To Catch a Thief

Name: To Catch a Thief
Brand: Recorded Books
Availability: InStock
Author: David Dodge
ISBN: 9798892732062

Author: David Dodge, Leslie S. Klinger

Series: Library of Congress Crime Classics

Narrator: Graham Halstead

Unabridged: 8 hr 1 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Recorded Books

Published: 05/13/2025

Categories: Fiction, Mystery & Detective, International Crime & Mystery, Suspense & Thriller, Crime

Synopsis

It takes a thief … "Le Chat" ("The Cat"), an infamous thief, has come out of retirement and is again liberating expensive jewelry from wealthy tourists on the French Riviera. Or is it a "copycat" who is stealing fortunes? John Robie thought he had left his larcenous past behind. Once responsible for a string of daring thefts and escapes, he was caught and sent to prison just before the outbreak of World War II. Freed during the German occupation of France, Robie joined the French Resistance and received unofficial amnesty after the war ended. He retired to a simple life in the country where he befriended the local commissaire, Oriol, and tended his gardens. Now it's 1951, and someone has been at work using his old MO. When the police come to arrest him, Robie escapes to Cannes. There, he reconnects with his former comrade Bellini, who convinces Robie to help catch the copycat. Disguised as a pudgy, middle-aged American businessman, Robie scouts the local nightclubs and casinos and tries to outthink the new thief. When he meets Francie Stevens, the daughter of a wealthy tourist, she becomes Robie's unwelcome ally, and together they hatch a dangerous plan to catch the thief at a gala party. But soon they both realize that Robie really is a thief at heart. With Oriol and the police on his trail, will he escape capture? Will the real thief be caught? And will Robie give up the thief? "Fans of the movie and classic crime fiction will enjoy this story of honor among thieves."—Library Journal

Reviews

Goodreads review by Bobby on June 09, 2021

David Dodge’s writing style often reminds me of Montgomery Clift’s acting style; five minutes into the film or the narrative, you forget either exist. Clift’s fine performances were sometimes overlooked, because he became the character he was portraying so completely, that Clift no longer existed. I......more

Goodreads review by Charles on January 31, 2022

The basis for the great Alfred Hitchcock movie starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly. Quite a good book but different from the Alfred Hitchcock movie in several key points. However, if you have seen the movie you will recognize many parts of the novel. I am not sure that either the novel or the movie i......more

Goodreads review by Ian on July 04, 2022

The attraction of the book for me is the famous Alfred Hitchcock film starring Cary Grant as John Robie and the luminous Grace Kelly as Frances Stevens. While by no means a great film, To Catch a Thief is vastly entertaining and has long been a favourite, for the chemistry between the stars, the witt......more

Goodreads review by Ivonne on December 29, 2024

Just 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, leavin......more

Goodreads review by Rob on July 14, 2025

A few months ago I randomly picked up this old mystery/crime thriller at a bookstore in Paducah, Kentucky, and I’ve been anxiously waiting for it to make it to the top of the to-be-read pile. Light-hearted, well-plotted, and decently written, this 1951 release tells the story of retired cat burglar......more