This is such fun, a good, light-hearted caper of theft and skulduggery introducing us to a memorable anti-hero, one Charlie Howard, writer and thief.  He is asked to steal two plaster monkeys and straightaway the fun begins.  Sadly the explanation of the crimes at the end is a tad drawn out – almost Poirot style – but it’s certainly the most enormous fun getting there.

Comparison: Carl Hiaasen, Christopher Brookmyre, Chris Haslam.

Synopsis

Charlie Howard doesn't just write books about a career thief, he also happens to be one.

In Amsterdam working on his latest novel, Charlie is approached by a mysterious American who asks him to steal two apparently worthless monkey figurines from two separate addresses on the same night. At first he says no. Then he changes his mind. Only later, kidnapped and bound to a chair, the American very dead and a spell in police custody behind him, does Charlie begin to realise how costly a mistake he might have made.

The police think he killed the American. Others think he knows the whereabouts of the elusive third monkey. But for Charlie only three things matter: Can he clear his name? Can he get away with the haul of a lifetime? And, can he solve the briefcase-shaped plot-hole in his latest novel?

About the Author

Born in Taunton in 1976, Chris Ewan now lives on the Isle of Man, where he works as a lawyer. His first novel was The Good Thief's Guide to Amsterdam which was followed by a  sequel, The Good Thief's Guide to Paris, in February 2009. His new book, The Good Thief's Guide to Vegas will be published by Simon & Schuster in April 2010. More books by this author Author 'Like for Like' recommendation