Generally speaking, to be a “scammer” is to be deceitful, corrupt, and malicious. In other words: a thief. Guy Kennaway’s novel Good Scammer challenges this notion. The reader meets a young Clive “Bangaz” Thompson as an orphan in Jamaica and watches him develop a business that revolutionizes his surrounding community. But Bangaz’s pursuit, though noble, still qualifies as a scam, and Bangaz as a scammer. Kennaway affords a deft commentary on colonialism, morality, hierarchy, and poverty, asking how we judge Bangaz for his actions. Is his Robin Hood archetype right or wrong? And who gets to decide? ($25, barnesandnoble.com) —Jack Sullivan

On most crime series, women are criminals, victims, or avenging investigators. Lately, though, some excellent shows offer heroines who are all three in one: women trapped between mobsters and law enforcement who are forced to collaborate with—and outwit—both sides. On Better, a British series on Hulu, Lou Slack is a respected homicide detective who is secretly colluding with a major drug dealer. When she starts to lose his trust and that of her own colleagues on the force, Lou must manipulate both sides to save herself. Lexie Noble, the heroine of Payback, a Scottish thriller, is an accountant who is forced to serve gangsters who think her husband stole their money, and police investigators who want her to inform on the thugs. Both plots echo the premise of the Kevin Costner thriller No Way Out, but here it is women who have to stay one step ahead of their spirals of deceit. (hulu.com; therokuchannel.roku.com) —Alessandra Stanley

When J.F.K. was assassinated, in Dallas, in 1963, Don Mischer was a college kid attending the University of Texas in Austin. Because Lyndon B. Johnson had spent a bit of his childhood in the city, TV reporters flooded Austin to film news specials about the sudden president. In his memoir, :10 Seconds to Air, Mischer, the legendary TV director who landed 15 Emmys during his prolific career, credits this with piquing his interest in television. Mischer, now 83, is behind some of television’s most glorious moments, from Motown 25, the TV event in which Michael Jackson first performed his moonwalk for the world, to Prince’s halftime show at the 2007 Super Bowl, performed in sky-high heels on a rainy stage. The drama leading up to productions is just as entertaining as the polished final products. ($28, amazon.com) —Jensen Davis

Until recently, platinum wasn’t a fixture when it came to everyday jewelry, relegated instead to simple wedding bands and engagement rings. That is, until the creators of Platinum Born, realized that the precious metal is actually a lot more durable and versatile than gold or silver. Six years ago, the company creating featherlight hoop earrings, magnetic chokers that coil like an accordion, and demure bracelets that sparkle in candlelight. Though platinum is notoriously the most precious of metals, some of the jewelry made from it is affordable. It’s a sustainable purchase, though, don’t forget. Platinum doesn’t chip or scratch. (from $330, platinumborn.com) —Elena Clavarino

After globe-trotting architect Lee Mindel moved into an apartment in Tribeca’s towering Herzog & de Meuron–designed 56 Leonard, he noticed a vacant street-level space, tucked behind Anish Kapoor’s massive, mirrored bean. A voracious collector, Mindel seized the opportunity to create Galerie56, New York’s best new platform for exhibitions celebrating the intersection of art, architecture, and design. Already discovered by design insiders, the gallery is now drawing wider crowds. Its new show, “Garbo Talks,” features more than 50 exceptional pieces inspired by Greta Garbo’s work as well as her affinity for Scandinavian design. Among the marvels are Axel Einar Hjorth’s Utö table, Josef Frank’s Apskåpet “monkey cabinet,” anda Verner Panton Wonderlamp ceiling light. (galerie56.com) —James Reginato

Some might know Donald Robertson as the “Andy Warhol of Instagram,” and it’s an accurate analogy. In 2012, he was a suburban dad with a compulsive drawing habit. Then his assistant set him up with the Instagram account @drawbertson, and his cartoonlike depictions of of everyone from Anna Wintour and Harry Styles to Ina Garten swiftly took over the Internet. Now he has Beyoncé as a fan, owns a Palm Beach gallery (Drawbertson), has published one art book (Donald), and is about to release his second. He describes Drawbertson: Sofa King Great as “great, big, [and] beautiful,” complete with 400 pages of art. Stop by Bergdorf Goodman on December 14 to meet Robertson and pick up a copy. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait until February for your pre-sale book to arrive. ($300, donalddrawbertson.com) —Elena Clavarino