REVIEW:

Apparently Sandra Brown has written over 70 best sellers, and I have now read exactly one. I think when authors are as prolific as she is, you become immune to seeing their books on shelves. Like you’re either a Brown reader or you’re not, and if you’re not you don’t even pick up her latest release to consider it. Also, there’s always a fear that it’s part of a series or a larger overall fictional universe where you’ll be lost. So is the case with me and Sandra Brown.

Then why did I decide to read Thick as Thieves? Because I received a copy from the publisher. And you know what? I liked it! This standalone novel kept my attention from start to finish, and it had plenty of twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. I went into it blind and had no expectations, which I recommend you do as well. The synopsis on Goodreads is particularly spoilery and even includes misinformation about the plot. I have included it below if you MUST read it, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. All you need to know is that chapters alternate between a heist-gone-wrong during the week leading up to Easter in 2020 and the small Texas town still dealing with the aftermath in present day.

I believe the subgenre for this type of thriller is “romantic suspense.” As I’ve said in other reviews, I prefer my romances to be closed door. I don’t really want to read about the ins and outs (sorry) of people knockin’ boots. There are a lot of boots knocked in Thick as Thieves, so I chose to skim those bits. I also found the ending to be satisfying but just a titch too tidy, and initially I had a little difficulty tracking all the characters. If those are my gripes though, I can’t complain. There’s zero chance I’ll ever get caught up with Sandra Brown’s back catalogue, but I’ll certainly pick up her future releases and consider them.

My thanks to the author and Grand Central Publishing for the gifted paperback to review.

PUBLISHER SYNOPSIS:

Twenty years ago in the dead of night, four seemingly random individuals pulled the ultimate heist and almost walked away with half a million dollars. But by daybreak, their plan had been shot to hell. One of them was in the hospital. One was in jail. One was dead. And one got away with it.

Arden Maxwell, the daughter of the man who disappeared all those years ago -- presumably with the money, after murdering his accomplice -- has never reconciled with her father's abandonment of her and her sister. After countless personal setbacks she decides to return to her family home near mysterious Caddo Lake, and finally get answers to the many questions that torment her. Little does she know, two of her father's co-conspirators -- a war hero and a corrupt district attorney -- are watching her every move.

Ledge Burnet, a rebellious teen at the time of the heist, evaded his jail sentence by enlisting in the army. Now he's back in town to care for his ailing father -- and to keep his eye on the county's corrupt district attorney, whom he suspects was the real murderer. Although the two are bound to silence because of the crime they committed together, each has spent years waiting and hoping that the other will make a fatal misstep. But the arrival of their elusive accomplice's daughter, Arden, who may know more about the missing money than she's telling, sets them both on red alert. She ignites Ledge's determination to expose the D.A.'s treachery... and sparks a desire he wishes to deny.