Perfect Heist

by Elsa Joseph

Serena Kruger is fresh out of college and raring to make it in the world of art curation. But her life is turned upside down when a underworld crime ring recruits her as a international jewel thief. When Serena tries to leave the ring to start a new life in Vienna and go straight, her former employer lures her back for one more Perfect Heist! The mission, to steal the Shield of Bavaria Diamond. Will Serena accept the mission?

A sexy, suspenseful, edge of your seat heist thriller...

141 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 19, 2021

Reviews

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

- I received this book to read for an honest review-
Out of all the books on offer this one stuck out to me! A short novel about a woman going from job to job wanting to save for her dream life when the perfect job comes to her on a gold platter. I enjoyed seeing how Serena got into the job and then the plot twists I wasn’t expecting! A great read and would like to see how much more of the story could unfold between these two people no names mentioned because.. spoilers!!

[Romaine Heart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serena goes through several jobs (which is funny) before landing the perfect job. She realizes that it's not a normal job. She has to train for dangerous situations. Her boss Percy is hard on his employees but the rewards are great.
Serena begins her journey with the team of Heist-Meisters to steal jewelry.
The ending will surprise you.
Thank you Hidden Gems and the author for a digital copy. Read and reviewed voluntarily and the opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

[Ruchi · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Perfect Heist" by Elsa Joseph is an incredible story of heists and intrigue that will keep you on the edge of your seat, and I must say, it's a thrill you won't want to miss. This is one of those books that grabs you from the very first chapter and refuses to let go until the very end.

First things first, what I absolutely loved about this book was the way it drew me into Serena's life. Elsa Joseph takes you by the hand and takes you on a wild ride, and you can't help but be captivated. Serena's visit to her parents' house sets the stage for a story that's not just about heists but also about family dynamics, personal growth, and complex relationships.

Serena's transformation from a woman searching for her place in the world to a capable leader within a criminal ring is both mesmerizing and chilling. Joseph does a great job of conveying the complexities of Serena's character, making her simultaneously relatable and enigmatic - which is difficult to do when you’re treading a morally grey area.

The attention to detail in this book is downright impressive. Each chapter peels away a layer of Serena's life, from her struggles in the competitive world of museum job interviews to her unexpected foray into the criminal underworld. You're not just reading about her experiences; you're living them. The tightly paced plot combined with the accessible prose makes you spend hours reading without even noticing the time. It's like watching a movie in your mind, and I was totally hooked.

Serena's transformation throughout the book is nothing short of a masterpiece. You witness her evolution from a woman searching for her place in the world to a fearless leader in a criminal ring. It's a transformation that's a little unsettling in the best way, and it's a testament to Joseph's storytelling ability. Serena feels real, with all her complexities and contradictions, and you can't help but root for her, even when she's making some morally questionable choices.

And speaking of choices, the plot in "Perfect Heist" keeps you on your toes. With each new mission, the tension ramps up, and you're right there with Serena, trying to figure out how she's going to navigate the next challenge. The heists are thrilling, and the introduction of supporting characters like Joey, Nico, and Brie adds layers of complexity to the narrative. You're constantly questioning loyalties and wondering who can be trusted, which makes for a gripping read.

But what I really enjoyed is the book’s exploration of themes like loyalty, deception, and the blurred lines between right and wrong. As Serena tiptoes through this treacherous world, you can't help but put yourself in her shoes and wonder what you would do in her place.

In a nutshell, "Perfect Heist" is a brilliantly written novel that delivers a heart-pounding journey through crime, suspense, and moral dilemmas. Joseph's storytelling is not just engaging; it's downright immersive. If you're looking for a book that will keep you up at night, turning pages furiously to see what happens next, then this is it. Trust me; you won't be disappointed.

[Scott, aka Elitelixir Tripp · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Perfect Heist*, penned by Elsa Joseph, intertwines the thrills of art theft with the complexities of romance and the hope of second chances. At the heart of this suspense-filled novel is Serena Kruger, a former art curator for the criminal underworld, who is drawn back for one last job—stealing the legendary Shield of Bavaria Diamond from a fortress-like museum.

Despite her desire to forsake her life of crime, Serena is swayed when she discovers that her ex-lover, an adept thief, is part of the scheme. As she delves back into the world she left, her role becomes pivotal in planning the theft, leveraging her art acumen and security savvy.

The narrative escalates with unforeseen hurdles, a rekindled romance, and a web of deceit. Elsa Joseph's vibrant storytelling and rich character development immerse readers in a tale of emotional and ethical entanglements.

In *Perfect Heist*, Joseph doesn't just craft a heart-pounding heist; she delves into the psyche of art theft, the intricacies of security systems, and the raw human emotions of love and loss. Serena's journey is one of introspection, facing her past, and seeking redemption amidst the adrenaline of the criminal world.

A thrilling read, *Perfect Heist* is a testament to Elsa Joseph's ability to fuse crime and passion, making this novel a standout for anyone drawn to stories of love's complexity and the thrill of the chase.

[Philip Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting book in that the protagonist, Serena Kruger spent the whole book getting in and out of scraps some quite serious. Serena came from a very well-to-do family, her father being a prominent doctor, but she had pride and wanted to get on in the world and make a success of her life, so refused any help from her parents.
Serena had a yearning to work as a museum art curator and applied for several job vacancies at different museums without much luck. She then tried other jobs which all ended in either her temper or being fired. Yes, Serena has a short fuse, says what she thinks, doesn't take fools lightly and is not afraid to use her body and looks to get what she wants.
However, her income was never enough for her to save enough to realise her one big ambition to join the Viena Museum. However, a chance encounter in a coffee bar with an international jewel thief gang member changes her life forever.
The second half of the book moves along at a fast pace as does the action. It is full of surprises Elsa Joseph the author has cleverly saved the big, surprising twist until the very end.
Perfect Heist is a compelling read and Elsa Joseph has crafted an interesting modern character in Serena. The book has a good mix of action, humour, violence and erotica. Well worth a read.

[VA Fernz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life isn’t always successful after education. It takes hurdles, effort, and perseverance to achieve those successes. But there are always people who choose to make bad choices to live. Serena is one of those. Lots of failed jobs taught her to do something unlawful. After her life crumbles down after moving out, she did one thing that is actually against the law, stealing. Making money after stealing is faster than being an employee. Meeting Joey was another new opening of a bigger heist.

It is a mystery, thrill, romance-themed book that has a quite interesting story. It has an exciting plot that will get you moved in your seats. However, the storyline is quite surreal. Some gaps would make your readers wonder a lot. It has a great concept but the dialogues can develop a lot more. It would be a lot better if they try to do it as realistic as possible. It felt like we have a lot to read but the things that are happening is quite the same. It took a lot of unnecessary stuff to read. Although the whole story came out well. This is also one of those stories that are filled with danger and action.

[Gerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Perfect Heist" by Elsa Joseph was a masterfully written and engaging read. The author skillfully drew the reader into the story by portraying Serena, a former daddy's girl who longs to break free from her father's protective control after earning her degree. Her journey into the world beyond her father's influence takes an unexpected and dangerous turn, leading her into a lucrative yet perilous job.

From the very beginning, the story successfully captured and held my interest. Much of this engagement was thanks to the dynamic between Serena and her father, which effectively established the story's initial tone. However, as the plot unfolded, it took unexpected twists and turns that defied my initial expectations. This departure from the anticipated narrative path added an element of surprise and intrigue, enriching the reading experience. Despite these deviations from my initial assumptions, the original plot remained thoroughly enjoyable and kept me engrossed throughout the story.

Elsa Joseph's storytelling prowess shines in "The Perfect Heist," making it a compelling and memorable read.

[Chris Maddix · Rating 2 out of 5]

The storyline to Perfect Heist is pretty simple. The principal character, Serena, has a poor relationship with her father. She wants to strike out on her own, but her first efforts at employment are unsuccessful. She can't get a positive interview for a museum job, accepts a position as an assistant translator but quits immediately, is unable to connect as a home tutor, then takes a job selling perfume, only to find that stealing it is more lucrative. When fired from that position for her interaction with a client named Oscar Seymour, she shares coffee with Joey Pearson, who sets her up to join his company, Med Equip, only to reveal that selling medical equipment is a front for a gang of international jewel thieves, and it will mean death for Serena if she leaves the company or reveals anything. Serena proves to have some aptitude for the job and makes some money, but her co-workers do not react positively and there's a surprise new interaction with Seymour at the end.

The plot is simple, the action and dialogue are a bit clumsy, and the sex is graphic. This book will never be considered a classic but might be a pleasant distraction on the beach.

[Aud Rey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, this book reminded me a bit of Alex Michaelides’ “The Silent Patient” with the story being told from the perspective of someone who knew all that was going to play out, yet were innocent in doing many things.

I felt a whole lot of Serena’s emotions at every point in the book, the “waiting till marriage bit” was quite interesting, her urge to prove to her father that she is a grown woman and not the little daughter he spent half his life being overprotective over, her wish to be more and make more of herself. Her smart ploy at getting the thieves on track when the plan seems to go awry and her secret-keeping abilities are quite top-rated. She’s good.

Now I wonder, that little shebang in the perfume store wasn’t her first rodeo, was it? It felt like she was too good at it to be an amateur.

Anyway, I’m rating this perfect book a 4 out of 5 because despite the beautiful words used, the lovely ending, the realistic scenes and all, I unfortunately got a PDF version to read.😔

[adventuresinfictionland · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really, really wanted to like this book—unfortunately I did not and I don’t say that lightly.

First off the plot sounded amazing, the synopsis pulled me in and had me hooked enough to move this book to the top of my TBR pushing everything else aside. Unfortunately the execution was a miss for me. The MC was atrocious—not in that way where they are not supposed to be likable, but in away that she had zero redeeming qualities. She was an obnoxious, whiny, entitled brat that I found impossible to connect with (the reasons would be nothing but spoilers). Everything was handed to her and her struggles and conflict were not realistic or believable.

I will never advise people not to read a book as I may just not have been the ideal reader for this one and based on other reviews I am not opposed to trying out other material from the author in the future.

I was provided a review copy of this book and I leave this review voluntarily—all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Anns Bibliotherapy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

First let me say this is not a bad book, it did however feel rushed, parts of the plot that needed to be developed were just kind of thrown out there.

Overall the concept of the story and the plot were interesting and drew me in, the idea of being recruited into an international jewel theft ring was unique, especially when you throw in that the "cover company" was actually a functioning company that seemed to do good things with importing medical devices.

Now there are some issues and some topics that made me slightly uncomfortable, but if you're open to some taboo topics this book could be really enjoyable.

I really think this book just needed more pages and more development, great idea for a story just fell a little short for me.

[Joan Arinaitwe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect Heist is a story about Serena Kruger a young lady yearning for independence from her father. she goes through several jobs before finally landing a perfect one as a jewelry thief.
Story is beautifully written. the kind that keeps on the edge. One of the most exciting scenes was where Serena goes alone to steal the Sorrento Star from Signora Isabelle Di Marco the Countess of Sorrento. That really got me on the edge of my seat.
The characters in the book are quite interesting and very easy to fall in love with thus making the story beautiful and interesting to read.
However, the plot twist was not fully developed. It leaves a bit of a gap that needed to be filled. Generally the twist in my view doesn't really serve its purpose nor does it come out really properly. Nonetheless this is a good one for theatre! looking forward to reading more of Elsa Joseph's books.

[Douglas Williamson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our heroine found a job she was good at, but too bad that it involved theft. And like most thieves, she was looking for the one perfect heist.

This is a novella length heist story (duh!) with a female read. The story is generally well written, but did occasionally seem a bit disjointed. As a theft book, there were several twists and turns along the way. While those twists certainly kept the story interesting and the reader guessing, they were not also executed smoothly which sometimes left you wondering what just happened. The characters were diverse with some likeable and some not, just like any crew. Overall, the story was good and enjoyable, but it needs a bit of polish to be truly wonderful.

Recommended.

I received an ARC from Hidden Gems for review purposes.

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this suspenseful thriller. This is my first book by this author and I look forward to reading more from her in the future. This is a well written story that is full of action, suspense and even some romance. The characters pulled me into the story and kept me engaged to the end. They are connectable and made the story easy to read. I enjoyed the growth of the plot as well as the growth of the characters throghout the story. The twists and turns had me sitting on the edge of my seat just waiting to see what would happen next. This is a great story that I really enjoyed. I highly recommend this book, it is worth the pick up.

[Anns Bibliotherapy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

First, let me say this is not a bad book; it did, however, feel rushed. Parts of the plot that needed to be developed were just kind of thrown out there.

Overall the concept of the story and the plot were interesting and drew me in, the idea of being recruited into an international jewel theft ring was unique, especially when you throw in that the "cover company" was actually a functioning company that seemed to do good things with importing medical devices.

Now there are some issues and some topics that made me slightly uncomfortable, but if you're open to some taboo topics, this book could be really enjoyable.

I really think this book just needed more pages and more development. It was a great idea for a story; I just fell a little short for me.

[Fatima Musa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I found the story quite a bit low intensed than I expected, I like somethings about this book,like how Serena was so determined to be on her own, detailed explanation of the actions and also the twist of event(I like surprises).
A story centered around a lady, Serena who despite coming from a quite affluent home was so determined to be independent. Despite the challenges she encountered, she stood steadfast on her journey to independence. That is something motivating.
When reading it, keep in mind they'll be a twist of event at the end. That's all the spoilers you can get from me(smiles). Enjoy!

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was definitely an interesting read 😁
Serena’s character is very intriguing to me and I love her development although I felt like the dialogue could’ve read better in some parts of the book.
The plotline was riveting and I really enjoyed it! In some bits there was too much detail and in others there were some gaps, but overall it was a good read and gave me a solid idea of the novel :]
Overall it was a very grappling book and I enjoyed the romance section a lottttt. Suspense and thriller usually aren’t my genre but this one caught my attention and the ending had me on the edge of my seat haha.

[Emma Ludlow · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love a good heist, but unfortunately this wasn't one of them. I gathered the main character Serena wasn't supposed to be likeable... she willingly jumps into a life of crime with minimal consideration after all... but she was intensely unlikeable. She was a whining brat. I never could figure out what exactly her issue with her dad was. All her problems were imagined. The other characters were all a bit flat. Spicy scenes not the greatest. The twist at the end doesn't really redeem it. I wouldn't say don't read it, because it may appeal to other readers, but it fell short for me.

I received this book from Booktasters and I leave an honest review voluntarily.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a heist thriller, and I don't think I've read many books like this before, but I enjoyed it. It was light enough to read in one sitting, something to read if you have an hour or two to kill. It wasn't the kind of thriller that jumps into the action too quickly. As a reader, I felt like I spent a nice amount of time getting to know the protagonist, Serena, before all of the excitement began. By that point, I cared about what happened to her, and wanted to see the antagonist of the story get what they deserved. This book was also quite spicy in places, so it's a good choice if you're in the mood for something spicy to read.

[Lucy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book through Booktasters in exchange for an honest review.

I really liked the premise of this story of Serena and the heist team. The twists, especially the last one, are good, but just needed some fine tuning. The inner workings of the story such as the dialogue and transitions in particular, didn't always flow as well as it could. The main character, Serena, is a very relatable one, while the others could have used more development. Overall, it's a good story from a promising author.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this is not the kind of book I read usually so I was a little afraid to read it. But waouh, this book is amazing. The story is about a woman who wants to be independent of his father and want to have enough money to move to Vienna. Unfortunately she is not really lucky finding some decent jobs but one day she find one and it's not what she imagined.
I really enjoy the thrill and the plot twist OH MY GOD I love it. And the book is also easy to read, as a person whose native language is not English, it was not difficult and fluid.

[Pernille · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well, that's 2.5 hours of my life I'll never get back...

What an absolute waste of time!

The plot could be interesting, but would require a lot of editing...
But in all honesty - loose the sex-scenes or rewrite them to actually make them steamy... Right now, they are nothing more than absurd.

[Thatiane Rezende · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't say much without giving spoilers, but it reminded me of the movie "Red Notice" with Gal Gadot. It has a heist background with diamonds and betrayals. So, if you like this movie, you will enjoy this book!

Unfortunately, it didn't work for me. The execution could be better, and the plot twist was disappointing. Some topics sounded very superficial with a rushed ending.

[becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect Heist by Elsa Joseph
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

okay..WOW. this one had started off pretty slow for me, so i was dragging in the beginning but once serena got in with the heist-meisters it picked wayyyy up and i flew through it! THE ENDING??? are you kidding me that was a major twist and i was not expecting it AT ALLLLL whatsoever & i love a book that catches me way off guard with the twists!

thank you @booktasters_ & the author for a free version of this book for my honest review 💎

[Brendon Fehre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reads like a YA book, definitely needs an editor because some of the sentence do not make sense or the wrong words are used (or repeated). Totally agree with another reviewer - the sex scenes are unnecessary and juvenile. e.g. This is so exciting! I wish I could touch myself!

An easy read, but not such a brilliant story.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this wasn’t at all what I expected but it was very good nonetheless. Serena certainly turns the tables in this one that’s for sure. I enjoyed every word from the start to the end. Highly recommended.

[Prashanth Bhat · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if you are fed up with your old job.
As a thief.
What if you are part of an underworld crime ring and your past catches up with you?

One last heist and all your sins are forgiven.

This novel is a thriller.
I liked how it unfolded.
But the story is Predictable.

Nice read.

[Mailmanr5 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a decent story but told weakly. The backfill was too much explaining. The dialogue was poor.

[Anniee Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read. The author drew you in from beginning to end. A former Daddy's girl wants to find her own way. The twists and turns will have you on the edge of your seat. Get your copy today

[Lucía · Rating 2 out of 5]

*Review with spoilers*
When I started reading this I was intrigued and excited, it seemed like a great story that I was, for sure, going to enjoy and devour. But boy was I wrong...

In this story we follow our, very annoying and stupid, protagonist, Serena.
Serena is in search of a job and "knows" what she wants, or at least that's what we are told. In the beggining she is presented as a strong independent woman, she doesn't want to accept money from her dad because she wants to work and be in control of her life but pretty soon after that (and by pretty soon I mean in the next five pages) we see how she is just spoiled and thinks that everything she wants will be easy to get and achieve.

From the very beggining we also see highly problematic and misogynistic messages. For example, Serena mentions how she "was never a hearty eater" due to a girl her age having to "think of her figure", but that is only the first of a large list of unnecessary comments on eating and food. Later on everyone keeps talking about her slim figure, and how she doesn't have to unfast her skinny jeans after eating, etc. In not so healthy ways.

Next in the story, Serena goes to multiple job interviews but always has an excuse to leave or to get fired. It was confusing reading the stories of her being so serious about being independent and making her own money but not being able to last more than a week at a job. She didn't act as if she really wanted to give the best of herself and achieve her dream. For example, she gets a job as a tutor and gets fired the same day she arrives because instead of trying to do her job she gives up easily on getting the kid to study and decides to play videogames with him. My question is, how does she not want to accept her dad's money but wants to move to Austria as soon as possible if she doesn't act like she cares about earning money to do that?

Finally, after a minimum of four failed jobs, she seems to find a stable one at a perfume store and the first thing we see is her critizicing her co-workers, describing them as "plain and ordinary, out of her league, despite all their layers of powder and foundation". I honestly think there was no need for her to act like that, all so sophisticated and with a superiority complex during the wole book.

Finally a wave of reality hit her and she realized, after getting her first paycheck, that it would take her maybe even years to save as much money as she needed to move to Austria, and that it all wasn't going to be easy peasy.

After some time she decided to start stealing perfume bottles from her job and selling them on the streets because she got inspired by reading a newspaper. And everything went so easy for her, she didn't see herself affected by all this process of stealing. Selling the products and getting away with it wasn't a problem, and it all happened so fast it was surreal.

It wasn't a surprise for me when she got fired, I already expected that to happen due to her previous history with no being able to mantain a job for too long. But what had me laughing (and not only in this specific moment, but during the entirety of the story) is the way adults talk.
After being told she was fired Serena asked why, and her co-worker's response was "Get real, you stupid little bitch!", I can't believe that there are adults in this planet that talk like that.

The next surreal, and convenient, thing was how she got her next job. She met this random guy at a café and decided he was trustable. Next thing we know is that she went to do and interview and quickly got the job. But oh!, something that we didn't see coming happens. Not even a minute later of her getting the job her boss tells her the truth of the company "We are actually a team of international jewel thieves". At this point I was laughing of how bad this is written, it looks like a 2014 wattpad fanfiction written by a teenager, full of inconsistencies and nonsense.

From now on we "see" the training she receives to get ready for her first mission with her team and how she gets along with everyone. The last thing I want to mention is how unrealistic the sex ual scenes are, or at least how fake they look for me.

To conclude, it was kind of fun and entertaining reading this, because of how surreal it felt all the time and all the second hand embarrassment everything that happened gave me. But, if we were talking about it objectively, it is not good and sometimes felt boring, good thing is it's short and that feeling of boringness didn't last long.