A Gentleman and a Thief: The Daring Jewel Heists of a Jazz Age Rogue

by Dean Jobb

Catch Me If You Can meets The Great Gatsby in this Jazz Age tale of a master jewel thief who charmed celebrities and hobnobbed with New York’s millionaires while planning audacious heists to relieve them of their treasures.

A skilled con artist and perhaps one of the most charming, audacious burglars in history, Arthur Barry slipped in and out of the bedrooms of New York’s wealthiest residents, even as his victims slept only inches away. He befriended luminaries such as the Prince of Wales and Harry Houdini and became a folk hero, touted in the press as “the greatest jewel thief who ever lived” and an “aristocrat of crime.” In a span of seven years, Barry stole diamonds, pearls, and other gems worth almost $60 million today. Among his victims were a Rockefeller, an heiress to the Woolworth department store fortune, an oil magnate, Wall Street bigwigs, a top executive of automotive giant General Motors, and a famous polo player.

Dean Jobb—hailed by Esquire magazine as “a master of narrative nonfiction”—once again delivers a stylishly told, high-speed ride. A Gentleman and a Thief is also a love story. Barry confessed to dozens of burglaries to protect his wife, Anna Blake (and was the prime suspect in scores of others). Sentenced to a twenty-five-year term, he staged a dramatic prison break when Anna became seriously ill so they could be together for a few more years as fugitives.

With dozens of historic images, A Gentleman and a Thief is page-turning escapism that sparkles with insight into our fascination with jewel heists and the suave, clever criminals who pull them off.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, History, Biography, Crime, Audiobook, Book Club

448 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 25, 2024

About the author

"Jobb's true crime stories are not to be missed" – CrimeReads

I specialize in true crime and I'm drawn to overlooked or forgotten stories. My new book, A Gentleman and a Thief, coming in June 2024, tells the incredible story of Arthur Barry, one of the world’s most successful jewel thieves, who charmed the elite of 1920s New York, brazenly swiped gems worth millions of dollars from their posh country estates, and outfoxed the police and private detectives on his trail.

My previous books include The Case of the Murderous Dr. Cream , winner of the inaugural CrimeCon CLUE Award for Best True Crime Book of 2021 and longlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction. It recreates Scotland Yard's hunt for a Victorian Era serial killer who murdered at least ten people in Britain, the U.S. and Canada. Empire of Deception, the rollicking tale of Chicago con man Leo Koretz and his amazing 1920s oil swindle, was the Chicago Writers Association's Nonfiction Book of the Year. Esquire proclaimed it one of the best biographies of all time.

I'm also the author of The Acadian Saga: A People's Story of Exile and Triumph , which chronicles the expulsion of French-speaking Acadians from Eastern Canada more than two centuries ago and the founding of Louisiana’s Cajun culture.

My books have won the Crime Writers of Canada Award for best true crime book and I have been a finalist for the Hilary Weston Writers' Trust Prize, Canada's top award for nonfiction.

My true crime column "Stranger Than Fiction" appears in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine and I write book reviews and features for The Irish Times, CrimeReads, the Washington Independent Review of Books and other major publications. I'm a professor at the University of King’s College in Halifax and teach in the King's MFA in Creative Nonfiction program.

Reviews

[Olive Fellows (abookolive) · Rating 4 out of 5]

An impeccably researched and compulsively readable account of a jewel thief in 1920s New York.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!

What a fun and interesting read!

As you may know by now, the 1920s is my favorite time period. I think it's the official start of the modern age. I think historians would say that World War II and the baby boom are the start, but I disagree, and my opinion is all that matters.

Arthur Barry is not someone that you've probably ever heard of, but in his time, he was a celebrity.

Why was he famous?

Was he an athlete?

Was he an actor or musician?

Was he a captain of industry?

Was he a politician?

The answer to all these questions is no. Arthur Berry was a jewel thief....A gentleman thief if you will.

I'm a lover of crime... media. Criminals fascinate me. And while I love murder....I also enjoy reading and watching things about con men and thieves. So I was very excited to read about a man who partied with Harry Houdini and the Prince of Wales and also robbed people with some pretty famous last names Rockefeller and Woolworth( side note: do Woolworth stores still exist?). And this book gave me all the Boardwalk Empire vibes, but it also this book is above all else a love story.

Arthur Berry loved his wife Anna Blake. Ladies if he don't love you like Arthur loved Anna, we do want it. Arthur was young and handsome and he fell head over heels for Anna who was much older than him and was often described as homely. The press was not nice to Anna but her husband loved her down. I was swooning at what this man went through to be with his love.

Overall this book is so good and it's very well researched. It's fun and engaging. I'm happy I got to meet Arthur & Anna. Now I gotta read Dean Jobb's other book The Case of the Murderous Dr Cream.

I highly recommend this book!

[Brendan (History Nerds United) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not saying I want to be a criminal. All I am saying is that there are a few brief fleeting moments in Dean Jobb's A Gentleman and a Thief where I entertained the idea of becoming a jewel thief. Of course I wouldn't hurt anyone. Well, maybe their pocketbooks, but like our boy Arthur Barry, I'd only steal from the rich and then go on epic gambling runs.

Jobb tells the full story of Barry as he grows up, fights honorably in World War I, and then decides to go from juvenile delinquent to criminal mastermind. Like any great historical true crime, Jobb makes sure to educate the reader of the times in which Barry lived. I have always appreciated Jobb's ability to make time periods come alive as much as the characters he is writing about. It's one thing to be a thief. It's another thing to be a thief during the time of The Great Gatsby. Maybe you might daydream a little bit like me. That is, until you inevitably get to the point where Barry himself realizes crime doesn't pay.

Sometimes, it looks like a lot of fun, though.

(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Algonquin Books.)

[Moonkiszt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arthur Barry distracted me for a few days. . . .a determined kid who grew into a clever teen, and from there found a way around humans he figured needed a reduction in their self-estimated valuation - in both goods and pride.

A true crime book, and while a non-fiction offering, it still has romance (a real one), tips and tricks, a valiant soldier - a purple heart awarded, successful escapes, juries persuaded, and finally. finally. freedom to be an elderly server in a diner, an Uncle whose loved ones carefully guarded his truths so well his young hero-worshipers didn't know of his checkered past until they came of age, and though surprised joined the guardianship. His final confessed biggest lesson learned was that he hoped all could see all he had lost, that it was Arthur who had robbed Arthur.

I appreciated the regret and repentant post-prison life changes, but one supposes those on the other side of the transaction would have measured their loss against his differently - we'll never know. Still there was an appeal about Arthur Barry. Not quite a Robin Hood aspect, but certainly something wrapped around class differentiations and economic barriers. Something smelling of grassroots, poverty and discovering the ease of crossing a line. Remembering how easy trusting fools are, his resistance to remaining anywhere but accountable to them was ever present. A great big F*you with a charming smile and a tip of the hat. And, if he happened to have your million dollar diamond. . .oh, well.

The book is shorter than the page numbers reflect because at 57% begins the list of Mr. Barry's Major Heists and chapter notes. Altogether interesting to read on their own.

*A sincere thank you to Dean Jobb, Algonquin Books, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #AGentlemanandaThief #NetGalley

[Krystle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spotted this book by chance at my bookstore and I’m so glad I grabbed it! I started reading the paperback but then switched to audio, and even the narrator added to the whole vibe—he sounded very period appropriate for a Jazz Age jewel thief!

All in all, this was an excellent true crime story about Arthur Barry, who I was not familiar with before. The book made me a Barry stan almost immediately, especially as victims began to explain how he was just nice, actually. Yeah, sure, he stole some stuff, but he seems like a swell guy! This sort of story is my personal catnip and my only regret is that the book is over.

Will absolutely be checking out the rest of the author’s work—his narrative voice feels as familiar, approachable, and charming as Barry himself, which is no mean feat in nonfiction!

[Amy Sugerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! It is similar to The Art Thief and Catch Me If You Can, but not quite as fast paced. Sidebars into the history of the Roaring 20’s and the excessive opulence of the newly wealthy (easily skipped for those who’d rather get back to the next heist), provide interesting historical context. And, marvelous photos are included throughout the book. Jobb paints a full picture of Barry’s complex character, but no sugarcoating, and his life after his incarcerations. Fans of David Grann, Michael Finkel, and Erik Larson will especially enjoy this one.

Thank you to my awesome Lewes, DE public library for an ARC of this book, out on June 25th.

[Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10. Solid book. Often times what I feel about these true crime books is that the author is too sympathetic with the criminal. In this case, I did not feel that way. Jobb gives Arthur Barry a very fair characterization--a criminal with some depth who clearly shows remorse and reform after the fact. Jobb does a very good job authoring this book. The jewel heists were interesting, and right when I felt "Okay time to move on", he does just that, moving to when Barry gets caught. The period after he gets caught is by far the most interesting to me, and I love how this intersects with the Lindbergh baby case. There are over 100 pages of notes and citations at the end of this book, demonstrating a very thorough research job. Very enjoyable read.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I respectfully beg to differ with the glowing reviews given to this book. I found it repetitive and cram full of irrelevant descriptions and background information.

[Florence Buchholz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arthur Barry was a charming Irishman good at his chosen profession. He could blend into a crowd of a listers with ease. He was handsome and physically fit enough to breach any second story window of a mansion in pursuit of valuable jewelry. During the Jazz Age of the nineteen twenties he lived the good life, dining, drinking, gambling, and hanging out with people of high and low repute. But the good times had to end sooner or later and he ultimately paid a heavy price.

The book provided many enjoyable reading sessions. I found myself rooting for a man who disdained violence and only relieved the rich of a few replaceable geegaws. I think the author may have admired him, as well. And, oh yes, Mr. Barry served in the US Army and was a decorated hero of the Great War. What a guy!

[Barbara Nutting · Rating 3 out of 5]

The victims were obscenely wealthy, but not too smart! Why would you leave priceless jewelry unsecured, especially with a jewel thief terrorizing your neighborhood? Duh. That’s about all I got out of the story.

Arthur Barry was a clever devil, but I grew a bit weary of all his heists. It seemed impossible to be true, but I guess truth is stranger than fiction. The book was pretty repetitive and over written. Commit the crime, do the time.

This took me forever to read because I was alternating chapters with the DNC convention speeches, which were much better than the book!

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique character in history that was a big deal at the time yet I knew about? Sign me up. A non fiction book thats story sounds like fiction and could and is a Hollywood movie. Worth a look

[Mandy (Zen)]

DNF @ 55%. I haven’t wanted to pick this up at ALL lol

[Lacey Lieberman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book isn’t in my typical genre that I enjoy but I did find it to be interesting and a good story!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barry would’ve loved influencers

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something about the 1920s and the Jazz Age is so alluring. This is a tale of a mostly forgotten jewel thief who is dazzling, smart, sly, persuasive, and, ultimately, has a heart of gold. I enjoyed seeing all the sides of Barry - from heist planning to life after a prison break to being the model prisoner (even after all the years of solitary) to the volunteer aiding veterans and the uncle that no one was allowed to ask about his past. And in the end, Barry was robbed by Barry.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting book about a prolific jewel thief operating during the 1920’s and 1930’s. He flummoxed the police for years. Details about how he was able to keep from getting caught for so long may surprise you. His methods have been used by “second story thieves” ever since. He became the #1 wanted criminal and was even accused of stealing the Lindbergh baby.

[Kim McGee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars
We all have an image of a big city criminal in the 20's and 30's - a rough, streetwise man driving a getaway car shooting widely. So this version of a gentleman jewel thief named Arthur Barry, who was more Cary Grant than Al Capone, intrigued me. The author pulls you in from the first page as we begin to understand how this handsome and charming man wove his way into the parties and homes of the New York elite only to come back and relieve them of their prized jewels. Daring home break ins with no hint of violence was his stock and trade. Even after being caught and imprisoned Barry was a model prisoner. The ladies loved him, the men admired his style, the newspapers wrote about him all of which made the law want him that much more. Excellent and vivid storytelling that works for fiction and non-fiction readers alike especially fans of Erik Larson. This would make for a great car trip listen. My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

[Michael A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing book documenting the life of Arthur Barry, a master jewel thief whose life spanned most of the 20th century. He was a juvenile delinquent at a very young age and served meritoriously as a WWI medic in France and Germany before returning home to begin a life of crime. The book also gives great insights into life in the gilded age of the US. Barry also had a substantial life after serving his time and reforming. Easy and worthwhile read.

[Cass (the_midwest_library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this, this was the pick for my irl bookclub and I had a good time. I know you aren't really supposed to like the guy but he was certainly a charmer. I would say this is a really great biographical history of Arthur Barry and his criminal escapades. Stealing from the rich by playing their own games, he's basically the Anna Delvey of his time hahahaha.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dean Jobb can place his characters into context like no one I know. No detail of time and place is overlooked. In this case, like a fine jewel into a platinum setting. And now - as a bonus - I know how to tell a real pearl from an artificial one. Great work Dean. Looking forward to your next book.

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reads like a good novel and not history.

[CatReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

In A Gentleman and a Thief, Dean Jobb profiles a 1920s jewel thief largely forgotten to history (as evidenced by his lack of Wikipedia page), Arthur Barry (1896-1981). Barry's life of crime started as a teenager, featured a return to the straight and narrow (mostly) during his service as a medic in the Great War, then reverted to criminal escapades after he returned to the US and struggled to find a lucrative, legal job. His criminal specialty was break-ins in upper society homes (apparently burglars at the time were colloquially called second-story men as they generally preyed upon people rich enough to live in multi-story houses) and stealing jewelry, often somehow persuading his victims to stay quiet if they caught him. He was imprisoned multiple times, escaped for a while to be with his wife who was ill with cancer, was recaptured, and eventually released, living out his retirement quietly and lawfully, becoming that kind of older relative who you suspect had a very interesting life but never talks about it.

This was a quick, engaging listen with first-hand accounts of crimes drawn from Barry and his wife's interviews to the press where they made money telling salacious stories of Barry's crimes (though given their source, readers should bring a grain of salt to these stories).

Further reading: crimes and schemes of the Jazz Age
The Girls of Murder City: Fame, Lust, and the Beautiful Killers who Inspired Chicago by Douglas Perry
The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York by Deborah Blum

My statistics:
Book 221 for 2024
Book 1824 cumulatively

[Michelle Skelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite my love of true crime & history, I had never heard of Arthur Barry before picking up "A Gentleman and a Thief"

Barry's every bit as notable as Willie Sutton, in some ways a precursor to the crime wave of the 1930s.

Author Dean Jobb tells Barry’s story in full, from his youth and first brushes with crime, to his wartime service in WWI, his jewel thief heyday, and later years. Along the way, we see Barry’s stints in Sing Sing and Attica, the love and loyalty he shared with his wife Anna, his surprising work with veterans after prison, and even the shadow of suspicion in the Lindbergh kidnapping case.

What makes this book so engaging is Jobb’s balance of meticulous historical research with a narrative that moves.

He writes like a historian with an eye for a good story, evoking the Jazz Age world of Great Neck mansions, high society victims, and Barry’s uncanny ability to slip in and out of bedrooms while people slept just feet away.

This is very much a historical telling rather than a psychological profile, Barry himself didn’t dwell on his inner motives, but the portrait is still rich and compelling.

The love story between Barry and Anna adds warmth. The backdrop of a public increasingly fascinated by crime shows how his exploits sold papers and fed a cultural appetite for glamorous criminals. Jobb’s writing reminded me of Erik Larson, immersive, informative, but never dry.

A fascinating slice of American crime history that’s tailor-made for Hollywood. I learned a lot, enjoyed the ride, and will be checking out more of Jobb’s work.

[Nick Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked this signed copy up on vacation in Halifax, NS 🇨🇦

This book, this time period rather, makes me believe how easy it was to make something of yourself. Be it tycoon or thief, the early years of 1900s America were a time for the go-getters. Arthur Barry used good manners and a ladder to accumulate wealth unimaginable given his life was always at stake. Like can you picture stealing jewelry today? Not lucrative now, slightly lucrative back in the jazz age. Plus the guy isn’t even saving the money! He just blows it on gambling. Had a hell of a life though serving as a medic in the war, escaping from prison and living on the lamb for years only to be found and jailed again. Then his life gets made into a movie, people who he robbed don’t mind because he was a gentleman and he gets to live out his days as a simple clerk? Truly impossible in any other country or era.

I did find it sweet he was humble and resented his youth at the end of his life, missing out on so many things because of a few years stealing. Also cool he got to outlive most of the people who tried to stop him 🍒

[Judith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting story and meticulously detailed. The author's note says at the beginning of the book: "Every statement within quotation marks in the pages that follow is drawn from newspaper reports, . . .court files. . ." etc. and the end notes document every quotation. I found this amazing or maybe it's just that we live in an era when people are so sloppy with the truth that it seems exceptional when someone has so much integrity and perseverance as this. Having said that, the book is somewhat dry for all its depiction of incredible events. It was a fabulous story but not the page turner I was expecting. I kept envisioning Cary Grant in "To Catch A Thief ".

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's always a risk for me reading non-fiction and especially biographies. It takes really engaging writing to keep my interest and this book just didn't have it. I found myself very bored with the amount of detail here and even the crime descriptions just didn't hold my interest.

Moving on to something else.

[Sarah Butland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A look at history that kept me involved, intrigued and interested in its conclusion! Well written, making non-fiction a moment of memory. Shedding light on crime, criminals and calamity while being nice, nuanced and novel! Loved it!

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dean Jobb is always such a delight to read, and he really excels at finding true crime subjects that are fascinating without being sensationalist and icky.

This is a terrific piece of narrative nonfiction, well-paced and gorgeously researched. Jobb takes us through Barry’s eventful life and bolsters his personal story with loads of atmospheric content that helps to anchor the story in a strong sense of place.

Gentleman thieves are fascinating creatures, and Jobb has found a worthy subject in Barry, who is both audaciously amoral and strangely sympathetic.

I love a nonfiction book that gives me a raucously good time while also letting me learn something, and Jobb delivers exactly that again in his best book yet.

*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

[Janta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ebook note: narrative was 69% of the whole; remainder was notes, etc.

Oh look, it's yet another entry on my list of "books about interesting people I've never heard of"! This was a fun read. It really made me start thinking about the possibility of playing a similar type of rogue in a D&D game (which is probably not an outcome either the author or the subject would have ever entertained). Anyway, quite an entertaining and intriguing book; I recommend it to anyone interested in this era of history or true crime.

[Siobhan DeFeo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this very well researched book. I love the last sentence of the book.