Steal the Gold

Ellie Reckless #2

by Jack Gatland

All that glitters isn't gold... Meet disgraced ex-DI Ellie Reckless , a self-proclaimed ' cop for criminals ', and the person the underworld calls when they can't call the police. When a truck owned by the Italian Luccesi family is hijacked in Kent, Ellie and her team are brought in to locate it - but Ellie knows there's more going on, as nobody fights this hard over Extra-Virgin olive oil.

With an Italian matriarch in the midst of a vicious takeover bid, and two sons fighting over who replaces her, Ellie learns the hard way that the missing 'olive oil' is, in fact, there to hide over four million dollars worth of illegal product, smuggled in through customs, providing enough funding to end the war one way or another.

But was it taken by a rival , or by one of her own blood?

And, as Ellie weaves her way through family politics, hit squads and violent murder, her team are placed in fatal crosshairs, as Tinker Jones also finds herself in the midst of a vicious attack from her army past, one that could end everything for her... The second book in a new series of procedural crime thrillers by #1 New York Times bestselling writer Tony Lee writing as Jack Gatland, and spinning out of his bestselling DI Declan Walsh book series, Steal The Gold is perfect for fans of J.D Kirk, L.J Ross, Ian Rankin, Alex Smith, David Gatward, Rachel McLean and Ann Cleeves, among others.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Audiobook

328 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 4, 2022

About the author

Jack Gatland is the pen name of #1 New York Times Bestselling Writer Tony Lee, who has been writing in all medias for over thirty years including comics, graphic novels, middle grade books, audio drama, TV and film for DC, Marvel, BBC, ITV, Random House, Penguin USA, Hachette and a ton of other publishers and broadcasters on licenses such as Doctor Who, Spider Man, X-Men, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Doctors, Wallace and Gromit and Shrek. As Tony, he’s toured the country talking to reluctant readers with his ‘Change The Channel’ school tours.

He’s currently a member of the Writer’s Guild of Great Britain, the Society of Authors, The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers and the Crime Writer’s Association.

As Jack, he’s writing a new series of Crime Thrillers starring Detective Inspector Declan Walsh, recently seconded to the City of London Police department known as the Last Chance Saloon.

The first twelve of these, LETTER FROM THE DEAD, MURDER OF ANGELS, HUNTER HUNTED, WHISPER FOR THE REAPER, TO HUNT A MAGPIE, A RITUAL FOR THE DYING, KILLING THE MUSIC, A DINNER TO DIE FOR, BEHIND THE WIRE, HEAVY IS THE CROWN, STALKING THE RIPPER and A QUIVER OF SORROWS are available now, with book thirteen, MURDER BY MISTLETOE released in December 2022 – with further adventures continuing throughout 2023.

In addition to that, the first book in a new series of Adventure Mysteries starring Robin-Hood style con-man forger-turned treasure hunter Damian Lucas, THE LIONHEART CURSE was released in January 2022, and he has both a new series of crime procedurals, spinning out of the DI Walsh series and featuring ‘Cop for Criminals’ Ellie Reckless including PAINT THE DEAD and STEAL THE GOLD, and a new spy series, spinning out of the DI Walsh series and featuring burned MI5 agent Tom Marlowe including SLEEPING SOLDIERS and TARGET LOCKED.

He can be found at www.tonylee.co.uk and www.jackgatland.com.

Reviews

[Mike Kanner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Former DI Reckless and her crew are at it again. What starts with the off-the-books job of recovering a shipment of olive oil (there's more to it than that), ends up being an investigation of three murders, a power struggle within a crime family, and a collection of corrupt cops. Additionally, Tinkerbelle Jones is trying to find out who is blackmailing her.

In other words, just another day at work for this crew.

[Michelle Nash · Rating 4 out of 5]

The realities and capabilities of science in this story aside, this was a fun, albeit convoluted story. Seems like many of the underwood baddies we've met in Walsh's series are in or mentioned in this one. Love how Johnny Lucas is always there to save the day-sorta.

Ellie is one step closer in solving her own personal mystery, but in doing so, just painted an even larger target on her back. Can't wait for the next one.

[Neely Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a truck full of olive oil is high jacked and the driver killed, Mama Lucessi comes to Ellie. She and her trusty gang must find the precious oil and bring it back to Mama. Ellie soon discovers many other people are also scrambling to get it. Delicious it may be, but what makes this particular shipment so popular? Good read. Very interesting crime.

[Lee Ann Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellie Reckless returns with a vengeance

Every page pulls you into the ever twisting fates of the teams diverse histories and futures. A non stopper for a great read. Looking forward to what's next for Ellie and her team.

[Gerald Verville · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steal the Gold

I liked the book and would recommend it to others. The plot was intriguing and it took some time to figure things out. Trying to find out who framed her will become a little tiresome if Ellie is still looking at the end of the next book.

[Susan Gauch]

I like his other series, but I couldn't get into this one. There are just too many tangled threads amongst the underworld characters that span multiple books for my limited attention span to keep track of or care about.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspend believability and this is a really fun, twisty read with a very unusual plotline.

[P A Ling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another compelling Reckless story

Second book in the series and the characters are becoming more rounded. Original ideas from Jack Gatland keep you reading until the end.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Ellie!!

Great story ! Couldn't put it can down. Looking forward to the next book! Can't wait until it comes out!

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good mystery

A really neat Agatha Christie read, trying to figure out who the murderer/thief was. A thoroughly enjoyable read. Well done.

[nigel hammill · Rating 2 out of 5]

extremely complex story

I love this author, but this one was hard to follow. There are too many characters and twists for me

[M R B Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ellie Reckless gets the job done

Interesting story with a lot of twists and suspense. When will Nicky Simpson get his just deserts? What is next in book 3

[R.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read. I couldn't tell where the title came into play until a few chapters in and I think the entire set-up was brilliant. Ellie Reckless is a good character. I recommend this book.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Realized I'd already read, but not reviewed this one. Read it out of order, so a quick reread.

[Shelagh McIntosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did not put down

Great book kept me on the edge of my chair. I will all this group and look for more. Enjoy

[Tresi Fair · Rating 4 out of 5]

great read. funny

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steal the Gold by Jack Gatland is book 2 in the Ellie Reckless Cop For Criminals series. Ellie is an ex-DI and now works for an insurance company with a sideline of doing favours for criminals. These favours she is banking, as she works to prove her innocence in the murder of her ex-lover, which forced her out of the police. Paulo Moretti is killed and his cargo of olive oil hijacked and Ellie is hired by Mama Lumetta, head of a crime family, to recover the oil. What else was in the oil as murders are still happening. This was such an entertaining read, full of murder and intrigue and I read this in a day as I couldn’t put it down.