Charlie is a retired thief turned crime novelist who is forced by a mysterious blonde to return to his nefarious ways, only this time he will be breaking into a Venetian mansion to return an item, rather than steal one. Complications ensue.Like one of the earlier reviewers, I picked up this book primarily because of the cover. I'm not sure that's the best way to pick books. Someone else called it unputdownable. Well, whilst I was reading it, I had no problem putting it down. I put it down many, many times. I just wish I'd put the book down in the shop instead of walking to the till. Where to start? For a crime / caper story set in Venice it was surprisingly dull. I recall one particularly tedious scene where the villainess of the piece is trying to convince Charlie to cooperate by holding a book over a balcony, while he in turn hold a suitcase over a different balcony. I swear this tedious scene went on for 20 or 30 chapters. Maybe more!But there real problem I had with the book was the apparent stupidity of the narrator. He's supposed to be some kind of criminal genius and yet he keeps making the most obvious mistakes. This is plot driven by the his failure to ask the most obvious questions or to do the most obvious things. At one point he is talked out of following through on the first remotely sensible idea he has had so far in favour of an absurd kidnapping lark.Oh and don't get me started on the plot holes! Plot holes so big you could drive a truck through them. The whole thing is just so frustrating, because Ewan can obviously write, he just needs someone to help him with plotting. Perhaps he'd be better off concentrating on the romantic comedy side of the equation and leaving the thriller part out all together. I read the first in this series and thought it was okay but didn't feel compelled to follow the series. I didn't read the second one but picked up this last week in a foray to the library during my convalescence. This one was fine and I am inclined to read more. Perhaps it was the Venetian setting - always a draw for me - but it was more engaging and atmospheric and the plot was full of good twists.
Do You like book Good Thief's Guide To Venice (2011)?
Love traveling around Venice with Charlie, his editor Victoria, and the cat burglar. Light mystery.
—william
Light hearted, tongue in cheek and a lot of fun
—midnightranger
