The Good Thief's Guide to Venice

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.)