When four friends graduate from high school, they look forward to productive lives as adults, but one has in mind a lucrative future without the hard work of a college education or honest career.

Carol, Donna, Gail and Sue are celebrating their 1977 graduation at a local bar when talk turns to college and Carol announces, “I’m going to find the quickest easiest way to make money.” To the shock of her disapproving friends, she starts right there, picking the pockets and purses of patrons in the bar.

Carol’s blatant thievery drives a wedge between the friends, and Donna, Gail and Sue distance themselves from their former friend. Each of the three have their own challenges: For example, one battles addiction, while another lives at home with her mother, who treats her as the nanny of her numerous children. Meanwhile, Carol grows ever bolder with her thievery, which comes with both payoffs and consequences. In time, the four reunite. But as Donna, Gail and Sue mature and work through their issues, Carol’s risky behavior leads her deeper into danger, including drugs and violence.

Author Carol Vallario jumps right into the action and keeps readers turning pages. Unfortunately, there are too many holes in the narrative and not enough background information, particularly regarding Carol, to explain the characters’ behavior. Most notably, readers never understand why Carol, apparently a normal, reasonably moral teenager, suddenly and with little explanation becomes a career criminal.

Additionally, the ending is anti-climactic and lacking the emotional depth that might come with such a scene. And the “Epilogue” is out of sync with the rest of the book. (Placed at the front of the book, it is more accurately a prologue that reveals the story’s end).

The novel would be greatly improved by adding personal history and other details to flesh out the characters. Still, readers who enjoy a fast-moving story will find some rewards here.

Also available as an ebook.