Reluctant Burglar

To Catch a Thief #1

by Jill Elizabeth Nelson

Surrounded by no good options, much less safe ones, Desiree Jacobs knows that no matter what she must protect her father's reputation and his legacy. 

If Desiree Jacobs knows anything, it’s art. Her father, whose security company is internationally renowned, taught her everything he knew. Most of all, he taught her about honor. Integrity. Faith. So surely God will forgive her for despising the one man--Special Agent Tony Lucano, who's determined to destroy her father’s good name?

Agent Lucano knows that Hiram Jacobs is an art thief. But what he can’t figure out is Desiree. Is she an innocent victim…or a clever accomplice?

When Hiram is murdered, along with his company, he leaves Desiree a hidden container full of stolen paintings. But she can’t believe that her father was a thief! If it were true, it would destroy their business, cost people their jobs, and embarrass international museums that have been displaying clever forgeries. No, she must figure out why her honest father would turn criminal herself. Even if it means facing down a ring of cutthroat art thieves…or accepting help from the man she most distrusts. With danger at every turn, can Desiree trust God to guide her down the right path?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Mystery, Christian, Romance, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Contemporary

352 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2006

About the author

Jill Elizabeth Nelson writes what she likes to read—tales of adventure seasoned with romance, humor, and faith, earning her the tagline: Endless Adventure, Timeless Truth. Jill speaks regularly at conferences, writer’s groups, library associations, and civic and church groups. When teaching classes for writers, she thrills to bring the Ahah! moment to her students as they make a new skill their own. Jill and her husband live in rural Minnesota where they raised four children.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book was much better than I was expecting.

Nelson writes in Deep Point of View and I read her writing pamphlet on the subject and wasn't quite sure what I thought about it. Since I'd never read a book (that I'm aware of) written in Deep POV, I put her book on hold and read it.

The ONE THING I didn't really like is when instances like this occurred:

Should he file his concerns about Crane's drinking with the ASAC? He had little solid evidence of drunkenness on the job to give the Assistant Special Agent in Charge.

Several times, Nelson would write something and then explain it after, which I don't really like because it confuses me, even if only briefly. Once or twice I had a bit of a hard time figuring out who was talking as well. Those were the only downers about this book.

Ahhh the suspense! You know how in some books, you can figure out the bad guy? Not this one. I had no idea. I actually suspected that Crane was the dirty agent. But what I did totally see coming was Tony and Desiree. I don't mind that being obvious though.

The plot is amazing. Desiree Jacobs works for/with her father at their security firm. To get clients, she sets up a low-tech heist with the museum and then shows them how they need to improve security by stealing and then returning a piece of art! How brilliant!

Then her father is murdered. The FBI think it was done by people in a ring of art thieves that they also believe her father was a part of. But Desiree refuses to believe that. However, the people who killed her father definitely want something and now they're coming after Desiree to get it. As she starts to put the pieces together, she realizes she has to team up with the man who is dragging her father's name through the mud and she may have to give up everything she has for the truth.

I got to the climax just as we were arriving at a friend's house for the evening and had to leave Desiree in the hands of a terrorist in an airplane about to take off! It was torture!

Seriously, this was a terrific book and I need the next two like, NOW! Unfortunately, I must wait for them to come in to the library. People, you need to read this book! Go! Stop reading this review and get this book. Okay, I'll make it easy and stop writing. Bye.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Here is another one of those books that I skipped to the end at about 2/3 the way through the book. The main character is irritating. She is like a grown up, whiny Nancy Drew. I thought all of the characters seemed too contrived to feel real or even likable. I didn't care about them at all. The only reason I kept reading was to find out who-dunnit. I didn't like the author's style of writing either. She kept throwing in these totally obvious red herrings and then hammering them to death through the whole book. The fact that she tried so hard to make me believe the book was going to end a certain way, made me even more sure that it wouldn't. Then she pulled out this "surprise" ending that I guess was supposed to be believable and, well, surprising. But it wasn't. It was like a really bad magic trick.

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first book in the To Catch a Thief series. Christian fiction. Adventure and mystery. Entertaining.

[Susan Tuttle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was in between a 3 star and 4 star rating for these books (some days I wish for a 1/2 star option!), but taken as a whole, I really liked the series, the characters, and its pacing. So, 4 stars across the board:)

[Melissa (Always Behind) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent Christian suspense set in the art world. Father is killed, daughter and FBI agent try to solve the case.

[Lonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome! Read like a spy thriller with a good mystery. And I love Desi and Tony...they clash because they're both so headstrong. :-)

[Kaitlyn Krispense · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was fun! I enjoyed the characters, and the everyday phrasing felt almost un-professional?? but also it made the book feel like i was catching up with a friend over coffee. Despite the suspense, haha.

Also, the last scene was 🤌🤌🤌 and made me laugh.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good art-heist type story with a plot concerning old stolen art and who might have killed to prevent the man who knew the secret from starting to return the art to its rightful owners. It's fast-paced and I enjoyed Desi and Tony as MCs.

[Anna Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too hard to put down, caution!

Seemed a little slow at the start but when it picked up it raced to the end. Don’t read past the first chapter if you want to sleep.

[Tom Robinson]

First read from this author, whose primary heroes were Christians - but, suspicious of each other. But, once the plot was set, action, intrigue and villainy took over. Solid read - now, onto others!

[Adair]

new author to me very entertaining looking forward to rest of series and will recommend to mystery/suspense library patrons

[Pam · Rating 1 out of 5]

Annoying. Too many metaphors that distracted from being able to follow the plot. Definitely not a favorite author..irritating.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desiree Jacobs is a master thief.

Check that. She could be a master thief, thanks to her father's training. In order to secure clients for her father's world-class security company, Desiree "steals" masterpieces and replaces them with fakes, thereby proving a museum or private collector's need for HJ Securities' expertise. Desiree is proud of her work and her father, and is infuriated when the FBI begins an embarrassing probe into HJ Securities and her father's activities, daring to suggest that Hiram Jacobs is part of an international art theft ring. Special Agent Tony Lucano's dogged persistence (and his undeniable good looks) leave Desi alternately frustrated and attracted. The stakes are raised when Desi's father is murdered on a trip to Italy and she discovers a secret journal and a hidden cache of priceless art, proving the unthinkable - that her father was a master thief, albeit a reluctant, blackmailed one. Unsure of whom to trust, Desiree concocts a daring plan to draw the mastermind behind the thefts into the open by returning the original masterpieces to their owners, using the same covert methods she used to gain legitimate clients for HJ Securities (theft in reverse).

Jill Elizabeth Nelson's debut novel is a terrifically fun, fast-paced thrill ride set in the glittering, high stakes world of art acquisitions and preservation. Reluctant Burglar is a classy caper novel, stylistically reminiscent of films like Hitchcock's To Catch a Thief or Stanely Donen's Charade. I absolutely loved Desiree and Tony. Desi is a smart, savvy heroine with plenty of spunk (even when facing down terrorists) - plus she loves old movies (and I can SO relate to that!). Her struggle over how to deal with the truth about her father is presented with real emotional depth - she wants to see wrongs righted, and though wounded by her father's secrets she longs to honor his memory and protect the company she's poured her life into. And Tony - I'll just be perfectly frank here - is hot - and, of course, a dedicated agent scarred by a past that has left him with an innate distrust of women. Nelson takes her characters on a journey through trials that test their faith and bring them to a fresh reliance on God's sovereignty.

I am really looking forward to reading more from this author. The second book in the To Catch a Thief series, Reluctant Runaway, releases early next year. I also want to give major kudos to Multnomah for FABULOUS cover designs for this series - extremely classy. They perfectly convey the suspense and style of the story and characters.

[A · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stars pending...
Loved the suspense and romance, but the body count was high.

[C.J. Darlington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Desiree Jacobs is an art thief. She steals rare and valuable paintings for a living--and then returns them. The daughter and protegee of security company guru Hiram Jacobs can do no less. Each successful heist, whether it be from a museum or a private collection, proves the need for the security their company can provide. Hiram has built an international business of loyal clients, and Desiree is fast following in his footsteps. Her father means everything to her. And her greatest goal is to emulate his skills, integrity, and faith.

But when her father is found murdered in his Rome hotel room, Desiree's bubble bursts. Could her father really have been involved in a professional art theft ring? The FBI certainly things so, and now their sites are set on Desiree. Like father, like daughter. Surely they were in it together. How can she convince them of her innocence? And how can she right her father's wrongs without the FBI knowing?

I was compelled to read Reluctant Burglar for its premise. What suspense fan wouldn't salivate when art theft, museum security, FBI investigations, and murder all appear in the same novel? And the art aspects of the book really do steal the show. Not only does Nelson impart interesting facts from the art world, but she actually shows us some of the techniques Desiree uses to remove the paintings rather than glossing over the details.

Desiree Jacobs is a plucky heroine who reminds me of a grown up (and slightly more vulnerable) Nancy Drew. She's independent and adventurous but still shows her human side when doubts surface. And her attraction to special agent Tony Lucano is something she can't fight, as much as she might want to. Admittedly, there were a few times Tony's attraction for his prime suspect strayed from what I would expect from a professional FBI agent, but this is what you'd expect in a romantic suspense novel.

There's never a dull moment in Burglar (thriller readers applaud), but this is definitely a romantic suspense novel. If you're a romance fan and have been looking to branch out, Burglar would be a great selection. Its violence is minimal and for the most part kept "off screen", and there's a nice mix of humorous banter with the more serious plot aspects.

A fresh, exciting, and fun novel, Reluctant Burglar will break into your life and steal your time and sleep. But that's a good thing.

[Nora St Laurent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything that Desiree Jacobs father Hiram taught her about honor, integrity, faith, and God is tested after she learns he is murdered. The foundation of her world is severely shaken. Who could she turn to for answers!! Desiree discovers hope in unexpected ways! As she tries to find out who killed her father, the FBI are keeping close tabs on her every move. They still had her as a suspect in her father’s murder. Unthinkable. She needed to help them find the killer. But how?

Desiree & her father owned a rein securities company and staged robberies to see how well the current security system was doing or could hold up under pressure. This reminded me of a movie that I really liked called “THE CROWN AFFAIR”. In the movie it showed this very thing going on. I could imagine Desiree playing the lead and going thru elaborate measures to steal these paintings without anyone seeing what she did because there was a big enough distraction going on somewhere else. Then going thru just as much trouble to put the picture back again without anyone knowing. It was fascinating and suspenseful.

Things get messy and complicated when there is an attempt on Desiree’s life. Why would someone try to kill her? She thought she was safe. Maybe she needed to ask for help after all? Things were getting beyond her control. Who could she turn to? Could she even think about asking God for help? It’s been a while. Why not, she has tried everything else?

This was one fast passed interesting story. You will really get to like Desiree and root for her throughout the book. It has a satisfying ending. There are two other books in this series. The Reluctant Runaway and Reluctant Smuggler. The story of Desiree continues in these other exciting adventures.

Disclosure of Material Connection:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St.Laurent
The Book Club Network www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
Book Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book. I liked the premise behind it - a woman is trying to measure up to take over her father's security firm, only to find out after his death that he was involved (against his will) as an art thief in a crime ring. Desi is determined to find out who killed her father and return the paintings to their proper owners, without getting the FBI or media involved (to avoid tarnishing her company's image). Instead, she finds herself the target of two groups - the crime dealers and the FBI. The FBI squad is lead by Lucero, who thinks Desi's father was a master art thief, and suspects Desi knows more than she is telling. A romantic sub-plot trails the action throughout the story.

Why did I pick it up? I was looking for an interesting piece of inspirational fiction - something that didn't follow the stereotypical storyline. This seemed to fit those standards.

Unfortunately, the writing was terrible . It was excruciating to get through - the characters kept saying obvious things, the non-christian characters were way more interesting than their counterparts, and some places were way too dramatic. I understand why the author wanted to depict the characters praying or talking about God, but the way it was written was awkward and stumbling, distracted from the plot, and made the characters seem simple and shallow. I read the book through to the end (encountering cliche moments galore) partly because I felt like I had put too much time into reading this book to stop halfway through, and partially because despite the terrible writing, I wanted to see how the plot line would play out.

Would I recommend this to others? Yes, I can think of some people who this would appeal to - it doesn't have any sex scenes or cursing, so it's clean for some people. However, I won't be reading it again anytime soon.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had been wanting to read 'Reluctant Burglar' for awhile, but never got around to reading it until just recently because I finally had the time.

I found the plot very interesting - Desi's father is accused of stealing expensive art, but Desi didn't believe it until her father is murdered and she finds the stolen art. She then decides to return the stolen art to the rightful owners - by secretly swapping it with the frauds that had gone unnoticed.

Combine that with a handsome FBI agent and a hint of romance between Desi and him, and 'Reluctant Burglar' looked to be a promising read.

I enjoyed the book, but I think it started out a bit slow and took awhile to get to the main plot. When I was midway through, 'Reluctant Burglar' became very good.

I loved the characters and I kept trying to guess who 'The Chief' was, but I ended up being wrong. :( There were many twists, a lot of drama, little hints of romance, and suspense which kept me intrigued.

Jill Elizabeth Nelson wrote a great novel that I think would keep most mystery lovers happy! I thought I had the culprits figured out; but by the final revelation, I realized I only had one culprit slightly right.

Overall, I recommend 'Reluctant Burglar' if you enjoy mysteries.

Please rate my review, so I will be able to review more Christian books.

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

At first I really enjoyed this book. I'm a huge fan of Dee Henderson's O'Malley series and this one came across as being in the same vein, kind of action/mystery with characters of faith, etc. But after about the first one hundred pages, I became discouraged. The writing wasn't as strong, the characters became cliched, overt stereotypes were prominent; it was too much. In the beginning of the book there was real animosity and tension between Desiree and Tony, but then they do a sudden about-face and decide to be a couple. I think that the author, Jill Elizabeth Nelson, should have prolonged their distrust longer. Their feelings for one another changed too smoothly.

Nelson was also fond of writing the terrorist angle from a decidedly cartoonish perspective. She was more than eager to throw out the "Great Satan America" rhetoric from the terrorist character, Abu al Khayr, and he was portrayed more as a caricature of a real terrorist instead of as a menace. The whole book was full of rather poorly written red herrings and the ending was utterly ridiculous.

Nelson has two more books in the To Catch a Thief series and I've already borrowed them from the library. I'm planning on starting the second book, but I don't know if I'll actually finish it. If Nelson's writing has improved, I will...if it's more cartoons and cliches, I won't.

[Delia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Desiree Jacobs’ beloved father has been murdered, but the beautiful museum security expert has little time to wallow in her sorrow. Handsome FBI agent Tony Lucano is set on proving her deceased father an art thief. Desiree is every bit as determined to prove his innocence.

But the further she delves into her father’s affairs, the more it looks like the agent could be right – especially when her father’s secret codes lead her to a warehouse container full of stolen paintings. Determined to avoid further sullying of her father’s name, Desiree sets out to secretly return the priceless pieces of art.

Why would a man of integrity like Hiram Jacobs be involved in an art theft ring? Desiree means to find out, but will her probing open a Pandora’s Box of secrets she’d rather not know? Danger lurks around every corner, and just when she thinks things can get no worse, suspicion falls on the person closest to her. Now she’s forced to turn to her nemesis –FBI guy Lucano – for assistance and protection.

Reluctant Burglar is a masterpiece of intrigue and romance. This tightly written tale, spiced with the author’s special brand of humor, keeps the reader flipping those pages until the stunning finale comes hurtling in right out of left field. A genuine work of art …

[Jill Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review by Gigi Hoffman

Desiree Jacobs is an art buff. She works for her father at his internationally renowned security company that specializes in museum management. Yet while her father is overseas, he’s murdered. As Desiree tries to pick up the pieces and learn what happened, she discovers what Special Agent Tony Lucano has known for a long time—her father was an art thief. Then Desiree is left with a container of priceless stolen paintings, paintings that museums don’t even know are missing. Desiree is suddenly launched into a cat and mouse game with unknown art thieves, hidden codes, kidnapping, and more. She must discover why her honest father would turn to thievery and whether Tony, the same man who believed her father a felon and Desiree a possible accomplice, can be trusted. She must depend on her faith, integrity, and true friends to get her through.

To think this is Nelson’s first book! The characters are great, jump-off-the-page realistic. It’s gripping novel, with just the right dash of romance and humor. The writing is superb; Ms. Nelson’s words flow, grab you, and pull you in. I can’t wait for the next book!

[Jessie Weaver]

Desi Jacobs is just your normal, run-of-the-mill girl. Who happens to be in the top management at her father's international art security company. She lives with her widowed father, goes to work, and attends church activities.

When Desi's father is murdered in Rome, she is thrown into the middle of an international art theft scandal; and the FBI agent sent to track her 24/7 is someone she already loathes, Agent Tony Lucano. He's always thought there was something shady about her family and now he wants to prove it.

Reluctant Burglar, the first book in Nelson's To Catch a Thief series, follows Desi's life as it is turned upside down and she has no idea who to trust. As Tony and Desi are thrown together, they find themselves in the midst of an unexpected attraction. Nelson writes a fast-paced mystery that keeps the pages turning. My only complaint was in her usage of jargon for both the art world and the FBI. I was unable to keep up with either and that led to some confusion on my part.

Reluctant Burglar is the first Christian mystery I have read, and I would highly recommend it to those who enjoy God-centered fiction. I'll be watching for the next book in the series!

[Loraine Nunley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I am one of those people that doesn’t have much time to sit and read for long periods. I catch minutes here and there. So I really appreciate stories that make me take extra minutes – those stories that I have to tear myself away from them. This was one of those stories. From the beginning to the end, I was hooked – trying to figure out who murdered Desiree’s father, rooting for Desiree and Tony to get together and just keeping up with Desiree trying to get through her grief while facing the fact that things may not be what she thought.

[JaneReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full review can be found at: C Jane Read.

I found the beginning started slow and at times I struggled with following exactly what was happening at times. As we got further in it picked up and I began to feel like I was right there with Desi trying to figure out what was going on, who could she trust and then on the edge of my seat needing to know she would make it out of the dangerous situation she was in.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a good book! Normally I have to be in just the right mood for a mystery, but this one attracted me in a different way and I was hooked from the first chapter. It is not one of those stomach-churning suspenses that keeps you up until 3 a.m., but rather a story that you savor slowly, enjoying the rich writing and creative twists. The characters are memorable and lovable and I look forward to more adventures with them.

[Lynnda Ell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reluctant Burglar is a Christian romance/mystery that makes for good "escape from the weary world" reading. Ms. Nelson crafted a story that contains plenty of red herrings for the mystery part and well developed characters and plot for the romance. I liked it well enough to look for her other two books in the series.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even though the storyline and premise are good, the characters are lacking something. I also wasn't a big fan of all the praying and talking to God. Some of the prayers sounded lame and weren't written into the story at right times.

[Alissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Romance was cheesy, characters were just as bad. The plot itself seemed to be missing something, but I can't put my finger on it.

I didn't have high expectations when I started it & it still disappointed me. But, still, it could have been worse, so I'll give it 2 stars.

[Kandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

It had some good moments and I liked the characters, but it wasn't thrilling enough for me to keep it to read it a second time. I probably won't look for the sequels; I was more or less just staying in it to finish. Nothing wrong with it, but it just didn't grip me.

[Caprice Hokstad · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wrote a review for this book, but I seem to have misplaced it. I know I liked it and I am anxious to read Jill's sequels. GREAT characters and fun plotting.