The Burglar

October 22, 2018
Burglar Elle Stowell, the whip-smart, fearless protagonist of this uneven standalone from Edgar winner Perry (The Bomb Maker), comes from a family of thieves. She approaches every job analytically and is meticulous in her planning. But when she breaks into an L.A. mansion and finds three dead bodies—one male art gallery owner and two affluent married women—naked on a bed in the master bedroom, she becomes the target of a group of professional killers. As the killers’ search for her intensifies and the body count rises, the diminutive burglar must uncover the reason why the gallery owner and women were murdered before she becomes the next casualty. The first part of this tight narrative, which is equal parts mystery and thriller, is virtually
un-put-downable. But the story starts to unravel in the second part, when numerous plot holes become apparent. In addition, the weak ending will leave readers less than satisfied. Perry fans will hope for a return to form next time. Agent: Mel Berger, WME.

Narrator Christina Delaine effectively captures the strength, confidence, and smarts of Elle Stowell, the burglar at the center of Perry's latest audiobook. In the course of her well-planned burglary of a wealthy Los Angeles home, Elle comes upon a brutal murder scene and suddenly finds herself the target of a militaristic security force. She decides that she has to solve the murder and provide incontrovertible proof to the authorities of what's really going on. Listeners will find themselves cheering for the burglar as she is a relative hero compared to those intent on her demise. Delaine's tempo and ability to convey Elle's tension and resolve make for a highly engaging listening experience even when the plot stretches the limits of credulity. E.Q. � AudioFile 2019, Portland, Maine