Charles Belfoure, The New York Times bestselling author, architect and historian, will discuss his second novel, “House of Thieves,” on Sunday, January 24, 2016, at 2 p.m. at the Bel Air Library, 100 East Pennsylvania Avenue in Bel Air.
“House of Thieves,” Belfoure’s second novel, features John Cross, a society architect in 1886 New York who is forced to join a criminal gang and plan robberies of the buildings he has designed to pay his son’s over-the-top gambling debts.
The book was an Indie Next pick for September 2015 by the American Booksellers Association and a “Starred Review” in Publishers Weekly.
In addition, “House of Thieves” is being turned into a television show, produced and directed by Francis Lawrence.
Belfoure’s first novel, “The Paris Architect,” about an architect coerced to design hiding places in World War II Paris for Jews so the Germans couldn’t find them, received numerous honors. It was a finalist for the 2015 International Dublin Literary Award and received the American Booksellers Association’s Indie Pick. It was named a must-read book by the New York Post and a USA Today “New Voices” selection. Bestselling author Malcolm Gladwell named “The Paris Architect” his favorite book of 2013.
“We are so fortunate to have Charles Belfoure back in Harford County,” said Mary Hastler, CEO of Harford County Public Library. “He was a big hit with our community of readers when he spoke after ‘The Paris Architect’ was published. His new book is a great read, and I know he will engage those who join us at the Bel Air Library on January 24.”
In anticipation of Belfoure’s visit, the Bel Air Books at the Center discussion group, held at the McFaul Activities Center (525 West MacPhail Road in Bel Air), will discuss “House of Thieves” on Monday, January 4, from 1 to 3 p.m. The discussion is free and open to adults 55 years of age and older. Books may be checked out from the library ahead of the discussion.
The January 24 event is open to the public and free of charge. Advanced registration is not required. Both of Belfoure’s books will be available for sale and for signing at the event.
Belfoure resides in Westminster and practices historic preservation as both an architect and consultant. He has written architectural histories, including “Monuments to Money: The Architecture of American Banks” (2011), and “Edmund Lind: Anglo-American Architect of Baltimore and the South” (2009). He is the co-author of “Niernsee & Neilson, Architects of Baltimore” (2006) and “The Baltimore Rowhouse” (2001).
In addition to winning several awards for his books from the Maryland Historical Trust, Belfoure is also the recipient of a grant from the James Marston Fitch Charitable Foundation and the Graham Foundation.
Harford County Public Library operates 11 branches located throughout Harford County. The library serves more than 181,000 registered borrowers of all ages and has an annual circulation of more than 3.8 million. Harford County Public Library is committed to connecting people with information and promoting the love of reading in the community. For more information, visit hcplonline.org.
