One fateful day in 1937, the life of Jack Wagner is forever changed when the driver of a large truck overlooks a red light and strikes him as he makes his way across a crosswalk. Litigation fails to provide justice for Jack as the truck belongs to a company with a large bankroll and a long list of false witnesses to testify against him. Several surgeries later, Jack is left a crippled man and is no longer fit for the duties of a seamen, a career in which he found satisfaction. With only the crushing weight of bills and the flame of revenge to warm his bones, Jack opts for a new employment opportunity. One where he calls the shots. One that will satiate his hunger for vengeance. He takes time to learn the trade, but eventually Jack becomes a truly masterful con man who specializes in scamming the very organizations that ruined his life. But working as a scam artist is not without risk, and one man is bent on bringing Jack Wagner to justice, even if it takes a lifetime.
At the outset, Master of the Scam begins as a clever little book about a man well versed in the art of cunning. The cons are rooted in history, showing the lengths people go to make a buck, especially when times are tough, as this post-depression era novel depicts. But the risky games shift for Jack as the country moves into another world war. Knight relays the perils of war as the landscape changes from the bustling streets of New York City to dangerous ocean waters and finally heads for dodgy positions in Europe. The accurate period details are a real treat for lovers of mid-century fiction. Filled with twists, turns and harrowing moments, Master of the Scam is as scheming as it is crafty.
