Thieves by Steven Max Russo provided an entertaining and suspenseful look into burglary.
The story started out on a high note with an intense prologue. It piqued my curiosity, and I was eager to know how it tied in with the rest of the story. It had me on edge from that moment until the end.
Thieves aptly reflected the effects of greed and envy. The characters in the story stole for these same reasons.
The story took me on a ride, which was fast-paced, suspenseful and twisty. It featured characters that were both likeable and detestable. We have Esmeralda, who cleans homes for a living and works part time at a restaurant, Raymundo, who works with Esmeralda at the restaurant and Skooley a very scary dude.
Esmeralda told Ray about a house she cleans regularly, which would be perfect to burglarize as the occupants (the Russell’s) were away on vacation. Ray recruits Skooley because of his experience as a burglar. Rarely do incidents like these go as plan as Ray and Esmerelda would learn as they soon found themselves in a life and death situation. Skooley left mayhem and destruction wherever he went. You sure do not want to cross his path. He believes he is smarter than everyone he encounters. He has no respect for his accomplices; and he will kill all who he believes is in his way.
I enjoyed the story, as there was never a dull moment. This is a story that can be read in one sitting, providing you have nothing pressing happening in your life. There were a few graphic scenes, which are not for the faint of heart. I enjoyed the author’s detailed explanation in relation to the burglary of the Russell’s home. The story went into overdrive after the thieves were through with stealing whatever valuables they could find. There were three separate threads, which were intricately woven together to make the story whole. The author did a great job with the threads, and I enjoyed how he made them all come together, though I had hoped for a little more details regarding Skooley’s outcome. Readers are privy to the outcome of the characters who crossed paths with Skooley.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Suspenseful and exciting with interesting characters. Readers of suspense, mystery and thrillers would enjoy this novel. Thanks to Book Sirens for the opportunity to read and review Thieves.
Esmeralda works for a housecleaning service during the day and as a restaurant hostess at night. Just out of high school, she is the sole support for her mother and two young siblings.
She has drive and ambition. What she doesn’t have is money.
She knows of a home in the upscale town of Mendham, NJ, that will be empty for more than a month. The rich people who live there go away the same time every year to spend time at their vacation home. Having cleaned the house, she also knows it contains a fair amount of cash and valuables.
One night sitting with Ray, one of her co-workers, she casually mentions a “what if” scenario; Ray tells Skooley, a white trash drifter who recently moved to New Jersey from south Florida, and a plan is hatched.
It isn’t long before Esmeralda finds herself trapped by both circumstance and greed, forced to try and defend herself against one of her partners in crime, who she quickly discovers is far more dangerous than she ever thought possible.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Steven Max Russo has spent most of his professional career as an advertising copywriter and agency owner. He got interested in writing fiction after one of his short stories was accepted by an online literary journal in 2013. Then he caught the bug and began writing seriously. The publication of his first novel, THIEVES, has garnered praise from renowned crime and thriller authors from around the globe. With a gritty writing style and unique voice, he is quickly winning a legion of new fans. Steve is proud to call New Jersey his home.
