how to lead a life of crime

Nominated for an Edgar Award

Will make an awesome TV show (wink)

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One of the most prolific and successful criminals in nineteenth century New York was a woman by the name of Marm Mandelbaum. Apparently good accomplices were hard to find in those days, so Marm decided to start her own school for young criminals. She recruited urchins off the streets of Manhattan and had them trained in various illegal arts, including lock picking, safe cracking and forgery.

How to Lead a Life of Crime was inspired by a simple thought: What if Marm’s school hadn’t closed? What if it had evolved, changed its name and become . . . respectable. What would it be like in the 21st century?

I love this book. If it’s not my favorite, it’s certainly in the top three. The day it was nominated for an Edgar Award was one of the happiest days of my life. But I feel I should warn you—How to Lead a Life of Crime is not for everyone. It's dark, disturbing and violent. It's not appropriate for younger kids. 

 Crest Art: James Maszel