The Louvre Heist and a 15-Year-Old Detective

Hey everyone,

You've probably heard about the Louvre heist by now. If you haven't: four thieves dressed as construction workers rolled up with a furniture lift, climbed to a second-floor balcony, cut through a window, grabbed $100 million in French Crown Jewels, and were gone in under eight minutes.

During business hours. With tourists in the building.

The password to the surveillance system was "Louvre."

The security camera covering the window they used was pointed the wrong way.

I saw this photo from the scene and had to share it. Look at this kid on the right. Literally every bit of him looks like he just stepped out of 1920s Paris. By the way, he had the world convinced he was the detective on the case… he’s actually just a 15 year old detective fan.

Here's what got me though: reports came out that the museum had been prioritizing "operations that were visible and attractive" over actual security upgrades. Spectacle over substance. A system so focused on looking good that it forgot to protect what actually mattered.

I swear I didn't rip this from the headlines. I wrote the book(s) on it. Anyway. Life imitating art, or whatever.

Quick updates:

By Hook & Crook was named a BBNYA 2025 Finalist (15th out of 240+ entries) just last week! The book also got featured in the March 2025 issue of Kirkus Reviews magazine with their "Get It" verdict, which continues to feel surreal.

Thiefcatcher is out now, and I'm deep in drafting book three. Lars and the crew aren't done yet.

Oh, and great news for audiobook fans: Luke Daniels has agreed to narrate Thiefcatcher as well! His work on By Hook & Crook was fantastic.

Thanks for being here. If you know someone who'd dig a heist opera about thieves becoming family while trying to burn down a corrupt system… you know what to do.

S.G. Karam