Priceless (Mass Market Paperback)

by Marne Davis Kellogg (Author) "Kick," my husband said..." (more)
Key Phrases: jewel thief, electronic lock, Shamrock Burglar, Millennium Star, Sir Cramner (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
Kellogg's cat burglar heroine, Kick Kewswick, makes a welcome return in a tale so lush and lavish readers won't know what to sigh over first, the descriptions of gorgeous jewelry or marvelous meals. The mystery element isn't bad either. Kick has retired from crime to live comfortably in--where else?--Provence with her new husband, Thomas, who has recently left Scotland Yard. But when Thomas seemingly deserts her and an imposter burglar using Kick's old moniker, the Shamrock Burglar, starts stealing jewels, Kick knows she needs to get back in the game. This is a small gem, as carefully crafted as a Cartier bijou. Kellogg tells the story in Kick's inimitable voice, and it's as much fun to hear her describe her magnificent outfits and accessories as it is to listen to her plot crimes. And like a ring set in platinum, the Italian Riviera landscape makes a gorgeous backdrop for Kick's escapades. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"A cocktail of romance and intrigue that takes place at a level of society that most readers can only imagine."-Denver Post

"Fast-paced, atmospheric, and wryly amusing, the Kick saga (like the Dom Perignons Kick is so fond of) has aged well and lost none of its fizz. Send a thief to catch a thief? This one has a few twists that even Hitchcock never came up with. A delightful caper:"-Kirkus Reviews"

"This upbeat comic crime caper is fast paced, extremely creative, and filled with quirky characters that add much spice to this sensual suspense tale."-Midwest Book Review

"Well-paced and loaded with details that will have readers lusting after Kick's luxury cars, wardrobe, and unabashed appetite for not only her husband...but also for great food...for maximum enjoyment, precede this one with the original Brilliant."--Seattle Times

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks (June 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312932952
• ISBN-13: 978-0312932954
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #519,347 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Retired Jewel thief, Kick, must avenge her reputation, October 28, 2004

By	Dawn Dowdle "mysteryloverscorner.com reviewer" (Lynchburg, VA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Priceless (Kick Keswick Mysteries #2) (Hardcover)

Kick Keswick is a retired jewel thief. She wasn't just any jewel thief, she was the Shamrock Burglar.

Now she and her husband, Commander Thomas Curtis of the Scotland Yard, have retired to their wonderful home in Provence. They enjoy wonderful food and picnics in lavender-filled fields.

Not long after Thomas disappears with her secret cache of precious stones and a cryptic note, Kick starts hearing about the antics of the Shamrock Burglar stealing irreplaceable jewels. Since she didn't do the thefts, she knows an imposter is out using her signature. And they aren't using it right, she might add.

She fears Thomas has betrayed her and heads off to figure out who is pretending to be the Shamrock Burglar and see if she can trip them up without being caught herself. She also finds out that her husband is heading up the investigation.

She ends up in Portofino where there is to be a large ball. She is watching the various people trying to figure out who the burglar is. Plus she is scoping out the location of the ball. Various interesting things happen along the way. She is finally able to gain access and stay at the home where the ball will be held. Now, can she find a way to thwart the thief and get away without being caught?

I love this series. Kick Keswick is so much fun. She is charming and always wonderfully dressed. Her antics are delightful and there is plenty of intrigue to keep you guessing. Not only is she a well-developed character, but the places she visits are described so well, I feel like I visited them. Plus what woman wouldn't love reading about all the wonderful jewelry and diamonds!

I look forward to many more adventures of Kick. I highly recommend this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great, Fast read!, August 2, 2004

By	Novel Reader "Novel Reader" (Dyer, IN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Priceless (Kick Keswick Mysteries #2) (Hardcover)

Priceless is a gripping and suspensful book. The characters are all well thought-out and you can actually see them as if they are right there in front of you. Marne Davis Kellogg is a wonderful writer that puts you right in England, French Riviera and the rest of the wonderful places that Kick Kerwick visits. Even the food and wine she descibes makes you hungry and thirsty. This book is a great, fast read and I couldn't put the book down...a great summer read laying by the pool. Can't wait to read her next book!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars upbeat comic crime caper, June 30, 2004

By	Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews (#1 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Priceless (Kick Keswick Mysteries #2) (Hardcover)

She led a duel life as the power behind a London auction house while separating the undeserving rich from their fabulous jewels. Kick Keswick was a media icon for her daring thefts, always leaving a bouquet of shamrocks tied by a ribbon behind. Never caught, she retired to Province where she married Scotland Yard?s Thomas Curtis, an art thief known as the Samaritan Burglar. They were very happy in their new life until the day Thomas disappears with Kick?s jewels.

A heartbroken Kick becomes very angry when she reads about a jewel thief that is using her name and leaving a bunch of shamrocks behind after each heist. Afraid that if the thief continues she will be caught for past crimes, Kick decides to find the imposter, recover the jewelry and return it to its owners. In Portafuro, at a private charity event, the Millennium Star will be worn by a Hollywood actress. No true jewel thief can resist such an offering; Kick finagles an invitation to slay at the villa where she puts a plan in motion that will allow her if she is lucky to steal the Star and the rest of the jewels the imposter took.

Kick is her adorable, felonious self, a mature, wealthy vulnerable woman who has come out of retirement to catch a thief. This upbeat comic crime caper is fast paced, extremely creative and filled with quirky characters that add much spice to this sensual suspense tale. Ironically, Thomas is the person in charge of catching the thief and the meeting at the Villa between the estranged husband and wife is a memorable scene.

Harriet Klausner