Nicholas J Johnson

Readers were introduced to Joel Fitch and his mentor Richard Mordecai in the first book of this series, CHASING THE ACE. This second book, FAST AND LOOSE, starts up where the first left off, with Fitch and Mordecai parted ways, and Fitch left holding the cash. Rather a lot of cash straight out of Mordecai's life long ill-gotten gains. Fitch's not altogether comfortable with this as the double-cross he thought caused their split, wasn't at all, and he feels very guilty that his old friend and teacher is now on the lam.

Fitch has led a fractured sort of a life, so it makes sense that he flees Melbourne partly to seek out his much estranged father in Sydney, and partly in search of Mordecai and the opportunity for some bridge repair. Which puts him in the path of a dodgy pyramid scheme that his father's got involved with, and a scheming tabloid news producer. Whilst the scams that Fitch finds himself performing to camera feel pretty real, there's an interesting game of one-upmanship being played here - with neither party quite sure who is winning.

Obviously this author (known as "The Honest Conman") knows the world of scams and scammers really well. That insider knowledge makes the various schemes, scams, stunts and games being played extremely realistic and deceptive. None of which would work anywhere near as well were Johnson not a great storyteller into the bargain. Fitch, dodgy as he may be, is a really sympathetic character, a bit daft, a bit vulnerable, clever but not an immoral crook, his desire to do right by his old mentor is a really nice touch.

Most of the conmen, scammers and oddballs he comes across throughout the life of the story are also compelling, frequently kind and part of a community. Sure it's a community with some dodgy habits at the centre of it - but it feels like a community nonetheless. Everyone knows Mordecai in particular, and often look upon him with affection and great loyalty. Contrasted against this nice guy is Danny the tabloid producer. Who is everything you'd expect from that job title, and yet, a family man with affection for those that he loves. His behaviour at work however, with colleagues, and in the pursuit of a story is ruthless, but it's not without humour and not without a certain sense of awareness of what he is.

Add to that a bit of action, lots of humour, the potential for a bit of love, and reveals that would make The Flim Flam man a happy chappy indeed (presumably a big hat tip to the movie in these novels).

It's not essential that you read both of them in the right order either, although as with any series, it always helps, particularly when they are as readable as these books. Great crime fiction for those that find the constant concentration on murder a bit wearing, both these books are not just entertaining, they are educational into the bargain. Not that there was much chance I'd ever be in a conversation about football, but I'd certainly be careful about taking any bets between the teams likely to make it to the Grand Final.

"The Honest Conman" (aka Nicholas J Johnson) used to do a warning segment on scams and frauds on ABC Local Radio, but it was a pleasant surprise to find he'd written a heist / scam novel. Needless to say his debut novel, CHASING THE ACE, reads like the author knows a lot about the subject matter.

Think a dual handed TV's Hustle style scenario in which Joel, a young man with no purpose in life, hooks up with Richard, an older man, experienced in the fine art of scams and swindles. What Joel doesn't realise is that the man he's adopted as his mentor and working partner is sick of the whole thing. Being taken under Richard's wing might turn out to be the break that Joel wanted, or it could turn out to be a disaster. Nobody's going to know until the end of the novel (and maybe not even then).

Reading somewhere between a good fun heist novel and a salutory warning manual, CHASING THE ACE is utterly believable. It's also quite touching, with both of these characters being flawed, a little bit sad and lonely. Granted Joel does eventually get a girlfriend, although his attitude about her needs some adjustment (it's downright off).

It's not just about these two characters though. Joel has a family and a difficult relationship with a mother who's not been backward in getting her hands on compensation money that's really Joel's. He's got more respect for his stepfather and stepsister, although the family situation overall is tricky. Richard has friends, and a long history of being mentored and mentoring another young man. There's history about him that's revealed (mostly via third parties) along the way. Luckily, despite a slightly strained relationship, Joel has found out enough about Richard to be there when the going gets tough, but the final twist and turns are less expected.

Now having compared CHASING THE ACE to Hustle, it's only fair to warn potential readers that there's nothing glamorous about most of the scams pulled here. It's all a bit tawdry really, but keep an eye out for the twist in the tail of a few of them. There are actually a lot of twists and turns here, all ending up with an obvious intent to carry on the story of a scam merchant.

You'd be almost tempted to get people to read CHASING THE ACE if only as a warning about the sorts of scams and tricks being perpetrated in the real world. Doesn't hurt that it's an entertaining read along the way.