I did not realize that this was a debut novel! Holy smokes! Well, where do we go from here??

Duke was raised in a family of thieves. His father taught he and his sister everything they know. And, Duke had his first kill when he was 11. 😮😮

But, things have changed since those days…
His father is now behind bars, and his sister…well, she’s not in the business any more, and Duke blames himself for everything!

This was a fast-paced, ever-changing, action-packed novel! It also spans a few counties too! (And a few years…). And, although Duke is on the straight and narrow now, he seems to be in high demand for some shady jobs!

Oh…did I mention his job? He’s a safecracker!!!

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!

Terrific debut novel!!
#Safecracker by #JesseDeroy and narrated nicely by #DanJohnMiller.
Apparently, this is book #1! So, yay…there will be more!!

Thanks so much to #NetGalley, #RBMedia and #RecordedBooksMedia for an ARC of the audiobook which is being released in a few short days on 11/12/24, so look 👀 for it then!!

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"Duke" Duccain was raised by his father to be a thief, just like his sister. They spent their lives perfecting their craft until one heist went horribly wrong. After that setback, Duke decided to leave his criminal life behind and pursue a more legitimate path. However, he struggled with a gambling problem and found himself in debt to his bookie. Just when things seemed bleak, the feds approached him with a tempting offer: they wanted him to carry out a heist for them. Little did he know, this would only be the beginning of a series of complications.

This debut heist thriller is an engaging read. Duke is charming and skilled, but despite his confidence, he often finds himself outsmarted. He attempts to stay two steps ahead but consistently falls behind. Chaos reigns in his life, and Murphy's Law seems to be in full effect. The story is filled with unexpected twists and turns; just when you think you have the ending figured out, something twists in the narrative. Although Duke is meant to be the hero, he exists in a morally gray area. If you enjoy a good heist story, this book is definitely one to check out. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for Grantchester Duccain.

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Jesse DeRoy, RBmedia, and Recorded Books____ for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Jesse DeRoy storms onto the scene with this solid debut novel. Eager to impress, he does so with a mix of grit and determination. Duke Ducaine has had quite the life and is seeking to correct it. While his personal stuff is a little murky, he also has a bookie who wants his head and two feds who have made a deal with him, should he be able to crack into an impenetrable safe. Duke lives for a challenge and is eager to impress. DeRoy dazzles in this debut and leave some hoping for more in a series!

While Grantchester “Duke" Ducaine loved his early life surrounded by the criminal element, he’s chosen to turn straight. It warms his heart, but the lack of tension creates a missing piece within Duke’s chest. He stays busy handling a few things in his life, with his father locked away in prison and a bookie who has been threatening if the vig is not upheld. However, staying clear of the law is the best way to be for the time being.

Serving as a safecracker, Duke has mastered his craft and impressed many who saw him in action. Duke’s abilities reach a pair of federal agents, who strike up an idea that is almost too good to be true. When Duke is tasked with opening an impenetrable safe and delivering the contents back to them, he cannot help but feel as though things might be getting better. Then a gut feeling comes over him and he discovers that he’s being played and left as the scapegoat.

Working to ensure he is not the target of reprisals, Duke puts it all on the line.
He seeks to ensure his father’s safety, but also holds into the one thing he has to keep the upper hand. It is now a race to see who will blink first and the fallout of any action that could have larger implications. DeRoy delivers with this debut and kept me hooked until the final pages.


I enjoy finding new authors to read and follow, as one can never be sure what to expect. DeRoy offers up a great story and ideas that flow with ease. The narrative is gripping from the outset and never wanes as the tension mounts. Strong characters and wonderful technical jargon help ensure the story and its nuances are intriguing, leaving the reader to bask in the intricacies and lap it all up. I was quite impressed with the plot and how it worked in many levels, keeping the reader hooked and guessing. I will be keeping an eye out for future novels and hope Jesse DeRoy has more ideas with Duke soon!

Kudos, Mr. DeRoy, for a great debut novel.

Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy. I must say I am pleasantly surprised this was the authors debut novel. Jesse did such a great job weaving in the past and present and kept me on my toes all the way til the end! I can’t believe how much story was in the novel. I went in expecting a pretty simple crack safe have a little more to the story, and move on, but it was sooooo much more jam packed then that. After reading this book it made me want to go and watch oceans 11 hehehhehe. But I could also see this book as a perfect start to a pretty cool series. The author had a ton of knowledge on safes and just heists in general. Really hoping this does become a series because loved getting to know all of the different characters in the book. Fun and fast glad I got a chance to read it:)

I really enjoyed Safecracker by Jesse DeRoy. This debut novel is a fast paced and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I finished the book quickly because I couldn’t put it down. This heist story focuses on Duke who was raised to be a thief , can crack any safe and will do anything for his family.

Dan John Miller did an excellent job with the narration.

Thank you to NetGalley & RB Media for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Duke was raised to be a career criminal. But after one job leaves his dad in jail and his sister in a coma, he goes straight. Except being straight is not very lucrative. Then some feds show up and make him an offer he can't refuse- enough money to pay off his debts plus some, and more importantly- his father's release for time served. He knows it is too good to be true... and he is right.

I really enjoyed the first 2/3 of this. Duke is an interesting character- very likeable, very capable, but also kind of an idiot. Then we got to the last third and my eyes glazed over often. The action stopped and we got into the why of it all, and I didn't care for the why. Personal opinion. But there was a definite shift in the pace/tension.

I will probably pick up book two. I enjoyed Duke and the first half enough to give it another try.

Dan John Miller did an excellent job narrating the audiobook.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

okaaaayyyyy i was not expecting to like this as much as i did!! it was so action packed, fast, and a fun read! i couldn’t stop listening!

thriller of the best kind!!....such an action-gripping book!!....killer of people that is of the calculating kind ,,,,chilled me to the bones,,,, but family is first!!