This was an enjoyable read. The trope is kind of overplayed but this gave new life and a new spin on it.

Hazel and Kagan are understandably saddened by the death of their mother, and shocked when the police open an investigation, but their grief is tempered by the expectation that they will receive an inheritance they both desperately need to fund the lifestyles they can't support on their own. They are shocked when their stepfather reveals that their mother has all but disinherited them--other than offering to fund rehab stints for both of them. Incensed, they look more closely at "Perry" and discover their stepfather is worse than they made him out to be.

United by their determination to get their rightful inheritance, they form an alliance with Ava, who is familiar with Perry's cons. Both are fascinated by Ava, but she plays it cool as she leads them into the ultimate con--conning the conman.

This was an entertaining read that managed to surprise me. Fans of suspense will enjoy it. #TrustIssues #NetGalley

Unlikeable characters. The plot definitely takes a minute to get into. Not sure this was my favorite but it’s also not the worst. Kind of reminded me as a family Westing Game.

This book has family drama, a chase, some hacking, and twists. Hazel and Kagan aren’t just trying to catch a conman—they’re untangling years of secrets and betrayal, all while barely tolerating each other. Their dynamic felt so real, and watching them struggle to work together made the story even more intense. Eva is absolutely fantastic.

The pacing is spot on—just when you think you have things figured out, another twist hits. And the ending? Let’s just say I did not see that coming! If you love thrillers with complicated family relationships, nonstop tension, and a bit of dark humor, this one is a must-read.

Thank you Elizabeth McCullough Keenan and Greg Wands, Penguin Group Dutton, and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

Thank you Dutton for the review copy. I loved this book, I can't even try to do the plot justice but I always look for one or two solid con artist stories each year, it's a subgenre that I love, and Trust issues delivered the who is conning who vibes in a creative and engaging story filled with a lot of twists and family drama, a truly fascinating character with Ava, and the kind of characters you just love to hate (those siblings Hazel and Kagan... not the most lovable but they are intriguing). I was never bored with this plot and I didn't even try to guess what was really going on or what twists might be coming, I just let the story and Ava's backstory unfold and take me away and into a slippery set of characters and twists.

I wish I had read this one in one sitting, if you have the chance this is the perfect book to devour on a rainy or snowy day.

Thank you Dutton/PRH Audio, partner for the ARC/ALC of Trust Issues in exchange for my honest review.

This is my first time reading anything by this writing duo, previously known as E.G. Scott. And you better believe I’ll be reading their others books ASAP! I loved this modern-day take on a conman story that delves into sibling relationships and greed. The cat and mouse game keeps you on your toes and the morally grey characters we meet will have you wondering just who can be trusted. I also love when the title plays into the storyline and there’s so many ways to look at how it does in this story!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

2.5 stars
I was excited to dive in blind, knowing nothing about the book when I got the email. Just a few pages in, I was hooked and eager to see where the story would take me.
This book has more drama than suspense. The scenes are lengthy, filled with excessive internal monologues and detailed thoughts from each character. The ending felt rushed, packed with all the necessary information at once.

All the characters are unlikable. I couldn’t stand the siblings, and even their dialogues were irritating. The con-man chasing plot was initially intriguing, and I enjoyed the interactions with Iris. The title is very apt— you can't trust anyone.

Trust Issues was absolutely wild!!! Full of unreliable characters with such unexpected twisty moments that will nearly have you falling off your chair!!!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy!!!

When a wealthy woman has a suspicious death near the Cloisters/NYC, things don't fit quite right. Devoted husband, adult children ... cue a cast of unlikeable characters.

I finished this in two nights, it kept me engaged never knowing who to trust, especially when a large amount of money is at risk.

Thank you to Penguin Group Dutton and Netgalley for an ARC.

The brother-sister thriller that's been missing in my life!

There's a line about 18% in; "who was this guy married to our mother?" and honestly...that was super real. Especially as an adult that lives long distance from a parent...too too true.

Liz and Greg do an amazing job of weaving the suspense and questions throughout the story which leaves the reader guessing to find the actual trut

Happy Pub Week to 𝑻𝑹𝑼𝑺𝑻 𝑰𝑺𝑺𝑼𝑬𝑺 𝒃𝒚 𝑬𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒂𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒉 𝑴𝒄𝑪𝒖𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝑲𝒆𝒆𝒏𝒂𝒏 & 𝑮𝒓𝒆𝒈 𝑾𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔 which was graciously provided to me by @duttonbooks via @netgalley & @prhaudio!

I had so much fun following this grifter story! Lots of shady characters who are not entirely likeable, yet somehow the authors were able to edge me into cheering for some of them anyway!

A con story that involves inheritances, kids vs. new husband, people from the past, cat-and-mouse tension, and a very satisfying finale made this a can't put down read. I needed this today, even if I did guess a tiny bit of the ending, which made me feel validated in my hopes!

Go in blind. Read the physical or digital: listen to the phenomenal audio which I added after the first 35%. In any form, this will grab you for an absolutely entertaining read. The narrator, Beth Hicks, did a great job carrying me through this.

I did appreciate the notes at the end which shared information about getting help for scams, which is sadly quite prevalent. (Que the Debbie Downer bwah bwahhhh, but it really is a legit issue and I did appreciate the sensitivity shown after having it as a plot device)

I definitely recommend this super fun read, especially after some heavy reads!

Elizabeth McCullough Keenan and Greg Wands have created a wickedly delicious game of cat-and-mouse with dysfunctional families, an unreliable narrator, con artists, scheming, lies, scams, manipulation, and deceit in their latest twisty thriller, TRUST ISSUES.

Who will out-smart and outwit the other and be left standing with the MONEY?

About...

Hazel and Kagan are siblings and are not close. But when their mother dies under mysterious circumstances, the two suddenly realize that her greedy husband took off with their inheritance.

Along the way, they will team up with the con man's daughter (after all, she has learned from the master), but can they trust her? TRUST NO ONE!

What unfolds next is a twisted cat-and-mouse game in this tangled web of deceit, keeping you on the edge of your seat with unpredictable turns.

My thoughts...

HIGHLY ENTERTAINING!

Wow, TRUST ISSUES features a wild group of devious, greedy, dysfunctional adults behaving badly and a complex family. From Manhattan to Boca Raton (my backyard), from sibling rivalry and high-stakes deceit, it's an ingeniously crafted story of deception and betrayal that delves deep into the complexities of family dynamics, infused with wit and humor.

With its cast of unreliable characters and unexpected twists, the authors keep you in suspense, leading to an explosive ending that will leave you reeling.

Recs...

TRUST ISSUES is for fans of the author and Jim Thompson's The Grifters (movie/book) and those who enjoy complex families and domestic suspense; also for fans of Ashley Elston's The First Lie, Hank Phillippi Ryan and Kaira Rouda's The Kingsley series.

Thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Dutton for an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Jan 28, 2025
My Rating: 4 Stars
Jan 2025 Must-Read Books
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Sibling failures-to-launch Kagan and Hazel blow through their trust funds and become estranged from their mother. When she dies under mysterious circumstances they blame her husband who disappears soon after, taking her ten million dollar estate with him. The two set about finding him and the money, enlisting the aid of a surprising accomplice.

It’s an interesting premise. Pretty much every character is some level of unlikable with questionable, often conflicting motives. It’s tough to work together when you’re not sure who you can trust. The pacing was uneven, dragging in places, but the ending was surprising. Overall, not a bad read.

I received this Advanced Reader Copy of Trust Issues from Dutton Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Short synopsis: After the unexpected death of their mother, siblings Hazel and Kagan are high on the list of suspects. But they are determined to prove who the real culprit is.

My thoughts: Go into this blind. Trust me. I didn’t know anything going in and I thought it added such a fun element to the story.

Full of unlikable that I found myself rooting for, not ever knowing who to trust through the story. Such a fun quick read!

Read if you love:
* Con-man stories
* Inheritance drama
* Sibling rivalry
* Family drama

Thank you to NetGalley, Elizabeth McCullough Keenan, Greg Wands, and Penguin Group Dutton for providing the ebook. This story is emotional from the start, exploring family drama, loss, and the journey to uncover one’s true motives. When money enters the picture, people’s true natures are revealed—whether it’s the deceit of a stranger or betrayal from those closest to us. A compelling and thought-provoking read.

I liked the premise and how you never really knew who was trustworthy and since pretty much all of the characters are unlikable it’s easy to side eye them all. While there were some small surprises along the way the ending was really great for me and pretty unexpected. If you like con stories, domestic suspense, unlikable characters and vengeance thrillers try this!

A fun con story that will keep you wondering about who to trust! When Perry gets home from a trip, two detectives are waiting for him. They let him know his wife died and they suspect foul play. He’s suspicious of her two adult children - Hazel and Kagan - who immediately contact him to find out about their inheritance. However they also have reason to suspect Perry. This was a fun ride and a quick read! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the free ebook to review.

It is the story of 3 grifters, all related by blood or by marriage, lumped together to bring down their dad/stepdad for his nefarious ways. I love a good grifter cat and mouse story where you can’t trust anyone and you never know what or who to believe. This was clever and while I knew a twist was coming, I may have still gasped. Lots of good social commentary and just a bumpy and fun ride with a slow build up.

Wow! This book was a trip! The con man/cat and mouse chase was well done and worth sitting through insufferable characters with shortage of dysfunctional family dynamics along the way. It was smartly done and I didn’t see the end coming at all.

This book is full of completely unlikable characters and I couldn't put it down. I'm not even sure what genre it fits into. There's family drama, mystery, humor, and more. The ending was perfect. I would definitely read thus author again.