Second Story Man
by Charles Salzberg
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Pub Date 26 Mar 2018 | Archive Date 2 Apr 2018
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Description
Francis Hoyt, arrogant, athletic, brilliant, manipulative and ruthless, is a master burglar. He specializes in stealing high-end silver, breaking into homes that seem impenetrable. He’s never been caught in the act, although he has spent some time in prison on a related charge, time he used to hone his craft and make valuable connections. (Hoyt is based on two real-life master burglars: the so-called Dinnertime Bandit, who only stole when his victims were home, and The Silver Thief, who was only interested in high-end silver). Hoyt follows the money. In the winter, he works down south, primarily in southern Florida and Georgia, around the Atlanta area. Summers, he moves back up north, where he plies his trade in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
One day, Charlie Floyd, brilliant, stubborn, an experienced investigator, who has recently retired from his job with the attorney general’s department for the state of Connecticut, receives a phone call from Manny Perez, a Cuban-American Miami police detective. Perez, who’s worked with Floyd previously, wants to enlist the former investigator in his efforts to put an end to Francis Hoyt’s criminal career. Floyd accepts the offer and they team up to bring Hoyt to justice.
Second Story Man, told in alternating chapters, representing Hoyt’s, Floyd’s and Perez’s points-of-view, develops into a cat-and-mouse contest between the two lawmen and this master burglar. As Floyd and Perez get closer to their prey, Hoyt finds out they’re after him and rather than backing down, he taunts them, daring them to bring him in. As the story develops, the stakes get higher and higher, and Hoyt, who is always concerned about proving he’s the best at what he does, even resorts to murder. Eventually, the story climaxes in a confrontation between the three men.
Advance Praise
“Second Story Man is a down and dirty game of cat and mouse, only this time there are two cats and the mouse hasn’t yet seen the trap that can touch him. Are two cats better than one? Read it and see.” —Reed Farrel Coleman, New York Times bestselling author of What You Break
“Charles Salzberg’s Second Story Man is a fast-paced, character-driven pursuit novel. Three interwoven voices reveal the story of a hunt for a master thief, but each man is also searching for something more—a return to who they think they ought to be, or once were. Salzberg is a superb wordsmith, with an honest ear for dialogue, and a delight in plot twists. If you’re not already a Salzberg fan, read this book; you will become one.” —Michael Sears, Edgar Award nominee and Shamus Award winner for Black Fridays
“With Second Story Man, Charles Salzberg works his magic on the old cat-and-mouse game: he adds an extra cat, a (Michael J) foxy mouse, and a mousetrap you won’t see coming until it snaps shut.” —Tim O’Mara, Barry Award-nominated author of the Raymond Donne mysteries
“I dare you to try and put Salzberg’s Second Story Man down after you’ve read through the first two chapters. From one absorbing character to another, Second Story Man is a gripping and totally rewarding read.” —David Swinson, author of The Second Girl and Crime Song
“Second Story Man is a cat-and-mouse thriller. But not the Tom and Jerry kind. More like if the mouse was carrying the plague and a sizable gambling debt and the cat, scabies and a drinking problem. Traversing my old stomping grounds, from Connecticut to South Beach, I loved the local touches and flavors. But what hit me hardest is how much this plays like a re-envisioned Michael Mann’s Heat, like if we’d been treated to nothing but Pacino and DeNiro. The terse dialogue, two men on opposite sides of the law but oh-so-much alike, the chess match. I would’ve liked to see that movie. With Second Story Man, Salzberg socks it to us.” —Joe Clifford, author of the Jay Porter thriller series
“Terrific. And the riveting Second Story Man is also a master class in voice and dialogue and storytelling. This cat and mouse caper about three men—two cops and a burglar—reinventing themselves for the second stories of their lives is unique, textured and even hilarious. Charles Salzberg has perfected the existential crime novel—and this one will break your heart.” —Hank Phillippi Ryan, Anthony, Agatha and Mary Higgins Clark Award-winning author
“Charlie Floyd and Manny Perez are a new and most welcome team on the investigative scene. Now that they’ve dispensed with master burglar Francis Hoyt—or have they?—I’m expecting, and looking forward to, more of their unique take on how to bring down evil-doers.” —SJ Rozan, Edgar Award-winning author of Ghost Hero
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781946502551 |
| PRICE | US$17.95 (USD) |
Featured Reviews
Dave W, Reviewer
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.
Timothy E, Reviewer
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.
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