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The Kortelisy Escape
Caught in an unjust Three Strikes law that sends him to prison for life, Nate Larson negotiates with prosecutors for an early release in exchange for testifying against his brother in a mob-related trial. As part of the deal, he demands custody of his fourteen-year-old granddaughter, Grace, whom he hardly knows and who’s survived a string of disastrous foster homes.
Nate taught himself stage magic in prison. On his release, he plans a traveling magic show through New England and invites Grace to become his apprentice. The actual plan: to spend a few pleasant months with her then derail his brother’s trial by running alone to Canada.
Unexpectedly, he develops feelings for Grace and a strong desire to disentangle his brother from the mob. Facing death unless he runs and his brother’s destruction if he stays and testifies, Nate must thread a dangerous needle. And Grace, learning to perform stage magic herself, must use it to grow up in a hurry.
Nate taught himself stage magic in prison. On his release, he plans a traveling magic show through New England and invites Grace to become his apprentice. The actual plan: to spend a few pleasant months with her then derail his brother’s trial by running alone to Canada.
Unexpectedly, he develops feelings for Grace and a strong desire to disentangle his brother from the mob. Facing death unless he runs and his brother’s destruction if he stays and testifies, Nate must thread a dangerous needle. And Grace, learning to perform stage magic herself, must use it to grow up in a hurry.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published November 30, 2018
5 people are currently reading
316 people want to read
About the author
Leonard Rosen
8 books37 followersAka Leonard J. Rosen
Leonard Rosen lives and works in the Boston area. He has contributed radio commentaries to Boston’s NPR station, written best-selling textbooks on writing, and taught writing at Harvard University and Bentley University. The Kortelisy Escape is his third novel--a suspenseful stand-alone concerning the lives of an aging stage magician and his 14-year-old granddaughter apprentice. Publishers Weekly calls it a "gem of a crime novel."
His award-winning, multiply translated debut, All Cry Chaos, and the follow-on The Tenth Witness, introduce Interpol agent Henri Poincaré.
Len enjoys corresponding with readers and meeting with book groups online. Contact him through his website: lenrosenonline.com.
Leonard Rosen lives and works in the Boston area. He has contributed radio commentaries to Boston’s NPR station, written best-selling textbooks on writing, and taught writing at Harvard University and Bentley University. The Kortelisy Escape is his third novel--a suspenseful stand-alone concerning the lives of an aging stage magician and his 14-year-old granddaughter apprentice. Publishers Weekly calls it a "gem of a crime novel."
His award-winning, multiply translated debut, All Cry Chaos, and the follow-on The Tenth Witness, introduce Interpol agent Henri Poincaré.
Len enjoys corresponding with readers and meeting with book groups online. Contact him through his website: lenrosenonline.com.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 31, 2019
Nate and his brother, Dima, were among the only survivors of a German invasion of their Ukraine village. From a displaced-persons camp they came to the US, to Boston, and established a small grocery store. Then, through a series of unfortunate events, Nate racks up three crimes classified as felonies and is sent away to the penitentiary in Danbury.
In poor health and with years left to go on his sentence, Nate is visited by the DA, who proposes to release him if he will agree to testify against Dima for tax evasion. Nate demands custody of his 14-year-old granddaughter, the only remaining family he has other than Dima.
Grace is embittered by her years in the child protective services system and, not having seen her grandfather since she was a toddler, views him as just another “rental parent.” Their relationship develops slowly, because of her distrust on one side and, on his side, his knowledge that if he flees to Canada to escape testifying against Dima, he won’t be able to take Grace with him.
But Nate’s learning that Dima is in more trouble than he’d known complicate Nate’s plans. How can he save Dima without compromising his relationship with Grace or ending up dead? Maybe his knowledge of stage magic will provide the key.
This is a good cat-and-mouse mystery, blended well with a family history. Each chapter alternates between Nate’s and Grace’s points of view. I chose the book because I previously enjoyed Rosen’s Henri Poincaré mystery series, and I was glad I did.
In poor health and with years left to go on his sentence, Nate is visited by the DA, who proposes to release him if he will agree to testify against Dima for tax evasion. Nate demands custody of his 14-year-old granddaughter, the only remaining family he has other than Dima.
Grace is embittered by her years in the child protective services system and, not having seen her grandfather since she was a toddler, views him as just another “rental parent.” Their relationship develops slowly, because of her distrust on one side and, on his side, his knowledge that if he flees to Canada to escape testifying against Dima, he won’t be able to take Grace with him.
But Nate’s learning that Dima is in more trouble than he’d known complicate Nate’s plans. How can he save Dima without compromising his relationship with Grace or ending up dead? Maybe his knowledge of stage magic will provide the key.
This is a good cat-and-mouse mystery, blended well with a family history. Each chapter alternates between Nate’s and Grace’s points of view. I chose the book because I previously enjoyed Rosen’s Henri Poincaré mystery series, and I was glad I did.
January 28, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. It's got a prickly teenage girl (Grace) who's been in and out of foster homes, united with her grandfather when he gets out of prison... he's a magician (think: a Russian Houdini) with a criminal past who's trying to save his brother. He teaches Grace to be his assistant. It's a lovely page turner (if it's possible to combine those things!) Kirkus gave the book a star for good reason. I found myself trying to slow down as I reached the end... did not want it to end. Loved the magic.
September 20, 2018
The magician teaches his apprentice to tell stories, because it’s story that diverts the listener from watching the hands; story gives the magic shape, and story offers escape. Just for a moment, a small child laughs, and it doesn’t matter that the coin was a trick; what matters is the spark of joy and the knowledge that it’s real. In Leonard Rosen’s The Kortelisy Escape, the tricks are delightfully diagramed and explained, but the story grows, keeping the reader distracted from past and future. There’s a different magic, a literary magic, at work behind the scenes.
Jailed by a cruel trick of manmade laws, freed by an even crueler trick, betrayed by friend, determined to rescue brother, and ensnared by the magic of unexpected affection, Nate Larson is a magician who surely can’t escape. Granddaughter Grace is a willing and cynical apprentice, running from her own many betrayals, and determined never to return to another foster home. But will they let each other down in the end? Will fate betray them? Or is there a magical trick that can rescue them?
The magician’s tales build fairytale joy from cruel despairs of his youth. Truth leaks around the edges, and, as in the best of magic, nothing is quite what it seems. But how? The reader is caught, watching and reading the sleight of hand, trusting author and character to make it work, and eagerly praying for a happy ending.
Kortelisy itself is not what it seems either. And the Russian dolls on the cover of this book illustrate the story perfectly. Holding, keeping, stealing, freeing, telling… this book does it all, and is a solidly real and magical read.
Disclosure: I was given a preview edition and I love it!
Jailed by a cruel trick of manmade laws, freed by an even crueler trick, betrayed by friend, determined to rescue brother, and ensnared by the magic of unexpected affection, Nate Larson is a magician who surely can’t escape. Granddaughter Grace is a willing and cynical apprentice, running from her own many betrayals, and determined never to return to another foster home. But will they let each other down in the end? Will fate betray them? Or is there a magical trick that can rescue them?
The magician’s tales build fairytale joy from cruel despairs of his youth. Truth leaks around the edges, and, as in the best of magic, nothing is quite what it seems. But how? The reader is caught, watching and reading the sleight of hand, trusting author and character to make it work, and eagerly praying for a happy ending.
Kortelisy itself is not what it seems either. And the Russian dolls on the cover of this book illustrate the story perfectly. Holding, keeping, stealing, freeing, telling… this book does it all, and is a solidly real and magical read.
Disclosure: I was given a preview edition and I love it!
August 27, 2018
This is a very unique book in that I have not read one like it before. I loved Grace and Nate as characters because they were flawed, but realistic. The use of family stories in the magic shows was a very clever idea and well executed. I enjoyed the little sketches of some of the magic tricks because they gave me a clearer picture.
Towards the ending, I definitely felt the suspense building up and was satisfied with how everything turned out.
Towards the ending, I definitely felt the suspense building up and was satisfied with how everything turned out.
January 31, 2019
Love, love, love this book. The main characters, grandfather Nate and granddaughter Grace, are two of the best characters I’ve read in a long time. They are a good match—both prickly and difficult— but they have moral courage and they call things like they see them. Their dialog is one of the book’s many highlights, and their struggle to understand and support each other would be enough of a story by itself. But Rosen takes the novel two big steps forward when he sets their relationship in a present day crime ring and in the context of a profound and tragic family drama stemming from events in WWII. The crime plot gives the novel a brisk suspenseful pace, while the slowly revealed family story adds real emotional depth. And the theme of magic runs through everything like a beautiful melody. Nate is a magician trying to pass on his skills and his hard-won wisdom to Grace. As he teaches her magic, he reveals himself (his passion, his values, and his regrets) by degrees and we come to appreciate the magician’s art in a whole new way.
February 11, 2019
Perhaps he was released from prison to testify against his brother, but a magician knows how to distract and confound his audience. Taking his granddaughter on a magic tour, he engineered this opportunity to rescue her from foster care. But is there any way he can help her without hurting his brother. This is a coming of age story as well as a thriller with heart. Loved it! Haven't heard, but I sure hope we will get to meet these characters again. If not, the author will have left his audience wanting more.
August 3, 2024
Muy lindo, esto perfectamente podría adaptarse a película
December 30, 2018
This is the story of a Ukranian immigrant, Nate, recently released from prison, and his estranged granddaughter, Grace, whose been shuffled through DCF for a decade. Nate is awaiting his brother's trial where he's set to testify and Grace is waiting for Nate to let her down, like all her other foster parents have. The two set out on a summer magic show tour that turns into a cat and mouse game that twists back to 1940s Ukraine under Stalin and Hitler and turns to present day human traffickers. Poignant and heartfelt storytelling. I especially liked Nate's voice in the storytelling segments--the patter of the magic tricks.
February 8, 2019
“The Best Book I’ve Read In A Decade”
Nate Larson, in prison on a three-strike law, has a deal for the prosecution – his freedom for helping them convict his brother, Dima Larson on tax evasion charges. Plus, he wants his 14-year-old granddaughter, Grace put in his custody instead of the state system where she’s been for ten years in one home after another. But Nate has secret plans. As a magician he plans his greatest escape. He has it all worked out, a magic tour that will end near the Canadian border before he is to testify against his brother. He plans to run before testifying against his brother, leaving his granddaughter behind as he disappears.
But things don’t go quite as planned. For one thing he loves his brother, and that gentleman is suffering from Alzheimer’s, while a Russian mobster is running things - a mobster that will kill Nate if he doesn’t run. Plus, he has also become too attached to Grace to leave her.
The Kortelisy Escape is a magic trick requiring a helper to escape from or he could die. It is also a story told about a young Ukraine woman who escapes a bad situation. She’s pregnant by a soldier and is about to commit suicide when a farmer and his wife rescue her. She is accepted into their family as a daughter and she gives birth to a son, Nate Larson. Then one day the approaching army kills everyone at the farm except for Nate and their real son, Dima who are away. Nate and his adopted brother are sent to America, where the older boy becomes a grocer and when he can he returns to the Ukraine to rescue young women, bringing them to America to work in his store until they learn English and find better jobs. The state believes he is operating a white slavery market, but can’t prove it, that’s why they’re trying to get him on tax fraud.
This was a beautiful story. Not only is it a coming of age story, it has everything else: a strong plot, great characters, a love story about a grandfather and granddaughter coming to terms with each other, and about love for your family. The Russian mobster who might kill Nate, or the state authorities that might send him back to prison. He must figure out an escape that is foolproof. Will Nate be able to pull off the Kortelisy Escape at the end, or will he have to die to free his brother, leaving Grace to go back into Foster Care? This novel just proves that authors can still write great stories. Highly recommended.
Nate Larson, in prison on a three-strike law, has a deal for the prosecution – his freedom for helping them convict his brother, Dima Larson on tax evasion charges. Plus, he wants his 14-year-old granddaughter, Grace put in his custody instead of the state system where she’s been for ten years in one home after another. But Nate has secret plans. As a magician he plans his greatest escape. He has it all worked out, a magic tour that will end near the Canadian border before he is to testify against his brother. He plans to run before testifying against his brother, leaving his granddaughter behind as he disappears.
But things don’t go quite as planned. For one thing he loves his brother, and that gentleman is suffering from Alzheimer’s, while a Russian mobster is running things - a mobster that will kill Nate if he doesn’t run. Plus, he has also become too attached to Grace to leave her.
The Kortelisy Escape is a magic trick requiring a helper to escape from or he could die. It is also a story told about a young Ukraine woman who escapes a bad situation. She’s pregnant by a soldier and is about to commit suicide when a farmer and his wife rescue her. She is accepted into their family as a daughter and she gives birth to a son, Nate Larson. Then one day the approaching army kills everyone at the farm except for Nate and their real son, Dima who are away. Nate and his adopted brother are sent to America, where the older boy becomes a grocer and when he can he returns to the Ukraine to rescue young women, bringing them to America to work in his store until they learn English and find better jobs. The state believes he is operating a white slavery market, but can’t prove it, that’s why they’re trying to get him on tax fraud.
This was a beautiful story. Not only is it a coming of age story, it has everything else: a strong plot, great characters, a love story about a grandfather and granddaughter coming to terms with each other, and about love for your family. The Russian mobster who might kill Nate, or the state authorities that might send him back to prison. He must figure out an escape that is foolproof. Will Nate be able to pull off the Kortelisy Escape at the end, or will he have to die to free his brother, leaving Grace to go back into Foster Care? This novel just proves that authors can still write great stories. Highly recommended.
January 17, 2025
I feel like this book had so much potential. The idea behind it was great. I loved the grandfather magician and his character and even the granddaughter who had been in and out of foster homes. To see the struggles they had both been through before their worlds collided was heartbreaking and made their story extra special as they came to let go of pain and learn to love again.
My struggles with the story was all the unnecessary sexual abuse references and the sex trafficking part of the story. The author didn’t go super into details but honestly, it wasn’t needed. There are so many other ways the story could have been written to leave those things out. Grace could have been in bad homes and if needed it could have been a mention that she had been sexually abused without sharing specifics and without constantly coming back to that. As someone who has been sexually abused this book was definitely triggering for me. I had a friend say it was mentioned in the beginning but never again. She must have forgotten the other parts because it is all throughout the book. It constantly circles back to the character who abused Grace even though we never meet that character. It has a prostitute coming onto a character and a young girl mentioning that one of the mobsters has seen her breasts because he snuck into the women’s changing room. It also mentions women (or young teenage girls) being raped by soldiers in the war.
Anyway, if I took all the sexual trash out of this book I could have seen it as a fun story. The sexual stuff just didn’t add to it but darkened the story more than was needed. I only finished the book to see how it ended but honestly felt it was a waste of time compared to many other books I could have read.
One last thing I struggled with was the view of God. It was portrayed that hard times make it so you can’t believe in God. One character even said they couldn’t thank God for a blessing because that meant He was also responsible for the tragedies in that person’s life. Another character looked down upon those who had faith and called them bible thumpers. While I can see how people would struggle in difficult times to have faith in God, I have found having faith in God got me through the trauma of my childhood and some pretty rough patches of my life. It would have been nice to see a little more hope in the book or at least avoiding bashing those who had faith.
My struggles with the story was all the unnecessary sexual abuse references and the sex trafficking part of the story. The author didn’t go super into details but honestly, it wasn’t needed. There are so many other ways the story could have been written to leave those things out. Grace could have been in bad homes and if needed it could have been a mention that she had been sexually abused without sharing specifics and without constantly coming back to that. As someone who has been sexually abused this book was definitely triggering for me. I had a friend say it was mentioned in the beginning but never again. She must have forgotten the other parts because it is all throughout the book. It constantly circles back to the character who abused Grace even though we never meet that character. It has a prostitute coming onto a character and a young girl mentioning that one of the mobsters has seen her breasts because he snuck into the women’s changing room. It also mentions women (or young teenage girls) being raped by soldiers in the war.
Anyway, if I took all the sexual trash out of this book I could have seen it as a fun story. The sexual stuff just didn’t add to it but darkened the story more than was needed. I only finished the book to see how it ended but honestly felt it was a waste of time compared to many other books I could have read.
One last thing I struggled with was the view of God. It was portrayed that hard times make it so you can’t believe in God. One character even said they couldn’t thank God for a blessing because that meant He was also responsible for the tragedies in that person’s life. Another character looked down upon those who had faith and called them bible thumpers. While I can see how people would struggle in difficult times to have faith in God, I have found having faith in God got me through the trauma of my childhood and some pretty rough patches of my life. It would have been nice to see a little more hope in the book or at least avoiding bashing those who had faith.
September 2, 2021
Under a flimsy but enforceable “three strikes” law, Nate Larson has been aging in a Boston area jail. A DA comes to him, with an offer for him to “rat out” his brother, Dimas. She believes Dimas has been trafficking young girls from Eastern Europe. But that doesn’t make any sense to Nate. The brother Nate knows has always been kind and had his back since their horrendous childhood in WWII Ukraine. While in jail, Nate has been practicing his magic act and thinking about his past, the death of his wife and daughter. The only member of his immediate family left is his granddaughter, Grace.
Since the death of her mother and Nate’s incarceration, Grace has been in and out of a series of difficult foster homes. As a condition of Nate’s testimony against Dimas, he wants custody of Grace. This is difficult even for a DA to do since Nate is a felon. But that is what Nate wants and gets.
When Grace and Nate form a family it is rough and tough for both of them. Nate is keeping secrets and Grace has issues of abandonment, teen-age angst and a very large chip on her shoulder. Through Nate’s magic, the barriers between them begin to fall. Now Nate’s problem is how to keep Grace safe and not forsake the ailing Dimas, who is in trouble with some very bad people.
This is a clever and enjoyable cat-and-mouse mystery with magic and heartfelt family relationships. Minor characters, a sense of New England’s towns, and past history in Ukraine enhance the tale. Chapters alternate from the viewpoints of Grace and Nate. Highly recommended as is all of the author’s previous books.
Since the death of her mother and Nate’s incarceration, Grace has been in and out of a series of difficult foster homes. As a condition of Nate’s testimony against Dimas, he wants custody of Grace. This is difficult even for a DA to do since Nate is a felon. But that is what Nate wants and gets.
When Grace and Nate form a family it is rough and tough for both of them. Nate is keeping secrets and Grace has issues of abandonment, teen-age angst and a very large chip on her shoulder. Through Nate’s magic, the barriers between them begin to fall. Now Nate’s problem is how to keep Grace safe and not forsake the ailing Dimas, who is in trouble with some very bad people.
This is a clever and enjoyable cat-and-mouse mystery with magic and heartfelt family relationships. Minor characters, a sense of New England’s towns, and past history in Ukraine enhance the tale. Chapters alternate from the viewpoints of Grace and Nate. Highly recommended as is all of the author’s previous books.
March 7, 2019
Charismatic, complex, dynamic characters make this story come to life. After her mother dies, with no one else to raise her, Grace at a tender age is brought up in the foster care system. Childhood is supposed to be a happy time, not so for Grace. The system has taught her to lie, steal, and keep her emotions in check. By some miracle her grandfather Nate comes to care for her; she is now in her teens. This is not an easy undertaking for Nate. He has just been released from prison on a plea deal that will force him to rat out his older brother. Nates demands that he have custody of Grace in order to comply. Nate and Grace both have issues, both afraid to love or care for someone else. This is a beautiful heartfelt story filled with mystery, sadness, friendship and a few twists and turns. Magic brings the two together, and the art of deception brings their enemies to their knees. I appreciate Mr. Rosen’s well researched story, especially how the magic tricks work. I recommend this book to anyone interested in a good read, magic and a happy ending.
I won this e-book on Goodreads!
I won this e-book on Goodreads!
July 28, 2022
I'd read and enjoyed Mr. Rosen's first two novels (in the Poincare series) and was glad to learn of this latest effort.
I tried to like this book and couldn't get there. I didn't find the story engrossing or interesting. At several points I considered stopping but continued on, hoping that the story would get more compelling and that I'd get hooked. It never happened. There were interesting writing techniques involved (alternating voices each chapter of the two main characters, as an example) but these were not enough to salvage it. Reading this book was a disappointing experience, sorry to say. Some of the high ratings from others puzzle me and make me wonder if we read the same book.
I hope Mr. Rosen is writing another book and if so, I will look forward to reading it without prejudice from how I feel about this one. This one was a slog; sticking with it and continuing on to the end (each of the several times when I thought I should stop) wasn't rewarded with an upturn in enjoyment.
I tried to like this book and couldn't get there. I didn't find the story engrossing or interesting. At several points I considered stopping but continued on, hoping that the story would get more compelling and that I'd get hooked. It never happened. There were interesting writing techniques involved (alternating voices each chapter of the two main characters, as an example) but these were not enough to salvage it. Reading this book was a disappointing experience, sorry to say. Some of the high ratings from others puzzle me and make me wonder if we read the same book.
I hope Mr. Rosen is writing another book and if so, I will look forward to reading it without prejudice from how I feel about this one. This one was a slog; sticking with it and continuing on to the end (each of the several times when I thought I should stop) wasn't rewarded with an upturn in enjoyment.
May 19, 2019
Grace has been tossed from foster home to foster home since her mother died. Her grandfather, Nate, has been serving time in prison but suddenly wants custody of her. He's also a magician, and possibly the brother of a high-level sex slave trafficker, bringing women to the States from Ukraine.
Grace and Nate set up a magic show tour that has the potential to get them free, or get them dead, or a little of both. In this book, you can expect Ukrainians, grumpy teenagers, borscht, Russian nesting dolls, a stollen rolling pin, Saran Wrap, black velvet, magic tricks and federal marshalls.
The subject matter (war, death, suffering, sex slaves, murder) didn't seem to fit with the light-hearted and optimistic tone of the story, but that's just my opinion. Obviously.
Grace and Nate set up a magic show tour that has the potential to get them free, or get them dead, or a little of both. In this book, you can expect Ukrainians, grumpy teenagers, borscht, Russian nesting dolls, a stollen rolling pin, Saran Wrap, black velvet, magic tricks and federal marshalls.
The subject matter (war, death, suffering, sex slaves, murder) didn't seem to fit with the light-hearted and optimistic tone of the story, but that's just my opinion. Obviously.
March 28, 2019
I won this Kindle book in a Goodreads Giveaway. I enjoyed this book. It read fast and the story line was smooth. It was written with alternating chapters told from each of the two main characters point of view. I liked that it felt like each person was talking to me as I read, telling me the story and the background from their perspective. The pace of the story was good and the details presented throughout the book wove themselves into the complete story well. I would recommend this book as a goodread.
July 30, 2019
Grace and Nate are an original grandfather/granddaughter crime duo. You'll be around their kitchen table, learn some behind-the-scenes magic, hit the road to some seedy New England motels, and watch them try to undo a Boston Russian mobster hanging over their heads. Rosen weaves his own magic--he has great heart for both Grace and Nate, a smart plot that is worth the set up, and wonderful storytelling in the two first person narratives. (Also check out his ALL CRY CHAOS, an excellent international crime novel.)
February 2, 2022
A very enticing story, but kind of predictable and dull at some times. The inclusion of magic and the perforamnces that they made was rlly cool I enjoyed that. Anyway it was kinda heartbreaking to hear abt Grace's past in foster homes and families. That it is common that foster children experience sexual abuse by a so-called parent is fucked up. Anyway I did enjoy this listen, it was thrilling at times.
November 12, 2025
Nate has been in prison. Finally released he reunites with his granddaughter Grace, who has lived in foster homes because her mom died of cancer. Nate teaches her magic, and they go on a summer tour. Grace grows to love her grandfather. Together they have to outsmart DCS, the federal marshals, and Petrov who has taken over the family business with an evil twist.
February 17, 2019
Bravo, Leonard Rosen. The Kortelisy Escape is a brilliant, moving, thoughtful story with vivid characters. This is story telling at its best - a must read.
I won a Kindle edition of the Kortelisy Escape from Goodreads for my honest review.
I won a Kindle edition of the Kortelisy Escape from Goodreads for my honest review.
May 29, 2019
Len Rosen is a wonderful storyteller as he weaves magic (tricks) into a compelling story that incorporates mystery, the world of crime, and a family reunion. The grandfather - granddaughter relationship will warm your heart.
October 24, 2020
I liked this book - the characters, the plot, the ending - everything. I particularly appreciated what came after the climax. It could have ended right there and been fine, but the ending made it great. I'm glad I wasn't left wondering what came next.
June 20, 2024
I can’t remember the last time a book made me sob. I loved it. I hesitate to say much else about it as to not give anything away!
Includes some difficult moments related to war, trafficking, and murder.
Includes some difficult moments related to war, trafficking, and murder.
March 13, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well developed, and I really enjoyed the story line. The only thing that kept me from giving it 5 stars, is the ending felt a bit rushed.
Read
April 15, 2021DNF
Read
August 17, 2022Did not finish (stopped at Chapter 4).
December 19, 2018
if you like magic tricks, you’ll probably enjoy this book. there’s an amateur magician 🎩 who was in prison and now has his granddaughter in his care. he’s supposed to be testifying against his brother. they ran a grocery store and there’s some white collar /financial crime going on. things get interesting as the relationship develops between granddaughter and grandfather. she’s been in a number of foster homes. she’s counting the days until she will turn 18 and will be out of the foster care system. the mystery develops as there’s human trafficking involved. who’s good and who’s bad?
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews