The Good Thief's Guide to Amsterdam

August 29, 2011
Narrator Simon Vance shines in this audio version of the comic whodunit that spawned Ewan’s popular the Good Thief’s Guide series. By day, Charles Howard is a successful mystery writer. But at night he transforms into an equally successful burglar. While working on his latest novel, Howard is approached by a mysterious American who asks him to steal two monkey figurines. At first Howard refuses the job, but the lure of money and adventure changes his mind. He quickly obtains the simian statuettes. But when he goes to deliver the pilfered goods, he finds his employer beaten senseless. Suddenly, Howard is a suspect in the brutal attack and must use all his talents to clear his name and solve the mystery of the monkey figurines. Vance’s characterizations are broad, but never fall into caricature, and his light, wry delivery perfectly captures the spirit of the prose. For listeners who like their mysteries more witty than bloody, this delightful audiobook—and its talented narrator—will more than satisfy. A Minotaur Books paperback.

Starred review from September 24, 2007
This impressive debut, a comic whodunit from British entertainment lawyer Ewan, owes much of its charm and success to its compelling antihero, Charles Howard. An established author of mysteries featuring a burglar-detective, Howard himself is a successful burglar. While finishing his latest novel in Amsterdam, Howard receives a cryptic invitation via his Web site and follows his curiosity to a meeting with a mysterious American who somehow knows of the author's secret profession. Howard initially declines the commission to steal two small plaster monkeys, but when he succeeds in his assignment, he finds his client has been brutally bludgeoned. After becoming a suspect, Howard scrambles to understand the link between the monkeys and a diamond heist over a decade earlier. The ease with which Ewan creates a memorable protagonist and pits him against a plausible and tricky killer will be the envy of many more established authors. The detection is first-rate, and Howard is a fresh, irreverent creation who will make readers eager for his next exploit.

Charlie Howard, a professional writer/burglar, steals two monkey figurines that are, to all appearance's sake, of limited value. The next thing he knows, he's thrust into a web of intrigue that includes murder and a diamond robbery. The witty writing and twisting plotlines are read with flair by Simon Vance, whose delivery supports the book's sardonic tone. Vance successfully voices the key characters, creating a likable antihero and credible female characters. His use of accents, in particular Dutch and American, adds to the authenticity of the reading. Vance's well-paced narration helps listeners follow this entertaining crime caper without confusion. K.J.P. (c) AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine