"An impressive, very funny debut novel . . . featuring Charlie Howard, who is the very model of a modern master criminal." -The Raleigh News & Observer

Charlie Howard travels the globe writing suspense novels for a living, about an intrepid burglar named Faulks. To supplement his income---and to keep his hand in---Charlie also has a small side business: stealing for a very discreet clientele on commission.

When a mysterious American offers to pay Charlie 20,000 euros if he steals two small monkey figurines to match the one he already has, Charlie is suspicious;...

Charlie Howard--globe-trotting mystery writer and the most disarming burglar since Cary Grant in It Takes a Thief--is flush with the success of his Paris book reading and a few glasses of wine when he agrees to show a novice how to break into an apartment. The next day, Charlie is hired to steal a painting--from the same address. Coincidence? Perhaps, but then why does a dead body turn up in his living room? And what is he going to do when his charming literary agent, Victoria (who is trusting enough to assume he looks like his author photo), decides they should finally meet face to...