The Cupid Caper 

Finley Goodhart Crime Caper 1

The Cupid Caper is a fast-paced romantic crime caper featuring a former con artist turned reluctant sleuth who must partner with her ex—an irresistible but crooked grifter—to solve a murder. Blending witty heists, emotional stakes, and romantic tension, this story is perfect for fans of clever crime fiction with humor and heart.

2021 PAGE TURNER BOOK AWARD WINNER

Past Perfect Press, April 2018​

TAP HERE TO DOWNLOAD A FREE 4-CHAPTER PREVIEW! ​

Available in paperback and ebook

Kindle/Amazon |  Nook/Barnes & Noble   |  Apple Books   |  Kobo | other stores 

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"SEXY, SASSY AND SOUTHERN SUSPENSE AT ITS BEST"

“Faced paced, bold, heartbreaking, this book has it all. It takes us deep into the world of hustlers, cons, and dirty business. Yet it gives us a glimpse of just how pure-hearted some of the worst con artists can be. Highly recommended for lovers of mystery and thrillers.” 

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Finley Goodhart is trying to go straight. Unfortunately, a crime—and her ex—won’t let her.

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When Fin suspects her friend’s death is more than it seems, she’s forced back into the world she swore to leave behind. The only person who can help her pull off the kind of con needed to uncover the truth? Lex Leopold—her former partner in crime and the man who broke her heart.

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As Finley and Lex dive into a high-stakes scheme involving a matchmaking service for the wealthy, old habits resurface, trust is tested, and the line between justice and deception begins to blur. Because in this game, falling in love again might be the most dangerous con of all.

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PERFECT FOR READERS WHO LOVE

• romantic crime capers with witty twists

• heist-style mysteries with clever cons

• second-chance romance with tension

• fast-paced mysteries with emotional depth

• strong female leads with complicated pasts

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FOR FANS OF

• Stephanie Plum series

• Davis Way Crime Capers

• Lady Darby Mysteries

• Ocean's Eleven

• Leverage

• Sneaky Pete

• Wild Cards

TROPES & THEMES

• con artist heroine

• partners in crime

• second chance romance

• redemption arc

• heist / long con

• romantic suspense

• trust and betrayal

• fast-paced crime story

CHARACTER ARC 

Finley Goodhart is an ex-grifter caught between who she was and who she wants to become. As she investigates her friend’s death, she’s forced to confront her past, her instincts, and her unresolved feelings for Lex. Her journey is one of redemption—learning whether she can use her criminal skills for good without losing herself again.

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SETTING & TONE

Set against a backdrop of high-end cons, elite matchmaking circles, and dangerous schemes, the story blends Southern voice with a slick, fast-moving crime world around Atlanta and rural Georgia. The tone balances humor, emotional depth, and high-stakes tension.

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SERIES POSITIONING

The Cupid Caper is Book 1 in the Finley Goodhart Crime Caper series, a romantic crime thriller series combining heist-style plots, character-driven storytelling, and an ongoing relationship between two former partners in crime.

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 FAQ 

Is this a cozy mystery?
No—this is a romantic crime caper with higher stakes, more tension, and a con artist protagonist.

Is there romance?
Yes, the story features a strong second-chance romance between former partners.

What makes this series unique?
A female con artist heroine, heist-style storytelling, and a blend of romance, suspense, and emotional depth.

Is it fast-paced?
Yes, the story moves quickly with twists, cons, and escalating stakes.

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“This is as fun a novel as it is moving and at times heartbreaking.”

— Librarian Cynthia Chow, Kings River Life Magazine

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