Stolen Pieces by Golden was a nice little read. I was expecting more humor based on the description.

Book Title: Stolen Pieces
Author: S.K. Golden
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Amara Jasper
Publisher: Dreamscape Media-Severn House
Genre: Mystery/ Thriller
Pub Date: May 7, 2024
My Rating: 3 Stars
Pages: 224


Bee Cardello is an ex-con artist and since she divorced her gangster husband Charlie has retired and trying to live a crime free quiet life with her ten-year old son Oliver.
However when her ex-husband steals 37,5 million dollars, she are Oliver are targeted in order to get the money back. Bee finds she has been pulled back into the life she's worked so hard to escape.

I was drawn to this when I read S.K. Golden writes cozy mysteries and crime capers.

I like the narrator so thought I was going to enjoy this story.

However right off the bat I was disappointed when ten year old Olive used language that isn’t used in a cozy. I have no doubt ten years olds hear nasty language.

I went to Cozy Mystery web site and saw that only ‘The Pinnacle Hotel Mysteries’ are listed as Cozy!
Then I read S.K. Golden’s review of her book ~ Well, I liked it! This one is different than my cozies in that there is swearing and violence on the page, but it is lighthearted overall and I hope you like it too!

Although I didn’t completely get over my disappointment, I hung in there - it was a fast read. ,

Want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media/Severn House for this early audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for May 7, 2024.

I really really liked the way this one started. It was snarky and sassy and the narrator was fabulous and perfectly suited to the story. The premise wasn't new but was managed in a fun and engaging way that had me eagerly listening to see where things would go. I was clicking along for most of the book, until I hit the point that I *thought* was the end but then saw that there was a full hour left to listen, and realized yet another twist was coming. I didn't mind that, per se, although I did find my interest flagging as that final confrontation played itself out...

Frankly, I could have done without that last hour - it wasn't that there was anything wrong with it so much as that it felt gratuitous. We'd already had the betrayals flying thick and fast, with misdirection and sexual tension permeating every sentence. It felt like just a bit too much to have yet one more significant plot point unraveling... Still, I enjoyed listening and if there was a sequel, I'd listen again. The characters were quirky and snarky and entertaining, and if the plot felt somewhat familiar it was a delightful familiarity that I found comfortable and would seek out again.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. This is narrated by Amara Jasper who does a fantastic job.

Upon reading that this was a cross between Ocean's 8 and Janet Evanovich, I was excited to read this. Its a fairly well executed storyline with sarcasm, sexual tension and mystery between the characters.

Bee is a retired, grifter and criminal living in Miami with her son and his nanny. These days her only aspiration is to find funding for her dream bookstore. But one night her past comes calling and she is drug back into the fray of her old life.

Told with sharp humour and colorful characters, this is a light but twisty read that is fun to experience.

Advertised as similar to oceans 11. I see the comparison. The characters reminded me of Finlay Donavon as well. Fun quick story. Well written.

This book was so much fun! A high-stakes caper with just enough humor (and a pinch of mild spice) to keep things light, even when it got a bit violent. I recently heard a podcaster pose the question, “If you could commit any crime and get away with it, what would it be?” Well, inspired by Bee and her talents, I think I just might like to give the art of grifting a whirl.

Stolen Pieces by S. K. Golden and narrated by Amara Jasper is dynamic, witty, tense, action-packed and oh so much fun! Outside of the hilarious comedy value of an ever flatulent and lazy bulldog, the action begins immediately and does not stop until the last chapter. I was glued to this audiobook, utterly glued to it

Amara Jasper is a fantastic narrator and easily moves from the comedic son Oliver in his innocent protestations to the sassy nanny (who is in fact an FBI trained techie) to the delicious Adam Gage, and the vulnerable yet ever sneaky female protagonist and star of the show Bee (formerly Shelby and now Beatrice in her new live) The narration was absolute perfection throughout!

Now the storyline was fantastic, Bee was a career criminal in her past life, a fraudster and accomplished pickpocket who was essentially groomed by one of the richest criminals in the world (Alvarez). She at times shared jobs with the almost Statham-esque skills of Adam Gage and tehy had a hookup once, but that was a long time ago, 12 years ago. Bee got out, ran away from her old life, changed her name, got married to a very, very rich guy who knew nothing of her past and had a son, Oliver (now 10). However, 2 years ago, Bee's husband cheated so they divorced amicably and Bee got the house, but all she wants is some independance, to raise money to buy her own bookshop, but with extensive animosity toward her ex-husband, it is impossible to get finance and of course, she has no official income outside of alimony.

After an unsuccessful foray to go get funding, Bee is back home, licking her wounds and planning her future, when she spots a torch beam in her garden, all hands on deck, they are under attack from a hit put out on them, despite all plans of go-bags and escape routes, it all goes a bit pear-shaped and Bee, Oliver, the nanny and dog are caught by the invaders, what to do, what to do?? At this point, an old friend shows up... and all hell breaks loose! This begins an awesome crime caper that is highly entertaining and unique

A great crime caper with sharp humour, a delicious slow burn and wonderful characters. The twists and double-crosses and triple crosses and 180's are numerous and that's not just the car chases (which are scenes that Deadpool would be proud of!) I absolutely loved this audiobook and I really, really hope there will be more!

Thank you to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, the author S. K. Golden and narrator Amara Jasper for this awesome ALC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own