Here’s my confession to go with my review of David Dodge’s To Catch a Thief. I never saw Alfred Hitchcock’s 1956 adaptation with Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. And, once I read the book that led to the film, I had a hard time seeing either Grant or Kelly in the roles. This edition is A Library of Congress Crime Classic with an introduction and notes from Leslie S. Klinger.

Prior to World War II, John Robie was a jewel thief know as “Le Chat” because of his skills on rooftops and entering windows. But, he was arrested and imprisoned. When the Germans invaded France, they released prisoners, including Robie, who went on to work for the Resistance. After the war, Robie settled down as a farmer in the French countryside. But, someone is now imitating “Le Chat”, stealing jewelry from wealthy women, and Robie fears a couple of his honest neighbors will turn him in. His only choice is to stop “Le Chat” from the thefts, so Robie can return to his quiet life. But, the newspapers are hounding the police to find “Le Chat”.

With the help of his best friend, Henri Bellini, an importer of smuggled goods and dealer in stolen property, Robie goes undercover as a slightly overweight, middle-aged man. At this time of the year, the French Riviera will host the wealthy and the royal, so Robie heads to Cannes, where he hopes to uncover a copycat thief. But, before he can do that, he encounters two young women who have other plans for him. Francie Stevens is the bored daughter of a wealthy widow with too many jewels. And, Danielle, who works on the beach, also does small jobs for Bellini. Both women spell trouble for John Roble.

Set in 1951, just short years after the war, To Catch a Thief is set in the glamorous villas and casinos of the Riviera. There are thieves, ex-cons, police and wealthy targets in this story of theft, and a hoped-for redemption. But, once a thief, always a thief, and there is honor among thieves in this humorous book. I found myself rooting for John Robie, as an investigator, a thief, and in life in this enjoyable novel.

My husband and I watched this novel's movie version several years ago with my mother-in-law and really enjoyed it. And now I've enjoyed reading the book. This is a reissue by the Library of Congress Crime Classics and as I am a fan of the British Library Crime Classics, this was a great pick for me.

John Robie very much came alive on the page and I enjoyed his trying to figure out who the real thief was. He was a man under threat, and I felt the tension as I read. The beyond glittering locale did nothing to allay that but it was lovely nonetheless. If you're not so much into the crime aspect but more the travelogue feels, this has it. While I appreciated Francie Stevens (a brunette here), I didn't connect with her as much. I found her often as inscrutable as John did. She also came off as a bit younger than her movie counterpart and while John as described still seemed a bit old for her. Perhaps it's a difference of women through time but I often just didn't really get her or what her deal was (other than snagging John and having adventure). I can say that I appreciated their romantic thread being subtle but it was so subtle I could have done without it completely. They did have a perfect exchange in the last page of the book that made me laugh out loud (I had to read it to my husband) and I will remember it very fondly.

I will read the follow-up and see where the story takes these people next. I recommend this because it was fun, old novels should be read and this makes me want to read more by Dodge.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an Advance Reader Copy. My thoughts and review are my own.***

Ever since I read that the Library of Congress was reissuing the original novel that Hitchcock based his movie on, I’ve been longing to read it. I’m so grateful to Netgalley for providing an ARC so I don’t even have to wait for it to be published to satisfy my craving.

Everyone knows what To Catch a Thief is about. Retired burglar John Robie - Le Chat - finds himself in trouble and on the run from the police after a copycat thief starts to rob wealthy tourists of their jewels. Robie decides to find the thief in order to clear himself, and gets help from his old war-time buddies and fellow prisoners, as well as unexpected help from a wealthy American heiress who falls in love with him.

The film differs in some key aspects to the novel - Hitchcock’s films always do - but they both have the same fun, bubbly thrill and glittering glamour of the jetset Riviera, and the same cat and mouse game of thieves, ex-cons, police, insurance agents and rich women. Dodge’s novel is a lean, well-written, clever thriller that deserves its status as a classic.

The main surprise to me was that John Robie “Le Chat” is disguised as a fat, balding, middle-aged insurance man for most of the novel. If Cary Grant also was, I’ve completely forgotten that. And although a spot of romance is nice, I was a bit disappointed that both of the main female characters of the novel - Francie and Danielle - apparently agree that Love Is All We Need (or as Dodge calls it, raison d’etre).

Anyway, a top-notch crime classic, highly recommended. Now I’m off to revisit the movie!

Somehow, despite the fact that this is a classic book which became a classic movie (both of which are things I enjoy), I'd never read this (or seen the movie). Now I'm glad that I hadn't, because it enabled me to come to this book totally free of spoilers and preconceptions. It was wonderful. I really enjoy vintage mysteries and thrillers - Mary Stewart, Helen MacInnes, Alistair MacLean, etc. - and this was a fabulous addition to the canon, with a well-drawn thief at the center, a fascinatingly twisty plot, and a great cast of characters rounding out the book, including several interesting and dynamic female characters. This was a quick and interesting read and the annotation of this edition was helpful and informative.

To Catch A Thief is probably best remembered as the 1955 film starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly and directed by Alfred Hitchcock. There's good reason for that as the film is a masterpiece. Fewer people probably realize that the film was adapted from a novel by the same name written by David Dodge in 1952. Thanks to a new edition that will be published by Poisoned Pen Press as part of the Library of Congress Crime Classics series, readers will be able to enjoy the novel that gave rise to a cinematic masterpiece.

The story focuses on John Robie, formerly known as Le Chat, A notorious cat burglar operating on the French Riviera prior to World War II. During the war, Rogue fights with the Resistance and then after the war retires to the countryside to become a gentleman farmer. But his idyllic retirement is shattered when a copycat thief starts committing jewelry robberies in the exact same manner Rogue Sid during his prime. Rogue must evade the police while trying to determine the identity of this new thief.

Though the novel differs from the film in several respects, the story and characters are similar. Having seen the film a number of times, I was familiar with the basic outlines of the story. Romance is given a more low-key place in the book while the focus of the narrative is on the mystery element. The novel is fast paced and was difficult to put down. Dodge wrote a number of other novels though this is arguably his best known work. I would be curious to read more of his work. Hopefully more of his books can find their way back into print.

Thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for providing the advanced copy of the book for this review.

In To Catch a Thief, David Dodge pulls us into a thrilling tale of crime, trust, and second chances. Set against the glitz and glamour of the French Riviera after World War II, the story follows John Robie, aka "Le Chat," a retired jewel thief who now lives quietly as a farmer. But when a string of burglaries that mirror his old crimes puts him at risk of going back to prison, Robie must navigate a world of deceit, loyalty, and surprising love to clear his name.

Dodge paints a vivid picture of the lavish world of the Riviera's rich and famous, taking us from sun-soaked villas to bustling markets. His descriptions of the extravagant lifestyles of the characters immerse us in this luxurious yet precarious setting.

The characters are well-crafted, especially the charming but flawed Robie as he grapples with his past and identity as a thief. Like the mysterious Francie and loyal friend Paul, the supporting cast adds layers to Robie's journey.

Dodge's writing is clear and engaging, with a straightforward style that keeps the plot moving while keeping us hooked. His prose captures the essence of the story's lavish environment, giving us a rich experience without distracting from the plot.

This novel also poses interesting questions about trust and morality. Robie's internal struggle reflects broader themes of loyalty among thieves and the nuances of human relationships. His journey makes us to wonder if true redemption is possible for someone like him.

Dodge wrote To Catch a Thief while living in France, after switching careers from tax accounting to writing. His experiences there no doubt add to the story's authenticity and depth. This novel isn't just an exciting mystery; it also offers insights into post-war society and the people who lived through it.

To Catch a Thief shows Dodge's impressive storytelling skills. While it may not delve deeply into the characters' inner psychology, its gripping plot, vivid setting, and exploration of trust make it a must-read for fans of classic crime fiction.

Whether you read it on its own or compare it to Hitchcock's film adaptation, Dodge's novel stands the test of time as an elegant, suspenseful read.

I have never seen the movie, To Catch a Thief, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading the novel and meeting “Le Chat.” Although I do not normally read “period” stories as I prefer contemporary topics, this book was a total delight. The surprise twist at the end was perfect. I received an ARC from NetGalley, and the opinions expressed are my own.

I've never watched the film adaptation and had no idea what to expect from this novel. I really liked the crime aspect and there were plenty of twists and turns to make a great thriller.

this was pretty much an enjoyable read overall. i haven't watched the movie but this was an interesting thriller focued on theft. there were a lot of footnotes and i think they really help, especially for people who aren't very familiar with the terms used.

Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for sending me this digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

For any fan of classic movies, it is impossible to read “To Catch a Thief” by David Dodge and not picture Cary Grant and Grace Kelly as the main characters. But if one puts away Alfred Hitchcock’s adaptation, one will still get a great story and a glamourous picture of the postwar French Riviera, where the rich and famous would come and play for the season.

John Robie is an ex-jewel thief who is trying to live his life on the straight and narrow, enjoying his retirement. Before the war (WW II), he was known as Le Chat (The Cat), an acrobatic thief who would steal from the rich all along the Mediterranean coast, climbing into impossible to reach windows and making his escape along the rooftops. But after a stint in prison, along with his partisan work with the French Resistance, he has reached an unofficial truce with the police: they will leave him in peace as long as he refrains from returning to his old ways.

But we know retirement is never that easy for thieves. When a string of burglaries along the French Riviera mimics the modus operandi of Le Chat, Robie’s peace is shattered and he barely escapes the police. Now he is back in Cannes, joining with his fellow thieves in trying to catch the new Le Chat before the police catch him. When John finds a rich widow and her lovely daughter who might be the next target, he gets a surprise when the daughter sees through his disguise and now wants to be his partner in crime. Can John find the real criminal, avoid the police, and survive his partner before the dragnet closes in around him?

A fun caper set among the glitz of postwar Europe, with enough differences from the movie to still catch you by surprise.

I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. Thank you!

Another top notch novel - carefully plotted and unravelled in an engrossing tale. Interesting discussion on the morality of thieving. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6869034272

Worth the read, whether you know the film or not | As a Cary Grant devotee, I've known and loved the glamorous Hitchcock film for a couple of decades, but I didn't know the source material was a novel until this Library of Congress reprint crossed my path. Personally, I can't divorce John Robie from Grant, though it was easier to get the lovely Grace Kelly out of my mind while reading. The film hewed fairly closely to the book, so if you loved the screen version you'll likely appreciate this. If you've not seen the film, though, this is an enjoyable novel of suspense. In fact, the only problem is the one I complain of with every Library of Congress reprint: the footnotes. They are worse than unnecessary, they make the reading experience less enjoyable. They visually disturb the page, especially on Kindle where they're a bright blue link in the middle of the standard black text, and the information they provide is not needed, sometimes unhelpful. Twice, in this book, French exclamations that are clearly insulting from context are footnoted, and the footnote doesn't translate or define them, just says that they're profanity. There are no footnotes here that are necessary for understanding and enjoying the book, so instead of interrupting the reader, the details could have simply been explained in an epilogue. The British Library Crime Classics series doesn't insert these things, there's no need to have them in this series, which is published in the States by the same company

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.. I have seen the 1955 movie so many times, I believe that I know much of the dialogue, so this book was a joy and pleasure to read. The book is slightly different than the movie, but all in all an enjoyable, fun read.