When it was over, there were a lot of questions.The detectives were embarrassed but they still wanted answered, “How did a 15-year-old runaway successfully pose as a world travelled countess?”The newspapers turned it back on them, practically sneering, “How did she do it while under investigation by the FBI, DEA, and Interpol?”The Mafia had been demanding the same thing for six months, “What is … for six months, “What is your real name?”
And the psychologists asked the question they always ask, “Why?”
It’s the why of it that will keep a girl in trouble.
Assuming Names is the true story of a young con artist. It’s the tale of a runaway that assumed the title of Countess and then went on to fool the FBI, DEA, and Interpol—as well as a number of other celebrities and institutions—with an elaborate tale of world intrigue.
A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: Hello everyone. This is Tanya. You may find yourself reading my book and saying, “No, this did not happen.” You may be inclined to say it is too far-fetched and, quite frankly, impossible. I have provided evidence at my website that what I write is the truth. I mention it at the front of the book but it may be easy to overlook, so I am reiterating here.
At my website are copies of the newspaper and magazine articles mentioned in the book. The articles are from the Austin American Statesman, The Dallas Morning News, and Woman’s World Magazine. They are all nationally recognized media for news. Previous reviewers were concerned I may have gone to Photoshop to create them, and while my book does paint me as the sort that would do such a thing, the reality is that those media institutions would sue me into submission before the cache could be cleared.
In the end, you may not believe me, but you can surely believe what the papers wrote.
more
I loved every second of this book. I always like it when a story has multiple events and themes running through it, it doesn’t focus solely on one incident and while you’re on the journey with her she’s reminiscing. The character and her dialogue were brilliant, really fresh and exciting. I literally (using that word correctly) laughed out loud multiple times.
My kinda heroine
Can’t wait to read Ex Patriots!
If you thought Catch Me if You Can was a crazy true story of a teenager fooling the best in law enforcement and beyond, wait until you read ‘Assuming Names’ by Tanya Thompson. By using her intelligence, good looks, and charisma to her advantage Tanya Thompson became a master con artist, before many of us can legally buy a drink. During her extraordinary life of crime, we meet a whole cast of interesting characters, and travel to a range of unusual places, including Psych Unit that she somehow manages to talk her way out of.
The thing I find most interesting about Tanya is that she probably could have turned her talents (particularly a high IQ) to anything, without entering the seedy crime world. It seems that a need for excitement and a lust for adventure after a less than ideal childhood have led her on the path that sees her fall foul of the mob and the most sophisticated law enforcement agencies in the world.
Despite committing crime without a second though, I couldn’t help but root for Tanya. She is funny, engaging, and weaves an excellent yarn, that is completely true. No matter how hard it is to believe. I would love to have her as a guest at a dinner party!
I can’t believe the story told in ‘Assuming Names’ is actually true. It is so unbelievable and so crazy, I had to keep telling myself as I was reading that it wasn’t a piece of wild fiction I was reading, but a true story. How did a 15-year-old girl become such an adept con artist that she fooled not just your average Joe, but also Interpol, the FBI, and the DEA?
The self-described sociopath and criminal genius knew she was doing wrong she just didn’t care. Her life of crime started with simple thefts, but then developed to her real forte, identity theft. A high IQ and a disregard for the law are a dangerous combination and as a result, she doesn’t just have agencies after her, but she also falls foul of the Cambodian Mob and the Italian Mafia.
It was deeply dark in parts and Tanya had some difficult times, but she tells her shocking true story with humour and some compassion for the people she wronged. This makes her likable despite her committing almost every crime in the book. She may not be after redemption, but she is refreshingly candid and a great storyteller.
I’m sorry I never pan Authors or say things that might be hurtful. I hate offering three stars. But honestly the mix of darkness and sinister plot scared me. I couldn’t manage to get past the fifth chapter. Autobiographical but the topics seemed to lack thorough research, investigation and resolve. the Associated Press might have supported this book’s release but it is clear the writing is ghostwritten, not well, an editor might have picked up on basic English rules of thumb. I’m not certain this book is ghostwritten yet the style and erroneous grammar and plotting issues seems in my opinion; risky business on behalf of the publishing house.
An astounding read, and I can’t believe this hasn’t been picked up for the big-screen yet.
An amazing read. Such a dark story yet the protagonist, who I later realized is a real person, is so likeable that I really wanted her to win out. There’s mention of a follow-on from this, so I’ll be in line to read that one too.
Assuming Names by Tanya Thompson
Book starts out with a story about a 15 year old girl. She’s got quite the knowledge of how to do things in the 1980’s to make her life easier.
Many thefts, impersonating others, multiple SSNs, passports and lots of cc’s she is able to talk herself out of a psych ward and she travels the world. Remember this is in the 80’s!
Liked the parts about the travel and where she ended up and how she was able to even accomplish the thefts, always blaming it on others.
Based on a true story. Lots of drugs, stealing while growing up and at times going to college.
Other works by the author are highlighted at the end along with links to excerpts of one other novel.
I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
Author Tanya Thompson is one fascinating persona. ASSUMNG NAMES is her autobiography of a con artist originally published in 2014, and since that time she has enjoyed success in writing further strange and interesting books: SWEET FREAKS, NIGHT OF THE RAT, and RED RUSSIA – books that share her keen sense of humor along with the bizarre story lines she creates.
Tanya’s writing style matches the content of this fascinating glance back over the escapades of a con artist. Early on she explains the inception of her criminally imaginative life – after a frightening night (and return to) a place called Wolf Meadows Tennessee, she writes, ‘I hadn’t gained much by going to Wolf Meadows. I’d not seen chain marks in the tress or heard any wolf children howling, but I learned that a lack of cars did not guarantee solitude. I also came away with a rather horrific-looking three-inch gash that started on my wrist and sliced down my forearm. It was an unfortunate addition to my image when I had plans to present myself in Dallas as cultured and sophisticated, like the women I had seen in a documentary on Neiman Marcus. It was the world’s ultimate luxury store where the clients sat on velvet couches while the fashions were paraded before them in private shows. I was certain none of those ladies would have been caught running through the backwoods, nor had they ever grappled themselves bloody on a chain link fence. They were too refined for such nonsense, and I coveted not only their manners but their fur coats and private jets…I merely desire something ambiguous, like countess,,,To assume the title and riches found in Neiman Marcus, I need only escape Tennessee, dress the part, and sound foreign…’ And so begins the infamous career of a successful name assuming/role playing con artist.
Gaining fake identities is only one part of Tanya’s ‘career’ – she sweeps us through her life shedding boredom with her facility of capitalizing on her natural beauty, innate intelligence, and lack of fear, and shares her raucous adventures in fraud and identity theft, posing as created people who are able to perform criminal actions and step away unscathed.
This is an autobiography of a sociopath, one who (as many references articles included assure) was able to fool the FBI, DEA, Interpol and other investigating teams while at the same time gaining fame in the news and other media. The feature that keeps the readers’ attention, in addition to her amazing stories as a sociopath, is the kernel of conscience she relates in sharing her concern for ‘victims’ of crime. Written with a sly wink of the eye and a hefty dose of humor, ASSUMING NAMES is a dandy escape from reality – if reality means life as we are enduring it at present. The idea for a limited television series raises its head…Read for the fun of it.
Astonishing True-Crime book that reads like a novel. Well-written and captivating from the first page.