By Hook & Crook

Kings of Copper Trilogy, Book 1

By: S. G. Karam

Narrated by: Luke Daniels

Lars Harrow thrives in Azoria, where dynamo-powered innovation fuels the dazzling spectacle of sanctioned heists. As one of the city's most celebrated thieves, he's turned daring thefts into electrifying performances. Yet beneath the thrill of each score, a restless ambition burns—Lars dreams of pulling off a heist so audacious it will change the game forever and make him the master of his own destiny.

His chance comes when a mysterious patron offers him the key to infiltrating the secret warehouse of Cecil Thume, the ruthless mastermind who profits from every heist in Azoria. As Lars chases the promise of new technology that could rewrite the city's future, a brutal murder sends a clear message: Thume will stop at nothing to protect his secrets.

Navigating a labyrinth of intrigue, double-crosses, and the risk of betraying everything he holds dear, Lars discovers Thume's influence runs far deeper than he ever imagined. With each daring move, he gambles not just with Azoria's fate but with his own humanity.

©2024 Chymist Press (P)2025 Chymist Press

If Firefly were set in an alternate 1940's US

It won't require a high level of intelligence or too much reading between the lines to enjoy By Hook & Crook, a thieves vs thieves vs the establishment crime opera set in an alternate 1940's style city complete with a kingpin, conflicted law enforcement, and a strong desire to nab the biggest score yet. Behind its straightforward prose lies a cast characters reminiscent of a short-lived space opera where the tight-knit and confident crew work together to pull off some unbelievable heists while avoiding capture by law enforcement or sparking the ire of the city crime magnate. While the mystery of some strange new power source unfolds, our anti-heroes must choose their paths, and their allegiances, with the utmost care. A balancing act of public trust, personal gain, and moral obligations create navigational obstacles. An enthusiastic reading by Luke Daniels carries this story through its paces with consistent voices and clear narrative. Aside from liberal use of profanity, this book could proudly claim a YA classification. [Disclosure: I received this title for free and listened at 1.85x.]

A fresh, action-packed gaslamp fantasy

In a city where heists are a sanctioned spectacle, one thief’s ambition will ignite a revolution—and risk everything to steal the future.

Our story begins as Lars Hallow, and his band of trusty thieves are pulling of a heist in the city Azoria when his rival appears. Karam immediately thrusts us into the action and I knew I was in for a treat.

I enjoy steampunk with its Victorian setting and gadgets put this tale falls within the gaslamp fantasy genre with the element of magic. The author skillfully fleshes out the world as he weaves the story, creating a flow that hooks the listener. The motley crew of thieves and villains drew me in to this fast-paced world where the disparage between social classes is wide. Lars and his crew are viewed as heros, for each heist is used to assist the city. There is a competitiveness between the gangs of thieves in the city. Each competing to pull off the biggest heist and unseating the others.

A new client soon sends Lars and his team down a rabbit-hole as a conspiracy theory involving the man who legalized theft emerges. I loved the tale that unfolds from the clever gadgets to the magic used. We get twists and turns that kept me listening into the wee hours. I wish the characters were fleshed out more. The engaging pace and action hampered further development, but I am hoping we learn more in the next audiobook. This was a fun listen and perfect for fans of the genre.

With his rich tones and unique voices, Luke Daniels’ narration elevated the story. I am particularly fond of his narrations in the fantasy genre. This format was well-suited to the story, enabling me to keep track of all the characters. I cannot wait for the next audiobook in the series.