The Good Thieves
Katherine Rundell’s The Good Thieves is a dazzling, heart-pounding masterpiece that sweeps readers into the gritty, glittering world of 1920s New York City. This middle-grade novel, brimming with adventure, loyalty, and the indomitable spirit of its young protagonists, is a testament to Rundell’s unparalleled storytelling prowess. From its opening line—“Vita set her jaw and nodded at the city in greeting, as a boxer greets an opponent before a fight”—the book grabs hold of you and refuses to let go until the final, triumphant page. It’s a heist story, a tale of family and friendship, and a celebration of courage in the face of overwhelming odds, all woven together with Rundell’s signature lyrical prose and vivid imagination.
The story follows Vita Marlowe, a fierce and determined young girl who arrives in New York from England with her mother to help her ailing grandfather, Jack. Devastated by the recent loss of his wife and swindled out of his ancestral home, Hudson Castle, by the sinister real estate tycoon Victor Sorrotore, Jack is a shadow of his former self. Vita, whose own resilience was forged through years of battling polio, refuses to let her grandfather’s spirit remain broken. Armed with a sharp mind, a steady hand for knife-throwing (a skill taught by her grandfather), and an unyielding sense of justice, Vita assembles a ragtag crew of unlikely allies to pull off an audacious heist: break into the impregnable castle, recover a hidden emerald necklace, and restore what was stolen from her family.
Rundell’s characters are the beating heart of The Good Thieves, each one exquisitely crafted and unforgettable. Vita is a protagonist to root for—a blend of grit, vulnerability, and quiet strength. Her determination to right a wrong is fueled not by vengeance but by love, making her both relatable and inspiring. Her team is equally compelling: Silk, an orphaned pickpocket with a quick wit and nimble fingers; Arkady, a Russian boy with an almost magical affinity for animals; and Samuel, an aspiring trapeze artist from Mashonaland whose courage and hidden depths shine in the story’s most perilous moments. Together, this quartet forms a found family that radiates warmth and camaraderie, their diverse backgrounds and talents creating a dynamic synergy that drives the heist forward. Rundell deftly explores themes of identity and belonging, subtly weaving in the era’s attitudes toward race, class, and disability without ever letting these elements overshadow the story’s adventurous spirit.
The setting of Prohibition-era New York is a character in its own right, brought to life with Rundell’s meticulous research and evocative descriptions. From the dazzling lights of Manhattan’s nightlife to the shadowy underbelly where mobsters and conmen thrive, the city pulses with energy and danger. Rundell’s prose sparkles with originality—whether she’s describing a seagull’s cry as “the scandalised cry of an angry duchess” or a white horse galloping through the early morning streets, her words paint vivid, cinematic scenes that linger in the imagination. The inclusion of historical details, like a circus performing at Carnegie Hall and references to figures like John Dillinger, grounds the story in its time while adding a layer of intrigue that will captivate history-loving readers.
What sets The Good Thieves apart is its seamless blend of heart, humor, and high-stakes action. The heist itself is a masterclass in pacing, with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. Rundell orchestrates the plot with the precision of a watchmaker, revealing just enough to keep readers guessing while never losing sight of the emotional stakes. The narrative is peppered with moments of wit and warmth, from Arkady’s exuberant declaration that they’ll “go down in history—like Robin Hood!” to the quiet, tender exchanges between Vita and her grandfather. These moments ground the story’s more fantastical elements, making the characters’ triumphs feel hard-earned and deeply satisfying.
Thematically, The Good Thieves is a love letter to loyalty, bravery, and the power of standing up to injustice. Vita’s mission is as much about restoring her grandfather’s hope as it is about reclaiming a physical treasure, and this emotional core resonates powerfully. Rundell also gently subverts the classic treasure-hunting trope, infusing it with a sense of moral clarity: stealing back what was wrongfully taken isn’t a crime—it’s justice. This message, delivered through the lens of a child’s unwavering determination, will inspire young readers to believe in their own ability to make a difference.
For all its thrills, The Good Thieves is also a book that rewards careful reading. Rundell’s prose is elegant yet accessible, with a rhythm that begs to be read aloud. Teachers and parents will find it a perfect choice for sparking discussions about resilience, teamwork, and the complexities of right and wrong. At the same time, it’s a book that children will devour for its sheer entertainment value, racing through its pages to see if Vita and her crew can outsmart the city that never sleeps.
In short, The Good Thieves is a triumph—a story that glitters with adventure, hums with heart, and showcases Katherine Rundell at the height of her powers. It’s the kind of book that leaves you breathless, not just from the excitement of the heist but from the joy of discovering a story so perfectly told. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Rundell’s work or encountering her for the first time, this novel is a must-read that will linger in your heart long after the final page. For anyone who loves a tale of daring, friendship, and the unbreakable bond between a grandparent and grandchild, The Good Thieves is pure magic.
You can buy The Good Thieves by Katherine Rundell with my Amazon Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4lLJamx
The story follows Vita Marlowe, a fierce and determined young girl who arrives in New York from England with her mother to help her ailing grandfather, Jack. Devastated by the recent loss of his wife and swindled out of his ancestral home, Hudson Castle, by the sinister real estate tycoon Victor Sorrotore, Jack is a shadow of his former self. Vita, whose own resilience was forged through years of battling polio, refuses to let her grandfather’s spirit remain broken. Armed with a sharp mind, a steady hand for knife-throwing (a skill taught by her grandfather), and an unyielding sense of justice, Vita assembles a ragtag crew of unlikely allies to pull off an audacious heist: break into the impregnable castle, recover a hidden emerald necklace, and restore what was stolen from her family.
Rundell’s characters are the beating heart of The Good Thieves, each one exquisitely crafted and unforgettable. Vita is a protagonist to root for—a blend of grit, vulnerability, and quiet strength. Her determination to right a wrong is fueled not by vengeance but by love, making her both relatable and inspiring. Her team is equally compelling: Silk, an orphaned pickpocket with a quick wit and nimble fingers; Arkady, a Russian boy with an almost magical affinity for animals; and Samuel, an aspiring trapeze artist from Mashonaland whose courage and hidden depths shine in the story’s most perilous moments. Together, this quartet forms a found family that radiates warmth and camaraderie, their diverse backgrounds and talents creating a dynamic synergy that drives the heist forward. Rundell deftly explores themes of identity and belonging, subtly weaving in the era’s attitudes toward race, class, and disability without ever letting these elements overshadow the story’s adventurous spirit.
The setting of Prohibition-era New York is a character in its own right, brought to life with Rundell’s meticulous research and evocative descriptions. From the dazzling lights of Manhattan’s nightlife to the shadowy underbelly where mobsters and conmen thrive, the city pulses with energy and danger. Rundell’s prose sparkles with originality—whether she’s describing a seagull’s cry as “the scandalised cry of an angry duchess” or a white horse galloping through the early morning streets, her words paint vivid, cinematic scenes that linger in the imagination. The inclusion of historical details, like a circus performing at Carnegie Hall and references to figures like John Dillinger, grounds the story in its time while adding a layer of intrigue that will captivate history-loving readers.
What sets The Good Thieves apart is its seamless blend of heart, humor, and high-stakes action. The heist itself is a masterclass in pacing, with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. Rundell orchestrates the plot with the precision of a watchmaker, revealing just enough to keep readers guessing while never losing sight of the emotional stakes. The narrative is peppered with moments of wit and warmth, from Arkady’s exuberant declaration that they’ll “go down in history—like Robin Hood!” to the quiet, tender exchanges between Vita and her grandfather. These moments ground the story’s more fantastical elements, making the characters’ triumphs feel hard-earned and deeply satisfying.
Thematically, The Good Thieves is a love letter to loyalty, bravery, and the power of standing up to injustice. Vita’s mission is as much about restoring her grandfather’s hope as it is about reclaiming a physical treasure, and this emotional core resonates powerfully. Rundell also gently subverts the classic treasure-hunting trope, infusing it with a sense of moral clarity: stealing back what was wrongfully taken isn’t a crime—it’s justice. This message, delivered through the lens of a child’s unwavering determination, will inspire young readers to believe in their own ability to make a difference.
For all its thrills, The Good Thieves is also a book that rewards careful reading. Rundell’s prose is elegant yet accessible, with a rhythm that begs to be read aloud. Teachers and parents will find it a perfect choice for sparking discussions about resilience, teamwork, and the complexities of right and wrong. At the same time, it’s a book that children will devour for its sheer entertainment value, racing through its pages to see if Vita and her crew can outsmart the city that never sleeps.
In short, The Good Thieves is a triumph—a story that glitters with adventure, hums with heart, and showcases Katherine Rundell at the height of her powers. It’s the kind of book that leaves you breathless, not just from the excitement of the heist but from the joy of discovering a story so perfectly told. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Rundell’s work or encountering her for the first time, this novel is a must-read that will linger in your heart long after the final page. For anyone who loves a tale of daring, friendship, and the unbreakable bond between a grandparent and grandchild, The Good Thieves is pure magic.
You can buy The Good Thieves by Katherine Rundell with my Amazon Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4lLJamx
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