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King Con
When it comes to creating unforgettable criminal characters, nobody does it better than Emmy Award winner Stephen J. Cannell, the force behind such acclaimed TV hits as "The Rockford Files," "The Commish," "Wiseguy," and "The A-Team." Now come Cannell's most engaging characters yet—a spirited assortment of clever con artists.King Con vs. The Don
Raised in a world of flimflams, come-ons and con-jobs, Beano Bates has done so well he's earned a spot on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List. But his lucky streak vanishes after a card game in which he scams a cool eighty grand from a notorious Mafia don—who retaliates by having Beano nearly beaten to death.
For the first time in his legendary career, Beano wants more than a big score—he wants justice. Aided by a beautiful, no-nonsense female prosecutor and a legion of crafty cousins, all accomplished grifters, Beano, the king of the cons, puts together the ultimate swindle—a well-planned sting of strategy, skill and deception. The target is America's most feared mob kingpin and his psychopathic brother. And in this game, winner takes all!
Raised in a world of flimflams, come-ons and con-jobs, Beano Bates has done so well he's earned a spot on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List. But his lucky streak vanishes after a card game in which he scams a cool eighty grand from a notorious Mafia don—who retaliates by having Beano nearly beaten to death.
For the first time in his legendary career, Beano wants more than a big score—he wants justice. Aided by a beautiful, no-nonsense female prosecutor and a legion of crafty cousins, all accomplished grifters, Beano, the king of the cons, puts together the ultimate swindle—a well-planned sting of strategy, skill and deception. The target is America's most feared mob kingpin and his psychopathic brother. And in this game, winner takes all!
374 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1997
155 people are currently reading
678 people want to read
About the author
Stephen J. Cannell
68 books269 followersStephen J. Cannell was an American television producer, writer, novelist, and occasional actor, and the founder of Cannell Entertainment (formerly Stephen J. Cannell Productions) and the Cannell Studios.
Cannell created or co-created several successful TV series from the 1970s to the 1990s. Creations included The Rockford Files, The A-Team, The Greatest American Hero, 21 Jump Street, and The Commish. He was an Emmy winner and was awarded The Eye - Lifetime Achievement Award by the Private Eye Writers of America.
Cannell created or co-created several successful TV series from the 1970s to the 1990s. Creations included The Rockford Files, The A-Team, The Greatest American Hero, 21 Jump Street, and The Commish. He was an Emmy winner and was awarded The Eye - Lifetime Achievement Award by the Private Eye Writers of America.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
July 24, 2022
За съжаление, тази книга се оказа пълна загуба на време...
Нескопосано списани и глуповати "измами", преживяващ катарзис "цар" на мошениците, щрихирани мафиоти и безумно тъпа любовна история, никой няма нужда от подобни глупости. И за капак - кофти превод!
Нескопосано списани и глуповати "измами", преживяващ катарзис "цар" на мошениците, щрихирани мафиоти и безумно тъпа любовна история, никой няма нужда от подобни глупости. И за капак - кофти превод!
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May 8, 2011This was entertaining, though full of silliness too. It's about a con man getting revenge by setting up a situation like in the movie "the Sting". What I liked best was that this writer has some kind of real research source. He has to be talking to a person who travels around ripping people off. It occurred to me several times during the book that tricks like this had been tried on me in NY. Not the big deal, but some of the smaller scams he describes- what a "grifter" would do, scamming 50 bucks or a hundred here and there. Maybe in a bar. I was also reminded of a couple of situations from the construction business when I lived in Colorado. Apparently, that is the place where a lot of these buzzards roost, the construction business I mean. One incident in particular comes to mind. I avoided these things mostly by luck. Sadly, I am not surprised that people plan stuff like this. So lame.
August 31, 2008
This was another one of those books I started, but couldn't get into. It seemed like generic mob crime / cop nonsense with nothing new or interesting going on.
September 6, 2008
HORRIBLE.
February 18, 2022
Really two and a half stars. This was alot longer than it needed to be.
July 16, 2020
Stephen Cannell gets it ALL right.
If you've read Goldberg and Evanovich's "Fox and O'Hare" novels-- this is what THOSE could have been. Similar characters, but each character has some depth.
Beano Bates is on the FBI's most wanted list. He is the King of the Cons. But one night, he runs a poker cheat game, and a gangster beats the crap out of him. Victoria is a prosecutor, known as Tricky Vicky, and she is set on getting the gangster, but Beano has disappeared. When a witness is killed he case and career is ruined. Meanwhile, Beano gets set for revenge-- and he has a deeper reason then to avenge the beating-- which makes this book even more interesting.
This back is carefully stocked with all sort of interesting characters. There's Tommy "Two Times", dumb brother to the gangster, who has the nickname because he once killed a guy, only to have him sit up in the coroners office, alive, and Tommy had to kill him again. Tommy is not only stupid, but deranged, ready to fly into a killing rage at any time. He also feels disrespected by his gangleader brother.
Duffy is known for running the tat (switch dice in casino) and for throwing fake epileptic fits in order to get away.
Dakota is the fluff. The con team use her to get to Tommy. She is beautiful-- and Beano and her were once an item-- again, this part of the story only adds to the characterization and emotional depth of the story- as Beano worries about her working so closely with Tommy.
Beano pulls his "family" together and run a number of cons with the purpose of getting Tommy and Joe to turn on one another. Each con is more complex than the last. Cannell strives to get the lingo and nature of the con artists center stage.
The pacing of this novel is a slow build, with a number of great tension building moments. Through it all the con men get to be con men, and the gangsters get to be gangsters. Cannell builds solidly on the individual characters, their emotions, their histories, their problems, and their skills. In doing so, he never sacrifices pacing and the novel never loses stride or bogs down. It just gathers more depth and more tension.
This is a really, really, good book. The only read drawback was the slowly growing romance between Beano and Victoria. There is none of the smart aleck dialogue as in Goldberg's "Fox" but instead a growing respect for one another throughout the cons. I felt that the book would have been better without the romance, but I guess I'm not a true romantic at heart.
If you've read Goldberg and Evanovich's "Fox and O'Hare" novels-- this is what THOSE could have been. Similar characters, but each character has some depth.
Beano Bates is on the FBI's most wanted list. He is the King of the Cons. But one night, he runs a poker cheat game, and a gangster beats the crap out of him. Victoria is a prosecutor, known as Tricky Vicky, and she is set on getting the gangster, but Beano has disappeared. When a witness is killed he case and career is ruined. Meanwhile, Beano gets set for revenge-- and he has a deeper reason then to avenge the beating-- which makes this book even more interesting.
This back is carefully stocked with all sort of interesting characters. There's Tommy "Two Times", dumb brother to the gangster, who has the nickname because he once killed a guy, only to have him sit up in the coroners office, alive, and Tommy had to kill him again. Tommy is not only stupid, but deranged, ready to fly into a killing rage at any time. He also feels disrespected by his gangleader brother.
Duffy is known for running the tat (switch dice in casino) and for throwing fake epileptic fits in order to get away.
Dakota is the fluff. The con team use her to get to Tommy. She is beautiful-- and Beano and her were once an item-- again, this part of the story only adds to the characterization and emotional depth of the story- as Beano worries about her working so closely with Tommy.
Beano pulls his "family" together and run a number of cons with the purpose of getting Tommy and Joe to turn on one another. Each con is more complex than the last. Cannell strives to get the lingo and nature of the con artists center stage.
The pacing of this novel is a slow build, with a number of great tension building moments. Through it all the con men get to be con men, and the gangsters get to be gangsters. Cannell builds solidly on the individual characters, their emotions, their histories, their problems, and their skills. In doing so, he never sacrifices pacing and the novel never loses stride or bogs down. It just gathers more depth and more tension.
This is a really, really, good book. The only read drawback was the slowly growing romance between Beano and Victoria. There is none of the smart aleck dialogue as in Goldberg's "Fox" but instead a growing respect for one another throughout the cons. I felt that the book would have been better without the romance, but I guess I'm not a true romantic at heart.
March 1, 2010
This may not be up to the level of Oceans 11 or The Italian Job, but it's close. The cons in this story are a lot more involved than I expected, and Cannell has done a whole lot of research to make everything as believable as possible. The writing is taut and often brilliant, though not so much so when it comes to the romance angle. A great read: edgy, filled with surprises and cool lingo. I generally expect a lot of cheese from Cannell (he is the creator of the A-Team, after all), but his novels always end up being so much better than any of his TV shows could have ever even dreamed of being.
August 19, 2012
I loved it just as much the second time around.
May 16, 2020
This book was sort of boring...until I turned to page 2.
I absolutely love the Bates family. They are inventive characters who live life at the edge of the legal limit. Then Cannell throws in a by-the-book District Attorney and all bets on where this book is headed.
This is a fast-paced attention-grabbing novel. Even though it was published in 1997, it has aged really well. The author managed to avoid 'aging' the book with too many references to technology.
If you like Suspense and haven't read this book, you really should. It's excellent.
I absolutely love the Bates family. They are inventive characters who live life at the edge of the legal limit. Then Cannell throws in a by-the-book District Attorney and all bets on where this book is headed.
This is a fast-paced attention-grabbing novel. Even though it was published in 1997, it has aged really well. The author managed to avoid 'aging' the book with too many references to technology.
If you like Suspense and haven't read this book, you really should. It's excellent.
October 9, 2016
Because Cannell is such a good writer, the visuals he creates are easy to follow, even in this complicated con. It's The Sting and Oceans 11 in novel form. Love the addition of the entire family of con-people. Purchased at Goodwill, checked the nameplate and I've got a first edition here. Sweet.
April 23, 2010
A fun con book. Had some good explinations of cons. Enjoyable.
October 1, 2020
In real-life, there was a family in the hills of Virginia and West Virginia reputed to be so in-bred that nearly every mailbox one passed had that family name on it. There was even a parody show on a college radio or television station that was a quiz show called, “Dialing for ….” with the family’s last name filling in the ellipsis. Only people from that family were supposed to be eligible.
In King Con, Stephen J. Cannell has posited a widespread clan of grifters named “Bates.” And, apparently, there is a certain amount of in-breeding in the family. “Beano” Bates is the protagonist, con-man, most-wanted criminal, etc. Right from the beginning, the reader knows something is going to go wrong when it’s clear that he is cheating a mafia don at cards. But one simply doesn’t realize how wrong it can go and what an elaborate scheme it might take to get clear of the cascading problems resulting from that card game.
If you like the Amazon Prime television series, Sneaky Pete, or had enough of a low threshold in suspending your disbelief that you thought some of those Mission Impossible ruses (or even the one in the famous movie, The Sting) could be accomplished, you would love the layering, subtleties, and intricate detail in the set-ups for King Con. If you’re like me, you’ll be holding your breath in places and so certain that various nexus points in the scams are going to go wrong that you won’t be able to put the book down. I tried to read it before bed each evening for three nights and then, I HAD to finish it.
I can’t even tell you the kinds of “cons” that are pulled in the book because that would spoil some of the suspense. There are times that even Beano’s partner(s) doesn’t (don’t) know what the next step will be. Indeed, I don’t even want to tell you about the partner or her background because it would spoil the fun. Let’s just say that the “tangled web” of deceit that Sir Walter Scott warned folks about gave off signals all over the place. And even the potential rescues you thought might occur at various times were blown away and sometimes, provided, sometimes not.
King Con would make a terrific movie or television series (not surprising from film and television veteran Cannell), but I feel like reading the novel was even more satisfying than viewing the action (and there’s LOTS of action) would have been. And, I don’t think I’m the only one who’d like a sequel.
In King Con, Stephen J. Cannell has posited a widespread clan of grifters named “Bates.” And, apparently, there is a certain amount of in-breeding in the family. “Beano” Bates is the protagonist, con-man, most-wanted criminal, etc. Right from the beginning, the reader knows something is going to go wrong when it’s clear that he is cheating a mafia don at cards. But one simply doesn’t realize how wrong it can go and what an elaborate scheme it might take to get clear of the cascading problems resulting from that card game.
If you like the Amazon Prime television series, Sneaky Pete, or had enough of a low threshold in suspending your disbelief that you thought some of those Mission Impossible ruses (or even the one in the famous movie, The Sting) could be accomplished, you would love the layering, subtleties, and intricate detail in the set-ups for King Con. If you’re like me, you’ll be holding your breath in places and so certain that various nexus points in the scams are going to go wrong that you won’t be able to put the book down. I tried to read it before bed each evening for three nights and then, I HAD to finish it.
I can’t even tell you the kinds of “cons” that are pulled in the book because that would spoil some of the suspense. There are times that even Beano’s partner(s) doesn’t (don’t) know what the next step will be. Indeed, I don’t even want to tell you about the partner or her background because it would spoil the fun. Let’s just say that the “tangled web” of deceit that Sir Walter Scott warned folks about gave off signals all over the place. And even the potential rescues you thought might occur at various times were blown away and sometimes, provided, sometimes not.
King Con would make a terrific movie or television series (not surprising from film and television veteran Cannell), but I feel like reading the novel was even more satisfying than viewing the action (and there’s LOTS of action) would have been. And, I don’t think I’m the only one who’d like a sequel.
February 14, 2023
If you're reading this, you've probably seen either a Stephen J. Cannell show, or a remake of something he created. The Rockford Files, 21 Jump Street, The A-Team, The Greatest American Hero (though you probably know the theme song more than the show), The Commish, Silk Stalking... the list goes on.
A lot of what makes those shows click can be found in the pages of this book. (In fact, if you're really familiar with The Rockford Files, you might recognize more than handful of plot, character, and situational elements that appeared in several episodes across that series, but especially "The Farnsworth Stratagem") There's engaging characters, crackling dialogue, and a twisty, outrageous plot that somehow stays this side of grounded. However, even with apparently a few books under his belt at this point, his prose can be a little clunky and redundant. (The book is at its wonkiest in the beginning, where he really dwells on stuff that would fly by in a movie or show) It's not terrible, but it hamstrings it slightly.
Still, it's a fun, breezy read with a really fun, step-by-step con at its center.
A lot of what makes those shows click can be found in the pages of this book. (In fact, if you're really familiar with The Rockford Files, you might recognize more than handful of plot, character, and situational elements that appeared in several episodes across that series, but especially "The Farnsworth Stratagem") There's engaging characters, crackling dialogue, and a twisty, outrageous plot that somehow stays this side of grounded. However, even with apparently a few books under his belt at this point, his prose can be a little clunky and redundant. (The book is at its wonkiest in the beginning, where he really dwells on stuff that would fly by in a movie or show) It's not terrible, but it hamstrings it slightly.
Still, it's a fun, breezy read with a really fun, step-by-step con at its center.
May 3, 2021
A very fun book about cons - what's not to love?
A fun and quick book telling a (fairly outlandish) story about getting even by duping the "bad guys" in a big score. I started this book before my trip to Las Vegas in order to get some of the gambling juices flowing. In that regard, it hit the spot - covering poker, craps, and a wide array of cons. The story actually is pretty intricate as it covers a lot of ground and in many areas you need to suspend disbelief. Some aspects were brought in to heighten the stakes and perhaps weren't needed (all of the FBI stuff/redneck Bates was kind of unnecessary but helped to throw a wrench into the mix/mess up the ending). Overall, it had enough of what we came here for though - plenty of cons and a continuous story0-line to keep us moving forward. Definitely had some graphic/violent scenes that could have been reigned in a little but didn't really hurt the story. I actually wish this was a series that I could continue reading. I'd like to hear another plot involving Bates.
A fun and quick book telling a (fairly outlandish) story about getting even by duping the "bad guys" in a big score. I started this book before my trip to Las Vegas in order to get some of the gambling juices flowing. In that regard, it hit the spot - covering poker, craps, and a wide array of cons. The story actually is pretty intricate as it covers a lot of ground and in many areas you need to suspend disbelief. Some aspects were brought in to heighten the stakes and perhaps weren't needed (all of the FBI stuff/redneck Bates was kind of unnecessary but helped to throw a wrench into the mix/mess up the ending). Overall, it had enough of what we came here for though - plenty of cons and a continuous story0-line to keep us moving forward. Definitely had some graphic/violent scenes that could have been reigned in a little but didn't really hurt the story. I actually wish this was a series that I could continue reading. I'd like to hear another plot involving Bates.
May 10, 2024
Lots of fun! Beano X. Bates, an infamous conman/gambler, plays a high-stakes poker game against the gangster Joe Rina. Unfortunately, Beano gets caught cheating and gets the heck kicked out of him and left for dead. A witness steps up, identifying Joe's brother, Tommy, as the killer. A few days later, Carol Sesnick is dead. Turns out that Carol is one of Beano's hundreds of cousins, and he wants revenge his way, the way of the Long Con ala "The Sting."
Some of it is silly, some of it is disturbing, but it's all entertainment! Great characters, intricate plotting, and lots of twists.
Some of it is silly, some of it is disturbing, but it's all entertainment! Great characters, intricate plotting, and lots of twists.
July 18, 2021
A delightful book! Likeable characters (except for the bad guys) and a fast moving, complex but understandable plot. The pages just fly by. This one might keep you up long past your planned bedtime. And when you reach the end you will wish you could immediately start on another book just like it.
This is a perfect book for long flights--or when you need something to lift you out of a pandemic-related depression.
This is a perfect book for long flights--or when you need something to lift you out of a pandemic-related depression.
November 7, 2021
One of the most unique methods of bringing down a crime boss I've ever read. Instead of getting an arsenal of weaponry and going to war with the man who killed someone he loves, Beano decides to outsmart his enemy and scam him for everything he's got using his own mental arsenal of tricks as well as his rather large family of fellow con artists. The book is thrilling, inventive, and intricate. Loved it.
December 21, 2021
This book was nothing short of captivating. Beano Bates is the star of a huge (I mean HUGE) extended family of con artists. Victoria, New York City prosecutor gets screwed (figuratively, this time) by her boss and lands on Beano's team to finally trap the bad guys. This plot is fun and fast and fantastic. It's the kind of book that is hard to put down because you don't trust the characters not to pull a fast one behind your back!
November 22, 2023
Predictable
I figured “true love” was going to be ending of this book. This was a national best seller?? Good woman falls for sensitive bad boy, three kids later she finds the shine ain’t so shining anymore. And just exactly what does con do with the rest of his life, get a straight up job. Hardly.
I figured “true love” was going to be ending of this book. This was a national best seller?? Good woman falls for sensitive bad boy, three kids later she finds the shine ain’t so shining anymore. And just exactly what does con do with the rest of his life, get a straight up job. Hardly.
October 9, 2019
Got this as a gift and was not that interested at first.
But the book just kept getting better and better as it goes along, with great characters, interesting locations and learning about a hidden class of people. Definitely enjoyed this and it is well worth reading.
But the book just kept getting better and better as it goes along, with great characters, interesting locations and learning about a hidden class of people. Definitely enjoyed this and it is well worth reading.
January 1, 2020
I love this book. It's not great. It reads like TV. But it's such a great caper story and it moves like a rocket sled on rails toward a satisfying conclusion. It's a pulpy beach read I love to revisit.
February 22, 2020
Cannell most famously writes for TV; but he sure can write a good book too! I love books about con men and this one is really good. Great characters and story. Keeps you guessing with twists and turns.
May 22, 2017
A 2-3 novel. A Con is run, a con only a fool would fall for, and ending not quite up to that movie The Sting.
March 24, 2018
Big thumbs up for another adrenaline ride with colorful characters full of hip street vernacular in a world of "bad guys", gamblers and con men. Cannell is one of my all-time, favorite authors.
August 31, 2018
The visual imagery even had me reluctantly buying the bad guys penchant for having a huge male part. Could've easily seen a young Alec Baldwin playing the King
October 8, 2018
Vauhdikas koukuttava kirja kera veren ja suolenpätkien. Oikeus kuitenkin voitti ja onnellinen loppukin oli :)
December 15, 2018
A real page-turner. I was fascinated to see how all the little set-ups came together into the big con. A little violent for me.
December 29, 2018
Predictable and far fetched to the extreme of reality - kind of like an Oceans 11 - but still enjoyable. I keep thinking that this would do well as a movie.
May 20, 2019
I really enjoyed this novel. I am a big fan of Cannell's series and this is one of my favorite solo stories. Have read it several times and would gladly recommend it!
June 9, 2020
Love the subterfuge and sneakiness of this story. Excellent!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews