King Con: A Novel

Written by Stephen J. Cannell

Narrated by Stephen J. Cannell

Raised in a world of flimflams, come-ons, and con-jobs, Beano Bates has done so well he's earned a spot on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted List. But his lucky streak vanishes after a card game in which he scams a cool eighty grand from a notorious Mafia don— who retaliates by having Beano nearly beaten to death. For the first time in his legendary career, Beano wants more than a big score— he wants justice. Aided by a beautiful, no-nonsense female prosecutor and a legion of crafty cousins who are all accomplished grifters, Beano puts together the ultimate swindle— a well-planned sting of strategy, skill and deception. And in this game, winner takes all!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Phoenix Books, Inc.
• Release date: May 3, 1997
• ISBN: 9781614675037

Stephen J. Cannell

Stephen J. Cannell (1941-2010) was the author of the bestselling Shane Scully books, including The Prostitute's Ball, The Pallbearers, and Three Shirt Deal. He was also an Emmy Award winning television writer and producer, and in his thirty-five-year-career, he created or co-created more than forty TV series. Among his hits were The Rockford Files, Silk Stalkings, The A-Team, 21 Jump Street, Hunter, Renegade, Wiseguy, and The Commish. He received numerous awards, including the Saturn Award - Life Career Award (2004), The Marlow Lifetime Achievement Award from Mystery Writers of America (2005), and the WGA Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Television Writing Achievement (2006). Having overcome severe dyslexia, Cannell was an avid spokesperson on the condition and an advocate for children and adults with learning disabilities. He was a third-generation Californian and resided in the Pasadena area with his wife, Marcia, and their children.