Ocean’s 11. Mission Impossible. How to Steal a Million. Quick! What comes to mind? If you thought suave men and deliciously exciting adventure, or pictured Audrey Hepburn’s fabulous black lace mask, then you’re my kind of people and have come to the right place.
I adore a good old-fashioned heist caper. The rush of adrenaline, the thrill of getting caught (or not), the cat-and-mouse game of smarts. Throw in sparkly jewels, fabulous locations, and witty lovers-to-enemies-and-back-to-possible-lovers-again and I’m in heaven. Which is why I decided to mix all these magical elements into my upcoming novel, The Winged Tiara, where an estranged husband and wife are also competing thieves after the same jewel.
Which led me to thinking that there are so many fantastic movies about heists and jewel thieves, but what about novels? Luckily, I found a few that will add a little excitement to your reading list. Look no further than this round-up of page-turning shenanigans and jewel novels ready to rock you out of the reading slump.
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price — and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone. Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction — if they don’t kill each other first.
The Frame-Up by Gwenda Bond
A magically gifted con artist must gather her estranged mother’s old crew for a once-in-a-lifetime heist — including both the love of her life and her former best friend. The problem is, it’s an impossible task. It’s a heist that needs a year to plan, and Dani has just over a week even with magic on her side.
Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen
Ava Wong, a strait-laced Chinese American lawyer, reconnects with her enigmatic college roommate, Winnie, and becomes entangled in a scheme that involves importing counterfeit luxury handbags. But not everything is as it seems.
To Have and to Heist by Sara Desai
To exonerate her best friend, Simi Chopra must mastermind a jewelry heist during the wedding of the season in this hilarious romantic-comedy caper. The ultimate robbery might not be the wedding con, but rather the stealing of her heart by one delicious man.
The Thomas Crown Affair by Even Lee Heyman
Perhaps the most classic of all heists, a billionaire steals a painting from an art gallery and is pursued by an insurance investigator with sparks flying.
The Last Tiara by MJ Rose
A young female architect in post-World War II Manhattan stumbles upon a hidden tiara and begins a journey to discover her mother’s life during the fall of the Romanovs.
Don’t Go Stealing My Heart by Kelly Siskind
Clementine steals from the rich and gives to the poor. Not exactly on the up-and-up, but she knows what it’s like to lose everything. Her latest heist involves swiping a priceless Van Gogh from its owner, who’s supposed to be an egotistical trust-fund brat. Turns out Jack David is a sexy, kind-hearted man… and Clementine is in trouble.
