The Best Stories of Arsène Lupin

by Maurice Leblanc, Matthew Carey Salyer (Foreword)

Based on the popular Netflix series!
In the early 20th century, esteemed writer Maurice Leblanc created Arsène Lupin, a French Sherlock Holmes-type who became known as the gentleman thief. Lupin's exploits, in pursuit of the rich, have been documented in more than twenty stories and books, as well as in film. In January 2021, Netflix released a major hit in the entertaining  Lupin mystery-comedy series based on the stories.

The Best Stories of Arsène Lupin  is a collection of the most engaging of Leblanc's writing about Lupin, with a special foreword by West Point associate professor of English and writer Matthew Carey Salyer.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Classics

408 pages, Paperback

Published June 8, 2021

About the author

Maurice Leblanc (1864 - 1941) was a French novelist, best known as the creator of gentleman thief (later detective) Arsène Lupin.

Leblanc began as a journalist, until he was asked to write a short story filler, and created, more gallant and dashing than English counterpart Sherlock Holmes.

Reviews

[Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ephemera around the stories need some help: No copyright info; no translator info; was this book the inspiration for the Netflix show, or is it based on the show?

But the stories were entertaining - mostly. Arsène's callous treatment of some people was awful. A man he robbed committed suicide? Meh. Getting into a sham marriage that ends up with his "wife" having to retreat into a nunnery. So what? Yikes.

[Brody Nissen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Most of the stories were a fun romp similar to detective stories where it keeps you guessing on how the thefts are carried out until the end.

Wish there was some extra info on each story like the publish date.

[AChui · Rating 2 out of 5]

#23: Read a mystery
Tea & Ink/January: Read a classic detective novel

Actual rating: 2.5 stars

I wanted to like this more than I do. I think I prefer the modern re-telling from the Netflix series. The first couple of stories were fun but the stories lacked lustre about a quarter of the way in. I think the editor could have taken some stories out as some were confusing to follow or had odd endings (probably novel for its time - see 'A Tragedy in the Forest of Morgues'). I understand the editor's intention which is the track the evolution of Arsene's character but Arlene does strike me as one note which is why the stories just all seem..the same. Still worth checking out but probably not the whole book. (Favourite stories: The Seven of Hearts).

[Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful book! The French Sherlock Holmes - with a twist! - beautifully translated to English by various translators. The stories were written in the 1910s to the 1930s and some actually make reference to the character of Sherlock Holmes.
Lupin is a gentleman burglar, an art thief, a pickpocket and general trickster of the highest skill. He also loves a good mystery and often assists his favorite police detective in solving criminal cases - from a safe distance. These are the stories on which the Netflix series "Lupin" is based. Even if you didn't care for the video series, don't let that deter you from picking up one of Leblanc's stories to read, each one roughly 15-20 pages long.
A truly delightful collection of short stories.

[A.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Look, you have to give credit to an author who puts Sherlock Holmes in his grand thief novel, then when Conan Doyle shouts at him, changes the name to Herlock Sholmes. [it is changed back now; the work is outside of copyright years] - I guess that is where ace attorney got it?

Doyle would not have liked that Arsène is (of course) SO MUCH smarter than Holmes.

Skip the intro, it barely made any sense.

I already have two boxed sets of Lupin, but neither has any of these stories in them. He did write dozens of them. But they do get a bit samey after a while… so reading the whole lot in quick succession is probably not the best way to consume them.

3 stars

[Carol Eshaghy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the story of Lupin, gentleman burglar, on Netflix, so when I saw this collection of the stories of Maurice Leblanc I couldn’t resist buying it. Leblanc died in 1941 but his stories are still fresh and clever today. I enjoyed every one. Fingers crossed that there will be a season two and the stories in this book will be represented. If you like mysteries with a twist, you won’t be disappointed.

[Jamie Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lupin is an interesting counterpoint to Holmes. Reading these stories, I couldn't help but picture him as a Black man (like in the Netflix version), which adds an interesting dimension to several of the stories. This edition seems to be translated quite literally from its original French, which is endearing at times but more often distracting.

[Brendan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really liked sherlock holmes when I was younger and Lupin scratches that same itch only he's funnier and more interesting. Stories are short and all over the place so you can come back to it and don't have to read it all at once. Pretty simple formula, but each story keeps your attention.

[Joel Choong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit I picked this book up after watching the Netflix show, and I expected it to have some twists and turns in the short stories and adventures of Lupin. It read perfectly fine, and it felt like Poirot, and Holmes, just now from the point of view of the criminal.

Thoroughly enjoyed it!

[I J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing short stories

Whoever likes a mystery with innumerable twists and turns will enjoy each and every one of these short stories. No sex, no murder, no-one injured - but a devilish and different plot in each story that keeps you glued to the end!

[Jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

eBook. 19 short stories . They tend to be repetitive, and very dated. (e.g., describing blacks as "swarthy", and most of the women are not up to much except fainting. Don't stand up as well as the Sherlock Holmes stories.

[Adam Sadler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read but Lupins ability to steal anything and get out of any situation gets a bit tiresome and predictable

[A.g. · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading 2 books, this compilation is repetitive.

[Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant stories. I can tell why he is the Holmes of French literature. Quite unique spin on a high IQ character.

[Shug · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining stories, but would be best to read the French version. On my to do list.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed these stories about burglar Arsene Lupin. They are clever and fun, and you root for Lupin, even though he is a criminal. Read the book after watching the Netflix series based on the stories.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and entertaining series of short stories.

[Ralph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Master of disguise, gentleman thief, adventurer! All that kind of stuff. Entertaining

[Jessica Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second favourite classic to date. Why are both of my favourites translations of French classics?
Particularly loved the appearance of Sherlock Holmes, thought it was funny.

[wally walter · Rating 4 out of 5]

very amusing bu rather improbable

[Pamela J. Czulewicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, you’ve seen the show right? Well these short stories with our favorite Lupin don’t disappoint! Think 2 minute mysteries of our youth…but much more sophisticated! Perfect for those 10 minutes of reading before you fall asleep at night!