Overview

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 books.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

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Reviews

""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 ""I was captivated by this stunning, superbly written true story. The writing successfully grounded me in time and place, with vivid details of historical events at the time of Peter Grimes' life. Koning extensively researched her subject, with the notes and references adding to the story's authenticity. I loved the court scene when Peter takes the stand, and the way she ensured there were no loose ends in her conclusion, while leaving it to the reader to form their own opinion about what made Grimes the man he was. A compelling and exciting read.""- Thomas Landgraf, Haiku poet ""I did enjoy the antics of Peter Grimes, and certainly was amazed at the research Koning employed to successfully achieve the storyline. I also enjoyed the subtle humour. It was really rather incredible how she set up Grimes to be a character I was torn between thinking was clever and manipulative, or just a con man and a criminal."" - Susan Sharkey ""Koning's true life tale Hoodwinked is a 'must read' for any fans of Peaky Blinders - the super-fuelled Netflix series about a notorious Irish/Romanian family gang back in 1919 in Birmingham, England. Its leader, Tommy Shelby (also known as ""the Devil""), is a compelling, charismatic character. A criminal with a conscience is forced into crime after WW1 to ensure the survival of his family. ""Peter Grimes makes his entrance into Koning in-law's life around the same time-NYE 1918-when Koning chanced on two letters to her husband's Aunt, Dorothy Rudder, who'd had a short romantic encounter with Grimes. ""Unlike Tommy Shelby, whose intentions were always to 'go legit', Grimes was true con artist. But they shared something in common: discrimination. With their Gypsy/Irish heritage, the Shelbys are seen as scum. Peter Grimes, an American-born Catholic of Irish heritage, nurses a similar grievance for his vastly more notorious deeds. As Koning reminds us: The oppression of tyranny would have weighed heavily on him. The mantle of tyranny is a difficult one to shake off and leaves an indelible imprint. ""Koning masterfully combines a biographical history of 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. As a journalist/editor, I also have to ask the question: why has there been no movie/series about this guy? The answer has to be because the name 'Peter Grimes' would confuse the general public with Benjamin Britten's opera. But it's a perfect choice for Book Clubs. First Question: Would you have fallen for Peter Grimes?"" - Sandi Keane-former Editor-in-Chief, Michael West Media and Editor, Independent Australia

Author Information

Cathy Koning found her writing voice after becoming the caretaker of a fascinating archive of theatrical memorabilia belonging to her husband's great-aunt, Sydney stage performer, Dorothy Rudder. The biography Dainty Diva was the outcome. She followed up with Life Blood, the chronicle of her life-threatening encounter with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Cathy then commenced research on Hoodwinked, the astounding life story of Peter Grimes, the American master of deception who met Rudder in Borneo in 1919.

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