Publisher's Weekly Review
Now a resident of Venice, thief and mystery author Charlie Howard promises his long-suffering literary agent, Victoria Newbury, that he'll devote himself professionally only to his Michael Faulks burglar novels in Ewan's hilarious yet suspenseful fourth caper novel (after 2010's The Good Thief's Guide to Vegas). Charlie's resolve to give up crime is put to the test when, in the middle of the night, an attractive cat-burglar steals his autographed first edition of The Maltese Falcon, which he uses as his inspiration, and leaves a flyer in its place, the first of several crumbs he must follow to ascertain the burglar's true motivation. His adversary, who identifies herself as Graziella, promises to return the book if Charlie breaks into a palace, not to steal anything, but to return a briefcase. Ewan can turn a Wodehousian phrase on occasion, and his taut plotting adds substance to his considerable style. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
Bestselling author and former burglar Charlie Howard, relocated to Venice after his most recent misadventure (The Good Thief's Guide to Vegas, 2010, etc.), wakes up in the middle of the night to find a curvy female burglar in mid-burgle. He almost catches her, and it looks as if he's gotten off easy until he notices that his prized possession, a framed first edition ofThe Maltese Falcon, is missing. His agent and annoying voice of reason Victoria, who arrives just in time to scold Charlie, immediately hatches a plan to track down the thief. But this proves unnecessary when Charlie receives an invitation from the woman, whose name is Graziella, to meet. Though she has changed her long blond hair to a short dark bob, Charlie recognizes the hot criminal right away, and their sexual chemistry adds a layer of complexity to their meeting and subsequent involvement. Charlie makes a deal with this Delilah to break into a vault in a majestic but rundown palazzo not far away. Thecaper goes surprisingly well until opening the vault trips a loud and destructive bomb. Fortunately, Charlie is able to stagger back home, bruised and bloody, where he passes out and wakes up naked in bed with Victoria attending him. Far from counseling prudence, she surprises him by urging him back into the heart of danger.Ewan's fourth Charlie Howard romp moves briskly, relying once more on the boyish charm of its roguish narrator-hero. ]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Mystery author and high-class thief Charlie Howard is hard at work again, writing and stealing. He's supposed to be laying off the stealing so he can finish his new novel, but so far, he's off his game, especially after a beautiful burglar relieves him of his first edition of The Maltese Falcon. Without the prize book looking down at him as he sits at his desk, Charlie's pen is dry. Then the burglar contacts Charlie with a proposal. If he will do a little favor for her, he can have his Hammett back. No problem, says Charlie, until he learns that the favor involves committing murder. Will the good thief turn bad? Now in its fourth installment, Ewan's series has established a comfy formula. Amiable, good-hearted if ethically ambiguous Charlie is thrown into an atmospheric locale, in which he cavorts, usually, in the company of his fetching agent, Victoria, who has lots to say about the craft of mystery writing. It's worked before, and it works again. Thoroughly entertaining.--Ott, Bill Copyright 2010 Booklist