Italian private detective Victor Getz is trying to find 12-year-old Prosper and his 5-year-old brother Bo. Their relatives believe that the 2 kids escaped to Venice from Hamburg, Germany, and they are correct. In Venice, the brothers meet a boy not much older than Prosper who calls himself Thief Lord. Thief Lord, Prosper, Bo and orphans named Hornet, Riccio, and Mosca live in an old, abandoned theater. The six children have many exciting adventures.I love the unique characters and Cornelia Funke's choice of setting and her style. She's descriptive, imaginative, and keeps readers guessing. In this zany adventure, the lesson is very obvious. Thief Lord's surprising confession taught me that a lie may sound more impressive, but you should always stick with the truth.