King Con

Rating:
Summary: Grifters Delight
Review: Fun, fun, fun page turner for those who love to read about grifters and con artists. In the prologue the best con artist in the US cheats a number of people at cards, including a mobster, who beats him nearly to death afterward (an act which is totally contrary to the way the character is depicted throughout the rest of the book, but oh well). After a number of convolutions, the lovable con artist and the local DA team up to run a huge con to take out the mobster and his psychopathic brother. The characters are all cardboard, but its fun to read along and watch the author shuffle them around and spin a good story. Of course, Cannell knows that the details make the story, and this book is chock full of grifter tricks and cons which are a delight.

Rating:
Summary: This is an incredible story . . .
Review: Stephen Cannell did a fantastic job researching con artist and some of the scams that may or may not exist. The book is unpredictable and has an excellent story line, his characters are well thought out and Cannell keeps the hook in your mouth from start to finish. I highly recommend this book!

Rating:
Summary: Gamblers, lawyers, con men (and women)...and $$$
Review: Stephen J. Cannell is best know for his various television series, but he also pens fast-paced action novels that are similar in spirit. King Con involves a fallen card sharp, Beano Bates, after he rips off a mafia boss named Joe "Dancer" Rina. The boss catches him and beats him nearly to death. A witness comes forward and is under the protection of a tough lawyer named Victoria Hart. Tragic events bring Bates and Hart together to bring down Joe Rina and his brother Tommy, in the biggest of all cons.
I like the progression of scams, from a card game, jewel switch, craps cheating and finally a bogus oil company. With each scenario, the stakes were upped and things were never easy, but rather a house of cards ready to collapse at any moment. The book features an interesting cast of characters, many in the Bates con artist extended family. The dialogue was ready for film, the sets were easy to imagine and there was tension on every page.
The characters were pretty forgettable, with not a whole lot of dimension. Most of the time they're thinking about how they should be living instead of doing it. The old show vs. tell criticism. There were also points where things got over the top, like the whole Arkansas Bates clan and the hillbilly stereotype, although the invoice was funny.
Obviously Cannell is having fun, and it's interesting to learn the con person's lingo. Don't take this book too seriously. It's a popcorn book to enjoy on a long flight or vacation at the beach house or ski lodge.