A Dazzling Plot..
Much honour amongst thieves in this most recent Library of Congress Crime Classic reissue when the infamous ‘Le Chat’ seemingly comes out of retirement to target wealthy individuals on the French Riviera - but is it really the infamous jewel thief or has someone decided to copycat his antics? A true classic with a dazzling plot littered with twists and turns aplenty, a lively narrative, colourful and well drawn characters all in a sharply painted backdrop. A delight.

This was not totally my cup of tea. It was somewhat interesting, but I think I got lost in some of the language and subtitles. I think the premise was good and I did understand it. Just not my favorite. It totally might be for someone else who enjoys mystery though.
2.5 stars

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

"To Catch a Thief" by David Dodge is a classic tale of intrigue and suspense that blends romance, mystery, and adventure. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the French Riviera, this novel captivates readers with its charming protagonist and captivating storyline.

This novel follows John Robie, a former jewel thief known as "The Cat," who has retired to a quiet life in the French countryside. However, when a series of high-profile thefts threaten to implicate him, Robie must come out of retirement to catch the real culprit and clear his name. Along the way, he teams up with the stunning and resourceful American heiress, Frances Stevens, whose curiosity and determination add a delightful dynamic to the story.

David Dodge's writing is sharp and evocative, creating a vivid sense of place that transports readers to the sun-soaked streets and luxurious villas of the Riviera. His characters are well-drawn and engaging, with Robie's suave charm and Frances's spirited wit making for an irresistible duo. The dialogue is snappy and humorous, adding a touch of lightness to the tension-filled plot.

The pacing of "To Catch a Thief" is expertly managed, with each twist and turn keeping readers captivated. Dodge masterfully balances moments of suspense with scenes of romance and levity, making for a well-rounded enjoyable read. The novel's climax is thrilling and satisfying, tying together the various threads of the story in a way that leaves readers thoroughly entertained.

Through Robie's journey, Dodge delves into the complexities of leaving behind a life of crime and the challenges of proving one's innocence. The chemistry between Robie and Frances also adds depth to the narrative, highlighting the power of partnership and mutual respect.

"To Catch a Thief" is a timeless and captivating novel that showcases David Dodge's talent for crafting engaging and memorable stories. It is a must-read for fans of classic mysteries and anyone who enjoys a well-told tale of adventure, romance, and suspense. This novel's charm and excitement make it a delightful escape into a world of glamour and intrigue.

To Catch A Thief has to be one of my favorite movies of all times. Every time I watch it I escape into a good plot, good characters and an amazing setting in France. I had never read the novel upon which this popular film is based, so was thrilled when it was available on NetGalley.

I very much enjoyed this version of the story. It is suspenseful and stands the test of time. I highly recommend it. Jewel thieve…beware!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this title. All opinions are my own.

The French Riviera is a popular place for the rich and famous, and also for those who prey upon their fortunes. John Robie is one of those who go to the Riviera. Of particular interest are diamonds and pearls. Many are trying to capture him; nicknamed “Le Chat”.

The French police and insurance companies know of their expensive baubles and have undercover gendarmes who monitor the ladies.

This book is well written and illuminates the underbelly of life in the South of France. A thief must be very smart, agile, and extremely athletic to pull off some of the burglaries that ensue. I found it a good primer for anyone who wishes to become a cat burglar. Enjoy the story and the experience. 4.5 stars – CE Williams

“To Catch a Thief” was a great classic mystery. It was full of intrigue and fun twists and turns. It kept me guessing the whole time. The characters were great and the scenery was also great. I thought this edition was great. I would definitely recommend this version.

classic-crime, France, Monaco, jewel-thief, post-WW2, romantic, disguises, suspense, cat-burglar*****

Read this original and very well-written story first, and I can guarantee that you'll not only love the prose, the classic mystery, descriptions of disguises and scenery but gain a finer appreciation of the film (also a classic). The characters come alive as written and are much more real than in the film.
Don't skip any of the background info or footnotes!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected e-proof from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley.
#To Catch a Thief by David Dodge Current Pub Date Apr 01 2025 #Originally1952 #Film1955
@poisonedpenpress @goodreads @bookbub @librarythingofficial #HistoricalMystery @barnesandnoble @waterstones ***** Review @booksamillion @bookshop_org #Suspense @bookshop_org_uk #LibraryOfCongressCrimeClassics #ClassicMystery

Overall, this was really good. It just wasn’t for me and I found myself a little bored by it. I would still recommend it. The only thing I really didn’t like was the ending but yeah, overall it was a pretty good book.

ust shy of the 70th anniversary of its release, David Dodge’s To Catch a Thief remains as clever and suspenseful as ever. How grateful I am to Poisoned Pen Press for reissuing this heart-stopping thriller!

American-born cat burglar John Robie has been retired from jewel robbery for years now, leaving in obscurity in Vence in southeastern France, near the French Riviera. The local commissaire, Oriol, realizes that Robie was Le Chat, an acrobatic cat burglar who was an international sensation before being arrested. Robie’s unofficially pardoned for his part in the French Resistance during World War II and looks the other way.

Robie’s placid existence ends when a copy-cat cat burglar begins stealing jewels during the high season in the French Riviera. Their styles are so similar that Robie flees and, through his Resistance pals (nearly all of them still a bit crooked) masquerades as an American insurance agent newly arrived from New York City. The gang decides that the only way to clear Robie is to nab the cat burglar because “To catch a thief, it takes a thief.”

No less than Alfred Hitchcock turned this Golden Age gem into a 1955 film starring Carey Grant and Grace Kelly. I can assure you that — as usual — you’ll love the book more than the movie. Highly, highly recommended.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this one! I was intrigued from start to finish and I could not finish it fast enough!

It takes a thief to catch a thief, as the saying goes. This book, dripping with evocative post-WWII locals, is a classic and our mystery readers will love it.

Definitely keeps your attention. Read in one sitting book. Give action and can visualize the scenes. I enjoyed it.

I felt this was very slow paced. The characters were well written. Normally the book is better than the movie. This is the only exception I've found.

I found this novel absolutely charming! It has enough variations in the plot from the Grace Kelly film to keep it interesting and it vividly captures the French Riviera. It’s very well-paced and clever enough to have a convincingly suave cat burglar. I also think that the women are refreshingly independent and lively within it. It’s got some brilliant characters contained within it and some lose-yourself descriptions of the 1950s Riviera. Just a fun and pacey read.

This is a reprint of the novel that was the basis of the delightful Alfred Hitchcock 1955 film "To Catch a Thief", with a new, detailed foreword and lots and lots of footnotes and endnotes to quell the curious mind. It's also a lovely read and great fun, all about John "The Cat" Robie, a retired but still famous cat burglar who is suddenly back in the spotlight due to a new stream of crimes throughout the French Riviera that mimic his style. Unfortunately, no-one believes that he isn't back in action.

When he learns of the valuable jewels that American widow Jessie Stevens has brought to Canne, he's sure that the mimic thief will strike! And then when he meets Francie Stevens, Jessie's beautiful young daughter, things get complicated. She's eager for some excitement in her boring life and soon figures out that John is The Cat. She's also convinced he's the acting thief, however much he insists otherwise. What will he do?

I quite enjoyed this book, including all the additional explanatory footnotes, and now need to go rewatch the movie!

A re-release by the Library of Congress Crime Classics, “To Catch a Thief” was a whole new story for me (despite it also being a Hitchcock film). Dodge’s writing stood up for me, sure it’s vintage, but the plot twists work, the characters and themes work some 75 years later and despite reservations set in my mind from the introduction, the female characters and attitudes toward them weren’t as grating as I feared.

HIghly recommended crime classic.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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.