The Dali Deception by Adam Maxwell

It was nice to experience a woman in a role typically reserved for a male character.Violet is strong, ruthless and was born into the crime trade.

It is sort of an Ocean's Eleven, on a smaller scale, and with a Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels feel to it. It also includes big memorable characters like Big Terry. A little man with a huge Napoleon complex.

As a reader you champion the con and the thieves, because out of the groups they are the lesser evil. In a way you want them to pull off the perfect heist.

I enjoyed the tongue in cheek irony of the blank canvas scenario. It is perhaps Maxwell's way of pointing out the hypocrisy and comicality of what 'experts' perceive to be art or decide is art. Modern art can be a square coloured canvas with a toothbrush holder and toothbrush stuck out of the canvas. (Witnessed this myself in the Museum of Modern Art in New York). Things are only worth what people are willing to pay for them.

Maxwell lets his witty humour seep into this classic heist scenario. It's a fast-paced crime caper with a strong woman as the main character. I'm sure we will be hearing about Violet and her band of merry misfits again.

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