When author Marco Latronico arrived at his home in Rome last week, he found a stack of manuscripts missing from his study. The same thief, dubbed the “book burglar,” is suspected of stealing unpublished works from several writers across Europe.
Investigation expands across borders
The New York Times reported that the thefts form part of a larger pattern that began in 2022. Investigators say the culprit gains access to private collections by posing as a literary agent or a publisher’s assistant. In at least three cases, the stolen material included early drafts of novels and short stories that had not yet been submitted to editors.
British novelist Nick Hornby, whose latest manuscript was taken from a secure locker in London, confirmed the loss to the press on Tuesday. Hornby said the theft disrupted his publishing schedule and raised concerns about the security of unpublished literary works.
Italian literary circles have expressed alarm. The Italian Writers’ Association issued a statement urging publishers to review their handling of manuscripts and to cooperate with law enforcement. Police in Rome have opened a file and are reviewing surveillance footage from the night of the theft.
Authorities in New York, where the New York Times is conducting its own inquiry, have offered a reward for information leading to the thief’s identification. The newspaper said it is analyzing patterns in the stolen works to narrow down possible motives.