Mini Review: Uncommon Criminals (Heist Society #2) by Ally Carter

Author: Ally Carter
Series: Heist Society #2
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Publication Date: June 21, 2011
Pages: 298
Format/Source: Paperback/Purchased
Katarina Bishop has worn a lot of labels in her short life. Friend. Niece. Daughter. Thief. But for the last two months she’s simply been known as the girl who ran the crew that robbed the greatest museum in the world. That’s why Kat isn’t surprised when she’s asked to steal the infamous Cleopatra Emerald so it can be returned to its rightful owners.
There are only three problems. First, the gem hasn’t been seen in public in thirty years. Second, since the fall of the Egyptian empire and the suicide of Cleopatra, no one who holds the emerald keeps it for long, and in Kat’s world, history almost always repeats itself. But it’s the third problem that makes Kat’s crew the most nervous and that is simply… the emerald is cursed.
Kat might be in way over her head, but she’s not going down without a fight. After all she has her best friend—the gorgeous Hale—and the rest of her crew with her as they chase the Cleopatra around the globe, dodging curses, realizing that the same tricks and cons her family has used for centuries are useless this time.
Which means, this time, Katarina Bishop is making up her own rules. (Photo and synopsis from Goodreads.)
Once again, I’m going to write a mini review where I just share some of my notes:
- Ah, Hale. Sigh.
- I kind of wish that I had re-read Heist Society before reading this. Carter does a good job of reviewing key points and players, but I still feel like I would understand and remember more if I had read Heist Society right before reading Uncommon Criminals.
- I have so many theories about the identity of Visily Romani, that at this point, I think I’ve suspected each of the characters. But I have a prime suspect, and I’m hoping that’s who it is!
- I love these books! They’re so good and so much fun!
- Yep, Hale is basically the ultimate book boyfriend.
- Some parts in this story reminded me of the movies Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Maverick, both of which I love!
- Once again, there are several vague mentions of different cons. I have a love/hate relationship with this aspect of this genre, because while I like all the references to the cons, I want to see all those cons in action, not just hear a vague reference!
- Loved the twists in this book, especially the first one, because I think that really kept this story from being too similar to Heist Society. Very clever!

Brandi Kosiner
January 6, 2014 at 10:16 pmThe twists sound great and glad you enjoyed. I still haven't read anything by Carter, but am sure I will one of these days
Bittner
January 7, 2014 at 1:28 pmI have this series on my to be read list but haven't gotten to them yet. I wonder if the audio books are any good?