Nothing in Her Way

This book is alive. After plodding through so many second-rate crime novels, it was a thrill to be swept up in the intricate confidence game of Charles K. Williams's Nothing in Her Way. When the book begins, the story's protagonist and narrator (Mike Belen) runs into his cold and calculating ex-wife (Cathy) who is operating under a fake name — and the first con is underway. From there, the story leads in unexpected directions with countless double-crosses and triple-crosses. I won't spoil any of it but suffice to say that it all holds together, and Williams fills his story with witty dialogue and exceptionally strong characters. There is very little action but that is only because the story is so well-crafted that it doesn't need it. Highly recommended.