"It’s always the quiet ones that end up surprising you". 1886 Old New York. Just because you are distantly related to the Astors on Fifth Avenue doesn’t mean you get a free pass to easy street or get a moment to relax. And does Mr. John Cross know that to be true, although being a part of the “old money” Knickerbocker circle he has a hard enough time trying to live modestly on his professional earnings and staying in “Aunt Caroline’s” good and generous graces. So when his eldest son is found to be in serious financial difficulties with New York City’s top crime organization, it becomes quickly apparent this is no sorry joke and a decision is made to accept an “offer” from a gold-topped cane twirling gent who holds his son’s and family’s lives in his well manicured hands. With one word Mr. Cross is soon pulled from his ornamental world of white gloved service and rigid traditions into a cesspool of illicit behavior and the very underbelly of the city. The further he sinks into this new world the threats and danger become all too real and another decision may be made but oh dear what would “Aunt Caroline” think of all this? For this reader, this book in the beginning made me sit up and take notice. The saying: “It’s always the quiet ones that end up surprising you” came immediately to mind as the beginning chapters sailed by with instant action and nicely restrained drama. I will be the first to admit that after reading this book’s premise I didn’t believe that this novel would hold much depth or many surprises, I was wrong! This story handled the setting, historical inspiration, details of high society and squalid city life effortlessly and the vivid passages had me smiling and turning the pages as fast as I could. The character selection was also magnificent and if the reader loves a villain who they can both fear, respect and take immediate notice when he enters the room; you will love James T. Kent. The story moves cleverly from one world to another and it was fascinating with all the facts sprinkled throughout the story, that didn’t feel forced or out of place in any chapter. I have to say House of Thieves would make a fantastic silver screen production, honestly who can ever get tired of the rich and poor interaction in this unforgettable setting? As I said, House of Thieves made me sit up and take notice in the beginning but I’m sorry to say, I sat back a little with disappointment at the very end. Although this novel could be fast paced with the storyline and exploits (with one or two anachronistic phrases pulling me momentarily from the story) the ending for this reader was just a tad overdone. Up until then this novel was very exciting, ripe with suspense and thrills that held my full attention to see how everything came together at the end but then it just went overboard with the dramatics sadly twirling around the line of absurd and feeling rushed. There was also believability that was strained and snapped for this reader but it was all still very entertaining. Minor negatives aside, I would gladly recommend House of Thieves to those readers who love a surprising colorful representation of history with a distinct inspiration that cleverly supports events or those who have been looking for a runaway marvel of characters and suspense that can remind you at times of certain screen works of Scorsese and Mendes. Overall, a great choice for anyone that can't resist the opportunity to see Old New York in all her splendor and her dirty secrets. * I would like to thank Sourcebooks Landmark and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read and enjoy House of Thieves: A Novel -EGP/March 2015 Comments are closed.
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