What do you think?
Rate this book
Kat Makris #5
Outta Crime
Two Godmothers. Zero Wands.
It’s not easy being dead. Just ask Kat Makris. She’s stuck in an underground bunker, watching her own funeral, where more people are laughing than crying. Being dead has other consequences, too. Her face is in all the papers, her bank is convinced she’s an identity thief, and the sexy Detective Melas is under siege by his trampy ex-girlfriend, who happens to work for Greece’s version of the CIA.
The timing couldn’t be worse; she just figured out where her missing father might be.
Escaping Grandma’s cozy bunker is the only way find her dad—a feat that would be simpler if she could access her own bank account and ride something other than the local bus. But it’s not all doom and gloom. Marika’s unborn baby is sending her psychic messages—messages that send Kat all the way to Germany, where Grandma’s oldest nemesis is cooking up some payback …
Somewhere between Stephanie Plum and Michael Corleone you'll find Kat Makris. OUTTA CRIME is a humorous look at family—and Family.
It’s not easy being dead. Just ask Kat Makris. She’s stuck in an underground bunker, watching her own funeral, where more people are laughing than crying. Being dead has other consequences, too. Her face is in all the papers, her bank is convinced she’s an identity thief, and the sexy Detective Melas is under siege by his trampy ex-girlfriend, who happens to work for Greece’s version of the CIA.
The timing couldn’t be worse; she just figured out where her missing father might be.
Escaping Grandma’s cozy bunker is the only way find her dad—a feat that would be simpler if she could access her own bank account and ride something other than the local bus. But it’s not all doom and gloom. Marika’s unborn baby is sending her psychic messages—messages that send Kat all the way to Germany, where Grandma’s oldest nemesis is cooking up some payback …
Somewhere between Stephanie Plum and Michael Corleone you'll find Kat Makris. OUTTA CRIME is a humorous look at family—and Family.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 6, 2017
140 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
September 22, 2025
The 17 years old me screaming: please read this for Xander, the hot mobster who wouldn't talk.
Current Me: okay fine, whatever
Current Me: okay fine, whatever
January 3, 2020
Uh, oh. Trouble in paradise
I have been enjoying this series immensely, however this offering was more than a little chaotic. It bounces around, and like the previous book, I found that the story lost some of its sparkle when it left Greece for Europe.
In regards to the characters, Xander has reverted back to his mute-like beginnings, and Melas takes a back seat. However we learn more about dear old dad, plus there are some family secrets that get revealed, and OMG 🤯
Still intend to continue on with the series even if this was a bit of a disappointment overall.
3.5 stars ⭐️
I have been enjoying this series immensely, however this offering was more than a little chaotic. It bounces around, and like the previous book, I found that the story lost some of its sparkle when it left Greece for Europe.
In regards to the characters, Xander has reverted back to his mute-like beginnings, and Melas takes a back seat. However we learn more about dear old dad, plus there are some family secrets that get revealed, and OMG 🤯
Still intend to continue on with the series even if this was a bit of a disappointment overall.
3.5 stars ⭐️
October 18, 2020
2020 bk 356. Kat is dead, at least that is what her grandmother wants people to think. Watching your own funeral is a little too weird for our intrepid heroine, so she dresses in black and hops a fence to search out her father's friends. The friends are slowly being picked off and Kat is quickly rounded up and sent to Germany. Why Germany? The head of the mob there is Winkler. Yep, the Winkler whose three children died in Greece several books ago. Kat's task is to smooth over waters. But life is not going as her grandmother planned. Winkler still has issues, including painting those she had killed, and those she intends to kill.
February 22, 2018
Outta Crime (Kat Makris #5)
by Alex A. King
Maybe some spoilers after the first paragraph.
I love this series, but oh boy, the errors in proofreading make me absolutely crazy. Especially since the stories are well written, well plotted, well-paced, feature great characterizations, action and real danger, all served with a healthy helping of humor and sass. I know others don't get as irate about proofing errors as I do, but I have a question for any authors who might be reading this: Why oh why would you want to allow your work, your HARD work, your struggled over work, the sweat of writing, revising, rewriting, and writing again, to be published featuring simple proofing errors? You do know, don't you, that these little spelling errors, grammar errors, omission errors, take your reader right out of your wonderful stories, make the reader do a bit of eye-rolling, and sour that reader's take on your book. I checked my reviews on the other 4 books in the series that I've read. In every case, books that might have been 5-star reviews were reduced to 3 and in once case 2 stars simple because of proofing errors. Oof. Eight, maybe 9, proofing errors in the first half of the book. Yes, I am shaking my head.
Okay, so in this episode, we find Kat watching her own funeral from the family compound operations room, deep underground. Her Grandmother has arranged for Kat to be "dead" in an ill-thought-out scheme to protect her. Of course, Kat isn't staying put, and soon launches out on her one mission, to find her father. This leads to hilarious and dangerous adventures, culminating in being sent to Germany to negotiate with Winkler. In this episode, lots of family secrets come spilling out of the proverbial skeleton closet, we finally get to meet Kat's father, we discover amazing things about good guys/bad guys, and maybe just maybe Kat's libido gets a bit of attention.
So, yes, I enjoyed the book. Yes, next I will read the current last in the series, "Night Crime," next. Yes, I will continue to point out mistakes that I (probably the worst proofreader in the world) easily find in published works.
by Alex A. King
Maybe some spoilers after the first paragraph.
I love this series, but oh boy, the errors in proofreading make me absolutely crazy. Especially since the stories are well written, well plotted, well-paced, feature great characterizations, action and real danger, all served with a healthy helping of humor and sass. I know others don't get as irate about proofing errors as I do, but I have a question for any authors who might be reading this: Why oh why would you want to allow your work, your HARD work, your struggled over work, the sweat of writing, revising, rewriting, and writing again, to be published featuring simple proofing errors? You do know, don't you, that these little spelling errors, grammar errors, omission errors, take your reader right out of your wonderful stories, make the reader do a bit of eye-rolling, and sour that reader's take on your book. I checked my reviews on the other 4 books in the series that I've read. In every case, books that might have been 5-star reviews were reduced to 3 and in once case 2 stars simple because of proofing errors. Oof. Eight, maybe 9, proofing errors in the first half of the book. Yes, I am shaking my head.
Okay, so in this episode, we find Kat watching her own funeral from the family compound operations room, deep underground. Her Grandmother has arranged for Kat to be "dead" in an ill-thought-out scheme to protect her. Of course, Kat isn't staying put, and soon launches out on her one mission, to find her father. This leads to hilarious and dangerous adventures, culminating in being sent to Germany to negotiate with Winkler. In this episode, lots of family secrets come spilling out of the proverbial skeleton closet, we finally get to meet Kat's father, we discover amazing things about good guys/bad guys, and maybe just maybe Kat's libido gets a bit of attention.
So, yes, I enjoyed the book. Yes, next I will read the current last in the series, "Night Crime," next. Yes, I will continue to point out mistakes that I (probably the worst proofreader in the world) easily find in published works.
July 4, 2019
First, her grandmother fakes her death, and when Kat finally has a firm lead about her dad's disappearance, she sends her to Germany on a diplomatic mission with Winkler. This crime boss was first mentioned in the third book when she sent two of her children to kill Kat and her grandmother. When the first one ended up dead, Baboulas even tried to arrange a marriage to the second one. Family, you can't live with them, but you're not allowed to kill them.
Winkler is a more homicidal maniac version of Baboulas. Besides cooking, she is a fast-rising artist that creates heart-rending depictions of the people she killed. As per usual everything is so over the top that it still remains funny. And if Kat can make fun of the German henchman's accent, who apparently looks like a rhino, without getting killed then the threat level isn't exactly high.
Overall I liked this one better than the last one. I got quite a few chuckles out of the downright preposterous situations. One character that I'm starting to heartily dislike, however, is Marika. As this series is often compared to Stephanie Plum (with reason), I'm going to compare Marika to Lula. Penka is Lula, when she was still a prostitute, while Marika is Lula after she started working in the bail bond office and became Stephanie's sidekick. She is the same walking catastrophe. In Outta Crime Marika is getting psychic messages from her unborn child. Even though Lula was also a walking catastrophe waiting to happen, she never annoyed me as much as Marika. Taki isn't an a**hole, he is a saint because he hasn't killed her yet. I do hope that Marika's role gets reduced in the future. We need more of Grandma instead, especially in conjecture with Winkler, as their squabbling is adorable.
The book also serves to establish Xander as a potential love interest. Let's face it until now his attraction was reduced to the appreciation of male beauty. While he is obviously based on Ranger and his smiling at Kat's antics is comparable to Ranger's amused "Babe", he was a non-entity until now. Sometimes he didn't even seem especially badass, as Kat got away from him a number of times and almost was killed multiple times during his watch. He also didn't feature all that much.
In this book, he accompanies her on her trip to Germany and therefore we get a lot more interaction between the two. However, as a tribute to the poor editing in this series (this time not limited to grammatical errors and missing words) we get a huge follow-up error. Xander's muteness is a huge focus. On multiple occasions, Kat wonders if he can speak at all when she knows for a fact that he can. In the first book, Xander fell asleep while watching her (sitting up and with his eyes open no less). In his sleep, he mumbled the name "Sofia". Kat later told Xander that she had heard him, but that she would keep his secret. I actually looked it up to make certain. At the end of the book, however, she has this big revelation about his ability to speak. Very sloppy.
Apart from that the contrast between the Greeks and the German was very amusing. And as always I adore the creative cursing.
Winkler is a more homicidal maniac version of Baboulas. Besides cooking, she is a fast-rising artist that creates heart-rending depictions of the people she killed. As per usual everything is so over the top that it still remains funny. And if Kat can make fun of the German henchman's accent, who apparently looks like a rhino, without getting killed then the threat level isn't exactly high.
Overall I liked this one better than the last one. I got quite a few chuckles out of the downright preposterous situations. One character that I'm starting to heartily dislike, however, is Marika. As this series is often compared to Stephanie Plum (with reason), I'm going to compare Marika to Lula. Penka is Lula, when she was still a prostitute, while Marika is Lula after she started working in the bail bond office and became Stephanie's sidekick. She is the same walking catastrophe. In Outta Crime Marika is getting psychic messages from her unborn child. Even though Lula was also a walking catastrophe waiting to happen, she never annoyed me as much as Marika. Taki isn't an a**hole, he is a saint because he hasn't killed her yet. I do hope that Marika's role gets reduced in the future. We need more of Grandma instead, especially in conjecture with Winkler, as their squabbling is adorable.
The book also serves to establish Xander as a potential love interest. Let's face it until now his attraction was reduced to the appreciation of male beauty. While he is obviously based on Ranger and his smiling at Kat's antics is comparable to Ranger's amused "Babe", he was a non-entity until now. Sometimes he didn't even seem especially badass, as Kat got away from him a number of times and almost was killed multiple times during his watch. He also didn't feature all that much.
In this book, he accompanies her on her trip to Germany and therefore we get a lot more interaction between the two. However, as a tribute to the poor editing in this series (this time not limited to grammatical errors and missing words) we get a huge follow-up error. Xander's muteness is a huge focus. On multiple occasions, Kat wonders if he can speak at all when she knows for a fact that he can. In the first book, Xander fell asleep while watching her (sitting up and with his eyes open no less). In his sleep, he mumbled the name "Sofia". Kat later told Xander that she had heard him, but that she would keep his secret. I actually looked it up to make certain. At the end of the book, however, she has this big revelation about his ability to speak. Very sloppy.
Apart from that the contrast between the Greeks and the German was very amusing. And as always I adore the creative cursing.
April 17, 2019
3.75*
After reading In Crime (#4) and not enjoying it nearly as much as I have the rest of the series, I was a little worried about how I would feel after continuing with the next book, Outta Crime (#5). Similar to the previous novel, the synopsis promised lots of action in yet another foreign country and since I hadn’t loved the little adventuring forays outside of Greece, I wasn’t sure how much I’d like being in Germany for a chunk of this novel.
Thankfully, my worries (this time) were unfounded and Outta Crime jumped right back up into a top contender for one of my favorite books in this series so far. The action was stellar, there were twists, turns, and surprises I didn’t see coming, and there’s some interesting things that go down between Kat and Xander. Again, I’m delighted by this author’s story-telling ability.
Being in Germany was fun and who knew we’d get to meet even more of Katerina’s long-lost family. Nevertheless, I didn’t enjoy Marika trying to convince Katerina that her baby was clairvoyant because – wow, stupid – and I just don’t have much of a stomach for her. Katerina keeps stating that “her heart's in the right place” and I won’t argue but who wants to hang out with someone that’s so obscenely obsessed with food (especially if that obsession is putting you in a tight spot and you can’t trust your friend to have your back because of it)?
This series started out with a writing style that felt more immature and, while I can’t say the author has suddenly become an Austen or Shakespeare, I see a lot of improvement, which I think is making her stories even more engrossing than before. Again, I zipped through this novel ridiculously fast and can’t wait to get my hands on book #6.
However, I’m still going to complain about the editing issues – which have honestly cost this book (and the other books in this series) major points. I’d still recommend a few more good proof-reads and the fact that this is still happening at book 5 makes we wonder if it’s ever going to get any better. I can’t find it within myself to up the 3.75* solely because of this, so I wish the author had taken the time to get these silly and easily repaired mistakes corrected before publishing.
After reading In Crime (#4) and not enjoying it nearly as much as I have the rest of the series, I was a little worried about how I would feel after continuing with the next book, Outta Crime (#5). Similar to the previous novel, the synopsis promised lots of action in yet another foreign country and since I hadn’t loved the little adventuring forays outside of Greece, I wasn’t sure how much I’d like being in Germany for a chunk of this novel.
Thankfully, my worries (this time) were unfounded and Outta Crime jumped right back up into a top contender for one of my favorite books in this series so far. The action was stellar, there were twists, turns, and surprises I didn’t see coming, and there’s some interesting things that go down between Kat and Xander. Again, I’m delighted by this author’s story-telling ability.
Being in Germany was fun and who knew we’d get to meet even more of Katerina’s long-lost family. Nevertheless, I didn’t enjoy Marika trying to convince Katerina that her baby was clairvoyant because – wow, stupid – and I just don’t have much of a stomach for her. Katerina keeps stating that “her heart's in the right place” and I won’t argue but who wants to hang out with someone that’s so obscenely obsessed with food (especially if that obsession is putting you in a tight spot and you can’t trust your friend to have your back because of it)?
This series started out with a writing style that felt more immature and, while I can’t say the author has suddenly become an Austen or Shakespeare, I see a lot of improvement, which I think is making her stories even more engrossing than before. Again, I zipped through this novel ridiculously fast and can’t wait to get my hands on book #6.
However, I’m still going to complain about the editing issues – which have honestly cost this book (and the other books in this series) major points. I’d still recommend a few more good proof-reads and the fact that this is still happening at book 5 makes we wonder if it’s ever going to get any better. I can’t find it within myself to up the 3.75* solely because of this, so I wish the author had taken the time to get these silly and easily repaired mistakes corrected before publishing.
May 25, 2024
This feels like a good place to end the series.
Resolution and a potentially happy-ish ending.
Yes, plenty of implausibility but also some decent storytelling.
Sometimes some of it seemed a bit confused, confusing and unnecessarily complicated, but overall, the story flows well and along does have a good, novel style of writing. I like the way she uses language in ways that aren’t necessarily conventional, but are clever, witty, thought provoking and often very funny.
I think the plot felt a bit contrived in places, it was occasionally predictable, but generally all can be forgiven due to the elegance of the language and the ends justifying the means.
Solid 4 and to dig into any more of this series, would be down to a lack of anything else to read, I can’t see anything more that needs saying about the characters, it’s a natural clean break, at least there’s no infuriating cliffhanger!
Resolution and a potentially happy-ish ending.
Yes, plenty of implausibility but also some decent storytelling.
Sometimes some of it seemed a bit confused, confusing and unnecessarily complicated, but overall, the story flows well and along does have a good, novel style of writing. I like the way she uses language in ways that aren’t necessarily conventional, but are clever, witty, thought provoking and often very funny.
I think the plot felt a bit contrived in places, it was occasionally predictable, but generally all can be forgiven due to the elegance of the language and the ends justifying the means.
Solid 4 and to dig into any more of this series, would be down to a lack of anything else to read, I can’t see anything more that needs saying about the characters, it’s a natural clean break, at least there’s no infuriating cliffhanger!
June 14, 2017
I always enjoy this series, and grab the next one as it comes out. That being said, this one isn't quite as appealing, and I'm not sure why. It starts out with a bang with Kat watching her own funeral on closed circuit cameras, but then her grandmother/Mafia chief sends her to Germany to meet with a rival leader which leads to a surprise (no spoilers here). Kat's interaction with the family members is very familiar (almost too much so), but her search for her father leads her to finding the bodies of two of his old school mates. The tension between her two potential love interests continues, with no resolution. Still, the book continues the humor from earlier books in this series, and I still want to find out what will happen to Kat, so I'll keep watching out for the next book.
October 17, 2017
I cannot believe this is the last in the series. I think there is still another book out there waiting to be written (Nudge, nudge, wink, wink)
I was also ecstatic to notice that all the books are available in print. I have started ordering my printed copies! Cant wait to re-read them all over again!
Wow, the ending was the mother of ALL surprises! I would not have suspected that in a million years! Way to go Alex King! But seriously, there are some unaswered questions...
I was also ecstatic to notice that all the books are available in print. I have started ordering my printed copies! Cant wait to re-read them all over again!
Wow, the ending was the mother of ALL surprises! I would not have suspected that in a million years! Way to go Alex King! But seriously, there are some unaswered questions...
January 13, 2019
I really enjoyed reading this book. So far I’ve really enjoyed reading this series. This book was slightly difficult to read because it was slow on action while Kay pretended to be dead in the beginning. However, towards the end I had quite a few pleasant surprises. Although, Baboulas and Winkler being sisters was kind of predictable. I give this book a 5/5 even with the grammatical issues encountered.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2019
Some people find death several handicaps their investigative skills but not Kat. Throw in a psychic baby and further hilarity ensues, ultimately leading Kat to the infamous Winkler
The story moves at a fast pace in this one. I did guess one twist but not the end ones. The series has picked up again with this book. I really should take a break though (not going to) as I keep feeling the urge to call my boys Greek terms of abuse.
The story moves at a fast pace in this one. I did guess one twist but not the end ones. The series has picked up again with this book. I really should take a break though (not going to) as I keep feeling the urge to call my boys Greek terms of abuse.
June 4, 2018
Ok, I'm hooked. I guess I'll just keep reading. I do agree with one of the the reviewers... it's annoying to have words left out or incorrect. With this many books it should have been corrected by now. But I still go on and I just deal with it. It's still a fun ride so when the grammar bothers me more than the fun I'm having then I'll quit. After the last book most likely!
April 2, 2019
Dear Author —- you’re a tease!!
Wow. Didn’t see any of that coming!! Reeled in. Tased. left wondering where I left my blankie. I’m sooooooo in love with this family and these characters. I called a Greek friend back home and told him that he must immediately read this series!!!
Btw - I want team Xander and Team Melas shirts to be available on your website! Work it!
Wow. Didn’t see any of that coming!! Reeled in. Tased. left wondering where I left my blankie. I’m sooooooo in love with this family and these characters. I called a Greek friend back home and told him that he must immediately read this series!!!
Btw - I want team Xander and Team Melas shirts to be available on your website! Work it!
April 5, 2020
Once again, this author and series has me laughing out loud. I won't give you the full story because the blurb does enough - plus, unfortunately, some reviewers also spill the beans. Let's just say that a number of questions are answered, but a number of others develop, certainly enough for another book.
Recommend author ans series.
Recommend author ans series.
June 10, 2017
Oh my!!
That is all I'm gonna say but of course I have to say more because the review makes me say more. I just can't wAit for the next book! Hurry! I am dancing around the house wanting my next fix!
That is all I'm gonna say but of course I have to say more because the review makes me say more. I just can't wAit for the next book! Hurry! I am dancing around the house wanting my next fix!
July 29, 2018
Brilliant
Oh things are heating up even more....This series is sooooo good. I LOVE Katerina. I LOVE Melas. I REALLY LOVE Xander. I laughed out loud at this book and can't wait for the next one. !
Oh things are heating up even more....This series is sooooo good. I LOVE Katerina. I LOVE Melas. I REALLY LOVE Xander. I laughed out loud at this book and can't wait for the next one. !
December 1, 2018
I regret that I read the whole series so quickly instead of relishing each book. Loved the zany, crazy family. I’ll miss them all. Proof reading could have been better but that was a quickly forgotten annoyance. Charlie Chaplin would have felt at home with this family
March 23, 2019
Dude this has more turns than a roller coaster!
Wow, just wow! I never expected the things that happened in this book! Everytime I think that Alex cannot surprise me she does! Well done! Well done!
Wow, just wow! I never expected the things that happened in this book! Everytime I think that Alex cannot surprise me she does! Well done! Well done!
December 1, 2019
I LOVE this series! Now that Kat found what she's been looking for, everything will change. This book turns a lot of things upside down. It could be the series finale, with the way things are wrapped up. But since I just downloaded the next book in the series, I know it's not the end. Can't wait!
January 2, 2021
Cute series
Needed edited desperately, and the fat sidekick/bodyguard needs to go. She took away two of the stars from the book—too annoying, and the fat, food, loud pushy issues didn’t add to the story at all.
Needed edited desperately, and the fat sidekick/bodyguard needs to go. She took away two of the stars from the book—too annoying, and the fat, food, loud pushy issues didn’t add to the story at all.
November 10, 2024
crime and humor
No one is who you think they are, all sorts of twists and turns usually surprising and funny. Following Stephanie Plums outline with enough differences to make the stories interesting
No one is who you think they are, all sorts of twists and turns usually surprising and funny. Following Stephanie Plums outline with enough differences to make the stories interesting
June 10, 2017
Loved it!
I'm really enjoying this series. The characters are fun and likeable. Cannot wait till the next book to see what is going to happen next.
I'm really enjoying this series. The characters are fun and likeable. Cannot wait till the next book to see what is going to happen next.
September 1, 2018
Fantastic
I absolutely love this series, once i started reading ive not been able to stop.. on to the next book !
I absolutely love this series, once i started reading ive not been able to stop.. on to the next book !
October 11, 2018
Wow
This book brings all the characters together and it is a crazy wild ride. Unfortunately I think the author is going to put Kat with the wrong petson!
This book brings all the characters together and it is a crazy wild ride. Unfortunately I think the author is going to put Kat with the wrong petson!
January 16, 2019
Wow!
This one was definitely better than the rest with a lot of twists and turns I could have never seen coming!
This one was definitely better than the rest with a lot of twists and turns I could have never seen coming!
April 15, 2019
I like this series
May 24, 2019
Awesome!
Loved it! This is the best one yet. I love the continuing tales of Kat and her crime family family. Humor, betrayal, lust, death, good vs many shades of grey.
Loved it! This is the best one yet. I love the continuing tales of Kat and her crime family family. Humor, betrayal, lust, death, good vs many shades of grey.
March 19, 2020
What an ending!
Stumbled across this series, a great read and adventure, with lots of plot twists! Now onto the next adventure .
Stumbled across this series, a great read and adventure, with lots of plot twists! Now onto the next adventure .
May 11, 2020
Most of my questions from the previous books in the series were answered in this book, yay!
May 9, 2021
Resolution or not
A lot of questions get answered in this book and then it goes off into a whole other new place. Interesting.
A lot of questions get answered in this book and then it goes off into a whole other new place. Interesting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews