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A Pot Thief Murder Mystery #2
The Pot Thief Who Studied Ptolemy
A Southwestern sleuth tries to retrieve some relics—and solve a murder—in a novel by an author who “knows how to hook the reader from the get-go” (Albuquerque Journal). Pot thief Hubie Schuze is back, and this time his larceny is for a good cause. He wants to recover sacred relics lifted from San Roque, a mysterious pueblo that is closed to outsiders. Usually Hubie finds his pottery a few feet underground—but these artifacts are one hundred fifty feet above the New Mexico soil, on the top floor of the Rio Grande Lofts. Hubie will need all his deductive skills to craft the perfect plan—which is thwarted when he encounters the beautiful Stella. And then he is arrested for murder. That tends to happen when you are in the room with the body, with blood on your hands. Follow Hubie as he stays one step ahead of security toughs, one step behind Stella, and never too far from a long fall.The Pot Thief Who Studied Ptolemy is the 2nd book in the Pot Thief Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2009
82 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
J. Michael Orenduff
19 books122 followersMike Orenduff grew up in a house so close to the Rio Grand that he could frisbee a tortilla into Mexico. Despite such antics, he ended up in higher education, teaching at thirteen colleges in eight states and three countries. He was also an academic dean three times, an academic vice-president twice, a president four times, and a statewide chancellor once. His supporters say he welcomes new challenges. His critics say he cant hold a job. Newt Gingrich, in his book, To Renew America, called Orenduff A hero to the American People for his pioneering work in distance education.
After taking early retirement form higher education, Mike embarked on a new career as a fiction writer. His play, The Christmas Visitor, has won numerous awards. His murder mystery series has also received many accolades. The first in the series, The Pot Thief Who Studied Pythagoras, won the Dark Oak Mystery Contest and the Kindle version won the 2010 EPIC Award as the eBook of the Year in the Mystery/Suspense Category. The second book in the series, The Pot Thief Who Studied Ptolemy, was recently selected as the Fiction Book of the Year by the Public Safety Writers Association. Although the Pot Thief books are humorous murder mysteries, they also contain serious treatments of the issue of race and ethnicity.
Mike and Lai, his high school sweetheart, wife of forty-five years and noted art historian, have two grown children. Jay is a dean at Columbia University in New York, and Claire teaches art history at Georgia College and more importantly is the mother of their grandson, Bram.
After taking early retirement form higher education, Mike embarked on a new career as a fiction writer. His play, The Christmas Visitor, has won numerous awards. His murder mystery series has also received many accolades. The first in the series, The Pot Thief Who Studied Pythagoras, won the Dark Oak Mystery Contest and the Kindle version won the 2010 EPIC Award as the eBook of the Year in the Mystery/Suspense Category. The second book in the series, The Pot Thief Who Studied Ptolemy, was recently selected as the Fiction Book of the Year by the Public Safety Writers Association. Although the Pot Thief books are humorous murder mysteries, they also contain serious treatments of the issue of race and ethnicity.
Mike and Lai, his high school sweetheart, wife of forty-five years and noted art historian, have two grown children. Jay is a dean at Columbia University in New York, and Claire teaches art history at Georgia College and more importantly is the mother of their grandson, Bram.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 12, 2020
Book 2 in this series and it is not quite as good as #1. Still good, but at times it drags a bit during the plot. We see less of nephew Tristen, but we do get comic relief in neighbor Mrs. Gladys Claibourn who is a hoot and who always comes around at the most inopportune time with casseroles and desserts. Despite being made with few fresh ingredients her flavors and cooking always is a pleasant part of the book. Once again we have stolen pots, and eventually a murder. Despite being a prime suspect our hero, Hubert Schuze, rarely needs the service of his lawyer Lawton Kent, who also looks like he will appear in all these books. While the plot is good, it is a bit simplistic in its solution and some of the ways that Hubert is able to get in and out of a highly secured high rise complex seems to stretch credibility. But it is still a fun read, with a lot of humor and puns throughout. I felt it was about a 3.5, but I like this series and author and so will round it up to a 4****
February 25, 2023
Reread January 2023
This one is just as good as the first volume, "The Pot Thief Who Studied Pythagoras". Mr. Orenduff continues his witty, literate writing and his protagonists, Hubbie and Susannah, continue on their merry way to adventure, intrigue, mystery and droll humor. And to Hubbie's inevitable brush with the law. Suspected of murder as usual, here is an exchange between Hubbie and his attorney on the subject:
“You must be the only man in Christendom who still wears a vest,' I said.
'And you, my dear boy, are my only client who is frequently arrested for murder.'
'I don’t think I’ve been arrested. They didn’t read me my rights.'
'Do not attempt to practice law, Hubert. It makes you appear pompous.'
'And you’re not?'
'I’m an attorney. It’s permitted.”
Obviously modeled at least a little on Lawrence Block's "The Burglar Who...." series, Orenduff occasionally acknowledges Block by having his characters mention his writing, directly or indirectly. Orenduff does not mention Rex Stout or Nero Wolfe but the denouement of the real murderer near the end of the book is done in the Nero Wolfe style. Imitation is said to be the sincerest form of flattery. In this novel it is also just as good as the originals. Just as good or better but with different twists to the story which keep it from being mere imitation. An outstanding novel and addition to the ranks of American mysteries.
This one is just as good as the first volume, "The Pot Thief Who Studied Pythagoras". Mr. Orenduff continues his witty, literate writing and his protagonists, Hubbie and Susannah, continue on their merry way to adventure, intrigue, mystery and droll humor. And to Hubbie's inevitable brush with the law. Suspected of murder as usual, here is an exchange between Hubbie and his attorney on the subject:
“You must be the only man in Christendom who still wears a vest,' I said.
'And you, my dear boy, are my only client who is frequently arrested for murder.'
'I don’t think I’ve been arrested. They didn’t read me my rights.'
'Do not attempt to practice law, Hubert. It makes you appear pompous.'
'And you’re not?'
'I’m an attorney. It’s permitted.”
Obviously modeled at least a little on Lawrence Block's "The Burglar Who...." series, Orenduff occasionally acknowledges Block by having his characters mention his writing, directly or indirectly. Orenduff does not mention Rex Stout or Nero Wolfe but the denouement of the real murderer near the end of the book is done in the Nero Wolfe style. Imitation is said to be the sincerest form of flattery. In this novel it is also just as good as the originals. Just as good or better but with different twists to the story which keep it from being mere imitation. An outstanding novel and addition to the ranks of American mysteries.
July 5, 2017
Review: THE POT THIEF WHO STUDIED PTOLEMY
THE POT THIEF Series by J. Michael Orenduff is delightful: warm-hearted, full-characterized, humorous mystery--mystery with heart. Protagonist Hubert Schuze (pronounced "shoes") is The Feckless Hero indeed--but he's a sweet guy with a heart of integrity, and a spiritual nature exemplified in his connection to ancient potters, and to the mysteries of the Universe. I call him feckless because he frequently is victimized by others more cold-hearted. As a graduate student at the University of New Mexico in Anthropology and Archaeology, he bested three professors by uncovering pots outside the prescribed dig, and for his intuition, was expelled. He is considered a "pot thief" because of a Federal law (with which he disagrees) barring digging on public land. Also, he tends to fall into situations where he is framed for murder. Through it all, Hubie remains the proverbial good guy and dedicated friend.
THE POT THIEF Series by J. Michael Orenduff is delightful: warm-hearted, full-characterized, humorous mystery--mystery with heart. Protagonist Hubert Schuze (pronounced "shoes") is The Feckless Hero indeed--but he's a sweet guy with a heart of integrity, and a spiritual nature exemplified in his connection to ancient potters, and to the mysteries of the Universe. I call him feckless because he frequently is victimized by others more cold-hearted. As a graduate student at the University of New Mexico in Anthropology and Archaeology, he bested three professors by uncovering pots outside the prescribed dig, and for his intuition, was expelled. He is considered a "pot thief" because of a Federal law (with which he disagrees) barring digging on public land. Also, he tends to fall into situations where he is framed for murder. Through it all, Hubie remains the proverbial good guy and dedicated friend.
February 2, 2011
The follow up to the Pot Thief Who Studied Pythagoras is just as good if not better. Hubert Schuze is up to old tricks "acquiring" pots. I won't say stealing, because you can only steal something if it actually belongs to the person you are taking it from. At least, that's how Hubert looks at it.
Hubert has a difficult time even locating these particular pots, and in the meantime meets a hot woman, does a little B & E, and gets accused of a murder. How's that for a few day's work?
I don't want to give away too much of the plot, so I'll end by saying Orenduff's Pot Thief series is a must-read. He tells a compelling story, weaving his words in such a way they should be used as an example for all writers on how to show-not-tell, and if you don't laugh out loud at Hubert's antics and some of the positions he finds himself in, you either have no sense of humor or you're already dead.
This is a great story by a great writer.
Hubert has a difficult time even locating these particular pots, and in the meantime meets a hot woman, does a little B & E, and gets accused of a murder. How's that for a few day's work?
I don't want to give away too much of the plot, so I'll end by saying Orenduff's Pot Thief series is a must-read. He tells a compelling story, weaving his words in such a way they should be used as an example for all writers on how to show-not-tell, and if you don't laugh out loud at Hubert's antics and some of the positions he finds himself in, you either have no sense of humor or you're already dead.
This is a great story by a great writer.
March 30, 2011
After reading this novel, by J. Michael Orenduff, I think Ptolemy would have been well served studying The Pot Thief. I truly enjoy the adult discussions that Hubie and Susannah and others indulge in. All while enjoying those luscious sounding Margaritas.
This go round Hubie gets involved in a murder while trying to support Susannah's love life and also restoring, to their rightful owners, some ancient tribal pottery. Although Hubie is low-tech, he grasps the essentials of technology to find creative methods to achieve his ends.
The setting is Old Town Albuquerque, New Mexico. It makes you want to head to your travel agency and book tickets now. Hubie makes it so familiar that you feel you could exit off a trolley and find yourself at home without a tourist map!
The truth is I just about like every aspect of this series. Please treat yourself to this intelligent, fun-loving, fast paced, yet peaceful series. Hubie needs our help or not?
This go round Hubie gets involved in a murder while trying to support Susannah's love life and also restoring, to their rightful owners, some ancient tribal pottery. Although Hubie is low-tech, he grasps the essentials of technology to find creative methods to achieve his ends.
The setting is Old Town Albuquerque, New Mexico. It makes you want to head to your travel agency and book tickets now. Hubie makes it so familiar that you feel you could exit off a trolley and find yourself at home without a tourist map!
The truth is I just about like every aspect of this series. Please treat yourself to this intelligent, fun-loving, fast paced, yet peaceful series. Hubie needs our help or not?
August 15, 2018
This is a great series for people who appreciate quirky characters, like to learn about new things they knew little or nothing about, and want a good mystery to read.
March 1, 2010
I found this to be a most satisfying and entertaining read. This mystery, featuring pot digger and craftsman Hubert Schuze, who plans to break into an apartment to retrieve some sacred Pueblo pots that were stolen by a deceitful professor of anthropology & archaeology, is set in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where I lived for several years, and the author does a terrific job of portraying the distinctive culture and flavor of that area.
The book is also very funny, and made me laugh out loud many times. I especially liked the conversations between Hubert and his friend Susannah, who is a bit of a Mrs. Malaprop at times (she says he has "post-dramatic syndrome" after some bad guys break into his shop while he's there and smash his pots). I thought it was fun that Susannah lends him a copy of Lawrence Block's "The Burglar Who Studied Spinoza," but Hubie unfortunately doesn't have Bernie Rhodenbarr's ease and confidence after he's gone to the trouble of breaking into a place.
There's also a good mystery plot and a cast of colorful characters. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys light, humorous mysteries or a Southwestern setting.
The book is also very funny, and made me laugh out loud many times. I especially liked the conversations between Hubert and his friend Susannah, who is a bit of a Mrs. Malaprop at times (she says he has "post-dramatic syndrome" after some bad guys break into his shop while he's there and smash his pots). I thought it was fun that Susannah lends him a copy of Lawrence Block's "The Burglar Who Studied Spinoza," but Hubie unfortunately doesn't have Bernie Rhodenbarr's ease and confidence after he's gone to the trouble of breaking into a place.
There's also a good mystery plot and a cast of colorful characters. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys light, humorous mysteries or a Southwestern setting.
January 12, 2017
The pot thief returns as he hunts for pots stolen from the San Roque pueblo. This sophomore effort was entertaining, and once again I have to say I love the characters J. Michael Orenduff has created. Hubert Schuze is a wonderful protagonist, who works things out after he is once again accused of murder. I like the ending, which was very Agatha Christie like, in which Schuze gathers law enforcement, suspects and many others who have taken part in the investigation and reveals whodunit it. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
June 27, 2017
Hubie and Susanna. are back in this 2nd book in the wonderful Pot Thief mysteries. Hubie is a brilliant man who was kicked out of the University of New Mexico when he strayed from an archeology dig and found some artifacts on his own. He previously had earned a degree in business and became an accountant which he hated which is why he returned to school for a master's degree in anthropology and archeology. He eventually learned everything he could about Native American pottery, both ancient and modern. By the time the story begins he owns a pottery shop in Old Town, Albuquerque, where he sells pots by day and digs them up "by the light of the moon." He sells the pottery, including some classic pieces he has reproduced, to discriminating collectors as well as tourists. At 5:00 pm he meets his good friend Susanna for margaritas and intelligent conversation. That is all the back story that one needs to appreciate this series.
In this mystery Hubie is asked to recover a set of ancient pots belonging to the secretive San Roche Pueblo. The pots were taken from the UNM Museum ostensibly to be "deaccessioned" and returned to the Native American owners. It appears that a retired professor has taken them probably to his 11th floor loft apartment in a heavily secured apartment building. When that professor is found in his apartment shot to death, Hubie is accused of the murder. His attempts to access the building to find the pots and his subsequent efforts to prove his innocence of the murder are intriguing, ingenious and also humorous as all are parts of Hubie's M.O.
An underlying theme in this series is Hubie's love of learning. In this book he ruminates on Ptolomy's and Kepler's theories of star movements as he watches the skies with his telescopes and in discussions with his best friend Susanna over Margaritas. I particularly enjoy (and learn something from) Hubie's intellectual musings.
As this is part of a three volume set of Pot Thief Mysteries, I am starting the next one right now!
In this mystery Hubie is asked to recover a set of ancient pots belonging to the secretive San Roche Pueblo. The pots were taken from the UNM Museum ostensibly to be "deaccessioned" and returned to the Native American owners. It appears that a retired professor has taken them probably to his 11th floor loft apartment in a heavily secured apartment building. When that professor is found in his apartment shot to death, Hubie is accused of the murder. His attempts to access the building to find the pots and his subsequent efforts to prove his innocence of the murder are intriguing, ingenious and also humorous as all are parts of Hubie's M.O.
An underlying theme in this series is Hubie's love of learning. In this book he ruminates on Ptolomy's and Kepler's theories of star movements as he watches the skies with his telescopes and in discussions with his best friend Susanna over Margaritas. I particularly enjoy (and learn something from) Hubie's intellectual musings.
As this is part of a three volume set of Pot Thief Mysteries, I am starting the next one right now!
July 31, 2023
There are people who like - or at least they say they like - Serious Lit'rature. More power to 'em - I like Hemingway, and Jane Eyre, and Huck Finn, and here and there some other stuff that doesn't necessarily qualify as "pop" reading. But I read for entertainment, and if a book doesn't entertain me I won't read it (which makes it nice that there are books that are entertaining as well as informative). I read this - shoot, I've read it several times - and boy, is it entertaining. But Serious Lit'rature it ain't.
Hubert Schuze is ept only when it comes to digging up and selling ancient pots. In everything else he's hilariously inept. He's even more ignorant of current popular culture than I am, which is saying something. He can't do anything with women (but I'm coming up on my 44th anniversary). His efforts to commit criminal acts are hilarious. But then that's the whole point. If Hubie were a consummate burglar, womanizer, etc. etc. etc., this book - and the series of which it's a part - would be much less entertaining.
Here Hubie is trying to return to a fictional Indian pueblo a set of pots that they believe contain great power. A former University of New Mexico professor - the same one, as it happens, who oversaw Hubie's expulsion from the university when he found pots where the professor said there were none - promised to return the pots, "deaccessioned" from the institution, to the Indians, but reneged, and now another professor, who knows the pueblo and heard of the default, has asked Hubie to look into it. It sounds fairly pedestrian when I lay it out that way, but J. Michael Orenduff has the gift of making such things entertaining in spades, and he certainly does so here.
Hubert Schuze is ept only when it comes to digging up and selling ancient pots. In everything else he's hilariously inept. He's even more ignorant of current popular culture than I am, which is saying something. He can't do anything with women (but I'm coming up on my 44th anniversary). His efforts to commit criminal acts are hilarious. But then that's the whole point. If Hubie were a consummate burglar, womanizer, etc. etc. etc., this book - and the series of which it's a part - would be much less entertaining.
Here Hubie is trying to return to a fictional Indian pueblo a set of pots that they believe contain great power. A former University of New Mexico professor - the same one, as it happens, who oversaw Hubie's expulsion from the university when he found pots where the professor said there were none - promised to return the pots, "deaccessioned" from the institution, to the Indians, but reneged, and now another professor, who knows the pueblo and heard of the default, has asked Hubie to look into it. It sounds fairly pedestrian when I lay it out that way, but J. Michael Orenduff has the gift of making such things entertaining in spades, and he certainly does so here.
June 30, 2024
4.5 stars.
Note: Neither the Pot Thief nor the Bernie Rhodenbarr series are cozies. They include some mild sexual references.
---Synopsis---
In this installment of the Pot Thief series, Hubert Schuze agrees to break into a high-security apartment building to steal back ancient pots that an anthropology professor never returned to the Ma, a group of Native Americans living in Albuquerque. As in book 1, Hubert gets some help from his friend and local anthropology student, Susannah. As the mystery unfolds, Hubert learns about a separatist Russian group that may have some connections to the suspected pot thief.
---Thoughts---
Although Hubert is an alcoholic with questionable morals, he is charming. I love how nerdy he is. When he’s not making replicas of ancient pots, he’s reading books about Ptolemy and Kepler. In book 1, his obsession was Pythagoras. Despite this love for learning, he is technophobic. If it were not for his nephew Tristan, he would never have broken into Rio Grande Lofts.
I was thrilled to read Hubert compare himself to Bernie Rhodenbarr because I had made that exact same connection when I read Burglars Can’t Be Choosers last month. It’s clear that Orenduff modeled his protagonist on Lawrence Block’s burglar. At the moment, I prefer Hubert to Bernie. There were so many laugh-out-loud moments as Hubert tried to break into Rio Grande Lofts.
The mystery was also well-paced and engaging. I liked how everything came together at the end.
I look forward to reading Book 3: The Pot Thief Who Studied Escoffier. And to prepare, I borrowed Ritz and Escoffier by Luke Barr.
-For more cozy mystery reviews, check out my blog Cozy Mystery Reads
Note: Neither the Pot Thief nor the Bernie Rhodenbarr series are cozies. They include some mild sexual references.
---Synopsis---
In this installment of the Pot Thief series, Hubert Schuze agrees to break into a high-security apartment building to steal back ancient pots that an anthropology professor never returned to the Ma, a group of Native Americans living in Albuquerque. As in book 1, Hubert gets some help from his friend and local anthropology student, Susannah. As the mystery unfolds, Hubert learns about a separatist Russian group that may have some connections to the suspected pot thief.
---Thoughts---
Although Hubert is an alcoholic with questionable morals, he is charming. I love how nerdy he is. When he’s not making replicas of ancient pots, he’s reading books about Ptolemy and Kepler. In book 1, his obsession was Pythagoras. Despite this love for learning, he is technophobic. If it were not for his nephew Tristan, he would never have broken into Rio Grande Lofts.
I was thrilled to read Hubert compare himself to Bernie Rhodenbarr because I had made that exact same connection when I read Burglars Can’t Be Choosers last month. It’s clear that Orenduff modeled his protagonist on Lawrence Block’s burglar. At the moment, I prefer Hubert to Bernie. There were so many laugh-out-loud moments as Hubert tried to break into Rio Grande Lofts.
The mystery was also well-paced and engaging. I liked how everything came together at the end.
I look forward to reading Book 3: The Pot Thief Who Studied Escoffier. And to prepare, I borrowed Ritz and Escoffier by Luke Barr.
-For more cozy mystery reviews, check out my blog Cozy Mystery Reads
February 14, 2025
It quickly becomes evident that J. Michael Orenduff loves New Mexico. More pages of this murder mystery are devoted to Albuquerque and its cuisine than to solving the murder. Orenduff is a former academic of the highest rank, and his word choices are of a higher reading level than typical of the mystery genre. What makes the story particularly different is that the protagonist isn't the detective solving the mystery, but rather a former anthropology or archeology professor (not clear which) who now throws pots and has perhaps previously dug them up illegally, i.e. "the pot thief."
This is book two of a series of ten. I recently purchased book ten. We'll see how the character has grown.
This is book two of a series of ten. I recently purchased book ten. We'll see how the character has grown.
June 3, 2019
I am very much enjoying this series set in Albuquerque, NM.
Hubie Schuze is a former pot hunter in the Indian Country southwest. Former, because the American government has made pot-hunting illegal, so now he is a pot thief.
Orenduff is obviously a fan of Lawrence Block's Burglar books. He mentions them in these mysteries. This series is intentionally very similar. I don't think that's a bad thing. They are worth your time.
Hubie Schuze is a former pot hunter in the Indian Country southwest. Former, because the American government has made pot-hunting illegal, so now he is a pot thief.
Orenduff is obviously a fan of Lawrence Block's Burglar books. He mentions them in these mysteries. This series is intentionally very similar. I don't think that's a bad thing. They are worth your time.
August 22, 2017
Just a quick review to say that if you like engaging, witty, intelligent easy mysteries, this series is great. When I first saw the title, I couldn't imagine (and thought it was "pot" as in marijuana). I love the Southwest and Native American culture and crafts, so it's great to learn a little more about the pottery while being entertained.
July 28, 2019
The more I get to know the pot thief Hubert Schuze, the more I appreciate his easy going, devil-may-care lifestyle. I am not ready to copy his - lacking a hobby that could provide a living and certainly being neither very open-minded nor very magnanimous - but it could be something for me to aspire to.
September 1, 2021
Love this series. Love New Mexico. Love Hubie's sense of humor, lack of with-it.
Personally I think author should leave intercourse out of it. (brief). But this was one of my favorites.
I love books where I stop and google people and events that I'm reading about.
Maybe Charlie Chan did it!
Personally I think author should leave intercourse out of it. (brief). But this was one of my favorites.
I love books where I stop and google people and events that I'm reading about.
Maybe Charlie Chan did it!
October 5, 2025
This series is developing nicely.
More pots found and another mystery to be solved. The author balances the history and the mystery very adroitly suits his protagonist’s laidback sleuthing style quite well.
More pots found and another mystery to be solved. The author balances the history and the mystery very adroitly suits his protagonist’s laidback sleuthing style quite well.
May 28, 2017
Very enjoyable especially for someone living in NM. And I liked the refs to Bernie Rhodenbarr from Lawrence Block's books.
June 30, 2018
Nicely funny, not too scary.
September 17, 2018
Fun book - loved all of the New Mexico and Albuquerque references
April 28, 2019
fun read
November 19, 2019
Fun series about NM
September 16, 2020
Like all the novels in the series, put together of familiar parts. If you enjoy running I to old friends you'll like this.
December 9, 2020
Great read.
August 25, 2022
I really enjoy this series set in Albuquerque.
November 23, 2022
Love all of the Pot Thief books, and will buy them all when the price comes down a bit.
July 22, 2023
Good book. If you are a fan of Lawrence Block's burglar books you should really enjoy this series.
October 24, 2023
Fun & escapist but a bit predictable
October 18, 2025
I love this series set in Albuquerque for many reasons: the characters, the setting, the twisted plots, the exploration of the ancient cultures, and the curious connection in every book to its title!
May 8, 2021
Enjoying this series. Have 4 more to go.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews