Dawn and Roger are siblings who lived in London during their early years. After the death of their mother, they moved in with their Uncle Claude in Paris. Dawn was thirteen years old, Roger was only nine, and their stepfather was no longer a part of their lives. Although Dawn always took a leading role, their relationship remained close into adulthood, wherein they worked together in developing complicated financial scams. In glamorous Cannes, their lives took another turn as they became embroiled with some criminal elements, which led to many thrilling and frightening moments. In The Con Woman: Dawn & Roger Book One, written by A. J. A. Gardiner, a number of nefarious, complex scenarios occur.

The pace of the plot is fast, with one gripping situation after another. The cast of characters is large, and it is not usually initially clear which ones are the “good guys” and the “bad guys,” leading to many suspenseful moments. Throughout the book, bits of information are given regarding Dawn and Roger’s childhood. Other features include scenes in London, Paris, and Cannes; luxury cars and homes; and the use of high-level technology. Additionally, the discovery of a human trafficking network adds another element to the plot. Author A. J. A. Gardiner has penned a dramatic tale in The Con Woman: Dawn & Roger Book One. This book is the first of a new series and will certainly appeal to readers who enjoy adventurous storylines with many twists and turns. The Con Woman will engage readers from the first page to the last.

The Con Woman: Dawn and Roger Book One by A. J. A. Gardiner is a book about how a simple con went wrong, but that’s not all. Along the way, protagonists Dawn and Roger learn that their blunder couldn’t be explained as simply as they had once thought. The con was to be as easy as changing a light bulb. Our duo arranged a meeting with George, the director of FilmCo, to discuss the sale of a vineyard near Cannes. Phase two of the plan was to take a picture of George that implied to his family that he had been kidnapped. His family fell for the trick hook, line, and sinker, but before a ransom could be paid, George was kidnapped “again” by real kidnappers this time. So Dawn and Roger attempt to solve the mystery behind this unforeseen event whilst helping George's family get him back. Less than a week into their investigation, Dawn is put under surveillance by Jean-Pierre, Cannes’s most dangerous mob boss, whilst Roger is flung from a hotel balcony during his own self-devised con. The duo is off to a rough start. Can they still hope to rescue George?

What a joy it was to read The Con Woman: Dawn and Roger Book One. Everything about this book was just spectacular and on point. The plot was well-thought-out and interesting. I loved how the dynamics changed from chapter to chapter, as in one our duo were con artists, then in the next, they were like spies from some James Bond movie. The best part was how A. J. A. Gardiner managed to keep everything grounded, as our characters aren’t unstoppable super-spies. Instead, they’re very human, and sometimes they triumph, but for the most part, they have their backs against the wall. The banter between Dawn and Roger never gets tired and was humorous every time. The little things like that were the icing on an already delicious cake. I can’t wait to read book two of this marvelous series, and I congratulate A. J. A. Gardiner on having written such a masterpiece.