It Doesn't Pay to be Bad

Janet Maple #5

by Marie Astor

Janet Maple couldn’t be happier—she just tied the knot with the man of her dreams and her work partner, Dennis Walker. Back from their honeymoon, Janet and Dennis are about to settle into married life, but a simple painting they brought back with them turns out to be much more than a memento.Suddenly, Janet and Dennis find themselves in the middle of an international art theft scheme, tasked to entrap one of the most sought after art criminals in the world. There’s just one glitch—Janet and Dennis aren’t exactly art buffs. Will the duo have what it takes to get the job done?*It Doesn’t Pay to be Bad is book 5 of the Janet Maple Series, but it can be easily read on its own.*

Genres: Romance

228 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 30, 2016

About the author

Marie Astor is New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author. Marie is a die-hard romantic, which is why she loves writing romantic suspense and contemporary romance. In her spare time, Marie enjoys being adventurous out-of-doors. She often gets new story ideas while she is hiking up a mountain or trying to avoid bumping into a tree while skiing.

Marie loves hearing from readers and always answers all of her emails personally. Visit Marie at www.marieastor.com to learn more about Marie’s new book releases and events.


Marie Astor

Reviews

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Info
Kindle Edition, 191 pages
Publisher Marie Astor
Publication Date: March 30, 2016
Language: English
ASIN: B01B8WMQ6O

[Digital copy from Author]

Book Buy Links
Amazon

BOOK SYNOPSIS

Janet Maple couldn’t be happier—she just tied the knot with the man of her dreams and her work partner, Dennis Walker. Back from their honeymoon, Janet and Dennis are about to settle into married life, but a simple painting they brought back with them turns out to be much more than a memento.

Suddenly, Janet and Dennis find themselves in the middle of an international art theft scheme, tasked to entrap one of the most sought after art criminals in the world. There’s just one glitch—Janet and Dennis aren’t exactly art buffs. Will the duo have what it takes to get the job done?

*It Doesn’t Pay to be Bad is book 5 of the Janet Maple Series, but it can be easily read on its own.*

My Thoughts

After waiting what seemed like forever the pair are finally married but Dennis and Janet are true to what we have come to expect, as usual through no fault of their own, the pair are smack dab in the middle of what turns out to be an ongoing FBI investigation.

With the purchase of a painting on the last day of their honeymoon the happy couple unknowingly start a chain of events leading Dennis and Janet to go undercover. Hoping to manage to get enough information to take down the elusive art thief the FBI has targeted the pair do their best to gain his confidence.

As usual though the couple become embroiled in more than they bargained for and then the real fun begins as they have to find their way out of the trouble they end up in.

Nothing is ever simple when it comes to Dennis and Janet either and believe me these two are in fine form, along with the adorable Baxter, and as usual lots of lighter moments break up the more serious ones.

[Digital copy from Author]in exchange for honest review

[Mary Mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Janet Maple and Dennis Walker are on the last day of their honeymoon in France. While Dennis wants to spend the day being lazy on the beach, Janet wants to visit a small art shop she was told about. After finding the perfect seaside painting, at least Janet thought so, they are ready to get back home and start their married life and get back to work. When they get back to work, There is a new face sitting at Dennis' desk, Tina is a bodyguard and Ham thinks she will be an asset to the business and can share her talent with Janet, Dannie and Peter. When someone tries to steal the painting Janet bought, it turns out to be a stolen Monet. Now Janet, Dennis and Tina are helping the FBI to catch the art thieves. Can they all play the part without being caught? Will Tina be able to protect the man who is giving something to catch the thieves without losing her heart? Will Baxter help save the day? I love Janet, Dennis and Baxter, their stories are full of suspense and laughter and will keep you glued to every page until the very end. In this story we get move of Peter and an added bonus with Tina and her special skills. The Janet Maple Series can be read as a stand-alone but then you would miss all the fun and suspense of each story and how Janet and Dennis met. Marie Astor has a way of telling a story and will leave you with a smile on your face and wanting more. I love her books and it is an added bonus when I can help find errors for her.
**Copy provided by the author in exchange for my honest review**

[Dawn Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not like this one as well as Bad Guys Don't Win, but I found it entertaining. My biggest complaint is Dennis Walker acted like a spoiled brat and really got on my nerves. I really didn't like him one bit. I felt bad for Janet and having to put up with him. I did appreciate Janet's love for Dennis and being able to see the good in him and pointing out when he was being a jerk. I did have things figured out about Daniel pretty early in the story, I was okay with that. Marie Astor did keep me turning the pages to see what would happen. In my opinion this was a good conclusion to the Janet Maple Series. I read this on Kindle Unlimited.

[Peggy Ventura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy this series

I enjoy this series . Janet Mae is my favorite character. She is smart and yet you would want her for your best friend

[Jacquita Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful series!!

I read books 1-5, and I
could not wait to read each one. They kept me turning pages till the end, then on to the next one. I hope there will be more books!!

[Shauna Stewart Hougham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Janet Maple and Dennis Walker have finally tied the knot after years of dating and working for the Ham Kirk private intelligence agency. Now they are enjoying a Europe dream vacation and currently in Antibes, France on their last day. She convinces Denis to visit an art gallery in the morning to buy a painting and then the afternoon can be spent on the beach! They get to the gallery and and it was all quiet seeing no one in sight. Then a clerk came out stating they were closed for inventory, but Janet insisted they wanted to buy a seascape for their apartment in America. The clerk muttered Red shoes, navy dress, strange, and said "forgive my impertinence. This old head isn't what it used to be". "I believe I have exactly what you're looking for. He hurried to close the front door. Dennis and Janet both thought the whole deal was weird with their conversation and him showing him the painting but chalked it up to him being French. As they were walking down the street, a woman nearly bumped into Janet, wearing the same outfit and she just went into the galley as well. While at the airport a strange thing happened but they caught onto it. Some aspiring artist tried to switch their art portfolio claiming it was an accident. Home at last, Mrs. Chapman has been watching Baxter who was eager to see Janet and Dennis. Back at work they learn Ham hired a new detective to the agency Christina (Tina) Sloan. which Dennis doesnt like since she is in his desk! Upon returning home they notice the security guard is not at the front desk and then their apartment door is ajar! They hear Baxter barking and upon entering the apartment a man rushed by then, Dennis ran after him. Janet went in and found Mrs. Chapman.

This is the start of them finding out the painting is connected to an international art theft ring. Between the would be theft of their painting and his cooperation with the FBI and the Ham Kirk agency, Janet, Dennis, and Tina are able to once again catch the bad guys. But there are so many twist and turns I didn't see coming!! I so love reading the Janet Maple series, catching up with Peter, Ham, Anne and Mrs.Chapman and Baxter of course!! Good one Marie!!!

[Linda Quick · Rating 5 out of 5]

i LOVE this series!!! In this book, Dennis and Janet are returning from their honeymoon in France. On their last day, they purchase a lovely painting as a momento to hang above their couch. The gallery owner they buy it from is odd, but almost seems normal after the strange things that happen to them afterwards. Before they know it, they are thrust into the middle of a federal case and working in an area far beyond their comfort level.

The author makes you care about the characters and feel invested in their story. I love the interaction between Janet and Dennis and how Dennis interfaces with the rest of the world.

While this is part of a series, it is a stand alone novel. However, they are so good that you really owe to yourself to read them all. Fans of the genre will love this book.

[Swati · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series an the characters so much!
I always find these books entertaining and fast paced. An added bonus is that they're pretty short and I can get through them fast :)