Rare is the new mystery series that makes me run out and buy the next installment after reading the first. Such is the case with Chris Ewan's new "The Good Thief" series, of which there are only two books so far, so jump on while you can. This is a very fun read.
Ewan's The Good Thief's Guide to Amsterdam is the first in the series and introduces us to Charlie Howard, mystery writer. And oh, yeah...thief. Yes, he has a hobby, a little sideline business, that he keeps up and he's made a tiny name for himself in, at least in certain circles. In Amsterdam while finishing his latest manuscript, Charlie is called upon by a mysterious American who asks him to steal something for him. It's a small something--rather TWO somethings--just a pair of plaster monkeys, of the famous "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil" ilk. On the surface they look worthless, but each of the monkeys--the American already has the third--has a secret.
Ewan wastes no time immersing us in both Amsterdam and Charlie's life. At first declining, than falling to temptation, Charlie steals the monkeys, and gets embroiled in a deep plot involving a wide man and a thin man, a blonde temptress, Amsterdam's highest profile police officer, and a diamond business owned by a prominent family. Along the way we meet Victoria, Charlie's literary agent and his sounding board, who conveniently lets Ewan explain the plot along the way.
And it does need some explanation. In fact Amsterdam is one of those books that ends with a big set piece where Charlie explains it all to everyone (including us dear readers) and reveals the real bad person--who is conveniently in the same room. I'm not a fan of that style of writing, but here I enjoyed it immensely. Ewan has a light, breezy style that perfectly compliments his protagonist. I'm so used to reading noirish, deadly-serious mysteries--by the likes of James Ellroy, Ken Bruen, Ace Atkins, Richard Stark, and Michael Connelly--that this enjoyable tour of Amsterdam--replete with a stop or two in the seamy underworld--is a refreshing burst of fresh air.
The second book in the series--The Good Thief's Guide to Paris--is out now, too, and both books have a great trade dress design in common. According to Ewan's website next up is Las Vegas, followed by Vienna. I think I have some traveling to do...
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