Saturday, August 6, 2011

The Good Thief's Guide to Venice-Chris Ewan

The Good Thief's Guide to Venice
Chris Ewan
Minotaur, Aug 2 2011, $24.99
ISBN: 9780312580858

His bad luck in Vegas (see The Good Thief's Guide to Vegas) has the thief-mystery writer Charlie Howard fleeing to Venice after swearing to his agent, Victoria Newbury, he'll focus on writing the next Michael Faulks burglar thriller. He also has vowed no more thieving.

However, saying and acting on his two resolutions prove difficult. He fears he may have writer’s block as he struggles to author his next novel. Additionally as Victoria arrives to encourage him, a female cat-burglar breaks into his home and ironically steals his autographed first edition of The Maltese Falcon that he stole. Graziella, as she calls herself to Charlie, gives him instructions on how to get his inspirational book back. It has been nine months since he stole anything yet Graziella wants Charlie to leave an attaché case in a strongroom of the Palazzo Borelli on the Grand Canal if he wants the return of his literary muse.

The latest Charlie caper (see The Good Thief's Guide to Paris) has the gentleman thief-writer being manipulated by an agile cat burglar whose cleverness matches the hero and in many ways trumps him. With a nod to “To Catch a Thief” fans will enjoy the jocular chess match between the Good Thief and the Venetian Bella Donna.

Harriet Klausner

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