What do you think?
Rate this book
Van Shaw #6
Island of Thieves
When a new security gig turns into a setup, expert thief Van Shaw finds himself the prey in a cross-country pursuit—in this electrifying sixth novel in Glen Erik Hamilton’s pulse-pounding and emotionally resonant thriller series. Van Shaw is hired to evaluate the safeguards for the art collection of eccentric business magnate Sebastien Rohner. Then Rohner reveals to Van the real reason he’s been to prevent another professional burglar from stealing the art. Rohner wants to set a thief to catch a thief. While questioning the bizarre nature of the job, Van accepts the lucrative offer and arrives at the island estate during an international summit that Rohner is hosting. Shortly after beginning his surveillance of Rohner’s highly secure gallery wing, Van stumbles across the murdered body of one of the honored guests along the rocky shore. Wary of Rohner’s true intentions, Van knows the homicide detectives on the case—and perhaps Rohner as well—think he’s the prime suspect and will turn his life upside down in their search for proof. Van begins to hunt for the killer himself, but scrutiny only digs his hole deeper, as one of Rohner’s own executives is then killed and the Seattle police find concrete evidence placing Van at the scene. With no other options, he goes on the run, alone and unaided. He’s hunted by the cops, the enraged Rohner, and a pair of psychopathic hitmen who chase Van from one coast to the next. To clear his name, Van Shaw will have to uncover the hidden motive of corporate espionage at a global level, even with a band of killers on his tail who are determined to add Van to their growing list of victims.
452 pages, Hardcover
First published July 27, 2021
93 people are currently reading
2132 people want to read
About the author
Glen Erik Hamilton
11 books297 followersGlen Erik Hamilton writes crime thrillers. His novels have been called “outstanding” (Publishers Weekly), “perfect mix of serious crime and caper movie” (Criminal Element), and “a must-read series” (Mystery Scene Magazine).
Hamilton's debut novel Past Crimes won the Anthony, Macavity, and Strand Magazine Critics Awards, and was also nominated for the Edgar®, Barry, and Nero Awards. Kirkus called Past Crimes “an exciting heir to the classic detective novel.” Each of his subsequent books in the Van Shaw series have earned starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and more, and been published in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Turkey, the Czech Republic, and Japan.
Glen grew up aboard a sailboat in Seattle, Washington, and around the islands, marinas, and commercial docks of the Pacific Northwest. He served as President of the Southern California chapter of Mystery Writers of America from 2018-2019 and is also a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime. He lives near Los Angeles with his family and openly acknowledges his addiction to Columbo.
Hamilton's debut novel Past Crimes won the Anthony, Macavity, and Strand Magazine Critics Awards, and was also nominated for the Edgar®, Barry, and Nero Awards. Kirkus called Past Crimes “an exciting heir to the classic detective novel.” Each of his subsequent books in the Van Shaw series have earned starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, and more, and been published in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Turkey, the Czech Republic, and Japan.
Glen grew up aboard a sailboat in Seattle, Washington, and around the islands, marinas, and commercial docks of the Pacific Northwest. He served as President of the Southern California chapter of Mystery Writers of America from 2018-2019 and is also a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime. He lives near Los Angeles with his family and openly acknowledges his addiction to Columbo.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
August 1, 2021
A tech billionaire hires Van for security. Of course, the job is a decoy, and soon enough Van finds himself on the run from the cops, the crooks, and a bunch of thugs working for a private investigator. He criss-crosses the country.
Very fast moving, with lots of action.
Very fast moving, with lots of action.
August 16, 2021
You need a thief to catch a thief. But who is the thief? Island of Thieves by Glen Erik Hamilton is the latest Van Shaw mystery. Van is hired to cath someone from stealing art but is that really what it's all about? Something is not right. Shaw needs the money for helping youths and he takes the risk even though he thinks that there's something strange going on. It doesn't take long before there's a murder or two and Van is on the run. They thought they had found a scapegoat but they didn't do their homework. This is a wild ride from coast to coast with many twist and turns. Who can you trust? I have been a fan of Hamilton and this series since the first book and I can only hope that with the move back to Seattle he gets inspiration for many more. I strongly recommend that you try these out.
July 1, 2022
While interesting, this was exceedingly longer than it needed to be.
There is a lot of filler in here.
Like describing the horizon in great depth instead of focusing on the phone call in progress.
Seriously? There was zero reasoning for it. It did not fit into the story, or change the mood.
Things like this just pulled me out of the story instead.
Still decent, just wish it were a bit more focused on the story instead of the things in the background.
There is a lot of filler in here.
Like describing the horizon in great depth instead of focusing on the phone call in progress.
Seriously? There was zero reasoning for it. It did not fit into the story, or change the mood.
Things like this just pulled me out of the story instead.
Still decent, just wish it were a bit more focused on the story instead of the things in the background.
February 19, 2023
Hamilton’s 6th and latest book in the Van Shaw series is a solid addition to a very good series. I had a chance to meet the author at the Poisoned Pen Bookstore in Scottsdale during a co-appearance with Brad Parks. It was a treat to hear them talk about their latest books, their writing process and the authors they like to read.
✍️
Great sense of setting and attention to plot, but the character hasn’t been developing enough for me like I was hoping for in the last two books. I’m hoping to see more depth, character traits and personality if the series continues.
✍️
Great sense of setting and attention to plot, but the character hasn’t been developing enough for me like I was hoping for in the last two books. I’m hoping to see more depth, character traits and personality if the series continues.
August 16, 2021
Van Shaw is one of the more interesting characters inhabiting the crowded world of contemporary thriller fiction. Glen Erik Hamilton’s creation is the grandson of a legendary master thief. Shaw learned the trade and a great deal of wisdom at his grandfather’s side, and thus inherited more than tools and connections. This has not prevented him from getting into trouble but ultimately assists him in getting out of it. He needs all the help he can get in ISLAND OF THIEVES, the sixth and latest installment in this heralded series.
The plot is somewhat complex. Shaw, through his own on-again, off-again legal counsel, is contacted by a representative of Sebastien Rohner, an eccentric and enigmatic business magnate who has a number of scientific and high-tech interests. Rohner hires Shaw to test and evaluate the safeguards that surround his extensive art collection. Shaw passed the test with flying colors but learns that it is merely the first step in his employment with Rohner, who wants him to guard the entire collection against possible theft. The money offer is an excellent one that Shaw cannot refuse, despite some misgivings.
Shaw’s doubt is well-placed. He barely has gotten boots on the ground at Rohner’s island estate, where the billionaire is hosting an international summit, when an important guest is murdered. Due to his checkered background, Shaw is considered to be the prime suspect by the police as well as his new employer. When a second employee of Rohner is killed, and a witness identifies Shaw as being in the immediate facility, he is arrested.
Shaw quickly escapes and is on the run, not only to clear his name but also to identify the real villains. This task takes him from Seattle to New York and back again, with the cat-and-mouse vignettes at which Hamilton excels being liberally sprinkled throughout the book. Resolution takes place where the plot kicked off --- on Rohner’s island retreat --- with a touch of subtle irony to keep things interesting.
Sometimes the number of individuals and layers to the story had me at sea, and I had to go back to determine why certain events were taking place. But the book’s saving grace is the propensity of interesting adversarial characters --- two in particular --- and the frequency with which Shaw has to think on his feet (and with his hands) to get himself out of a jam. Those who have been with Shaw for a while will find much to love here as they follow the thread to the next installment of the series, which hopefully will reveal itself sooner rather than later.
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
The plot is somewhat complex. Shaw, through his own on-again, off-again legal counsel, is contacted by a representative of Sebastien Rohner, an eccentric and enigmatic business magnate who has a number of scientific and high-tech interests. Rohner hires Shaw to test and evaluate the safeguards that surround his extensive art collection. Shaw passed the test with flying colors but learns that it is merely the first step in his employment with Rohner, who wants him to guard the entire collection against possible theft. The money offer is an excellent one that Shaw cannot refuse, despite some misgivings.
Shaw’s doubt is well-placed. He barely has gotten boots on the ground at Rohner’s island estate, where the billionaire is hosting an international summit, when an important guest is murdered. Due to his checkered background, Shaw is considered to be the prime suspect by the police as well as his new employer. When a second employee of Rohner is killed, and a witness identifies Shaw as being in the immediate facility, he is arrested.
Shaw quickly escapes and is on the run, not only to clear his name but also to identify the real villains. This task takes him from Seattle to New York and back again, with the cat-and-mouse vignettes at which Hamilton excels being liberally sprinkled throughout the book. Resolution takes place where the plot kicked off --- on Rohner’s island retreat --- with a touch of subtle irony to keep things interesting.
Sometimes the number of individuals and layers to the story had me at sea, and I had to go back to determine why certain events were taking place. But the book’s saving grace is the propensity of interesting adversarial characters --- two in particular --- and the frequency with which Shaw has to think on his feet (and with his hands) to get himself out of a jam. Those who have been with Shaw for a while will find much to love here as they follow the thread to the next installment of the series, which hopefully will reveal itself sooner rather than later.
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
September 22, 2021
Sometimes I just need a good fictional novel to read - a very good fictional novel. Well, I got it right here reading the ISLAND OF THIEVES. This mystery has it all. Fast-paced and a well-written story.
In this mystery, it takes a thief to catch a thief. Probably should say that it takes a thief to catch the thieves.
In this mystery, it takes a thief to catch a thief. Probably should say that it takes a thief to catch the thieves.
July 25, 2021
Van Shaw, an expert thief and retired US military, finds himself wrapped into a more complicated situation than he imagined when he agreed to work for Sebastian Drohmer to test the security of a warehouse and then a private island. This is a fast paced novel with multiple twists. Shaw - who is told that one of the visitors to the island is planning to steal precious art- discovers that there's something else going on, something involving chemicals. Things get very wild when he finds a body and then when back in Seattle, he goes looking for answers about the victim and the company. It's not often that a novel about corporate espionage is also an action thriller but that's what this is. I admit to really disliking the first book in the series and then enjoying the last one so know that Hamilton has upped his game. There are a few howlers of lines (the first line of the first chapter made me lol) but the characters are well rounded and I liked the atmospherics. The extended chase works. Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC. This is one where you need to pay attention.
October 6, 2021
Indulge me in a little fantasy I have about collaborative writing--Hamilton's Van Shaw and Nick Petrie's Peter Ash join forces to right some nefarious wrong together. Super duo--maybe also have a cameo by Hurwitz's Orphan X. A girl can dream! What these three all have in common--CH/PACE/PLOT/TONE/FRAME--gleams in this sixth in Hamilton's Van Shaw series. Read this in order for CH development. Van is all over the USA map as he untangles a plot of commercial espionage that thought he was a good fall guy because of his past as a thieve. Au contraire. A mix of interesting villains--some more resonant than others--and helpful appearances from his friends and lovers. Non-stop action after the initial slow introduction, great action sequences with just enough armament description, realistic dialogue also moves the action forward, details on food, drink, locations in Seattle, NYC, a very quick ride across the middle of the USA, the Denver Zephyr, and the island brighten the narrative and inform the plot. Slam dunk. Will look forward to #7.
September 1, 2021
3.5 STARS rounded.
Not my normal jam, but I found this novel very readable and entertaining. I was worried about jumping in to a series at book 6 (?) but aside from some interpersonal backstories I found I was able to keep up.
Not sure I would check out any other books in the series (as this is outside my thriller genre) but am happy I spent a day with this one.
Recommend for high octane, masculine, ooh-rah thriller lovers.
Not my normal jam, but I found this novel very readable and entertaining. I was worried about jumping in to a series at book 6 (?) but aside from some interpersonal backstories I found I was able to keep up.
Not sure I would check out any other books in the series (as this is outside my thriller genre) but am happy I spent a day with this one.
Recommend for high octane, masculine, ooh-rah thriller lovers.
August 5, 2021
Terrific. Complicated buy compelling plot. Great characters
September 7, 2021
Think I liked this book the best of his series so far.
October 19, 2021
Lee Child likes this author so maybe I do too! Former thief & former military - now he is being set up. When he escapes the net, will he quit chasing the bad guys?
July 25, 2021
Van Shaw is an unapologetic, unrepentant, and really good, thief. He's good at his "job," having learned it from his grandpa, and though he is supposedly rehabilitated into polite society, he, and the author, make no apologies for his lifestyle. That's refreshing in a novel. Van is also ex-military, so in the character of Shaw, Glen Erik Hamilton is able to combine heist derring-do with military acumen along with a nice dose of electronic savvy to enable Shaw to get out of and into almost any rough situation in which he finds himself (or actively seeks to enter himself).
This particular story involves corporate espionage and murder, and Van tangles himself up in both after finding himself the fall guy in the schemes of the rich and amoral. His adventure takes him cross-country in an attempt to clear his name, bring the perpetrators to justice, and right the wrongs done by the Evil Corporations.
The story is fun, suspenseful, and action-packed, though following the whys and wherefores of the motives and reasons behind the corporatists' actions was challenging. The theme of the Evil Corporation is also a little tired at this point; can we not find a more varied set of villains?
Finally a word about style: the author has a nasty and annoying fragment habit, marring an otherwise nice writing style. Here is one particularly egregious example:
"Hargreaves knew that Tucker and the others had been talking among themselves about Bao and about the lawyer, Linda Edgemont. Making their own guesses as to what had happened to each."
And another:
"Shaw cruised past [three used-car dealers] during the next hour. Taking his time to get a good look."
I'm all for bending grammatical rules when they make sense. These fragments just don't.
Finally, a word to the publisher: the best parts of the story are currently revealed in the book's jacket synopsis. If it's not too late to edit that, readers will greatly appreciate not being told half the story before they read the first page.
This particular story involves corporate espionage and murder, and Van tangles himself up in both after finding himself the fall guy in the schemes of the rich and amoral. His adventure takes him cross-country in an attempt to clear his name, bring the perpetrators to justice, and right the wrongs done by the Evil Corporations.
The story is fun, suspenseful, and action-packed, though following the whys and wherefores of the motives and reasons behind the corporatists' actions was challenging. The theme of the Evil Corporation is also a little tired at this point; can we not find a more varied set of villains?
Finally a word about style: the author has a nasty and annoying fragment habit, marring an otherwise nice writing style. Here is one particularly egregious example:
"Hargreaves knew that Tucker and the others had been talking among themselves about Bao and about the lawyer, Linda Edgemont. Making their own guesses as to what had happened to each."
And another:
"Shaw cruised past [three used-car dealers] during the next hour. Taking his time to get a good look."
I'm all for bending grammatical rules when they make sense. These fragments just don't.
Finally, a word to the publisher: the best parts of the story are currently revealed in the book's jacket synopsis. If it's not too late to edit that, readers will greatly appreciate not being told half the story before they read the first page.
September 5, 2021
I think most men would rate this a 4-5, most women a 3-4.
I rounded up from 3.5. This is a new author for me. I'm not going to go panting after another book in this series, but I did enjoy this one and consumed it quickly. I could see trying Book 1 on the page rather than hearing it narrated.
What I appreciated most:
The Seattle/San Juan Islands atmosphere is what attracted me to the story. It was well done, though I found myself wondering about some of Shaw's escapes, logistically. Not that it really mattered--it's a fantasy, after all.
I like heroes who can take a licking and keep on ticking as opposed to those who get pummeled beyond recognition and hang between life and death, again and again. (Travis McGee comes to mind, though it's been a while. He seemed to always get at least one near-fatal walloping per adventure.)
Our hero Van Shaw has mad skills and is never stupid for the sake of plot.
The book works as a standalone.
I appreciated all the clever, unpredictable twists that were straightened out nicely by the end. I was glad I hadn't read the synopsis going in.
Quibbles:
The evil is EVIL. A little more nuance, please. GREED makes the bad guys seriously underestimate Shaw, long after he's proven himself. You'd think they'd catch on faster. So, a case of stupid for the sake of plot. A lot of snarling.
The female characters didn't quite come to life, especially as voiced by Stephen Mendel--though he did a great job of voicing Shaw. Maybe someone who specializes in macho is going to inevitably make the romantic interests sound a little vapid. I suspect the female characters would have annoyed me less on the page.
The British accents were iffy.
The final standoff seemed to go on for a long, loooong time.
I rounded up from 3.5. This is a new author for me. I'm not going to go panting after another book in this series, but I did enjoy this one and consumed it quickly. I could see trying Book 1 on the page rather than hearing it narrated.
What I appreciated most:
The Seattle/San Juan Islands atmosphere is what attracted me to the story. It was well done, though I found myself wondering about some of Shaw's escapes, logistically. Not that it really mattered--it's a fantasy, after all.
I like heroes who can take a licking and keep on ticking as opposed to those who get pummeled beyond recognition and hang between life and death, again and again. (Travis McGee comes to mind, though it's been a while. He seemed to always get at least one near-fatal walloping per adventure.)
Our hero Van Shaw has mad skills and is never stupid for the sake of plot.
The book works as a standalone.
I appreciated all the clever, unpredictable twists that were straightened out nicely by the end. I was glad I hadn't read the synopsis going in.
Quibbles:
The evil is EVIL. A little more nuance, please. GREED makes the bad guys seriously underestimate Shaw, long after he's proven himself. You'd think they'd catch on faster. So, a case of stupid for the sake of plot. A lot of snarling.
The female characters didn't quite come to life, especially as voiced by Stephen Mendel--though he did a great job of voicing Shaw. Maybe someone who specializes in macho is going to inevitably make the romantic interests sound a little vapid. I suspect the female characters would have annoyed me less on the page.
The British accents were iffy.
The final standoff seemed to go on for a long, loooong time.
June 18, 2022
Van Shaw has been hired by an eccentric businessman to assess the security of the art gallery on his private island during a several day business meeting being hosted there. Van isn’t sure he believes the story he’s been given, but the money is good, so he agrees to the job. When he arrives, he finds the man’s normal security forces more hostile than expected. Then he finds a dead body on the beach. What has Van stumbled into this time?
I picked up this book expecting another thrilling adventure, and I wasn’t disappointed. The plot was a little slow in the set up, but once it got going, there were plenty of twists and action to keep us engaged. I was surprised to see the book switch to third person point of view, which made it a little harder than I expected to connect with Van again, but the multiple points of view we had for the climax made it clear why this book needed that switch. And the changes from one point of view to another were always easy to follow. I did have a little trouble connecting the characters to which side they were on, but that might be me. We do see some of the other series regulars, and I love how they bring out other sides in Van. Overall, this is another great entry in the series. If you are a fan of thrillers and you haven’t started these books yet, do so today.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
I picked up this book expecting another thrilling adventure, and I wasn’t disappointed. The plot was a little slow in the set up, but once it got going, there were plenty of twists and action to keep us engaged. I was surprised to see the book switch to third person point of view, which made it a little harder than I expected to connect with Van again, but the multiple points of view we had for the climax made it clear why this book needed that switch. And the changes from one point of view to another were always easy to follow. I did have a little trouble connecting the characters to which side they were on, but that might be me. We do see some of the other series regulars, and I love how they bring out other sides in Van. Overall, this is another great entry in the series. If you are a fan of thrillers and you haven’t started these books yet, do so today.
Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
September 29, 2021
A fast paced thriller. Van Shaw is a man with an interesting past both good and bad. He was brought up by his grandfather who was a crook and he has done a fair amount of illegal things. He is hired by a firm to supposedly protect some art from being stolen. Who knows better than a thief how to prevent a theft. Except that is not the real reason he is brought to an small private island. As he learns more about the people invited to the island he suspects that things are not what he was told. He finds a person dead and suspects foul play and then it seems as if he is being setup to take the fall.
He ends up getting arrested then broken out of jail and goes on a cross country excursion to find out what is going on and who the people are that are trying to manipulate him.
Quite an elaborate scheme is involved and there is a lot of talk about advances in a chemical formula and international spies and corporate espionage and throw in some beautiful scenery and a bit of a love interest and it makes for a very good read. Enjoy Van Shaw as a character as he is tough, not perfect but has a good side also. He uses his connections along with some brains and brawn.
Received this from Goodreads Giveaways for an honest review.
He ends up getting arrested then broken out of jail and goes on a cross country excursion to find out what is going on and who the people are that are trying to manipulate him.
Quite an elaborate scheme is involved and there is a lot of talk about advances in a chemical formula and international spies and corporate espionage and throw in some beautiful scenery and a bit of a love interest and it makes for a very good read. Enjoy Van Shaw as a character as he is tough, not perfect but has a good side also. He uses his connections along with some brains and brawn.
Received this from Goodreads Giveaways for an honest review.
December 4, 2024
Hi Friends,
My first time reading Glen Erik Hamilton and his Von Shaw series. The book works pretty good as a stand alone and while I haven’t read the previous books, I was mostly able to follow the story without knowing the backstory on some of the more peripheral characters.
A decent plot that moves along nicely, I’d gladly check out the earlier books in the series
There are a few implausible facets, but that seems more and more common within the thriller genre
I’ll admit I got the book on a discount bin raid,which probably makes me a bit generous in the rounding up to a 4 star. If I’d paid the $11.99 list price, I might’ve rounded down to 3. The book is good, decent action at times, but a suspension of disbelief is strongly recommended to truly enjoy the book
Would I recommend the novel? Yes
Would I try out at least 1 more of Hamilton’s books? Yes
Does this novel have me running off to buy the entire Van Shaw series? No
This is a great summer beach type read, it is not high drama nor superb thriller, but it is a rollicking good waste of a few hours of guilty pleasure reading
See y’all at the crossroads
My first time reading Glen Erik Hamilton and his Von Shaw series. The book works pretty good as a stand alone and while I haven’t read the previous books, I was mostly able to follow the story without knowing the backstory on some of the more peripheral characters.
A decent plot that moves along nicely, I’d gladly check out the earlier books in the series
There are a few implausible facets, but that seems more and more common within the thriller genre
I’ll admit I got the book on a discount bin raid,which probably makes me a bit generous in the rounding up to a 4 star. If I’d paid the $11.99 list price, I might’ve rounded down to 3. The book is good, decent action at times, but a suspension of disbelief is strongly recommended to truly enjoy the book
Would I recommend the novel? Yes
Would I try out at least 1 more of Hamilton’s books? Yes
Does this novel have me running off to buy the entire Van Shaw series? No
This is a great summer beach type read, it is not high drama nor superb thriller, but it is a rollicking good waste of a few hours of guilty pleasure reading
See y’all at the crossroads
July 27, 2021
Former Army Ranger and thief, Van Shaw, accepts a job to test the security in a warehouse. What he doesn’t know is that this is a set up and although he completes the assignment, he was watched the entire time. He returns the statue, that he removed from the warehouse, to the man who hired him, Sebastian Rohner. He is then asked to come to Sebastian’s estate to protect artwork that Sebastian believes someone will attempt to steal. He soon finds out that nothing is as it seems and when he is attacked, he delivers his own brand of justice. After he finds a body on the beach, things spiral out of control and he finds himself fleeing from the man who hired him and the police. A very complicated mystery and although I enjoy the Van Shaw character (and have read the previous five books) this was not one of my favorite Van Shaw books. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
November 15, 2021
I am giving my honest opinion of this book that I won through a Goodreads giveaway.
I don't know where to start, and I mean this in a very good way. Island of Thieves is a very good read and well written.
I thoroughly enjoyed the main character Van Shaw. He's ex-military with a past rooted in burglary. You don't want to mess with this man. He's intelligent and "slippery". I enjoyed following along with him as he pieces together why he was hired for a quick stay on an island. Was he hired to check the security system? Is a thief really going to get past him? Who are these people? Who killed one of the men on the island and why? How does Shaw play into any of this and who can be trusted? All of this slowly unravels and Shaw has to play detective without getting caught to save himself from prison as well as other men on the chase for him.
I haven't read any of the author's other Van Shaw books, but I'm interested now.
I don't know where to start, and I mean this in a very good way. Island of Thieves is a very good read and well written.
I thoroughly enjoyed the main character Van Shaw. He's ex-military with a past rooted in burglary. You don't want to mess with this man. He's intelligent and "slippery". I enjoyed following along with him as he pieces together why he was hired for a quick stay on an island. Was he hired to check the security system? Is a thief really going to get past him? Who are these people? Who killed one of the men on the island and why? How does Shaw play into any of this and who can be trusted? All of this slowly unravels and Shaw has to play detective without getting caught to save himself from prison as well as other men on the chase for him.
I haven't read any of the author's other Van Shaw books, but I'm interested now.
November 16, 2025
I liked the earlier Van Shaw books. I can’t say the same about this one. To me, it’s just tedious.
Except for Van and his friends, everyone here has multiple motives, multiple identities, and flexible loyalties. Even the companies have a façade hiding their true purpose. I almost had to set up a spreadsheet to keep everything and everyone straight.
I read to be entertained by a good story, not overload my brain trying to untangle the spiderweb of deceit the author has created.
I also find stories with bad guys with unlimited resources to buy whatever or whoever they need, armies of minions (legal and illegal) to do their dirty work, and power to sway or control government entities like the police more than a little unbelievable.
Island of Thieves has all of these tropes – much to my disappointment.
Sorry, Mr. Hamilton, you’ll have to do better in your next book, or your name will be scratched off my To Read list.
Except for Van and his friends, everyone here has multiple motives, multiple identities, and flexible loyalties. Even the companies have a façade hiding their true purpose. I almost had to set up a spreadsheet to keep everything and everyone straight.
I read to be entertained by a good story, not overload my brain trying to untangle the spiderweb of deceit the author has created.
I also find stories with bad guys with unlimited resources to buy whatever or whoever they need, armies of minions (legal and illegal) to do their dirty work, and power to sway or control government entities like the police more than a little unbelievable.
Island of Thieves has all of these tropes – much to my disappointment.
Sorry, Mr. Hamilton, you’ll have to do better in your next book, or your name will be scratched off my To Read list.
July 24, 2021
Van is a fascinating character. I really like that during the chase scenes (and there are a few throughout the book), Van's escapes don't seem implausible or far-fetched. The skills he uses to gain access to information also seem plausible. (I love Jack Reacher, but sometimes, his skills seem to border on a superhero.) Van relies on planning, intelligence, patience, and observational skills. I have read books one and two in this series, and then somehow, I lost track of it. I read #6 as soon as I received (from the giveaway) and other than wanting additional information about Van, Addy, and Cyndra, the rest of the book could be considered stand alone. I will definitely go back and read the two I missed.
June 15, 2022
Someone gave me this book, along with high praise. Unfortunately, this was a painful read for me. It’s very easy reading, but it took me months to slog through it as I approached each reading session with utter dread. Granted, there is nothing particularly wrong with the writing or storyline, but it just wasn’t my thing. I was instantly put off by the book because it appears to me it was written with the intent of the story being made into a movie. And if it does get made into a movie, it might do fairly well at the box office since it includes crime, espionage, money, sex and dramatic explosions. All this drama over some sort of coveted chemical sample. The storyline was just so forced and unoriginal, it was unbearable. I think a lot of people will enjoy this book, but not me!
August 3, 2021
Van Shaw is hired to evaluate the security system protecting a large art collection that belongs to a rich eccentric on a private island. He is told that there may be an attempt to steal a painting on the night of the big gala. While surveilling the scene, Van comes across a dead body. While he starts his own investigation into the murder, an executive is also found murdered. The police have evidence putting Van at the scene of the crime so he goes on the run trying to clear his name. He uncovers a corporate espionage plot related to the murders and has 2 hitmen after him. Action and suspense make this a good book.
March 18, 2023
I had forgot about Van Shaw.
I've read 1 or 2 other books in the series and then stumbled on book #6. Did not feel like I missed much by jumping around/taking a break.
A pretty OK story line. The good guys win, with a few bruises. The bad guys, for the most part lose, and a few privileged characters stay above the fray. Luke warm justice.
The pacific northwest could be considered the star of the book, especially the islands off of Seattle.
I like Van Shaw and his family/friends, but can't say I love Van Shaw and his family/friends. I am keeping it very platonic. This is a good series to tuck away and pick back up when you just need to escape with a good book.
I've read 1 or 2 other books in the series and then stumbled on book #6. Did not feel like I missed much by jumping around/taking a break.
A pretty OK story line. The good guys win, with a few bruises. The bad guys, for the most part lose, and a few privileged characters stay above the fray. Luke warm justice.
The pacific northwest could be considered the star of the book, especially the islands off of Seattle.
I like Van Shaw and his family/friends, but can't say I love Van Shaw and his family/friends. I am keeping it very platonic. This is a good series to tuck away and pick back up when you just need to escape with a good book.
July 21, 2025
A preface: I have loved every installment of Glen Erik Hamilton’s Van Shaw series. Van has swiftly become one of my favorite literary characters, and I love his supporting cast of characters.
This book, however, took me a little longer to finish. There was a great set-up, and a rousing conclusion. But the middle felt slightly padded, and the shifting narrative viewpoints felt a little forced. The corporate espionage angle seemed a strange fit for Van.
That said, the book ended well, and Van seems to be in a great place. So here’s hoping for more installments in this last excellent of series .
This book, however, took me a little longer to finish. There was a great set-up, and a rousing conclusion. But the middle felt slightly padded, and the shifting narrative viewpoints felt a little forced. The corporate espionage angle seemed a strange fit for Van.
That said, the book ended well, and Van seems to be in a great place. So here’s hoping for more installments in this last excellent of series .
September 1, 2025
This is a run and gunnum book. If you like alot of action then this is the book for you.
This is a long book, over 400 pages so there are numerous of fights, chases, shootings, double crosses, break ins, etc. The writing is adequate. It is clear the author knows his way around the Emerald City.
Van Shaw is a unique character and he is well developed. He is interesting, multifaceted and has an unusual moral compass.
I found the plot of this book to be convoluted. So much so, that the story line was difficult to follow. In addition, there were so many characters in this book. It was a chore to keep track of them all and I really didn't care about most of them.
This is a long book, over 400 pages so there are numerous of fights, chases, shootings, double crosses, break ins, etc. The writing is adequate. It is clear the author knows his way around the Emerald City.
Van Shaw is a unique character and he is well developed. He is interesting, multifaceted and has an unusual moral compass.
I found the plot of this book to be convoluted. So much so, that the story line was difficult to follow. In addition, there were so many characters in this book. It was a chore to keep track of them all and I really didn't care about most of them.
October 13, 2021
I'm not familiar with the series. After receiving this book in a Goodreads giveaway I was pleasantly surprised. First, it takes quite a while before one even begins to suspect what is at stake for the various participants. Once "our hero" begins to understand violence and danger escalate. Some of the "solutions" attempted (successful or not) truly require a good deal of thought. On the downside it's always easier to build on unique constructs than the "normal" world. The pace keeps you involved and the overall story makes for an exciting read.
January 1, 2022
My daughter won this book as part of a GoodReads giveaway. She gave it to me to read, and I really enjoyed it. I had not read the first five books in the series, so there are some things that I was not up-to-speed on at the beginning, but I think the author did a good job of filling in the necessary blanks to allow a new reader to pick this book up without having read the first five.
Good plot line and enjoyable read. I'll definitely look to pick up future books in this series and will try to catch the first few as my reading list allows.
Good plot line and enjoyable read. I'll definitely look to pick up future books in this series and will try to catch the first few as my reading list allows.
January 28, 2022
Hamilton has taken his Seattle-based mysteries to a new level with a climax that rivals the final explosive scenes of James Bond movies. Van Shaw is a former Army Ranger, a part-time bartender, and a full-time Robin Hood ... a slick thief who steals for the benefit of others. In "Island of Thieves", he accepts a consulting job to test the security of an unusual art gallery and winds up being framed for multiple murders. Just when you think that the hero is doomed, the author conjures up a complex scheme to set things right. An excellent thriller!
July 19, 2025
Shaw is offered an interesting job that is legit. He completes it without a problem and then is offered another job by the same company. This one is a little more involved and is not explained well, it is also to be very hush hush.
The job takes him to a privately owned island off of Seattle, the owner is the one who has hired him. He is shown the art gallery where the possible theft would take place. After he has checked it all out he goes to do a little search of the island.
Another great thriller with lots of surprises.
The job takes him to a privately owned island off of Seattle, the owner is the one who has hired him. He is shown the art gallery where the possible theft would take place. After he has checked it all out he goes to do a little search of the island.
Another great thriller with lots of surprises.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews