There’s something about a con story that just calls to me! Congratulations to writing duo @lizandgregwrite on Trust Issues, out today. Trust issues follows two adult siblings from New York City, who are reeling from the suspicious death of their mother and beginning to suspect their stepfather swindled their inheritance. The novel is a cat and mouse chase across state lines as the siblings interact with people and attempt to shed light on the true identity of the con man. I thought this one was interesting because the siblings themselves are quite untrustworthy. They’re both at rock bottom in terms of their personal lives and really not very nice to each other or to their family members. I heard @carinnjade say this on @popfictionwomen podcast interview with the authors, and I agree that I wasn’t necessarily rooting for the siblings to win. But I was rooting for the truth to come out. Not only is this a suspense but a deep dive into several characters povs and an exploration of their flaws. You as the reader get to decide, do they have any redeemable qualities? What is justice in this situation?

Reading this makes me wanna go back and read others by this duo. They shared on the podcast how they met an acting school and it was fascinating to learn how they write together.

With over the top characters lending a sense of humor, while this book has sad events involved, it still feels like a very entertaining caper throughout most of the story. I wasn't completely satisfied with the ending, but the story was fun.

I really enjoyed this story of two spoiled (and suddenly disinherited) siblings who have to band together to beat a con artist who was also married to their late mother.

All the Succession and First Lie Wins vibes!

A twisty domestic thriller from a new to me author that features a pair of unlikable heirs, a suspicious stepfather who turns out to be a skilled con artist and a sizeable inheritance. This suspense story is sure to keep readers guessing as they try to figure out who is responsible for the suspicious death of the matriarch. Good on audio and recommended for fans of authors like Shari Lapena. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

This story is about siblings who try to get their inheritance they believe they are rightfully owed after their mother dies. They team up to find the man who they believe stole their money and killed their mother. I did enjoy the subtle twists but it was REALLY hard to like the siblings or root for them but overall enjoyed the book.

Trust Issues by Elizabeth McCullough Keenan and Greg Wands opens with Perry finding out that his wife had an unfortunate accident and passed away, which leaves him to tell his estranged stepchildren, Kagan and Hazel, what happened. When Kagan and Hazel offer their help with settling the estate, Perry turns them away and absconds with everything, but not before charming a wealthy widower in hopes of conning her out of money. Will Kagan and Hazel be able get their inheritance back and stop their stepfather before he takes advantage of yet another lonely woman?

I'd like to thank NetGalley and Penguin Group Dutton for approving me to read an Advanced Readers Copy ARC of Trust Issues. I received a copy for free in exchange for my honest review.

Hazel, Kagan, and Perry have to be the most unlikable characters in the history of books. There is absolutely nothing redeeming about them. In fact, I disliked the characters so much that I considered not finishing the book. The only redeeming character in the whole story was Ava. At one point in Ava telling her story about staying with her Aunt Constance, it reminded me of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. I didn't trust Ava entirely and expected her to be in cahoots with Perry. Was I right? That's for me to know, and you to find out.

I didn't care for the writing style of the authors at the beginning, but the writing did get better once Ava was introduced. It still was hard for me to get through the story, but the last twenty-five percent of the book was enjoyable, which led me to give Trust Issues four stars out of five stars instead of three stars.

Trust Issues by Elizabeth McCullough Keenan and Greg Wands wasn't exactly the book for me, it may be perfect for someone else. Give it a whirl and make up your own mind.

Trust issues
Rating 4.5 stars 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 rounded up
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Janice is dead. Someone may have pushed her over the wall. That doesn't stop Her son and daughter, who haven't spoken to her in years, and come running for their share. They want to point fingers at Perry, Janice's husband, and excuse him of Janice's death when they find out they have been cut out of their mother's will.
But this isn't right, and the siblings know in their heart that Perry had something to do with their mother's death.
They start digging, and they find out he's a con man who has certainly done this before to other women
Hazel and Kagen find Perry's long lost daughter and together they stop at nothing to prove Perry is indeed a killer and most certainly a con man who is already onto another victim before Janice has even been buried yet

This was an enjoyable read. The trope is kind of overplayed but this gave new life and a new spin on it.

Hazel and Kagan are understandably saddened by the death of their mother, and shocked when the police open an investigation, but their grief is tempered by the expectation that they will receive an inheritance they both desperately need to fund the lifestyles they can't support on their own. They are shocked when their stepfather reveals that their mother has all but disinherited them--other than offering to fund rehab stints for both of them. Incensed, they look more closely at "Perry" and discover their stepfather is worse than they made him out to be.

United by their determination to get their rightful inheritance, they form an alliance with Ava, who is familiar with Perry's cons. Both are fascinated by Ava, but she plays it cool as she leads them into the ultimate con--conning the conman.

This was an entertaining read that managed to surprise me. Fans of suspense will enjoy it. #TrustIssues #NetGalley

Unlikeable characters. The plot definitely takes a minute to get into. Not sure this was my favorite but it’s also not the worst. Kind of reminded me as a family Westing Game.

This book has family drama, a chase, some hacking, and twists. Hazel and Kagan aren’t just trying to catch a conman—they’re untangling years of secrets and betrayal, all while barely tolerating each other. Their dynamic felt so real, and watching them struggle to work together made the story even more intense. Eva is absolutely fantastic.

The pacing is spot on—just when you think you have things figured out, another twist hits. And the ending? Let’s just say I did not see that coming! If you love thrillers with complicated family relationships, nonstop tension, and a bit of dark humor, this one is a must-read.

Thank you Elizabeth McCullough Keenan and Greg Wands, Penguin Group Dutton, and Netgalley for the advanced copy!

Thank you Dutton for the review copy. I loved this book, I can't even try to do the plot justice but I always look for one or two solid con artist stories each year, it's a subgenre that I love, and Trust issues delivered the who is conning who vibes in a creative and engaging story filled with a lot of twists and family drama, a truly fascinating character with Ava, and the kind of characters you just love to hate (those siblings Hazel and Kagan... not the most lovable but they are intriguing). I was never bored with this plot and I didn't even try to guess what was really going on or what twists might be coming, I just let the story and Ava's backstory unfold and take me away and into a slippery set of characters and twists.

I wish I had read this one in one sitting, if you have the chance this is the perfect book to devour on a rainy or snowy day.

Thank you Dutton/PRH Audio, partner for the ARC/ALC of Trust Issues in exchange for my honest review.

This is my first time reading anything by this writing duo, previously known as E.G. Scott. And you better believe I’ll be reading their others books ASAP! I loved this modern-day take on a conman story that delves into sibling relationships and greed. The cat and mouse game keeps you on your toes and the morally grey characters we meet will have you wondering just who can be trusted. I also love when the title plays into the storyline and there’s so many ways to look at how it does in this story!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

2.5 stars
I was excited to dive in blind, knowing nothing about the book when I got the email. Just a few pages in, I was hooked and eager to see where the story would take me.
This book has more drama than suspense. The scenes are lengthy, filled with excessive internal monologues and detailed thoughts from each character. The ending felt rushed, packed with all the necessary information at once.

All the characters are unlikable. I couldn’t stand the siblings, and even their dialogues were irritating. The con-man chasing plot was initially intriguing, and I enjoyed the interactions with Iris. The title is very apt— you can't trust anyone.

Trust Issues was absolutely wild!!! Full of unreliable characters with such unexpected twisty moments that will nearly have you falling off your chair!!!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced readers copy!!!

When a wealthy woman has a suspicious death near the Cloisters/NYC, things don't fit quite right. Devoted husband, adult children ... cue a cast of unlikeable characters.

I finished this in two nights, it kept me engaged never knowing who to trust, especially when a large amount of money is at risk.

Thank you to Penguin Group Dutton and Netgalley for an ARC.

The brother-sister thriller that's been missing in my life!

There's a line about 18% in; "who was this guy married to our mother?" and honestly...that was super real. Especially as an adult that lives long distance from a parent...too too true.

Liz and Greg do an amazing job of weaving the suspense and questions throughout the story which leaves the reader guessing to find the actual trut

Happy Pub Week to 𝑻𝑹𝑼𝑺𝑻 𝑰𝑺𝑺𝑼𝑬𝑺 𝒃𝒚 𝑬𝒍𝒊𝒛𝒂𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒉 𝑴𝒄𝑪𝒖𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝑲𝒆𝒆𝒏𝒂𝒏 & 𝑮𝒓𝒆𝒈 𝑾𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔 which was graciously provided to me by @duttonbooks via @netgalley & @prhaudio!

I had so much fun following this grifter story! Lots of shady characters who are not entirely likeable, yet somehow the authors were able to edge me into cheering for some of them anyway!

A con story that involves inheritances, kids vs. new husband, people from the past, cat-and-mouse tension, and a very satisfying finale made this a can't put down read. I needed this today, even if I did guess a tiny bit of the ending, which made me feel validated in my hopes!

Go in blind. Read the physical or digital: listen to the phenomenal audio which I added after the first 35%. In any form, this will grab you for an absolutely entertaining read. The narrator, Beth Hicks, did a great job carrying me through this.

I did appreciate the notes at the end which shared information about getting help for scams, which is sadly quite prevalent. (Que the Debbie Downer bwah bwahhhh, but it really is a legit issue and I did appreciate the sensitivity shown after having it as a plot device)

I definitely recommend this super fun read, especially after some heavy reads!

Elizabeth McCullough Keenan and Greg Wands have created a wickedly delicious game of cat-and-mouse with dysfunctional families, an unreliable narrator, con artists, scheming, lies, scams, manipulation, and deceit in their latest twisty thriller, TRUST ISSUES.

Who will out-smart and outwit the other and be left standing with the MONEY?

About...

Hazel and Kagan are siblings and are not close. But when their mother dies under mysterious circumstances, the two suddenly realize that her greedy husband took off with their inheritance.

Along the way, they will team up with the con man's daughter (after all, she has learned from the master), but can they trust her? TRUST NO ONE!

What unfolds next is a twisted cat-and-mouse game in this tangled web of deceit, keeping you on the edge of your seat with unpredictable turns.

My thoughts...

HIGHLY ENTERTAINING!

Wow, TRUST ISSUES features a wild group of devious, greedy, dysfunctional adults behaving badly and a complex family. From Manhattan to Boca Raton (my backyard), from sibling rivalry and high-stakes deceit, it's an ingeniously crafted story of deception and betrayal that delves deep into the complexities of family dynamics, infused with wit and humor.

With its cast of unreliable characters and unexpected twists, the authors keep you in suspense, leading to an explosive ending that will leave you reeling.

Recs...

TRUST ISSUES is for fans of the author and Jim Thompson's The Grifters (movie/book) and those who enjoy complex families and domestic suspense; also for fans of Ashley Elston's The First Lie, Hank Phillippi Ryan and Kaira Rouda's The Kingsley series.

Thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Dutton for an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Jan 28, 2025
My Rating: 4 Stars
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Sibling failures-to-launch Kagan and Hazel blow through their trust funds and become estranged from their mother. When she dies under mysterious circumstances they blame her husband who disappears soon after, taking her ten million dollar estate with him. The two set about finding him and the money, enlisting the aid of a surprising accomplice.

It’s an interesting premise. Pretty much every character is some level of unlikable with questionable, often conflicting motives. It’s tough to work together when you’re not sure who you can trust. The pacing was uneven, dragging in places, but the ending was surprising. Overall, not a bad read.

I received this Advanced Reader Copy of Trust Issues from Dutton Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.