THE AGENT

Spurious siblings and a well-coiffed psychic work million-dollar cons in this debut thriller.

Marin County’s top-producing realtor, Victoria Clifford, has a net worth of nearly $10 million, but not all of it was earned selling pricey real estate. Her swindling sideline accounts for most of her fortune. A busy lady, she does find time for spa treatments, the occasional “celebratory sniff” of coke, and trysts with a variety of men, some married, some not, but all hot. “To think some women settled for just one man,” she ponders. Nor has she settled for committing just one scam. She now plans her sixth takedown of a vulnerable wealthy woman. Maribeth Simmons needs to sell her $5.3 million home. Her husband left her in California for a man in Missouri. Stylish Victoria takes Maribeth under her crooked wing, gets her to a hair stylist, and updates her wardrobe from twin sets and khakis to flattering bias-cut dresses. Next, Victoria takes her out on the town, where she meets and falls for handsome Rufus McCain, the latest alias of Victoria’s brother, Theo. Soon, Maribeth consults with atypical psychic Vera Peterlin, a handsome woman with an elegant chignon and a professional office. Thanks to Victoria, Vera knows a lot about Maribeth. What Maribeth doesn’t know is that Vera is Theo and Victoria’s aunt. The psychic encourages Maribeth to invest in Steeplechase Enterprises, a nonexistent company that Theo tricks her into thinking is a winner. The title of Roberts’ engaging book works on two levels. Victoria is a real estate agent, and, unbeknown to her, there’s an FBI agent on her trail. Suspense builds as the FBI attempts to ensnare Victoria and her family, just as they have entrapped Maribeth and her money. Tension escalates as the family members make increasingly more mistakes in their con, and guilt takes the edge off their victories. Strong characters, humor, and twists contribute to an immensely readable thriller.

This trio of charming cheaters will beguile readers.