To Catch a Thief (1953) - David Dodge

Written by David Dodge
Read by Jeff Loeb
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 64 Kbps
Unabridged

Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins
Release date: 11-27-13
Publisher: Audible Studios ,

Introduction by Randal S. Brandt (introduction)

To Catch a Thief is David Dodge’s most famous novel, and rightly so. Alfred Hitchcock firmly cinched its place in the annals of crime fiction by adapting it into an Academy Award winning film starring Cary Grant and Grace Kelly.

The story centers on John Robie, American expatriate and skilled gymnast, who once-upon-a-time was Le Chat, the famous and elusive cat burglar who worked the South of France. The legend of Le Chat grew with each crime. Following the war, Robie retires to a quiet life in France and vows to leave his past behind. His retirement is shattered when a copy-cat burglar commits a string of robberies that puts the police on Le Chat’s trail again. Robie must catch the phony Le Chat before the police catch him.

Performer Jeff Loeb narrates in a gentle, dignified voice with competent French pronunciations, while an informative introduction and afterword add context. Listeners who love travel, glamorous locales, and action-packed rooftop chases will enjoy this one.

Every review I read gave high prais to the book. One of my favotite was this……
“David Dodge’s writing style often reminds me of Montgomery Clift’s acting style; five minutes into the film or the narrative, you forget either exist. Clift’s fine performances were often overlooked, because they weren’t showy. Clift no longer existed, only the character he was portraying. And in a David Dodge novel, the writer no longer exists, just the character and story. In this case the character is John Robie, or Le Chat, the retired thief. As Somerset Maugham noted, the reader should never realize the writer exists if a story is told properly. Everything should happen as if by some magic happenstance where we are privy to a great story. That style isn’t showy, it doesn’t call attention to itself, but when it’s done to perfection, as Dodge so often did, it’s a heck of a read.”