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juliardye's review
2.0
2.5 stars (if 1/2s were available)! The premise of the book was interesting, but it was a little slow throughout and then ended rather abruptly. It was a quick read though and I liked the quirky main character. His OCD reminded me of... me!
quinnsometimesreadsbooks's review
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ginger_snap316's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
kcfromaustcrime's review
3.0
SOMETHING MISSING is an entertaining romp through the life of a very unique burglar. The sort of burglar (if you must be burgled), that you would hope was rifling through your personals.
Martin Railsback is really, seriously, just about the perfect burglar. His OCD tendencies mean that he's absolutely obsessed with his methodology. In fact, Martin approaches his burglary with a seriousness that's strangely endearing. He has a very limited group of houses that he steals from - a client base, as he refers to them - that have a particular household profile. Once in their homes, he takes small items that are unlikely to be noticed, toilet rolls, half empty bottles of detergent, rarely used pieces tucked away at the back of display cabinets. Mostly though it's general day to day living items, his version of grocery shopping if you like. He works the houses of his clients carefully, setting up the stealing of some items over long periods of time, carefully ensuring that most of the items he takes will go unnoticed by his clients. He limits the "big ticket items" to those that he can carefully scope out, taking months and months to steal first one, then the second in, for example, a rarely worn pair of diamond earrings.
Everything this man does is so carefully controlled, considered, cautious and ... well ... tidy, that you really can't help wondering where the author is going with all of this, but there is a very slow build up as Martin carefully takes the reader through his methodology, his life. It's all a bit car-crash fascinating, and made me profoundly pleased that we wouldn't have fit Martin's careful client profiling, as to be honest, the sorts of things he was regularly stealing from his clients, are exactly the sorts of things that could go missing around here with neither of us likely to notice!
But something does eventually go wrong for Martin, and his carefully contained, controlled life does hit a very big snag. What is even better is that the snag is self-imposed, something he could have walked away from, leaving nobody any the wiser about his daily activities. Something that is happening in a client's life offends Martin's sense of right and he has to get involved.
SOMETHING MISSING was a thoroughly enjoyable book, it's the sort of book that slowly builds, that weaves a story around the reader, that's sometimes laugh out loud funny. But for somebody as controlled, considered and self-involved as Martin, somehow he works as a first person voice for the book. Somehow the OCD that affects his every waking hour, also affects his own voice. It's contained, it's explanatory, rather than self-congratulatory, it's quiet, measured and just a little bit sad to be honest. It's an unexpected viewpoint, and goes towards what was really an interesting, unusual and rather entertaining book. Especially if you'd like a crime fiction outing that's not about death and mayhem and murder.
Martin Railsback is really, seriously, just about the perfect burglar. His OCD tendencies mean that he's absolutely obsessed with his methodology. In fact, Martin approaches his burglary with a seriousness that's strangely endearing. He has a very limited group of houses that he steals from - a client base, as he refers to them - that have a particular household profile. Once in their homes, he takes small items that are unlikely to be noticed, toilet rolls, half empty bottles of detergent, rarely used pieces tucked away at the back of display cabinets. Mostly though it's general day to day living items, his version of grocery shopping if you like. He works the houses of his clients carefully, setting up the stealing of some items over long periods of time, carefully ensuring that most of the items he takes will go unnoticed by his clients. He limits the "big ticket items" to those that he can carefully scope out, taking months and months to steal first one, then the second in, for example, a rarely worn pair of diamond earrings.
Everything this man does is so carefully controlled, considered, cautious and ... well ... tidy, that you really can't help wondering where the author is going with all of this, but there is a very slow build up as Martin carefully takes the reader through his methodology, his life. It's all a bit car-crash fascinating, and made me profoundly pleased that we wouldn't have fit Martin's careful client profiling, as to be honest, the sorts of things he was regularly stealing from his clients, are exactly the sorts of things that could go missing around here with neither of us likely to notice!
But something does eventually go wrong for Martin, and his carefully contained, controlled life does hit a very big snag. What is even better is that the snag is self-imposed, something he could have walked away from, leaving nobody any the wiser about his daily activities. Something that is happening in a client's life offends Martin's sense of right and he has to get involved.
SOMETHING MISSING was a thoroughly enjoyable book, it's the sort of book that slowly builds, that weaves a story around the reader, that's sometimes laugh out loud funny. But for somebody as controlled, considered and self-involved as Martin, somehow he works as a first person voice for the book. Somehow the OCD that affects his every waking hour, also affects his own voice. It's contained, it's explanatory, rather than self-congratulatory, it's quiet, measured and just a little bit sad to be honest. It's an unexpected viewpoint, and goes towards what was really an interesting, unusual and rather entertaining book. Especially if you'd like a crime fiction outing that's not about death and mayhem and murder.
carolpk's review
4.0
Matthew Dick's Something Missing is what can only be described as a quirky read. Last night we discussed this book in an online Booksonthenightstand group. When trying to decide where to place Something Missing the group was at a loss. Certainly not a mystery and not exactly humorous, though it is funny; I’ll call it just plain good fiction and worry no further.
Martin, the main character, a man who burglarizes homes, taking only items that will not be missed, is someone you should dislike but can't. Even though what he does
is a bit creepy; picking locks, duplicating keys, rummaging through personal belongings, somehow he is endearing. Martin considers those that he robs his clients. He sees this as his profession and he takes it seriously. It is his means to survival. As you journey with Martin through his entering into homes, you learn much about what motivates his
lifestyle. Though not quite kosher, it's a romp, nonetheless. Redeeming all is that underneath his obsessive compulsive self there beats a good heart.
As Dicks resides in Connecticut, a special treat for Connecticut readers is his use of familiar places and streets throughout. You'll recognize the scene beyond a
doubt and may even think you know some of the people on the pages. If nothing else, you'll crave breakfast at The Quaker Diner in West Hartford and hope to meet Jillian, a
special waitress.
Something Missing is funny, insightful and moves briskly to a satisfying end.
Martin, the main character, a man who burglarizes homes, taking only items that will not be missed, is someone you should dislike but can't. Even though what he does
is a bit creepy; picking locks, duplicating keys, rummaging through personal belongings, somehow he is endearing. Martin considers those that he robs his clients. He sees this as his profession and he takes it seriously. It is his means to survival. As you journey with Martin through his entering into homes, you learn much about what motivates his
lifestyle. Though not quite kosher, it's a romp, nonetheless. Redeeming all is that underneath his obsessive compulsive self there beats a good heart.
As Dicks resides in Connecticut, a special treat for Connecticut readers is his use of familiar places and streets throughout. You'll recognize the scene beyond a
doubt and may even think you know some of the people on the pages. If nothing else, you'll crave breakfast at The Quaker Diner in West Hartford and hope to meet Jillian, a
special waitress.
Something Missing is funny, insightful and moves briskly to a satisfying end.
trayceebee's review
4.0
I LOVED this book! I love the idea of an OCD career thief, taking such time and effort to rob people (clients) in such a way that they never notice anything has gone missing! I think Martin would probably drive me crazy, though, if we were friends.... But he's clearly someone you want on your side in your time of need!
blairconrad's review
4.0
Quirky and fun. I enjoyed the introduction to Martin and his fastidious, oddball thievery. There were enough wacky hi-jinx and crazy internal dialogue to draw me through the book quickly. The prose was slightly unpolished, and I think Dicks could benefit from slightly more experience there, so I'm keeping my eye out for more from him.
kategci's review
3.0
Enjoyed this entertaining story about a very quirky guy. I love Matthew Dicks' characters, they are great fun and great way to spend an afternoon!
amyappy's review
3.0
A sweet story about a thief who decides to become more involved and actually help his "clients'" lives, and in the process helps his own. Martin is a memorable and utterly endearing character. His journey toward discovering the wide world is a fun ride.