Fool Me Twice (Riley Wolfe #2)

Second book in the series, obviously I liked the first to read the second. We start off with one of Riley’s thefts of a precious artifact and then betrayed after he succeeds. Riley was more off his game in this one as it isn’t his idea of what to steal, he is being forced. The bad guys are really bad in this edition, especially Bernadette, yikes! In reality Riley isn’t really likable, he is very interesting and his skills are incredibly high achieving, and isn’t above murder to get his plan in action. His accomplice seemed awfully naive for someone who lives as she does, I have to say Special Agent Delgado is growing on me and he really doesn’t give up his pursuit of Riley easily. This starts out with a bang, slows when Riley gets acquainted with his new clients and the goes full speed ahead with how he’s going to survive this job. Fun, fast read of a morally questionable master thief, at least he’s good to his mother.

Riley the scoundrel is as cagey and warped as ever. Non stop action with an ending that makes you want another adventure as soon as it can be written.

Good book. Nothing earth shattering but fun. The Bond villain lair and characters was a bit much, but the main character and his task were exciting to follow.

When I read the first Riley Wolf book I was intrigued by the character. He was not likable. Not like the authors former main character, Dexter. He is just kind of a creepy jerk. And you learned some of why he was that way. I finished hoping that future books would lead to a better understanding of the character and maybe a thawing if may feelings towards him. I loved the story. I loved some of the other characters. I eagerly awaited the next installment.

So here it is. Did it do what I had hoped? Yes. And no. First up is the heist. There is a lot of time spent thinking it was impossible. And reading about how it was impossible. It got a bit repetitive. About halfway through, Riley started playing Riley and it picked up a lot. There are clues as to what he is doing and the reader is pretty much with him the entire time. There are a few surprises, but mostly it is just a fun ride to be along for. Riley is asked to basically steal a wall. Inside a building. That is connected to other buildings. In the Vatican. Yeah. Impossible.

As far as characters, I was mixed. I liked Detective Delgado. I liked him more this time than last. Poor guy. He’s trying. I think we need to know more about him. I’d like to get to know him better in the future. His part wasn’t huge here. Monique was another story altogether. I really liked her in Just Watch Me. I was hoping for more of her. She was, again, very important, to the entire plot and Riley’s success or failure in his endeavor. Still, I felt that she was less developed this time around. And she still never speaks to another women. No woman in this thing does. She is the most developed female character. Which is not saying much. She was just reacting to Riley the whole time. She didn’t seem as much her own person. Weirdly, a few times she seemed to be Dexter’s wife. Finally, Riley himself. I think he was less creepy here. A little. But this book also seemed to drop his crusade against the 1%. Anyone reading just this book would think he admired the 1%. I miss that part of his character.

All in all, the book started fast, got a little bogged down, and then rammed straight through the last half at record pace. I’m hoping the more I get to know these characters, the more developed they will become. Story is good, If you are going to love a series, though, you need to develop the characters.

Jeff Lindsay’s second novel featuring Riley Wolfe who as fans know is a thief – not an ordinary one robbing banks or holding up armored cars but one that has long since made himself very wealthy and just lives for the thrill of doing the impossible. He is a man that seeks the challenge of an impossible score and then sits back and enjoys the adulation due him. This book opens with Riley in St Petersburg, Russia where our hero pulls off the theft of a priceless Faberge egg under the noses of a group of guards and protective devices. When boarding the boat that he has hired to take him out of Russia he is betrayed by the pilot and delivered to the secret island hideaway of the world’s biggest arms dealer. Held captive for several days he then hears what his captor wants from him and it is about as impossible as it gets. The man wants him to steal a fresco which is art painted on a wall. Not only is the problem of how to transport a wall if he gets it, but the location of the painting which is in the Vatican as the clincher. Riley is told in no uncertain terms that his life would be forfeit if he doesn’t deliver.
Buying time Riley agrees to the job and is let go by Mr Big. Than to compound his problems he is next seized by another arm’s dealer who wants Riley to get the Fresco and while delivering it to the first individual arrange for entrance onto Mr Big’s island fortress where number two will become number one by process of elimination. Riley has a sort of love interest although Monique, the lady in question’s prime function for him is to forge art used in his work. He is shown a picture of her as number two dealer also includes her life in the deal. We have to understand that at some point in the future Jeff Lindsay will probably set up the pair as lovers at the same time that they are working on nefarious schemes together. He therefore is anxious to keep the criminals away from her as well as saving his own life.
As in Mr Lindsay’s previous novels including those featuring Dexter, the serial killer that only kills other serial killers the action is fast, the dialogue snappy and the reader will not be able to set the book down until finished. If the author continues with the success enjoyed by featuring loveable rogues what type of character will he showcase for his next portrayal of a bent character? It will make for a delightful mystery while we wait for anything written by him.

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