From Library JournalBlock introduced Evan Tanner, specialist in lost political causes, in this rousing, many times comic 1966 yarn. Unable to sleep for 15 years following a Korean War head wound, Tanner devotes his substantial free time to reading, learning languages, and turning his affliction into a livelihood by writing theses and dissertations for graduate students in New York. Then he learns of concealed Armenian gold in Turkey and sets off on an improbable adventure that makes him the most wanted fugitive in the world as well as the accidental leader of a Macedonian revolt. Block’s tale gets off to an engaging start, sags in the middle partly because of galore bone-jarring violence, and recovers neatly at the end. Nick Sullivan handles the characters’ numerous accents rather well. Highly recommended.
-Michael Adams, CUNY Graduate Ctr.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Lawrence Block is one of the most widely recognized names in the mystery genre. He has been named a Grand Master of the Mystery Writers of America and is a four-time winner of the honored Edgar and Shamus Awards, as well as a recipient of prizes in France, Germany, and Japan. He received the Diamond Dagger from the British Crime Writers’ Association—only the third American to be given this award. He is a prolific author, having written more than fifty books and a heap of short stories, and is a committed New Yorker and an enthusiastic global traveler.

Thief Couldnt Sleep Tanner Mysteries Photo

Thief Couldnt Sleep Tanner Mysteries Photo

Thief Couldnt Sleep Tanner Mysteries Pic

Most helpful customer reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful.
Block introduces Evan Tanner
By Harold L. Laroff
My first introduction to Lawrence Block’s Evan Tanner was in his 1998 book, “Tanner on Ice.” The spy-hero had been absent for twenty-five years was brought back by Block. There were seven previous novels, all out-of-print and now available in paperback. “The Thief Who Couldn’t Sleep,” was Block’s first Evan Tanner mystery. We learn early in this first work Tanner had his sleep center destroyed during the war and therefore no longer needs to sleep. He spends all of his time awake that may or may not be to his benefit. Tanner probably never planned on being a spy but here in our first encounter with him he led a revolution in Macedonia treks from Ireland to the continent and across Europe to Turkey in search for missing gold. Tanner is an interesting character although not as humorous as Bernie Rhodenbarr in Block’s The Burglar who series or a serious as Matt Scudder in the long standing series with that New York City based detective. None the less “The Thief who Couldn’t Sleep,” is pleasant to read. I am pleased that the powers-that-be decided to reprint the entire Evan Tanner series. I am looking forward to the others, which I was able to order from Amazon.com.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful.
The start of something beautiful
By A
The first Evan Tanner Novel, where our hero, a bit of a con-man and thief, who has a disorder which prevents him from sleeping, accidentally finds himself on an espionage mission.

While the later novels are spy stories with satirical overtones, this one is a crime caper with spies in pursuit and a comedy of errors in progress.

I can’t recommend the series highly enough. It’s literate, it’s funny, and the commentary on European ethnic nationalism is still extremely valid.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.
Rice, pilaf, and pilaf
By Susan Abe
When the Berlin Wall fell, my first thought (ok, maybe my forty-third) was: “Please, Mr. Block, let us know what Evan Tanner thinks about this!” Tanner’s view of the world is humane, educated and hopeful; after he explains the centuries of strife between Armenian and Turk even I can remember the details. This is a very welcome, long-awaited reprint of the first book in a series of top-rate thrillers; it’s not the best (either Tanner’s Twelve Swingers or the Cancelled Czech), but it’s not the worst (Me Tanner, You Jane–still a decent book). They all have a light touch evocative of Mrs. Pollifax (Mr. Block, did you ever consider phoning Dorothy Gilman and suggesting a crossover adventure?); their solid grounding in the obscure passions that drive real people make them unique.

See all 9 customer reviews…

About the Author

Lawrence Block is one of the most widely recognized names in the mystery genre. He has been named a Grand Master of the Mystery Writers of America and is a four-time winner of the esteemed Edgar and Shamus Awards, as well as a recipient of prizes in France, Germany, and Japan. He received the Diamond Dagger from the British Crime Writers’ Association—only the third American to be given this award. He is a prolific author, having written more than fifty books and a good deal of short stories, and is a committed New Yorker and an enthusiastic global traveler.

Thief Couldnt Sleep Tanner Mystery Pic

Thief Couldnt Sleep Tanner Mystery Pic

Thief Couldnt Sleep Tanner Mystery Photo

Most helpful client reviews

8 of 8 humans found the following review helpful.
Block introduces Evan Tanner
By Harold L. Laroff
My initial introduction to Lawrence Block’s Evan Tanner was in his 1998 book, “Tanner on Ice.” The spy-hero had been absent for twenty-five years was brought back by Block. There were seven former novels, all out-of-print and now available in paperback. “The Thief Who Couldn’t Sleep,” was Block’s primary Evan Tanner mystery. We learn early in this primary work Tanner had his sleep center destroyed for the duration of the war and consequently no longer needs to sleep. He spends all of his time awake that may or may not be to his benefit. Tanner probably never planned on being a spy but here in our introductory encounter with him he led a revolution in Macedonia treks from Ireland to the continent and all over Europe to Turkey in search for missing gold. Tanner is an interesting reputation even though not as humorous as Bernie Rhodenbarr in Block’s The Burglar who series or a severe as Matt Scudder in the long standing series with that New York City based detective. None the less “The Thief who Couldn’t Sleep,” is pleasant to read. I am pleased that the powers-that-be decisive to reprint the entire Evan Tanner series. I am looking forward to the others, which I was capable to order from Amazon.com.

5 of 5 humans found the following review helpful.
The get started of something beautiful
By A
The introductory Evan Tanner Novel, where our hero, a bit of a con-man and thief, who has a disorder which prevents him from sleeping, without intention finds himself on an espionage mission.

While the later novels are spy stories with satirical overtones, this one is a crime caper with spies in pursuit and a comedy of errors in progress.

I can’t commend the series highly enough. It’s literate, it’s funny, and the commentary on European ethnic nationalism is still exceedingly valid.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.
Rice, pilaf, and pilaf
By Susan Abe
When the Berlin Wall fell, my introductory thought (ok, possibly my forty-third) was: “Please, Mr. Block, let us know what Evan Tanner thinks when it comes to this!” Tanner’s view of the world is humane, educated and hopeful; after he explains the centuries of strife among Armenian and Turk even I may do not forget the details. This is a very welcome, long-awaited reprint of the firstborn book in a series of top-rate thrillers; it’s not the best (either Tanner’s Twelve Swingers or the Cancelled Czech), but it’s not the worst (Me Tanner, You Jane–still a decent book). They all have a light touch evocative of Mrs. Pollifax (Mr. Block, did you ever consider phoning Dorothy Gilman and proposing a crossover adventure?); their solid grounding in the obscure passions that drive real humans make them unique.

See all 9 client reviews…