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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
I think this was the first book I ever read. I had a very old edition of it on the bookshelf at home and it was so tiny and unthreatening that my childish mind said, why not? I read it and completely forgot about it until I entered my teens. Then I read it again and fell in love with the character of Arsene Lupin. The gentleman thief who never hurts anybody steals whatever he wants, and falls in love with every new woman he meets. He was my first book boyfriend. I love him and always will.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book.
This is a book I recall from my childhood. It's still a fantastic read. This narrative is still relevant today. Magnetic Press has released a gorgeous illustrated edition of the book. The Lupin stories began in a French magazine many years ago. Arsene Lupin's experiences have since been retold in comic books, books, and movies since then. It's entertaining to read about the adventures of the Gentleman Thief. I strongly recommend it to all readers.
This is a book I recall from my childhood. It's still a fantastic read. This narrative is still relevant today. Magnetic Press has released a gorgeous illustrated edition of the book. The Lupin stories began in a French magazine many years ago. Arsene Lupin's experiences have since been retold in comic books, books, and movies since then. It's entertaining to read about the adventures of the Gentleman Thief. I strongly recommend it to all readers.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Book synopsis: A collection of nine short mysteries revolving around Arsene Lupin and his adventures as a burglar in high society.
Book review: The stories started off with a thrilling bang as Arsene Lupin's clever brain showcases his quick thinking and ability to influence people's psychology to his advantage. However, the second half of the collection were somewhat dry, with action kept behind the scenes away from the reader and moral issues.
Individual short story reviews
The Arrest of Arsene Lupin - 5⭐
Synopsis: Panic and suspicions are thrown around onboard the transatlantic cruise when the Police's wireless telegraph detailing the description of fellow passenger, and gentleman burgler, Arsene Lupin is cut short in a storm.
Review: What a clever mystery, with hard facts yet accusing fingers pointing everywhere and at everyone. Such a fun atmosphere and so well written, too!
Arsene Lupin in Prison - 4⭐
Synopsis: Baron Cahorn is horrified to receive a letter from Arsene Lupin informing him of the exact date his priceless treasures will be stolen by none other than the gentleman burglar himself. The issue? Arsene Lupin is tucked away tightly in the Prison de la Sante.
Review: Another great mystery showcasing the detective's brilliant mind. Lots of moving pieces but still enjoyable.
The Escape of Arsene Lupin - 4⭐
Synopsis: Vowing to escape before his trial, Arsene Lupin is kept under watchful eye by the prison guards. After intercepting a message hidden in a cigar, Arsen Lupin's escape is engineered by the prison. But will he fall for their trap? And will they, his?
Review: Arsene Lupin is so clever in playing the long-term game, finding and using weaknesses to his advantage.
The Mysterious Railway Passenger - 5⭐
Synopsis: The burglar becomes the victim when Arsene Lupin's escape is hampered by another thief on the train.
Review: A thrilling chase and a delight to see Arsene become the good detective, if only momentarily.
The Queen's Necklace - 3⭐
Synopsis: The shocking locked-room theft of the famous Queens Necklace is finally solved by a visiting guest's wild imagination.
Review: Cleverly written but difficult to imagine as much of the engineering is no longer used.
The Seven of Hearts - 2⭐
Synopsis: After a night of sharing ghostly stories at dinner, a man is shocked to return home to a letter warning him to not move or make a sound else he will meet his doom. Thus begins a tale of stolen plans, compromising letters, and the seven of hearts.
Review: While it started off well, this was unnecessarily complex and became a dry read.
Madame Imbert's Safe - 3⭐
Synopsis: Arsene Lupin's next victims are Mr & Mrs Imbert and their million dollar safe, with whom he quickly builds a trusting relationship and moves into their home as their secretary. But living underfoot, Lupin is finding it difficult to access their heavily guarded safe.
Review: A somewhat uncomfortable read, as Lupin is stealing from the rich but not the deserving kind since this is their inheritance. I did love the ending though!
The Black Pearl - 3⭐
Synopsis: Arsene Lupin turns detective when, in the midst of his carefully planned theft of the priceless Black Pearl, he finds the pearl missing and the owner brutally murdered.
Review: While the theft attempt was fun, the rest dragged and Arsene did most of the work behind the scenes.
Sherlock Holmes Arrives Too Late - 3⭐
Synopsis: A dinner guest with a remarkably similar face to Arsene Lupin takes a little too much interest into the castle's secret tunnel and treasures. With Sherlock Holmes set to arrive the following day, will this stranger succeed?
Review: While the mystery and theft are cleverly written, Sherlock Holmes felt unnecessarily crammed into the story and wasn't very faithful to Doyle's writing. The sudden insertion of another key character was evidently to show a softer side of Lupin but dragged the story and weakened Lupin's character.
Book review: The stories started off with a thrilling bang as Arsene Lupin's clever brain showcases his quick thinking and ability to influence people's psychology to his advantage. However, the second half of the collection were somewhat dry, with action kept behind the scenes away from the reader and moral issues.
Individual short story reviews
The Arrest of Arsene Lupin - 5⭐
Synopsis: Panic and suspicions are thrown around onboard the transatlantic cruise when the Police's wireless telegraph detailing the description of fellow passenger, and gentleman burgler, Arsene Lupin is cut short in a storm.
Review: What a clever mystery, with hard facts yet accusing fingers pointing everywhere and at everyone. Such a fun atmosphere and so well written, too!
Arsene Lupin in Prison - 4⭐
Synopsis: Baron Cahorn is horrified to receive a letter from Arsene Lupin informing him of the exact date his priceless treasures will be stolen by none other than the gentleman burglar himself. The issue? Arsene Lupin is tucked away tightly in the Prison de la Sante.
Review: Another great mystery showcasing the detective's brilliant mind. Lots of moving pieces but still enjoyable.
The Escape of Arsene Lupin - 4⭐
Synopsis: Vowing to escape before his trial, Arsene Lupin is kept under watchful eye by the prison guards. After intercepting a message hidden in a cigar, Arsen Lupin's escape is engineered by the prison. But will he fall for their trap? And will they, his?
Review: Arsene Lupin is so clever in playing the long-term game, finding and using weaknesses to his advantage.
The Mysterious Railway Passenger - 5⭐
Synopsis: The burglar becomes the victim when Arsene Lupin's escape is hampered by another thief on the train.
Review: A thrilling chase and a delight to see Arsene become the good detective, if only momentarily.
The Queen's Necklace - 3⭐
Synopsis: The shocking locked-room theft of the famous Queens Necklace is finally solved by a visiting guest's wild imagination.
Review: Cleverly written but difficult to imagine as much of the engineering is no longer used.
The Seven of Hearts - 2⭐
Synopsis: After a night of sharing ghostly stories at dinner, a man is shocked to return home to a letter warning him to not move or make a sound else he will meet his doom. Thus begins a tale of stolen plans, compromising letters, and the seven of hearts.
Review: While it started off well, this was unnecessarily complex and became a dry read.
Madame Imbert's Safe - 3⭐
Synopsis: Arsene Lupin's next victims are Mr & Mrs Imbert and their million dollar safe, with whom he quickly builds a trusting relationship and moves into their home as their secretary. But living underfoot, Lupin is finding it difficult to access their heavily guarded safe.
Review: A somewhat uncomfortable read, as Lupin is stealing from the rich but not the deserving kind since this is their inheritance. I did love the ending though!
The Black Pearl - 3⭐
Synopsis: Arsene Lupin turns detective when, in the midst of his carefully planned theft of the priceless Black Pearl, he finds the pearl missing and the owner brutally murdered.
Review: While the theft attempt was fun, the rest dragged and Arsene did most of the work behind the scenes.
Sherlock Holmes Arrives Too Late - 3⭐
Synopsis: A dinner guest with a remarkably similar face to Arsene Lupin takes a little too much interest into the castle's secret tunnel and treasures. With Sherlock Holmes set to arrive the following day, will this stranger succeed?
Review: While the mystery and theft are cleverly written, Sherlock Holmes felt unnecessarily crammed into the story and wasn't very faithful to Doyle's writing. The sudden insertion of another key character was evidently to show a softer side of Lupin but dragged the story and weakened Lupin's character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Classism
Picked this one up on a whim in my favorite local shop, and it scratched my mystery/detective/master criminal itch very well. I'm going to have to read more Maurice le Blanc!
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced