Genre Guide – Capers and Heists

Nonfiction fans, have we got a story for you. Stéphane Breitwieser’s casual thefts from various European museums are almost unbelievable. What’s even more incredible is that it took years to catch him. Find out why, and see how we was eventually brought to justice, in this true crime caper that is, at times, unintentionally hilarious.

Just when Bug Montage thought he was out of the criminal life, he gets tempted back into it for one last incredible heist. One last job could help strengthen the foundation of the new world Bug’s built for himself. On the other hand, if things go wrong, it could wreck him completely.

Based on a true story, this classic heist novel features Edward Pierce, a proud and charismatic man who believes he can pull off the crime of the century. With slow, meticulous plotting, Pierce assembles a team of rogues to help him steal a fortune in gold.

Ray is a furniture salesman and occasional fence for his family and friends, who are a little more committed to a life of crime. Ray’s cousin Freddie is planning a hotel heist, and wants Ray to dispose of the goods. When things go wrong, however, Ray’s involvement in the Harlem underworld gets deeper, and more dangerous.

This novel revolves around a Rube Goldberg-esque heist that absolutely, positively should not work. Mrs. King is no ordinary housekeeper – she’s an accomplished con artist who uses her position to plan and pull off various capers. When she’s unexpectedly fired, however, Mrs. King goes from zero to revenge plot at the drop of a hat pin. Her crew consists of other crafty women down on their luck, and their goal isn’t just to pull off the heist of the century: it’s to make sure nobody ever underestimates them again.

Lynch delivers a mix of humor and grit in this iconic fantasy novel about a band of thieves called the Gentlemen Bastards, and their charismatic leader, Locke. The GB’s are very good at what they do, and have a lot of fun doing it. But someone has it in for Locke, and will stop at nothing to shut him and his crew down.

When cost-cutting measures go into effect at their retirement home, Martha Andersson and her fellow residents turn to a life of white-collar crime. They keep getting away with it, too, but pretty soon the feisty League of Pensioners has attracted the Mafia’s attention, and must work even harder to avoid getting caught. First in a series.

While investigating a haunting that threatens her community, medium Clara Johnson fields a strange request from an uneasy spirit: steal one particular ring. It’s not the strangest request Clara’s ever heard, so she assembles a team of other magically gifted folks and gets cracking. But the spirits have their own internal conflicts and ulterior motives, which puts both Clara and her community at risk.

A group of twenty-somethings is recruited to steal looted art from world museums and bring it back to China. If they succeed, each of them will be richer than they can imagine. If they fail, it’s the end of any futures they hope to have.

Want a little romance with your robbery? Meet Simi and Jack. When Simi’s best friend is accused of stealing a diamond necklace, Simi vows to do whatever it takes to clear her name. Jack knows where the necklace is, and helps Simi put together a team of folks to steal it back. Sparks are flying between Simi and Jack, but is it just the thrill of the chase? Or is there something more substantial underneath?