The Gentleman Thief

By Kate Gragg

Book: The Gentleman Thief

Publisher: Distant Shore Publishing

Pub Date: 17th April 2020

Genre: Fantasy Novella

Format: eBook

Source: Publisher

Book Links: Goodreads Amazon

Joe Thorne, an overgrown chimneysweep with thievish ambitions, has got himself in trouble. After his bothersome magical cough turns his hard-earned/stolen treasure to literal potatoes, he is unwillingly swept up into an adventure on the mystical Isle of Teems. Joe wades through a tide of curses, murder, and the disgusting countryside to unravel the mystery of the missing knights with an old friend, frog-man, and a sentient handkerchief by his side.

My Review: Joe Thorne, a chimneysweep and wannabe thief, is in for the adventure of his life when he develops a cough turns his stolen goods into potatoes and he becomes the owner of a cursed coin. In an effort to fix things, Joe finds himself in a dangerous competition on the magical island of Teems. On his adventure, Joe works with new and old friends to overcome magical mishaps and near-death experiences, and, reluctantly, he becomes a hero.

I’ll be the first to admit that the premise of The Gentleman Thief sounds outlandish but I was pleasantly surprised. The author, Kate Gragg, has clearly found her calling. She is skilled at creating a believable world of magic and she employs a perfect blend of witty, ridiculous, and ironic humor. I was able to be thrilled without being worried and I laughed out loud more than once while reading this tale. This is the kind of book that would have been a childhood favorite of mine. It’s witty, cheerful, and filled with romance and adventure. What more can you ask for?

If I did ask for anything, it would be a seriously overdue heart-to-heart between Joe and his old friend/love interest Lydia (because there was so much that could have been done with their relationship) and about a hundred more pages of story. The ending ties up everything in a neat little bow in a way that feels predictable, which is a little disappointing after reading a story that relies heavily on the element of surprise, but it’s still a satisfying read. If you are looking for a fun, quick read, you will greatly enjoy joining Joe Thorne on his adventure.