SOLVED. Heist novel; MC is a burglar who at one point uses a drywall saw and an umbrella in the heist. [s]

[Dwight]

I can’t remember the title, but it is a book where the MC is a burglar who at one point uses a drywall saw and an umbrella in the heist. He cuts a hole through the ceiling (from above), inserts the umbrella, and cuts a hole big enough to climb through, catching pieces in the umbrella.

[Kris]

Dwight, around what year did you read this book? This will help narrow down the search.

Is the burglar working alone on the heist?

What is the story's time period and location - country, region, big city/small town?

Tips for posting a book request - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Dwight]

Let’s see...modern setting, read it in the 90s sometime, before 1996 I know.

I’m not 100% sure if it took place in the USA or the UK. It’s one of those burglar-is-hired-job-gets-complicated-goes-on-the-run type of stories. Third person narrative.

There is a bit in there where the MC uses a trick of closing one eye when moving from a dark place to a brighter lit room, then back into the dark. This is a trick to keep night vision strong in the one eye for quicker transition. Also I remember him forcing his way into a car to get away, and talking about how he needs to roll the window down to avoid a headache driving at night.

[Kell I Am]

Could it possibly be one of the Bernie Rhodenbarr books by Lawrence Block?

[Dwight]

No, I’ve read those as well. This was a one off story I believe.

[Rachel]

Could it be Rififi? I haven't read the book, but the detail with the umbrella is in the movie.

[Dwight]

Hmmm...thanks for the suggestion. I can’t find record of that film or book.

[Dwight]

Oh wait, just found it (I was misspelling it). It isn’t that one though. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Dwight]

Figured it out today!!!

The novel is “The XYY Man,” a crime/spy novel by William Scott. Older than I had thought it was.

Thanks for the help, the ideas jogged my memory.

[Kris]

Glad you found your book, Dwight. Here's the link - The XYY Man (William Scott series, #1) by Kenneth Royce.

[Liquidlasagna]

nothing like a classic crime/spy series about a genetic mutant criminal....