Our Take

Scam Goddess is wickedly funny and surprisingly profound—a memoir that uses comedy to examine how marginalized people survive systems designed to keep them out. Laci Mosley's voice is sharp, hilarious, and unapologetically herself, blending personal stories with true-crime scam tales in a way that illuminates both. What makes this book so smart is how Mosley reframes "scamming" not as inherently immoral but as strategic navigation of an unfair world. She's not celebrating Anna Delvey-style fraud that harms others; she's talking about the hustle required when you're Black, working-class, and trying to break into industries built to exclude you. The essays move seamlessly from laugh-out-loud moments to pointed social commentary about capitalism, beauty standards, and the con artists we call corporations. Mosley's take on dating as a series of mutually agreed-upon scams is both hilarious and uncomfortably accurate. The true-crime scam stories woven throughout—from Fyre Festival to Elizabeth Holmes—provide entertaining breaks while reinforcing her larger points about who gets punished for fraud and who gets venture capital. Her journey from rural Texas to Hollywood is compelling, told with the timing of a great comedian and the insight of someone who's had to be observant to survive. Fans of Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino or You Can't Touch My Hair by Phoebe Robinson will appreciate Mosley's blend of humor and cultural critique. Scam Goddess is essential reading for anyone interested in how we all navigate—and occasionally game—broken systems.