What a marvelous book this is! I enjoyed it and couldn't bring myself to set it down.
This book starts in 1953 and continues the story of John Robie, the cat burglar who separated women from their jewels, then caught the cat burglar who copied his style. She appears in this book too..
The source story, To Catch a Thief was written by David Dodge, and became the movie To Catch A Thief,,brought to film by Alfred Hitchcock. The two main characters , John, the cat burglar, now retired, and Francie Stevens , a lovely young lady who is making her modelling debut, were portrayed by Cary Grant and Grace Kelly .in the source movie. Now, they have a follow-up novel written by Mark O' Neill..
Set in France , it is action- packed and thrilling with lots of danger.
I loved it and would definitely read a sequel, should one emerge.
What a fun escapade. Read it. It's that good.

Thank you to the author and the publisher for giving me an ARC copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

From page one, this book felt like a movie—seriously, the vibes are so cinematic. Set in the glamorous golden era of the 1950s, the novel sweeps us away to the sun-soaked streets of the French Riviera, dripping in fashion, wealth, secrets, and shadows. You can practically hear the click of designer heels on cobblestone and feel the tension simmering behind every whispered conversation.

What I loved most is that this book feels true to the spirit of the original. John Robie is still suave and sharp, he’s also more layered and human. We get to peek behind the charm and see a man who’s been through some things—and who’s still got a whole lot left to prove. Watching him navigate old habits, dangerous new enemies, and complicated feelings for Francie was an absolute delight.

And speaking of Francie… the dynamic between her and John? SO GOOD. Their push and pull kept me flipping pages just as much as the high-stakes spy plot. Plus, the supporting cast? Total gold. From the shady villains to the quirky allies, this book has a full ensemble that adds richness without ever overwhelming the story.

This is one of those books that blends fast-paced action with character depth in a way that just works. Short chapters and multiple POVs keep things moving quickly, but it never feels rushed. Every scene has purpose, and every reveal made me more hooked.

I love the idea that author Mark O’Neill was so intrigued by John Robie and what happened after he and Francie said goodbye at the end of To Catch a Thief that he had to continue the story. As a reader I’ve often had those moments of wonder—what did actually happen to that character? Did he reform? Did they manage to make things work? I don’t always love when a book ties the story up too neatly, but sometimes an open ending leaves me with far too many questions. So I was happy to follow O’Neill as he continued John Robie’s adventures in the Riviera.
And oh what adventures! Because what does a retired cat burglar do once he’s given up the lifestyle?
To Catch a Spy finds Robie at a bit of a loss a year after the events of To Catch a Thief. Francie won’t speak to him, his friendships with his old Resistance cohort is strained in some areas, and his dear friendship with Paul du Pre still needs work to prove to Paul that John has reformed. So when Paul, now working in French intelligence, asks for help tailing a suspicious man who has just shown up on the Riviera, John is ready to put his skill set to use (scaling walls and drain pipes, entering rooms to surveil rather than to steal, being terribly charming and dashing, etc.). But what starts as a simple surveillance job quickly spirals into much, much more.
This was such a cool continuation of Robie’s story, and I felt that O’Neill did a good job of incorporating elements of the original while still making this narrative his own. We still had descriptions of the fashion and the glamour of the French Riviera, with fun tidbits about the designers of the era and the new fashions, like the Capri pants that were just becoming in mode. But taking John Robie in this new direction opened up such cool new possibilities and allowed readers to get to know this former burglar in a new light. This book had more action than the first, and I found myself forgetting that in addition to being quite physically fit so he could scale walls and such, Robie fought with the French Resistance, so he can actually hold his own in a fight. He was always there, primed to be a hero (or anti-hero) in more stories, waiting for O’Neill to take the ball and run.
I also appreciated the new characters introduced, especially Vittoria, John’s new housekeeper. She was fiery and fearless, ready to jump into a fight to defend those she deemed worthy. I always like a plucky heroine, and while Francie was still very much the leading lady in this sequel, I liked Vittoria’s role and I think she’d definitely make a great femme fatale in future stories.
The only thing I didn’t love was a brief scene during a fight scene in John’s country home. Some henchmen have ambushed Vittoria in the house and manage to get the upper hand. It’s implied that there was a plan to sexually assault Vittoria, but John manages to intervene in time. This scene felt unnecessary. Vittoria is easily established as a strong woman over and over throughout the book, and she’s definitely a force not to be reckoned with without that threat of assault.
Apart from that, though, this was a very enjoyable sequel and a fun continuation of John Robie’s story. I hope there’s more to come!
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Remember To Catch a Thief ? It was based on a novel I haven't read so I can't comment on. This novel is a take on the same basic plot, and tries its best to make the same cool, smooth, stylish impression.

It's good to aim high. You're not likely to get too terribly close to the target. This book passed some time pleasantly. It's not up to Alfred Hitchock's film's sheer lush gorgeousness. But what is?

So this is the sequel to 'To Catch a Thief' by a different author but I can tell you know it did not disappoint. This author has done a great job of bringing together a past story and the new story with ease. It was so easy to follow and was a thrill ride of a read. I loved it and would highly recommend it.

Fast paced with shorter chapters making it an easy twisty rollercoaster of a ride. Will look out to see what this author comes up with next.

Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Ever seen To Catch a Thief by Alfred Hitchcock? Love Film Noir? This might be the book for you.

An imaginative debut that picks up where the original left off—this time with a splash of international espionage and a whole lot of winks to Hitchcock’s iconic film.

Is it a little campy? Yes. Do some of the characters fall a bit flat? Also yes. But you know what? It’s still a good time. Like sipping champagne on a stakeout—classy with a side of chaos.

The plot feels a bit more cozy than cutthroat, but the callbacks to the original movie are charming, and there's a certain joy in seeing John Robie back in action. The ending sets up a juicy sequel, and I’m curious to see where this globe-trotting tale goes next.

Definitely for fans of vintage flair, light spy drama, and a good ol’ homage.
★★★☆☆ (3.5 if you squint with nostalgia goggles)

An enjoyable sequel, even if written seven decades later…

A week or so ago, I had a fun time reading a new e-reprint of an old classic: David Dodge’s To Catch a Thief, which was the basis for the 1955 Alfred Hitchcock film of the same name. I haven’t seen the movie, but enjoyed the book, which had a nice mix of action and suspense, with a hint of romance. Now, Mark ONeill has written an estate-approved sequel, To Catch a Spy, which came out a few days ago.

I was lucky enough to be able to read an advance review copy, and I found To Catch a Spy to be an almost seamless follow-on to its predecessor. John Robie has moved up in the world, in a way – he’s gotten himself roped in to doing a semi-legitimate favor for his old friend, Paul de Pre, who turns out to be rather high up in France’s counterespionage bureau. But John has also moved down in the world: all of the sudden, that favor means he’s being targeted by some pretty nasty folks. And if that weren’t enough, Francie has dumped him for another guy.

Eventually, of course, his unique skills help him sort things out, even if he’s not totally on the straight-and-narrow all the time. And along the way, there’s plenty of action and suspense, the characters feel like natural continuations of their earlier selves, and there’s always the gorgeous Riviera to (day)dream about. ONeill’s voice felt ever-so-slightly different, a bit more modern, which is hardly surprising given the seven decades between “Thief” and “Spy”. But since I had a pause of about a week between reading the two, it wasn’t jarring. In fact, the only minor issue I had with the book was my feeling that Francie’s breathtakingly fast ascent as a fashion model was a bit unbelievable. So long as I was willing to overlook that, though, To Catch a Spy was a great sequel, and I hope another is in the works – not least to see if Francie and John can manage to sort things out!

And finally, my thanks to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the review copy.

Thank you NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and the author Mark ONeill for the gifted arcs!

I really enjoyed the classic book To Catch A Thief written and released by David Dodge in 1952 and of course the legendary Hitchcock movie adaptation as well! Cary Grant & Grace Kelly? What’s not to love!

So when I heard that a sequel had been written, I was all in!! And ya’ll I was not disappointed! Author Mark ONeill seamlessly joins these two stories, giving us the perfect continuation of these iconic characters with plenty of action & mystery … and doesn't miss a beat doing it! The feel, flow & style was very true to the original … creating another cat & mouse thrill ride through the French Riviera. Each character was flawlessly represented & given perfect development going forward that vibed with the original.

Mark ONeill definitely gives us a gift with his sequel to this all time classic!! And just sayin’ … I see room for another addition to John & Francie’s story! And yes, I’d be down with that!

This novel is the official follow-up to David Dodge's "To Catch a Thief." I have never read that book or watched the movie, but I devoured this book.

This fast-paced action novel follows John Robie as he hopes to glimpse his love, Francie Stevens, in the French Riviera and, in the process, finds himself caught up in international espionage.

The short, to-the-point chapters propel the reader through this novel as secrets are revealed and the plot thickens. This satisfying novel makes it feel like you are amidst a thrilling spy movie that keeps you guessing.

The plot was clever, the action was fantastic, and the women were not created as damsels in distress.

I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good Bond movie.

To Catch a Spy by Mark O'Neill is filled with international intrigue and captivating mysteries waiting to be unraveled. The novel is a thrilling journey through the world of espionage, keeping me on the edge of my seat as I followed the twists and turns of the plot. O'Neill's masterful storytelling and attention to detail make this book a must-read for fans of spy thrillers.

To Catch a Spy by Mark ONeill  is so special because it’s the estate-approved sequel of, To Catch a Thief by David Dodge.

I really enjoyed To Catch a Thief which was written in 1952. Mark is also a huge fan of the book since his teenage years. He decided down the road to write a sequel to the book even without any writing experience, and spent years learning as this became a passion piece for him. He contacted the estate, and after they saw the first few chapters they gave him permission to continue the story. 

Let me tell you… he nailed it. This book doesn’t skip a beat.  This book truly feels like it was written in the same style as if David Dodge wrote it, yet Mark ONeill is still able to make it his own. The story takes place one year later with many of the same characters including John Robie (Le Chat) and Francie Stevens with her mother. Sadly we find out after catching the copycat thief they are not together anymore as the original book ended. Francie is now with someone new, and she is modeling in the very first fashion week in the French Riviera. We are introduced to some new characters, besides Francie’s new boyfriend, a clothing designer, and the tailor. There is a lot of mystery between some of these characters. Are they really who they seem to be? John hangs around in the background attempting a couple times to chat with Francie, when he finally does she explains why they didn’t work out. John feels he hasn’t explained himself well and continues to stick around to figure out why some things just don’t add up. 
Just like with the original, we start out with another thrilling chase scene. There is lots of action, glamour, vintage flair, deception, and mystery throughout. Do you need to read To Catch A Thief first, no but I do think it will help with background. That being said, To Catch a Spy is set up to enjoy on its own.  This was such a great follow up to the original and I throughly enjoyed the adventure again with John Robie.

What happens once To Catch a Thief ends?

A year ago John Robie, the retired (if not reformed) jewel thief known as Le Chat whose exploits as a cat burglar on the French Riviera are legendary, had proven himself innocent of some huh copycat crimes. He had needed the help of many of his friends from his days in the Résistance and as well as from an American socialite named Francie Stevens, to whose adventurous streak John's image and actions appealed. A romance between the two developed but time and distance have taken their toll on the relationship and Francie has decided to move on. She even has a new boyfriend, cultural attaché Alex Dandridge, a handsome and thoughtful man with a solid career. John is sure that if he can just talk to Francie he can straighten things out between them so when he hears she is headed back to the Riviera to be famed French designer Marcel Julien's model in a prestigious fashion show there he starts finagling ways to get to her. He approaches his influential friend Paul du Pré to help him gain entrée, but it backfires when Francie makes it clear that she and John are through and Paul finds out that John has used their friendship for his own ends. John has also caught the attention of a shady group of violent men who may or may not be connected to people that Paul and his connections with French intelligence are pursuing. The Riviera is full of beautiful people, fabulous clothes, amazing beaches, and delicious food and alcoholic concoctions...but there is also something very dangerous brewing beneath the blazing Mediterranean sun. Has John lost Francie forever? Will Francie make a success of her new career? And will either of them survive the villainous plans being hatched around them?
For anyone who has ever watched Hitchcock's film To Catch a Thief (and seriously....who hasn't?), the glamour, suspense, romantic tension and repartée as Cary Grant and Grace Kelly verbally sparred their way up and down the French Riviera leave san indelible mark on the viewer. The movie was based on the 1952 novel by David Dodge, and one of the book's many fans was author Mark O'Neill who has gained permission from Dodge's estate to write this sequel. Having watched the movie numerous times over the years I was intrigued to see what life held for John and Francie (and Francie's mom, Maude, too, she was always one of my favorite characters!) after the credits faded away. In this telling, Francie has had second thoughts about John's suitability as a life partner....his somewhat shady background, from which he has not completely divested himself), his tendency to focus on his own needs and concerns over those of others, and more....and having met Alex, who is respectable and charming and thoughtful, she has decided to end things with John, John's refusal to take her decision as final just puts more black marks against him. Francie is enjoying great success as a model, has a loving and supportive man in her life, and figures she's headed for her new and improved happily ever after (although Maude thinks she's making a huge mistake picking Alex over John). John is getting roughed up, angering old friends, and finding that Francie is slipping out of reach. As the world of espionage is woven into the story alongside the breakdown of the pair's romance, favorite characters from the original book/movie as well as some new entries flesh out the scene. And what a scene it is! Fashion shows, society soirées, andJohn using his cat burglar skills to uncover what's going on all make for an enjoyable thriller with nostalgic charm hardwired in. I did have to set aside my mental images of Grant and Kelly as I read, I couldn't quite picture them behaving in some of the ways that John and Francie do in this story, and once I did that I found it quite easy to get into the story more fully. It has its share of flaws (I would rate it 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 4), but is an entertaining read sure to appeal both to lovers of the film and original book as well as to readers of Ava Glass, Katherine Reay and P J Tracy.. If you're looking for a light hearted romantic thriller replete with plot twists and nods to one of Hollywood's classic films, grab a copy of To Catch a Spy. Many thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for allowing me access to To Catch a Spy in exchange for my honest review.

To Catch A Spy by Mark ONeill is a sequel to "To Catch A Thief" by David Dodge, but can totally be read as a standalone as I never read the first book and thoroughly enjoyed To Catch A Spy. The opening scene had me hooked. I loved the characters. I felt it was a well written story that I enjoyed a lot.

I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.

One year has passed since John Robie, better known as Le Chat, was chasing a copycat jewelry thief. After closing that case in To Catch A Thief, he, the most infamous jewelry thief known, is back and better than ever. John is now focused on rekindling his romance with the gorgeous Francie Stevens, who has returned to the French Riviera with her mother and a new boyfriend in tow. However, John's friend Paul, of the French Intelligence needs help catching some spies and John is the man for the job.

To Catch A Spy is a fast paced, thrilling , atmospheric espionage novel.
💫💫💫💫💫

Thank you Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this delightful book!

I enjoyed reading To Catch a Thief by David Dodge so I was delighted to learn that John Robie is making another comeback via To Catch a Spy, written by Mark ONeill. In this sequel, a year had passed since John/LeChat’s copycat had been uncovered. The jewels were returned and the case closed. Now, John wants to rekindle his romance with Francie Stevens but she’s apparently dating a new guy! John is also helping his friend Paul, who is now with French intelligence, catch some spies (hence the title). As in the first book, I was quickly swept up with the glamorous Riviera setting, punctuated by the Cannes Fashion Week. Love those descriptions of various summer outfits! While I enjoyed the fast-paced cat-and-mouse plot and international espionage, what I appreciated the most in this book is that this time around, the characters are more relatable — particularly the annoying Lepic! All in all, kudos to Mark ONeill for making this book a fitting sequel to the classic To Catch a Thief. If you enjoy crime thrillers, be sure to add both books to your tbr!

It's amazing how Mr. ONeill's writing followed so flawlessly that of Mr. Dodge, To Catch a Spy is a perfect sequel to To Catch a Thief. The atmosphere and beauty of the French Riviera is captured in the story as well as all the mystery that abounds in the area. The story easily flows with action after action, the characters are relatable and the scenes are full of French glamour. Looking forward to reading the next books in the series!
I thank the author, his publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

My thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press/Sourcebooks for the ARC of 'To Catch A Spy' in exchange for an honest review.

While this fun, terrific thriller works fine as a stand alone, I'd recommend everyone treat themselves to either the original book or a viewing of the classic 1955 Alfred Hitchcock film with Cary Grant and Grace Kelly (even if you've seen it before). Trust me it will make the experience of reading this book even more entertaining.

With permission from original author David Dodge's estate, Mark O' Neill effectively continues the adventures of John Robie - former American, circus acrobat, former French Resistance fighter, former master jewel thief and former romancer of the beautiful, audacious heiress Francie Stevens.

Francie's broken up with John, whose less-than-legal past previously landed him in dangerous trouble, but she and her sardonic widowed mom are back on the dazzling French Riviera just in time for the swirl and glamour of Fashion Week. John's itching to rekindle his once fireworks-worthy romance with Francie, but all new troubles and threats envelop him.......and may very well also involve Francie. too.

In helping out a long time friend from French Intelligence, John's stumbled upon a Russian spy ring whose ringleaders are a lethal bunch with an inexhaustible supply of minion thugs. Even worse, this nefarious cabal may have something to do with Francie's recruitment as a stunning new fashion model for a famous designers new creations. But now Francie's not only a freshly minted fashion superstar, she's also acquired a new protective boyfriend as well, So John has his hands full.....slugging it out with the thugs out to kill him, somehow relighting the fire between him and Francie while trying to untangle her possible involvement in the spy plot.

Loved every single minute of this, which plays out among all the same gorgeous locations everyone will remember from the movie. Yet author O'Neill does make this new book his very own, which is more of a non-stop, breathless James Bond-ish adventure as opposed to Hitchcock's more leisurely romantic suspense. I devoured it in one sitting and certainly wouldn't mind if John and Francie, both born adventurers, embark on an all new captivating caper. One of the best beach reads you'll find this year.

"To Catch a Spy" by Mark O'Neill is the authorized sequel to David Dodge's classic novel "To Catch a Thief," famously adapted into the 1955 Alfred Hitchcock film. This sequel revisits the French Riviera, where retired jewel thief John Robie becomes entangled in a perilous game of espionage. As he attempts to rekindle his romance with Francie Stevens, now a model for a top French designer, Robie finds himself pursued by ruthless adversaries and begins to question Francie's true intentions. If you're a big fan of the original movie, it's really no comparison to the characters portrayed here. The author does a great job of depicting Cannes, France in the 1950s, and you can almost imagine yourself there. However the combination of romance and espionage between the two characters is just not as believable as the movie version. However, it is a nostalgic, well written return to the characters and setting made famous in the original 'To Catch a Thief', just without the witty charm and repartee.

Anyone who has not seen the movie, To Catch a Thief, has a treat in store. I have watched it multiple times, each time with great enjoyment. Therefore, I was intrigued by this title which is a sequel (approved by the estate) to the earlier movie (and book). I requested it right away from NetGalley and was delighted to receive it.

I loved spending time with John Robie and Francie again in this suspenseful and enjoyable novel. Take a virtual trip to France, sit down with this one and watch your day go by happily.

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

A year has elapsed since the events chronicled in David Dodge’s classic crime novel, To Catch A Thief. Gentleman thief John Robie has earned the continuing parole of not only himself but also the Resistance comrades who were once imprisoned with him, by proving that neither he nor they were responsible for the string of copycat burglaries that recently plagued the French Riviera. Along the way, he lost his heart to the beautiful, plucky Francie Stevens, right as she declared her intention to move back to America without him.

In Mark O’Neill’s authorized sequel, Francie has come back to Cannes with both her mother and a new boyfriend in tow. While she and John had tried to make a go of things, she ultimately decided to break things off, as doubts as to his character and intentions incessantly plagued her:

QUOTE
Did he want her, or was she just another jewel to be had, one that could ensure a different life? There were other instances, too, in which he put himself first. People like that could be tolerated and even enjoyed for a while. But in the long run, they made unsuitable partners.

“Well, I have no idea what he’s done,” said Mother. “I do know you, however. And you can be very demanding. Are you sure this isn’t one of those times? Are you sure you’re not looking for perfection when you should be looking for happiness?”
END QUOTE

Francie assures Mother that she’s more than happy with her new boyfriend Alex Dandridge, who’s been nothing but supportive of her burgeoning career as a fashion model. That’s actually the reason she’s back in France, to walk the runway for famed designer Marcel Julien during Riviera Fashion Week. She’s hoping to avoid John, who will have hopefully retired back to his countryside villa and won’t be anywhere in sight.

Unfortunately for her, John has heard that she’ll be working Fashion Week, and is determined to speak with her and plead his case again. To this end, he’s trying to get his good friend and neighbor Paul du Pre, a wealthy and well-connected nobleman, to score him an official invitation. Before he can make the request though, he discovers that Paul has a small favor to ask of him.

Paul has recently been appointed a director of the French counterespionage department, and needs an extra set of eyes for what should be a simple surveillance mission. When that quickly gets out of hand – to deadly result – John finds himself embroiled in a world of espionage. He’s not thrilled about it but he is, above all things, effective, no matter the disapproval of the people around him as he uses less than savory methods to get what he needs:

QUOTE
“So we’re back to thieving, are we?” Paul shook his head, disappointed. “I knew this was a bad idea.”

“Listen to me. These men threatened my life. And I have a chance to help you stop them and do it the right way–by bringing you the intelligence you can’t otherwise get.” John was simmering, but he kept going. “Tell me, how do you think your spies get information? Do you think they look it up in a library? Not a chance. They do what I did. And just so you know, I took nothing. So no, I’m not back to thieving.”

Paul’s face turned red. He lowered his eyes, then said, “I hear you, and I apologize.”
END QUOTE

Will John be able to help Paul while rekindling his relationship with Francie? Or will they all discover that their presences in Cannes are once more intertwined more deeply than they’d ever dreamed?

To Catch A Spy is Mr O’Neill’s imaginative debut novel, taking the characters from the original book – that were further popularized by Alfred Hitchcock’s delightful movie of the same name – and continuing their story with an international espionage twist. While some of the characterizations fall flat, and the story overall feels curiously provincial in contrast to Mr Dodge’s far more nuanced take on crime and morality, the homage is overall entertaining, with the callbacks to the movie being particularly charming. The ending sets up for a juicy sequel too, indicating that there will be more adventures of John Robie to come!