Something Missing

by Matthew Dicks

Book Overview

"The story of an obsessive-compulsive housebreaker whose every waking moment is jam-packed with finicky clockwork ritual--the kind of intense micro-planning that might have made even Napoleon back off...Matthew Dicks has created an unforgettable character that will have you torn between wanting to throttle him--or adopt him."
--Alan Bradley, author of the New York Times bestselling Flavia de Luce novels

A career criminal with...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0767930886
• ISBN13: 9780767930888
• Release Date: July 2009
• Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.4" x 8.1"

Customer Reviews

Slow Start

The book has a very slow start. A lot of the beginning of the book could have been cut out and the reader would still understand the thief thinks he's all that and then some. If it hadn't been a book club pick, I'm not sure I would have finished. The book does speed up (for the most part) once the thief gets stuck in a "client's" house.

Quirky (in a good way)!

Quirky. Charming. Fun. Just downright entertaining. I loved this book. I live in the area where the story takes place, so that was a plus. I thought Martin was one of the most endearing characters I've met in a long time. Yes, he's a thief and that's wrong. Yes, he's over the top OCD. Yes, a parrot makes an appearance (not a fan of parrots). But if you're in the mood for a very different, very original story, I think you'll enjoy Something Missing. It brought a smile to my reading right to the very end. I give it five stars for originality, and attention to detail, which is vital for this particular plot to work. I was impressed how the author kept all of Martin's "clients" and complex "acquisitions" straight. I highly recommend.

Nothing missing from this fun and impressive debut novel

The protagonist of Something Missing is a burglar, but don't let that put you off: he is most considerate, and if my house were to be robbed I hope it would be by him. Martin steals for survival and a little profit, only taking items that he is sure will not be missed, such as out of date food and jewelry which has been long forgotten. His OCD tendencies require that he leave no trace of himself in your house, and he is very clean. Martin's unusual occupation and OCD make him socially awkward, and he lives a very ordered life centered around routines. When Martin visits one of his "client's" houses, he is presented with an opportunity to help fix an ailing marriage. Once he learns the joy of helping others, he begins intervening in the lives of other people whose homes he burglarizes. For Martin this large break in routine leads to danger, new friendship, and possibly love. Something Missing presents a unique hero in Martin, and his story is written in a humorous yet sensitive tone. The book is a page turner because the reader comes so engaged with Martin. Highly recommended for those who enjoyed The Curious Incident of a Dog in the Night-Time.

An Obsessively Lovable Story

I didn't know quite what to expect when I started this book. Right from the get go you know you're in for something different. Just how different Martin Railsback, Junior's story was going to be, that was the question. Very different is the answer. Martin's story is a lot of fun, too. Martin is a burglar with OCD. He sneaks into people's homes during the night, but that's about all he has in common with your average, everyday thief in the night, if there is such a thing as your average burglar. Martin mostly only takes things that won't be missed and he's a repeat offender, that is to say that he goes into the same homes time and time again. He considers the people he burgles his clients. Martin takes meticulous notes and plans his home invasions well. Then one day he accidently knocks an electric toothbrush into a client's toilet. Horrified at the thought that someone will have to brush their teeth with a toothbrush that has been so soiled, he races against time to replace the toothbrush with a new identical double and thus his life undergoes a sea change. Events conspire to turn him into a sort of self appointed guardian angel of those whose homes he invades. I had a lot of fun reading this entertaining novel and against my better judgment I found myself caring for Martin. He's misguided to be sure, but he's an obsessively lovable character and this is an obsessively lovable story.

Mr. Dicks makes B & E Charming!

Something Missing by Matthew Dick I'm still laughing my butt off at some of the scenes in this book, as I type this review. So if you find any misspellings blame the author please! For a while I didn't think I was going to be able to appreciate this novel. I reads so much like a cookbook for criminals. Yet after a few chapters you have to really let Martin's sociopath tendencies and slight OCD take over for your own moral compass and let the story reveal itself slowly and deliciously, much like a meal being cooked in a crock pot! Martin is a thief, but not just any kind of thief. He thinks of his victims as clients and sometimes he`s been stealing from them for so long that he thinks of them as friends. Not only does he steal the requisite silver, diamonds, crystal etc...he also treats these peoples pantries as his own personal grocery store or even a department store, it depends on what he needs and how much the `client has in stock! (he steals towels from two different `clients' to make up his own set *chuckle*) He makes massively lengthy lists, plans and timetables. He is a master at planning, he has every base covered, or does he? Just when the book starts to get a tad boring, Martin found himself in a situation he had planned for but really never expected to be in and it is hilarious and goes to prove that Martin isn`t a true OCD sufferer. A bit anal and overly cautious perhaps, but I don't see him as a true sufferer of OCD. This book ends magnificently on a great note with such a surprise ending, that if I don't stop here I may give it away. It may be slow to start and a bit frustrating at times, but it's never boring. Martin and the secondary characters are very well fleshed and believable. I was thrilled with the setting that is in my home state, yet Mr. Dick never gets too bogged down in the details and makes this seem as if it were written to be about Anytown, USA. I kind of thought that this could be compared a bit to Tim Dorsey's novels featuring Serge a. Storms, but with no murders (just mayhem) and a lot less drinking and drugs! You may not like reading what amounts to a recipe for B & E, but I promise you'll fall in love with Martin Railsback and absolutely enjoy the ending.

Nothing missing here!

This book was one of those books that really makes you feel as though you are connected to the story. You feel for Martin (A thief) and root for all of his positive endeavors. This book made me laugh out loud, then want to go out and buy some cylinder locks for every door in the house and install a state of the art alarm system (plus check to see if the unused bottles of salad dressing in my fridge were still there). It also made me think about life and the way we lead it and how that effects our situations and circumstances. This book was just downright wonderful, and I couldn't stop reading once I had started. I can't recommend this book enough.