Conman FICT Edition is the story of Neil Martin, a kindly family man. Geeky and nerdy, if you met him, you would assume he runs a failing comic memorabilia store in London’s Soho. Which he does. In order to bail himself out of a stock-ruining flood, he needs to claim on his insurance. Which he would do – if he’d remembered to pay for it.
Terrified of losing everything – his wife, his daughter, his business and his home, Neil reluctantly agrees to let Christopher – a passing hustler – use his premises for a big sting. So the con is on and the trap is set. Neil meets Christopher’s crew and, as he introduces them to the world of vintage comic collectables, he is introduced to the life of the grifter: swaps, swindles and switcheroos, the colourful patter of marks, mitt fitters, cacklebladders and cold pokes.
But things are never as they seem in the twilight world of the confidence man. And when Christopher’s real target is revealed, Neil finds himself plotting, switching, swapping and scamming for revenge, for redemption, and for his life.
Somewhere in the shadows, where High Fidelity meets The Usual Suspects, where David Mamet meets Ben Elton, Conman will keep you laughing, guessing and up all night until the last page is turned and the breathtaking truth is revealed.
Editorial Reviews
Review
‘highly witty’ ― OK! Hot Stars Magazine
‘I hate Richard Asplin. Not in any mean or vindictive sense, you understand, this is purely the type of good-natured hatred one feels for those individuals who go around hogging all the talent’ — Mike Stafford ―
Bookgeeks
‘The first blue-chip young novelist of the 21st Century. Catch him if you can’ — Tony Parsons
‘Gagged – caustic and hilarious. Will have you die laughing’ ―
murderone.co.uk
‘More Jake Arnott than Tony Parsons’ — memandmybigmouth ―
http://meandmybigmouth.typepad.com/
From the Author
Well here it is kids. Book 3. And boy oh boy is it a cracker. By my reckoning this baby was about 6 years in the making or thereabouts. And – even if I say so myself, which I do, as you’re about to find out, here we go, just watch me – it’s been a blast. This one, once again, will appeal to those who like their humour as English as a bowler hat covered in Coleman’s mustard on the head of a South London cab driver. Not a single word would have been written without 30 years of Douglas Adams, PG Wodehouse, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Ben Elton and Cyril Bonfiglioli doing what they do. Plus, you can sling in a heap of David Mamet and Christopher McQuarrie there too.New book – PSYCHE – should be with you next year…
About the Author
Richard Asplin is the author of T-Shirt & Genes, Gagged – A Thriller With Jokes and Conman. He is a lover of mid-period Woody Allen movies, Richard Dawkins, David Mamet, Elvis Presley, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Texas Hold’em, vintage guitars and his cat. Richard currently lives in London.
Wow! eBook
