Cons, Burglars, & Pickpockets

grifters

Romances featuring heroes or heroines on the other side of the law

(List begun 05/00, updated 04/14)

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  • Lord of My Heart (1992) by Jo Beverley – Aimery de Galliard, the hero, is an outlaw.
  • The Scoundrel (2003) by Claire Delacroix – Gawain Lammergeier, the hero, is a thief.
  • Highland Wolf (1997) by Lois Greiman – Tara O’Flynn, the heroine, is a thief.
  • The Prisoner Bride (1991) by Susan Spencer Paul (Mary Spencer) – Kiernan FitzAllen, the hero, is a master thief.
  • Lady Fortune (2000) by Anne Stuart – Nicholas Strangefellow, the hero, is a thief. (B at AAR)

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  • Thieves At Heart (1995) by Alina Adams – Lark Talbot, the heroine, is a confidence trickster; Damien Moxley, the hero, is a thief.
  • Lady Adventuress (1994) by Helen Archery – Stara Carltons, the heroine, takes up the role of highwayman originated by the hero, Marcus Justus.
  • The Scandalwood Princess (1991) by Loretta Chase – “Falcon”/Mr. Bentick, the hero, is a thief.
  • Leonora (1972) by Catherine Fellows – Louis Matheson,, the hero, is a highwayman.
  • Lady Thief (1981) by Kay Hooper – Jennifer Courteney, the heroine, is a cat burglar.
  • Speak Only Love (1991) by Deana James – Piers Larne is a smuggler
  • The Irish Rogue (1999) by Emma Jensen – Christor Moore, Lord Clane, the hero, is a highwayman. (B+B at AAR)
  • The Choice (1999) by Edith Layton – Gillian Giles is an ex-pickpocket
  • To Kiss a Thief (1992) by Kate Moore – Andrew Durant, the hero, is a thief.
  • Poetic Justice (1994) by Alicia Rasley – John Dryden, the hero, is an ex-smuggler who helps the heroine burgle.

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  • Brazen Angel (1997) by Elizabeth Boyle – Lady Sophia D’Artiers, the heroine, is a thief. (A at AAR)
  • Something about Emmaline (2005) by Elizabeth Boyle – Emmaline Denford, Lady Sedgwick, is a con artist. (B+ at AAR)
  • All Through the Night (1997) by Connie Brockway – Anne Wilder, the heroine, is a jewel thief. (A at AAR)
  • Bridal Season (2001) by Connie Brockway – Letty Potts, the heroine, is a confidence artist. (B at AAR)
  • So Enchanting (2009) by Connie Brockway – Fanny worked as a sham spiritualist. (B+ at AAR)
  • The Mermaid of Penperro (2001) by Lisa Cach – Konstanze Bugg, the heroine, runs a scam to lure government officials away from the local smuggling trade. (B- at AAR)
  • Pale Moon Rider (1999) by Marsha Canham – Tyrone Hart, the hero, is a highwayman. (A- at AAR)
  • The Devil to Pay (2005) by Liz Carlyle – Sidonie Saint-Gerard, the hero, is a thief. (B+ at AAR)
  • Heart of Deception (1999) by Taylor Chase – Vivien Swift, the heroine, is a thief and brothel owner.
  • My Favorite Bride (2002) by Christina Dodd – Samantha Pendregast is a reformed pickpocket. (A-/B+ at AAR)
  • Always a Scoundrel (2009) by Suzanne Enoch – Lord Bramwell Johns is a burglar. (A- at AAR)
  • Vanity (1996) by Jane Feather – Octavia Morgan is a pickpocket and Lord Nick is a highwayman.
  • Prince Charming (2000) by Gaelen Foley – Lady Daniella Chiaramonte was the highwayman, “The Masked Rider.” (B at AAR)
  • Guardian Angel (1990) by Julie Garwood – Jade, the heroine, is a “Robin Hood” pirate thief. (A- at AAR)
  • An Honorable Thief (2002) by Anne Gracie – Kit Singleton, the heroine, is a thief. (A at AAR)
  • Her Officer and Gentleman (2006) by Karen Hawkins – Christian Llevanth, Viscount Westerville, is a reformed highwayman. (B at AAR)
  • Untie My Heart (2002) by Judith Ivory – Emma Hotchkiss, the heroine, is a confidence artist gone straight who uses her skills to right a wrong. (A- at AAR)
  • The Wind Dancer (1991) by Iris Johansen – Sanchia, the heroine is a pickpocket.
  • The Last Duke (1995) by Andrea Kane – Pierce Thornton, the hero, is a Robin Hood-style bandit.
  • The Prince of Midnight (1990) by Laura Kinsale – S.T. Maitland, the hero, is a retired highwayman. (A at AAR)
  • Worth Any Price (2003) by Lisa Kleypas – Nick Gentry was a criminal gang lord/thief. (B+ at AAR)
  • To Love a Thief (2005) by Julie Anne Long – Lily Masters is a thief. (B at AAR)
  • Royal’s Bride (2009) by Kat Martin – Royal Dewar and Lily Moran work a con. (B- at AAR)
  • Moonstruck Madness (1977) by Laurie McBain – Sabrina Verrick, the heroine, is a highwayman.
  • Heather and Velvet (1991) by Teresa Medeiros – Sebastian Kerr, the hero, is a highwayman. (A at AAR)
  • Proof by Seduction (2010) by Courtney Milan – Jenny Keeble is a charlatan fortune teller. (B- at AAR)
  • My Favorite Thief (2004) by Karyn Monk – Harrison Payne, the Earl of Bryden, is a former thief pressed back in action. (C+ at AAR)
  • My One and Only (2000) by Katherine O’Neal – “The Tiger”/Count Aveli, the hero, is a cat burglar. (C at AAR)
  • “Forever” from the When You Wish anthology (1997) by Patricia Potter – Holly Hastings is a smuggler (B at AAR)
  • The Lost Duke of Wyndham (2008) by Julia Quinn – Jack Audley is a highwayman (A- at AAR)
  • Dark of the Moon (1988) by Karen Robards – Caitlyn O’Malley, the heroine, is a pickpocket and Connor d’Arcy, the hero, is a highwayman.
  • Loving Julia (1993) by Karen Robards – The heroine, Jewel, was a criminal, a detail which is central to the story.
  • Tiger’s Eye (1989) by Karen Robards – Alec Tyron, the hero, is a crime boss. (B at AAR)
  • The Rescue (1998) by Suzanne Robinson – “Nighthawk”/Sir Lucas Blackthorne, the hero, is a ‘former’ master thief who returns to his old tricks.
  • Moonrise (1995) by Ana Seymour – HH-290 – Sarah Fairfax, the heroine, is highwaywoman.
  • East of Forever (1993) by Christina Skye – Chessy Cameron, the heroine, is a cat burglar.
  • The Black Rose (1991) by Christana Skye – The Black Lord, the hero, is a highwayman.
  • The Gentleman Thief (2000) by Deborah Simmons – HH-495 – Lord Ashdowne, the hero, is a thief, or is he? (A at AAR)
  • Once Upon a Scandal (1997) by Barbara Dawson Smith – Lady Emma, the heroine, is a jewel thief.
  • Midnight Bandit (1996) by Marlene Suson – Lord Morgan Parnell, the hero, is a former highwayman and Lady Daniela Winslow, the heroine, is a highwaywoman.
  • Fire in the Heart (1990) by Katherine Sutcliffe – Bonnie Eden, the heroine, is a petty thief. (A)
  • Once More Miranda (1983) by Jennifer Wilde – Miranda James, the heroine, is a pickpocket and thief.

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  • Deceptions and Dreams (1994) by Debra Dier – Lord Austin Sinclair, the hero, is a burglar.
  • Crooked Hearts (1994) by Patricia Gaffney – Grace Russell, the heroine, and Reuben Jones, the hero, are confidence artists. (A at AAR)
  • Outlaw in Paradise (1997) by Patricia Gaffney – Jesse Gault is a con artist. (B- at AAR)
  • The Charade (2000) by Laura Lee Gurhke – Katie Armstrong, the heroine, is a thief. (B at AAR)
  • Daring the Devil (1999) by Leslie LaFoy – Darcy O’Keefe, the heroine, is a pickpocket. (B- at AAR)
  • My Wicked Enchantress (1988) by Meagan McKinney – Kestrel, the heroine, is a pickpocket.

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  • Gangster Country (2013) by Kade Boehme – One of the protagonists is #2 to a drug runner. (M/M)
  • Entrapment (3/2003) by Kylie Brant – – Juliette Morrow, the heroine, is a cat burglar. (B at AAR)
  • Hoodwinked (6/1993) by Caroline Burnes – HI-229 – David Malachi, the hero, is a burglar.
  • Pros and Cons (5/1987) by Bethany Campbell – HI-65 – Eli Holder, the hero, is a con.
  • Faking It (2002) by Jennifer Crusie – Matilda Goodnight, the heroine, painted under a fraudulent identity, and Davy Dempsey, the hero is a confidence artist. (B+ at AAR)
  • Welcome to Temptation (2000) by Jennifer Crusie – Sophie, Davy, and Amy Dempsey come from a family of confidence artists. (A at AAR)
  • Nick’s Kind of Woman (1/1997) by Margot Early – HSR-724 – Nick Colter, the hero, is a pot hunter. (B+ at AAR)
  • Billionaires Prefer Blondes (2006) by Suzanne Enoch – Samantha Jellicoe is a reformed thief. (B+ at AAR)
  • Don’t Look Down (2006) by Suzanne Enoch – Samantha Jellicoe is a reformed thief. (B+ at AAR)
  • Flirting with Danger (2005) by Suzanne Enoch – Samantha Jellicoe is a reformed thief. (A- at AAR)
  • Thief of Hearts (6/1995) by Tess Gerritsen – HI-328 – Clea Rice, the heroine, is a cat burglar and jewel thief.
  • Hungry for More (2008) by Diana Holquist – Amy Burns is an experienced con artist. (A- at AAR)
  • Illegal Possession (3/1985) by Kay Hooper – LS-83 – Troy Bennett, the heroine, is a cat burglar.
  • Death Angel (1998) by Linda Howard – Drea Rousseau works a con. (A/A at AAR)
  • About that Night (2012) by Julie James – Kyle Rhodes is the “twitter terrorist”. (B at AAR)
  • Stolen Hearts (1997) by Michelle Martin – Tess Alcott, the heroine, is a thief, pickpocket, and confidence artist. (A at AAR)
  • Don’t Tempt Me (2004) by Julie Ortolon – Jackie Taylor was involved in her father’s cons.
  • Homeport (1998) by Nora Roberts – Ryan Boldari, the hero, is a professional art thief. (B/C+ at AAR)
  • Honest Illusions (1992) by Nora Roberts – Roxy Nouvelle, the heroine, and Luke Callahan, the hero are jewel thieves. (A/A at AAR)
  • Hot Ice (1987) by Nora Roberts – Doug Lord, the hero, is a jewel thief.
  • Sweet Revenge (1989) by Nora Roberts – Princess Adrienne, the heroine, and Philip Chamberlain, the hero are jewel thieves.
  • Money Honey (2010) by Susan Sey – Patrick O’Connor was a master thief. (A- at AAR)
  • If Tomorrow Comes (1985) by Sidney Sheldon – Tracy Whitney, the heroine, is a confidence artist.
  • The Naked Truth (7/1998) by Dani Sinclair – HT-690 – Brenna Wolford, the heroine, is a cat burglar.
  • To Love a Thief (1996) by Margaret St. George – Paul Courtwald, the hero, is a cat burglar. (B+ at AAR)
  • Catspaw (1/1985) by Anne Stuart – HI-9 – John Patrick ‘Blackie’ Blackheart, the hero, is a cat burglar.
  • Catspaw II (10/1988) by Anne Stuart – HI-103 – John Patrick ‘Blackie’ Blackheart, the hero, is a cat burglar.
  • Night and Day: Night (11/2001) by Anne Stuart – HI-637 – Michael Blackheart, the hero, is a cat burglar.
  • Ritual Sins (1997) by Anne Stuart – Luke Bardell, the hero, is a confidence artist.

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  • The In Death series (1995-) by J. D. Robb – Roarke, Eve Dallas’s lover/husband came up from a life of crime and still skirts the edge a bit. (Various grades at AAR)

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This list is currently closed for submissions.