The Brownstone on E. 83^rd

Houses of Crime, #1

by

Jenny Dandy

Clever game of wits pitting one imposter against another.

The Brownstone on E. 83^rd is the first book in author Jenny Dandy’s thrilling new crime fiction series, House of Crime, and starts things off with a clever matching of wits between two players, neither of whom is showing their true face. FBI Special Agent Frank Jankowski has been working on a difficult and major drug case for so long his supervisor is ready to pull the plug on the whole operation. But when he takes a different approach, new information leads him to the home of wealthy widowed socialite Isabelle Anderson. He goes undercover, presenting himself to Isabelle’s crowd as new money relocating to New York from the Midwest, hoping to get the goods on the head of the drug organization through her. Unbeknownst to him or her crowd, Isabelle is almost destitute and supports herself by conning rich suitors and wealthy friends into supporting her lifestyle through blackmail or donating to her fraudulent foundation. She sees Frank, now Peter Franks, as her next mark. In between the two is Veronica “Ronnie” Charles, a young female thief who often poses as a male and is living on the streets until the wily Isabelle takes her under her wing to act as her butler and help support her illusion of wealth. Each has a stake in the outcome of their game, and no one knows who will come out on top. 

Frank is midway through his career with the FBI, and the drug case he’s been working on has gone stagnant quite a while back. Breaking this case and finally reeling in the heads of the drug operation would go a long way to reviving his reputation at work. He’s staked everything on his job, losing his wife to his long hours and dedication in the process. His only daughter, addicted to the opioids prescribed to her when she was critically injured by a hit-and-run driver, has run away from the rehab facility where she was undergoing withdrawal and treatment. She’s hiding somewhere in the city, and Frank’s frantic about finding her before she does more damage to herself. 

Isabelle has her own troubles, desperately scrambling to keep body and soul together without revealing her financial straits to her circle of society. I found her relationship with Veronica (Ron) disturbing, and every time the opportunity arose, I wished Ron would abandon ship and get away. 

The plot progresses play-by-play, punctuated by some surprising twists and turns or outside influences that cross over into the long con. The tension builds steadily, and the suspense of who is going to make a mistake always looms a breath away. If you’re wondering who is unaware they were holding their breath during this story, wonder no more; it would be you, the reader. 

I recommend THE BROWNSTONE ON E. 83^RD to readers of crime fiction and thrillers. 

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.