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Second Pocket First: A Novel
“In the tradition of the great comic novels, Second Pocket First presents Issey, quite possibly the world's worst burglar but nevertheless a five-finger-discount artist of cutthroat sartorial principle, innumerable maddening affectations, and a sterling code of honor, and follows his crooked path across New England as he seeks to relieve the solid citizens of its burgs and hamlets of their worldly goods, a path that will lead him to his destiny.” –Janet Peery, National Book Award Finalist
Issey considers himself a masterful and elegant thief. He's just as meticulous with his lockpicking tools as he is with his ankle boots and slimming turtlenecks. He's also easily confused, stupid, and maybe not so good at being a thief.
Unforeseen circumstances bring him back to his childhood town, the wonderland that is Vermont's Bell River Valley. With the holidays on the horizon, he sets his sights on the town's open doors. But just as his thieving begins, with accompanying shapewear and accessories, something unexpected happens—he falls backwards into becoming the town hero. The sudden hero role ushers in wealth, adoration, and a love interest so mysterious he hardly knows her name.
However, before he can get too cozy, an uninvited associate from his past reappears—as does every last item Issey has ever stolen.
Second Pocket First shoehorns comedy, crime, and small-town charm into this delightful romp as Issey must decide between old habits and a sudden devotion to the town's goodwill.
Issey considers himself a masterful and elegant thief. He's just as meticulous with his lockpicking tools as he is with his ankle boots and slimming turtlenecks. He's also easily confused, stupid, and maybe not so good at being a thief.
Unforeseen circumstances bring him back to his childhood town, the wonderland that is Vermont's Bell River Valley. With the holidays on the horizon, he sets his sights on the town's open doors. But just as his thieving begins, with accompanying shapewear and accessories, something unexpected happens—he falls backwards into becoming the town hero. The sudden hero role ushers in wealth, adoration, and a love interest so mysterious he hardly knows her name.
However, before he can get too cozy, an uninvited associate from his past reappears—as does every last item Issey has ever stolen.
Second Pocket First shoehorns comedy, crime, and small-town charm into this delightful romp as Issey must decide between old habits and a sudden devotion to the town's goodwill.
253 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2025
5 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
April 12, 2025
This was such a great book. Exactly what love for a nice escape from this crazy world. It was funny, unique and quirky. Issey is a thief, and not a good one at that, but he thinks he's a mastermind. Issey’s character was so out of the ordinary to say the least. His character was so eccentric and his antics are crazy! 😆 We get to follow him through the town that he grew up in, Bell River Valley in Vermont, while he commits his thievery and then “accidentally” becomes the towns “hero”.
Definitely a quick, and entertaining read if you're looking for something different. I liked it and had a fun time reading it!
Thank you to Suzy approved book tours and the author for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Definitely a quick, and entertaining read if you're looking for something different. I liked it and had a fun time reading it!
Thank you to Suzy approved book tours and the author for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
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April 26, 2025Genre: Humorous Fiction/Crime
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Issey considers himself a ‘gentleman burglar’, one of elegance and mastery. But in reality he is the worst thief you will ever meet.
Issey is easily confused, a bumbling fool, incompetent and seems more preoccupied with his appearance than actually stealing anything of great value.
When Issey is informed by his boss he is not needed on a major heist that has been planned (for obvious reasons). Issey returns to his charming hometown of Bell Valley to visit his brother Rohel and his family.
Here Issey finds the prospect of a whole town of unlocked doors truly exhilarating until something happens and he inadvertently finds himself in the spotlight and proclaimed the town hero!
But when the ghost of his past reappears with every item he has ever stolen, that is when chaos ensues!
Second Pocket First is a book full of comedic moments and has a lighthearted tone throughout but it also explores deeper themes of emotion, identity, purpose, belonging and second chances.
Gregory Grosvenors writing style is witty, unique and his eccentric quirky characters are full of personality and charm. Grosvenor captures the intricacies of human behaviour exceptionally well. You cannot help but root for the loveable rogue that is Issey!
I found this a delightful easy read and I would recommend this book to anyone who would like a pleasant distraction from reality for a while.
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Issey considers himself a ‘gentleman burglar’, one of elegance and mastery. But in reality he is the worst thief you will ever meet.
Issey is easily confused, a bumbling fool, incompetent and seems more preoccupied with his appearance than actually stealing anything of great value.
When Issey is informed by his boss he is not needed on a major heist that has been planned (for obvious reasons). Issey returns to his charming hometown of Bell Valley to visit his brother Rohel and his family.
Here Issey finds the prospect of a whole town of unlocked doors truly exhilarating until something happens and he inadvertently finds himself in the spotlight and proclaimed the town hero!
But when the ghost of his past reappears with every item he has ever stolen, that is when chaos ensues!
Second Pocket First is a book full of comedic moments and has a lighthearted tone throughout but it also explores deeper themes of emotion, identity, purpose, belonging and second chances.
Gregory Grosvenors writing style is witty, unique and his eccentric quirky characters are full of personality and charm. Grosvenor captures the intricacies of human behaviour exceptionally well. You cannot help but root for the loveable rogue that is Issey!
I found this a delightful easy read and I would recommend this book to anyone who would like a pleasant distraction from reality for a while.
May 16, 2025
As you know, I never read blurbs, and having never read anything by this author before - and the fact the front cover image doesn't really give too much away - I really didn't know what to expect from this book.
I pretty much knew from the first page that I was going to be entertained and that I would really enjoy this read though.
The writing style was quirky, light and easy to read. I was instantly drawn into the storyline and couldn't wait to see what was in store for Issey.
Issey is a thief, but by all accounts, he's not that great at it!
This instantly had me hooked and with this premise and such a fun writing style, this really took me back to some of my favourite films/programmes that j watched as a child with my dad.
The Laurel and Hardy's, the pink panther and even Fawlty towers a little.
That clumsy, hapless, but loveable main character that you just can't help but root for - even though essentially, they're bad!?
As this story evolves, I found myself feeling sorry for Issey and really hoping that things would all turn out well and he'd learn from his errors and things would turn around for him.
A great little quick read that had me smiling throughout.
I pretty much knew from the first page that I was going to be entertained and that I would really enjoy this read though.
The writing style was quirky, light and easy to read. I was instantly drawn into the storyline and couldn't wait to see what was in store for Issey.
Issey is a thief, but by all accounts, he's not that great at it!
This instantly had me hooked and with this premise and such a fun writing style, this really took me back to some of my favourite films/programmes that j watched as a child with my dad.
The Laurel and Hardy's, the pink panther and even Fawlty towers a little.
That clumsy, hapless, but loveable main character that you just can't help but root for - even though essentially, they're bad!?
As this story evolves, I found myself feeling sorry for Issey and really hoping that things would all turn out well and he'd learn from his errors and things would turn around for him.
A great little quick read that had me smiling throughout.
April 28, 2025
I loved this! It was a fun read and I enjoyed every bit of the book. The premise of the story was excellent and I loved the small town setting. It just soundes so quaint.
The book was written well and it flowed perfectly. There were no plot holes or unanswered questions.
The characters made this highly enjoyable. Issey was fun and I did wonder if he was a bit delusional about his skills! His brother Rohel I wasn't sure what to think of him. Eight Jeff was sweet and he meant well. The rest of the cast were excellent and everyone worked in harmony to make this an interesting and fun read.
The book is in third person and is from Issey's POV mostly. This worked for me as we got to see the story unfold walking beside him!
I definitely recommend this. It was a great read and job well done!
The book was written well and it flowed perfectly. There were no plot holes or unanswered questions.
The characters made this highly enjoyable. Issey was fun and I did wonder if he was a bit delusional about his skills! His brother Rohel I wasn't sure what to think of him. Eight Jeff was sweet and he meant well. The rest of the cast were excellent and everyone worked in harmony to make this an interesting and fun read.
The book is in third person and is from Issey's POV mostly. This worked for me as we got to see the story unfold walking beside him!
I definitely recommend this. It was a great read and job well done!
April 30, 2025
A quirky, fast-paced story with plenty of humour and unexpected turns.
Issey, the "mastermind" thief, is anything but a criminal genius. He’s bold, reckless, and completely oblivious to his own shortcomings, which makes for one entertaining ride. His attempts are often more disastrous than successful. Somehow, despite his questionable skills, he stumbles into an opportunity to become something bigger than a petty thief—a town hero. How he gets there is half the fun.
I loved the setting, the small-town atmosphere. The supporting characters were just as vibrant.
What stood out most was the mix of satire and emotions. While the book is full of humour and absurd situations, there’s an underlying theme of redemption.
Sharp wit, eccentric characters, and unexpected twists, Second Pocket First is a refreshingly unique read.
Issey, the "mastermind" thief, is anything but a criminal genius. He’s bold, reckless, and completely oblivious to his own shortcomings, which makes for one entertaining ride. His attempts are often more disastrous than successful. Somehow, despite his questionable skills, he stumbles into an opportunity to become something bigger than a petty thief—a town hero. How he gets there is half the fun.
I loved the setting, the small-town atmosphere. The supporting characters were just as vibrant.
What stood out most was the mix of satire and emotions. While the book is full of humour and absurd situations, there’s an underlying theme of redemption.
Sharp wit, eccentric characters, and unexpected twists, Second Pocket First is a refreshingly unique read.
February 20, 2025
Gregory Grosvenor delivers a quirky, darkly humorous caper that turns the classic thief-on-the-run trope on its head. Issey, a self-proclaimed master criminal with a penchant for "thief fashion" and "WTH was he thinking?" decision-making, stumbles from furtive burglar to toast of the town in the small Vermont village where he grew up. With a mix of satire, slapstick, and unexpected heart, "Second Pocket First" is a snappy tale with a trace of romance that proves sometimes redemption is just a heist away.
March 24, 2025
Subversive in its usage of the English language, and always hilarious, Second Pocket First offers an absurdist, ultra-stylish window into the declining mind of a professional thief. Unpredictable to the last. Will delight anyone who knows that underneath that calendar beauty, New England never really makes up its mind about outsiders
April 23, 2025
A perfect escapism read.
I found this book hilarious, Issey is classed as the worst burglar ever.
His antics seem to bring chaos, the characters in the book are quirky and Issey is definitely the quirkiest one.
A really cosy read you can just forget the world around you for a while.
Crime humour in a definitely a palate cleanser, I throughly enjoyed this book.
I found this book hilarious, Issey is classed as the worst burglar ever.
His antics seem to bring chaos, the characters in the book are quirky and Issey is definitely the quirkiest one.
A really cosy read you can just forget the world around you for a while.
Crime humour in a definitely a palate cleanser, I throughly enjoyed this book.
June 15, 2025
Have you ever started reading a book and have trouble 'getting into it' only to put it down, take a breather and then picking it back up and getting a totally different response? That was me with this book. When I first started reading it, admittedly, I didn't get it, but then something clicked and I understood it completely and started laughing. Both at myself for being too serious and at the story for being too funny. This probably says more about me than it does the book but oh well... Seriously though, pick up this book. Just don't be too serious when reading it!
Thank you to the author, Black Rose Writing and Suzy Approved Book Tours for the gifted copy and including me on this tour.
Thank you to the author, Black Rose Writing and Suzy Approved Book Tours for the gifted copy and including me on this tour.
April 23, 2025
Good read
Second pocket first by Gregory Grosvenor.
This was a good read. Bit of a slow start. I'm not sure how I felt about the main character, Issey. I didn't like him, but i didn't hate him either. I did like Anissa. I've never read a book like this one before. Unusual, weird, and unique.
Second pocket first by Gregory Grosvenor.
This was a good read. Bit of a slow start. I'm not sure how I felt about the main character, Issey. I didn't like him, but i didn't hate him either. I did like Anissa. I've never read a book like this one before. Unusual, weird, and unique.
April 28, 2025
This crime novel is a little different for me, but an interesting read.
It has a quirky style of writing with humour throughout and it's one that is easy to read. It has a nice pacing to it.
It has a quirky style of writing with humour throughout and it's one that is easy to read. It has a nice pacing to it.
May 15, 2025
A True Original Marked by Great Writing
I apologize in advance for how often I quote from Gregory Grosvenor’s hilarious and exquisitely written Second Pocket First. Grosvenor is a gifted stylist who depicts the incorrigible Issey with charming quirkiness and aplomb. Here is an excerpt of Issey’s first house break-in that captures Grosvenor’s cadence and appealing humor. “He was in there anywhere between four hours and four seconds. He was hot. He was cold. He was smooth. He fell. He was dizzy. He was organized. He stole with fury. He stole with calm. He came out with a garlic press. He left his gloves inside. He didn’t know what a garlic press was.” (19%).
After his poor thieving skills left him cast out of a Boston heist, Issey returns to his hometown in Vermont’s Bell River Valley and proceeds to steal with abandon from the community. True to the paradoxical sensibility of this smart, mad novel, the story turns on what Issey doesn’t take. While Issey tends to pilfer anything and everything in sight – albeit in small doses – he does not steal Avi’s three horses. Their loss is mystery that unnerves Issey.
Possessed with just enough introspection to confuse himself, Issey blithely bumbles his way to community admiration for a heroic act he is not sure he committed. Soon, residents look to Issey to restore their lost items. While I don’t want to ruin the fun, let’s just say that Grosvenor deftly weaves ironies. This book is filled with so many pleasures, including the characterizations, ranging from Issey’s childhood buddy Eight Jeff (“He had the broad rotisserie shoulders of a basement bench-presser—but that was it. The rest of him was in a shamble. He had pale thinning hair, a permanent yawn-chin, wifely thighs, and pronounced love handles”) to his early mentor Claudia Bund (“She was a lot of everything that wasn’t really there”). As Issey navigates his way from one crisis to another, the novel’s droll sensibility pervades with snappy dialogue and dizzying lists. Indeed, there are too many good lines (“Issey didn’t know a lot about his mother, only that he was a good son”), including the wonderful interactions with the sister-in-law Anissa (“She cooks like she hates food”). And Anissa’s book is another hoot.
The title derives from Issey’s casual advice when a client is in search for something lost: “It’s like how you never find your car keys in the first pocket you look. … That’s why you always want to look in the second pocket first.” Even Issey’s romance is marked by indirection as he believes he is involved with Rhonda while he’s actually with Molly. That name switch is indicative of the slippery nature of the plot, just as with the question of what transpired with Avi’s three horses. Such pretzel logic will intertwine toward a crazed climax, one initiated by the return of the chief criminal Berger, who is both a yardstick by which Issey measures himself and a flawed ideal he must surpass.
Ultimately, Second Pocket First functions on another level as it speaks to America’s perverse relationship with consumerism. In the revelatory late scenes, the novel’s central questions are resolved: “Whose hands were doing the giving and whose hands were doing the taking?” Naturally, Grosvenor provides answers that are disarming, amusing, and, at times, poignant. The late scene with Molly is a stunner. In the loopy world of this novel, thievery can indeed become a gift to others, given Issey’s incompetencies and unmalicious motives.
Daring and original, Second Pocket First is a great read, one where the writing shines and the dark, smart thoughts behind them stick with you.
I apologize in advance for how often I quote from Gregory Grosvenor’s hilarious and exquisitely written Second Pocket First. Grosvenor is a gifted stylist who depicts the incorrigible Issey with charming quirkiness and aplomb. Here is an excerpt of Issey’s first house break-in that captures Grosvenor’s cadence and appealing humor. “He was in there anywhere between four hours and four seconds. He was hot. He was cold. He was smooth. He fell. He was dizzy. He was organized. He stole with fury. He stole with calm. He came out with a garlic press. He left his gloves inside. He didn’t know what a garlic press was.” (19%).
After his poor thieving skills left him cast out of a Boston heist, Issey returns to his hometown in Vermont’s Bell River Valley and proceeds to steal with abandon from the community. True to the paradoxical sensibility of this smart, mad novel, the story turns on what Issey doesn’t take. While Issey tends to pilfer anything and everything in sight – albeit in small doses – he does not steal Avi’s three horses. Their loss is mystery that unnerves Issey.
Possessed with just enough introspection to confuse himself, Issey blithely bumbles his way to community admiration for a heroic act he is not sure he committed. Soon, residents look to Issey to restore their lost items. While I don’t want to ruin the fun, let’s just say that Grosvenor deftly weaves ironies. This book is filled with so many pleasures, including the characterizations, ranging from Issey’s childhood buddy Eight Jeff (“He had the broad rotisserie shoulders of a basement bench-presser—but that was it. The rest of him was in a shamble. He had pale thinning hair, a permanent yawn-chin, wifely thighs, and pronounced love handles”) to his early mentor Claudia Bund (“She was a lot of everything that wasn’t really there”). As Issey navigates his way from one crisis to another, the novel’s droll sensibility pervades with snappy dialogue and dizzying lists. Indeed, there are too many good lines (“Issey didn’t know a lot about his mother, only that he was a good son”), including the wonderful interactions with the sister-in-law Anissa (“She cooks like she hates food”). And Anissa’s book is another hoot.
The title derives from Issey’s casual advice when a client is in search for something lost: “It’s like how you never find your car keys in the first pocket you look. … That’s why you always want to look in the second pocket first.” Even Issey’s romance is marked by indirection as he believes he is involved with Rhonda while he’s actually with Molly. That name switch is indicative of the slippery nature of the plot, just as with the question of what transpired with Avi’s three horses. Such pretzel logic will intertwine toward a crazed climax, one initiated by the return of the chief criminal Berger, who is both a yardstick by which Issey measures himself and a flawed ideal he must surpass.
Ultimately, Second Pocket First functions on another level as it speaks to America’s perverse relationship with consumerism. In the revelatory late scenes, the novel’s central questions are resolved: “Whose hands were doing the giving and whose hands were doing the taking?” Naturally, Grosvenor provides answers that are disarming, amusing, and, at times, poignant. The late scene with Molly is a stunner. In the loopy world of this novel, thievery can indeed become a gift to others, given Issey’s incompetencies and unmalicious motives.
Daring and original, Second Pocket First is a great read, one where the writing shines and the dark, smart thoughts behind them stick with you.
May 12, 2025
I’m writing this at approximately midday on Sunday. Earlier this morning, I woke myself up with a cold water swim – don’t knock it if you haven’t tried it, it’s the best start to a morning you can have – followed by going for a walk with the dog and letting her have a swim too. Then I returned home, showered and did two loads of washing.
And now I’m sat in the garden, in the sunshine, with a nice cup of tea. (And the laptop, obviously.) The sun is shining, the sky is a clear blue, the birds are singing and it’s wonderful. I’m not sure I want to move again for the rest of the day, unless it’s to get a cold drink or an ice cream. Activity has its place, but sometimes a nice sit down is better than anything. Which brings me nicely to Second Packet First by Gregory Grosvenor, which at 254 pages is a fairly short read and which follows the life of an inept burglar who thinks he’s a mastermind.
I’ll be honest. I started reading this book on Friday evening after work and I initially struggled. I found both the character of Issey and his narration of the story confusing, mainly because I couldn’t understand, or even see how I was supposed to understand his way of thinking. Is he supposed to be brain-damaged, or quite severely mentally handicapped in some other way, I wondered?
Eventually – with a little persuasion from the dog, whom I seem to have taught at least one bad habit – I put the book down and went to the pub instead, picking it up again early the following morning. And at some point, realisation dawned. This isn’t a book where you have to study the detail to appreciate it. It’s one where you have to stop trying to analyse, or even think at all, and just enjoy. Take another mouthful of beverage, sit back and smile as Issey somehow, in a Forrest Gump-esque way, manages to become the local hero of his home town and make a positive difference to the lives of the people closest to him, all without ever quite realising it. I can’t go as far as to say that Issey became lovable, or even likeable, and yet somehow his story ends up being rather pleasing.
For me, then, Second Pocket First is a book that you can think of as a nice sit down after a busy Sunday morning. Or a glass of water, taken as a palette cleanser between tasting two fine wines. Not necessarily a highlight of your weekend in itself, but perhaps an essential part of it nonetheless.
My thanks to Black Rose Publishing for the gifted digital copy, and to Zooloo’s Book Tours for my inclusion on the blog tour. My review is also available on my blog at www.mycosybooknook.wordpress.com and my social media pages.
And now I’m sat in the garden, in the sunshine, with a nice cup of tea. (And the laptop, obviously.) The sun is shining, the sky is a clear blue, the birds are singing and it’s wonderful. I’m not sure I want to move again for the rest of the day, unless it’s to get a cold drink or an ice cream. Activity has its place, but sometimes a nice sit down is better than anything. Which brings me nicely to Second Packet First by Gregory Grosvenor, which at 254 pages is a fairly short read and which follows the life of an inept burglar who thinks he’s a mastermind.
I’ll be honest. I started reading this book on Friday evening after work and I initially struggled. I found both the character of Issey and his narration of the story confusing, mainly because I couldn’t understand, or even see how I was supposed to understand his way of thinking. Is he supposed to be brain-damaged, or quite severely mentally handicapped in some other way, I wondered?
Eventually – with a little persuasion from the dog, whom I seem to have taught at least one bad habit – I put the book down and went to the pub instead, picking it up again early the following morning. And at some point, realisation dawned. This isn’t a book where you have to study the detail to appreciate it. It’s one where you have to stop trying to analyse, or even think at all, and just enjoy. Take another mouthful of beverage, sit back and smile as Issey somehow, in a Forrest Gump-esque way, manages to become the local hero of his home town and make a positive difference to the lives of the people closest to him, all without ever quite realising it. I can’t go as far as to say that Issey became lovable, or even likeable, and yet somehow his story ends up being rather pleasing.
For me, then, Second Pocket First is a book that you can think of as a nice sit down after a busy Sunday morning. Or a glass of water, taken as a palette cleanser between tasting two fine wines. Not necessarily a highlight of your weekend in itself, but perhaps an essential part of it nonetheless.
My thanks to Black Rose Publishing for the gifted digital copy, and to Zooloo’s Book Tours for my inclusion on the blog tour. My review is also available on my blog at www.mycosybooknook.wordpress.com and my social media pages.
April 25, 2025
Book Review: Second Pocket First by Gregory Grosvenor
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉What a delightful, hilarious, and completely unexpected gem of a read! Second Pocket First by Gregory Grosvenor is unlike anything I’ve read before—a brilliant mix of comedy, crime, and small-town warmth that left me smiling from start to finish.
👉Our main character, Issey, is a thief… but not just any thief—he’s probably the worst thief you’ll ever meet, and somehow also the most lovable. He’s awkward, confused, fashion-obsessed, and guided by the strangest moral code you can imagine. Picture someone who cares more about the perfect pair of ankle boots than an actual getaway plan, and you’ve got Issey. His burglaries are more comedic than criminal, and watching him fumble his way through life is oddly heartwarming.
👉When Issey returns to his hometown in Vermont’s charming Bell River Valley, he plans to do what he does best (or worst): steal. But his plans are quickly flipped upside down as he stumbles into local fame, unexpected admiration, and a mysterious romance that catches even him by surprise. Just as he’s starting to enjoy the spotlight, ghosts from his past reappear—along with every single item he’s ever stolen. And that’s when the chaos really begins.
👉What I absolutely loved about this book is how it weaves genuine emotional depth into the humor. Beneath all the quirky heists and awkward moments is a story about identity, second chances, and belonging. Issey may start off as a bumbling burglar, but his personal growth is both subtle and sincere. You laugh at him, you root for him, and by the end, you honestly kind of adore him.
👉Gregory Grosvenor’s writing is sharp, witty, and full of personality. The pacing is smooth, the dialogue sparkles, and the world of Bell River Valley feels like a place you’d want to visit—if only to meet its wonderfully oddball residents.
👉If you love character-driven stories with heart, charm, and a ton of originality, Second Pocket First is a must-read. It’s clever, cozy, and full of surprises. I finished the book with a big smile and that warm fuzzy feeling only a truly great story can give.
Happy reading 😁😁
#BookReview
Rating:5/5
Review:
👉What a delightful, hilarious, and completely unexpected gem of a read! Second Pocket First by Gregory Grosvenor is unlike anything I’ve read before—a brilliant mix of comedy, crime, and small-town warmth that left me smiling from start to finish.
👉Our main character, Issey, is a thief… but not just any thief—he’s probably the worst thief you’ll ever meet, and somehow also the most lovable. He’s awkward, confused, fashion-obsessed, and guided by the strangest moral code you can imagine. Picture someone who cares more about the perfect pair of ankle boots than an actual getaway plan, and you’ve got Issey. His burglaries are more comedic than criminal, and watching him fumble his way through life is oddly heartwarming.
👉When Issey returns to his hometown in Vermont’s charming Bell River Valley, he plans to do what he does best (or worst): steal. But his plans are quickly flipped upside down as he stumbles into local fame, unexpected admiration, and a mysterious romance that catches even him by surprise. Just as he’s starting to enjoy the spotlight, ghosts from his past reappear—along with every single item he’s ever stolen. And that’s when the chaos really begins.
👉What I absolutely loved about this book is how it weaves genuine emotional depth into the humor. Beneath all the quirky heists and awkward moments is a story about identity, second chances, and belonging. Issey may start off as a bumbling burglar, but his personal growth is both subtle and sincere. You laugh at him, you root for him, and by the end, you honestly kind of adore him.
👉Gregory Grosvenor’s writing is sharp, witty, and full of personality. The pacing is smooth, the dialogue sparkles, and the world of Bell River Valley feels like a place you’d want to visit—if only to meet its wonderfully oddball residents.
👉If you love character-driven stories with heart, charm, and a ton of originality, Second Pocket First is a must-read. It’s clever, cozy, and full of surprises. I finished the book with a big smile and that warm fuzzy feeling only a truly great story can give.
Happy reading 😁😁
#BookReview
April 27, 2025
Here is my review for Second Pocket First by Gregory Grosvenor
This was an interesting story which I enjoyed reading and it was very easy to get into from the start. I liked Issey as he was a thief but he wasn’t a very good one and invariably his traits went before him. He didn’t care who he nicked from, he even borrowed from his brother. He learnt from his sister-in-law about his brother’s problem and then he spoke to his brother. He wanted to help them and was trying to work out how to do it. I liked the plot which was something different to anything I have read before. The synopsis drew me to read this story which was enjoyable. It was a detailed story with a good descriptive text. I would like to read more books containing Issey and his thieving ways.
Blurb :
Issey considers himself a masterful and elegant thief. He's just as meticulous with his lockpicking tools as he is with his ankle boots and slimming turtlenecks. He's also easily confused, stupid, and maybe not so good at being a thief.
Unforeseen circumstances bring him back to his childhood town, the wonderland that is Vermont's Bell River Valley. With the holidays on the horizon, he sets his sights on the town's open doors. But just as his thieving begins, with accompanying shapewear and accessories, something unexpected happens—he falls backwards into becoming the town hero. The sudden hero role ushers in wealth, adoration, and a love interest so mysterious he hardly knows her name.
However, before he can get too cozy, an uninvited associate from his past reappears—as does every last item Issey has ever stolen.
Second Pocket First shoehorns comedy, crime, and small-town charm into this delightful romp as Issey must decide between old habits and a sudden devotion to the town's goodwill.
This was an interesting story which I enjoyed reading and it was very easy to get into from the start. I liked Issey as he was a thief but he wasn’t a very good one and invariably his traits went before him. He didn’t care who he nicked from, he even borrowed from his brother. He learnt from his sister-in-law about his brother’s problem and then he spoke to his brother. He wanted to help them and was trying to work out how to do it. I liked the plot which was something different to anything I have read before. The synopsis drew me to read this story which was enjoyable. It was a detailed story with a good descriptive text. I would like to read more books containing Issey and his thieving ways.
Blurb :
Issey considers himself a masterful and elegant thief. He's just as meticulous with his lockpicking tools as he is with his ankle boots and slimming turtlenecks. He's also easily confused, stupid, and maybe not so good at being a thief.
Unforeseen circumstances bring him back to his childhood town, the wonderland that is Vermont's Bell River Valley. With the holidays on the horizon, he sets his sights on the town's open doors. But just as his thieving begins, with accompanying shapewear and accessories, something unexpected happens—he falls backwards into becoming the town hero. The sudden hero role ushers in wealth, adoration, and a love interest so mysterious he hardly knows her name.
However, before he can get too cozy, an uninvited associate from his past reappears—as does every last item Issey has ever stolen.
Second Pocket First shoehorns comedy, crime, and small-town charm into this delightful romp as Issey must decide between old habits and a sudden devotion to the town's goodwill.
July 23, 2025
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
🤪 quirky characters
🔐 have ever stolen something
📖 enjoy short reads
😂 love to laugh
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Issey considers himself a masterful and elegant thief. He's just as meticulous with his lockpicking tools as he is with his ankle boots and slimming turtlenecks. He's also easily confused, stupid, and maybe not so good at being a thief.
Unforeseen circumstances bring him back to his childhood town, the wonderland that is Vermont's Bell River Valley. With the holidays on the horizon, he sets his sights on the town's open doors. But just as his thieving begins, with accompanying shapewear and accessories, something unexpected happens—he falls backwards into becoming the town hero. The sudden hero role ushers in wealth, adoration, and a love interest so mysterious he hardly knows her name.
However, before he can get too cozy, an uninvited associate from his past reappears—as does every last item Issey has ever stolen.
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was a very unique read in which the character of Issey is a complete oddball who I found both endearing and yet so unlikable all at once. The writing is clever and made me laugh, but I found myself trying too hard to like the characters. Some characters will just always be unlikable I suppose. I loved how quick of a read this was, and how easy it was to understand once you let yourself get swept away by the plot. If you love quirky characters, give this one a try!
🤪 quirky characters
🔐 have ever stolen something
📖 enjoy short reads
😂 love to laugh
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Issey considers himself a masterful and elegant thief. He's just as meticulous with his lockpicking tools as he is with his ankle boots and slimming turtlenecks. He's also easily confused, stupid, and maybe not so good at being a thief.
Unforeseen circumstances bring him back to his childhood town, the wonderland that is Vermont's Bell River Valley. With the holidays on the horizon, he sets his sights on the town's open doors. But just as his thieving begins, with accompanying shapewear and accessories, something unexpected happens—he falls backwards into becoming the town hero. The sudden hero role ushers in wealth, adoration, and a love interest so mysterious he hardly knows her name.
However, before he can get too cozy, an uninvited associate from his past reappears—as does every last item Issey has ever stolen.
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was a very unique read in which the character of Issey is a complete oddball who I found both endearing and yet so unlikable all at once. The writing is clever and made me laugh, but I found myself trying too hard to like the characters. Some characters will just always be unlikable I suppose. I loved how quick of a read this was, and how easy it was to understand once you let yourself get swept away by the plot. If you love quirky characters, give this one a try!
October 6, 2025
Issey, the protagonist of this very funny novel, is a sharp dresser, an enthusiastic professional thief, and a man of scruples. He lives by the code of French bank robber Albert Spaggiari — no weapons, no violence. But financial success eludes him.
“But by the end of the night, his black thievin’ bag carried nothing more than a desk lamp, a phone charger, a stainless-steel ladle, chopsticks, a penlight, and a set of teacups that had been broken by the ladle. And the penlight was already his.”
The boss of his crime ring fires Issey for incompetence, explaining, “You’re just terrible at this.” Issey leaves Boston and retreats to his bucolic hometown in Vermont, Bell River Valley, where he started out stealing mail as a kid. He hopes to restore his thieving mojo and get back into the good graces of his boss.
While burglarizing as many houses as possible and trying to keep a low profile, Issey becomes locally famous for doing something heroic that he’s not really sure he actually did. He thinks he’s falling in love with a woman but gets her name wrong. Community members, thinking he’s a smart guy and not knowing he burglarized their houses, pay him to recover the items that he stole from them. Nothing works out like he planned, and sometimes that’s for the best.
Gregory Grosvenor has a unique comic voice. The novel is full of snappy dialogue and memorable one-liners. I found myself pulling for Issey all the way.
“But by the end of the night, his black thievin’ bag carried nothing more than a desk lamp, a phone charger, a stainless-steel ladle, chopsticks, a penlight, and a set of teacups that had been broken by the ladle. And the penlight was already his.”
The boss of his crime ring fires Issey for incompetence, explaining, “You’re just terrible at this.” Issey leaves Boston and retreats to his bucolic hometown in Vermont, Bell River Valley, where he started out stealing mail as a kid. He hopes to restore his thieving mojo and get back into the good graces of his boss.
While burglarizing as many houses as possible and trying to keep a low profile, Issey becomes locally famous for doing something heroic that he’s not really sure he actually did. He thinks he’s falling in love with a woman but gets her name wrong. Community members, thinking he’s a smart guy and not knowing he burglarized their houses, pay him to recover the items that he stole from them. Nothing works out like he planned, and sometimes that’s for the best.
Gregory Grosvenor has a unique comic voice. The novel is full of snappy dialogue and memorable one-liners. I found myself pulling for Issey all the way.
March 5, 2025
If you’re a fan of Donald Westlake’s Dortmunder crime series and want something a little more sophisticated, something in the literary fiction genre, well, her it is, “Second Pocket First”. Gregory Grosvenor has delivered a well written high brow take on the bumbling crime character trope.
The opening line, Issey was a lousy thief, but a good son, sets the mood. From there, the author showcases his wordsmith skills. This story follows a thief that is told, “you’re just terrible at this” and those words sting, if not a little then a lot, and those words follow him everywhere. He so wanted to be a “connoisseur” of the art of thievery, much like those he stole from were experts in something.
This humorous crime caper is set in a small New England backdrop and is depicted well, leaving this reader a little homesick.
With dialogue like this you can’t go wrong. “She’s a writer, but she doesn’t write anything, yes that’s her process.”
I did meet this author once, before the release of his novel and briefly discussed “Second Pocket First” when I quickly got a sense of the passion he has for his craft and literary fiction. He was genuine and interesting, and after that encounter I wanted to read this book. This debut does not disappoint.
The opening line, Issey was a lousy thief, but a good son, sets the mood. From there, the author showcases his wordsmith skills. This story follows a thief that is told, “you’re just terrible at this” and those words sting, if not a little then a lot, and those words follow him everywhere. He so wanted to be a “connoisseur” of the art of thievery, much like those he stole from were experts in something.
This humorous crime caper is set in a small New England backdrop and is depicted well, leaving this reader a little homesick.
With dialogue like this you can’t go wrong. “She’s a writer, but she doesn’t write anything, yes that’s her process.”
I did meet this author once, before the release of his novel and briefly discussed “Second Pocket First” when I quickly got a sense of the passion he has for his craft and literary fiction. He was genuine and interesting, and after that encounter I wanted to read this book. This debut does not disappoint.
April 9, 2025
Issey is an incompetent thief who has bungled his way through life. After he’s “fired by the head of the crime ring he works for in Boston, Issey makes his way back to his hometown where his brother, Rohl, still lives with his wife and daughter. When Issey is given the task of clearing out his mother’s house he discovers a new spin on his proclivity for stealing.
No doubt about it, Second Pocket First is an unusual book and I found it difficult to adapt to the writing style as well as the story itself. Almost all of the characters unappealing and Issey most of all. The underlying humor just wasn’t there for me and the story seemed to be more depressing than anything else. I can appreciate the fact that the author was attempting to be humorous, and his premise leans heavily on odd personalities and situations. All of this is reflected in the characters’ actions as well as in the fractured dialogues.
This book was not a good fit for me but I can appreciate its uniqueness and the author’s attempts to present a different kind of story. For that reason only, I will give it three stars. But, from a personal point of view and the amount of enjoyment I got from the book, it’s only 2.5 stars at best. NetGalley provided an advance reader copy.
No doubt about it, Second Pocket First is an unusual book and I found it difficult to adapt to the writing style as well as the story itself. Almost all of the characters unappealing and Issey most of all. The underlying humor just wasn’t there for me and the story seemed to be more depressing than anything else. I can appreciate the fact that the author was attempting to be humorous, and his premise leans heavily on odd personalities and situations. All of this is reflected in the characters’ actions as well as in the fractured dialogues.
This book was not a good fit for me but I can appreciate its uniqueness and the author’s attempts to present a different kind of story. For that reason only, I will give it three stars. But, from a personal point of view and the amount of enjoyment I got from the book, it’s only 2.5 stars at best. NetGalley provided an advance reader copy.
April 30, 2025
Second Pocket First is a charming and witty read that brings together comedy, crime, and a whole lot of small-town heart. Gregory Grosvenor introduces us to Issey, a self-proclaimed master thief who, despite his stylish turtlenecks and lockpicking skills, might not be quite as slick as he thinks. Returning to his childhood town of Bell River Valley, Issey soon finds himself tangled not just in burglary attempts, but in unexpected heroism, new opportunities, and a dash of romance.
The writing style here is very different from my usual reads — lighter, quirkier, and sprinkled with soft, clever humour rather than big laugh-out-loud moments. I found myself smiling often at Issey's antics and the wonderfully odd situations he finds himself in.
While the story didn’t completely sweep me away, that’s more a reflection of my reading tastes than any fault of the book itself. Second Pocket First is well-written, with a likeable (if slightly hapless!) main character and a storyline that offers plenty of heart. Fans of humorous, offbeat fiction will no doubt adore it.
I would happily recommend it to readers looking for a light-hearted, feel-good story with a twist of crime and comedy.
The writing style here is very different from my usual reads — lighter, quirkier, and sprinkled with soft, clever humour rather than big laugh-out-loud moments. I found myself smiling often at Issey's antics and the wonderfully odd situations he finds himself in.
While the story didn’t completely sweep me away, that’s more a reflection of my reading tastes than any fault of the book itself. Second Pocket First is well-written, with a likeable (if slightly hapless!) main character and a storyline that offers plenty of heart. Fans of humorous, offbeat fiction will no doubt adore it.
I would happily recommend it to readers looking for a light-hearted, feel-good story with a twist of crime and comedy.
July 16, 2025
"It means whatever you want it to mean and it means whatever I want it to mean." This line I feel perfectly sums up Issey's personality and how he portrays his thieving career and life in general. Thieving is not his speciality so when he gets fired he ends up heading back to Vermont by his brother. Quirky, odd and has a different outlook on things, Issey is trying to find his rhythm again but is still finding himself in situations that a professional thief would never be in. Phone charges, change and other non valuable items are often what he escapes with. When he gets hailed as the town hero he can hardly believe it. People know who he is and what he has done and everyone wants to hear his story. This was a quirky storyline that kept you engaged with the various characters and Issey's outlandish thinking at times. I enjoyed this novel in that it was a relaxing read to keep you entertained. Thank you to the author for the complementary novel and to Suzy Approved Book Tours for the invite. This review is of my own opinion and accord.
March 2, 2025
Issey is a career criminal, a bad one sure, but his love for thievery is palpable. He returns to his small hometown in Vermont and promptly starts stealing from the locals. After a fumbling mishap, Issey becomes known as the guy who can find your missing things and the community starts reaching out to find their lost items, all of which are things he stole from them.
Second Pocket First was a little different from what I typically read, but overall it was a very fun book. There is quite a bit of humor that landed for me. The characters are all kind of oddballs who are hard to get a read on, likely, in part, due to Issey's perceptions of them. I found the storyline entertaining as well, but did find certain parts a little repetitive. I didn't mind the repetitiveness, but sometimes did wish the plot would move on.
Thank you NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for the eARC!
Second Pocket First was a little different from what I typically read, but overall it was a very fun book. There is quite a bit of humor that landed for me. The characters are all kind of oddballs who are hard to get a read on, likely, in part, due to Issey's perceptions of them. I found the storyline entertaining as well, but did find certain parts a little repetitive. I didn't mind the repetitiveness, but sometimes did wish the plot would move on.
Thank you NetGalley and Black Rose Writing for the eARC!
July 23, 2025
If you’re looking for a break from the chaos of real life, this book is your ticket. It’s funny, it’s offbeat, and it doesn’t take itself too seriously—which is exactly the point. Issey, our eccentric, self-proclaimed criminal mastermind (who’s actually terrible at thieving), is a total riot. I laughed out loud more than once and constantly found myself rooting for him… while also begging him to make better choices.
Set in the charmingly odd town of Bell River Valley, Vermont, the story follows Issey’s misadventures as he stumbles into becoming an accidental hero. The title? Absolute perfection once you realize its deeper meaning.
This book is snarky, sarcastic, and totally fun. If you like quirky characters, unpredictable plots, and stories that leave you grinning, don’t miss this one. It’s a quick, hilarious escape—just what the doctor ordered.
Set in the charmingly odd town of Bell River Valley, Vermont, the story follows Issey’s misadventures as he stumbles into becoming an accidental hero. The title? Absolute perfection once you realize its deeper meaning.
This book is snarky, sarcastic, and totally fun. If you like quirky characters, unpredictable plots, and stories that leave you grinning, don’t miss this one. It’s a quick, hilarious escape—just what the doctor ordered.
April 24, 2025
Issey is the master of the art of burglary. Or so he thinks. His style is reminiscent of a gentleman burgler but he just isn’t very good at it. I found him to be a quirky and entertaining character, with a rather unusual sense of style, which had me quietly grinning. All the way through the book I kept wavering as to whether I liked him or not, as sometimes I would think aww bless him to thinking you really are an idiot. There’s a great set of other characters as well and I real enjoyed his interaction with local cop, Davenport.
Second Pocket First was a quick, easy read, and definitely a different take on the crime genre. Hopefully Gregory is already planning the next outing for Issey as I would certainly be interested in finding out what life has in store for him next.
Second Pocket First was a quick, easy read, and definitely a different take on the crime genre. Hopefully Gregory is already planning the next outing for Issey as I would certainly be interested in finding out what life has in store for him next.
May 31, 2025
Second Pocket First by Gregory Grosvenor is such a fun quirky novel that I really enjoyed reading.
Issey is the main character and a thief, a funny one and calls himself a "gentleman burglar" which is hilarious.
Truth is Issey is a terrible thief, but he thinks he is the best. The story is told in the third person in Issey's point of view.
His character is so funny and unique.
The setting is in Issey's hometown of Bell River, Vermont and we see him as he commits the crimes and how the town celebrates him.
This is a unique, fun read that I really enjoyed.
Issey is the main character and a thief, a funny one and calls himself a "gentleman burglar" which is hilarious.
Truth is Issey is a terrible thief, but he thinks he is the best. The story is told in the third person in Issey's point of view.
His character is so funny and unique.
The setting is in Issey's hometown of Bell River, Vermont and we see him as he commits the crimes and how the town celebrates him.
This is a unique, fun read that I really enjoyed.
June 28, 2025
This is a story of an underdog. Issey believes himself to be a good thief. Yet, he is an awkward duck, making mistakes and foolish decisions, and is focused on his fashion. Yet, he is kind and sweet, not what you’d expect for a burglar.
I’m not sure how to describe this story, except that it’s filled with thievery and missteps, dark humor, and a touch of silliness. The setting is a quaint, small town in Vermont, which adds charm, coziness, and a sense of community. But it's Issey’s stumbling, bumbling into hero-dom that had me laughing.
Odd and unique, but definitely fun and charming.
3.5⭐️
Thank you to @suzyapprovedbooktours and @gregory.grosvenor for the gifted book.
June 17, 2025
This book was a perfect escape and a quick read for me.
Issy considers himself a gentleman thief. Armed with pick pocket tools and slummy turtle necks he’s a bit stupid and gets confused easily. But when he returns home to Vermont's Bell River Valley and with the holidays he has his eyes opened to all the possibilities. But when an incident occurs and he falls backwards into becoming the town hero, shocked this hero persona brings wealth and even a love interest. Someone from his past trappers and threatens to turn everything upside down. I loved it and how it was written in third person!
Issy considers himself a gentleman thief. Armed with pick pocket tools and slummy turtle necks he’s a bit stupid and gets confused easily. But when he returns home to Vermont's Bell River Valley and with the holidays he has his eyes opened to all the possibilities. But when an incident occurs and he falls backwards into becoming the town hero, shocked this hero persona brings wealth and even a love interest. Someone from his past trappers and threatens to turn everything upside down. I loved it and how it was written in third person!
July 2, 2025
Issey was a quirky and unique character and I liked watching him navigate the trouble he found himself in. It did take me a little bit to get into but the humor in Issey’s perception of stealing was entertaining. It has some cozy mystery vibes and the writing style was easy to read. The mystery of Issey trying to figure out how he came into possession of some things fit his personality. It was a fast read and the ending really pulled everything together for me.
Thank you @gregory.grosvenor_author @suzyapprovedbooktours for the gifted copy.
Thank you @gregory.grosvenor_author @suzyapprovedbooktours for the gifted copy.
October 6, 2025
Meet Issey: gentleman burglar, turtleneck enthusiast, and the most unintentionally lovable misfit you’ll ever root for. When his career of low-stakes thefts gets him booted from Boston’s criminal scene, he returns to his sleepy Vermont hometown...and promptly stumbles into hero status.
Grosvenor balances quirky humour with surprising emotional depth. Some moments meander, but the charm never wears thin. It’s stylish, strange in the most alluring way, and quietly touching.
Not quite a caper. Not quite a coming-of-age. But definitely worth pocketing.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Grosvenor balances quirky humour with surprising emotional depth. Some moments meander, but the charm never wears thin. It’s stylish, strange in the most alluring way, and quietly touching.
Not quite a caper. Not quite a coming-of-age. But definitely worth pocketing.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 26, 2025
Unique quirky characters draw me in every time and Issey is definitely a new favorite. His story is well-written and full of comedic moments set in a beautiful quaint Vermont town that just happens to be where he grew up and becomes an unexpected hero. Will Issey's thieving ways catch up with him? You're going to have to read this one and I hope you enjoy the fun ride as much as I did.
I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
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