THE RELUCTANT THIEF (Stolen Hearts #4) by Mallory Crowe-a review

The Reluctant Thief

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 7, 2017

Former cop Scott Hart’s life as he knew it was taken in a fraction of a second when his wife was murdered. After years of research and questionable alliances, he’s finally about to come face to face with the man who killed her. Except when he’s arrested for a crime he didn’t commit, his revenge plans are put on hold. But he has one ace in his pocket. He has one of the best hackers in the world on his side.

Computer hacker Toni knows Scott is off limits. Even if he weren’t totally hung up on his late wife, they work together. In her line of work, pesky things like crushes and emotions get you killed. But when Scott is framed, Toni knows she needs to pull out the big guns to get him out of trouble.

As much as she wants to get over Scott, she knows she can’t let him go at it alone. So she’s going to stick with him as long as he needs her, come hell and heartbreak. Who knows? Someday he might even love a thief like her.

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REVIEW: THE RELUCTANT THIEF is the fourth installment in Mallory Crowe’s contemporary, adult STOLEN HEARTS romantic, suspense series. This is computer hacker Toni Murray, and former Chicago police officer Scott Hart’s story line. THE RELUCTANT THIEF can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty although I recommend reading the series in order for backstory and cohesion.

SOME BACKGROUND: Following a theft that went horribly wrong, professional thieves and sisters Toni, Melody and Jennifer Murray vow revenge against the men who killed their mother.

Told from dual third person points of view (Scott and Toni) THE RELUCTANT THIEF focuses on the hunt for a killer. Several weeks earlier Toni, Jennifer and Melody’s mother was murdered on the job- a job meant to set the family up for life-but the theft of a thirty million dollar piece of jewelry resulted in the death of their mother, with the sisters on the run. Vowing to avenge their mother’s death each sister set into motion a series of events to track down the man responsible. Toni Murray will make things a little more personal when she gets up close and personal with the man ultimately responsible for her mother’s demise but interference from a former cop pushes all of Toni’s buttons and riles up her independent side. Enter Scott Hart, a man with a personal agenda of his own, and the man with whom Toni has fallen in love.

THE RELUCTANT THIEF is the culmination of four story lines that saw three sisters seek retribution and revenge for their mother’s death. With the formation of a new security team by Scott and Toni, THE RELUCTANT THIEF introduces the readers to a new series arc, as well as Peter Slade, Gage and Tristan-three men whose owns lives were destroyed by the man the Murray sisters had targeted for revenge. Slade’s story line is next in THE VENGEFUL THIEF. The premise is suspenseful and engaging; the characters are colorful and animated; the $ex scenes are limited without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

Reading Order and previous reviews
The Cocky Thief
The Beautiful Thief
The Dangerous Thief
The Reluctant Thief

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Reviewed by Sandy