Thieves Like Us

by Stephen Cole

Book Overview

Jonah Wish, a brilliant computer hacker, is the newest addition to an elite group of teen outlaws all hired by the same mysterious benefactor, Nathaniel Coldhardt. Each of them offers a unique talent:... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1582346534
• ISBN13: 9781582346533
• Release Date: April 2006
• Publisher: Bloomsbury U.S.A. Children's Books
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.3" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

amazing book. very entertaining; recommended for sure.

this was really great. a lot of people said that the writing wasn't good or the character development was shaky, but i have to disagree. the writing, though not the most detailed in the world, was nice and flowed well most of the time. the dialogue was excellent and believable, the best i've seen in a while. i just have some problems with the unnecessary elements of the story. it seems kind of gimmicky in some parts when the author describes the bundles of riches the kids have in the mansions. but other than that, the book is fabulous. :)

Tension, action and semi-science fiction blend

Jonah is a teen computer hacker - and the latest addition to a growing group of teen outlaws hired by one Nathaniel Coldhardt. Each teen has a unique talent - and each is sent to an exotic location where they hunt for priceless ancient artifacts using their special skills - which will lead either to the secret of eternal life, or face to face with another, more deadly hunter. Tension, action and semi-science fiction blend in a satisfyingly gripping story that older teens will enjoy.

Indiana Jones Crossed with Sneakers - A Fun Romp

Thieves Like Us is a young adult novel by Stephen Cole. I picked this book up from my local bookstore on a whim, because I thought that it looked like fun. It's the story of five teenagers who have been plucked from dead-end lives to live with a mysterious Englishman named Nathaniel Coldhardt. Each of the teens has been chosen for some extraordinary skill (computer genius, human lie detector, security specialist, etc.), and they work for Coldhardt as high-end thieves and adventurers. In this novel, which could be the first of a series, Jonah Wish is broken out of jail by the rest of the team, and invited to join them. They value his computer skills, though he is far from certain that a life of crime is what he's really looking for. But he soon bonds with the other kids: Motti the security expert, Con the fighter and mesmerizer, Tye the human lie detector, and Patch, a gifted young thief with one eye. Coldhardt sends the five teens on a quest involving priceless artifacts and a possible formula for eternal life. They require high-tech skills to break into modern buildings, and more specialized skills to crack an ancient tomb. They fly around Europe and the Middle East, and experience high-speed car chases, fights, kidnappings, and secret supernatural sects. I would think that this book will appeal to fans of the Anthony Horowitz novels and the Young Bond series by Charles Higson. All in all, this book reminded me of Indiana Jones crossed with Sneakers. It seems tailor made to be a movie (I think that Sean Connery would be wonderful as the enigmatic Coldhardt). But the characterization is more in-depth than you usually come across in fast-paced adventure stories, with flashes of elaborate back-stories for each of the main characters. I think that it will do well as a series. Stephen Cole works as a freelance editor while writing books for children and young adults. He was born in 1971 and brought up in rural Bedfordshire, England. His previous young adult books include the Wereling series (starting with Wounded). This book review was originally published on my blog, Jen Robinson's Book Page, on July 9th, 2006.

excellent read!!!

This was another great book by stephen cole. He is such a fantastic writer. I reccomend this to you coz this is worth reading!!!

Brilliant read

This was an excellent book with well developed characters and a wonderful plot. The main character Jonah is a computer hacker who is in jail at the start of the book. He is rescued by a motley group of thieves working for the mysterious Nathaniel Coldhardt. Motti, the oldest, can dismantle any electronic system. Con can bring anyone under her spell, Tye can detect any lie and Patch can pick any lock. This book is worth every penny.