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Prince of Thieves | Chuck Hogan
Prince of Thieves | Chuck Hogan
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Four masked men—thieves, rivals, and friends from the tough streets of Charlestown—take on a Boston bank at gunpoint, setting off an unforgettable odyssey of crime, love, and ambition.
A Gritty Tale of Robbery and Redemption
Holding bank manager Claire Keesey hostage and cleaning out the vault were simple for four masked men from the tough streets of Charlestown. But career criminal Doug MacRay didn't plan on one thing: falling hard for Claire. When he tracks her down without his mask and gun to ensure she won't compromise his crew, their mutual attraction is undeniable.
With a tenacious FBI agent following his every move, Doug imagines a life away from his gritty, dangerous work—a life centered around Claire. But before that can happen, Doug and his crew learn that there may be a way to rob Boston's venerable baseball stadium, Fenway Park.
Risky yet utterly irresistible, it would be the perfect heist to end his criminal career and begin a new life. But, as it turns out, pursuing Claire may be the most dangerous act of all. Racing to an explosive climax, Prince of Thieves is a brash, psychologically gripping thriller exploring the dark intersection of loyalty, survival, and the desire to escape one's past.
Accolades and Praise
- Winner of the Hammett Prize for excellence in crime writing.
- The direct source material for the critically acclaimed 2010 film The Town.
“A terrific read...A rich narrative of friendship, young love, and mounting suspense.” — Stephen King
“As knowledgeable as James Ellroy, as sharp as Elmore Leonard, and as profound as fellow Boston scribe Dennis Lehane.” — Fort Worth Star-Telegram
“Stunningly crafted...The plot...is swift and expertly built, the prose muscular and clean.” — The Seattle Times
About the Author
Chuck Hogan is an acclaimed author celebrated for his tense and psychologically rich thrillers. In addition to his Hammett Award-winning work on Prince of Thieves, he is widely recognized as the co-author of the bestselling vampire thriller series, The Strain.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is this the book that the movie "The Town" was based on?
Yes. This novel is the direct source material for the critically acclaimed 2010 crime film The Town, which was directed by and starred Ben Affleck. Following the massive commercial success of the film adaptation, the book was frequently reprinted with the movie's title on the front cover.
2. Did this novel win any major literary awards or accolades?
Yes. The book is highly celebrated within the mystery community and won the prestigious Hammett Prize for excellence in crime writing. It is widely regarded by critics as an incredibly authentic, gritty, and psychologically complex portrait of career criminals.
3. Where is the story set and how does it portray the local environment?
The entire narrative takes place in Charlestown, a real neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts. The author frames the neighborhood as an insular, high-stakes breeding ground for tight-knit armored car and bank robbers, delving deeply into the local multi-generational subculture of professional thieves.
4. What is the primary plot and tension driving the characters?
The story follows career criminal Doug MacRay after a bank robbery where his crew holds a local branch manager, Claire Keesey, hostage. When Doug later tracks Claire down without his mask to ensure she won't compromise his crew, they fall intensely for one another, forcing Doug to attempt a way out of his dangerous lifestyle while a relentless FBI agent hunts him down.
5. Are there major differences between the book and the movie adaptation?
Yes. While the film captures the raw energy of the main heists, the novel delivers a significantly deeper exploration of the criminal underworld. Character motivations are much darker and more realistic in the text, certain secondary character fates are entirely different, and the book dives significantly further into the strategic planning behind the final heist at Fenway Park.
Reader Targeting
Read This If You Enjoy...
- Dark, psychologically complex crime fiction and heist narratives.
- Authentic, gritty Boston-based thrillers akin to the works of Dennis Lehane or George V. Higgins.
- Character-driven suspense where romantic tension complicates life-or-death criminal underworld stakes.
Product Specifications
| Title | Prince of Thieves: A Novel (Also known as: The Town) |
|---|---|
| Author | Chuck Hogan |
| Publisher | Scribner (An imprint of Simon & Schuster) |
| Publication Date | July 17, 2007 (Reprint Edition) |
| Format | Trade Paperback |
| ISBN-13 | 9781416554905 |
| ISBN-10 | 1416554904 |
| Page Count | 400 pages |
| Dimensions | 5.9 x 1.1 x 9.2 inches |
| Weight | 14.4 oz (0.90 lbs) |
| Language | English |
| BISAC Categories | FICTION / Thrillers / Crime; FICTION / Mysteries & Detective / General; FICTION / Action & Adventure |
| Condition | Pre-Owned / Very Good |
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