Booklist Reviews
British expat Charlie Howard, currently living in Amsterdam, is a struggling mystery writer with a dangerous hobby. Just like the hero in his mystery series, Charlie is a high-class thief for hire. Unexpectedly contacted for a job to steal a monkey figurine, Charlie intends to refuse, but his curiosity is too strong and he takes the job, setting unknown but dangerous enemies on his tail. Short chapters and plenty of action make this caper novel a quick, fun, and moderately easy read. The Amsterdam setting will entice readers who enjoy modern European backdrops. Occasional pedestrian language and the moderately predictable conclusion are offset by the enjoyable plot and engaging characters. Charlie's ongoing phone conversations with his London agent, Victoria, make a charming subplot. This is a good first novel with lots of potential as a series; recommended for most mystery collections. Copyright 2007 Booklist Reviews.
Library Journal Reviews
Charlie Howard writes mysteries. He's also a thief, supplementing his literary income with a small heist now and then. He's living in Amsterdam working on his latest book, when one night an American approaches him in a bar with a request for what seems like the simple theft of a couple of small monkey figurines. While Charlie is off breaking and entering, the American gets killed, and Charlie is arrested for murder the next morning. Not wanting to admit his guilt for the burglary to prove his innocence of murder in a language he doesn't really understand, he requests an English-speaking public defender. In walks Rutherford, and together they set out to find the real killer. Can Charlie clear his name? Does he get to keep the money? Will he finish his latest book on time? Ewan's debut won the 2006 Long Barn Books first novel competition in the United Kingdom. His droll, funny, noirish style, cleverly drawn central character, and great descriptions of locale will make this a popular new series. Recommended for all mystery collections. [See Prepub Mystery, LJ 7/07; Long Barn is the publishing house owned by British mystery author Susan Hill (The Pure in Heart ).—Ed.]—Susan Clifford Braun, Aerospace Corp., El Segundo, CA
[Page 51]. Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.Library Journal Reviews
Suspense writer and small-scale thief Charlie Howard encounters more trouble than he bargained for when he steals two monkey figurines. Ewan, winner of the Long Barn Books first novel competition in Britain, lives on the Isle of Man. Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.
Publishers Weekly Reviews
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. (Nov.)
[Page 46]. Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information.