‘The Family Biz’ by Alan Orloff; Level Best Books; 305 pages; $17.95
Chance Winston — the unconventional hero of Alan Orloff’s wry new series — says he comes by his “dishonesty, honestly,” going back generations, starting in the 1800s, maybe further back. Chance’s criminal ancestors were not violent but rather con artists, tax cheats, horse thieves, well-versed in the craft of the grift, of swindling people without hesitation. It’s just “The Family Biz.”
Now Chance, who spent three years in prison following in his relatives’ footsteps, has left “The Family Biz” far behind. He hopes.
Being on the straight and narrow isn’t lucrative. As a conman, Chance made good money. Now he lives in a small studio over a garage and ekes by working for Ryde, “the fourth most popular ride-sharing service.” Most riders try to steer clear of Ryde. But it’s legal and it pays.
Chance’s last customer of the night — and isn’t that last one always a problem? — takes a different turn. Samantha, who goes by Sammi, says she’s more than just a rider: She’s his daughter, and her mother is Kristal, who walked out on Chance without a word more than 19 years ago. Kristal was the great love of his life (and a darn good con woman).
Sammi has tracked down Chance because Kristal needs his help. She is nearly a half-million dollars in debt to a local criminal. Kristal has no idea Sammi has found Chance or has asked for his help. Of course, Chance wonders if this is a con. Wouldn’t a con woman rear a child to be a con artist? Still, Sammi looks like Kristal, for whom Chance still has feelings.
(Level Best Books/Courtesy)
A winner of the Anthony, Agatha, Derringer and ITW Thriller awards, Orloff shapes Chance as a fully fleshed-out character, interesting enough to support a series. A ladle of humor also propels “The Family Biz.”
Supporting characters add to the plot, as Chance needs help from his former crew, most of whom have gone straight but can’t resist the lure of the swindle. We hope to see more of these former con artists, especially Antonella de la Verona, who’s now a high-end real estate agent. Chance’s landlord, Hobie, also has quite a secret past.
“The Family Biz” epitomizes the heist novel in the style of Donald Westlake, with emphasis on twist after twist and myriad betrayals, and very little violence. You know they are coming but Orloff, who lives in Boca Raton, still makes them a surprise. As Chance says, “Everybody had a hustle going on.”
“The Family Biz” illustrates the potential of this new series.
Meet the author
Alan Orloff will discuss “The Family Biz” in conversation with Oline H. Cogdill at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 9, in the Rubel Mystery Collection at the Pompano Beach Branch Library, 50 W. Atlantic Blvd.; 954-357-7643. The event is free, but registration is required. Books will be available for sale, with 10% of proceeds donated to the Pompano Beach Friends of the Library. Visit broward.libnet.info.
