Book Review: To Catch a Crook

Reviewed by Lisa Parker Hayreh

A thrilling space adventure with a dangerous conspiracy at its center

Lord Groves has disappeared from New Amsterdam in the midst of controversial rumors. Was he involved in criminal activities? 

Tasked with determining the reasons behind Lord Groves’ disappearance, Lord Henry Van de Harvey hires interstellar spy Theo Huggins to uncover the truth. Major Parks, the New Amsterdam police chief, teams up with their investigation. 

Soon, they discover that Lord Groves has been embezzling funds, and to further their suspicions, they find out his financial analyst is also missing. The stakes ramp up when they find out that someone from Henry’s family has been killed because they veered too close to the truth.

To entrap Lord Groves, Theo descends into the criminal underworld, and Henry and Major Parks work to build evidence for their case. But a conspiracy is revealed that extends far beyond Lord Groves. Who is the true mastermind behind these intergalactic crimes? The answers reach across star systems. 

Events take a terrifying turn when Lord Henry’s cousin Anna is kidnapped. To save Anna, they must decipher this mystery and apprehend those responsible.

To Catch a Crook is a terrific adventure set in outer space. Corruption and honor duke it out in the cosmos. Lord Henry Van de Harvey is a noble and laudable hero unconcerned with his own gain. Henry strives to protect others and find the truth no matter the personal cost. It’s a pleasure following him around.

Theo Huggins is entertaining as the detail-driven, perfectionistic undercover agent. He seamlessly assumes various identities to apprehend his quarry. Major Parks is the quintessential crusty police chief who yearns to protect the innocent at all costs. And Lord Groves, the villain we all love to hate, channels the darkest motivations possible. Our heroes must outsmart the criminals for justice to prevail.

Author Jack Heape has created a complex alternate world of political schemes and high-stakes undercover investigations. Classy heroes take on pirate renegades and criminal masterminds on an interstellar stage. Thrilling action scenes propel the reader through the story, and space military forces join our heroes for a grand chase through the universe. The crescendo then builds to a gratifying finale.

Plot details can at times be simplistically resolved, and some characters can come across as stereotyped and cliché. This, in conjunction with an over-dependence on telling rather than showing, are the novel’s starkest weaknesses.

Even so, this is an engaging adventure with gripping action sequences and a satisfying climax. Recommended for any science fiction and adventure lovers who long for stories with a traditional hero arc and a clearly imagined adventure among the stars.

---

Thank you for reading Lisa Parker Hayreh’s book review of To Catch a Crook by Jack Heape! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.