Jenn's Review: Perfect Scoundrels

 Blurb:  Katarina Bishop and W.W. Hale the fifth were born to lead completely different lives: Kat comes from a long, proud line of lovable criminal masterminds, while Hale is the scion of one of the most seemingly perfect dynasties in the world. If their families have one thing in common, it’s that they both know how to stay under the radar while getting-or stealing-whatever they want.  No matter the risk, the Bishops can always be counted on, but in Hale’s family, all bets are off when money is on the line. When Hale unexpectedly inherits his grandmother’s billion dollar corporation, he quickly learns that there’s no place for Kat and their old heists in his new role. But Kat won’t let him go that easily, especially after she gets tipped off that his grandmother’s will might have been altered in an elaborate con to steal the company’s fortune. So instead of being the heir-this time, Hale might be the mark.  Forced to keep a level head as she and her crew fight for one of their own, Kat comes up with an ambitious and far-reaching plan that only the Bishop family would dare attempt. To pull it off, Kat is prepared to do the impossible, but first, she has to decide if she’s willing to save her boyfriend’s company if it means losing the boy.

Review:  Oh, how I love this series!   It's difficult to pick a favorite... and they just keep getting better. Finally we delve into the life of Kat's mysterious Hale and it's more tragic than I ever imagined.  Hale finally found a home and a family with the Bishops, but now that his responsibilities have resurfaced, will he have to give it up completely?  Will he have to give up Kat?

Once again, Ally Carter has taken characters that I love and made me love them even more.  We are introduced to a handful of new characters and are revisited by some old favorites.  It's wonderful and sad to see the vulnerable side of Hale.  I love that Kat decides to be there for him, the way he has been for her, even if that means she will loose him in the process.  Perhaps the best surprise is Hale's man-servant Marcus, who has always been just as much of an enigma as Hale himself.  Ally Carter has a knack for giving characters their own time to shine and this is a beautiful example.   Marcus knows something is desperately wrong and out of love for his sister and Hale, he hires Kat to get to the bottom of things.  Learning more about Hale through his eyes made Marcus one of my favorite characters in the series.

I've seen a few reviews that state the ending was a little wild and implausible, but without getting all spoilery, I think it worked.  The best part of a con-book or movie is conning the audience, and it is another something at which Ally Carter is extremely good.  Did I know something was up?  Yes, but I wasn't sure what or how...  and I thought it worked out perfectly.

I know I keep saying it, but I just can't get enough of this series and I can't wait until my daughter is old enough so that I may share it with her.

Final Take:  4.75/5.0

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