Mr. Craigs sophomore book is a treat for the reader who enjoys a good grifter story. They are a band of three, our grifters. Jerry is the patriarch. A crook after the easy buck. With only one jail stretch, Jerry is considered a pro by his fellows. Son Kevin is the heir to Jerry’s lifestyle. On the road and running the scam at a too early age Kevin sees the future of the life style lives in an understanding for newly computerized age. And then there is the girl. What grifter story is complete without the girl? Collette is a girl of the eighties. Caught up in the ideal that sophistication and materialism are the same. A young lady who plays her looks and mostly wins as the game plays on.

The story is a classic tale. All feel betrayed by all, and different teams are at times in jail, wounded, on the lamb, and segregated from the other two thirds of their entity. The emotions are honest. The trust is non-existent and primal at the same time. The climax is that one last scam. Scars of past betrayals must be overlooked. Everyone must excel in their part of the plan. And being a true grifter story, watching one’s back is also very important. Craig takes us on a ride and when we reach our destination we’re very glad we’ve gotten there.

Ruth Jordan