The Heist Society is back and no, they’re not better than ever. In fact, they’ve been cursed after Kat’s good deed turned out to be one big con and she’s the sucker. Now, the gang has to execute a double caper against the old guard and reinvent new rules on the way.

The first book had Kat on the run from her life and the family, but since stealing from the unbreakable Henley, she has devoted herself to a new mission. Repossessing stolen items, usually for the descendants of Nazi victims. Even though she believes her cause is more righteous, she’s still running from all the same fears she had before and worse, she’s pushing everyone else away so she has no reminders of how stupid she is being in chasing the heist adreneline.

That’s why Margaret Covington makes such an excellent antagonist, mark and foil to Kat. Originally appearing as Constance Miller, her sob story and easy use of the Vasily Romani name has Kat easily playing into her hands and handing over the cursed Cleopatra Emerald. Turns out, she’s anything but a haunted old woman, she was one of the best con woman in the world and a remorseless picture of everything Kat fears she could become.

Amoral, selfish, manipulative and alone. The last part is what Kat struggles with as she’s been travelling around the world, recovering items. Even she is unsure of why she doesn’t want anyone else around. So they don’t get hurt after the deadly game they played with the Henley heist? So no one can tell her when she’s being stupid or going over her limits?

Honestly, it was a bit confusing. I understood the final message of the story that Kat isn’t alone and she needs to trust her family instead of this independent normal girl delusion she has going on, but the inner conflict she’s dealing with felt a bit muddled.

The romantic conflict is quite clear as Hale doesn’t like Kat pushing him away but both being so adept at secrecy and deception that putting such words with real emotional feeling out loud feels impossible. It’s too vulnerable but that only makes Hale less certain if Kat needs him especially with Nick waiting in the wings.

But even that potential plot line feels declawed as even Nick admits that Kat’s history with Hale is too deep for him to compeate and he’s not going to stand in the way. It’s refreshing but the mature realization doesn’t stop the macho posturing on Hale’s end. Sigh.

I know I seem down on this book but it was actually even more entertaining and twisty than the last in terms of capers, filled with amusing references to past blunders and other strategies like “The Cinderella,” “The Alice in Wonderland,” and more. In fact, it expands the backstory of Uncle Eddie and the tragedies related to their lifestyle in terms of personal relationships.

There’s also an abundence of Carter’s sly humor with everyone on edge about the cursed emerald that causes everyone to be off their game and ups the stakes as to how they will pull this off.

Even though Kat’s personal arc was fumbled in my opinion, it doesn’t detract from the delightful story and distinct cast of characters that populate this high class world of jewels, art and Monte Carlo casinos. Plus it seems to be setting the foundation for Hale’s mysterious past (and his real name) to be revealed!

4 stars