Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Skulduggery #5

Skulduggery 5: Building a Criminal Empire

Rate this book
Me and my bootlegging crew have had runaway success moving our illicit product throughout the city, and many of our rivals have been eliminated or brought into the family.

Unfortunately, this success has drawn the attention of the domineering elven authorities, including the Guildmaster of the Thieves’ Guild and the Captain of the City Guard.

I’ll have to get the authorities off our backs, keep the whiskey flowing, and continue to follow the lead of my magic keys.

Or we’ll all end up dead.

12 pages, Audible Audio

Published April 20, 2020

116 people are currently reading
75 people want to read

About the author

Logan Jacobs

320 books566 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
236 (61%)
4 stars
95 (24%)
3 stars
42 (11%)
2 stars
8 (2%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Jake.
249 reviews7 followers
March 17, 2020
Another killer entry

I enjoy books that aren't completely predictable. This entry into the series was exactly that. They came up with a plan, they executed a plan, but the plan didn't happen like they originally thought. I loved it! I've had many of my own plans in my life and as much as I would have loved for them to work out, they didn't, lol. As much as I enjoy the story moving forward, if every scheme and plot went as the characters wanted it to, it'd be really unbelievable. That's why I enjoyed this series so much.

Fantastic storytelling mixed with enough action to keep you entertained and enough intrigued to keep you wondering makes for an excellent book. The pacing was fantastic. The world building and lore were on point as they have been. Unlike some stories, where characters are introduced and forgotten, or they replace characters from the beginning of the story, the author has done an excellent job of making every character important.

What else can I say? I can't wait for book six!
8 reviews
May 5, 2020
Not as good as the first 4

I started reading the Skulduggery series despite the awful title for the sexual elements as fluff reading. I found that the story was far more interesting and compelling than I expected and have been thoroughly enjoying it. The sex elements are minimal, and reasonably written, if a little repetitive, but the story itself is good. The author has taken pains to develop a rich and fairly unusual fantasy genre environment. The basic idea of the first book has been pushed to greater heights creating the basis for a more epic saga.

That being said, I was greatly disappointed in the end of the 5th book. It feels that the author is getting sloppy or lazy in his writing. There was a bit of this in the 4th book, here and there, where circumstances would develop contrary to notions previously established in the book, but this 5th book just flat unravelled in the last third of it. Where before it was just a line or two of character impression of the world view which would end up either being forgotten or contrary, the last portion of thus book changes the foundational morals of the protagonist and his group to a severe degree as to turn him from a person with a strong moral center driving his actions and establishing the premise for his followers and the mystical keys to want his leadership, to being a simple crimelord, dismissing the value of life unnecessarily, seemingly uncaring about collateral damage. On top of that, he starts to manipulate, cheat, and scheme against others as previous antagonists have done against him with no justification other than beating them to it. It skews the underlying moral standard of him being in the right to change things for the better by having him lie in the dirt with the other dogs, making him no better. Feels like the author painted himself into a corner not knowing how to get past the guild master and city watch captain, and took short cuts trying to wrap the book up quickly to do it. Again, lazy and sloppy at the end of the 5th book in an otherwise well developed series.
Profile Image for Curtis.
776 reviews20 followers
March 22, 2020
Great Work; Growing Plot

No epic climaxes like books 1&2, but the characters and the plot continue to grow and delight. Some characters leave, some change, and new ones enter the stage. The visceral darkness still pervades all thought and actions, where an occupied populace must deal with reality above kindness. Still, something amazing is developing between this group of thieves, killers, and castaways - and its not just the booze. Honestly, this series is one of the best that the author has written, and I look forward to each new book. Definitely recommended (for mature readers).
185 reviews1 follower
March 14, 2020
Excellent Continuation

This story is getting better and better by the book.

I already feel like I KNOW the characters and like that they take wild chances.

I look forward to more books in this series!
Profile Image for Harold Phipps.
68 reviews3 followers
March 15, 2020
Another solid installment

If you have read the previous ones this is more of the same with interesting developments. Only complaint is the overall plot seems to slow developing with too heavy focus on side issues.
186 reviews1 follower
March 17, 2020
As always...

As always, another book in this series of a high quality! I really enjoyed the fact that even though everything did not go as planned, they still rapidly and adequately adapted to the given situations.

I want to know what happens next!
108 reviews3 followers
March 18, 2020
Well Look book 5.

Well book 5,and the series is moving along nicely.A lot going on,this is a cracking series but if you want to know what you will need to buy the book ( It's well worth it ).Thank you j Jacobs.
Profile Image for Jamie Ross.
851 reviews14 followers
March 19, 2020
Best one yet!

Haha! Love this one. Best in the series yet!
More schemes, opportunities, whiskey and satisfying elven destruction!
And with the Guildmaster in town and magic rising, I want to see what happens next!
Profile Image for Karsa Orlong.
83 reviews1 follower
March 21, 2020
Great series

Really love this series. It has everything you need. In my opinion the pacing is perfect. Live the characters. Can't wait to see what the crew dies next. Waiting to see if my dude Wade gonna take a run at Ashlin. It's time to take over the human district.
266 reviews3 followers
March 24, 2020
Another good book

Been a really big fan of this series. Well written and deep characters. Looking forward to seeing what happened with the guild leader. After her fire spree she kinda faded away and dude nothing for someone who everyone is scared of.
47 reviews2 followers
March 24, 2020
Medieval godfather

Another good book from Logan Jacobs! Wade is certainly coming into his own with more acquisitions, more plots, and more hot women. Looking forward to the next book!
27 reviews
March 24, 2020
Another banger

Another banger by mr jacobs really enjoying how this series is playing out keep up the fucking mega work mate would recommend this to any one who likes their series a little on the dark side
Profile Image for Jordan Pedigo.
63 reviews3 followers
March 27, 2020
Fast paced and large scale

This series feels like it has a true direction. A lot of books being written right now, feel a little aimless, but this one appears to be leading towards something great. I love this series 9/10
128 reviews
April 6, 2020
Let's keep this thing going

I mostly doing this to get the reviews up. So it's a great installment in the series I just hope the the man doesn't jump from small time crime boss to king. I hope we get to spend so time as a big time crime boss before that comes around
355 reviews3 followers
April 11, 2020
Out of the darkness

The elven guild master has arrived sowing disaster and mayhem in the city. Wade has to become even more clever to overcome the problems surrounding him. A good read.
6 reviews
April 14, 2020
The crime Lord you will be rooting for

Wade and the gang take on some new enemies as their whiskey empire expands. If you enjoyed the first four of this series you will certainly like this one as well. Waiting for number six already.
8 reviews1 follower
April 15, 2020
Great story

I love the story and I am looking forward to the next one. It I don't think it needs the sex. I get the impression that this is more of a fan service and celebrated into the story when possible. I don't want to see this great story into Wade managing his hareem.
3 reviews1 follower
April 28, 2020
Best series so far! Can't wait for the next book!

Hurry with the next man! This stuff is awesome! All hail King Wade! Logan Jacobs' Skulduggery series is one of the best fantasy series out there!
561 reviews7 followers
March 14, 2020
Silver linings

God how I love this series, it's absolutely engaging and enjoyable! The world is unique and you can't help but love the characters and their journey!
Profile Image for SaKen .
340 reviews
March 15, 2020
Loved it

As always, Logan Jacobs makes the story flow as smooth as wades whisky.Beautiful women kicking ass and evil elves at every turn!
36 reviews
March 18, 2020
Keep it going brother

Love this series characters are well fleshed out reminds me of a faster paced gentleman bastards. Keeps getting better and looking forward to the next one
87 reviews
March 22, 2020
Good read

Good installment. I little more action than usual, which is good. Most of the time this series reads more like a tv show than a story
113 reviews1 follower
April 1, 2020
Review

I am one of those people who NEEDS the end of a story. Just don't leave me hanging. I can see this building to a great point and I'm going to be in it for the ride
Profile Image for Mark Dubay.
2 reviews
April 8, 2020
Great writer

Great series, i’ve read all his books and I just wish he could keep all his series going!Arena was my favorite but this is a close second
9 reviews
April 25, 2020
Best in the series yet

The story is developing. You can tell it's doing some where big. There's a little coincidental plot armor but nothing bad. I hope azure becomes something
2 reviews
April 29, 2020
Solid Read

I cant wait for the next book. Storyline starting to progress nicely. Just wish there was more world building / developing.
46 reviews
May 29, 2020
Good book

Really enjoyed this book. A good continuation of the series. Nothing every goes the way you want it. Just make do with what you get.
949 reviews23 followers
June 11, 2020
BEST YET!

Now I feel like Wade is making positive progress! But, I'm thinking he still has one more big obstacle to overcome.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.