An Artful Dodge

This brilliant historical mystery from Odden (Under a Veiled Moon) follows 20-year-old British jewel thief Kit Jameson as she conducts what she hopes is her final heist. In 1879 London, Kit operates alongside an all-female band of burglars who swipe valuables from high-society targets. Kit’s skills come honestly, as her mother was once in the same crime ring. Recently, however, Kit has grown tired of thieving and developed a desire for an honest life. Before she turns the page, however, she must ensure her younger sister, Sarah, is safe and able to support herself working as a servant. Kit’s plans hit a snag when Maggie Wirth O’Connell, the wronged daughter of the original leader of Kit’s crime ring, returns after 20 years in an Australian penal colony to reclaim control of the syndicate and organize a heist targeting the people who sent her away. Knowing of Kit’s abilities, Maggie isn’t about to let her leave the fold. Odden matches vivid details of the hard-knock life in Victorian London with complex backstories for her large cast. Readers will be rapt. Agent: Josh Getzler, HG Literary. (June)