Thieves Get Rich, Saints Get Shot    by Jodi Compton Order:  USA  Can Random House, 2011 (2011) Hardcover, CD, e-Book Read an Excerpt      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson Jodi Compton's Thieves Get Rich, Saints Get Shot is the sequel to her excellent, action-packed Hailey's War. It introduced one of the feistiest female mystery protagonists ever, West Point dropout Hailey Cain, whose life seems to endlessly careen from frying pan into ever hotter fires! Hailey's military career was ended by the discovery of her inability to feel fear. Hailey has three friends in her dangerous world - her beloved cousin Cletus 'CJ' Mooney (a Grammy-winning music producer who is currently furious with her for keeping him out of her life); veterana gang leader Serena 'Warchild' Delgadillo, an old schoolmate; and Tess D'Agostino, biological daughter of a San Francisco organized crime figure, who saved Hailey from her father's thugs in Hailey's War. As this second episode opens, Hailey is in Los Angeles once more, living under the radar and acting as second-in-command to Serena, with the gang name of Insula. Thieves Get Rich, Saints Get Shot centers on Hailey's attempt to clear her name after being framed for the Good Friday killings of a distillery fortune heiress and a cop - the heiress's caregiver was masquerading as Hailey and her prints are on the murder weapon. She does have an alibi but can't use it; she and Serena were hijacking a drug company truck at the time. Complicating matters further is feared LAPD gang-intelligence officer Magnus Ford, who has been on Serena's trail and makes contact with Hailey - he believes her innocent of murder but guilty of armed robbery. It's a gripping, violent tale, the reader left continually wondering will Hailey be able to extract herself from this one, or is this the end for her and for Serena? And, though the conclusion has an element of deus ex machina, it leaves the series open to exciting new developments and offers Hailey 'an opportunity to be of some value to the world.' If you enjoy strong female characters, they populate this series; don't miss it. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews