A funny story about AI and a book search.
OK, there was a post yesterday about FMCs that are can artists, https://www.reddit.com/r/HistoricalRomance/comments/1lu5od5/con_artist_fmc/ . I recommended a book({Something About Emmaline by Elizabeth Boyle}), but a few hours later another just popped up in my memory. The thing is, I remembered the story, but not the title or author. I tried to Google it, just asking for an HR novel set in 19th century california with both MCs being can artists. Googles AI came up with
A historical fiction novel set in 19th century California center around two con artists who team up after meeting on a stagecoach, perhaps in the gold rush era. One could be a woman posing as a nun, while the other pretends to be blind, and their initial interactions are fueled by their respective cons. They might initially try to con each other before realizing they can be more successful working together.
This is the opening scene of the book I remembered, however it wouldn't give me the name of the book. I cut and pasted that passage and put that in the search bar, and it said it couldn't find a book with that specific plot, even though it is obviously in it's data base. I know people on this sub will know, because I found this book from a recommendation here.
Posted Jul 8, 2025, 4:52 PM UTC