Priceless

by Marne Davis Kellogg

Book Overview

Kick Keswick has lived an extraordinary life. For twenty-five years she was the power behind the throne at a venerable London auction house and a master jewel thief. (Stealing only from those who deserved it, of course.) That changed when she fell in love with Commander Thomas Curtis of Scotland Yard and retired to Provence to live respectably, cushioned in beautiful food and wine. But now, someone is stealing irreplaceable jewels from Paris to Portofino--and...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312932952
• ISBN13: 9780312932954
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 0.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.4" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

another great book

2nd book in this series, and I loved it. The characters are wonderful and the plot is fast paced. Can't wait to read the next one. Marne Davis Kellogg is a great author.

~~Appraises At A High Value~~

Priceless is the second book I've read of Kellogg's; Brilliant being the first. Both were equally amazing. This book, much like Brilliant, has it all: romance, mystery, seduction, fine wine & dining, & breathtaking descriptions of jewels & jewelry to name a few. Kick is a woman after my own heart. Simply alone, her love of jewelry was enough to keep me spellbound. Never have I read a character to whom I can relate to as easily as with her in that sparkling respect. One sentence from Priceless reads as follows: "I can only describe the pleasure and warmth I receive from jewelry as intense, intimate, erotic." Don't get me wrong- this book doesn't just rant about jewels. The mystery itself is deliciously, slowly unveiled & Kellogg has skillfully rendered it so until you literally cannot put it down. The majority of the story takes place in lovely Portofino & Kellogg has obviously done her homework. Minute details decribe fine wines, scrumptous food, famously beautiful hotels, and the inner circle of the world's elite of the elite. Oh, and did I mention the jewelry???! **grin** This book for anyone who is looking for an escape or merely a change in scenery. Kellogg will keep you entertained until the very last sentence of the last page!

Retired Jewel thief, Kick, must avenge her reputation

Kick Keswick is a retired jewel thief. She wasn't just any jewel thief, she was the Shamrock Burglar. Now she and her husband, Commander Thomas Curtis of the Scotland Yard, have retired to their wonderful home in Provence. They enjoy wonderful food and picnics in lavender-filled fields. Not long after Thomas disappears with her secret cache of precious stones and a cryptic note, Kick starts hearing about the antics of the Shamrock Burglar stealing irreplaceable jewels. Since she didn't do the thefts, she knows an imposter is out using her signature. And they aren't using it right, she might add. She fears Thomas has betrayed her and heads off to figure out who is pretending to be the Shamrock Burglar and see if she can trip them up without being caught herself. She also finds out that her husband is heading up the investigation. She ends up in Portofino where there is to be a large ball. She is watching the various people trying to figure out who the burglar is. Plus she is scoping out the location of the ball. Various interesting things happen along the way. She is finally able to gain access and stay at the home where the ball will be held. Now, can she find a way to thwart the thief and get away without being caught? I love this series. Kick Keswick is so much fun. She is charming and always wonderfully dressed. Her antics are delightful and there is plenty of intrigue to keep you guessing. Not only is she a well-developed character, but the places she visits are described so well, I feel like I visited them. Plus what woman wouldn't love reading about all the wonderful jewelry and diamonds! I look forward to many more adventures of Kick. I highly recommend this book.

Hopefully not the last story...

I thoroughly enjoyed this sequel to Brilliant. Kellogg has created a great character in Kick Keswick. I finished this book in two days, the story moves quickly with intrique and wonderful new characters. The only complaint I would have is the rehashing of the background story. Since I had just read Brilliant I found it redundant, but it would be nice for those who did not read the first book. I would suggest reading it though as it is a great book also. The locales, food and detail of jewlery is amazing. You can tell alot of research went into this book. It is as rich a story as the desserts described!

upbeat comic crime caper

She led a duel life as the power behind a London auction house while separating the undeserving rich from their fabulous jewels. Kick Keswick was a media icon for her daring thefts, always leaving a bouquet of shamrocks tied by a ribbon behind. Never caught, she retired to Province where she married Scotland Yard?s Thomas Curtis, an art thief known as the Samaritan Burglar. They were very happy in their new life until the day Thomas disappears with Kick?s jewels.A heartbroken Kick becomes very angry when she reads about a jewel thief that is using her name and leaving a bunch of shamrocks behind after each heist. Afraid that if the thief continues she will be caught for past crimes, Kick decides to find the imposter, recover the jewelry and return it to its owners. In Portafuro, at a private charity event, the Millennium Star will be worn by a Hollywood actress. No true jewel thief can resist such an offering; Kick finagles an invitation to slay at the villa where she puts a plan in motion that will allow her if she is lucky to steal the Star and the rest of the jewels the imposter took.Kick is her adorable, felonious self, a mature, wealthy vulnerable woman who has come out of retirement to catch a thief. This upbeat comic crime caper is fast paced, extremely creative and filled with quirky characters that add much spice to this sensual suspense tale. Ironically, Thomas is the person in charge of catching the thief and the meeting at the Villa between the estranged husband and wife is a memorable scene.Harriet Klausner