He's always been good at being bad. When he decides to match wits with the Mob on its turf, will he push his luck a shade past survival?

Matt Friedrich figures there's no way out. Half a million in debt after doing time for fraud, the former art dealer would do anything to ditch his post-prison barista job for something that pays actual money. So when a shady contact from his past offers him a trial gig at her semi-legal, highly profitable agency, he can't say no... even if it risks his parole and his life.

Handcuffed to a brusque new partner who doesn't appreciate his people skills, Matt finds himself in Milan on the trail of a man he tried to put away with his plea deal. But when the paintings they're pursuing catch them in a crossfire with the Calabrian mafia, the experienced swindler may find his second chance comes at a fatal price.

Will the payoff for Matt's long con be delivered in cash or corpses?

The Collection is the wickedly fun first book in The DeWitt Agency Files crime caper series. If you like morally colorful heroes, thick layers of intrigue, and underpinnings of grit, then you'll love Lance Charnes's thrilling tale.