Book Review: Cons, Scams, and Grifts

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Cons, Scams, and Grifts     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Joe Gores
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Series: DKA File # 7
Hyperion, Aug 2001, $24,95, 324 pp.

In Southern California, Ephrem Poteet inside a bear costume performs a dance routine while also pickpocketing his audience. However, someone must have hated his act because the gypsy performer is murdered. The police and the Muchwaya Nation of Gypsies believe that the victim's wife Yana killed him after the ugly incident in San Francisco, but she seems to have vanished.

In San Francisco, the Dan Kearney Associates (DKA) are very busy in a street war with the owners of cars that need repossessing. In spite of the workload, the employer of this sleaze group Dan Kearney agrees to help the Muchwaya Nation locate Yana. Treating her like a classic car, DKA goes after her, but she proves much more slippery than 32 CADILLACS ever did.

The latest DKA tale is an amusing romp that will delight fans of the comic caper sub-genre. The story line is all over the place, but Joe Gores has it under maniacal control so that the audience has quite a joy ride accompanying the DKA operatives. If you are going to San Francisco, no one provides a wilder tour than Joe Gores, who is at his most amusing and delightfully weird best with CONS, SCAMS, & GRIFTS. Just watch your wallet and make that car payment first.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner