5 comments about Midnight in Madrid (The Russian Trilogy, Book 2).

1. This is my first time with this author and I find the writing quite engaging. The story line not only carries the plot but also there are educational and historical threads interwoven that makes the reading interesting.



2. I first read Conspiracy in Kiev and thought it was superbly crafted with well developed characters. I subsequently read The Enemy Within and thought that was also an excellent read. I looked forward to Midnight in Madrid and found it was well done for the first 2/3 of the novel. The last third seemed to lose the craftsmanship and turn into the formula book style that pervades the bookshelves today. I approached it with high hopes and was disappointed. I don't believe that I will purchase the third part of the Russian Trilogy.



3. What greater tribute than to say that I came across "Midnight", acquired it as a "freebie", then could hardly wait to order another in the trilogy (Conspiracy in Kiev)--that I actually paid for!The author provides a thoroughly entertaining and informative read. He's obviously an historian because he includes fascinating facts about his intriguinig locales. But he's a fiction writer first, because he entertains on every page. His protagonist, Alexandra LaDuca personifies the best in women, without the Super Woman hyperbole. She's attractive, smart, fit; not fearless but undaunted in her pursuit of the bad guys. As a writer/therapist/reader myself, I say that Midnight in Madrid is masterful.



4. Just realized I hadn't written a review on this great book, loved the storyline, Midnight in Madrid was as good as Conspiracy in Kiev can't wait to read the next bookCountdown in Cairo love this author Noel Hynd he brings suspense, mystery, love, anger and leaves you feeling like you have just left your armchair and traveled the world.



5. I bought this book with a promotional price($2) and I think it's story is awful.

1 comments about Flat Stanley's Worldwide Adventures #2: The Great Egyptian Grave Robbery.

1. I bought this to read to my class after reading all of the other Flat Stanley books. The kids loved the adventures! It's great to see that the stories are being continued even though Jeff Brown is no longer with us.

5 comments about Alibi.

1. Teri Woods new book Alibi was not one of my favorites. The story jumped around too much for me and all these characters appeared. I had to go back a couple of times to make sure of who the character was. If you are a true fan of the The Dutch Books you will be disappointed.



2. A botched robbery attempt results in three dead bodies and the murderer needs an alibi. After Daisy is paid to provide the alibi, she finds herself caught between the killers and the cops. Alibi is typical contemporary fiction with an urban backdrop. However, it is easy to read despite some of its contrived drama and its quick plot resolution.
   
   Diva Reviewer - Gea Foster, [...]



3. This is not one of her better books, it was alright but I've seen much better writing from Teri Woods. This book was different from the rest of her books. It was kind of Slow, but also a good story. Daisy Mae and Kimmie Sue, was really some names for wayyyyyyy back in the woods.. This book was a very different tale from the streets of New York and Thugged out... But I still enjoyed the book..



4. This is the first Terri Woods novel I've read and though I've heard good reviews on some of her other works I can't see myself reading another novel by her. This by far was one of the worst books I've read in life. I literally had to struggle to get through it, the reason being that I was hoping at some point the story might get better. I would hope that no character in real life would make such obviously stupid choices. All together the story just did not interest me whatsoever. The story was dry, the characters were unappealing.....I just didn't like the book. Next time I'll be sure to check reviews before I make my next book purchase.



5. When an attempted robbery goes awry, Nard finds himself caught up in a triple homicide investigation where all fingers point to him. Desperate to evade a life sentence in prison, he turns to his boy, Sticks, to come up with a plan and execute a rescue mission. Sticks claims to have everything under control, as he puts things in motion to guarantee Nard's freedom, but this is far from an open and shut case. Sticks finds out the hard way securing an alibi that sticks is a lot harder than he imagined.
   
   Daisy Fothergill, a young stripper turned prostitute, is quickly drowning in a game she is ill-equipped to play. When Sticks asks her to provide an alibi for Nard, she thinks it is well worth the small fortune he pays her to tell the little white lie. But when things quickly start to spiral out of control, Daisy finds herself forced to make a decision that may cost her her life. The death of her mother sends her on a tumultuous journey. Just when she thinks she is able to pick up the pieces of her shattered life and start over, the ugliness of her situation brings her right back to reality. Will Daisy escape with her life?
   
   ALIBI had an intriguing plot that had me guessing until the very end. However, I felt Terri Woods' execution was poor. There were several occurrences throughout the novel that lacked enough detail to make an impact on the story. I was confused by the detailed back story given about Daisy's mother that completely removed the reader from the current story and gave unnecessary information that did nothing to move the plot forward. There were several twists presented throughout the novel, but they were so quickly rushed through, I never got a chance to settle on one before the next one presented itself. The plot was compelling, but the writing was not.
   
   Reviewed by Monique D. Mensah
   for RAWSISTAZ(tm) Reviewers

5 comments about The Many Deaths of the Firefly Brothers: A Novel.

1. Gangs, molls and robbing banks. Just the ingredients for a good-old yarn, right? You can practically smell the gunpowder and spilled gin... And yet? "The Many Deaths of the Firefly Brothers" is more than that. Much more.
   
   First, I need to say that this Depression-era novel was eerily reminiscent of today. Of this time in our country where nothing is certain and days are filled with fear and worry about what the next day may bring. This book is set in 1934 - but there many similarities to what is making the news in 2010.
   
   "The reality we'd all believed in, so fervently and vividly, was revealed to be nothing but a trick of our imagination, or someone else's, some collective mirage whose power to entrance us had suddenly and irrevocably failed. What...had happened? What had we done to ourselves? The looks I saw on people's faces. The shock of it all. Capitalism had failed, democracy was a sad joke. Our country's very way of life was at death's door, and everyone had a different theory of what would rise up to take its place."
   
   Jason and Whit Fireson rob banks. They steal money from the few places that still have money in 1934 - and they become anti-heroes to the Americans who are so desperate and so angry at seeing all they believed in and trusted being destroyed. Banks are foreclosing at constant rates, people are out of work, the stock market has crashed, and families are desperate. So when the pair starts garnering fame for stealing from those who are perceived as causing the financial chaos...they are dubbed the "Firefly Brothers" and their admirers start to outnumber their pursuers.
   
   I picked this book hoping for some pure escapism, but got instead a great story AND some great insights.
   
   "People tell their stories to place themselves somewhere solid in this great swirl that they can't otherwise understand. The stories define what is possible, what the tellers yearn for, what they believe they deserve. The self-made man, the American dream, Capitalism, socialism, religion - all those narratives that try to contain everyone's desires and fears within neat lines. Different tales, different obstacles, but the hero is always us, and the ending has us attainting what we've always wished for."
   
   Wow...I just had to read that again.
   
   This really was a great story. It was a compelling tale of escape and adventure, of getaway cars and hideouts. Of double-crosses and dirty money. A chance to enter the mind of a criminal and look around.
   
   "The right thing was confusing, and difficult, and sometimes Jason wondered if it was in fact a nonexistent ideal, like heaven or the American dream. There was no right thing. You did what you did for whatever reasons occurred to you at the time, depending on whichever emotion was running thickest in your blood. Your desire and fear and adrenaline and longing. You made your choice and came up with the reasons later."
   
   But what I keep coming back to is not what the story had to say about Depression-era criminals, but about us, about people in general. People who aren't criminals, but who find themselves forced to consider choices they never expected.
   
   "We believe there are things that are possible and things that are not, actions we can imagine doing and others that are beyond the pale. But then doors are swung shut and what once was impossible, unthinkable, is there before us, happening to us. Sometimes we throw open the doors ourselves, sometimes someone else pushes them open and points at what lies beyond. Sometimes we don't even want to look. But we never have a choice."
   
   Law abiding citizens and criminals. Seemingly different sides of a coin - polar opposites. But in uncertain times, when the world seems upside down...identifying which one is good and which is bad becomes a much harder task.



2. Mullen's Public Enemy saga features the Fireson family. Patriarch Pop is a hard working man, the owner of small grocery stores, and a man attempting to improve the lives of his family through real estate investments. Bad business partners and the crash have taken care of those dreams. Although Pop has attempted to instill his three sons with his Horatio Alger values, oldest son Jason has taken to bootlegging to bring in money. He is his father's greatest disappointment. Younger brothers Whit and Weston seem to be following in Pop's foot steps until Pop is charged with the murder of a business partner and convicted. Upon Pop's untimely death in prison, Jason turns to bank robbing, a more lucrative profession than bootlegging. Against his best reasoning, Jason allows Whit to join his gang. The Firesons soon become known as the Firefly Brothers because of their lightning fast robberies and getaways. Younger brother Weston continues to attempt an honest profession and is beginning to pay for his more notorious brothers' reputations. However it is the proceeds of the Firefly Brothers' exploits that support the family.
   
   It is no spoiler to state that Jason and Whit begin their tale by waking from the dead following an incident they cannot remember. Both have been shot. They lie on cooling boards in a morgue in a small Indiana town. As though their earlier exploits were not enough to raise them to mythic status, their continued appearances following the reports of their deaths certainly do.
   
   John Dillinger, Pretty Boy Floyd, Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker are all dead. However, the Firefly Brothers continue to capture the imagination of victims of the economic plight of the great depression. Torching mortgages in the banks they rob, giving food to the homeless in Hoovervilles across the country may seem to make them heroes. However, the Firefly Brothers will not hesitate to kill whomever might be a threat to their success or their capture.
   
   During the books brightest moments, the times of the great depression are vividly portrayed. There are episodes reminiscent of Davis Grubb's "Fools' Parade", Horace McCoy's "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?", and Edward Anderson's 1937 classic, "Thieves Like Us".
   
   Unfortunately, the brighter moments are obscured by the meaningless repeated resurrections of the Firefly Brothers. The brothers make no changes in their lives for better or worse as they ponder their apparent immortality.
   
   Author Thomas Mullen's debut,"The Last Town on Earth" was favorably reviewed by The Washington Post, a Chicago Tribune book of the year in 2006, and USA Today's Debut Novel of the Year. Mullen's second effort is not so notable.



3. The author's depiction of the 1930's is too real to be comfortable. I was alive during that period, and the author describes the hopelessness and misery of those times as they really were. There were no jobs; some families lived in tents out in the country or vacant lots, and hobo parks were common. There was no welfare, and most people lived wretched lives.
   
   Against this background the author writes about the adventures of Jason Fireston and his brother Whitson, 2 desperadoes in desperate times living their own code of law. The story line is so original I could never imagine where it was going. As the story develops one learns about the family dynamics of the brothers with each other (there is a 3d brother who is a straight arrow) and how each of them became who he is. The story of the family background evolves slowly and is critical to the story. Circumstances and individual beliefs shape the brothers' destinies.
   
   I could not put this book down until my husband ordered me to turn out the lights. I am recommending it to all of my friends and to book clubs. Amelia Koenig



4. The Many Deaths of the Firefly Brothers is set in the great depression and follows the immortal escapades of the Fireson brothers, Whit and Jason.
   
   
   The tone of Firefly Brothers is fairly light, almost comical, and while the action is often gruesome and many of the events are heavy the overall feeling of the novel is kinda fluffy. While the story is a good blend of the familiar clichés with a touch of originality one does feel like the story needs something more.
   
   
   Part-one `the first death of the Firefly brothers' is mired in backstory and flashback, which is somewhat interesting but much of the history we are exposed to is too mundane and slows the pace of the story, considering we start off with the fascinating resurrection of the brothers but hardly address the issue until many many pages later.
   
   
   And while the mystery of why the brothers are immortal is enough to propel the book forwards there is an extreme lack of good storyline beyond this. Essentially the brothers continually get themselves into deadly situations until eventually lost memories surface that explain their predicament. Memories which I ultimately found disappointing, while the supernatural explanation was sufficient the attempt at shocking backstory revelation, while logical and fitting, to be anticlimactic.
   
   
   Attempts to spice up the story with a love interest kidnap might have been more interesting if it was tied in with the brothers better, however it just felt like page filler while we wondered about the brother's immortality.
   
   
   In the end The Many Deaths of the Firefly Brothers is a good book, and perhaps would have made (or make) a great movie, but doesn't quite reach the upper echelons of highly recommended.



5. Jason and Whit Fireson wake up in a morgue and are unable to remember anything beyond that they were supposed to be dividing their stolen money with another man who helped in the bank robbery. Where are their girlfriends, what happened to the money, and were they really dead?
   
   I really enjoyed this depression-era gangster novel with its touch of magical realism. I thought it was an unexpectedly good mix.

5 comments about Richard Scarry's The Great Pie Robbery and Other Mysteries.

1. I have ordered a number of Richard Scarry books for my daughter, but none of them seemed to contain the stories that I loved so much as a child. "The Bedtime Storybook" had some in it, but I couldn't find any that had the adventures of Sam the Cat and Dudley Pig. "The Great Pie Robbery" was out of print. But now, the book is back in print and after ordering it for my daughter, I can tell you that it's every bit as magical as I remembered. A truly fabulous story book for kids.



2. i grew up with richard scarry books, and i'm excited to (a) expand my library and (b) share it with my boys. a fun read.



3. This is another Scarry's delightful book. I used to read his books to my son and now I'm buying them for my grandsons!



4. Sam and Dudley are two detectives, and this trio of stories about them will introduction children to the genre of crime mysteries. In the first, they track down the no-goods who robbed Ma Dog's pie bakery; in the second they solve the mystery of who has been stealing groceries from Grocer Dog's store. In the third they cleverly trap the bandits who have stolen Mrs. Pig's wedding pearls.
   
   Through careful sleuthing, with some slapstick humor and exciting action, the two detectives solve the three mysteries in a methodical way, finding and following clues and exemplifying the importance of being aware of one's surroundings. Unlike most of the Richard Scarry books I have seen so far, while the illustrations are very interesting and detailed, the story is actually carried by the text, making this book a better read-aloud than (for example) Cars and Trucks and Things That Go.
   
   This is a perfect crime story for young children. The villains are one-dimensional crooks who masquerade as regular citizens -- evil enough to provide suspense in the conflict between them and the detectives, but not so evil that they will frighten readers. The detectives are intelligent and likable, and their methods and disguises are quite funny.
   
   Most of the old Richard Scarry books have become collectibles, making them expensive to acquire. This one was republished in 2008 and is again widely available.



5. My 6 month old listened and touched the pages as I read. She loved it - and didn't turn pages too fast.

5 comments about The Great Train Robbery.

1. This book was good and I was happy that I read it but for me I think that all of Crichton's works are good and I am not sure that anyone book is head and shoulders above the rest as some of the readers of this book seem to think this is the most amazing Crichton book ever. Its good but not any better than Jurasic Park, Congo or Prey



2. This adaptation of one for the greatest train robberies in history was very slow in the beginning, but picked up as the novel progressed. Some annoying points were the tangents which Crichton went on in an attempt to introduce or explain part of his story. While somewhat important for the reader, this broke the rhythm of the story and caused me to lose track of the events. Another disappointment was the off handed mention of the impending trial which would occur once the crime was committed. It is obvious the heist will succeed, but why ruin the ending with mentions of the trial which could have been omitted. As for accuracy, it misses on occasion, but maybe Crichton was not looking for accuracy but to tell a good story. Of the three Crichton books I have read, this and Andromeda Strain have been a disappointment but Eaters of the Dead was well written. As much as the author is praised, I hope that the two lackluster books are not telling signs of his other works. I will read Congo next expecting it to live up to the hype I know Crichton can deliver.



3. The way the story was told was refreshing as it was unlike most other modern fictions. I also enjoyed how the author explained the life style and culture of Victorian London to provide background information for the story. It made the book easier to understand and more enjoyable to read.



4. 
   Interesting and enjoyable read amid the backdrop of Mid-1800s Victorian England. Crichton did an excellent job of researching this true story while bringing dimension to the characters through newspaper accounts at the time of the incident. I recommend it.



5. The book arrived in excellent condition and on a timely basis. Thank you for your service!

5 comments about Beguiled.

1. A great book of romance, suspense, and southern culture.
   I find myself often learning who the culprit is long before I reach the end of a book. Not so in this one.
   Rylee Monroe's life takes many turns in this book. She goes from being a sweet dog-walker to being a suspected criminal. She lives her life with many doubts about her past and what was in it. Many memories lay below the surface, but didn't seem to rise to the top.
   Logan Woods, a newspaper reporter, is seeking to solve a crime as well as write a book. His involvement in the crimes involves him with Rylee Monroe. He almost loses his job. Everything becomes very complicated.
   Of course, all works out well in the end. We know that. It's the journey to the end that makes it all so enjoyable.
   This is a good, clean book that will fit in the library of anyone who cares for fiction that is family friendly.



2. I didn't want this story to end. Gist once again wove her story with wonderful characters and wit combined with Bertrand's mystery - it was a wonderful read! I really liked it.



3. Deeanne Gist's romance writing combined with J. Mark Bertrand's suspense writing blend together into a mildly interesting tale.
   Rylee is a sweet, overly naive orphan trying to support her grandmother. She finds herself a suspect in a ring of burglaries. The Robin Hood like thief steals and turns the items over to charities telling them to sell the items and use the money. Rylee's clients are the victims, missing items that hold sentimental value. In steps Logan Woods, a resourceful, energetic reporter who fears dogs. Together, the two begin to investigate.
   I did find the main character of Rylee being a rollerblading dog walker a bit bizarre, yet her walks through Charleston did give me a good picture of what the city is like. Honestly, I did have the mystery figured out fairly quickly and the book felt a bit predictable to me. All in all, it did keep me entertained and distracted as I waited during my husband's surgery. I feel generous giving it 3 out of 5 stars.
   
   *Thank you to Bethany House for supplying this book free of charge as part of their book review program.



4. Beguiled: To be amused or charmed; delighted.. I was beguiled by this book!
   
   I have never read anything by J. Mark Bertrand or Deeanne Gist, but I've heard Deeanne writes (rather racy) Christian historical romance. Since I'm not a huge historical reader, it doesn't surprise me that I haven't read her, but since I like a little edge to my books, I'd probably enjoy her books. However, I love a good mystery, as well as romantic suspense, so when Bethany offered me a copy of Beguiled to review, I jumped at it. And from the very first page, I was hooked.
   
   Immediately, the characters grabbed me. Main character, Rylee Monroe is not only likable, she's a strong protagonist. That's not to say she's without character flaws, but she is very real. As is each one of the colorful cast of characters, especially Rylee's love interest, Logan Woods, whose POV is also integrated into the story.
   
   But the main attraction was the plot. I wasn't too worried about the fact that two authors crafted this novel. I've read the Left Behind series and know it can be done well. But this was beyond well. It was fantastic. Okay, so I have to say I suspected the ultimate outcome early on. But there were plenty of twists to make me second guess myself along the way and some of the turns are ones I would never have guessed.
   
   The romantic element was also well crafted. I enjoyed both Rylee's and Logan's perspectives and found myself totally rooting for them. The ending - at least the romance part - was satisfying and complete.
   
   As for the faith element, it was there, but subtle, which I loved. It is clearly a Christian book, but I believe it could be enjoyed by anyone - Christian or non.
   
   I have only a couple of nitpicks. First, I wondered a few different times about the title of the book - Beguiled? What is that? I kept thinking I could have thought of something better- maybe something to do with her pet-walking business and/or the Robin Hood burglaries taking place. The cover also didn't seem to fit the story.
   
   The second nit-pick is that there was one element that isn't clearly wrapped up in the end. I won't give away what that was - and maybe it's just me. It's possible I missed it somehow. But it certainly didn't have any effect on the enjoyment of the story itself.
   
   Overall, this was a definite page turner. Let me just say that if Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand coauthor another book - romantic suspense or otherwise - I'll be the first in line to pick up a copy.
   
   *Thanks to Bethany House for providing me with a copy of this book to review. A positive review was not required and all thoughts are my own.



5. Beguiled by Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand caught my eye because it's set in my adopted city, Charleston, SC and uses landmarks and street names that are very familiar to me... I was intrigued to read that this was a writing collaboration between two authors who write in different genres!
   
   This book is an intriguing combination of romance, mystery and suspense... the premise is simple... Girl meets guy and they need to work through their attraction and also figure out who is targeting Rylee and why... I have to say that I figured out whodunnit fairly early in the book, but the why was the more interesting story and that unfolded like a blooming onion page after page until finally being wrapped up nicely in the end... I think the book's ability to bring the romance and beauty of Charleston together with being able to unravel the reason behind the thefts and how they connect both to Rylee and the history of Charleston was interesting and inventive...
   
   As a character, Rylee was a puzzle in herself - fresh faced naivete with a blend of smarts, understanding and a focus of purpose.. not just a simple dog walke. Logan, was a little more traditional and written as a good 'any man' whose life just happened to meet up with Rylee.
   
   I have to say that I enjoyed both the Charleston references and the twists and turns that the story took and would recommend it as a good summer read for anyone who likes a good suspenseful romance. An excellent pairing of authors!

1 comments about City Adventures #3: Calling All Cars! (Lego Reader).

1. My son was so excited when he received this book. Perfect for the 1st grade level. And fun for the pre-schoolers too. Great pictures and good story. Perfect book for all lego lovers.

5 comments about Nemesis: A Novel (Harry Hole).

1. I dug the Beck series by Per Wahloo and Maj Sjowall, reading it in the 70s and again recently. Classic stuff with a wry sense of humor behind it. Excellent overall. Then I found the Wallender series by Mankell and thought that was excellent as well. I particularly liked the fog that Wallender frequently found himself in, and how the solution came bit by bit, with minimum deus ex machina intervention. Interesting too, to get 30 years of mysteries about Sweden presenting a continuum of social commentary.
   
   I just read the Millenium series by Stieg Larsson, and they knocked me out. Complex, moral, tense, modern, suspenseful. Many good scenes, and the final courtroom seen in Hornet's Nest is outstanding.
   
   Along comes Nesbo. My initial reaction to Redbreast was that it was overly complex. I liked the back story of Norwegians in WWII, a perspective that is hard to come by. I sympathized with Harry Hole, and there was a certain amount of genre breaking material in that book. On reflection I liked it.
   
   Now there's Nemesis. This is even more complex than Redbreast, but I'm used to Nesbo's juggling now and enjoyed the dynamic of multiple plot lines being explored simultaneously. A good read, with more surprises. I look forward to the denouement with respect to the Prince in Devil's Star.
   
   All of these books have provided way more insight into Scandinavian culture and society than I expected. All have attention-getting plot lines. And all have another feature worthy of a reader's interest: the authors have made it easy to have a great deal of sympathy for the main characters. There are other Scandinavian mystery writers out there, these are the best, and Nesbo's included.
   
   Recommended.



2. After "The Redbreast" had to have more of Harry Hole & Nesbo. Was I imagining an unsolved murder with a policeman involved ? Have that sorted out now and waiting for the next in line ("The Devil's Star")before getting into "The Redeemer", already on hand. Since Kurt Wallander is on hiatus (permanently ?)Nesbo's writing is an excellent replacement. I don't get much done around my home any more - but I'm certainly reading and enjoying some terrific books.



3. Hardcore mystery readers won't want to pass up this new novel by Jo Nesbø, in which the lead character is suspected of killing a former girlfriend. The evidence, while circumstancial, is damning. Harry Hole was the last person who saw Anna Bethsen alive... but that's not all, it's just the beginning. So, as the front cover of this novel says, "How do you catch a killer when you're the number one suspect?" Read Nemesis to find out. I promise you won't be sorry.
   
   Nemesis is a page-turner, with interlocking sub-plots tied together by the involvement of not just Harry, but a cast of characters you'll either love or love to hate. There's also a hint of corruption in the law enforcement of Oslo, Norway. I've got to say that, while most plot strands are neatly wrapped up, there exists, in the end, an opening for the next novel.
   
   Some readers find the "damaged hero" model has been over-worked, yet this author takes that oldish plot stand-by and does a good job with it. As Harry Hole unravels the mystery, I kept thinking "...every dirty job..." Those of you familiar with the Clint Eastwood "Dirty Harry" character, who starred in several films, will know what I'm talking about. Seems to me like Harry Hole is the Norweigian answer to Dirty Harry.
   
   This review has been simultaneously posted on Amazon.com, Dragonviews and Library Thing.



4. "Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness." -- Matthew 23:28
   
   If you haven't read The Redbreast, I strongly urge you to do so before reading Nemesis. Be sure to read The Devil's Star after Nemesis. The three books make up a trilogy that provide delight that is not to be missed.
   
   Nemesis is the story of two murder investigations: One into a serial bank robber who killed during the first holdup and the other the death of a former lover of Harry Hole, our alcoholic investigator. While ostensibly a police procedural, the book is more of a psychological and moral portrayal of seeking and gaining redemption.
   
   Although I am very pleased by the trilogy, I thought that Nemesis was by far the weakest book in the series. The investigation lags and meanders around in quite ridiculous ways. You also don't have to be an especially close reader to pick up on the clues as to what was going on. In one of the cases, the fact situation is also more than a little on the far-fetched side. Mr. Nesbo is a great developer of the character of Harry Hole, and that provides a lot of entertainment to ensure that this book is above average in every way.
   
   "Arrest the usual suspects."



5. As good as or better than Stieg Larsson. Characters are well developed and interesting. Plot is intricate, yet logical. A thoroughly enjoyable read. I look forward to the next Harry Hole mystery.

5 comments about Flawless: Inside the Largest Diamond Heist in History.

1. "Flawless" is an exciting and interesting true crime book. I love the eye-catching cover--the diamonds on the cover are iridescent.
   
   The first part of the book set up the crime: who the criminals were, what their personalities were like, and the previous crimes they'd committed. It also explained the technology the criminals had to overcome, and a bit about how diamonds are processed (from digging them from the ground to selling the finished stones in the Diamond District) and how they've been stolen during these stages in the past.
   
   Everything came together very nicely in the second part as the authors described the actual theft and investigation. Because of the initial information, it was clear what a breathtakingly bold crime was committed. Even knowing the general outcome, my heart was pounding due to the suspense in these scenes. Very well written.
   
   They also described the difficulty of trying the criminals, who had gone over the border to another country, and the fallout for everyone (the thieves, those who lost items, the building security, etc.).
   
   The book contained a general map of the layout of the Diamond District and of the Diamond Center so that the descriptions were easy to follow. Overall, I'd highly recommend this well-written book to those interested in true crime and detective stories--especially to readers with an interest in diamonds.
   
   
   I received this book as a free copy from the publisher.
   
   Reviewed by Debbie from Different Time, Different Place
   (differenttimedifferentplace. blogspot. com)



2. Well researched and such a page-turner!! A really enjoyable read with great facts and restraint.



3. A group of thieves pulled off a perfect robbery in 2003. The alarms didn't trip and no one was injured. Making it out with over one hundred million dollars in diamonds and jewels. The police were able to find out who the culprits were but they were baffled by how the heist went so smoothly. The big dog of the group was an Italian man named Leonardo who worked out of a Diamond Center office. Scott, a law graduate and Greg, an author, teamed up to find out what really happened during one of the most notorious robberies ever.
   
   This book is brilliantly written and reads like an awesome action movie. I'm a sucker for true crime and Flawless really is flawless.



4. Seventy percent of the world's diamonds are traded in Antwerp. The Antwerp Diamond Center was thought to be one of the most secure buildings in the world. But on 2/5/03 a band of Italian thieves, after 27 months of casing the building, made off with an estimated $300 - 500 million in diamonds, cash, and other valuables - without violence or even threats. The heist even included documents authenticating their value. The safe room was two floors underground and protected by a light sensor, motion detector, and infrared heat detector. Each of the safe deposit boxes had been locked with a key and a three-letter combination known only to its owner - yet, more than half were emptied. The room itself was secured with a foot-thick, double-locked bombproof steel door armed with a magnetic alarm, as well as a locked, gated inner door that could only be opened with a buzzer from the control booth on the main floor. Both doors were locked at the end of every business day. Opening the vault required a special foot-long key, and knowing the three-letter combination. Closed-circuit TV cameras monitored the building's entrances, corridors, and elevators, as well as the small foyer at the vault entrance. Heavy, rolling metal barriers covered the locked plate glass doors. One of two caretakers was always on duty - opening the garage doors for tenants needing entry at odd hours. Vehicular traffic in the area was largely banned - those allowed had to pass over police-actuated cylinders that normally were up. The entire outside area was covered by CCTV.
   
   Heist preparations began in 2000 when Leonardo Notarbartolo rented an office and safety-deposit box at the Diamond Center - $500/month. Leonardo claimed to be a jeweler - true. He was also reputed to be a jewel thief in his home town (Turin), but no one checked. Notarbartolo carried a satchel, modified to accommodate a small video camera and its lens. While inside the vault during business hours he was able to film without observation because the layout provided lots of blind spots for customer privacy. After learning that the vault's manufacturer and the building's date, his locksmith partners in Italy were able to obtain detailed specifications. Similarly with the video surveillance equipment, badge readers, motion detectors, garage door controllers, etc. He was also able to obtain building blueprints to 'assess possible office expansion.'
   
   Over time, Notarbartolo learned the nobody watched the security cameras after hours, the location of the security tapes and the recorders, and that manufacturer recommended security updates had not been installed. Unbelievably, he also learned that the key to the vault was kept nearby in an easily broken-into closet. His accomplices determined that the garage doors operated on one of 1,024 pre programmed radio frequencies - an electronic scanner could find the right one in a maximum of 30 minutes. (Newer equipment reset the codes after every use.) They then could build their own remote control for immediate access. The safe-deposit boxes were supposed to have been upgraded to substitute a steel inner faceplate for the original thin gray plastic. Since the building owners had only done this for a few boxes, the gang was able to build a device that could bend the inside deadbolts for most of the boxes and pull out their contents.
   
   Styrofoam and hair spray were sufficient to knock out the motion detectors - also not upgraded to detect this. Fortunately for the thieves, the magnetic alarm on the vault was installed outside of the door - not inside like it should have been. The solution to taking it out of service without setting it off was creating a small device that held the pieces together after being unbolted from the vault and casing. Prepaid cell-phones were bought for untraceable communication between gang members.
   
   The actual heist began just prior to midnight on a holiday weekend. By luck the caretaker had left to meet his brother for drinks. How the thieves bypassed the vault combination code is still unknown - probably the caretakers didn't bother to reset it when closing. (Electronic locks automatically do so.) The inner-gated door was forced open. They broke into 109 of the 160 safety-deposit boxes; some could not be opened because the plastic shield had been upgraded. The stolen diamonds and jewels weighed some 44 lbs - only the most valuable were taken. The crooks called for their car and driver about 5:30 A.M., and then escaped to Notarbartolo's apartment. The next day it was back to Italy.
   
   Notarbartolo, however, hadn't put much effort into determining where to dispose of the incriminating trash that included the videos that had recorded their actions. This was found early the next day by a self-appointed caretaker at a wooded reserve area who religiously patrolled and picked up the area. The tapes proved unreadable, but various receipts, etc. were. Another valuable source of clues was the mess left in the vault - including a half-eaten sandwich with Notarbartolo's DNA. The police had identified Notarbartolo and one of his accomplices as suspects before the thieves arrived back at their Turin homes.
   
   Just as police were concluding their initial on-scene and in-town investigation, Notarbartolo returned to the Diamond Center. His intent was to give an appearance of 'business as usual.' Instead, he was questioned, arrested, and eventually served six years. Three others were caught and jailed for three years. None of the loot was recovered.
   
   Bottom-Line: If you have valuables, install your security equipment correctly, and keep it updated. If you're a jewel thief, finish your food and plan ahead on how to dispose of incriminating evidence.



5. The heist movie is a Hollywood standard, so when a real heist is made, it is necessary for those telling about the real heist to compare it to the movie versions. Scott Andrew Selby and Greg Campbell have repeatedly done this in _Flawless: Inside the Largest Diamond Heist in History_ (Union Square Press). They repeatedly refer to the 2001 remake _Ocean's Eleven_ when telling the story of the 2003 burglary of an office called the Diamond Center in the heart of the Diamond District in Antwerp. The movie is funny and exciting, and over-the-top unbelievable; the real crime as recounted here is the same, but given the detail with which it is reported by means of the play-by-play descriptions of protectors versus burglars, the unbelievability shrinks away to frank admiration. The team that took maybe half a billion dollars in diamonds, cash, and precious metals were highly skilled technicians. Sure, they were robbers, and they bilked a lot of innocent people out of their money, but still, just like in the movies, you wind up rooting for the burglars and hoping the good-guy cops won't catch them. In the story told in _Flawless_, that's almost the way it turned out.
   
   Leonardo Notarbartolo got his admission to Antwerp's famous because he had a jewel business in Turin, but he there not to do business but to be the legman for the "School of Turin," a group of professional technicians whose expertise is robbery. Much of the first half of _Flawless_ shows just how Notarbartolo "cased the joint," a considerably more involved process than the movies depict. If a movie showed what he did, it would be a boring movie. For over two years, he pretended to go to work in his office, and while he had the run of the building, he carried a shoulder bag with a concealed video camera in it. He looked at wiring, hardware, security procedures, and took the tapes back to his team in Turin, where they assessed them and considered where he needed to be filming the next go around. The main way that the robbers succeeded is that, although they used plenty of hardware and lockpicking, they exploited human error, finding when the guards took shortcuts. Some of their tricks were decidedly low-tech: the motion alarm stopped sensing anything when it was sprayed with hair spray; the heat detector went cold when encased in styrofoam; the light sensor went blind when covered with a bit of electrical tape. The lock boxes within the vault, however, had to be cracked with a special tool they had designed for the purpose. It all went smoothly; one of their biggest problems was that there was such a wealth of treasure they could not carry it all out. On the morning of the next workday, when guards, administrators, and police sequentially became aware of the theft, they found watches, gems, and even a brick of gold on the floor. The burglars had made off with better goods, and had scrupulously cleaned up after themselves, leaving no clues.
   
   If the gang took advantage of human error to gain its access, it was human error that tripped up them afterwards, and without giving too much away, the crime was solved by revelations from a cranky retiree who felt personally responsible for a tiny patch of Belgian forest and was hugely offended if he found garbage dumped there. It should be noted that the gang did not follow the movie convention of a double-cross; they were thieves, but there was certainly honor among them, even as the investigation tightened upon them. Four of the men, including Notarbartolo, were arrested (there may have been others involved), and went to jail. They are all out now, and what is more significant, the loot is still missing. It would seem that for the trouble of relatively short jail terms, they kept unimaginable wealth. Notarbartolo himself may be looking for a handy way to launder his spoils; he told a completely different version of the heist tale to _Wired_, and he and the author of the article may be producing a movie based on it. Another heist movie, coming soon to a theater near you.