The Gentleman Thief Steals a Blanket
by Mark Nutter
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 296 pages
Genre: Humorous Fiction
Publisher: BookBaby
Release date: June 2025
Content Rating: PG-13: Some language and a non-explicit post-coital scene
Book Description:
Frustrated novelist Danny is resigned to writing material for trade shows, promoting garage doors and non-stick cookware. His ex-wife threatens legal action for non-payment of alimony. Danny never dreamed the answer to his troubles could be larceny.
But then wealthy, charming Packard Hale III reenters his life. He was Danny’s college roommate, and like Lupin and Raffles, he now fancies himself a gentleman thief. Packard hires Danny to write about his capers.
Danny follows Packard as they break into a mansion and steal, among other things, a priceless Chinese vase and a curiously valuable souvenir blanket from Branson, Missouri. However, it’s not Packard who is pursued by the police, but Danny.
Simultaneously, he struggles to please his client, a lawn-and-garden CEO with an erotic attraction to lawnmowers. Danny also endures abuse from Soren, a boozy has-been Vegas magician. He tolerates the mistreatment because of Crystal, the magician’s assistant. He’s falling for her.
When he learns Soren screwed Crystal out of rights to magic tricks she’s created — and in spite of the cops on his tail — Danny plots revenge. He and Packard attempt the daring theft of a state-of-the-art lawnmower—during a live performance in front of 400 people.
What made me write a book about a Gentleman Thief? A few years ago I had Covid. I usually enjoy action movies when I’m sick, but this time I found myself craving the pleasure of a bloodless crime caper like Ocean’s 11, Topkapi, or The Sting. Since I’d seen those films many times, I decided to create my own breezy heist story.
Where did I get inspiration for this story? I’ve done my share of industrial shows. Clients included Sara Lee, Jovan, and Wilson Jones Office Products. Authors who inspired this book include Donald Westlake and P. G. Wodehouse.
There are many books out there. What makes mine different? There are many heist novels. Few are funnier than this one. Plus it’s set in Chicago, my home town.
If I could be any character in my book, who would it be? Of course I’d be the charming, bold, reckless Gentleman Thief himself – Packard Hale the Third.
Do I have another profession besides writing? I also write music and lyrics for the stage. I wrote the songs for ReAnimator the Musical, and I’m currently writing a musical set in a German POW camp during World War II.
Favorite travel destination: London, UK.
Favorite dessert: A bowl of Jordan almonds.
Meet the Author Mark Nutter:
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MARK NUTTER grew up in a motel near Joliet, Illinois, which is not as glamorous as it sounds. He’s the author of the humorous heist novel The Gentleman Thief Steals a Blanket. He wrote three collections of comedic short stories: Giant Banana Over Texas, Dancer on the Ceiling, and Sunset Cruise on the River Styx. He won the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award and the LA Weekly Theater Award for the music & lyrics for Reanimator the Musical. Mark also wrote for television (SNL, 3rd Rock from the Sun) and feature film (Almost Heroes). www.marknutter.com.
connect with the author: website ~ facebook ~ bookbub ~ goodreads
THE GENTLEMAN THIEF STEALS A BLANKET Book Tour Giveaway
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Very clever & fun cover.
This looks like a great read. Thanks for sharing.