A Gentleman and a Thief: The Daring Jewel Heists of a Jazz Age Rogue

Narrator Mike Chamberlain provides a lively reading of Jobb’s (The Case of Murderous Dr. Cream) true crime about the infamous Arthur Barry, a skilled Jazz Age jewel thief known for his genteel manners. Barry, who came from an Irish working-class family in Worcester, MA, began in his criminal ways as a teen. After serving in World War I, he returned to what he knew best, employing his keen intelligence, meticulous attention to detail, and astonishing audacity to great effect. Barry stole an estimated $60 million of jewels from 1920 to 1927, targeting the wealthy elite, including John D. Rockefeller’s nephew, department-store heiress Jessie Woolworth Donahue, and even visiting members of Britain’s royal family. In a story that rivals any Hollywood drama, he married widow Anna Blake, confessing to additional crimes to save her from jail time. Chamberlain’s narration is perfectly attuned to Jobb’s tone—engaging and entertaining, even as he presents a wealth of deeply researched information. Despite his nefarious acts, listeners may find themselves drawn to this debonair crook who was a romantic at heart.