SECOND STORY MAN by Charles Salzberg is a novel that is centered around three main characters that are made up of one retired detective, another on administrative leave, and a legendary jewel thief known as the “Second Story Man”.

Francis Hoyt AKA the “Second Story Man” has been an elusive target from law enforcement officials who are confident that he is the culprit for a wave of jewel thefts that involved a unique approach; which is to target second floor rooms while family members are on the first level when the presence of a burglar would be the least expected or noticeable, like at dinner time or entertaining.

Unfortunately, his streak of thefts without being caught is interrupted when the mob insists he train a few of their people to learn his methods, and their incompetence leads to his arrest, then following his release he abandons his previous approach for a new one that is every bit as bold and has embarrassed and humiliated law enforcement by pretty much rubbing their noses in it.

Manny Perez is a Cuban-American police officer from Miami who contacts Charlie Floyd, a recently retired detective who he has worked with in the past that he respects - and also happens to be in the area where he expects Hoyt to strike next based on his investigation.

Can Charlie and Manny find success in catching Hoyt in the act; something that has seemed to be impossible, or will Francis continue to elude anyone who attempts to bring him down?

Excellent story with well developed characters that helps this story build as it progresses, and the end result isn’t predictable; actually it’s quite a surprise.

I recommend this to anyone who would like a police procedural novel involving an intelligent and elusive character, with an interesting relationship with the law officers in pursuit that develops and becomes personal.

5 stars.

Charles Salzberg is a rather prolific author and Second Story Man is his first book reviewed in this blog. This is a story about a master thief who apparently is eventually brought to justice by two cops after a lengthy investigation. I use the word apparently because I gave up on this book at about the 20% mark. I found the story to be rather stale and the dialogue was surprisingly amateurish for such a seasoned author. I can’t say there was anything about the book that I liked, thus my decision to let it go.

Excellent , well written crime novel. If you love these type of low life, criminal under belly type novels —with a dash of sardonic humor, you will love this. Highly recommended.

Second Story Man tells the tale of an expert, high-end thief who has eluded police for years. One of these officers, currently on suspension, and someone he had previously worked with, now retired, set out to catch this thief in the act. The story is told in alternating chapters from each of these characters point of view. Each person is given a very distinct voice. Charles Salzburg writes a very clever and entertaining book which held my interest throughout,

A funny debut with great anti-hero
MurderinCommon full review: https://murderincommon.com/2018/03/25/charles-salzberg-second-story-man/

As I was reading this book, I had the movie edition of it playing in the back of my head, as the setting and dialogue lea you to it. The varying narratives help the reader to truly understand and root for each of the men, in turn. It's a thrilling adventurer, that leaves you rapidly turning pages and eager to get to the finale. By the time you finish, you'll be wondering about other possible ways for them to come back (prequels?), and eager to rejoin them! It's a great jump to Spring, so don't miss it!

A very well put together page turner. The story is told from the perspective of Hoyt, Floyd and Perez. The three different views come cleverly together to form a very good story.

Second Story Man is a cat and mouse game with police and a thief facing off. Kinda like De Niro and Pacino in "Heat." Or like Block's Bernie Rhodenbarr. It's a story of an obsession with catching the world's greatest thief, tirelessly reeling it in. But what makes it work with these three alternating narratives is the terrific narrative voice that just sings like a finely tuned engine in the hands of a master engineer. It's chock full of vim and vigor and attitude. Tremendous fun. Thanks to Down & Out Books for providing a copy for review.