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Second Story Man
Francis Hoyt, arrogant, athletic, brilliant, manipulative and ruthless, is a master burglar. He specializes in stealing high-end silver, breaking into homes that seem impenetrable. He’s never been caught in the act, although he has spent some time in prison on a related charge, time he used to hone his craft and make valuable connections. (Hoyt is based on two real-life master burglars: the so-called Dinnertime Bandit, who only stole when his victims were home, and The Silver Thief, who was only interested in high-end silver). Hoyt follows the money. In the winter, he works down south, primarily in southern Florida and Georgia, around the Atlanta area. Summers, he moves back up north, where he plies his trade in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts.
One day, Charlie Floyd, brilliant, stubborn, an experienced investigator, who has recently retired from his job with the attorney general’s department for the state of Connecticut, receives a phone call from Manny Perez, a Cuban-American Miami police detective. Perez, who’s worked with Floyd previously, wants to enlist the former investigator in his efforts to put an end to Francis Hoyt’s criminal career. Floyd accepts the offer and they team up to bring Hoyt to justice.
Second Story Man , told in alternating chapters, representing Hoyt’s, Floyd’s and Perez’s points-of-view, develops into a cat-and-mouse contest between the two lawmen and this master burglar. As Floyd and Perez get closer to their prey, Hoyt finds out they’re after him and rather than backing down, he taunts them, daring them to bring him in. As the story develops, the stakes get higher and higher, and Hoyt, who is always concerned about proving he’s the best at what he does, even resorts to murder. Eventually, the story climaxes in a confrontation between the three men.
One day, Charlie Floyd, brilliant, stubborn, an experienced investigator, who has recently retired from his job with the attorney general’s department for the state of Connecticut, receives a phone call from Manny Perez, a Cuban-American Miami police detective. Perez, who’s worked with Floyd previously, wants to enlist the former investigator in his efforts to put an end to Francis Hoyt’s criminal career. Floyd accepts the offer and they team up to bring Hoyt to justice.
Second Story Man , told in alternating chapters, representing Hoyt’s, Floyd’s and Perez’s points-of-view, develops into a cat-and-mouse contest between the two lawmen and this master burglar. As Floyd and Perez get closer to their prey, Hoyt finds out they’re after him and rather than backing down, he taunts them, daring them to bring him in. As the story develops, the stakes get higher and higher, and Hoyt, who is always concerned about proving he’s the best at what he does, even resorts to murder. Eventually, the story climaxes in a confrontation between the three men.
288 pages, Paperback
Published November 12, 2017
About the author
Charles Salzberg
39 books280 followersCharles Salzberg's latest novel, Swann's Lake of Despair, is the third in the Henry Swann Detective Series. When rare photos, a scandalous diary, and a beautiful woman all go missing at once, the stage is set for three challenging cases for this skip tracer and his slovenly, disbarred lawyer friend, Goldblatt.
Devil in the Hole, his last novel, is a work of literary crime fiction based on the notorious John List murders, which is on shelves now, was just chosen by Suspense Magazine as one of the Best True Crime Novels of the Year. It is also now available as an e-book on Kindle.
He is also the author of the Henry Swann detective series: Swann’s Last Song, which was nominated for a Shamus Award for Best First PI Novel; Swann Dives In; and the upcoming Swann's Lake of Despair.
Salzberg has been a Visiting Professor at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, and has taught writing at Sarah Lawrence College, Hunter College, the Writer's Voice, and the New York Writers Workshop, where he was a Founding Member. He is a consulting editor at the webzine Ducts.org and co-host, with Jonathan Kravetz, of the reading series, Trumpet Fiction, at KGB in New York City.
His freelance articles has appeared in such publications as Esquire, New York Magazine, GQ, Elle, Redbook, Ladies Home Journal, The New York Times Arts and Leisure section, The New York Times Book Review, and the Los Angeles Times Book Review.
He is also the author of From Set Shot to Slam Dunk, An Oral History of the NBA; On A Clear Day They Could See Seventh Place: Baseball’s 10 Worst Teams of the Century; and co-author of My Zany Life and Times, by Soupy Sales, Catch Them Being Good; and The Mad Fisherman.
Devil in the Hole, his last novel, is a work of literary crime fiction based on the notorious John List murders, which is on shelves now, was just chosen by Suspense Magazine as one of the Best True Crime Novels of the Year. It is also now available as an e-book on Kindle.
He is also the author of the Henry Swann detective series: Swann’s Last Song, which was nominated for a Shamus Award for Best First PI Novel; Swann Dives In; and the upcoming Swann's Lake of Despair.
Salzberg has been a Visiting Professor at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, and has taught writing at Sarah Lawrence College, Hunter College, the Writer's Voice, and the New York Writers Workshop, where he was a Founding Member. He is a consulting editor at the webzine Ducts.org and co-host, with Jonathan Kravetz, of the reading series, Trumpet Fiction, at KGB in New York City.
His freelance articles has appeared in such publications as Esquire, New York Magazine, GQ, Elle, Redbook, Ladies Home Journal, The New York Times Arts and Leisure section, The New York Times Book Review, and the Los Angeles Times Book Review.
He is also the author of From Set Shot to Slam Dunk, An Oral History of the NBA; On A Clear Day They Could See Seventh Place: Baseball’s 10 Worst Teams of the Century; and co-author of My Zany Life and Times, by Soupy Sales, Catch Them Being Good; and The Mad Fisherman.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 14, 2017
Second Story Man is a cat and mouse game with police and a thief facing off. Kinda like De Niro and Pacino in "Heat." Or like Block's Bernie Rhodenbarr. It's a story of an obsession with catching the world's greatest thief, tirelessly reeling it in. But what makes it work with these three alternating narratives is the terrific narrative voice that just sings like a finely tuned engine in the hands of a master engineer. It's chock full of vim and vigor and attitude. Tremendous fun. Thanks to Down & Out Books for providing a copy for review.
April 28, 2022
interesting structure, three protagonists with their own different voices and back ground. one is a thief, some imitation on Arsen Lopen, and two cops, one a cop from Miami and Havana borne and the other a strang mix of big city cowboy. very realistic writing. but a big problem. no real ending. too forced and a big drop. so so.
March 30, 2022
review by Patrick H. Moore
Charles Salzberg has always been an interesting crime novelist. He came late to writing fiction, but since publishing Devil in the Hole in 2013, his brilliant psychological study of John Hartman, a desperate Everyman who murdered his entire family and then skipped town, he has been quite prolific. Charles has not only written the entire Henry Swann series (5 volumes) starring his curmudgeonly PI protagonist; he now brings us a new novel Second Story Man, an intriguing in-depth look at Francis Hoyt, America’s most skillful high-end silver thief, and the two detectives — grumpy prematurely retired Charlie Floyd and the ebullient Manny Perez — who are determined to bring him to justice. The story takes the form of a police procedural narrated by three separate first person voices.
Second Story Man was published by Down and Out Books on March 26th.
I have always found Charles Salzberg to be that rarest of crime writers, an author who insists that his books be realistic. This means that in his stories heads do not typically explode “in a savage red rain”, and the fate of the world does not constantly hang in the balance. Rather, Mr. Salzberg presents us with utterly convincing characters who do real things. In Second Story Man, each of his three main characters — not to mention the supporting cast of Francis Hoyt’s girlfriends, as well as two memorably unsavory professional “fences”– ring true.
Along with his penchant for realism, Mr. Salzberg insists on maintaining “freshness” within the genre in which he chooses to work. This, of course, is no easy task. In Second Story Man, he achieves this by presenting the reader with three separate protagonists, each of whom speaks in his own distinctive first person voice.
The bad guy in this story is Francis Hoyt, high-end silver thief par excellence. He is like the mean little guy in middle school who picked fights with innocent children just for the fun of it. Francis had an abusive father who made his childhood hell, which helped him develop what a psychologist would likely term “borderline personality disorder”. In layman’s terms this means “having a very short fuse” and being prone to fits of irrational anger. Francis starts adult life as a second story man. He only gets caught once but that is enough. After that he swears off ladders and concentrates on the bling (only the best bling, you understand) that the kitchens of the elite have to offer.
As part of his overall odious make-up, Francis treats his girlfriends as disposable commodities.
Although Francis is undeniably obnoxious, not to mention cruel and even murderous, readers may gradually find themselves rooting for the little guy as he engages in his cat-and-mouse game with the two obsessed detectives who are doing their best to “breathe down his neck”. Mr. Salzberg cleverly depicts Francis Hoyt as both “underdog” and “untouchable”. In his mind, the detectives have no chance in hell of ever capturing him, and he likes nothing better than leading them on a wild goose chase in which apparent good “leads” vanish like the proverbial will-of-the wisp.
The two detectives who set out in pursuit of him — retired Connecticut homicide detective Charlie Floyd and suspended Miami PD detective Manny Perez — have distinctly different personalities and styles of speech: Floyd is hard-bitten and taciturn and not the kind of guy you want to be cross-examined by. Perez is bubbly and buttoned-down. Proud of his hard won American citizenship, he loves the U.S. and wants to protect it with every ounce of his fiber.
Floyd and Perez are both highly believable characters. Their pursuit of Francis Hoyt is done with verve, patience and creativity. Yet, as a reader, I was never certain whose side I was on: Francis Hoyt’s or that of the stalwart detectives.
The old saying, “there are many slips ‘twixt the cup and the lip” justly describes the detectives’ earnest but perhaps not entirely successful pursuit of Hoyt.
Any reader of crime fiction who enjoys a fresh, realistic psychological crime thriller cum police procedural full of twists and turns but sans gratuitous violence will want to purchase a copy of Second Story Man. This is a book that is likely to fare well in this year’s book award contests.
Charles Salzberg has always been an interesting crime novelist. He came late to writing fiction, but since publishing Devil in the Hole in 2013, his brilliant psychological study of John Hartman, a desperate Everyman who murdered his entire family and then skipped town, he has been quite prolific. Charles has not only written the entire Henry Swann series (5 volumes) starring his curmudgeonly PI protagonist; he now brings us a new novel Second Story Man, an intriguing in-depth look at Francis Hoyt, America’s most skillful high-end silver thief, and the two detectives — grumpy prematurely retired Charlie Floyd and the ebullient Manny Perez — who are determined to bring him to justice. The story takes the form of a police procedural narrated by three separate first person voices.
Second Story Man was published by Down and Out Books on March 26th.
I have always found Charles Salzberg to be that rarest of crime writers, an author who insists that his books be realistic. This means that in his stories heads do not typically explode “in a savage red rain”, and the fate of the world does not constantly hang in the balance. Rather, Mr. Salzberg presents us with utterly convincing characters who do real things. In Second Story Man, each of his three main characters — not to mention the supporting cast of Francis Hoyt’s girlfriends, as well as two memorably unsavory professional “fences”– ring true.
Along with his penchant for realism, Mr. Salzberg insists on maintaining “freshness” within the genre in which he chooses to work. This, of course, is no easy task. In Second Story Man, he achieves this by presenting the reader with three separate protagonists, each of whom speaks in his own distinctive first person voice.
The bad guy in this story is Francis Hoyt, high-end silver thief par excellence. He is like the mean little guy in middle school who picked fights with innocent children just for the fun of it. Francis had an abusive father who made his childhood hell, which helped him develop what a psychologist would likely term “borderline personality disorder”. In layman’s terms this means “having a very short fuse” and being prone to fits of irrational anger. Francis starts adult life as a second story man. He only gets caught once but that is enough. After that he swears off ladders and concentrates on the bling (only the best bling, you understand) that the kitchens of the elite have to offer.
As part of his overall odious make-up, Francis treats his girlfriends as disposable commodities.
Although Francis is undeniably obnoxious, not to mention cruel and even murderous, readers may gradually find themselves rooting for the little guy as he engages in his cat-and-mouse game with the two obsessed detectives who are doing their best to “breathe down his neck”. Mr. Salzberg cleverly depicts Francis Hoyt as both “underdog” and “untouchable”. In his mind, the detectives have no chance in hell of ever capturing him, and he likes nothing better than leading them on a wild goose chase in which apparent good “leads” vanish like the proverbial will-of-the wisp.
The two detectives who set out in pursuit of him — retired Connecticut homicide detective Charlie Floyd and suspended Miami PD detective Manny Perez — have distinctly different personalities and styles of speech: Floyd is hard-bitten and taciturn and not the kind of guy you want to be cross-examined by. Perez is bubbly and buttoned-down. Proud of his hard won American citizenship, he loves the U.S. and wants to protect it with every ounce of his fiber.
Floyd and Perez are both highly believable characters. Their pursuit of Francis Hoyt is done with verve, patience and creativity. Yet, as a reader, I was never certain whose side I was on: Francis Hoyt’s or that of the stalwart detectives.
The old saying, “there are many slips ‘twixt the cup and the lip” justly describes the detectives’ earnest but perhaps not entirely successful pursuit of Hoyt.
Any reader of crime fiction who enjoys a fresh, realistic psychological crime thriller cum police procedural full of twists and turns but sans gratuitous violence will want to purchase a copy of Second Story Man. This is a book that is likely to fare well in this year’s book award contests.
February 23, 2020
I came across this novel in my son's Kindle library and the central premise of the story quite appealed to me and therefore thought I'd give it a read. I've also got to admit that I'd never heard of the other Charles Salzburg before either.
Francis Hoyt is a prolific thief and burglar committing crimes across the country and gaining the nickname of the 'Second Story man' as he always entered houses via an entry point on the second story of the building. Following a short stint in prison where he was caught because he was forced by the mob to take along a couple of their guys on a job, he has changed his M.O. and enters via the ground floor and targets houses containing antique silver pieces. Apart from his one stint in the 'can' he has never been caught and has gained quite a reputation among law enforcement agencies.
Manny Perez in a Cuban-American detective working for Miami P.D. who basically has a 'feather up his ass' for Hoyt, after just failing to catch him previously, due to his own shortcomings. He enlists the help of Charlie Floyd a recently retired Connecticut cop, whom Perez previously worked with on a murder investigation and whom he admires. Floyd is basically just passing the days aimlessly since his retirement and after some initial hesitation throws himself headlong into the investigation.
The story is told from the three perspectives of the main protagonists who are all engaging characters in their own right. Hoyt is full of his own confidence as he describes how he cases and then carries out his crimes, sometimes carrying out more than one job a night. He 'fences' his stolen goods before moving on to another part of the country where he continues his one man crime spree. He is meticulous in his planning and execution of his crimes, paying particular attention to alarm systems and also avoiding to leave little forensic trace evidence.
Perez and Floyd although both good detectives tend to work separately, dishing up the jobs depending on their own particular strengths and also geographically, with Perez working the Miami based enquiries and Floyd the New York, Connecticut areas. Even when they team up to work together they both naturally seem to know their respective roles. Hoyt eventually gets wind of their investigation and a thrilling cat and mouse type chase takes place, where rather than running, Hoyt intimidates the pair of detectives at every turn. The only thing that I felt let the book down was the rather anti-climatic sudden ending which I won't reveal for fear of spoiling the story for future readers. ( What also didn't help was that the novel ended on roughly 80% of the Kindle space !!)
I gave the novel 4 stars but in all honesty I think 3.5 is probably a truer reflection in my opinion because of the rather tame ending.
Francis Hoyt is a prolific thief and burglar committing crimes across the country and gaining the nickname of the 'Second Story man' as he always entered houses via an entry point on the second story of the building. Following a short stint in prison where he was caught because he was forced by the mob to take along a couple of their guys on a job, he has changed his M.O. and enters via the ground floor and targets houses containing antique silver pieces. Apart from his one stint in the 'can' he has never been caught and has gained quite a reputation among law enforcement agencies.
Manny Perez in a Cuban-American detective working for Miami P.D. who basically has a 'feather up his ass' for Hoyt, after just failing to catch him previously, due to his own shortcomings. He enlists the help of Charlie Floyd a recently retired Connecticut cop, whom Perez previously worked with on a murder investigation and whom he admires. Floyd is basically just passing the days aimlessly since his retirement and after some initial hesitation throws himself headlong into the investigation.
The story is told from the three perspectives of the main protagonists who are all engaging characters in their own right. Hoyt is full of his own confidence as he describes how he cases and then carries out his crimes, sometimes carrying out more than one job a night. He 'fences' his stolen goods before moving on to another part of the country where he continues his one man crime spree. He is meticulous in his planning and execution of his crimes, paying particular attention to alarm systems and also avoiding to leave little forensic trace evidence.
Perez and Floyd although both good detectives tend to work separately, dishing up the jobs depending on their own particular strengths and also geographically, with Perez working the Miami based enquiries and Floyd the New York, Connecticut areas. Even when they team up to work together they both naturally seem to know their respective roles. Hoyt eventually gets wind of their investigation and a thrilling cat and mouse type chase takes place, where rather than running, Hoyt intimidates the pair of detectives at every turn. The only thing that I felt let the book down was the rather anti-climatic sudden ending which I won't reveal for fear of spoiling the story for future readers. ( What also didn't help was that the novel ended on roughly 80% of the Kindle space !!)
I gave the novel 4 stars but in all honesty I think 3.5 is probably a truer reflection in my opinion because of the rather tame ending.
July 16, 2019
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley to read and review.
SECOND STORY MAN by Charles Salzberg is a novel that is centered around three main characters that are made up of one retired detective, another on administrative leave, and a legendary jewel thief known as the “Second Story Man”.
Francis Hoyt AKA the “Second Story Man” has been an elusive target from law enforcement officials who are confident that he is the culprit for a wave of jewel thefts that involved a unique approach; which is to target second floor rooms while family members are on the first level when the presence of a burglar would be the least expected or noticeable, like at dinner time or entertaining.
Unfortunately, his streak of thefts without being caught is interrupted when the mob insists he train a few of their people to learn his methods, and their incompetence leads to his arrest, then following his release he abandons his previous approach for a new one that is every bit as bold and has embarrassed and humiliated law enforcement by pretty much rubbing their noses in it.
Manny Perez is a Cuban-American police officer from Miami who contacts Charlie Floyd, a recently retired detective who he has worked with in the past that he respects - and also happens to be in the area where he expects Hoyt to strike next based on his investigation.
Can Charlie and Manny find success in catching Hoyt in the act; something that has seemed to be impossible, or will Francis continue to elude anyone who attempts to bring him down?
Excellent story with well developed characters that helps this story build as it progresses, and the end result isn’t predictable; actually it’s quite a surprise.
I recommend this to anyone who would like a police procedural novel involving an intelligent and elusive character, with an interesting relationship with the law officers in pursuit that develops and becomes personal.
5 stars.
SECOND STORY MAN by Charles Salzberg is a novel that is centered around three main characters that are made up of one retired detective, another on administrative leave, and a legendary jewel thief known as the “Second Story Man”.
Francis Hoyt AKA the “Second Story Man” has been an elusive target from law enforcement officials who are confident that he is the culprit for a wave of jewel thefts that involved a unique approach; which is to target second floor rooms while family members are on the first level when the presence of a burglar would be the least expected or noticeable, like at dinner time or entertaining.
Unfortunately, his streak of thefts without being caught is interrupted when the mob insists he train a few of their people to learn his methods, and their incompetence leads to his arrest, then following his release he abandons his previous approach for a new one that is every bit as bold and has embarrassed and humiliated law enforcement by pretty much rubbing their noses in it.
Manny Perez is a Cuban-American police officer from Miami who contacts Charlie Floyd, a recently retired detective who he has worked with in the past that he respects - and also happens to be in the area where he expects Hoyt to strike next based on his investigation.
Can Charlie and Manny find success in catching Hoyt in the act; something that has seemed to be impossible, or will Francis continue to elude anyone who attempts to bring him down?
Excellent story with well developed characters that helps this story build as it progresses, and the end result isn’t predictable; actually it’s quite a surprise.
I recommend this to anyone who would like a police procedural novel involving an intelligent and elusive character, with an interesting relationship with the law officers in pursuit that develops and becomes personal.
5 stars.
June 18, 2018
very good , overstyled funny dialogue and a short and satisfying ending.
December 28, 2017
Charles Salzberg: Second Story Man
Self-absorbed, high self-esteem, convinced he’s invincible and definitely motivated to remain on the lamb and never getting caught, Francis Hoyt is like the Invisible Man by H.G. Wells a classic. A mysterious stranger whose face is covered in bandages and his eyes hidden by dark spectacles is hidden in a cozy inn in a British Village. Francis Hoyt his face hidden beneath a cap, his clothes dark and his appearance altered and his hands completely covered enters the homes of unsuspecting people and takes what he claims belongs to him, their valuable. Our invisible man stays beneath the hidden recesses of his room as someone enters the room and realizes he has no head. Drugs are the key to his invisibility. Monocane and greed, power and control and being elusive is what keeps Hoyt below the radar and hoping to remain on the run. Hoyt is driven by desire to rob those he feels won’t really miss what he takes and the Invisible man is driven insane by this drug but both definitely have that in common as Hoyt randomly makes remarks and comments that will lead readers to wonder if he’s a megalomaniac and enjoys taunting others and of course the two men that hope to bring him down but will they?
Manny Perez is a detective with the Miami Police force and on suspension for doing an illegal search and seizure without a warrant. Some mocked him but others praised his ingenuity. Charles Floyd is a retired P.I. who Manny enlists to help him bring Hoyt down. Told in alternating chapters from the viewpoints of all three of these men, the reader will come to understand the rationale behind Hoyt’s thinking, the pawns he uses to get what he wants and the friendship that is tight between Manny and Charlie whose mode of conducting the investigation differs. At time you find the humor in what they are doing and their body language alone intimates those being questioned. Hoyt seems so self-assured and the two women he keeps on tap using them for his own pleasures and paying their way when needed, lets readers know that this one man not to be taken lightly.
Several informants and other contacts surface as we meet Georgie Porgie who helps Manny get information on Hoyt but that’s not even the tip of any iceberg. Hoyt is active back on the scene and money is his goal, stealing anything he feels worth money and fencing it not where it was stolen. Georgie claims that Hoyt is active anywhere there is money, mainly old money and he might be in New York, New Jersey anywhere. Manny’s goal was to show Hoyt’s face at the local libraries but no one knew him until he went to the Society Library. Hoyt’s tool of the trade is a screwdriver that did all that he needed to do in order to break into a house and get what he wanted. Not wanting as he states to be charged with armed robbery he carried no weapon and using surgical gloves and buying some other nondescript supplies he hoped the drugstore kid would not remember him.
Manny and Charlie were smart but this Hoyt was slippery and would know they were after him hoping to send some serious messages in his own way. Dealing with his girlfriends Melanie Shaw and Evelyn Kerns brought two different responses but both women were totally snowed by Hoyt’s charm and of course his money keeping them in whatever lifestyle made them happy. But, anyone that crosses him would definitely pay and his snitch Tommy was naïve, not too bright and was trying to win back in Hoyt’s good graces but sometimes you just don’t win. Working through different theories, using contacts from the police department and Charlie honing in on his own both Manny and Charlie Floyd hoped to snag this guy but he was so clever and so shady even his own mother was afraid to talk about him no less dare go give him up.
Manny is astute but Charlie is smart and comical at times but the fun is when Manny calls him Charlie Floyd for some reason using his full name all the time. Manny is obsessed with finding Hoyt and taking notes, recording meetings while Charlie must remembers information makes them an usual team and their mode of investigation unique in their own way. Floyd is a good investigator and he knows when someone is lying or holding something back which some cannot discern.
Hoyt uses Tommy to try and bring Charlie to him and when coming face to face the interaction is not what you would expect. Silver was Hoyt’s favorite thing to steal and realizing that going to the second floor of houses was no longer possible he had to go with the next best thing. Justifying his wants and stating that stealing was his career or vocation he could not understand why anyone would try and stop him. He’s a self-made egotistical thief and proud of himself giving himself bragging rights and yet having thugs, mob members under his thumb and even threatening his own mother if she dared speak about him to anyone. His loyalties were to himself and no one else as Melinda and Evelyn would soon learn.
Manny wanted another shot at Evelyn Kerns but the end result would surprise him as his contact David Chung in his department might help with her work address but her loyalties were misplaced and the end result was surprising to Manny. Showing her his rap sheet and a picture of him Melinda did not even make a dent in her perception or feelings for Hoyt as author Charles Salzberg created two women caught between webs of lies and deceits and a serious meal ticket to pay for their expenses allowing both women to live better lives in within their own minds but just how naïve are they?
Tommy shows up and tries to lure Charlie into coming to a place where he is sure Hoyt will be. Tommy Pfister is not very bright and falls for the line he’s programmed to say and he would rat out anyone just to make a profit. Playing two sides or as Hoyt stated a double agent is what he thought was great but not when he just might be double-crossed. Knowing which town he’s in and informing the police and realizing that he’s made off with silver in many places worth thousands little did Charlie know that he would be another one of his victims.
Threats made against someone’s family and fear sets in that maybe going after him might not be such a good idea. When the final scenes are played and the end comes to light just what happens when Charlie and Hoyt have a final faceoff? The ending lets readers know that the author is not done with these characters and there is much more to come. Will Hoyt pay for his crimes? Will Charlie and Manny ever reconcile that this man is smart and might not ever be caught? The dialogue is outstanding and each character’s voice is different and mode of expression unique as this hide and seek mystery thriller keeps your guessing, smiling, laughing at the sarcasm, humor and banter between the characters at different point in the story as once again Charles Salzburg hits the mark with an outstanding novel that will keep you wondering at the end what ‘s next? One story that will keep you riveted to the printed page as it did me from start to finish when you realize that Hoyt might come to your neighborhood if he’s not caught, locked up because this SECOND STORY MAN knows no limits or bounds. Characters that are well crafted and you want to see more of. Self-absorbed, self-obsessed, disloyal, betrays anyone but himself welcome to the world of FRANCIS HOYT!
Fran Lewis: Just reviews/MJ magazine
Self-absorbed, high self-esteem, convinced he’s invincible and definitely motivated to remain on the lamb and never getting caught, Francis Hoyt is like the Invisible Man by H.G. Wells a classic. A mysterious stranger whose face is covered in bandages and his eyes hidden by dark spectacles is hidden in a cozy inn in a British Village. Francis Hoyt his face hidden beneath a cap, his clothes dark and his appearance altered and his hands completely covered enters the homes of unsuspecting people and takes what he claims belongs to him, their valuable. Our invisible man stays beneath the hidden recesses of his room as someone enters the room and realizes he has no head. Drugs are the key to his invisibility. Monocane and greed, power and control and being elusive is what keeps Hoyt below the radar and hoping to remain on the run. Hoyt is driven by desire to rob those he feels won’t really miss what he takes and the Invisible man is driven insane by this drug but both definitely have that in common as Hoyt randomly makes remarks and comments that will lead readers to wonder if he’s a megalomaniac and enjoys taunting others and of course the two men that hope to bring him down but will they?
Manny Perez is a detective with the Miami Police force and on suspension for doing an illegal search and seizure without a warrant. Some mocked him but others praised his ingenuity. Charles Floyd is a retired P.I. who Manny enlists to help him bring Hoyt down. Told in alternating chapters from the viewpoints of all three of these men, the reader will come to understand the rationale behind Hoyt’s thinking, the pawns he uses to get what he wants and the friendship that is tight between Manny and Charlie whose mode of conducting the investigation differs. At time you find the humor in what they are doing and their body language alone intimates those being questioned. Hoyt seems so self-assured and the two women he keeps on tap using them for his own pleasures and paying their way when needed, lets readers know that this one man not to be taken lightly.
Several informants and other contacts surface as we meet Georgie Porgie who helps Manny get information on Hoyt but that’s not even the tip of any iceberg. Hoyt is active back on the scene and money is his goal, stealing anything he feels worth money and fencing it not where it was stolen. Georgie claims that Hoyt is active anywhere there is money, mainly old money and he might be in New York, New Jersey anywhere. Manny’s goal was to show Hoyt’s face at the local libraries but no one knew him until he went to the Society Library. Hoyt’s tool of the trade is a screwdriver that did all that he needed to do in order to break into a house and get what he wanted. Not wanting as he states to be charged with armed robbery he carried no weapon and using surgical gloves and buying some other nondescript supplies he hoped the drugstore kid would not remember him.
Manny and Charlie were smart but this Hoyt was slippery and would know they were after him hoping to send some serious messages in his own way. Dealing with his girlfriends Melanie Shaw and Evelyn Kerns brought two different responses but both women were totally snowed by Hoyt’s charm and of course his money keeping them in whatever lifestyle made them happy. But, anyone that crosses him would definitely pay and his snitch Tommy was naïve, not too bright and was trying to win back in Hoyt’s good graces but sometimes you just don’t win. Working through different theories, using contacts from the police department and Charlie honing in on his own both Manny and Charlie Floyd hoped to snag this guy but he was so clever and so shady even his own mother was afraid to talk about him no less dare go give him up.
Manny is astute but Charlie is smart and comical at times but the fun is when Manny calls him Charlie Floyd for some reason using his full name all the time. Manny is obsessed with finding Hoyt and taking notes, recording meetings while Charlie must remembers information makes them an usual team and their mode of investigation unique in their own way. Floyd is a good investigator and he knows when someone is lying or holding something back which some cannot discern.
Hoyt uses Tommy to try and bring Charlie to him and when coming face to face the interaction is not what you would expect. Silver was Hoyt’s favorite thing to steal and realizing that going to the second floor of houses was no longer possible he had to go with the next best thing. Justifying his wants and stating that stealing was his career or vocation he could not understand why anyone would try and stop him. He’s a self-made egotistical thief and proud of himself giving himself bragging rights and yet having thugs, mob members under his thumb and even threatening his own mother if she dared speak about him to anyone. His loyalties were to himself and no one else as Melinda and Evelyn would soon learn.
Manny wanted another shot at Evelyn Kerns but the end result would surprise him as his contact David Chung in his department might help with her work address but her loyalties were misplaced and the end result was surprising to Manny. Showing her his rap sheet and a picture of him Melinda did not even make a dent in her perception or feelings for Hoyt as author Charles Salzberg created two women caught between webs of lies and deceits and a serious meal ticket to pay for their expenses allowing both women to live better lives in within their own minds but just how naïve are they?
Tommy shows up and tries to lure Charlie into coming to a place where he is sure Hoyt will be. Tommy Pfister is not very bright and falls for the line he’s programmed to say and he would rat out anyone just to make a profit. Playing two sides or as Hoyt stated a double agent is what he thought was great but not when he just might be double-crossed. Knowing which town he’s in and informing the police and realizing that he’s made off with silver in many places worth thousands little did Charlie know that he would be another one of his victims.
Threats made against someone’s family and fear sets in that maybe going after him might not be such a good idea. When the final scenes are played and the end comes to light just what happens when Charlie and Hoyt have a final faceoff? The ending lets readers know that the author is not done with these characters and there is much more to come. Will Hoyt pay for his crimes? Will Charlie and Manny ever reconcile that this man is smart and might not ever be caught? The dialogue is outstanding and each character’s voice is different and mode of expression unique as this hide and seek mystery thriller keeps your guessing, smiling, laughing at the sarcasm, humor and banter between the characters at different point in the story as once again Charles Salzburg hits the mark with an outstanding novel that will keep you wondering at the end what ‘s next? One story that will keep you riveted to the printed page as it did me from start to finish when you realize that Hoyt might come to your neighborhood if he’s not caught, locked up because this SECOND STORY MAN knows no limits or bounds. Characters that are well crafted and you want to see more of. Self-absorbed, self-obsessed, disloyal, betrays anyone but himself welcome to the world of FRANCIS HOYT!
Fran Lewis: Just reviews/MJ magazine
April 7, 2018
Fast-paced - and compelling. SECOND STORY MAN is about three different people: a brilliant house burglar and two also brilliant investigators determined to catch him. Author Charles Salzburg tells the story in alternating chapters from the viewpoint of each of the three, which gives unique insight into all of them. The title of SECOND STORY MAN refers to how the burglar made his reputation by breaking into homes on the second floor while the families were eating dinner downstairs (to make sure their jewels were in the house, not with them at some social event). But it' s also about the "second story" of each of the three characters that emerges. Highly recommended!
March 26, 2018
A funny debut with great anti-hero
MurderinCommon full review: https://murderincommon.com/2018/03/25...
MurderinCommon full review: https://murderincommon.com/2018/03/25...
May 12, 2018
Forget cat and mouse. This is cat and cat. Francis Hoyt, arrogant and brilliant master burglar, is certain he can't be caught. Former Connecticut lawman Charlie Floyd and Manny Perez, a Miami police detective, beg to defer, and set off hunting Hoyt—who is very happy to return the complement and go at them in return. Charles Salzberg's newest crime novel is told in alternative points-of-view, brilliantly illuminating the thoughts and plans of three men with very different voices. It's a hard trick to pull off, and like Hoyt with his burglaries, Salzberg makes it look easy.
April 18, 2018
Excellent , well written crime novel. If you love these type of low life, criminal under belly type novels —with a dash of sardonic humor, you will love this. Highly recommended.
May 16, 2019
An intriguing mystery about a silver thief named Francis Hoyt and the two men who try to catch him. Hoyt is a flawed character. He is arrogant, in great shape and a master thief! A retired cop and obsessed detective band together to try to bring him to justice.
The story is told in alternating points of view of the three main characters. Each chapter provides the reader with a different perspective. It is a fast paced story.
It may seem odd to mention but I really liked how the book felt in my hands while I was reading it. It was lightweight, the typeface was easy to read and it was nicely laid out. I commute and read on the train and I love to take along a book that fits easily in my bag and which I can see in any kind of light!
I enjoyed two other books by Charles Salzberg. I loved "Devil in the Hole" which was chosen by Suspense Magazine as one of the best true crime books. I also enjoyed "Swann's Lake of Despair" about a private investigator. There is a whole series about Swann which I plan to read. I look forward to reading other books by this author. I like his writing style!
The story is told in alternating points of view of the three main characters. Each chapter provides the reader with a different perspective. It is a fast paced story.
It may seem odd to mention but I really liked how the book felt in my hands while I was reading it. It was lightweight, the typeface was easy to read and it was nicely laid out. I commute and read on the train and I love to take along a book that fits easily in my bag and which I can see in any kind of light!
I enjoyed two other books by Charles Salzberg. I loved "Devil in the Hole" which was chosen by Suspense Magazine as one of the best true crime books. I also enjoyed "Swann's Lake of Despair" about a private investigator. There is a whole series about Swann which I plan to read. I look forward to reading other books by this author. I like his writing style!
May 23, 2018
The most enthralling competitions involve equally talented opponents who have something to prove, ideally a something that runs deeper than the game at hand. In this gripping novel, Charles Salzberg immerses us in this very sort of rivalry, delivering far more than just thrills. For my full review of the book, see http://smallpresspicks.com/second-sto....
May 14, 2019
Great story telling! I especially liked how Salzberg divided the chapters. I got a real feel for each of these guys and how they think. Hoping there is a sequel and soon!
December 15, 2020
A real page turning crime story told from each of the 3 main characters point of view.
March 11, 2019
A good read
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