One Step Ahead

Memoirs of a Gentlemen Thief

By: W.C. Hoffman

Narrated by: Rich McVicar

Length: 3 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Fresh off the exposé of an organized crime syndicate, an award-winning investigative reporter lives in fear for his life. Relocating to Detroit under a new government issued identity, Nathan Davies finds himself dealing with the underbelly of American society once again.

America's most notorious thief, Zachary Landon, thrives upon the wealthy residents of the Motor City. Only targeting those who oppress the weak, Landon has become known as a modern day Robin of the Hood.

Davies quickly becomes enamored with the legend of Landon and soon his desire to learn more pushes aside the fear that has kept him alive. After a chance meeting, a bond begins to form and Nathan finds that Zachary Landon truly deserves to be glorified, not persecuted.

As truths are told, drawing Nathan in even further, he learns that when it comes to the gentleman thief, nothing is left to chance.

©2016 W.C. Hoffman (P)2016 Abracadabra Productions

Awesome!

I received this audio book for free from the author, as a fan of his previous works, in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed hearing this compendium of short stories. Landon is a "gentleman thief". If you're a fan of that tv show, Leverage, you'll understand the appeal. He only hits targets that deserve it, and usually only gets a fraction of a "normal" fee. He gets screwed over more often than not, and has a powerful ally/foe in his "childhood friend" the police inspector. This is well written, well narrated, and a perfect blend of ironic sarcasm and mind-blowing intuition. I can't wait for the next installment!

Each chapter is a short story by itself.

One Step Ahead: Memoirs of a Gentlemen Thief by W.C. Hoffman. Narrated by Rich McVicar

The narrator was great. He is someone I would listen to again.

WC Hoffman is an interesting author to say the least. This book is so different from the other one we listened to. You can tell some authors have a formula they follow to tell a story or they write the same type of stories - not so with this author.

Each chapter is a short story by itself. Zachary Landon is not your typical thief. The stories he tells Nathan Davies about his adventures in crime are well thought out crimes. Listen to this book but make sure you listen to the second book too. The last chapter in the second book was my favorite.

Liked it once I figured it out

Any additional comments?

At first glance, I thought I was getting a straight mystery listen. It turned out to be a series of mystery vignettes but they were very well written and I enjoyed them immensely. What a character that gentleman thief was! If you are expecting an A to Z listen with the usual stops along the way, this listen will disappoint. HOWEVER, if what you want is a great mystery in the Poirot tradition, you will be ever so entertained. The narrator was awesome as well!

Excellent Series of Short Stories Great Time Spent

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I would say that the time spent listening to this book was time very well spent. I truly enjoyed the tales of Zachary Landon the Gentleman Thief. They were inspired and truly enjoyable. I laughed out loud at times at the conclusion of some of them when the confounded his nemesis.

What was one of the most memorable moments of One Step Ahead?

Detective Williams is at the ballgame with Davies using tickets given to Davies by Landon to see a baseball game between the Tigers and Red Sox. After the game all the players sign balls for them as they are sitting in box-seats behind the away team in the first base line. Walking out of the stadium Williams takes the Lords name in vain as every signature on his ball is Zachary Landon.

What does Rich McVicar bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Mr McVicar brings a rich fullness to the characters. They become unique individuals in my minds that I can picture very clearly. He does an excellent job.

Do you think One Step Ahead needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

I truly believe that One Step Ahead needs a follow up book because a man like Zachary Landon must have many more exploits that need to be shared with the world and a writer as talented as WC Hoffman needs to share more of Zachary Landon with us.

Any additional comments?

"This review copy audiobook was provided by the author free of charge via Audiobook Boom."

everything about this book was great

Great thrills great book and great stories. narrator had a great voice I enjoyed every moment of the book. I received this book free for a honest review and unbiased option from the author and or narrator via audio book boom

Poe and Doyle, meet Hoffman and Leblanc

The author's note explains these stories are his modernized and Americanized versions of the public domain stories of Maurice Leblanc's "Arsène Lupin, Gentleman-Thief." To tie the stories together, Hoffman has used the journalist in hiding who becomes friends with Landon, the renamed gentleman-thief, and listens to his tales. His role is to be the American equivalent of Dr. Watson, methinks. Landon strikes me as a Holmes-Moriarty amalgam with a little of Poe's detective Dupin thrown in. Expect keen observation, deduction, and quick wit. The time period used by the author for his reworking of the stories is 1940s Detroit.

It's a quick listen, and I found it enjoyable. I might even listen again, which is high praise from me.

One step ahead

Any additional comments?

Another great book written by the author. Full of suspense and thrill. Narration is good too.

With a Little Help from your Friends

Would you consider the audio edition of One Step Ahead to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the ebook edition. There are some sections that might be easier to follow with the written edition. Still a fun listen though. There seemed to be short vignettes that comprised a bigger mystery. It evolved, and may be easier to follow along with the ebook version.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Nathan Davies and his alter ego Landon.

What does Rich McVicar bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He is a talented narrator, breathes life into the characters.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Witness Protection Do Gooder finds His Calling

Any additional comments?

Thanks for the opportunity to listen to this Audible version.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com

Excellent Narration gives Story Fresh life

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I've recommended this story to many others. The story is a little old fashioned since it's set in the 1940's and the language is a little decorus and formal but the narration brings out the personalities which highlight the mystery, the humor and makes it enjoyable and move fast. The gentleman thief character is a fun puzzle to unravel and with the narration, you will enjoy him more and more as the story goes on.

Any additional comments?

Can't say enough how well the narration captures the nature and tone of this book.

Pretty Good

This book isn't the best but it's not completely horrible either. I think the narrator makes it better.