trademark dry humor and wit along with a kick ass plot that has you guessing to the very end. I can clearly see Lee Goldberg's influence and this collaboration is a hit. I love it!
As far as the plot goes, I'm not going to reveal much, because I want you to have to joy of discovery for yourself. I will say that this time Nick and Kate, with the FBI's blessing, are after a nasty piece of work using his casinos to launder money for terrorists and anyone else who needs to hide where their ill gotten gains come from. He is also a sadist and likes pain, for himself and others. He hopes to include Kate in his little games. Like Nick is going to let that happen.
Nick's faithful crew and Kate's dad, Jake, are right there to support Nick and Kate and bring the baddies to justice. Jake has a personal interest in seeing one of the baddies go down. Kate is still fighting her feelings and attraction for Nick and Nick is dealing with his serious feelings for Kate, but he is not likely to change into Kate's ideal model citizen anytime soon. This scam is their biggest yet and the stakes are just as high.
This series just gets better with the release of each new book. It has Evanovich's trademark dry humor and wit along with a kick ass plot that has you guessing to the very end. I can clearly see Lee Goldberg's influence and this collaboration is a hit. I love it!
As far as the plot goes, I'm not going to reveal much, because I want you to have to joy of discovery for yourself. I will say that this time Nick and Kate, with the FBI's blessing, are after a nasty piece of work using his casinos to launder money for terrorists and anyone else who needs to hide where their ill gotten gains come from. He is also a sadist and likes pain, for himself and others. He hopes to include Kate in his little games. Like Nick is going to let that happen.
Nick's faithful crew and Kate's dad, Jake, are right there to support Nick and Kate and bring the baddies to justice. Jake has a personal interest in seeing one of the baddies go down. Kate is still fighting her feelings and attraction for Nick and Nick is dealing with his serious feelings for Kate, but he is not likely to change into Kate's ideal model citizen anytime soon. This scam is their biggest yet and the stakes are just as high.
October 3, 2015
How do you scam someone who is trying to scam you? Come
along with Nicholas Fox, master thief and con artist who is
working secretly with Kate O’Hare, FBI agent. The pair are
bringing down untouchable criminals. This time a casino owner
who is involved with money laundering through gambling.
Joining Nick & Kate are an actor, a Somali pirate and Kate’s
father who is a real trip. The characters are all unique, vivid,
artfully drawn, quirky and fun. The dynamics between the main
characters shows undeniable chemistry ready to exploded.
The story takes the reader to exotic locations such as Macau
and the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. We also visit Los Vegas
and California.
Plenty of drama, suspense, unpredictable plots, captivating
writing, humor, edge and a touch of romance.
A great read!!
Thank you Bantam Dell and NetGalley for this eBook. My
opinion is my own.
along with Nicholas Fox, master thief and con artist who is
working secretly with Kate O’Hare, FBI agent. The pair are
bringing down untouchable criminals. This time a casino owner
who is involved with money laundering through gambling.
Joining Nick & Kate are an actor, a Somali pirate and Kate’s
father who is a real trip. The characters are all unique, vivid,
artfully drawn, quirky and fun. The dynamics between the main
characters shows undeniable chemistry ready to exploded.
The story takes the reader to exotic locations such as Macau
and the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. We also visit Los Vegas
and California.
Plenty of drama, suspense, unpredictable plots, captivating
writing, humor, edge and a touch of romance.
A great read!!
Thank you Bantam Dell and NetGalley for this eBook. My
opinion is my own.
March 25, 2020
One thing about these books, the second half is usually the funniest half. In this one Kate and Nick go undercover in order to take down an enormous money laundering operation in Macau. We not only meet some of the regular crew, but a retired Somali pirate and a Hawaiian drug lord with his fingers in many pies. Guns, piranhas, mallets and more are weapons of choice by a variety of the players in this book. There may even be a clever plot twist or two along the way...
October 12, 2015
The Scam
I was ready to give this book four stars until the very last page. I'm hooked on this series for sure. I like the dynamic between Kate and Nick and loved the way this book ended. I don't even mind that I have to wait until the next book is published to find out what happened to Nick. This is a cute series and just what I expect from Janet Evanovich.
I was ready to give this book four stars until the very last page. I'm hooked on this series for sure. I like the dynamic between Kate and Nick and loved the way this book ended. I don't even mind that I have to wait until the next book is published to find out what happened to Nick. This is a cute series and just what I expect from Janet Evanovich.
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