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Perfect Scoundrels
Perfect Scoundrels
Perfect Scoundrels
Audiobook7 hours

Perfect Scoundrels

Written by Ally Carter

Narrated by Angela Dawe

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5/5

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About this audiobook

Katarina Bishop and W.W. Hale the fifth were born to lead completely different lives: Kat comes from a long, proud line of loveable criminal masterminds, while Hale is the scion of one of the most seemingly perfect dynasties in the world. If their families have one thing in common, it's that they both know how to stay under the radar while getting-or stealing-whatever they want.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateDec 6, 2016
ISBN9781531869045
Perfect Scoundrels
Author

Ally Carter

Ally Carter writes books about people who fall in love (while trying to stay alive.) After more than a decade of writing beloved YA titles like I’d Tell You I Love You, but Then I’d Have to Kill You and Heist Society, she launched onto the adult scene with last year’s The Blonde Identity. A long-time lover of the holiday rom-com, Ally is also the writer of the Netflix original movie, A Castle for Christmas.

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Reviews for Perfect Scoundrels

Rating: 4.295454545454546 out of 5 stars
4.5/5

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is a great heist story that concludes the Heist Society trilogy. In this episode, Hale is called home because of the death of his beloved grandmother Hazel. Hale has been Kat's friend and colleague since she stole him from his grand home when he was thirteen or so. They have had adventures and run cons all over the world. But now, Hale seems to be pulling away from Kat as he grieves for his grandmother and gets sucked into the drama of his family.When Hale's minder calls on Kat to meet with his sister who spent over 60 years as Hazel's maid, Kat learns that they believe that Hazel's will has been switched. The current will leaves Hale the whole of the Hale Company with the company's lawyer as his guardian until he reaches his majority. Kat and her family immediately begin to investigate the lawyer while keeping the investigation from Hale. Kat needs to call in her whole family to run a con on a man who is already running a big con of his own. I was a little worried that Hale and Kat's relationship would be ruined by the changes in his circumstances but I loved the way things worked out.It was fun following the twists and turns of this convoluted plot. It was also great to reconnect with other characters from the earlier books in this trilogy.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I thoroughly enjoyed this installment of Ally Carter's Heist Society series. My full review will be coming later, but if you love Hale as much as I do then you definitely want to pick this up.

    *********************

    Heist Society was my introduction to author Ally Carter, and I’ve been a fan ever since. Her books are filled with action, adventure, and fun, so I was extremely excited when a third book in the series was announced, and I discovered that one of my favorite characters, W.W. Hale V, was going to be pivotal to the story. Don’t get me wrong; I love narrator and teenage thief Kat, but she is even better when Hale is around. I snatched up Perfect Scoundrels on release day and devoured it in a matter of hours. Was it everything I’d been waiting for? Let’s take a look.

    What I Loved

    Hale – lots and lots of Hale. I loved how Ally Carter started the story with the actual meeting that took place when Kat broke into Hale’s family mansion to steal the Monet; it was great to see first-hand what has been referenced in the past and see how Kat went to steal a painting and left with a billionaire. Hale has always been a favorite of mine, so having more of him is definitely awesome (who knew he had a goofy family nickname?), but in Perfect Scoundrels we see a side we haven’t seen before – a lonely and lost boy. The only family member who actually seemed to love (or, heck, even notice him) has just died, and he is pretty much a wreck. I’m a sucker for a guy in pain so I loved seeing this side of him, although I wasn’t always keen on the way he treated Kat as he struggled with his loss. However, there were plenty of moments of vulnerability and remorse to balance the anger, so just like Kat I had to forgive him. By the time the story ended he knew his place in the world and where he fit in Kat’s life, so their relationship was stronger than ever.

    In addition to getting to know Hale more intimately, I was also thrilled to see his valet/butler Marcus outside of his normal work duties and learn more about him as a person. It was great to discover he has a sister and learn how he came to take care of Hale. I’ve always liked the little Marcus moments Carter threw into the Heist Society stories, but with his role in Perfect Scoundrels I think he may just have become one of my favorite characters.

    One of the most entertaining parts of any Heist Society tale is the con that Kat puts together to get what she needs to get, and all the fun names that are given to each tried and true strategy. In Perfect Scoundrels we are treated to the “Anastasia,” which is quite complex and a blast to see in action – I just wish it had popped up sooner and lasted longer. It was also a kick to see the poor put-upon Henley Museum back in Kat’s sights as she goes after an important piece of the puzzle to Hale’s inheritance. All in all, I love the cons and heists that are the bread and butter of this series.

    What I Liked

    A couple of new characters showed up here that I really enjoyed – Marcus’s sister Marianne and the Director of New Product Development at Hale Industries Silas Foster. Marianne came across as sweet and proper, absolutely horrified whenever Marcus would “forget his place,” but she stepped up to assist when she was advised of the con being pulled on Hale. As for Silas, I could just picture him as the rumpled scientific geek with a brilliant mind and heart of gold that Hale needs in his inherited company. He was another who was appalled when the nefarious deeds of the villain were revealed and jumped right in to help Kat and Hale in their attempts to disrupt the long con that had been set up by the villain. These are the people you want in your corner when things go wrong – and for Hale things have gone terribly wrong.

    Besides new characters, it was also nice to see some old favorites – even if it was only a chapter or two. Specifically, Nick got to jump back into the action for a bit, as did Kat’s father Bobby Bishop. It was also cool to see Uncle Eddie actually in the field working a con with the family – a series first. Lots of familiar faces dotted the landscape, which kept me happy.

    What I Didn’t Like

    There were definitely times where the narrative felt a little forced as author Ally Carter maneuvered her characters through the story. The Niagara Falls sequence in particular seemed a little awkward, as did the aftermath of Kat’s second heist at the Henley Museum. I just didn’t feel the villain was intelligent enough to really be that far ahead of Kat and her family when it came to theft and the con that was at the heart of Perfect Scoundrels. I was also a tad disappointed in who the actual villain was; I would have preferred more involvement from Hale’s greedy family. And, finally, the pacing was just a bit uneven here. At times the story just flew, and at others it felt a little too long. It wasn’t enough to make me lose any interest, though; I wanted Kat and Hale to succeed, and I was with them every step of the way.

    Conclusion

    Sporting some interesting new characters, more development of established characters, and lots of W.W. Hale V, Ally Carter’s Perfect Scoundrels makes the con personal when someone goes after Hale and his family company. While there were moments that felt a little forced and some pacing issues, overall this story provides plenty of action to keep things moving as Kat and company pull a con of their own to take down the villain out to destroy the Hales. Perfect Scoundrels may not be perfect – but it is a great deal of fun.

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I love Ally Carter. Between this series and the Gallagher Girls series, she has found a way to write strong female characters who still experience the goofiness of teen romance, but without the boys or the relationships taking center stage. Perhaps best of all, the protagonists' boyfriends in both series see the girls' strength and intelligence as the key part of what makes them desirable. Granted, I read these fast because they are great adventures and I want to see how they end, but I don't recall reading sentences in which the protagonists' beauty is described. These girls kick ass, the boys love that they kick ass, and these books are just fun reads.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Cuuuuuuuute. And feminist!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    When Hale's grandmother Hazel dies, he is spirited back home for the funeral and reading of the will. I liked learning more about the Hale family, from 'Scooter' back to the Hales that began the family business. Longtime Hale employees, driver Marcus and his sister Marianne are suspicious of the findings in Hazel's will and lean to Kat to learn more information. Kat has the best intentions at heart, and struggles with how much to tell Hale, worried that a con maybe going on within his family. Carter still manages to whisk us a bit around the globe, but this time, family comes first and everyone rallies beautifully when Kat asks.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This book is all about family. Hale gets and unexpected inheritance and falls into a complicated plot to destroy is family business. Kat calls on most of her "family" to help save Hale and the business. They handle all the problems with their usual style but their foe is always one step ahead of them. It takes everything they have to overcome the bad guys this time. I love the characters and the action in this series. The plots and plans are so complicated that no quick look at the page is allowed. It is too easy to miss something. If you are looking for a teen series, I think boys and girls would like the Heist Society books. I hope there will be more in the series.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Warning: This review contains some spoilers.Can I start by saying that Kat and Hale are officially a couple!!! This made me very happy. Kat feels like she's losing Hale to his old life, and she's doing everything she can to help him out. When his's grandmother died, Hale has become very sad. Out of all the member's of his family, his grandmother was the only one he really loved and who really loved him back. In my opinion, everyone steps it up in this book. I still love Simon, and Angus, and Hamish, and I even like Gabrielle a lot more in this book then I did before. I also love Kat's dad, and Uncle Eddie. This whole book was fantastic! there are so many good parts. It had me laughing and crying. Ally Carter never disappoints.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I had forgotten how absolutely captivating Ally Carter's writing is! I have been a huge fan of hers for many years, but it has been awhile since I read one of her books. Reading this book made me feel like I've been handing out five heart ratings a little too generously. I can honestly only think of a few books I would put in the same league as this one! As I mentioned before, it's been awhile since I read book number two (a.k.a. Uncommon Criminals) so it took me a little while to remember some of the smaller characters or the roles they played last time around. Unfortunately, some I never remembered, but that didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the story.Kat and Hale have got to be one of my favorite fictional couples, they're just so perfect for each other! I love that the romance is an important part of the story but in the background at the same time. One of the things I love best about them is that they don't turn into stupid love-struck teenagers around each other; they are able to set aside their feelings and do the job at hand (like repeling out a window, or robbing a bank). Their relationship is just so sweet and Hale is totally swoon worthy!!One thing's for sure, I'll never get tired of reading about W.W. Hale the fifth, or Kat and her unusually large and unique family. More please!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales.Quick & Dirty: Carter weaves yet another thrilling mystery with more than a few twists to keep you on your toes and begging for more. Plus there’s more insight on the history of the amazingly gorgeous (and rich) W.W. Hale.Opening Sentence: Of all the people who knew about the big house in the middle of Wyndham Woods, very few had ever been inside.The Review: Kat and Hale’s relationship has been drifting past the border of friendship for some time, but in this book it seems that they are secretly dating–well, secretly to Hale’s family. But it’s when Hale unexpectedly leaves on a heist that their relationship goes from sweet and warm to an icy shoulder. Then Kat sees the headline on the next day’s newspaper: the Hazel Hale, CEO of Hale Industries and Hale’s beloved grandmother, died that night, about the same time Hale left her stranded in a window. Now the entire Hale family has convened for the funeral – and most importantly – the reading of the will. But Hale’s mostly silent but always reliable butler hires Kat and her crew for the most unlikely of cons. He thinks that the will has been forged and now Hale, who just inherited the entirety of Hale Industries, is the mark. As Hale grows more distant, Kat has to decide if her usual partner in crime is able to follow through with the plan – and the possibilities that come with its success. Ally Carter spins another wonderfully intricate and clever tale that is sure to keep you guessing.This by far is the best Heist Society book yet. The plot, as always, never goes the way you think, and the multiple missions throughout are cleverly developed. I’m always a fan of Carter’s writing, but I think that the highlight of the book were the characters. We’re given more insight into Hale’s family and the environment he grew up with. AND Hale and Kat’s first meeting is described perfectly (see Notable Scene), introducing Hale and Kat’s relationship and the catalyst of the story – Hale’s grandmother.Despite Kat’s face on the cover, the spotlight character of this book is the handsome fellow in the reflection of the sunglasses. W.W. Hale’s history has always been an enigma, but in this book its splayed out for everyone to see. Beside’s Hale’s loyal and rich exterior, we finally get to view his vulnerable side – the side that’s affected by the constant disappointment from his parents and the competition between family members. I loved that Carter delved deep into his character development and wasn’t afraid to turn our self-controlled rich boy into a grief-stricken teenager that just lost the only family member that saw the potential in him. And I pity Kat for having to put up with him.I appreciate Kat in this book. Although she struggles with her want to keep Hale close to her, she’s always trying to do what’s best for him, even when he’s constantly pushing her away. This book not only tests Hale, but it also tests Kat as she deals with the responsibility of the con and the constant waiting for Hale to finally come to terms with the hand he has been dealt. My heart broke for her a few times throughout the book (my heart heals fast) and when I would have given up, she kept pressing on, trying the impossible – and pulling everyone in with her.Overall, I loved this book. There was more of Uncle Eddie (who is my favorite minor character because of his infamy in heists), the return of several old characters and, of course, the freaking heart-stopping-I-can’t-believe-that-happened ending that I refuse to spoil. No cliffhangers, but I can definitely see potential for new books in the future. Hopefully Carter will be able to continue the series, but in the meantime, read this book (or the entire series) if you know what’s good for you! Notable Scene: “You’re not supposed to be here,” the girl said.“Funny, I was going to say the same thing to you.” He smiled like his night had just gotten significantly more interesting.“You don’t seem afraid,” the girl said.“Well, that makes two of us.”Spotlights shone down, and the boy studied her in the manner of someone who is used to looking at rare, beautiful things. Then he jerked his head at the painting and said, “Okay. Go ahead, take it.”He started to leave, but stopped when the girl said, “Yeah, I can have this one. It’s a fake.”“Oh now, that hurts.” He brought a hand to his chest like he’d been stabbed. “Not that it’s any of your business, but the Hale family happens to have the largest collection of Monets in the United States.”“Technically, it’s the largest private collection. And this isn’t one of them. This”–she shined a small flashlight onto the delicate brushstrokes–”is a slightly better-than-average forgery.”When the boy eased closer to the painting, it was like he was seeing it for the first time. “No. That can’t be right.”“Sorry to break it to you.”He shook his head slowly. “But my grandmother said…”“She lied.”The boy smiled again and whispered something that sounded like “Hazel is awesome,” but the girl wasn’t quite sure.FTC Advisory: Hyperion Books for Children provided me with a copy of Perfect Scoundrels. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Plot: 4 1/2 stars
    Characters: 4 1/2 stars
    Style: 4 stars
    Pace: 5 stars

    I just like these books. It's a perfect beach read kind of story, and I love the deceptions they pull off... even to the reader.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I honestly love everything about this series. In a lot of ways, it's what I imagine White Collar would've been like, for teenagers. It's fun, it's got a lot of light-heartedness mixed in, but Carter does bring a serious tone to the stories as well. I actually like this series better than GG, I think it's more mature, for one. I hope there's more, because Katarina and company are a joy to read.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Another Heist Society Novel. I love Ally Carter although I like her Gallagher Girls books better.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    A high stakes con game, but this tame Hale is the victim of the con. Hale's grandmother dies and leaves him their company with lawyer Garrett as trustee. But the will may be a forgery by Garrett, so Kat and her friends plan to con him. It seems like Garrett is one step ahead of them all the time, and with Hale still grieving his grandmother's death, will his relationship with Kat ever be the same?
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I loved this book. Why no 5 star? I'm stingy with my 5 stars and usually reserve those for books I will read a thousand times or non-fiction books. I will say though, I loved that we got to know more about Hale and his life. I still want to know what W. W. stands for....maybe the next book. I was able to read this book in one day even though I'm working FT and have family and animals to take care of. That should tell you how quick of a read it is and how much I could NOT put it down! I read it on my kindle and I had my kindle app open on my phone whenever I couldn't have my kindle in my hand. Hopefully there will be a fourth book. Meanwhile, I will be patiently waiting for the next GG book. :-)