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Scarlet
The Louvre Museum is about to auction off their most famous painting.
They just don’t know it yet.
Paris, 1925.
Trendy cafes. Posh hotels. Avant-garde fashion. And a charming woman with a clever plan. Something so ambitious, yet so elegant, it might just make history. For all the wrong reasons.
Of course, to pull it off will take more than wits and personality: it’s going to take one heck of a lot of lying.
Good thing that happens to be Scarlet’s particular area of expertise. She’s made a living twisting the truth and spinning stories ever since that night she walked out of town... and left her naive, disillusioned self behind.
But there are some things in life that have a way of creeping up on you, no matter how many aliases you may have.
The only question is, will she keep dodging them long enough to cash in on the biggest con of her career?
Or will she allow fate to spin a new story for her – a more artful tale than even Scarlet herself could have devised?
________________________
ABOUT THE SERIES:
Book 1 sets the stage for The Haslewood Mysteries, a fun and unique twist on traditional 1920’s mystery.
Follow con artist-turned-sleuth Scarlet Haslewood as she discovers how to use her 'talents' for good, to sniff out and stop other cons, grifters, and unsavoury individuals.
Let her be your own personal Robin Hood when no one else can help!
Paperback
Published March 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 4, 2020
The book opens with a clever, if somewhat cruel robbery, showing an interesting aspect of Scarlet’s self-centred character.
The author tries hard to portray Scarlet as an intriguing and intelligent young women, but I never developed any empathy for her. Unfortunately I also found the introduction of Mr White during the farce on the train particularly irritating.
In fact irritating best describes my feelings towards the book.
I didn’t like the construction of the story with chapters from the past thrown in at random during the story, this was especially annoying because the kindle edition doesn’t have a contents page so it is difficult to check back through the book to try to make sense of some of the back-story. Then there is also the cliff-hanger ending.
At the end I was inclined to give one star, but to be fair the story was clever, even if I wasn't enamoured by the book.
The author tries hard to portray Scarlet as an intriguing and intelligent young women, but I never developed any empathy for her. Unfortunately I also found the introduction of Mr White during the farce on the train particularly irritating.
In fact irritating best describes my feelings towards the book.
I didn’t like the construction of the story with chapters from the past thrown in at random during the story, this was especially annoying because the kindle edition doesn’t have a contents page so it is difficult to check back through the book to try to make sense of some of the back-story. Then there is also the cliff-hanger ending.
At the end I was inclined to give one star, but to be fair the story was clever, even if I wasn't enamoured by the book.
May 1, 2020
This is a historical fiction art heist mystery taking place in England, France, and America mainly between the years 1925-1926, with flashbacks anywhere between then and 1911. The main character is a beautiful con artist who goes by many names, one of which is Scarlet Haselwood. Inspired by the most famous art heist in history, the stealing of the Mona Lisa in 1911 from the Louvre, she develops a plan even more daring and sophisticated. Stealing the Mona Lisa would be easy... selling the Mona Lisa would be much harder, and much more profitable. Along the way, she meets Thomas White, a man who stirs feelings in her that she must not allow to break through her facade. Oh, why did he have to show up during the biggest con of her life?
This is a clean, engaging, thrilling, must-read book. I loved it from beginning to end. It is, in my opinion, one of the top three books published in 2019; not often does a book so fully captivate me! Five shining stars! I should note, however, that while it does not exactly end in a cliffhanger, it is the first book in a series that you will want to continue.
This is a clean, engaging, thrilling, must-read book. I loved it from beginning to end. It is, in my opinion, one of the top three books published in 2019; not often does a book so fully captivate me! Five shining stars! I should note, however, that while it does not exactly end in a cliffhanger, it is the first book in a series that you will want to continue.
April 8, 2020
The format is a little confusing. In part that is due to the ebook. I wanted to flip back to check dates and locations, but ebooks are not great for that.
Overall, this is an intriguing story of how a young woman develops into an accomplished con artist.
She is very clever and knows how to "read" her marks well.
I found the ending a bit confusing. As the book was finishing (85-90% range) I was beginning to get anxious. There seemed little time to wrap up the story line and I feared imminent disaster was the only way out.
No, it just abruptly ends, leaving you to wait for the next book.
Overall, this is an intriguing story of how a young woman develops into an accomplished con artist.
She is very clever and knows how to "read" her marks well.
I found the ending a bit confusing. As the book was finishing (85-90% range) I was beginning to get anxious. There seemed little time to wrap up the story line and I feared imminent disaster was the only way out.
No, it just abruptly ends, leaving you to wait for the next book.
June 21, 2020
Fantastic
I’ve been reading cozy mysteries for several years now. This particular novel was a suggestion on my kindle app and decided to try it. This is not your typical cozy mystery.....git’s much more!!!
I’ve just completed book one and will immediately start book two now.
This is a bit of a cliffhanger but since I swept through book one in a day I’m certain you will agree it’s worth the time to read.
I’ve been reading cozy mysteries for several years now. This particular novel was a suggestion on my kindle app and decided to try it. This is not your typical cozy mystery.....git’s much more!!!
I’ve just completed book one and will immediately start book two now.
This is a bit of a cliffhanger but since I swept through book one in a day I’m certain you will agree it’s worth the time to read.
October 20, 2020
3.5 stars - I thoroughly enjoyed this cosy mystery! I always enjoy a good heist story, and this is a great example of a perfect heist. Plus, it's set in 1920s Paris, London and Venice, which is a wonderful backdrop for any story. I liked Scarlet as a main character: she's smart, cunning, wears the most beautiful outfits and adores a good pastry. I wasn't a fan of the ending, but overall I had a great time reading this and I'd be interested to see what Scarlet gets up to next.
May 1, 2020
Scarlet is one charming con woman. Even though she commits crimes you can't help but love her.
She is witty, fearless and so original. This book is filled with beautiful scenes and interesting facts that are fun to learn. I can't wait for more Scarlet. She has made a fan of me.
Highly recommended.
She is witty, fearless and so original. This book is filled with beautiful scenes and interesting facts that are fun to learn. I can't wait for more Scarlet. She has made a fan of me.
Highly recommended.
October 22, 2021
Con Woman
Nothing really wrong with the book, it just wasn't for me. I understand why the main character became an unfeeling con artist. The author made quite clear her trials and tribulations. Still I couldn't warm up to her. The main caper was interesting but a little too convoluted and unbelievable. If you're a fan of this genre don't let me stop you read on.
Nothing really wrong with the book, it just wasn't for me. I understand why the main character became an unfeeling con artist. The author made quite clear her trials and tribulations. Still I couldn't warm up to her. The main caper was interesting but a little too convoluted and unbelievable. If you're a fan of this genre don't let me stop you read on.
February 26, 2020
I love the character building in the plot twist and his great knack for describing historical places and especially the paintings. I felt like I was there and oh how I wish I was there. This is a great book I cannot wait for book two. I highly recommend this book!
March 21, 2021
Clever and intriguing!
The characters were fun and unique. Threading the past and present throughout kept my interest on high alert! What great entertainment. I look forward to enjoying the next book “Rose”.
The characters were fun and unique. Threading the past and present throughout kept my interest on high alert! What great entertainment. I look forward to enjoying the next book “Rose”.
April 22, 2020
Andrew Stopyra is a superb storyteller and an expert of eloquence!
A riveting, suspenseful, hard to put down novel that draws you in and keeps you hooked from beginning to end.
A riveting, suspenseful, hard to put down novel that draws you in and keeps you hooked from beginning to end.
July 26, 2020
The lady behind the mask
Thoroughly enjoyed the book. The friendship with White the thwarting of Henry The determination of the young Gina Hated what happened to Me Fountaine
Thoroughly enjoyed the book. The friendship with White the thwarting of Henry The determination of the young Gina Hated what happened to Me Fountaine
April 3, 2020
What an interesting and different mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The writing is brilliant and the story is fascinating. Focused on the con not the sleuth, with Scarlet's plotting and planning laid out in from of us, but with enough of a twist to make you wonder what is true. I was very impressed with the author's ability to write such an detailed story of the art of a con. I was reminded of The Thomas Crown Affair. I cannot wait until book two as the story continues. I highly recommend it.
I received a free copy and voluntarily provided this review.
I received a free copy and voluntarily provided this review.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews