Customer Reviews

Prince of Thieves: A Novel

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

A couple of years ago I picked up Hogan's debut-novel The Standoff and put is away after 150 pages because it was just plain boring and unbelievable. After that I tried again with The Blood Artists because of its interesting premise, but this time I also lost interest very quickly and decided that Hogan just wasn't it for me. But two weeks ago I found myself at Logan Airport in Boston when Prince of Thieves had just hit the stands. Because of its interesting storyline, the glowing reviews by King, Deaver and McBain and especially the fact that the story took place in Boston (which I had just visited) I bought the book on a whim and never regretted it!

Prince of Thieves is not your typical action thriller but a wonderful psychological profile of some very disturbed young men. It describes wonderfully how the protagonist tries to get out of a criminal life because of the love for a woman (that he met during his last criminal caper). The internal struggle he goes through is very believable and presents a wonderful perspective on human nature.

All in all, a very satisfying story that rises far above the numerous summer beach thrillers. I have no doubt that the story of Doug and his friends will stay with me for a long time (and that's a compliment coming from someone who reads app. 100 books a year). Wonderful book, Chuck, and I will definitely keep my eye open for your next one!!!

"Charlestown, a blue collar Boston neighborhood, produces more bank robbers and armored car thieves than any square mile in the world." So begins Chuck Hogan's compelling novel "Prince of Thieves".

The day after the 100th running of the Boston Marathon, Claire Keesey, a branch manager for a Boston bank, walks into her bank to start her day. And what a start it is! She is met by four men in horribly scarred masks and told to open the vault. She does this reluctantly, and in the midst of the robbery she is able to initiate the silent alarm. However, one of the robbers has a wire into the alarms and alerts the others. They finish taking the money; leaving the top layers of monies that are marked and take Claire as a hostage. On the way out one of the robbers beats the assistant manager thinking he was the one to set the alarm. All of this is registered in Claire's memory. Claire is released unhurt but with residual psychological damage.

The robbers are four friends, born and brought up in Charlestown. Three have violent backgrounds and have spent time in jail. The leader is Doug MacKay. Jimmy "Jem" Coughlin and Freddy "Gloansy" Magloan are the toughies- Mirth or Menace they are called. Des Elden is the brain of the group, recruited by Doug. Des works for Nynex, a lineman who knows how to connect to anything and anybody. They all have a history, date the same girls, drink at the same Irish clubs, and all agree that the influx of young professionals into Charlestown is not a good thing. They are pricing the locals out of their mother's homes and succeeding where the British have failed- driving them out of their neighborhood.

Doug MacKay, the leader can't get Claire Keesey out of his mind. She is lovely, intelligent and wouldn't back down until she was threatened. He develops a relationship with Claire and they fall in love. How can this work? These two so very different souls. Claire has no idea that Doug is one of the robbers and that is how the suspense builds. Into the midst comes FBI agent Adam Frawley, in charge of all bank robberies. He too becomes fond of Claire. Agent Frawley is smart and he is intent upon "getting his man". It is not until the robbers look at taking on Fenway Park, a magnificently dangerous opportunity that leaks and clues becomes apparent.

Church Hogan has written a marvelous book. The characters are richly drawn and you can see them in your mind-the action, and the mystery all come alive. The old neighborhoods of Boston and Charlestown are engraved in memory. And to top it all off, we learn about effective, studious robbers versus lazy robbers. The "ins and outs" of the robbery world, so to speak. A book to be read in one sitting, if you can, it is hard to put down.

Highly Recommended. prisrob 08-24-04

The Killing Moon: A Novel

Devils in Exile: A Novel

I won't go into detail on what this book is about, since other reviewers have done so. An excellent read. If you like Dennis LaHane you're gonna love this one. One of those books I didn't want to finish it was so good.

i picked up this book at the local borders just looking for aomething to read to pass the time. after about 100 pages of reading this book i started to realize that i loved this book. and it is easily in my top 5 favorite books. the author paints a picture of a town of robbers that just seems so real. it was a terrific story and terrific ending, with a great twist. i recommend to everyone.

This is an awesome book that has a inivative plot line of a professional bank robber whos attention is captured by a hostige during a "job". Unable to shake her from his thoughts, Doug begins to fall for her while trying to dodge a FBI Agent that is hot on his tail. The story explores the different characters stories allong with the struggles that they face both with others and within themselves. This book was a fast and highly enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys reading!

This book was excellent, entertaining, a fast read and an all-around great escape. Was is 100% believable? No, of course not. It's a novel. Nevertheless I rate it as one of the most entertaning books I've read in a while!

The premise here is that one is often born into the criminal lifestyle rather than deliberately choosing it. The main character here is given motivation through his growing love for the bank manager victim of a robbery staged by him and his three friends and one is caught up in his inward struggle between continuing such a life or reforming through his love for her.This is extreme Bostonish in its background and is bound to especially captivate those familiar with the city. The character, Dougie, isn't a strongly sympathetic character, and this is in its way, a strength of the book because he is realistically portrayed. Highly recommended.

I cannot say enough about this book...and the author, Chuck Hogan. The book grabs your attention from the very beginning and brings you in. Very well written. This is a book that will stay with you for a very long time, feeling like you have lost some friends when you are done.
I am glad to see he has finally come out with some more books! If you are even thinking about getting this book- grab it with both hands!

I bought the audio version on i tunes for 13.00. It was worth the money. Chuck Hogan is an awesome writer. His choice of descriptive words are perfect. His cleverness makes the reader want more. He writes just enough to keep the reader interested. This book is not overly done. You will not get board. Donnie's delivery is on queue. He speaks with passion, almost as if he is really there, in the story. It is a thief story and a love story. After finishing the audio, I do not know who I love more. I love Chucks writing style, Donnies voice, and Dougs devotion (one of the characters in the book).

I almost didn't buy this book due to Publisher's Review comments and would have miised out on an excellent book. Enough character and plot to warrant the novel label as opposed to the usual wham bam thank you mam' mystery thriller.

The endng is heartbreaking and shows a very clear understanding of what makes people human.