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Bernie Rhodenbarr #2
Włamywacz w Garderobie
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166 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
135 people are currently reading
946 people want to read
About the author
Lawrence Block
767 books2,981 followersLawrence Block has been writing crime, mystery, and suspense fiction for more than half a century. He has published in excess (oh, wretched excess!) of 100 books, and no end of short stories.
Born in Buffalo, N.Y., LB attended Antioch College, but left before completing his studies; school authorities advised him that they felt he’d be happier elsewhere, and he thought this was remarkably perceptive of them.
His earliest work, published pseudonymously in the late 1950s, was mostly in the field of midcentury erotica, an apprenticeship he shared with Donald E. Westlake and Robert Silverberg. The first time Lawrence Block’s name appeared in print was when his short story “You Can’t Lose” was published in the February 1958 issue of Manhunt. The first book published under his own name was Mona (1961); it was reissued several times over the years, once as Sweet Slow Death. In 2005 it became the first offering from Hard Case Crime, and bore for the first time LB’s original title, Grifter’s Game.
LB is best known for his series characters, including cop-turned-private investigator Matthew Scudder, gentleman burglar Bernie Rhodenbarr, globe-trotting insomniac Evan Tanner, and introspective assassin Keller.
Because one name is never enough, LB has also published under pseudonyms including Jill Emerson, John Warren Wells, Lesley Evans, and Anne Campbell Clarke.
LB’s magazine appearances include American Heritage, Redbook, Playboy, Linn’s Stamp News, Cosmopolitan, GQ, and The New York Times. His monthly instructional column ran in Writer’s Digest for 14 years, and led to a string of books for writers, including the classics Telling Lies for Fun & Profit and The Liar’s Bible. He has also written episodic television (Tilt!) and the Wong Kar-wai film, My Blueberry Nights.
Several of LB’s books have been filmed. The latest, A Walk Among the Tombstones, stars Liam Neeson as Matthew Scudder and is scheduled for release in September, 2014.
LB is a Grand Master of Mystery Writers of America, and a past president of MWA and the Private Eye Writers of America. He has won the Edgar and Shamus awards four times each, and the Japanese Maltese Falcon award twice, as well as the Nero Wolfe and Philip Marlowe awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Private Eye Writers of America, and the Diamond Dagger for Life Achievement from the Crime Writers Association (UK). He’s also been honored with the Gumshoe Lifetime Achievement Award from Mystery Ink magazine and the Edward D. Hoch Memorial Golden Derringer for Lifetime Achievement in the short story. In France, he has been proclaimed a Grand Maitre du Roman Noir and has twice been awarded the Societe 813 trophy. He has been a guest of honor at Bouchercon and at book fairs and mystery festivals in France, Germany, Australia, Italy, New Zealand, Spain and Taiwan. As if that were not enough, he was also presented with the key to the city of Muncie, Indiana. (But as soon as he left, they changed the locks.)
LB and his wife Lynne are enthusiastic New Yorkers and relentless world travelers; the two are members of the Travelers Century Club, and have visited around 160 countries.
He is a modest and humble fellow, although you would never guess as much from this biographical note.
Born in Buffalo, N.Y., LB attended Antioch College, but left before completing his studies; school authorities advised him that they felt he’d be happier elsewhere, and he thought this was remarkably perceptive of them.
His earliest work, published pseudonymously in the late 1950s, was mostly in the field of midcentury erotica, an apprenticeship he shared with Donald E. Westlake and Robert Silverberg. The first time Lawrence Block’s name appeared in print was when his short story “You Can’t Lose” was published in the February 1958 issue of Manhunt. The first book published under his own name was Mona (1961); it was reissued several times over the years, once as Sweet Slow Death. In 2005 it became the first offering from Hard Case Crime, and bore for the first time LB’s original title, Grifter’s Game.
LB is best known for his series characters, including cop-turned-private investigator Matthew Scudder, gentleman burglar Bernie Rhodenbarr, globe-trotting insomniac Evan Tanner, and introspective assassin Keller.
Because one name is never enough, LB has also published under pseudonyms including Jill Emerson, John Warren Wells, Lesley Evans, and Anne Campbell Clarke.
LB’s magazine appearances include American Heritage, Redbook, Playboy, Linn’s Stamp News, Cosmopolitan, GQ, and The New York Times. His monthly instructional column ran in Writer’s Digest for 14 years, and led to a string of books for writers, including the classics Telling Lies for Fun & Profit and The Liar’s Bible. He has also written episodic television (Tilt!) and the Wong Kar-wai film, My Blueberry Nights.
Several of LB’s books have been filmed. The latest, A Walk Among the Tombstones, stars Liam Neeson as Matthew Scudder and is scheduled for release in September, 2014.
LB is a Grand Master of Mystery Writers of America, and a past president of MWA and the Private Eye Writers of America. He has won the Edgar and Shamus awards four times each, and the Japanese Maltese Falcon award twice, as well as the Nero Wolfe and Philip Marlowe awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Private Eye Writers of America, and the Diamond Dagger for Life Achievement from the Crime Writers Association (UK). He’s also been honored with the Gumshoe Lifetime Achievement Award from Mystery Ink magazine and the Edward D. Hoch Memorial Golden Derringer for Lifetime Achievement in the short story. In France, he has been proclaimed a Grand Maitre du Roman Noir and has twice been awarded the Societe 813 trophy. He has been a guest of honor at Bouchercon and at book fairs and mystery festivals in France, Germany, Australia, Italy, New Zealand, Spain and Taiwan. As if that were not enough, he was also presented with the key to the city of Muncie, Indiana. (But as soon as he left, they changed the locks.)
LB and his wife Lynne are enthusiastic New Yorkers and relentless world travelers; the two are members of the Travelers Century Club, and have visited around 160 countries.
He is a modest and humble fellow, although you would never guess as much from this biographical note.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 319 reviews
April 21, 2014
This book inspired one of the greatest head-scratchers in the history of film adaptations when Hollywood decided that Burglar would feature Whoopi Goldberg playing a white male and Bobcat Goldthwait would be perfect as a lesbian dog groomer.
I got to meet Lawrence Block while he was on a book tour for Hope to Die, and I asked him if he knew what prompted the movie producers to have Whoopi play Bernie. Even though it was obvious that he’d answered this about a million times before Block patiently explained that he had no input on the film version, and that the story he heard was that initially Bruce Willis was supposed to be Bernie and Whoopi was cast as Carol. However, Willis bowed out, and some genius got the brilliant idea to have her play Bernie which then led to gender swapping Carol into Bobcat Goldthwait. And thus cinema history was made….
Professional burglar Bernie Rhodenbarr just wanted to get his teeth cleaned, but his dentist Carl Sheldrake has a proposal for him. Sheldrake’s ex-wife Crystal reamed him in their divorce settlement, and he’d like to get some payback by having Bernie steal her large collection of valuable jewelry. Bernie could use the cash so he agrees to what seems like an easy payday.
However, after he’s broken into her apartment and collected the jewels, Crystal returns unexpectedly with a gentleman friend, and Bernie has to hide in a closet while the two make with the bow-chick-a-bow-wow. Before he can escape, Crystal winds up murdered and adding insult to injury the killer stole the briefcase full of loot that Bernie had collected.
Bernie is determined to recover the jewels he stole fair and square so he plays amateur sleuth with the help of Sheldrake’s pretty dental hygienist. However, he soon finds himself the primary suspect when the cops learn that he was in the apartment.
This is the second book featuring Bernie, and Block delivers a witty and off-beat mystery with the morally challenged burglar. Like most of Block’s stuff there’s a lot of fun conversations that veer off into unexpected directions, and there’s an interesting solution to who killed Crystal and why. My only gripe was that despite what the presence of Bobcat in the movie would lead you to believe, this early in the series Bernie hasn’t met his best friend Carol yet so I missed their goofy interactions.
I got to meet Lawrence Block while he was on a book tour for Hope to Die, and I asked him if he knew what prompted the movie producers to have Whoopi play Bernie. Even though it was obvious that he’d answered this about a million times before Block patiently explained that he had no input on the film version, and that the story he heard was that initially Bruce Willis was supposed to be Bernie and Whoopi was cast as Carol. However, Willis bowed out, and some genius got the brilliant idea to have her play Bernie which then led to gender swapping Carol into Bobcat Goldthwait. And thus cinema history was made….
Professional burglar Bernie Rhodenbarr just wanted to get his teeth cleaned, but his dentist Carl Sheldrake has a proposal for him. Sheldrake’s ex-wife Crystal reamed him in their divorce settlement, and he’d like to get some payback by having Bernie steal her large collection of valuable jewelry. Bernie could use the cash so he agrees to what seems like an easy payday.
However, after he’s broken into her apartment and collected the jewels, Crystal returns unexpectedly with a gentleman friend, and Bernie has to hide in a closet while the two make with the bow-chick-a-bow-wow. Before he can escape, Crystal winds up murdered and adding insult to injury the killer stole the briefcase full of loot that Bernie had collected.
Bernie is determined to recover the jewels he stole fair and square so he plays amateur sleuth with the help of Sheldrake’s pretty dental hygienist. However, he soon finds himself the primary suspect when the cops learn that he was in the apartment.
This is the second book featuring Bernie, and Block delivers a witty and off-beat mystery with the morally challenged burglar. Like most of Block’s stuff there’s a lot of fun conversations that veer off into unexpected directions, and there’s an interesting solution to who killed Crystal and why. My only gripe was that despite what the presence of Bobcat in the movie would lead you to believe, this early in the series Bernie hasn’t met his best friend Carol yet so I missed their goofy interactions.
November 28, 2020
The second Bernie Rhodenbarr novel is another very light entertainment from the prolific Lawrence Block. The joy of reading these books lies simply in the opportunity to hang out with Bernie who is, by profession, a gentleman burglar. The plots are almost always meaningless and sometimes nonsensical, but the basic format of the series is that Bernie is minding his own business, gently burgling someone's empty home or office, when bad things happen and Bernie finds himself in a mess. The mess usually involves a murder in which Bernie becomes the chief suspect and then has to extricate himself from the situation.
Such is the case here. One day when Bernie is in the chair getting his teeth maintained, his garrulous dentist talks him into burgling the apartment of his ex-wife who has a ton of jewelry. The dentist bought the bling for her and now that they're no longer married, he hates the thought that she still has it. He'd rather that Bernie did.
Bernie agrees and while leisurely going through the lady's apartment after gathering up the jewelry, the ex-wife, Crystal Sheldrake, returns unexpectedly. With no place to hide, Bernie ducks into the bedroom closet. But then, for some reason, Sheldrake proceeds to lock the closet door while she takes a shower. Bad things ensue, leaving Bernie in his usual tight bind. All in all, it's a pleasant light read for an evening when you'd like your attention to be diverted away from pandemics and the other problems afflicting the world at the moment.
Such is the case here. One day when Bernie is in the chair getting his teeth maintained, his garrulous dentist talks him into burgling the apartment of his ex-wife who has a ton of jewelry. The dentist bought the bling for her and now that they're no longer married, he hates the thought that she still has it. He'd rather that Bernie did.
Bernie agrees and while leisurely going through the lady's apartment after gathering up the jewelry, the ex-wife, Crystal Sheldrake, returns unexpectedly. With no place to hide, Bernie ducks into the bedroom closet. But then, for some reason, Sheldrake proceeds to lock the closet door while she takes a shower. Bad things ensue, leaving Bernie in his usual tight bind. All in all, it's a pleasant light read for an evening when you'd like your attention to be diverted away from pandemics and the other problems afflicting the world at the moment.
November 25, 2019
Book 2 in the Bernie Rhodenbarr series published 1978.
Another episode in the life of Bernie Rhodenbarr the world’s most respectable burglar.
Once again Bernie finds himself on the wrong side of the law.
Whilst getting a routine teeth examination Bernie’s dentist vents his animosity towards his ex wife, who had divorced him and took more than her fair share of his wealth. Now the dentist wants to get even. His plan is to get Bernie to break into her house and divest her of most, if not all, of her jewellery.
Thinking this will be a cakewalk Bernie agrees.
Once in the house Bernie takes his time and does a precise reconnoitre making sure he leave nothing behind of any value. Having one last look in the bedroom Bernie hears the front door opening. With nowhere to go Bernie climbs into the Closet. Whilst in the closet Bernie hears all the appropriate noises of love making. Trying hard to stay still Bernie waits for an opportunity leave the house. All has been quiet for 30 minutes and Bernie decides the time is now. Just about to step from the closet Bernie hears the front door again but this time there’s a lot of yelling and screaming. The front door once again slams shut followed by nothing but silence. Taking his courage in both hands Bernie leaves the closet only to find the dentists ex wife dead with a dental scalpel inserted in her chest.
And now the world’s most respectable burglar is in deep do-do. The police are after him and all he has to hand to prove his innocence is himself.
The mystery is intriguing and the humour is infectious.
A satisfying read. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Another episode in the life of Bernie Rhodenbarr the world’s most respectable burglar.
Once again Bernie finds himself on the wrong side of the law.
Whilst getting a routine teeth examination Bernie’s dentist vents his animosity towards his ex wife, who had divorced him and took more than her fair share of his wealth. Now the dentist wants to get even. His plan is to get Bernie to break into her house and divest her of most, if not all, of her jewellery.
Thinking this will be a cakewalk Bernie agrees.
Once in the house Bernie takes his time and does a precise reconnoitre making sure he leave nothing behind of any value. Having one last look in the bedroom Bernie hears the front door opening. With nowhere to go Bernie climbs into the Closet. Whilst in the closet Bernie hears all the appropriate noises of love making. Trying hard to stay still Bernie waits for an opportunity leave the house. All has been quiet for 30 minutes and Bernie decides the time is now. Just about to step from the closet Bernie hears the front door again but this time there’s a lot of yelling and screaming. The front door once again slams shut followed by nothing but silence. Taking his courage in both hands Bernie leaves the closet only to find the dentists ex wife dead with a dental scalpel inserted in her chest.
And now the world’s most respectable burglar is in deep do-do. The police are after him and all he has to hand to prove his innocence is himself.
The mystery is intriguing and the humour is infectious.
A satisfying read. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
September 30, 2024
Чудесно заплетена кримка, с главен герой ловкия обирджия Бърни Роденбар.
Заключен в гардероб посред наглед лесен удар, той става задочен свидетел на убийство и трябва да го разреши, ако не желае сам да опере пешкира за него.
Втора книга от серията е, само първата е издадена на български и съответно поредицата ще бъде дочетена от мен на английски.
Заключен в гардероб посред наглед лесен удар, той става задочен свидетел на убийство и трябва да го разреши, ако не желае сам да опере пешкира за него.
Втора книга от серията е, само първата е издадена на български и съответно поредицата ще бъде дочетена от мен на английски.
February 12, 2013
The Burglar in the Closet: Being the second confession of Bernard Rhodenbarr, Gentleman Thief. It's all fun and games until a burglar gets framed for murder.
In this confession we discover that Bernie is a terrible drunk, resistible to women, prone to errors on the job, a master at breaking and entering and leaving as much as he takes, beloved by his neighbours, an amateur sleuth and claustrophobic. We discover these facts in due course as he recounts the details of the time he was persuaded to steal some jewels by his dentist, gets interrupted and locked in a closet whilst the lady of the house gets involved in a euphemism for the sex act and then unfortunately gets involved in a euphemism for being stabbed in the heart.
As always Block makes telling a story look deceptively easy and it sure is a pleasure to read. This burglar book is a light-hearted whodunnit which raises several belly laughs thanks to his establishment of Bernie as a fully fleshed out character and some good situational comedy but on the whole will keep you smiling throughout but it is more than just a straightforward "comic" novel and there's nothing particularly cosy about this mystery either.
You might call Bernie the anti-Scudder, a way for Block to let off some of that deep, bleak, melancholic steam but that would be doing the series a great injustice. Bernie exists in his own right, he lives in the same New York as Scudder but he prefers to ignore the bad news that Scudder is wallowing in, choosing instead to find pleasure in the finer things in life, such as good food, good wine and the thrill of being in another person's apartment and going through their property without an invite.
If like me you are a Block addict, the burglar books will help to keep you from getting too hardboiled if you read them in between your Scudders and provide another avenue in the great man's writing to explore.
In this confession we discover that Bernie is a terrible drunk, resistible to women, prone to errors on the job, a master at breaking and entering and leaving as much as he takes, beloved by his neighbours, an amateur sleuth and claustrophobic. We discover these facts in due course as he recounts the details of the time he was persuaded to steal some jewels by his dentist, gets interrupted and locked in a closet whilst the lady of the house gets involved in a euphemism for the sex act and then unfortunately gets involved in a euphemism for being stabbed in the heart.
As always Block makes telling a story look deceptively easy and it sure is a pleasure to read. This burglar book is a light-hearted whodunnit which raises several belly laughs thanks to his establishment of Bernie as a fully fleshed out character and some good situational comedy but on the whole will keep you smiling throughout but it is more than just a straightforward "comic" novel and there's nothing particularly cosy about this mystery either.
You might call Bernie the anti-Scudder, a way for Block to let off some of that deep, bleak, melancholic steam but that would be doing the series a great injustice. Bernie exists in his own right, he lives in the same New York as Scudder but he prefers to ignore the bad news that Scudder is wallowing in, choosing instead to find pleasure in the finer things in life, such as good food, good wine and the thrill of being in another person's apartment and going through their property without an invite.
If like me you are a Block addict, the burglar books will help to keep you from getting too hardboiled if you read them in between your Scudders and provide another avenue in the great man's writing to explore.
April 9, 2023
In this second episode of the series, Bernie Rhodenbarr gets roped into stealing from his dentist’s ex-wife. It seems like an easy score, and he’s scoped out the lady’s apartment building and her habits, so he feels confident. But when she returns before he has left, he slips into the closet only to be locked into it by the resident. When he hears an altercation and realizes something is very wrong, he works his way out of the closet and finds the body of the lady of the house. What he does NOT find, is the attache case (filled with the lady’s jewelry) which he’d left outside the closet. What the hell?
There are plenty of suspects, including the World’s Greatest Dentist, but Bernie really needs to solve the case before the police turn on him as the most likely suspect.
The detectives assigned to the case seem easy to fool, but beat cop Ray Kirschmann is harder to shake. Bernie gets some help from a lovely dental hygienist with divided loyalties. Could there be a romantic relationship in Bernie and Jillian’s future?
Gosh but I love Bernie! He’s a gentleman burglar and has standards and ethics. I cannot help but picture Cary Grant; IMHO, he would have been perfect as Bernie.
There are plenty of suspects, including the World’s Greatest Dentist, but Bernie really needs to solve the case before the police turn on him as the most likely suspect.
The detectives assigned to the case seem easy to fool, but beat cop Ray Kirschmann is harder to shake. Bernie gets some help from a lovely dental hygienist with divided loyalties. Could there be a romantic relationship in Bernie and Jillian’s future?
Gosh but I love Bernie! He’s a gentleman burglar and has standards and ethics. I cannot help but picture Cary Grant; IMHO, he would have been perfect as Bernie.
September 21, 2019
A quick, entertaining read with good humor spread throughout, and a decent story to keep things going. Bernie is a pretty likeable character in spite of being a burglar - although I would probably change my opinion if he robbed me. He's definitely not your typical burglar - he doesn't live high on the hog, he's pretty honest in most cases, and he has scruples.
It's probably best to read the books in order, but perhaps not necessary.
It's probably best to read the books in order, but perhaps not necessary.
December 3, 2023
A thoroughly entertaining light murder mystery from Block. The plot isn’t amazing, but Bernie is such a fun character to hang out with.
February 21, 2024
Obviously the life of a cat burglar wouldn't be straight boring - he'd run into 'situations', although unlikely situations like this, to where he's in his dentist's chair and asked, in between tooth work, if he would hit up the ex-wife's apartment and steal back some jewels.
As always Bernie is a fun character who fully embraces his immoral outlooks but lives with his own code of honor in the thieving world. Love that the hands-out detective made his appearances; hope he does for all the books. Wonder what happened to the one girl from the first book? Guess it was a fleeting ship and not a lasting thing.
Not quite as good as the first but still cute and a fun ride. The villain in this case wasn't as fair to figure out but still a surprise. There's mucho tension in some spots as Bernie again ends up in tight situations, keeping the tension in line with the comical bursts. As with the first book, how the body happens is rather amusing; this burglar just doesn't have good luck when it comes to these crime scenes.
The series isn't award winning yet, it's more of a novelty type of cozy that I think mystery fans should enjoy. I have the next three books to read and look forward to more fun antics with a man who looks forward to burglary, but not these murders he keeps having to solve instead.
As always Bernie is a fun character who fully embraces his immoral outlooks but lives with his own code of honor in the thieving world. Love that the hands-out detective made his appearances; hope he does for all the books. Wonder what happened to the one girl from the first book? Guess it was a fleeting ship and not a lasting thing.
Not quite as good as the first but still cute and a fun ride. The villain in this case wasn't as fair to figure out but still a surprise. There's mucho tension in some spots as Bernie again ends up in tight situations, keeping the tension in line with the comical bursts. As with the first book, how the body happens is rather amusing; this burglar just doesn't have good luck when it comes to these crime scenes.
The series isn't award winning yet, it's more of a novelty type of cozy that I think mystery fans should enjoy. I have the next three books to read and look forward to more fun antics with a man who looks forward to burglary, but not these murders he keeps having to solve instead.
December 22, 2015
Well, well, well, another adventure with Bernie. So who’s Bernie? Easy, remember Archie? Nero Wolf's, do everything partner. Well move him up a couple of decades but keep him the same age, drop Nero and make him a professional burglar and that's him. I'm telling you it's the same guy, breezy, flippant, what me worry attitude, good line of gab, sense of humour, smooth talker with the dames. Archie, Bernie, call him what you like, same guy.
Did I say 'professional' burglar? Yeah. Problem is, there always seems to be some kind of slight complication that ordinarily ends up with someone dying unexpectedly and leaving Bernie on the run and having to fix the problem so's the cops don't get confused and pin the rap on the wrong guy who happens to be a professional burglar. Yeah, guy never messes up but he's always fixing messes. Tough life but it's OK, cause along with it, comes money, jewellery, collectables and some interesting women to talk to. So ...not to worry, it will get dicey but Bernie's a professional, knows what he's doing, been in a few scrapes before, he'll fix this one, like the last one and you and I will be laughing the whole time.
So read it already. What's not to like?
Did I say 'professional' burglar? Yeah. Problem is, there always seems to be some kind of slight complication that ordinarily ends up with someone dying unexpectedly and leaving Bernie on the run and having to fix the problem so's the cops don't get confused and pin the rap on the wrong guy who happens to be a professional burglar. Yeah, guy never messes up but he's always fixing messes. Tough life but it's OK, cause along with it, comes money, jewellery, collectables and some interesting women to talk to. So ...not to worry, it will get dicey but Bernie's a professional, knows what he's doing, been in a few scrapes before, he'll fix this one, like the last one and you and I will be laughing the whole time.
So read it already. What's not to like?
October 3, 2010
Bernie Rhodenbarr's dentist hires him to steal his ex-wife's jewels. The problem is she inconveniently gets murdered while Bernie is hiding in her closet. Before you know it, the police are after Bernie for not one but two murders. Can Bernie clear his name before the police catch him?
I have to admit that after the first Burglar book, I was a little skeptical. Block changed my mind with this one. While the plot is quite similar to the first book, Burglars Can't Be Choosers, it's better executed. The writing is better, the plot is better, and the characters are better. Not only that, the exposition is kept to a minimum since we already know about Bernie and his night life. I had no earthly idea who the killer was until about 81% of the way through the book. There were some nagging plot threads that were never resolved but all in all, it was an enjoyable read.
I have to admit that after the first Burglar book, I was a little skeptical. Block changed my mind with this one. While the plot is quite similar to the first book, Burglars Can't Be Choosers, it's better executed. The writing is better, the plot is better, and the characters are better. Not only that, the exposition is kept to a minimum since we already know about Bernie and his night life. I had no earthly idea who the killer was until about 81% of the way through the book. There were some nagging plot threads that were never resolved but all in all, it was an enjoyable read.
December 3, 2020
This Bernie Rhodenbarr mystery starts slowly but soon builds to a satisfying conclusion. Bernie is accused of murder when his dentist's ex-wife is killed. Recommended to all Bernie fans.
May 26, 2012
This is the third book I have read about The Burglar and the second one written. Like the others, it stars master thief Bernie Rhondenbarr and has a light, almost airy feel to the story. Which is odd as in almost every book it seems that our misguided protagonist is caught up in some dastardly murder or with some violent characters who are after him or a close associate. Despite the threat of grievous bodily harm (and killing Bernie is often the most grievous harm they wish to perform) or incarceration by the local constabulary, (both of which are taken seriously by the folks within the story) the books sail along nicely.
Perhaps this was only worth a "3.5", but I'm giving it a full "4" because the apparent breeziness of the book hides a wealth of detail, research, and good writing. Perhaps Mr. Block is just a great natural talent as Issac Asimov demonstrated in over 400 books and William F. Buckley claimed to be. If so, then he need only fear brain injury to interrupt his understandably magnificent career. On the other hand if he is a mere mortal then the heavy-lifting of doing research, developing the plot lines, and producing the prose is done so skillfully that it results in an product as light and delicious as perfect, home-made croissant. (If you've made them, then you know what I am talking about.)
Each Burglar book has, at its core, some central artifact or theme that gets exposed in great detail to the reader. Whether the theme is something that a thief might steal or some background/past that affects a character does not matter. The reader is handed and devours this information without any strain or awkwardness. In some books the material feels like you are wading through it in hip waders. Not in these books and that's part of my high regard for them.
If there was any one thing that I would cite as a negative it is the depth of the "detection" and the solutions. There is a fair amount of detection done by Bernie (after all grievous harm and solitary confinement make excellent incentives), but there is nothing as elusive as Conan Doyle at his best. In this specific book the arch-villain is fairly obvious a chapter or two before the denouement. Even how he sets that up is somewhat predictable, but when weighed against all the good things, it's a enjoyable book and one I hope you will read.
Perhaps this was only worth a "3.5", but I'm giving it a full "4" because the apparent breeziness of the book hides a wealth of detail, research, and good writing. Perhaps Mr. Block is just a great natural talent as Issac Asimov demonstrated in over 400 books and William F. Buckley claimed to be. If so, then he need only fear brain injury to interrupt his understandably magnificent career. On the other hand if he is a mere mortal then the heavy-lifting of doing research, developing the plot lines, and producing the prose is done so skillfully that it results in an product as light and delicious as perfect, home-made croissant. (If you've made them, then you know what I am talking about.)
Each Burglar book has, at its core, some central artifact or theme that gets exposed in great detail to the reader. Whether the theme is something that a thief might steal or some background/past that affects a character does not matter. The reader is handed and devours this information without any strain or awkwardness. In some books the material feels like you are wading through it in hip waders. Not in these books and that's part of my high regard for them.
If there was any one thing that I would cite as a negative it is the depth of the "detection" and the solutions. There is a fair amount of detection done by Bernie (after all grievous harm and solitary confinement make excellent incentives), but there is nothing as elusive as Conan Doyle at his best. In this specific book the arch-villain is fairly obvious a chapter or two before the denouement. Even how he sets that up is somewhat predictable, but when weighed against all the good things, it's a enjoyable book and one I hope you will read.
March 15, 2017
Bernie Rhodenbarr is hiding in the closet while someone kills his dentist's soon-to-be ex-wife. Quite a pickle! Enjoyable series.
July 3, 2024
Bernie Rhodenbarr ile vakit geçirmenin ne kadar keyifli olduğunu fark ettiren bir diğer kitap. Block bu romanlarda karmaşık ve derin bir kurgu izlemiyor. Serinin ikinci kitabında Bernie hırsızlık için gittiği evde bir cinayete tanık olur. Tabi buna tanıklık denebilirse. Diş hekimi Craig Sheldrake boşandığı eşindeki mücevherleri almasını söyler. Eşinde olmasındansa Bernie’de olmasını tercih eder. Ağzında aparatlar olan Bernie’nin güç bela konuşup bu işi kabul etmesini çok komik bir şekilde anlatıyor Block. Bernie eve gittiğinde biraz fazla zaman geçirince işler karışıyor. Evden çıkamadan birileri gelir ve dolaba saklanmak zorunda kalır. Dolaptayken de diş hekiminin eşi öldürülür. İlk kitapta olduğu gibi de cinayetin üzerine kalması söz konusu. Bernie bu cinayeti çözmek zorundadır. Önce eski eşin sevgililerinden şüphelenir. Craig Sheldrake, bu soruşturmadan sıyrılmak için suçu Bernie’ye yüklemeye çalışır. Şüpheli sayısı iyice artar. Çok eğlenceli bir kitap.
March 29, 2013
Bernard Grimes Rhodenbarr is an interesting character to say the least. He is a burglar, a smooth talker, an even smoother operative in the field of breaking and entering, outwardly calm, charming, wise cracking and occassionally loud mouthed a person ! The best thing about him is that he manages to solve mysteries while he is busy with all the above activities. Talking about his methodology of solving mysteries, it is neither the logical way noor the way of deductive reasoning. His mysteries go something like this :
Oooooohhhhh what does this button do ?
Boom ! (followed by deafening silence)
Oops ! Looks like I blew up something !
What then remains is to find out who blew up what and why they did it. It is an onrush of activity and Rhodenbarr is a nice enough fella to give you company through the proceedings. Barring the fact that the climax was slightly predictable, it was a breezy enough read.
Oooooohhhhh what does this button do ?
Boom ! (followed by deafening silence)
Oops ! Looks like I blew up something !
What then remains is to find out who blew up what and why they did it. It is an onrush of activity and Rhodenbarr is a nice enough fella to give you company through the proceedings. Barring the fact that the climax was slightly predictable, it was a breezy enough read.
April 21, 2014
Lawrence Block is moving his way up my favorite author list with every book that I read of his. This series follows Bernie Rhodenbarr our favorite burglar and if you want the standard Block grit and seriousness then this series isn't for you. This has just as much humor as it does action/mystery as we followed our lovable thief as he continues to get himself in all kinds of trouble. It has a New York feel to it so if that's something you like (or don't like) be warned.
Not 5 stars because I thought the book was probably 50 pages too long but a really good read nonetheless.
Recommended IF you like Lawrence Block or this particular series or NYC or humor/mystery.
Not 5 stars because I thought the book was probably 50 pages too long but a really good read nonetheless.
Recommended IF you like Lawrence Block or this particular series or NYC or humor/mystery.
September 25, 2020
I’m enjoying these Bernie Rhodenbarr books. This is the second and establishes a bit of a pattern: Bernie, a professional gentleman burglar in New York, takes on a job and as a result finds himself wanted for a murder he didn’t commit. He then has to solve the crime to prove himself innocent, usually assisted by his female companion of the moment.
It’s very nicely done. Don’t look for hard-boiled realism, but the plot is well structured and the story very well told in Bernie’s wry, observant voice. Lawrence Block is a very good writer and the narrative carried me along nicely. His characters and sense of New York are very good, all of which makes this an enjoyable, diverting read. Recommended.
It’s very nicely done. Don’t look for hard-boiled realism, but the plot is well structured and the story very well told in Bernie’s wry, observant voice. Lawrence Block is a very good writer and the narrative carried me along nicely. His characters and sense of New York are very good, all of which makes this an enjoyable, diverting read. Recommended.
August 11, 2018
Este libro lo leí y ha desaparecido de mi lista de lecturas. Es la segunda vez que me pasa y no entiendo el porqué.
Se que no me entusiasmó mucho pero dudo que mi critica poco entusiasta fuese la causante...
Se que no me entusiasmó mucho pero dudo que mi critica poco entusiasta fuese la causante...
January 7, 2024
Second in the series, building on the breakthrough of new character hapless burglary Bernie Rhodenbarr.
Follows much the same plot lines as book one with Bernie’s poor neighbours overrun by cops looking for a murderer when another break-in goes wrong.
However, while the parameters may be similar there is a lot of innovation and no Block story is ever short of delightful characters.
You take in the atmosphere of New York as the story becomes an investigation for the truth. The sights and sounds of the city ooze and jump from the pages as seedy joints and bars are frequented.
So readable and entertaining. Bernie is a wonderful creation and all his breaking and entering skills aid his investigations. Obviously, the pressure that the police may come calling at his door is sufficient to give pace and drive to the story.
Obviously he is not a PI and this fresh approach to crime detection is a brilliant departure in this genre. Where the closed room mystery may thrill readers these flings open all the windows and allows a zephyr of a breath of fresh air.
Follows much the same plot lines as book one with Bernie’s poor neighbours overrun by cops looking for a murderer when another break-in goes wrong.
However, while the parameters may be similar there is a lot of innovation and no Block story is ever short of delightful characters.
You take in the atmosphere of New York as the story becomes an investigation for the truth. The sights and sounds of the city ooze and jump from the pages as seedy joints and bars are frequented.
So readable and entertaining. Bernie is a wonderful creation and all his breaking and entering skills aid his investigations. Obviously, the pressure that the police may come calling at his door is sufficient to give pace and drive to the story.
Obviously he is not a PI and this fresh approach to crime detection is a brilliant departure in this genre. Where the closed room mystery may thrill readers these flings open all the windows and allows a zephyr of a breath of fresh air.
October 23, 2014
Well read again by Adams Morgan, whose voice fits Bernie Rhodenbarr perfectly & captures the other New Yorkers well, too. (I love Mrs. Hesch. Reminds me of my Aunt Anna.) Bernie is again suspected of murder & must find the real killer before the cops find him. There were so many similarities to the first in the overall plot that I just couldn't give this another star, although it wasn't bad. The end worked out about how I expected, but there was a bit of twist that I thought was over the top. Other than that, it was another fun romp, but I'm hoping the next book will break the mold a bit more.
September 3, 2019
Really enjoyed the book. I read some later books in the series but wanted to go back to the start. Not disappointed and the story has aged well. Another great mystery from Block.
November 19, 2025
3.5 stars.
I liked this one alot more than the first book. Bernie while breaking into an apartment to steal jewels discovers the tenant has returned home. While hiding in the closet to avoid capture there is a knock at the door. An unknown man enters and the tenant is murdered. Bernie is now on a race against the clock as he is being framed for the killing.
Its a fast read, decent mystery and im slowly coming to like the character of Bernie more. Definitely not hard boiled like his other series but still fun.
I liked this one alot more than the first book. Bernie while breaking into an apartment to steal jewels discovers the tenant has returned home. While hiding in the closet to avoid capture there is a knock at the door. An unknown man enters and the tenant is murdered. Bernie is now on a race against the clock as he is being framed for the killing.
Its a fast read, decent mystery and im slowly coming to like the character of Bernie more. Definitely not hard boiled like his other series but still fun.
December 29, 2020
What a fun read! I had forgotten this series until it came up in conversation somewhere. Bernie Rhodenbarr is every bit as enjoyable as I remember. It's a quick read, but there is a place in life for those.
June 9, 2017
Block first published “Burglar in the Closet” in 1978 as the second of what eventually became an eleven-book series featuring the gentleman-burglar Bernie Rhodenbarr. This is clearly one of the best of the series and is a terrific read. In the series, Bernie is not your typical gritty, dirty criminal. He is actually, despite his predilection for burgling, an ordinary guy. He tries to live an ordinary life. At night, he burglarizes places and hopefully unoccupied places. The book is smoothly written and quick reading and quite hilarious, particularly when this professional burglar gets locked in the closet among the ex-wife’s gowns and shoes. This series tends to be more humorous than Block’s Scudder series and less gritty. Nevertheless, for those of you familiar with Scudder, there are echoes of Scudder here with Bernie working on the barest of clues and wandering through lower Manhattan. Bernie, however, has no problem with drinking and genuinely enjoys getting plastered.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
February 9, 2016
This second book in the Bernie Rhodenbarr series, has the burglar inveigled into burgling the apartment of the ex-wife of his dentist.
The ex comes in while Bernie is still inside, forcing him to hide in the closet. He accidentally leaves a briefcase containing his ill gotten gains out in plain sight. Somebody kills the ex, and steals the briefcase. Bernie has to find out whodunnit...and get the briefcase back.
Very entertaining, well done mystery.
The ex comes in while Bernie is still inside, forcing him to hide in the closet. He accidentally leaves a briefcase containing his ill gotten gains out in plain sight. Somebody kills the ex, and steals the briefcase. Bernie has to find out whodunnit...and get the briefcase back.
Very entertaining, well done mystery.
December 9, 2008
Lawrence Block is my favorite author. The comic burglar series stars Bernie Rhodenbarr as the hapless bookstore owner who always runs into unexpected trouble when pulling one of his cat burglar heists. Like the master of the comic caper Donald Westlake, Block manages comedy, terrific characters, and mystery in his crackling dialogue. Read them all.
May 29, 2016
Pity poor Bernie. Instead of a nice clean burgle, he gets a dead body and no loot at all. Then, to add insult to injury, he's accused of having done the killing. Naturally, he can't cop to having been on the scene, so he absolutely has to prove his innocence. The doing of which makes for an entertaining and highly amusing tale, even if it is a bit over the top.
September 17, 2016
This book was written back in 1978 and for that reason I think is why I really, really liked it, especially the authors writing style. This is back when authors really put their full effort in writing a quality book. Mr Block has a wonderful vocabulary and writes his sentences in a unique and original way. This is the second book I have ready of his and will read all his others.
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