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Lone Wolf #1
The Lone Wolf
The origin story of the Lone Wolf, master criminal with a conscience
One rainy winter night, an orphan is abandoned to the care of a shabby Parisian inn called Troyon's. For the next eleven years, the boy is up before dawn to clean and fetch and serve, his only respite the closet to which he retires at night and the books he pilfers from the hotel's guests. A few francs here and there also find their way into his pockets, but not so much that anyone would notice--anyone, that is, except Bourke, the cultivated Irish thief who regularly hides out at Troyon's. Caught red-handed, the amateur outwits the professional. Turn me over to the innkeepers, he says, and I'll go to the police with everything I know about you. Astonished, Bourke takes the boy under his wing and teaches him how to be a master criminal. The most important lesson? Be friendless.
Years later, Michael Lanyard--known to the authorities only as the Lone Wolf--is the world's greatest jewel thief. When a ruthless gang of outlaws threatens to expose him unless he joins their "pack," Lanyard vows to give up crime rather than violate Bourke's code. Only a beautiful American girl and a sinister German spy stand in his way.
Louis Joseph Vance's groundbreaking series introduced a new turn of phrase to the language and gave American literature one of its most iconic characters.
This ebook features a new introduction by Otto Penzler and has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.
One rainy winter night, an orphan is abandoned to the care of a shabby Parisian inn called Troyon's. For the next eleven years, the boy is up before dawn to clean and fetch and serve, his only respite the closet to which he retires at night and the books he pilfers from the hotel's guests. A few francs here and there also find their way into his pockets, but not so much that anyone would notice--anyone, that is, except Bourke, the cultivated Irish thief who regularly hides out at Troyon's. Caught red-handed, the amateur outwits the professional. Turn me over to the innkeepers, he says, and I'll go to the police with everything I know about you. Astonished, Bourke takes the boy under his wing and teaches him how to be a master criminal. The most important lesson? Be friendless.
Years later, Michael Lanyard--known to the authorities only as the Lone Wolf--is the world's greatest jewel thief. When a ruthless gang of outlaws threatens to expose him unless he joins their "pack," Lanyard vows to give up crime rather than violate Bourke's code. Only a beautiful American girl and a sinister German spy stand in his way.
Louis Joseph Vance's groundbreaking series introduced a new turn of phrase to the language and gave American literature one of its most iconic characters.
This ebook features a new introduction by Otto Penzler and has been professionally proofread to ensure accuracy and readability on all devices.
221 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1914
76 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
Louis Joseph Vance
187 books6 followersLouis Joseph Vance was a novelist educated in the preparatory department of the Brooklyn Polytechnic Institute. He wrote short stories and verse after 1901, then composed many popular novels. His character "Michael Lanyard", also known as "The Lone Wolf", was featured in eight books and 24 films between 1914 and 1949, and also appeared in radio and television series.
Vance was separated from his wife (whom he married in 1898 and by whom he had a son the next year) when he was found dead in a burnt armchair inside his New York apartment; a cigarette had ignited some benzene (used for cleaning his clothes or for his broken jaw) that he had on his body and he was intoxicated at the time. He had recently returned from the West Indies, where he gathered material for a new book. The death was ruled accidental.
Vance was separated from his wife (whom he married in 1898 and by whom he had a son the next year) when he was found dead in a burnt armchair inside his New York apartment; a cigarette had ignited some benzene (used for cleaning his clothes or for his broken jaw) that he had on his body and he was intoxicated at the time. He had recently returned from the West Indies, where he gathered material for a new book. The death was ruled accidental.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 11, 2023
Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰
This is a free kindle e-book novel from Amazon by Louis Joseph Vance book one of a four book series.
I listened 🎶 to this as part of The Victorian Rouge Megapack. It is a interesting 👀 story of a young boy 👦 working at the hotel and restaurant while working as a night 🌙 time thief. He meets up with an Irish thief leaving with him leading to a career as a thief.
I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of international mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 😀👒😮🏡
This is a free kindle e-book novel from Amazon by Louis Joseph Vance book one of a four book series.
I listened 🎶 to this as part of The Victorian Rouge Megapack. It is a interesting 👀 story of a young boy 👦 working at the hotel and restaurant while working as a night 🌙 time thief. He meets up with an Irish thief leaving with him leading to a career as a thief.
I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of international mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 😀👒😮🏡
October 6, 2012
I dip again in the books from the library discard pile. The Lone Wolf caught my attention because of Phillip Jose Farmer's Wold Newton Universe. Farmer, indulging his not so inner fanboy, created a family tree that included many of the characters he read about growing up. The gentleman thief Michael Lanyard, The Lone Wolf, being one of these.
To say the prose in this 1914 book is a little melodramatic would be an understatement. That does not mean it is not fun. If anything read this to see how storytelling has changed over the years. While the prose is a bit stilted at times, and there is very little in the way of character development, Vance packs more story into 224 pages than many of today's standard 600 page paperbacks.
Lanyard. some have argued is a prototype for The Saint. Except here we do not get any indication of Lanyard eventually doing more good than evil. We see him commit only one theft. We do see him elect to leave behind his life of crime, and Vance makes some attempt at character development here.
Do not misunderstand, this is a fun read. But, I think one should also read it with a critical eye towards the differences between 1914 and 2012 books.
To say the prose in this 1914 book is a little melodramatic would be an understatement. That does not mean it is not fun. If anything read this to see how storytelling has changed over the years. While the prose is a bit stilted at times, and there is very little in the way of character development, Vance packs more story into 224 pages than many of today's standard 600 page paperbacks.
Lanyard. some have argued is a prototype for The Saint. Except here we do not get any indication of Lanyard eventually doing more good than evil. We see him commit only one theft. We do see him elect to leave behind his life of crime, and Vance makes some attempt at character development here.
Do not misunderstand, this is a fun read. But, I think one should also read it with a critical eye towards the differences between 1914 and 2012 books.
September 28, 2022
“I’d like to believe you. But when you ask me to sign articles with that damned assassin—!” “You can’t play our game with clean hands.”
Entertaining, but not as Vance intended. Published in 1914, the stilted prose mimics the previous century. It’s an adventure/mystery/romance novel with an anti-hero protagonist. Anticipates the private detective novels of several decades later.
From its terrific speed the cab came to a stop within twice its length.
Set in Paris before the Great War, but Germans are already heavies. Anticipates international crime organizations too. Much of Vance’s description of automobile and aeroplane performance defies current knowledge, but is assumed to be cutting edge then. A fun read, especially for those who know a bit about The Great War.
And a secret between two is—a prolific breeder of platitudes!
Entertaining, but not as Vance intended. Published in 1914, the stilted prose mimics the previous century. It’s an adventure/mystery/romance novel with an anti-hero protagonist. Anticipates the private detective novels of several decades later.
From its terrific speed the cab came to a stop within twice its length.
Set in Paris before the Great War, but Germans are already heavies. Anticipates international crime organizations too. Much of Vance’s description of automobile and aeroplane performance defies current knowledge, but is assumed to be cutting edge then. A fun read, especially for those who know a bit about The Great War.
And a secret between two is—a prolific breeder of platitudes!
May 12, 2020
Fairly entertaining first book in a classic, once wildly popular series of mysteries featuring jewel thief turned private detective Michael Lanyard. This is pretty much the character's origin story, following his childhood, the life of crime he embarks on, and how and why he turns his back on it. Occasionally a bit slow (it felt like it was at least twice as long as the page count would have one believe) and overly heavy on the melodrama, but overall not a bad read.
October 31, 2020
Michael Lanyard is an international jewel thief, nicknamed "the Lone Wolf" by the authorities. Having come to Paris after a particularly successful heist in England, Lanyard is approached by four criminals calling themselves "the Pack", and insisting that Lanyard join them. He rejects their demands, creating enemies of them. In the meantime, he falls in love with a young American woman, Lucy, who works for one of the criminals as his nurse. He vows to go straight for her sake, starting a series of events that lead to him being framed for murder, nearly murdered himself, at risk in a car chase, and finally in a near deadly biplane adventure, as he and Lucy try to escape to France to start a new life.
This book is subtitled "a melodrama", and there is good reason for that. It is dramatic and exciting, and thoroughly over the top. The characters are not fully developed, and the prose could certainly be better, but the plot is completely engaging, with some excellent twists. The Lone Wolf is a fun read for those who can appreciate it as a product of la Belle Époque and the Edwardian era.
This book is subtitled "a melodrama", and there is good reason for that. It is dramatic and exciting, and thoroughly over the top. The characters are not fully developed, and the prose could certainly be better, but the plot is completely engaging, with some excellent twists. The Lone Wolf is a fun read for those who can appreciate it as a product of la Belle Époque and the Edwardian era.
February 2, 2015
This is an interesting origin story. I'm it starts out dark, as many do, and becomes lighter and darker in turns as it
The story is of an English boy brought to Paris under mysterious circumstances, who becomes the dogsbody of Troyon's, a seemingly seedy and very French hotel.
The boy grows into thievery, and is one day both caught in the act and made the "apprentice" of a gentlemen jewel thief.
The general action of the story follows the return of our hero to Troyon's many years later. And conspiracy and mayhem follow.
I found the story a bit dour, but overall enjoyable, and the end left me wanting to find out what happens next - having gone through so many changes and plans, twisting and turning in the clutches of our villains.
I don't want to spoil the story by saying more, but if you like action and intrigue with a very small bit of romance, I believe you will enjoy this book.
The story is of an English boy brought to Paris under mysterious circumstances, who becomes the dogsbody of Troyon's, a seemingly seedy and very French hotel.
The boy grows into thievery, and is one day both caught in the act and made the "apprentice" of a gentlemen jewel thief.
The general action of the story follows the return of our hero to Troyon's many years later. And conspiracy and mayhem follow.
I found the story a bit dour, but overall enjoyable, and the end left me wanting to find out what happens next - having gone through so many changes and plans, twisting and turning in the clutches of our villains.
I don't want to spoil the story by saying more, but if you like action and intrigue with a very small bit of romance, I believe you will enjoy this book.
February 2, 2018
I've read this book three times now and enjoyed it each go round. Yes, the female lead is rather unremarkable and yes, Michael Lanyard's "Redemption" is a bit too abrupt, but still he's a great character that cast a long shadow over popular fiction (books, movies, and radio) for many years to come. While Vance's prose can be a bit wordy at times, his seeming first hand knowledge of Paris is terrific and then the novel concludes with what must be one of the very first airplane battles in fiction. Recommended reading.
April 5, 2011
It was awesome! I loved how the dashing Lanyard changed when he meet the mysterious Miss Shannon {although I wasn't much impressed with her: she reminded me of Jane Porter and that idiotic girl from The Scarlet Pimpernel}. :) It was a very well written, wonderfully descriptive yet well balanced, grand, exciting action-packed adventure! Definately can't wait to read the sequels!!
April 23, 2025
This is a difficult one to rate.
Does it do the main job of a thriller, to keep the action moving and the reader engaged? It does, or did for me, despite the sometimes dire melodrama of the prose:
Is the main character relatable, despite being a criminal? He is; we're first introduced to him as a confused five-year-old being brought to France, apparently from England, by a mysterious man who places him with an uncaring foster-family who run a restaurant and lodging-house. They give him a new name, and he forgets his old one, which we don't learn (in this book, at least; his origin is not yet revealed), and exploit his labour once he's old enough to work. He largely educates himself, and as a teenager talks a criminal who stays at the lodging-house into taking him along as a kind of apprentice. This is highly successful, and by the time his criminal mentor dies (of natural causes), he is an expert housebreaker.
But he doesn't stay a criminal. Most of the book is taken up by his adventures after he decides to reform. Like Arsene Lupin (who is name-checked) and the less-known Cleek: the Man of the Forty Faces, he does so because he falls in love with a woman he happens to encounter. (After all, what other motivation could a criminal have for reforming? Let's not bring religion into this; that would be completely at odds with the spirit of the times.)
"Happens to encounter" is a phrase that could be used at least five times of events in this book, which relies heavily on coincidental meetings to advance its plot. This is one of its several weaknesses, alongside melodramatic and overwrought prose, a weak romance plot (the Lone Wolf falls for the woman almost as soon as they meet and without actually knowing anything about her, and they don't spend much time together before she reciprocates; there's no real development of the relationship before or after their declarations to each other), and occasional casual racism against both black people and Jews.
Overall, for me, the weaknesses outweighed the strengths, and it's not a recommendation, even though it did keep me engaged to the end. Apparently afterwards the hero becomes some kind of operative, like the later character The Saint, but I'm not interested enough to follow his further adventures.
Does it do the main job of a thriller, to keep the action moving and the reader engaged? It does, or did for me, despite the sometimes dire melodrama of the prose:
But as minutes sped it became apparent that there was to be no renewed attempt upon his life for the time being. The pursuers could afford to wait. They could afford to ape the patience of Death itself.
And it came then to Lanyard that he drove no more alone: Death was his passenger.
Is the main character relatable, despite being a criminal? He is; we're first introduced to him as a confused five-year-old being brought to France, apparently from England, by a mysterious man who places him with an uncaring foster-family who run a restaurant and lodging-house. They give him a new name, and he forgets his old one, which we don't learn (in this book, at least; his origin is not yet revealed), and exploit his labour once he's old enough to work. He largely educates himself, and as a teenager talks a criminal who stays at the lodging-house into taking him along as a kind of apprentice. This is highly successful, and by the time his criminal mentor dies (of natural causes), he is an expert housebreaker.
But he doesn't stay a criminal. Most of the book is taken up by his adventures after he decides to reform. Like Arsene Lupin (who is name-checked) and the less-known Cleek: the Man of the Forty Faces, he does so because he falls in love with a woman he happens to encounter. (After all, what other motivation could a criminal have for reforming? Let's not bring religion into this; that would be completely at odds with the spirit of the times.)
"Happens to encounter" is a phrase that could be used at least five times of events in this book, which relies heavily on coincidental meetings to advance its plot. This is one of its several weaknesses, alongside melodramatic and overwrought prose, a weak romance plot (the Lone Wolf falls for the woman almost as soon as they meet and without actually knowing anything about her, and they don't spend much time together before she reciprocates; there's no real development of the relationship before or after their declarations to each other), and occasional casual racism against both black people and Jews.
Overall, for me, the weaknesses outweighed the strengths, and it's not a recommendation, even though it did keep me engaged to the end. Apparently afterwards the hero becomes some kind of operative, like the later character The Saint, but I'm not interested enough to follow his further adventures.
April 17, 2024
A romantic adventure story of a "Gentleman" thief,
Rather longwinded emotional self-discovery,
One instance of racial vulgarity (dude had issues with black musicians),
Not the normal usage of French (foreign to English) dialog that drives us ignorant Americans nuts that normally permeate books set in Europe etc.
Rather longwinded emotional self-discovery,
One instance of racial vulgarity (dude had issues with black musicians),
Not the normal usage of French (foreign to English) dialog that drives us ignorant Americans nuts that normally permeate books set in Europe etc.
November 9, 2025
Interesting espionage vintage novel
I enjoyed the story, especially the ending although not at all expected. I have a difficult time enjoying vintage novels. The writing style and language of vintage novels takes a while for me to understand. It is never a fast read. I slow down, pay attention to the vocabulary, sentence structure, and enjoy the story.
I enjoyed the story, especially the ending although not at all expected. I have a difficult time enjoying vintage novels. The writing style and language of vintage novels takes a while for me to understand. It is never a fast read. I slow down, pay attention to the vocabulary, sentence structure, and enjoy the story.
March 27, 2025
Started well, but the the style left me confused and frustrated. DNF
May 12, 2023
I remember reading The Lone Wolf in my teens while I was going through a phase where I was sampling distinct pulp literature. I mean if Burroughs, Howard, and Doyle started as pulp writers, then perhaps other treasured writers might be found in the genre. Louis Joseph Vance came as a recommend from my favorite librarian, Mrs. Palladino. Now, as I completed this novel, I chose to focus on the subtitle: A Melodrama, which in this case translates to over wordy ephemera. Sure, there are some exciting aspects to the story, but there are also long expository dumps that serve to lengthen scenes that would have benefited with a more staccato pace.
Michael Lanyard is a very successful thief. When he returns to Paris after a lucrative caper, he is invited to join a criminal organization of thieves. When he rejects their offer, he becomes the target of a campaign to compel his cooperation, while simultaneously falling in love with the nurse of one of the conspirators. The chase throughout Paris is harrowing, although the poor character development impedes some of that joy. My initial desire was to read the entirety of the series. (I own the eight books which are available for free on Amazon Kindle acquired almost 10 years ago.) I'm glad I read the first book, but I don't really want to read any more of the Lone Wolf or his son. An OK classic, but not much more than that. Give me Doc Savage, Conan, Tarzan, Holmes, or John Carter, any day, everyday rather than Lanyard. This is my #40 of 50 from my Over 5 Years TBR.
Michael Lanyard is a very successful thief. When he returns to Paris after a lucrative caper, he is invited to join a criminal organization of thieves. When he rejects their offer, he becomes the target of a campaign to compel his cooperation, while simultaneously falling in love with the nurse of one of the conspirators. The chase throughout Paris is harrowing, although the poor character development impedes some of that joy. My initial desire was to read the entirety of the series. (I own the eight books which are available for free on Amazon Kindle acquired almost 10 years ago.) I'm glad I read the first book, but I don't really want to read any more of the Lone Wolf or his son. An OK classic, but not much more than that. Give me Doc Savage, Conan, Tarzan, Holmes, or John Carter, any day, everyday rather than Lanyard. This is my #40 of 50 from my Over 5 Years TBR.
March 15, 2016
Apparently, this guy wrote a boat-load of "Lone Wolf" books. It appears further that the "Lone Wolf" books morphed into a series of about two dozen movies (half a dozen silent ones). I'm not sure I ever heard of them before. Given that this first book came out when my dad was 8, and given that I have an impression that he rather liked swash-buckling adventure when he was young, I'm a bit surprised at my ignorance. After all, I knew all about The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Prisoner of Zenda, and Treasure Island (all of which are far superior to The Lone Wolf). Whatever, I found this book at a church book sale and figured it might be a fun change from real literature. It's essentially pulp mystery fiction from the early 20th century.
As pulp fiction goes, I suppose it's ok, although I wasn't much taken by it. There's little character development and lots of improbable action, action that makes no sense. The main character is a master burgler who also poses as a collector of fine art. His guiding principle is to avoid entanglements with all people, especially women. So, he sees a young woman, dining with some older men, falls instantly in love and reforms, after which, people keep trying to kill him in devious ways. Or something like that.
The whole thing seemed stupid to me. But it has all the elements of exciting adventure, people being shadowed, car chases, bullets flying, bodies with slit throats, beautiful women inexplicably showing up at strange venues in the middle of the night, and even an airplane chase (only a mere 11 years after the Wright Brothers).
Conceivably I'll read another in the series. They are, after all, all out of copyright. But I've read a lot of cheesy fiction that is much better written and more compelling. I think I'll search out more of that when I need a break.
As pulp fiction goes, I suppose it's ok, although I wasn't much taken by it. There's little character development and lots of improbable action, action that makes no sense. The main character is a master burgler who also poses as a collector of fine art. His guiding principle is to avoid entanglements with all people, especially women. So, he sees a young woman, dining with some older men, falls instantly in love and reforms, after which, people keep trying to kill him in devious ways. Or something like that.
The whole thing seemed stupid to me. But it has all the elements of exciting adventure, people being shadowed, car chases, bullets flying, bodies with slit throats, beautiful women inexplicably showing up at strange venues in the middle of the night, and even an airplane chase (only a mere 11 years after the Wright Brothers).
Conceivably I'll read another in the series. They are, after all, all out of copyright. But I've read a lot of cheesy fiction that is much better written and more compelling. I think I'll search out more of that when I need a break.
November 12, 2010
Supposedly an inspiration for The Saint, THE LONE WOLF came fourteen years before Simon Templar and had seen five novels by the time of Meet The Tiger. The two are similar: Jewel thieves and gentleman adventurers who have a propensity to help the downtrodden.
This time it's a young woman who keeps popping up amidst Michael Lanyard's own problems, soon capturing his heart. The Paris underground has ferreted out the Lone Wolf's identity and wants in, half the proceeds from his heists.
He's known as the Lone Wolf for a reason and refuses. Now he has to get get himself and his new love out of Paris. Not an easy task.
This time it's a young woman who keeps popping up amidst Michael Lanyard's own problems, soon capturing his heart. The Paris underground has ferreted out the Lone Wolf's identity and wants in, half the proceeds from his heists.
He's known as the Lone Wolf for a reason and refuses. Now he has to get get himself and his new love out of Paris. Not an easy task.
February 2, 2015
Continuing my reading of Victorian adventure stories, I hit upon 'The Lone Wolf'. This is absolutely splendid - a story of a poor Parisien boy (with mysterious origins, natch) -who grows up to be a jewel-thieving adventurer in early 1900s Paris and London. The writing in miles above the usual pulp, and while there's a teeny bit too much moral soul searching for my taste -the descriptions of the break-ins and low life Paris are fantastic.
February 25, 2015
Old-fashioned Fun
The ending was exciting and surprising, but disappointing for reasons best not disclosed without spoiling the story. Many will like it, however.
The ending was exciting and surprising, but disappointing for reasons best not disclosed without spoiling the story. Many will like it, however.
May 13, 2016
read some time in 1991
August 2, 2016
Good book
You people should just read this novel yourselves and write your own review on this novel. I really enjoyed reading this novel very much so. Shelley MA
You people should just read this novel yourselves and write your own review on this novel. I really enjoyed reading this novel very much so. Shelley MA
Want to read
September 14, 2018Synopsis: the Lone Wolf was Michael Lanyard, a jewel thief turned PI. He was featured in eight books and twenty four films.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews