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Forty Thieves
Married sleuths cross paths with married assassins in this "priceless" mystery by the bestselling author of the Jane Whitefield series (The New York Times).
Sid and Ronnie Abel are a first-rate husband-and-wife detective team, both ex-LAPD. Ed and Nicole Hoyt are married assassins-for-hire living in the San Fernando Valley. Except for deadly aim with a Glock 17, the couples have little in common--until they're hired to do damage control on the same murder. The body of research scientist James Ballantine has been pulled from a storm sewer, with two bullet holes in the back of his head.
With the case turning cold, Ballantine's former employers bring in the Abels to succeed where the police have failed. As for the Hoyts, their mysterious contractors want to make sure that the facts about Ballantine's death stay hidden. Now the Abels must try to survive as they circle ever closer to the truth, and to a dangerous pair guarding it with their lives.
From "a master of nail-biting suspense" (Los Angeles Times), comes a "propulsive, darkly humorous" (Publishers Weekly) "double-barreled Southern California thriller that moves almost faster than a speeding bullet" (The Wall Street Journal).
Sid and Ronnie Abel are a first-rate husband-and-wife detective team, both ex-LAPD. Ed and Nicole Hoyt are married assassins-for-hire living in the San Fernando Valley. Except for deadly aim with a Glock 17, the couples have little in common--until they're hired to do damage control on the same murder. The body of research scientist James Ballantine has been pulled from a storm sewer, with two bullet holes in the back of his head.
With the case turning cold, Ballantine's former employers bring in the Abels to succeed where the police have failed. As for the Hoyts, their mysterious contractors want to make sure that the facts about Ballantine's death stay hidden. Now the Abels must try to survive as they circle ever closer to the truth, and to a dangerous pair guarding it with their lives.
From "a master of nail-biting suspense" (Los Angeles Times), comes a "propulsive, darkly humorous" (Publishers Weekly) "double-barreled Southern California thriller that moves almost faster than a speeding bullet" (The Wall Street Journal).
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 5, 2016
565 people are currently reading
2331 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Perry
93 books1,701 followersThomas Perry was the author of 25 novels. He was born in Tonawanda, New York in 1947. He received a B.A. from Cornell University in 1969 and a Ph.D. in English from the University of Rochester in 1974. He had worked as a park maintenance man, factory laborer, commercial fisherman, university administrator and teacher, and as a writer and producer of prime time network television shows.
Thomas Perry lived in Southern California.
Thomas Perry lived in Southern California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 409 reviews
February 7, 2017
This is another very enjoyable stand-alone novel from Thomas Perry, author of the Butcher's Boy and Jane Whitefield series. It's unique in that it has two sets of married couples who serve as the book's protagonists. The first, Sid and Ronnie Abel, have been married for thirty years. They're retired L.A.P.D. detectives who have opened their own agency. The other couple is Ed and Nicole Hoyt. They Hoyts are younger and they work as hired killers. Both couples are smart and funny in a wry sort of way. And all four individuals appear to be excellent shots.
A year before the book opens, the body of a man named James Ballentine was found in an overflowing sewer drain. Ballentine was a scientist working for a private company, and everyone told the police that he was a very nice guy with no enemies at all. Presumably, they weren't including the person who shot Ballentine twice before shoving him into the sewer drain.
A year down the road, the case remains open. The detective who was principally assigned to the case has died and the investigation is going nowhere. Anxious to see justice done, the board of directors of the company that employed Ballentine hires the Ables to dig into the case. They've barely begun, however, before someone is taking shots at them. That "someone" turns out to be the Hoyts who have been hired to eliminate the Abels. The Hoyts don't know why their employer wants the Ables dead, and it doesn't really matter. They're happy to have the work.
The book alternates between the P.O.V. of the Abels and the Hoyts. The relationships are a lot of fun to watch, and it's also fun watching each couple go about its business while trying very hard not to fail at their own missions because of the other couple. Perry is a master of weaving clever plots, and he puts both couples through their paces before the book reaches a great climax. This book is further evidence of the fact that a reader can always depend on Perry for a thoroughly entertaining reading experience.
A year before the book opens, the body of a man named James Ballentine was found in an overflowing sewer drain. Ballentine was a scientist working for a private company, and everyone told the police that he was a very nice guy with no enemies at all. Presumably, they weren't including the person who shot Ballentine twice before shoving him into the sewer drain.
A year down the road, the case remains open. The detective who was principally assigned to the case has died and the investigation is going nowhere. Anxious to see justice done, the board of directors of the company that employed Ballentine hires the Ables to dig into the case. They've barely begun, however, before someone is taking shots at them. That "someone" turns out to be the Hoyts who have been hired to eliminate the Abels. The Hoyts don't know why their employer wants the Ables dead, and it doesn't really matter. They're happy to have the work.
The book alternates between the P.O.V. of the Abels and the Hoyts. The relationships are a lot of fun to watch, and it's also fun watching each couple go about its business while trying very hard not to fail at their own missions because of the other couple. Perry is a master of weaving clever plots, and he puts both couples through their paces before the book reaches a great climax. This book is further evidence of the fact that a reader can always depend on Perry for a thoroughly entertaining reading experience.
August 23, 2020
A decent yarn that gets a bit tricky to follow as some characters are mirror images. Still a decent story. 6 of 10 stars.
July 22, 2022
"“Pretty fair,” she said. “If I were a man I would be embarrassed if my wife was that much better than I was, but marksmanship’s probably not that important.”
“A cynical use of my own presumed sexism against me? Assuming I’m sexist would be sexist itself, and not at all like you.”
She gave him a smile. “If you’re satisfied that your shooting will be good enough to save us in a fight, then I’m satisfied too.”
“You know that as long as every round is inside the body outline on the target, the guy goes down.”
“A shot in the ten ring means he didn’t survive to fire again at your lovely wife, or to get up and sue us for pain and suffering.”
“Very humane of you to say so,” he said.
She shrugged and put her pistol in the holster under her jacket. “I’m only interested in your happiness. It’s up to you. It’s not my manhood that’s at stake.”"
This is the kind of banter you can expect between the Abels, a married couple of middle age and more than average life experience. They hire out as investigators and are involved in only one case at a time. This time they are asked by the victim’s former employer to see if they can come up with anything on why their employee was shot and killed over 12 months ago. His body was found at the intersection of Interlaken and Grimes in North Hollywood, California blocking an underground stormwater pipe. The police have uncovered nothing.
This book falls into the category of “investigative procedurals that I like to read.” Perry gives us interesting characters both on the dark side and the side of truth and justice. A bonus is that there is a team of good guys and a team of bad guys and a fair amount of the book is devoted to their relationships. Add to that:
There are very clever “cat and mouse” scenes;
There are many shots fired, explosions and fires;
There is an up to date criminal element;
There is actual detective work that uses many of the most current techniques; and,
There are thrills “aplenty”
You may find that the ending is too “pat.” But, all in all, a very entertaining read.
“A cynical use of my own presumed sexism against me? Assuming I’m sexist would be sexist itself, and not at all like you.”
She gave him a smile. “If you’re satisfied that your shooting will be good enough to save us in a fight, then I’m satisfied too.”
“You know that as long as every round is inside the body outline on the target, the guy goes down.”
“A shot in the ten ring means he didn’t survive to fire again at your lovely wife, or to get up and sue us for pain and suffering.”
“Very humane of you to say so,” he said.
She shrugged and put her pistol in the holster under her jacket. “I’m only interested in your happiness. It’s up to you. It’s not my manhood that’s at stake.”"
This is the kind of banter you can expect between the Abels, a married couple of middle age and more than average life experience. They hire out as investigators and are involved in only one case at a time. This time they are asked by the victim’s former employer to see if they can come up with anything on why their employee was shot and killed over 12 months ago. His body was found at the intersection of Interlaken and Grimes in North Hollywood, California blocking an underground stormwater pipe. The police have uncovered nothing.
This book falls into the category of “investigative procedurals that I like to read.” Perry gives us interesting characters both on the dark side and the side of truth and justice. A bonus is that there is a team of good guys and a team of bad guys and a fair amount of the book is devoted to their relationships. Add to that:
There are very clever “cat and mouse” scenes;
There are many shots fired, explosions and fires;
There is an up to date criminal element;
There is actual detective work that uses many of the most current techniques; and,
There are thrills “aplenty”
You may find that the ending is too “pat.” But, all in all, a very entertaining read.
January 6, 2016
3 1/2 stars. This was a light fast paced mystery, and perfect to read as a counterpoint to a much heavier book I'm currently reading. The set up is clever. A husband and wife team of retired L.A.P.D. cops are hired as private investigators to solve a year old murder. They are almost immediately pursued by a husband and wife team of contract killers who have been hired to impede the investigation. The story then becomes a complex cat and mouse chase full of twists and turns. I don't want to say more to avoid giving away any spoilers. The characters and mystery are not particularly deep, but it's a clever plot that kept me interested to the end. It was my first mystery by Thomas Perry. I'm not sure that I'll run out to buy another book by this author immediately, but I wouldn't shy away from reading another one if I was in need of some light entertainment. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an opportunity to read an advance copy.
March 3, 2024
This is the story of two married couples and how and why their lives intersect: private investigators, former LAPD cops Ronnie and Sid Abel and Nicole and Ed Hoyt, assassins for hire.
This starts off strong, but…it could have done better.
If you enjoy lots of explosions, gun fights, killings and a few twist and turns this murder mystery might be for you.
This starts off strong, but…it could have done better.
If you enjoy lots of explosions, gun fights, killings and a few twist and turns this murder mystery might be for you.
December 16, 2022
2.5 stars. Not terrible but just didn't intruiged me while I was reading.
March 6, 2016
I chose this book based upon a recommendation of a trusted GR friend (thank you Esil) and I’m glad I read it. The attraction for me was that it is a detective murder mystery with a husband and wife team (detectives) opposing another husband and wife team (hit men). The detectives are the type I love to read: acerbic, sarcastic, and witty. The interesting thing that Perry did, besides the pitting husband and wife teams, is his treatment of the villains. Usually in suspense novels the bad guys are repugnant. In this novel, they are more interesting than monstrous. I’ve never read a Thomas Perry novel before this one. I’d categorize it as book candy/beach read. It’s a page-turner that is entertaining, and satisfying. It’s perfect if you just want a fast interesting read, which requires little attention. One could easily read it during a weekend.
November 17, 2017
Another excellent, thrilling stand-alone (currently) by Perry which was also very well narrated. The point of view shifts between two couples, both very tough & smart, but on opposite sides of the law. Sid & Ronnie Able are retired cops who have been married for over 30 years & are private detectives. Ed & Nicki Hoyt are a much younger couple who live on the edge as assassins. Needless to say, they butt heads & the action is intense.
Why they are at odds is ostensibly obvious, but it isn't. Who hired Ed & Nicki? Why? Sid & Ronnie know who hired them, but are the reasons given sound? Who was the victim & why did his death generate so much heat? It's a wild ride finding out the answer.
Why they are at odds is ostensibly obvious, but it isn't. Who hired Ed & Nicki? Why? Sid & Ronnie know who hired them, but are the reasons given sound? Who was the victim & why did his death generate so much heat? It's a wild ride finding out the answer.
February 3, 2016
Thomas Perry wrote such good books in the past--The Butcher's Boy series, Metzger's Dog and other standalones, even a few in the Jane Whitefield series, I thought Forty Thieves would prove to be of the same high quality. It was not. The story begins by centering on two couples, one ex-cops turned private eyes and the other, a pair of hitmen tasked to kill the private eyes when they get too close while investigating the mysterious and intriguing death of an Afro-American scientist. After a few chapters of cat-and-mouse chases, the plot disintegrates into something quite different and rather dull. The two couples are portrayed so similarly one loses track of who are the good guys and who the bad, an interesting plotline in itself, but the characters never are fully drawn, their personalities dry and spare and totally interchangeable. The rest of the plot is simply chase after chase after chase. I did not like this one at all.
October 24, 2015
This book was entertaining, while not being particularly memorable. It might make a good airplane read. The crime at the center of the book is the murder of an African American chemist. When the police are unable to identify the killer, the victim's former employer hires a team of married ex-cops to investigate. That's half of the gimmick of this book. The other half is that the married detectives are opposed by a team of married assassins who have been hired by unknown parties to make sure that the murder is not solved.
Resolution of the murder is pretty much an afterthought in this book. The two married teams spend a lot of time stalking and shooting at each other. Then a whole other group of armed evildoers enters the picture. There are so many weapons described that I felt like I was reading gun-porn. The ending of the book is morally questionable, to say the least. The book is ok, but there is no compelling reason to read it.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
Resolution of the murder is pretty much an afterthought in this book. The two married teams spend a lot of time stalking and shooting at each other. Then a whole other group of armed evildoers enters the picture. There are so many weapons described that I felt like I was reading gun-porn. The ending of the book is morally questionable, to say the least. The book is ok, but there is no compelling reason to read it.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
March 19, 2016
I'm not exactly sure why people are so hyped about Thomas Perry's writing style. There is an incredible amount of telling instead of showing in this book, and not once did I feel my hair stand on end. I was curious as to what happened and what drove each of the characters, but everything was so simple and two-dimensional. If you ever want to read a book about purely static characters, this is the one for you. In addition to all of that, the plot never really climaxes. There's a sort of build, but then everything just kind of hovers for a bit before ending abruptly. The last page of the book is absolutely horrible, as if Perry realized that the deadline for the manuscript was in five minutes, and just smacked it in there. I'm surprised that the editor wasn't more critical of the whole book in general--it has the be one of the least exciting thrillers I've read.
January 21, 2016
This is a tale of two married couples: private investigators, former LAPD cops Ronnie and Sid Abel and Nicole and Ed Hoyt, assassins for hire. The Abels are hired by the board of directors of Intercelleron to investigate the murder of one of their scientists, who was found in a storm drain after torrential rain with two bullets in his head. Someone has hired the Hoyts to stop them, even before they get started. Lots of mayhem, but the Abels manage a much better investigation than LAPD, and discover the truth, which is pretty far-fetched. Not as good as the Jane Whitefield series.
October 6, 2016
2 stars.
This started out very strong, but went off the rails before even reaching the halfway point. The author lost the plot, and the murder mystery wasn't even addressed by the couple investigating it until a single sentence at the 99% point. Disappointing.
This started out very strong, but went off the rails before even reaching the halfway point. The author lost the plot, and the murder mystery wasn't even addressed by the couple investigating it until a single sentence at the 99% point. Disappointing.
September 12, 2018
Engrossing from the start. Enjoyable. Characters were good. Kept the ending open maybe for a sequel. I would have liked a banging end to this good a novel that this one is. Recommended for the writing and plot. Read it.
September 25, 2015
I always love Thomas Perry and while Jane is my favorite of his characters, the Hoyts and the Abels are fine companions. Perry has a black sense of humor that serves him well in these very fast paced and entertaining novels. If you like something a little different from the usual LA noir police procedural, turn to this one for some fun. thanks netgalley for the ARC.
January 15, 2016
A pair of early retired Homicide detectives married to each other are a team working their own hired beats in L.A. And their eventual nemesis opposition in this novel is another couple who are professionals too- but of the dark side, not the lighter one.
This has more bullet action, gun description and skill play, decoy and logistics scenario direction than any three Mission Impossible or Die Hard scripts. In fact, it's movie fare prime. And L.A. and Vegas themselves would hold some character copy at that.
Is it far-fetched and do you have to swallow some measure of disbelief? Of course you do.
There is also all kinds of gratuitous sex and more than a couple sociopaths in each of every 4 or 5 different crowd scenarios. One of which is the murder victim from the get-go of hired investigation. Yes, you might also need a cheater chart for the Eastern Europeans players that intersect, as well. Despite the very quick and flowing easy read style. Not as abrupt as a Patterson, but with the same obvious continuity toward plot.
This is a Perry turn of hand that will please and entertain many action and crime genre readers.
But will you tell me? Who or what insurance company, rental agency of housing or vehicle would continue to supply any of these self-employed characters as they did? Especially our heroes! Having 2 or 3 different passports or identities of convincing paper for association to the financial helps, that's for sure. But STILL! Especially when the bombs and/or a set fire have already finished off the formerly owned and also all the rentals (cars and houses both)? And you are currently on car #4- two of which were not fully yours or owned previous to this week long escapade.
As I noted- you have got to suspend some areas for disbelief. Perry really captured the feel (ambiance) and look of certain L. A. areas to a T. Hope the Ables keep up the good work and as they downsize to a smaller lodging after 25 years, that they put extra material in the walls beyond and behind the Tyvek.
This has more bullet action, gun description and skill play, decoy and logistics scenario direction than any three Mission Impossible or Die Hard scripts. In fact, it's movie fare prime. And L.A. and Vegas themselves would hold some character copy at that.
Is it far-fetched and do you have to swallow some measure of disbelief? Of course you do.
There is also all kinds of gratuitous sex and more than a couple sociopaths in each of every 4 or 5 different crowd scenarios. One of which is the murder victim from the get-go of hired investigation. Yes, you might also need a cheater chart for the Eastern Europeans players that intersect, as well. Despite the very quick and flowing easy read style. Not as abrupt as a Patterson, but with the same obvious continuity toward plot.
This is a Perry turn of hand that will please and entertain many action and crime genre readers.
But will you tell me? Who or what insurance company, rental agency of housing or vehicle would continue to supply any of these self-employed characters as they did? Especially our heroes! Having 2 or 3 different passports or identities of convincing paper for association to the financial helps, that's for sure. But STILL! Especially when the bombs and/or a set fire have already finished off the formerly owned and also all the rentals (cars and houses both)? And you are currently on car #4- two of which were not fully yours or owned previous to this week long escapade.
As I noted- you have got to suspend some areas for disbelief. Perry really captured the feel (ambiance) and look of certain L. A. areas to a T. Hope the Ables keep up the good work and as they downsize to a smaller lodging after 25 years, that they put extra material in the walls beyond and behind the Tyvek.
January 18, 2016
Audiobook Review 2 Stars
I wasted quite a few hours waiting for this book to get better. It got worse. Two couples -- one good, one bad -- war with one another during a murder investigation.
I gave up. I don't stop reading books very often, so it's an indicator that either the writing is atrocious, the narrator is awful or both. This was both.
Thomas Perry blew it with this one.
I wasted quite a few hours waiting for this book to get better. It got worse. Two couples -- one good, one bad -- war with one another during a murder investigation.
I gave up. I don't stop reading books very often, so it's an indicator that either the writing is atrocious, the narrator is awful or both. This was both.
Thomas Perry blew it with this one.
December 22, 2015
This stand-alone novel embodies many of the qualities that make previous Perry novels entertaining. The plot is not terribly complex, but there are enough details and enough interesting characters to give it sufficient depth. Perry has proven in the past that he is quite good at describing the dynamics of couples, whether as protagonists or bad guys. The working couples in previous books have sometimes been a bit over the top (i.e. Earl and Linda in Shadow Woman), but in Forty Thieves, Perry really hits his stride. Both the protagonists and the antagonists are married couples working together, one a pair of PIs and the other a pair of assassins. What makes the novel work so well is that Perry accentuates the similarities between the couples without losing sight of what makes them different. Although they are working on opposite sides of the case, both couples face similar experiences and reveal similar traits. Even as the reader roots for the PIs to survive and solve the case, Perry makes it impossible to hate the assassins as he draws them as believable people. In fact, he succeeds in making even the "bad guys" who hired the assassins seem human and somewhat sympathetic--no small trick.
Although I am still particularly partial to Perry's Jane Whitefield novels, his stand-alone novels never disappoint either. This is one of the stronger offerings in a generally strong oeuvre.
Although I am still particularly partial to Perry's Jane Whitefield novels, his stand-alone novels never disappoint either. This is one of the stronger offerings in a generally strong oeuvre.
July 21, 2016
This book reads like a video game written by Robert Ludlum: Lots of action; Lots of hiding places and secret exits; Bullet-proof car doors and fire-proof basements; Lots of shoot-outs and explosions; And nobody really understanding why the poor schmuck was murdered nor stuffed in a storm sewage drain – a whole year before! Does the actual murder ever get to be the plot? Or do we just go on and on with the Ludlum-like explosive action?
You’ve got the “good” team – a husband and wife who trained together and worked together at the LAPD before leaving that arena and going out on their own as a private investigating firm. Then there’s the “bad” team – a husband and wife who trained in the Marines and went out on their own as expert snipers, demolition experts, murderers for hire, etc.
In the beginning, maybe the first 100 pages, I truly felt that I was inside a video game. I could see the action in my mind’s eye on a video screen as I read it. Then the 2nd 100 pages felt more like a Ludlum-wanna-be with nobody really knowing what was going on, but with Somebody Somewhere Out There pulling the puppet strings and blowing things up or having unexpected shoot outs. And of course, the bad guys always knowing where the good guys were, but the good guys always had some sort of unexpected (and unbelievable) protection and escape route.
I wound up reading about 2/3 of the book before deciding life was too short to spend any more time inside a Ludlum video game. I’m sure it will have great appeal for some people, but just not my kind of book.
You’ve got the “good” team – a husband and wife who trained together and worked together at the LAPD before leaving that arena and going out on their own as a private investigating firm. Then there’s the “bad” team – a husband and wife who trained in the Marines and went out on their own as expert snipers, demolition experts, murderers for hire, etc.
In the beginning, maybe the first 100 pages, I truly felt that I was inside a video game. I could see the action in my mind’s eye on a video screen as I read it. Then the 2nd 100 pages felt more like a Ludlum-wanna-be with nobody really knowing what was going on, but with Somebody Somewhere Out There pulling the puppet strings and blowing things up or having unexpected shoot outs. And of course, the bad guys always knowing where the good guys were, but the good guys always had some sort of unexpected (and unbelievable) protection and escape route.
I wound up reading about 2/3 of the book before deciding life was too short to spend any more time inside a Ludlum video game. I’m sure it will have great appeal for some people, but just not my kind of book.
January 12, 2016
A body with bullet holes surfaces in a storm drain and kick-starts Perry's latest thriller. Two married couples, retired LAPD officers (now private investigators) Veronica and Sid Abel, and assassins-for-hire Nicole and Ed Hoyt tussle with each other when the Abels are contracted to discover who killed James Ballantine, and the Hoyts are contracted to make sure that does not happen.
The prey-predator motif is an established Perry model, and the Hoyts seem a carbon-copy of the Turners, married killers from Perry's earlier Silence (2007). Despite the constant threat of death the tale lacks the urgency and menace of Perry's stellar Jane Whitefield series. The strictly-business Hoyts and preternaturally calm Abels cat-and-mouse shenanigans fail to generate much tension or suspense.
Despite the title, the titular mob do not show up until late in the third act, deadening the chase and causing the action to somewhat stagnate.
Perry always and effortlessly writes a fast paced tale but this one is a tad fatigued.
The prey-predator motif is an established Perry model, and the Hoyts seem a carbon-copy of the Turners, married killers from Perry's earlier Silence (2007). Despite the constant threat of death the tale lacks the urgency and menace of Perry's stellar Jane Whitefield series. The strictly-business Hoyts and preternaturally calm Abels cat-and-mouse shenanigans fail to generate much tension or suspense.
Despite the title, the titular mob do not show up until late in the third act, deadening the chase and causing the action to somewhat stagnate.
Perry always and effortlessly writes a fast paced tale but this one is a tad fatigued.
February 14, 2016
I've been a fan of Perry since his first novel, Butcher Boy, in 1982, and I've read them all. While I love the Jane Whitefield series, I generally like his standalones as well, and this one is good. He contrasts two couples--Ronnie and Sid Abel, ex-LAPD, now PIs, and Nicole and Ed Hoyt, sociopath killers-for-hire--with the Abels hired to investigate a murder that the LAPD hasn't solved and the Hoyts hired to kill them to stop the investigation. Lots of gunfire but both couples are smart--so we get the plans to hit the Abels and we follow the Abels' investigation, all step-by-step. And there's lots of smart dialog, always a plus. Needless to say the story moves at a brisk pace and is as riveting as it is relentless; characters are well-drawn; lots of cinematic action and plot twists as well as detailed set-ups; vivid language; and a humorous tone despite the edge, grittiness, and intensity of the action. Satisfying and entertaining.
December 20, 2015
Charismatic ex cop husband and wife detectives hired to look into a year old murder / cold case suddenly become targets of a husband and wife hit team. As they try to stay one step ahead of being assassinated, the murder mystery evolves into a more complex plot involving a gang of Eastern European diamond thieves trying to quietly retire in California. Very entertaining crime fiction.
May 15, 2016
This book is so bad on so many levels it is hard to describe. Cardboard characters all seemingly with the same character. Cardboard plot. But the worst is the dialogue. Totally unrealistic. It is used as a vehicle for exposition. The funniest was when the two female protagonists meet. I actually laughed. A time waster in the literal translation of that expression.
August 24, 2017
This is a really good murder mystery. Lots of explosions, gun fights, killings and a few twist and turns. Very well written and entertaining. Oh the webs we weave. If you like murder mysteries then pick this one up.
June 2, 2017
Author Thomas Perry has hit another home run with, "Forty Thieves". As crime suspense thrillers go it's an exciting and electric reading. Perry shows with every book he crafts why he's a master story teller. "Forty Thieves", set in Los Angeles with two different sets of protagonists. On one hand there are the Abels, and then on the other hand there are the Hoyts. Sid and Veronica "Ronnie" Abel are retired LAPD detectives who've retired from the force to work together as a PI team. The Abels are excellent marksmen and get results on every case they work. Ed and Nicole Hoyt are a pair of guns for hire to carry out 'hits' for top dollar. The Hoyts always get their man. When a personnel director for a scientific research Co. meets up with Sid and Ronnie to help solve the cold case murder of a highly thought of chemist sparks begin to fly. Chemist James Ballantine was murdered one year ago with two shots in the back of his head and dumped into LA's sewer system. The case was as cold as a block of ice. The original detective on the case had been killed in a car accident and the current detective wasn't very motivated to clear the case. Sid and Ronnie jump into the case and right away they are under fire from an unknown entity who's been following them around. Ed and Nicole have been hired to kill the Abels after they posted a 25K reward for info in the newspaper. Certain gangsters want the Ballantine case left unsolved have no desire for Sid and Ronnie poking into their world. The more the Abels dive into who James Ballantine is the more mysterious he seems to become. In a high octane plot that refuses to let up it's roller coaster pace, "Forty Thieves", is an extremely enjoyable read. With all of author Thomas Perry's books the usually odd ball characters are essential to keeping the mayhem flowing. With two pairs of strong protagonists to intertwine with the supporting characters this yarn is lively to say the least. At just over 350 pages this tale flies like a freight train going downhill having no brakes. I read this one in just over 24 hours. (Just had to keep going !) Author Thomas Perry is one of my very favorite authors and with every book proves how powerful a story teller he is. Five stars out of a possible five stars for Thomas Perry's, "Forty Thieves". This is a do not miss read for any reason. For suspense thriller readers Perry's books are all a must. They don't get much better than this.
July 31, 2019
Thomas Perry can be relied upon to deliver solid mysteries. Although often billed as thrillers, to me they don't fit the description well as the outcome is usually reliably certain. This one was intriguing as it contains two sets, maybe even three, of protagonists. (I began to feel a certain sympathy for the thieves who, after all, were just trying to retire.) One set is the team of ex-cops now searching for the killer of a man who was more (or less, depending on your POV) than appearances. The other set is a pair of assassins who have been hired to kill the first team. It all comes together in a glorious denouement, although frankly the violence and over-specificity of brand-name weapons does nothing for me. Perry's originality and character development, on the other hand, do. Good read.
June 2, 2018
Fun thriller.
Lots of gun-play.
March 2, 2023
Forty Thieves is typical Thomas Perry - dry humor, lovable bad guys, cleverly-tangled plot. Also typical are some very good phrases and lines:
“a couple of unopened cartons of almond milk that probably wouldn’t spoil until the end of time” “Nature had been good to them, but maybe a bit too generous. …when the eye settled on them, the brain didn’t say ‘science major’.” “His people seemed to have evolved straight from apes to thieves”
On the other hand, I dislike books that feature clever chitchat from married couples,* and Forty Thieves is full of it. It also activated a more principled dislike of the trope of an ex-policeperson becoming a private detective and being given unauthorized access to material by police friends and/or being used by current cops to accomplish tasks which the police can’t legally do. But that’s just me. For everyone else: the book is recommended of course to Perry fans, but not suggested as an introduction for those unfamiliar with him.
*This may be simply a case of sour grapes. The witty chit-chat in the home of the married couple with whom I’m most familiar is more like
Have you seen my sunglasses/phone/coffee cup?
What?
HAVE YOU SEEN MY SUNGLASSES/PHONE/COFFEE CUP?
Where did you leave it?
… and so on …
“a couple of unopened cartons of almond milk that probably wouldn’t spoil until the end of time” “Nature had been good to them, but maybe a bit too generous. …when the eye settled on them, the brain didn’t say ‘science major’.” “His people seemed to have evolved straight from apes to thieves”
On the other hand, I dislike books that feature clever chitchat from married couples,* and Forty Thieves is full of it. It also activated a more principled dislike of the trope of an ex-policeperson becoming a private detective and being given unauthorized access to material by police friends and/or being used by current cops to accomplish tasks which the police can’t legally do. But that’s just me. For everyone else: the book is recommended of course to Perry fans, but not suggested as an introduction for those unfamiliar with him.
*This may be simply a case of sour grapes. The witty chit-chat in the home of the married couple with whom I’m most familiar is more like
Have you seen my sunglasses/phone/coffee cup?
What?
HAVE YOU SEEN MY SUNGLASSES/PHONE/COFFEE CUP?
Where did you leave it?
… and so on …
March 2, 2016
Sid and Veronica Abel are retired LAPD cops, now running their own P.I. business. Ed and Nicole Hoyt are a team of assassins, hired to kill the Abels when Ronnie and Sid get too close on a murder cold-case. The Abels were hired by Intellercelleron to work on the murder on James Ballantine, a chemist. The Board of Directors cannot figure out why he died; everyone liked Ballantine -- until they didn't anymore. Come to find out, James was not a nice person and he crossed the wrong woman. The Hoyts kill the person who hired them to kill the Abels and that brings down the wrath of an international crew of jewel thieves on their heads. Not only do Ed and Nicole have to avoid the Abels; they also have to avoid getting killed by murderous Eastern European crooks. Brilliant plotting brings everything together in the end.
October 6, 2018
Wow, this one was different. A week has gone by and I can still remember the two coupled assassins who were duped into a situation that became an excellent plot. Bodies were piling up but these two couples were not your average killers. I love a reading challenge and that was what this was. A ton of characters to keep track of and none are the good guys. The cover shows a thief holding up a diamond but the story itself doesn't reveal the plot of diamonds until about a third of the way into the book, which confused me at first. Almost as if the author was holding us back for a bit. I could see similarities of Mr. Perry's writing style from the Jane Whitefield series and it was like a glimpse of an old but familiar photograph.
An exciting read. Action packed. Loved it.
An exciting read. Action packed. Loved it.
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