House of Thieves: A Novel

Excellent name for the story. That should explain enough to find out about how many thieves and how
they learn their trade. What was stolen and how it was stolen was well planed at every event. The human nature of the of the Father and Mother had good reason for the crime, but they learn to really enjoy what they did. Called The Adrenalin Rush. It was interesting
how each member keep their habits a secret.

1886 Old New York. Just because you are distantly related to the Astors on Fifth Avenue doesn’t mean you get a free pass to easy street or get a moment to relax. And does Mr. John Cross know that to be true, although being a part of the “old money” Knickerbocker circle he has a hard enough time trying to live modestly on his professional earnings and staying in “Aunt Caroline’s” good and generous graces. So when his eldest son is found to be in serious financial difficulties with New York City’s top crime organization, it becomes quickly apparent this is no sorry joke and a decision is made to accept an “offer” from a gold-topped cane twirling gent who holds his son’s and family’s lives in his well manicured hands. With one word Mr. Cross is soon pulled from his ornamental world of white gloved service and rigid traditions into a cesspool of illicit behavior and the very underbelly of the city. The further he sinks into this new world the threats and danger become all too real and another decision may be made but oh dear what would “Aunt Caroline” think of all this?

For this reader, this book in the beginning made me sit up and take notice. The saying: “It’s always the quiet ones that end up surprising you” came immediately to mind as the beginning chapters sailed by with instant action and nicely restrained drama. I will be the first to admit that after reading this book’s premise I didn’t believe that this novel would hold much depth or many surprises, I was wrong! This story handled the setting, historical inspiration, details of high society and squalid city life effortlessly and the vivid passages had me smiling and turning the pages as fast as I could. The character selection was also magnificent and if the reader loves a villain who they can both fear, respect and take immediate notice when he enters the room; you will love James T. Kent. The story moves cleverly from one world to another and it was fascinating with all the facts sprinkled throughout the story, that didn’t feel forced or out of place in any chapter. I have to say House of Thieves would make a fantastic silver screen production, honestly who can ever get tired of the rich and poor interaction in this unforgettable setting?

As I said, House of Thieves made me sit up and take notice in the beginning but I’m sorry to say, I sat back a little with disappointment at the very end. Although this novel could be fast paced with the storyline and exploits (with one or two anachronistic phrases pulling me momentarily from the story) the ending for this reader was just a tad overdone. Up until then this novel was very exciting, ripe with suspense and thrills that held my full attention to see how everything came together at the end but then it just went overboard with the dramatics sadly twirling around the line of absurd and feeling rushed. There was also believability that was strained and snapped for this reader but it was all still very entertaining. Minor negatives aside, I would gladly recommend House of Thieves to those readers who love a surprising colorful representation of history with a distinct inspiration that cleverly supports events or those who have been looking for a runaway marvel of characters and suspense that can remind you at times of certain screen works of Scorsese and Mendes. Overall, a great choice for anyone that can't resist the opportunity to see Old New York in all her splendor and her dirty secrets.
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*I would like to thank Sourcebooks Landmark and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read and enjoy House of Thieves: A Novel

Intriguing premise that quickly becomes a write-by-numbers plot, with an unbelievable Hollywood Dan Brown-style conclusion that was ridiculous. It’s also obvious that the author, Charles Belfoure, is an architect, since his descriptions of buildings and their designs offer the best writing in the book. Too bad he didn’t bother to create characters as interesting as the buildings.

John Cross, a successful architect in late 19th century New York City, has a problem. Seems his eldest son has accumulated excessive gambling debts, and is entangled in a web of organized crime, thugs and opium dens. A gentleman gangster, James Kent, is determined to make the son, or the father, pay up. So the son is kidnaped and John is blackmailed into helping Kent and his gang set up robberies of prominent New York citizens whose houses and office buildings Cross designed.

Cross gets in deeper with the gang, finds he actually enjoys the robberies, and then, his wife gets involved, as does his teenage daughter and younger son. Talk about stretching the limits of the suspension-of-disbelief? The characters soon became boorish and I openly rooted for the older son to be killed, since his selfish behavior was the root of the entire plot and he was such an ass. By the end, this upper crust, prim-and-proper family, is involved in the world of pickpockets, murderers, opium dealers, and organized illegal gambling. The climactic scene takes place during the dedication ceremony of the Statue of Liberty and is so silly that I literally tossed the book on the floor.

Instead of going for gritty realism, depicting the disparity between the New York elites and the horrific poverty of the lower class and the homelessness of thousands of children, the author, Charles Belfoure, opted for a sanitized on-the-surface plot and shallow characters.

Gambling debts, robbery rings, and high society​ and​​ ​thugs​ blending together​ for a marvelous read.

HOUSE OF THIEVES takes us back to the late 1800's when women needed escorts and ​when ​men were their protectors. The men definitely​ protected their wives and families and​ kept secrets from them as they carried out their days.

The secret John Cross kept from his wife​, though,​ was one he couldn't keep for long. When he returned home one evening with bruises and cuts, John had to tell his wife about his "deal" with Kent. The secret he kept was that their son, George, had racked up a gambling debt that he couldn't pay, and Kent came to John with ​a ​deal John wasn't able to pass up.

John wasn't able to pass it up because it was a good deal. John wasn't able to pass it up because ​it was a deal that he had to ​accept to ​keep his family safe. If he didn't go along with Kent, John saw what​ Kent was capable of.

The deal took every waking minute of John's time and was something he would never dream of doing or being a part of.​ If he got caught, he would ruin his family, but better to be ruined than dead.

The characters ​seemed quite authentic. John Cross made me afraid for him, Kent was despicable and ruthless, George made me angry that he would continue to ​do what he did to ​put his family​ in this situation even​ after his father told him he knew​ of his dangerous obsession​.​ Kent seemed as if he were just playing John Cross and his son's debt would never be settled, but John Cross had to keep finding homes and banks to rob so his family was safe.

You will get pulled into the time period and the storyline as you wonder how someone could be as evil and cunning as Kent and ​as your ​fear for John Cross​ and his family mounts.​
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Mr. Belfoure has authored another intriguing, well-​written, captivating​ book. Mr. Belfoure​ pulls you in with his marvelous research and storyline about the life styles of the wealthy as well as the poor during this era.

​If you enjoy being treated to history, an alluring storyline, and an "oh my goodness" ending, HOUSE OF THIEVES will take you there.

One chapter after another keeps you mesmerized as unbelievable, possible events happen. 5/5

This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the publisher in return for an honest review. ​

House of Thieves is a pretty good novel, although I found much of the pace to be very slow, so it failed to hold my interest and keep me reading for long periods of time. The basic plot is that a young wealthy kid in NYC in the 1880s has gotten himself very deeply in debt to his bookie. In order to pay back the debt his architect father is forced into helping the bookie's gang rob the homes of the wealthy citizens of NYC. Ostensibly this book is set in 1880s New York City, but most of the plot doesn't include many famous recognizable historical figures, so it really could have taken place in the 20th century and worked just as well.
One of the things I found that was difficult in reading this novel is that there are so many characters sometimes I found it hard to keep up with who was who, and why that character was important. Because the plot didn't hold my interest and keep me reading for long periods, I tended to forget the relationship between many of the characters. Because there were so many characters and so many stories branching out from the main plot, I also found it difficult to care about each character. Overall, I think this book was just too dense for my liking.

I loved the Paris Architect, the writing the characters, the plot, it was engaging and well paced. For these reasons,it was hard for me to believe that House
of Thieves was written by the same author.
House of Thieves, for me at least, was a flat historical fiction. The writing was dry, the characters uninteresting, and the plot predictable a third of the way through. This almost seemed to read like a rough draft, produced in a hurry to meet a publishing deadline. It could have been better with more character development, I just never cared about these people, more engaging language, it was dry reading, and better pacing of events, it just dragged.
You can skip this one if you are wanting a satisfying read.

**A copy of this book was provided through Netgalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.**

'House of Thieves' intrigued me from the start. Not only was it about murder, suspense, and mystery (my three favorite topics in a book), but it also gave a glimpse into the world of the late 1800's in New York. Charles Belfoure tell us a twisted story of family, sacrifice, and bad decisions surrounded a well-to-do family.

George Cross was a new graduate from Harvard, the perfect family, well off, and the future at his fingertips. As we know, though, life is not always as it seems. Not even family can save you all the time. "House of Thieves" follows a family who has a lot of hidden secrets and some have to make decisions that would severely damage their reputation if gotten out, let alone their freedom (can we say prison time!), but also the love they have for one another. John Cross, a local architect, has been given an ultimatum of saving his son, George, from gambling debt by helping the mob pull off a string of robberies in buildings he helped create or allowing them to kill his son. Not an easy decision.

I loved this story line. The mob is known for doing things unbecoming of most people, but this story pushes those limits to new borders. I felt the beginning of the story was very compelling and well written. It flows smoothly from one point to the next, even while you jump from character to character. However, I did notice as the story progressed that more and more "bad stuff" was happening. More of the family stepped into a darker version of themselves. It almost became too much. I thought if it as a sort of "if something bad can happen, it will" vibe. Too many bad things and bad choices were being made that it was on the verge of being unbelievable. I love stories I feel can really happen and as "House of Thieves" progressed I felt this was taken away a bit. Sometimes less is more. With that being said, the story had a nice arch from beginning to peak and back down to ending. The characters were dark and mysterious... and sometimes downright evil. I definitely found myself having strong emotions (and not necessarily good ones) towards a few of the characters. I love when a story can draw out emotions in me and Belfoure managed to do this with his well written and developed characters.

If you are a fan of historical thrillers, "House of Thieves" is right up your alley. A few small changes would have made it better, but overall a good read. Belfoure has many more historical themed books out and I'd be interested to see how I like them.

I really enjoyed the Paris Architect and looked forward to Belfoure's next novel. Like the Paris Architect, this is historical fiction with an architectural focus; i.e. once again the protagonist is an architect and his knowledge of architecture figures extensively in the plot. Set in New York in the Gilded Age, the plot revolves around a society family whose son has gotten into trouble gambling, accruing a large debt held by some gangsters. The only way the father can save the son is by joining the gangster's gang of thieves, and providing inside architectural knowledge to break into his wealthy society friends' houses. As the plot develops, the daughter and younger son also become involved, separately, with criminal elements of the city, until the whole household winds up involved in this underworld. The book is well researched and highly entertaining, but the coincidence of all the family members becoming involved in the nefarious underworld of New York seems a stretch to the realism of the plot. Still, recommended as an entertaining read, if not great literature.

Belfoure provides an incredibly rich level of historical detail; capturing the decadent lifestyle of the early gilded age and the almost depraved aspects of the economic opposites that often lived almost cheek to jowl with each other.

Sadly, I thought the story itself just never seemed either gripping or fit in with the obviously well research aspects of the story's setting itself. While I think the concept is interesting and definitely could fall into the far-fetched category. It still could have been executed better and as fun and believable within its own parameters. Yet it just never seems to follow its own rules; strong emphasis is made on how rigid societal rules were for some of the characters and yet when the plot needs supported, such rules seem to be thrown out without any real justification.

The whole Gilded Age setting was definitely the biggest lure for me, and in most ways, Belfoure does deliver the setting and details in a style I found quite read-able. It was the gap between plot and actual story as it unfolded.

House of Thieves is a snapshot of evolving New York City in the late 1800s as we encounter the growing society surrounding John Cross and his family. Cross is an architect and a member of the affluent sector headed by his Aunt Caroline and her connection to the wealthy Astor family. As such, the Cross family is expected to adhere to the societal demands of his heritage, mores of which keep them within a sheltered cocoon of privilege.

When Cross's eldest son succumbs to a gambling habit that threatens to embarrass the family, John Cross discovers a new thrill when he is forced to help a fellow intellect commit crimes to pay back his son's debts. In Charles Belfoure's novel, not only John Cross but the other members of his family uncover a new version of Gotham they previously had not known existed.

The book is more atmospheric than thrilling with readers getting a good idea of what is was like to have been alive in New York in the 1800s. The separation between those with wealth and those without is graphically illustrated and the author does well in outlining the settings and describing the people. This is not a rip-roaring thriller but rather a more sedate version of crime along the lines of a Charles Dicken's tale. Read it with a cup of tea.

Charles Belfoure ("The Paris Architect") is an architect by profession and training, and that comes through in his entertaining but paper-thin second novel, "House of Thieves."

The good news is that Mr. Belfoure has a command of setting and the ability to create a terrific potboiler of a plot. As an architect, it should be no surprise that Mr. Belfoure has an eye for detail. In "House of Thieves," the New York City of the late 19th century comes alive. A successful architect, John Cross, lives the stereotypical life of a society gentleman. He is respected and wealthy, but he must be stoic on the outside - a single whiff of scandal will see him and his entire family exiled forever from the good standing among the Knickerbocker families. His wife, Helen, is brilliant and gorgeous, but John more or less ignores her because society expects him to (and forces both of them into stupidly rigid roles). His eldest son, George, is a Harvard graduate and seems destined to be a great academic. His daughter, Julia, will be the belle of the New York society debutante scene, and his younger son Charlie is cute and adorable.

But all the Crosses have their own sins (get the pun?) that threaten to bring ruin to all. Worst of all is George's gambling addiction, which puts him in hock to the criminal underworld. To pay off his son's debts, John must use his knowledge of building design to help the gangsters rob from the elite of New York society. And, of course, once Cross proves that he's pretty good at it, the gangsters find ways to keep him part of the family . . . or else his will be erased forever.

All this is great stuff, and there are other departures from the Straight and Narrow for the other members of the Cross clan.

As long as Belfoure describes what people are doing or the world they are living in, "House of Thieves" is a fine, first-rate entertainment. Belfoure offers a lot of Architecture 101, but he never does so at the expense of the plot or story, and he has a keen sense for the Upstairs/Downstairs life of Manhattan at the time.

But, unfortunately, when Belfoure's characters talk to each other, the sand gets in the gears, often painfully so. Writing dialogue is extremely difficult, and the dialogue of "House of Thieves" is workmanlike at best. Belfoure unfortunately underlines his dialogue with adverbs, such as: "'I am so sorry . . . ,' he said apologetically." He already said that he's sorry - why throw in "apologetically"? Dialogue is too often used for the recitation of basic facts - the exposition gets old.

Belfoure also doesn't quite have a handle on his characters. The Crosses are a mercurial bunch. One moment, John Cross is an out-of-shape flabby architect, the next he's putting pistol shots through a window from a moving elevated train car. Cross learns that he enjoys the thrills of stealing, but at other times he's horrified by what he's done. I'm fine with people vacillating, but the problem with Cross is that he seems to forget either that he enjoys stealing or was bothered by it . . . he just bounces from one emotion to another. And this pervades all the Crosses - each of them in their own way finds their way to a double life, and it all goes far too easy for them except for the occasional passage of unease.

Supporting characters are for the most part threadbare, and once their use is up Belfoure can dispose of them with unseemly speed . . . the body count of "House of Thieves" is pretty high, but Belfoure is content to rip off the bandage rather than build a more appropriate level of tension and terror.

All in all, "House of Thieves" is a good book. I hope Hollywood pays attention - with a first-rate screenwriter, this could be adapted into one hell of an entertaining movie. (Heavily adapted, mind you.)

The story idea, architects and gangsters, is cool. The historical detail is well researched and the story feels like it actually could have happened just like it's written. I didn't catch any anachronisms, although admittedly I am not a historian. Despite the cool idea and the well executed research, the writing was weak. It did not hold my attention. The amateurish dialog, weak narration, not quite believable characters and timing/pace issues detracted from the story.

House of Thieves by Charles Belfoure is an enjoyable, though forgettable read. Historical fiction can be a great read, so long as the author’s research doesn’t weigh down the flow of the plot. The author use of his research, for the most part, supports the plot. Belfoure’s own architectural background gives the principal, John Cross, an architect, the necessary authority for what flows through the plot. And the author clearly examined any number of the books, fiction and non-fiction, articles and such available on the Gilded Age of America and the societal quirks of New York high society. Also the character of “the rich thief” has been a favorite for authors for decades from August Dupin to Thomas Crown (with Zorro and the Patent Leather Kid, among many others, in between). The rich thief doing it for the challenge, the fun, the adrenaline rush, but never just the money gives the author a wide story-telling range.
But, bottom line, the characters need to be worth reading and caring about, regardless of the history or wealth. Unfortunately, Belfoure’s characters too quickly become clichés, the good guys and women are absolutely good, while the bad guys completely unredeemable; all of which telegraphs the probable ending with few surprises along the way. A pleasant read.

In the second of former architect Charles Belfoure’s novels featuring an architect as a chief protagonist (after THE PARIS ARCHITECT), a high society family’s slippery descent into a life of crime is documented in unabashedly pulpy detail. Stuffed with a bevy of Gilded Age particulars --- white-glove balls and strictly enforced rules of etiquette, Tammany Hall and revenge-seeking mob bosses, whorehouses and gambling dens --- HOUSE OF THIEVES not only tells an entertaining story but also delivers a gritty historic snapshot of New York City during its debauched heyday.

Very loosely based on the life of George L. Leslie, an architect-turned-bank robber suspected of committing 80 percent of New York's bank heists during the mid-19th century, HOUSE OF THIEVES begins with a familiarly daunting setup: George Cross, Harvard grad and brilliant mathematician on his way to Columbia graduate school, has gotten himself into a bit of hot water. Because of a persistent gambling addiction, he has amassed a whopping $48,000 debt and owes it all to James Kent --- foppish kingpin of Kent’s Gents, a scraggly crew of gangsters and sheisters out for cold, hard cash.

“It was the incredible rush of excitement when he won that thrilled [George] most. Pure euphoria. The sensation was even more pleasurable than sex… It was all he could think about or wanted to do. At every second, he felt the uncontrollable urge to bet. He had no willpower, no control over his actions; the desire had taken hold of him, like a puppeteer manipulating the wires of a marionette.”

When esteemed and well-to-do architect John Cross learns of his son’s predicament --- pay up, or else --- he vows to right George’s wrongs and begrudgingly places himself in Kent’s service. In exchange for providing Kent and crew with blueprints of his affluent clients’ estates and detailed diagrams pinpointing where most of their riches lie, Cross whittles down George’s tab. One by one, the über wealthy fall --- a shoe baron, an heiress with a summer home in Newport, and the biggest theft of all: the Pharoah Blue Diamond, on loan from Alexandria Museum of Antiques in Egypt and housed at the Manhattan Institute of Science & Technology.

But Cross’ indenture is not what one might expect, aside from the occasional narrow escape or brutal murder of an innocent bystander who can’t live to tell. As the stakes escalate higher and higher, a new and peculiar feeling emerges with each passing robbery. Rather than loathe his obligation to Kent, Cross begins to look forward to the elation that inevitably follows a successful raid. Like George, he can’t stop chasing the high.

“You can’t imagine the feeling of exhilaration I get when committing a robbery,” he thinks to himself. “Whether it’s cracking a bank vault or stealing valuables from a house, there’s a sense of intense ecstasy, a sensation like no other. The excitement comes from the fact that at any second, I might be caught. I love that feeling more than any other.”

Meanwhile, while Cross is preoccupied by hunting for clues about the next feasible target --- now joined in the charade by his beautiful wife Helen, relative of distinguished socialite Carolyn Astor, who uncovered what her husband was up to and insisted on doing her part --- his other two children, 10-year-old Charlie and 17-year-old Julia, are busy adopting their own secret lives. Charlie befriends a street urchin named Eddie and tries his hand as a newsie, slinging newspapers for change. In a bold attempt to flout what’s expected of her as a debutante, Julia courts the ever-so-handsome Nolan, a known pickpocket seemingly ripped from the pages of Charles Dickens’ OLIVER TWIST.

“All their lives, they’d been told what to do to conform: what to wear, what to eat, how to dance, and above all, with whom to associate. Now, the Cross siblings had dared to travel into a taboo world. If anyone found out about their journey, the consequences would be dire.”

In a plot that consists mostly of a succession of outlandish, just-barely-pulled-off robberies, HOUSE OF THIEVES verges on the repetitive at times. But when Cross’ long-lost older brother returns to town as a Pinkerton --- a member of a private security guard and detective agency established in the United States in 1850 --- the game of cat and mouse becomes agreeably more acute, especially when it’s revealed that a snitch is lurking hidden amidst Kent’s gang.

Will Robert catch his brother out in a lie? Will Cross ever escape his obligation to Kent and his gents? Will George ever stop gambling? And what will come of the Crosses’ ingenious partnership in duping their friends and swiping their belongings? In a madcap finale that involves a high-speed chase through an unsuspecting crowd gathered to celebrate the unveiling of Lady Liberty, HOUSE OF THIEVES comes to its expected, but nonetheless thrilling, conclusion.

Reviewed by Alexis Burling

House of Thieves is an historical thriller set is 1880’s New York. The main protagonist John Cross is a well established and admired architect who has set high standards in his career as well as his personal life. Being the architect to those in New York’s high society comes with lots of unwritten rules and expectations. One blemish on your record publically or personally can send you spiraling downward quickly, especially when you are a distant relation
On the eve of celebrating his oldest child’s graduation from university, John is approached by what appears to be a gentleman wanting to discuss his son’s future. He quickly finds out that this man, James Kent, is indeed a gangster who has his son being help captive for excessive gambling debts accrued during college which he has failed to pay back. He assures John that his son, George, will be killed if the amount isn’t paid. The amount is staggering and Cross does not have the amount they desire to release his son. But upon finding that John is an architect plans are hatched that will allow him to pay back the loan if he will help the mob with robberies based on his knowledge of building plans.
Initially I was very intrigued with the story. I particularly liked reading about the architecture of the period and the detailed descriptions of the life in the 19th century for the wealthy and the poor. The first few “exploits” also kept me turning pages.
Later we learn that his son has continued his gambling habits and other members of his family are also exploring the world outside of what is acceptable behavior for their class. It was at the point, when even the youngest son begins to explore the underside of the city, that I began to find the story just too unbelievable. It just doesn’t seem feasible that the entire family decides, independently, and at the same time to step outside of the confines of their class. However it does bring up the question of how well we really know even our own family members.
There is some great writing here, descriptions of buildings with hidden rooms, vaults, passages, etc were very interesting and the main character is very well developed.
If the book had perhaps been edited down to fewer exploits by Cross and the team I would have enjoyed it more. Still it was an enjoyable read with lots of facts about New York in the 19th century.

I won an ARC edition from Bookreporter.com Sneak Peek contests in exchange for an honest review.

What would you do for your family? In essence that is what Charles Belfoure's new novel House of Thieves is all about. How far will John Cross go to save his son from death at the hands of a notorious gangster?

Set in the Gilded Age of NY the reader is taken through John Cross's life as he tries to navigate his life of respected architect and involuntary thief. Of course the lives of all members in his family are affected by his choice.

The plot is not difficult to figure out and there are maybe one or two moments of surprise. I did find the writing to be on more of a sophomoric level with no real depth to other characters aside from the two protagonist. The plot itself seems a bit outlandish but the setting of the novel coupled with Mr. Belfoure's skillful descriptive prose regarding architecture, kept you engrossed in the story.

A fast paced, although predictable story that I nevertheless truly enjoyed.

Charles Belfoure's first book,"Paris Architect" was quite popular and I believe this book will also be popular. It is well done and is enjoyable to read.
The plot is several steps beyond reality, and as I read I kept thinking ----impossible. George Cross is a young handsome Harvard graduate with a debilitating gambling habit. It is his sickness and he is drawn into casinos where he is always on the edge, owes loan sharks,and fears for his life.
Due to his huge debts and the life threats made against him George, has pulled his family into his underworld. His father becomes the master mind of a gang of criminals as he tries to settle George's debt. Soon the whole family is involved and the circumstances have changed. By their wits they must save themselves or all will be murdered. The plot is interesting and Belfoure's writing is excellent.

A mesmerizing entertaining read! Set in the Gilded Age this page-turner filled with the glitz and glamour of the monied where a whisper of a scandal shuns them from their privileged position meets the grittiness of the underworld as architect John Cross will have to successfully navigate both worlds to repay his son’s gambling debts and save his family. I greedily read this suspenseful tale in one night as I was anxious to see how the “arrangement” would play out for George, especially as intriguing actions by his family and the appearance of an estranged brother pushes the plot along in delightfully unanticipated ways. Ethical dilemmas, family loyalty, and desperation are the backdrop for murder, greed, deceit and duplicity facing the characters. The author’s architectural eye provides the vivid detail of the buildings and streets making them as important as the characters. Kudos to the author for keeping me in the time and place of this tremendously fun book so much I did not mind when the actions seem a little less than plausible. This is my first read by the author but I will definitely looking forward to reading more of his books. I recommend this book to readers looking to immerse themselves in a gripping amusing storyline that satisfies on all counts.

Beguiling! Fast-paced, action packed, Fun and full of surprise!

A mesmerizing entertaining read! Set in the Gilded Age this page-turner filled with the glitz and glamour I greedily read this suspenseful tale in one night as I was anxious to see how the “arrangement” would play out. There is everything in this must read from ethical dilemmas, family loyalty, and desperation are the backdrop for murder, greed, deceit and duplicity facing the characters. The author’s architectural eye provides the vivid detail of the buildings and streets making them as important as the characters. Kudos to the author for keeping me in the time and place of this tremendously fun book so much I did not mind when the actions seem a little less than plausible. This is my first read by the author but I will definitely looking forward to reading more of his books. I recommend this book to readers looking to immerse themselves in a gripping amusing storyline that satisfies on all counts.

Set in the 1880s, House of Thieves introduced us to the successful architect, John Cross and his family of misfits. Well, at first I thought they were harmless, until we get to meet his son, George who's got tangled up in a web of thugs, debts, and organized crime. In order to settle his huge debt, George revealed his father's profession and their connections. The gangsters made a deal with his father. Soon, a family living in simplicity became engrossed in pickpockets, sleight of hand and robberies until they became a bunch of thieves.

At first this book reminds me of Ocean Eleven movie and the Heist Society novel by Ally Carter. But as the story progressed, my thoughts changed and I soon found myself wondering how this family could pull off a big time heist.

I liked how this book was written. It was descriptive, thus making it easy for me to imagine and see what the characters were doing. The book also makes you think and guess and fail. It makes me say, "Oh golly, I didn't know that!" "Oh Yes!" "Oh No!" "This is great!"

Clarles Belfoure set up the pace to high-profile action-crime stories and I applaud him for keeping me interested with Cross's family until the last page of the book. Thumbs up!

1886 New York City is nicely depicted in this literary thriller by Charles Belfoure.

Architect John Cross learns of his son George's enormous gambling debt to the head of the gang called Kent's Gents and agrees to do anything to repay the sum. In turn, John's son and family will not be harmed --- but at what price? Kent utilizes the successful architect to help select places to rob --- the richer the better. Just when John Cross thinks the debt is repaid he quickly learns Kent had no intention of ever letting him go and make Cross a permanent member of the gang.

Making matters worse is the fact that John's brother, Robert, is a Pinkerton Agent working to take down the gangs of NYC. How will John get out of this deadly arrangement without he or his family being harmed? It is that question which keeps the pages turning in this terrific thriller that consistently surprises right up to the very end.

This is an excellent, wildly improbable romp through New York in the late 1800’s. John Cross is a wealthy New York architect who is distantly related to Caroline Auster. When is son racks up a huge gambling debt, John is forced to assist criminals in robbing banks, museums and other society homes because he has access to the plans. Somehow his whole family gets sucked in to this and the resulting store is not only entertaining but also an excellent portrayal of New York (both upper and lower classes) in that era.

This book turned out to be an unexpected treasure. The time period is well described and the characters are well drawn. Inspired by a real criminal, a high society man who turned, you are led into numerous twists and turns. Crimes provide a reason to describe numerous events, style, manners of the period, architecture, etc. I read it in 2 days--engrossing.

"House of Thieves" is an engaging and gripping time period mystery. The writing's a little dense at times, but it flows well and the story itself is sufficiently fascinating that a little bit of purple prose doesn't hurt it. You get attached to many of the characters quite quickly, which I like (it makes the story all the more enjoyable) and the atmosphere is honestly stunning: this book transports you effortlessly to the Gilded Age and the flawed, dark, bright, and beautiful world of 1800s New York City. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

This is Charles Belfoure’s 2nd novel, and while it’s enjoyable and moves quickly, it doesn’t measure up to his debut work, The Paris Architect. Belfoure, a Baltimore-based architect, has created a formula: Architectural features drive events, in this case crime in New York during the Gilded Age. The reader is led from heist to heist, where although the approach & the design details may vary, the incidents become repetitious. I found the characters’ actions hard to believe. Motivations aside, how is it possible that 4 members of the same upper-class, tradition-bound family simultaneously would turn to the underworld independent of each other?

Belfoure depicts a sense of time and place in describing the lifestyle of high society at the turn of the century, but House of Thieves is plot-heavy at the expense of characterization. Edith Wharton would not be happy.

I loved “The Paris Architect” and was looking forward to reading “House of Thieves”. I was not disappointed. This is a great historical fiction novel. I am a fan of both architecture and New York’s Gilded Age and loved the descriptions of the luxurious mansions. The plot is different, interesting, and exciting. It will draw you in from the first page and keep you hooked. I highly recommend.

This is worth reading. It's tough and gritty crime fiction. It's a historical thriller that grabs the reader from the opening sentence. There are weaknesses. The dialogue doesn't quite work. The characters are one dimensional. But the pace is fast. The setting is very real. So if rough and tough crime fiction is your thing, you'll go for this.

It started off good and I enjoyed the characters, historical and architectural aspects of the story, but midway it wasn't believable "Do not read further for spoiler"
that all family members would enter into criminal activities. And I can't get over the knocking off of the brother who was an interesting character. Even the ending, after all they been through they continue to do it.?! Disappointed

Belfoure has an incredible talent of artfully transporting his reader into another time and place. The creativity of plot captivates and the attention to detail makes the characters and their world come alive. Can't wait to see what's next for Belfoure!

Nowhere near as interesting as The Paris Architect.
I gave up 25% through. Subject matter and characters of "old New York" less interesting than I thought they would be. Perhaps because the motivations seem familiar now.
Not certain why he feels the need to put in so much violence, but I don't think the writing style suits it. It was understandable and in-sync with his slightly comic depiction of the Gestapo in the first one. Here those passages just seems clunky.

John Cross, Architect to the wealthy is a husband and father drawn into a life of crime to save the life of his son George. Unbeknownst to his father, George is a compulsive gambler who owes a substantial sum of money to a criminal "organization" ( gang) operating in turn of the century New York. John Cross sets up a series of robberies at wealthy homes to pay back his sons debt. This causes him some anguish while concurrently giving him a thrill. As a result of the success of these heists, he becomes an invaluable member to the gang who do not want to release him because they are making so much money. Mr Cross agress to stay involved because the gang has now threatened not only his (still) gambling son but his entire family. There's an event which happens during one spectacular attempted robbery which results in the death of a family member. This prompts Mr Cross to think of only one way out of his dilemma. I am being purposely vague in case you want to read the book, I don't want to drop spoilers.

I wanted to read this story because the plot line did seem as though it would be exciting - it just wasn't for me. I found the heists boring. I found the hypocrisy of the New York elite breathtaking, although it has been well documented and it was that way it was still hard to believe. During the story Mr Cross's young daughter and son wander the 'bad' side of town individually meet and make friends with 'unsavory' characters from the lower classes, with whom they engage in unsavory activities. I found that unbelievable. Mrs Astor makes a few appearances which I found mostly uselss to the storyline. I didn't believe how the events unfolded ( although I will say the title is a major clue) to an easily forseen conclusion. I wasn't captivated at all by the events and in truth skipped a large portion prior to the ending because it was just so uninteresting and unbelievable - to me.
I know this is a story, it's just unbelievable to me.

For anyone who loves heist stories and rich period details like Ken Follet's Pillars of the Earth, you will love this book. It's an addictive read with great characters and a wonderful family drama that makes you question your own moral and social actions. Simply marvelous!

My Review: The premise of an upper class professional suddenly forced to use his knowledge of New York City's elite to work with a crime boss in order to save his son was quite intriguing to me. Belfoure is an architect himself and like his first novel, The Paris Architect (2013), his protagonist in this novel is also an architect.

Belfoure's love of architecture is apparent throughout the book with the descriptions of architectural details of buildings during New York City's Gilded Age. While they were sprinkled throughout the book they weren't overdone or took over the story and I quite enjoyed getting a view of a much younger New York City. The reader is also given details about other aspects of life during that time: the Pinkertons, the debut of the Statue of Liberty, the rampant poverty in some areas as well as a look into the lives of New York's upper crust and how blatantly ignorant and bigoted they were to those less fortunate.

I'd have to say that I was surprised that this book was a much lighter historical fiction read than I was expecting. It was much more in line with Josephine Cox's style of writing and not as captivating as I was hoping especially after reading and enjoying The Paris Architect at the beginning of this year. Don't get me wrong, I have enjoyed many of Cox's books over the years but I was expecting something more from Belfoure. More history. More energy, believable characters and a more realistic story line.

The realism is what bothered me the most with this book. I just couldn't get behind the idea that so many people from this upper crust family suddenly, and independent of each other, decide to leave their comfortable (and yes stifling and restrictive) world to hang out with people much, much lower on the social scale. We're talking about debutantes enjoying watching rat baiting and a rich kid eagerly learning the art of pick pocketing from a Fagin-type character. I just couldn't get behind the changes in their characters. There were too many double lives happening within one family to be believable and the ending was tied up too nicely.

Even though this wasn't my favourite Belfoure novel House of Thieves kept my interest and showed the lengths parents will go to protect their children and I liked it. This would make a good beach read for fans of lighter historical fiction who enjoy period pieces set during 19th century America.

My Rating: 3/5 stars

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to SourceBooks and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary e-book copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

**This book review can also be found on my blog, The Baking Bookworm (www.thebakingbookworm.blogspot.ca) where I share hundreds of book reviews and my favourite recipes. **

"I have been taught by masters" - where has that come from?
Frankly, I just got tired of reading streets.
On Pages 354 through 354 too many New York Streets are mentioned. Fifty-Ninth, Fifty-Fifth, Fifth Avenue, Madison,
Madison Square, Thirtieth, Twenty-Six, Twenty-Ninth, Thirtieth, Twenty-Sixth. I loved the author's The Paris Architect
but this left me disappointed.