Hoodwinked

Peter Grimes - charismatic con man, or misguided, thrill-seeking adventurer?

The incredible exploits of American Peter Grimes, the most audacious con artist of the twentieth century, reads like a wildly far-fetched Jazz Age novel, but it is all true. Given life's gifts in abundance, he used those gifts in all the wrong ways. Grimes grew up in the Pennsylvanian coal mining town of Scranton. However, ordinary life was never going to be an option. He had surrendered to an irresistible urge, a microbe he called the Wanderlust. Grimes certainly kept the authorities busy as he plied his trade across the globe. But would the piper eventually have to be paid?

Hoodwinked is the first biography to meet the challenge of untangling Peter Grimes' life story. What really compelled him to carry out his breathtaking scams? What part did family background and opportunity play? And why do victims fall for swindlers such as Grimes?

Cathy Koning's curiosity was initially piqued by the discovery of two love letters written by Grimes from Borneo. She was astounded to discover deception, and creativity, on a grand scale. Peter Grimes was the ultimate chameleon who took his cue for his next adventure from current events, new technologies, and even other con artists, with prison no deterrent whatsoever.

Grimes connected with everyone from dare-devil aviators Phil Parmelee and Cliff Turpin, boxer and film actor Frank Moran, shady players in President Harding's administration, Hearst journalist Basil Woon, British aristocrat Baronet Hartwell, Buster Keaton, Tigran Sarkies, the owner of Singapore's Raffles Hotel, to the notorious religious cult leader William Riker, and Canadian shipping magnate Robert Dollar. He clearly knew how to work the room.

Grimes also drugged and substituted a Norwegian sailor for himself in Japan in order to escape a second prison term in San Quentin. A top-level US government cover-up followed, kept hidden until now, as was Grimes' highly secretive, and highly profitable, bootlegging ventures with racketeers Waxey Gordon and Frank Costello during Prohibition.

Lavishly illustrated, Hoodwinked is riveting reading for anyone searching for thought-provoking true crime and narrative non-fiction.

Hoodwinked Testimonials

"Koning masterfully combines a biographical history of Peter Grimes, whilst keeping her reader on the edge of the seat. How on earth does he get away with it? You can't but help compromise your moral compass with sneaky admiration as he weaves his way to become one of the world's most creative and notorious con men." Sandi Keane-former Editor-in-Chief, Michael West Media and Editor, Independent Australia

"In Hoodwinked, Koning has created a spellbinding tale from the real life story of Peter Grimes, the charming and intriguing con man who grifted and lied his way across the world. His wild ride of a life will make you doubt that it could be real, but it was, and Koning's research is impeccable. A must read!" Alex de Fircks-Family Historian and Writer

"The extraordinary story of Peter Grimes and his daring escapades is so remarkable, it could easily be the plot of a movie. Through meticulous research and heartfelt dedication, Cathy Koning brings his incredible journey vividly to life." Fran Yeoh-Author of Christmas Island Archives website