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Bernie Rhodenbarr #4
El ladrón que leía a Spinoza
A manos de Bernie Rhodenbarr llega una moneda de valor incalculable. Pese a ser nominalmente de cinco centavos, su rareza –sólo hay en el mundo otras cuatro monedas de la misma serie– la ha convertido en una pieza de coleccionista. Por lo visto, su precio en el mercado numismático es tan alto que justifica incluso el asesinato. Y Bernie, para su desgracia, se interpone entre la moneda y un misterioso coleccionista dispuesto a todo con tal de poseerla.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
81 people are currently reading
781 people want to read
About the author
Lawrence Block
758 books3,012 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 247 reviews
February 16, 2021
The fourth Bernie Rhodenbarr mystery follows a pattern that will be familiar to anyone who has read even a couple of books in the series. Bernie, a neat, tidy, gentleman burglar, robs someone's home and bad things then happen that are really no fault of Bernie's. And as a result, he is forced to dig himself out of trouble.
In this case, Bernie commits a burglary assisted by his best friend, Carolyn Kaiser, a dog groomer who has a shop a couple of doors down from Bernie's used book store. Carolyn has learned that one of her clients, a very wealthy woman, will be out of town for the weekend along with her husband, leaving their house empty and ripe for the plucking. Bernie and Carolyn get into the house, thanks to Bernie's skill with a set of lock picks, only to discover that someone has beaten them to the punch. Another burglar, or burglars, have gotten into the house by dropping through a skylight and have totally trashed the place.
The other burglars, though, are obviously amateurs, and haven't been able to crack the wall safe. Bernie, who is definitely not an amateur, opens the safe and helps himself to some jewelry and a very rare coin. Bernie and Carolyn take the merchandise to one of Bernie's favorite fences. They take cash for the jewelry and leave the coin on consignment, and at that point, as usually happens in these books, everything goes off the rails. Before long, people are being killed and Bernie's nemesis, Detective Ray Kirshman, is hot on Bernie's trail. If anyone is going to save Bernie, and by extension, Carolyn, it's going to have to be Bernie.
Plot-wise, this book makes no more sense than any of the others in the series, but who cares? Bernie is a very clever, witty and resourceful guy, and the pleasure in reading these books is watching him at work and at play. As always, it's a joy to spend an evening in his company.
In this case, Bernie commits a burglary assisted by his best friend, Carolyn Kaiser, a dog groomer who has a shop a couple of doors down from Bernie's used book store. Carolyn has learned that one of her clients, a very wealthy woman, will be out of town for the weekend along with her husband, leaving their house empty and ripe for the plucking. Bernie and Carolyn get into the house, thanks to Bernie's skill with a set of lock picks, only to discover that someone has beaten them to the punch. Another burglar, or burglars, have gotten into the house by dropping through a skylight and have totally trashed the place.
The other burglars, though, are obviously amateurs, and haven't been able to crack the wall safe. Bernie, who is definitely not an amateur, opens the safe and helps himself to some jewelry and a very rare coin. Bernie and Carolyn take the merchandise to one of Bernie's favorite fences. They take cash for the jewelry and leave the coin on consignment, and at that point, as usually happens in these books, everything goes off the rails. Before long, people are being killed and Bernie's nemesis, Detective Ray Kirshman, is hot on Bernie's trail. If anyone is going to save Bernie, and by extension, Carolyn, it's going to have to be Bernie.
Plot-wise, this book makes no more sense than any of the others in the series, but who cares? Bernie is a very clever, witty and resourceful guy, and the pleasure in reading these books is watching him at work and at play. As always, it's a joy to spend an evening in his company.
November 21, 2022
Another good short from the 80s of everyone's favorite Burglar series by Mr. Block. 8 of 10 stars
March 28, 2020
Book 4 in the Bernie Rhodenbarr series first published 1980.
Bernie, the consummate gentleman burglar, is up to his neck in it yet again.
When Bernie arrives at a prestigious address to relieve the owners of some of their better quality possessions he is stuck dumb when he finds that the house has already been done over by what could have been an angry Grisly Bear. The place was totally trashed. This upset Bernie no end, being neat and tidy to the point of OCD. As he was here he thought he should, at least, check out the safe. Just as well he did as there were some quality jewellery and a very rare coin sitting there just asking to be taken.
Not a man to waist time Bernie took his swag to his friendly fence for a quick sale that very night. The coin turned out to be very rare and very valuable, around $250,000. Bernie left the good with the fence who would try to find a buyer, something that could take awhile.
24 Hours later and the wife of the owner of the goods that were purloined by Bernie is dead the husband saying that they were attacked by burglars. At the same time Bernie’s fence is also found dead in his apartment. What could be the connection? That would be obvious; Bernie Rhodenbarr of course and the police have only one suspect in their sights.
As the number one suspect Bernie is left with only one option, find the killer himself. So with the help of his lesbian sidekick and a friendly, if bent, cop Bernie becomes the sleuth.
With no real violence to speak of and a lot of humour this is a very entertaining read.
Bernie is such an endearing character you just can’t help but want him to succeed in his nefarious activities. As long as it’s not your house he has his eye on.
An entertaining 4 star read.
Bernie, the consummate gentleman burglar, is up to his neck in it yet again.
When Bernie arrives at a prestigious address to relieve the owners of some of their better quality possessions he is stuck dumb when he finds that the house has already been done over by what could have been an angry Grisly Bear. The place was totally trashed. This upset Bernie no end, being neat and tidy to the point of OCD. As he was here he thought he should, at least, check out the safe. Just as well he did as there were some quality jewellery and a very rare coin sitting there just asking to be taken.
Not a man to waist time Bernie took his swag to his friendly fence for a quick sale that very night. The coin turned out to be very rare and very valuable, around $250,000. Bernie left the good with the fence who would try to find a buyer, something that could take awhile.
24 Hours later and the wife of the owner of the goods that were purloined by Bernie is dead the husband saying that they were attacked by burglars. At the same time Bernie’s fence is also found dead in his apartment. What could be the connection? That would be obvious; Bernie Rhodenbarr of course and the police have only one suspect in their sights.
As the number one suspect Bernie is left with only one option, find the killer himself. So with the help of his lesbian sidekick and a friendly, if bent, cop Bernie becomes the sleuth.
With no real violence to speak of and a lot of humour this is a very entertaining read.
Bernie is such an endearing character you just can’t help but want him to succeed in his nefarious activities. As long as it’s not your house he has his eye on.
An entertaining 4 star read.
January 21, 2020
Even back in the days before Amazon it was tough to turn a profit running a used bookstore so Bernie Rhodenbarr supplements his income by the occasional burglary job. When his best friend Carolyn has a hot tip about an easy score about some wealthy people being on an overnight trip it seems like easy money, but after breaking into their home Bernie finds that some other thieves have already hit the place. Still, he manages to find an uncracked safe with some loot inside so it seems like a successful heist with a potentially big payday thanks to a rare coin. However, the police soon pick up Bernie on suspicion of murder. How can a honest thief prove his innocence?
As I’ve noted in other reviews, this isn’t my favorite Lawrence Block series, and I wasn’t all that interested before because the stories aren’t actually about Bernie being a thief. Instead, his burglaries end up with him in trouble in with the cops for crimes he hasn’t committed, and he has to use his skills to solve a mystery. So this is actually an amateur detective series in disguise, and for a long time that didn’t work for me because I prefer my stories about thieves to be about stealing and not finding murderers.
However, after trying several of them I finally fell for Bernie’s charms, and that’s entirely due to Block’s talent. While these aren’t outright comedies they are meant to be funnier and lighter than Block’s other work, and Bernie does work as a likable guy who does have a certain code of honor even as he dearly loves stealing stuff. That’s all on display here with a solid whodunit plot for Bernie to unravel as he goes around breaking into places and having funny conversations with people.
As I’ve noted in other reviews, this isn’t my favorite Lawrence Block series, and I wasn’t all that interested before because the stories aren’t actually about Bernie being a thief. Instead, his burglaries end up with him in trouble in with the cops for crimes he hasn’t committed, and he has to use his skills to solve a mystery. So this is actually an amateur detective series in disguise, and for a long time that didn’t work for me because I prefer my stories about thieves to be about stealing and not finding murderers.
However, after trying several of them I finally fell for Bernie’s charms, and that’s entirely due to Block’s talent. While these aren’t outright comedies they are meant to be funnier and lighter than Block’s other work, and Bernie does work as a likable guy who does have a certain code of honor even as he dearly loves stealing stuff. That’s all on display here with a solid whodunit plot for Bernie to unravel as he goes around breaking into places and having funny conversations with people.
August 26, 2017
Lawrence Block (n. 1938)
O policial “O Ladrão que Estudava Espinosa” foi originalmente publicado em 1980, quarto livro de uma série protagonizada por Bernard Rhodenbarr, numa lindíssima edição portuguesa da Livros Cotovia intitulada Colecção Gato Preto.
O norte-americano Lawrence Block (n. 1938) é um dos melhores escritores do género “policial”, possuindo “uma notável capacidade de criar tramas que são verdadeiros quebra-cabeças e de deixar o leitor feliz e satisfeito por não os conseguir resolver." Block escreveu duas séries de culto, protagonizadas por Bernard Rhodenbarr e por Matthew Scudder.
Contém alguns spoilers
Bernard Rhodenbarr - Bernie - é dono de uma livraria que vende livros em segunda mão, a "Livros Barnegat", uma das suas paixões, pouco lucrativa, sendo que a outra paixão, mais lucrativa, consiste em abrir fechaduras sem usar chaves, roubando a propriedade alheia, sem recurso à violência ou danificando as casas ou os apartamentos assaltados.
Bernie conjuntamente com a sua “vizinha” Carolyn Kaiser, a tratadora de animais da “Cães & Companhia”, lésbica, a sua alma gémea, uma cúmplice e parceira dos roubos, perpetuam um assalto a um apartamento luxuoso na zona do Upper East Side em Manhattan, Nova Iorque, onde se “apropriam”, entre outros objectos, de uma moeda de cinco “cents” a V-Nickel de 1913 ou a Liberty Head Nickels de 1913, raríssima, da qual só existem cinco exemplares, podendo valer cerca de meio milhão de dólares; acabando os dois envolvidos numa série de eventos ”muito” improváveis e dois assassinatos relacionados com o desaparecimento da referida peça.
Bernie torna-se no principal suspeito da morte do receptador de objectos roubados e seu amigo, Abel Crowe, com quem partilha a paixão pelos livros raros e pelo filósofo holandês de origem portuguesa Baruch Espinoza (1632 – 1677) e da morte da dona do luxuoso apartamento assaltado, Wanda Colcannon; sendo obrigado a investigar os crimes para provar à polícia que não foi ele que os cometeu.
“O Ladrão que Estudava Espinosa” é um excelente policial, com uma personagem principal inesquecível, o livreiro e assaltante, simultaneamente, inteligente e hábil, Bernard Rhodenbarr, um “verdadeiro” ladrão, com normas e ética profissional; com personagens secundárias atraentes, com destaque para a sua amiga e cúmplice Carolyn Kaiser e sua amante Denise Raphaelson.
“O Ladrão que Estudava Espinosa” é um policial com diálogos sofisticados e espirituosos, num mistério denso com inúmeras reviravoltas; um romance envolvente, muito bem estruturado e com um bom ritmo, mas que desiludiu um pouco na resolução e no desfecho final.
Baruch Espinoza (1632 - 1677) - Filósofo holandês de origem portuguesa ou galega (?)
1 - Baruch Espinoza, "foi um dos grandes racionalistas do século XVII dentro da chamada Filosofia Moderna, juntamente com René Descartes e Gottfried Leibniz. Nasceu em Amsterdão, nos Países Baixos, no seio de uma família judaica portuguesa e é considerado o fundador do criticismo bíblico moderno." - "A sua família fugiu da inquisição de Portugal." - "Em 27 de julho de 1656, a Sinagoga Portuguesa de Amsterdão puniu Espinoza com o chérem, o equivalente hebraico da excomunhão católica, pelos seus postulados a respeito de Deus em sua obra, defendendo que Deus é o mecanismo imanente da natureza, e a Bíblia, uma obra metafórico-alegórica que não pede leitura racional e que não exprime a verdade sobre Deus." (Wikipédia)
January 29, 2023
Ah, forgive me but I do enjoy Lawrence Block’s Bernie Rhodenbarr series regardless of (or maybe because of) the fact that the same thing happens in each volume. This is the 4th book in the series and once again, a seemingly straightforward burglary becomes far more convoluted.
In Spinoza Bernie, accompanied by dog-groomer by day, apprentice burglar/henchwoman by night, Carolyn breaks into the home of the Colcannons only to find the place has already been ransacked. But the earlier burglars, as well as clearly being rank amateurs in Bernie’s eyes, missed a few things that Bernie just happened to find, to wit: an extremely rare coin.
Although each Burglar story starts out looking and feeling like a crime story from the perspective of the criminal, they each turn out to actually be an amateur sleuth story. Spinoza is no different and Bernie is forced into the role of sleuth here after he has been implicated in two murders, each in some way potentially linked to the burglary at the Colcannons.
With the police breathing down his neck, certain that he was at the scene of the crime at the very least, and possibly responsible for a corpse or two, and a gun-toting well-dressed woman prepared to put a hole or two in him for the same reason, Bernie decides to take matters into his own hands.
It’s when he starts to figure out what went on at the two murder scenes that things start to get real interesting. Piece by piece, phone call by phone call, step by step he manipulates all of the potential suspects, shifting them around until he creates a scenario that works to allow him to solve the mystery. He actually uses a weirdly clever variation on the ole Agatha Christie setup to make his big reveal.
As with each of the books in the Burglar series this is laced with sharp dialogue, striking humour and witty observations on the mundane, everyday lifestyles of his fellow New Yorkers. There are enough amusing moments that you forgive the fact that the good guy will rob you blind if you give him half a chance.
In Spinoza Bernie, accompanied by dog-groomer by day, apprentice burglar/henchwoman by night, Carolyn breaks into the home of the Colcannons only to find the place has already been ransacked. But the earlier burglars, as well as clearly being rank amateurs in Bernie’s eyes, missed a few things that Bernie just happened to find, to wit: an extremely rare coin.
Although each Burglar story starts out looking and feeling like a crime story from the perspective of the criminal, they each turn out to actually be an amateur sleuth story. Spinoza is no different and Bernie is forced into the role of sleuth here after he has been implicated in two murders, each in some way potentially linked to the burglary at the Colcannons.
With the police breathing down his neck, certain that he was at the scene of the crime at the very least, and possibly responsible for a corpse or two, and a gun-toting well-dressed woman prepared to put a hole or two in him for the same reason, Bernie decides to take matters into his own hands.
It’s when he starts to figure out what went on at the two murder scenes that things start to get real interesting. Piece by piece, phone call by phone call, step by step he manipulates all of the potential suspects, shifting them around until he creates a scenario that works to allow him to solve the mystery. He actually uses a weirdly clever variation on the ole Agatha Christie setup to make his big reveal.
As with each of the books in the Burglar series this is laced with sharp dialogue, striking humour and witty observations on the mundane, everyday lifestyles of his fellow New Yorkers. There are enough amusing moments that you forgive the fact that the good guy will rob you blind if you give him half a chance.
February 5, 2013
This is the first book i have read in this series and it was a very good place to start. Bernie Rhodenbarr is such a witty,fun character to read about. His POV makes so much sense that i got past easily the fact he is burglar who likes to rob people. I expected this story to be more of heist story but it was fun combo of murder mustery and heist story. Its was so funny to read a burglar who enjoys his craft,takes pride in his skill and at the same time trying to act like an amateur ddetective and solve a murder case he is involved in.
Also a well written mystery that i tried to guess, predict the killer but Block was too good to make it predictable to guess. As usual i enjoyed Blocks vivid portrayl of street level New York City and his characters walking around in that setting.
Also a well written mystery that i tried to guess, predict the killer but Block was too good to make it predictable to guess. As usual i enjoyed Blocks vivid portrayl of street level New York City and his characters walking around in that setting.
September 10, 2017
Os policiais são, quanto a mim, livros de eleição para descomprimir. Como intervalos de leituras mais exigentes (não que estes não o sejam), ou simplesmente porque sim. Adaptam-se sempre a qualquer circunstância. Não leio tantos como gostava, mas é um género que me interessa pois, mesmo a relaxar, mantém a cabeça em ebulição.
O que ainda não me tinha acontecido era ler um policial tão bem escrito como este. Literariamente falando. Tenho este tipo de livros como lineares ao nível da escrita, que permitem uma leitura rápida, e trato-os como entretenimento que tanta falta faz.
Percebi que Lawrence Block escreveu um rol de livros de meter inveja e que é muito apreciado pelos fãs (que são muitos). Uma das suas séries mais famosas é a do detective Bernie Rhodenbarr, um ex-ladrão em recuperação, dono de uma loja de livros usados (como não gostar de Bernie?), com um talento nato para abrir toda a espécie de fechaduras. Tive o prazer de conhecer Bernie nesta leitura.
Este livro foi escrito em 1980, e foi engraçado regressar a uma época em que as pessoas contactavam por telefone fixo, não enviavam e-mails nem sms, e marcavam encontros sem dezenas de chamadas de confirmação.
Bernie e a amiga Carolyn vão assaltar uma casa (sim, eu disse que Bernie estava a tentar deixar o vício de roubar) e, a partir daí (como sempre acontece) tudo corre ao contrário do previsto.
Bernie é ardiloso e inteligente, apesar de não parecer está sempre uns passos à frente da polícia (a quem tem de convencer que não matou a dona da casa assaltada que regressou mais cedo do que o previsto) e dos supostos verdadeiros homicidas.
Uma viagem que vai para além do mundo do crime, que apresenta ao leitor um certo glamour em ser ladrão e que o presenteia com detalhes interessantes sobre o (sub)mundo dos receptadores dos valiosos objectos roubados. Tudo isto com uma pitada de sentido de humor muito particular.
A edição é da Cotovia num lindíssimo azul que se estende à parte de fora das páginas. Foram editados mais dois livros do autor, suponho que a colecção não tenha vingado por cá. Garanto-vos que é uma pena.
http://planetamarcia.blogs.sapo.pt/o-...
O que ainda não me tinha acontecido era ler um policial tão bem escrito como este. Literariamente falando. Tenho este tipo de livros como lineares ao nível da escrita, que permitem uma leitura rápida, e trato-os como entretenimento que tanta falta faz.
Percebi que Lawrence Block escreveu um rol de livros de meter inveja e que é muito apreciado pelos fãs (que são muitos). Uma das suas séries mais famosas é a do detective Bernie Rhodenbarr, um ex-ladrão em recuperação, dono de uma loja de livros usados (como não gostar de Bernie?), com um talento nato para abrir toda a espécie de fechaduras. Tive o prazer de conhecer Bernie nesta leitura.
Este livro foi escrito em 1980, e foi engraçado regressar a uma época em que as pessoas contactavam por telefone fixo, não enviavam e-mails nem sms, e marcavam encontros sem dezenas de chamadas de confirmação.
Bernie e a amiga Carolyn vão assaltar uma casa (sim, eu disse que Bernie estava a tentar deixar o vício de roubar) e, a partir daí (como sempre acontece) tudo corre ao contrário do previsto.
Bernie é ardiloso e inteligente, apesar de não parecer está sempre uns passos à frente da polícia (a quem tem de convencer que não matou a dona da casa assaltada que regressou mais cedo do que o previsto) e dos supostos verdadeiros homicidas.
Uma viagem que vai para além do mundo do crime, que apresenta ao leitor um certo glamour em ser ladrão e que o presenteia com detalhes interessantes sobre o (sub)mundo dos receptadores dos valiosos objectos roubados. Tudo isto com uma pitada de sentido de humor muito particular.
A edição é da Cotovia num lindíssimo azul que se estende à parte de fora das páginas. Foram editados mais dois livros do autor, suponho que a colecção não tenha vingado por cá. Garanto-vos que é uma pena.
http://planetamarcia.blogs.sapo.pt/o-...
July 15, 2017
So I just picked up all the Burglar Books the 2nd hand bookshop in Fredericton had, which was the first and two other random members of the series. Circumstances have changed a bit between the first book and this; the supporting cast is completely different apart from Ray the corrupt cop, Bernie runs a 2nd hand bookshop of his own (a money-losing business) and seems to be less sexist. On the other hand he still burgles and still ends up having to solve a murder...
Bernie's adventures are still amusing but in this example are also a bit confusing...how did not end up arrested, again?
Bernie's adventures are still amusing but in this example are also a bit confusing...how did not end up arrested, again?
February 5, 2023
3.75 stars. This is such a great series. How could a burglar be lovable, but he is, and so are his friends. Enjoyed this one very much. I’ve read many of these out of order but I’d never read this one yet and it was one of the better ones.
October 2, 2018
Kanımca serinin en başarılı kitaplarından biri.. en azından Bernie'nin üstüne cinayet suçu yıkılmadı bu defa. Ipuçları biraz olsun serpiştirilmişti öyküye.
July 25, 2014
Bernie Rhodenbarr, Gentleman Thief, now with extra added lesbian dwarf henchperson.
If you're an old hand with the Burglar series from Lawrence Block you know the drill; Bernie commits a crime, somehow gets framed for murder and then needs to get himself out of a jam by doing the cops work for them whilst cracking wise. It's his lesbian dwarf henchperson that gets him fingered this time and it's a close friend who is the unfortunate corpse, it's fair to say Bernie has had better weeks, but that doesn't stop him from putting a fair few people behind bars and making a tidy profit in the bargain.
Block walks you through this latest confession with stunning ease, wit and flair, his modern day Raffles taking great pleasure in discussing philosophy, the finer points of B&E, orthotics, pastries, exotic breeds of dog and rare coins. Once more he provides a lightly entertaining mystery complete with gathering of all major suspects in a closed space whilst he slowly explains the one fact that he and Block kept from the reader to allow for the traditional "dramatic reveal." You just can't really go wrong with Lawrence Block no matter where you turn.
If you're an old hand with the Burglar series from Lawrence Block you know the drill; Bernie commits a crime, somehow gets framed for murder and then needs to get himself out of a jam by doing the cops work for them whilst cracking wise. It's his lesbian dwarf henchperson that gets him fingered this time and it's a close friend who is the unfortunate corpse, it's fair to say Bernie has had better weeks, but that doesn't stop him from putting a fair few people behind bars and making a tidy profit in the bargain.
Block walks you through this latest confession with stunning ease, wit and flair, his modern day Raffles taking great pleasure in discussing philosophy, the finer points of B&E, orthotics, pastries, exotic breeds of dog and rare coins. Once more he provides a lightly entertaining mystery complete with gathering of all major suspects in a closed space whilst he slowly explains the one fact that he and Block kept from the reader to allow for the traditional "dramatic reveal." You just can't really go wrong with Lawrence Block no matter where you turn.
August 14, 2017
Another entertaining entry in the Burglar series. It's hard to believe that the very dark and violent (and very good) Matthew Scudder novels are written by the same Lawrence Block. This series is so light and fun. Bernie is a great character, a wisecracking burglar and book enthusiast who it is a pleasure to spend time with.
December 1, 2023
Another Bernie Rhodenbarr winner from the great Lawrence Block, this one's #4. I think I liked this one the best so far, everything worked from beginning to end. I'm not really sure why I like this thief, but I do and find myself rooting for him in each book. I love all the little witicisms thrown in throughout. Yes some are a little corny but they brighten my day just enough.
September 7, 2015
Review to follow
September 18, 2025
Bernie the amateur bookseller and occasional professional burglar has teamed up with his friend Carolyn to take a score every now and then. This time, she's figured that one of her rich pet grooming clients is going to be absent on a specific evening, and that this rich client has a wall safe and a lot of money. Upon robbing this place they find that it has already been ransacked by other burglars, and then there is a murder charge and Bernie is on the cops' short list of potential suspects.
Verdict: Bernie and Carolyn's adventure is as lively and light as the prior books in the series but I fell out of favor with the second-half's mysterious machinations; Bernie is going through a lot of steps with us seeing about half of the action, we don't know why he's doing these things, a hundred pages or so until he reveals at the end what he was up to with all his trips and phone calls. At that point, I just didn't care anymore.
Jeff's Rating: 2 / 5 (Okay)
movie rating if made into a movie: R
Verdict: Bernie and Carolyn's adventure is as lively and light as the prior books in the series but I fell out of favor with the second-half's mysterious machinations; Bernie is going through a lot of steps with us seeing about half of the action, we don't know why he's doing these things, a hundred pages or so until he reveals at the end what he was up to with all his trips and phone calls. At that point, I just didn't care anymore.
Jeff's Rating: 2 / 5 (Okay)
movie rating if made into a movie: R
June 2, 2012
Following the general formula the semi-retired burglar steps across the threshold of someone else's abode only to be sought after for murder. Not that the "semi-retired" part applies to any of the books. Every vignette of Bernie's life that we are privy to has him performing multiple B&Es. One out of avarice and the rest to save his skin or personal liberty by solving the aforementioned lethal crime.
Sounds boringly formulaic does it not? What saves these books is the dies plots that decorate the main crime and the factual distraction that pervades the book. By the former I mean things that either the burglar himself was thinking (like why rob a particular place or thing) and by the motivations of his friends an acquaintances. By the latter details about a certain cultural or philosophical "genre".
In this book, I was surprised to find his height-challenged friend (not originally part of the series) taking part in his initial robbery. Although another book refers to the fact that he has taught her how to pick locks, I did not think that the buddy aspect of their relationship would be extended to "joint maneuvers". Talk about keeping things fresh.
As in every book, there is some chunk of knowledge that has been (we believe) deeply researched by the author and doled out to us as the story unfolds. Here it is the writer and philosopher Spinoza. But the way in which he is brought to light and compared with others is handled with very skillful writing. As in every book, the material is highly integrated into the story line making it as natural as how the characters interact.
I'm sure that some people will gloss over these passages, but I find myself looking forward to reading about each "passion" as the facts are unfurled. Even when I am already familiar with the topic it is easy to admire and respect the author's uplifting of the commonweal.
Still not a book of heavy intellectual lifting, but that's not what we look for in this series. Good writing, good plot, and sufficient side details to keep you thinking. Coupled with some easy to like primary characters and you have a book that deserves a "4" and certainly not less than a "3.8".
Sounds boringly formulaic does it not? What saves these books is the dies plots that decorate the main crime and the factual distraction that pervades the book. By the former I mean things that either the burglar himself was thinking (like why rob a particular place or thing) and by the motivations of his friends an acquaintances. By the latter details about a certain cultural or philosophical "genre".
In this book, I was surprised to find his height-challenged friend (not originally part of the series) taking part in his initial robbery. Although another book refers to the fact that he has taught her how to pick locks, I did not think that the buddy aspect of their relationship would be extended to "joint maneuvers". Talk about keeping things fresh.
As in every book, there is some chunk of knowledge that has been (we believe) deeply researched by the author and doled out to us as the story unfolds. Here it is the writer and philosopher Spinoza. But the way in which he is brought to light and compared with others is handled with very skillful writing. As in every book, the material is highly integrated into the story line making it as natural as how the characters interact.
I'm sure that some people will gloss over these passages, but I find myself looking forward to reading about each "passion" as the facts are unfurled. Even when I am already familiar with the topic it is easy to admire and respect the author's uplifting of the commonweal.
Still not a book of heavy intellectual lifting, but that's not what we look for in this series. Good writing, good plot, and sufficient side details to keep you thinking. Coupled with some easy to like primary characters and you have a book that deserves a "4" and certainly not less than a "3.8".
February 18, 2015
As usual, Bernie knocks off a few choice one-liners here - his comment about a shoplifter being appropriately punished if she actually reads the book she boosted is priceless. The main mystery's a bit too easy to unwind, but the B-plot holds a couple of surprises.
June 22, 2017
I'm on Bernie Binge. I discovered this series from one of the cheap Nook sites, and have been hooked for a couple of months as I hunt down the others. This one was one of my favorites; I loved the characters and the situation
February 25, 2015
I enjoy the Bernie Rhondenbarr series. It's a great mix of humor, suspense and mystery. Bernie always has a rabbit or two to pull out of his hat and this one is no exception.
March 31, 2017
An amusing, clever crime vintage Block.
June 26, 2017
Fun little murder mystery with the witty cat burglar Bernie Rhodenbarr as the sleuth. This one featured murder over a rare coin.
July 2, 2022
Really two and a half stars. I guessed one of the answers to the "mystery" pretty early in the book.
November 12, 2022
What an ending! And to deliver it, to sum it up at a funeral! Absolutely entertaining. I loved the plot, the mystery, all the pieces of each character that made them relateable and "real". This is definitely a series I will continue to read and enjoy. Highly recommend.
November 6, 2025
[3.4~3.5] Cozy mood calls for a quick side quest with the one-and-only gentlemanly burglar. Ranks lower versus the books I’ve read so far, but still a fun time!
November 28, 2019
Great series; droll.
February 18, 2016
A fairly good mystery with an unusual premise.
Bernie and Carolyn break into a brownstone, only to find it already burgled. There's some choice items left over, so they make do with the rest, including a very rare coin that Bernie tries to fence with his old reliable guy.
Of course, there's a murder, and Bernie is a suspect because Carolyn stupidly left a glove at the scene. The fence is murdered, too, putting him in even more jeopardy.
Bernie solves everything, even though it's a pretty complicated mess.
Pretty good.
Bernie and Carolyn break into a brownstone, only to find it already burgled. There's some choice items left over, so they make do with the rest, including a very rare coin that Bernie tries to fence with his old reliable guy.
Of course, there's a murder, and Bernie is a suspect because Carolyn stupidly left a glove at the scene. The fence is murdered, too, putting him in even more jeopardy.
Bernie solves everything, even though it's a pretty complicated mess.
Pretty good.
February 9, 2012
Another terrific entry in Block’s burglar series, with a few surprises from the familiar formula that’s been used in the earlier books in the series. Bernie is most like a private investigator while still using his brain and burglar skills to solve a series of murders. Some favorite moments include the romantic twist at the end, I didn’t see that coming, the first killer, I knew that from the start, and finally the second killer that one was a surprise.
February 14, 2017
Bernie Rhodenbarr does it again. He and Carolyn become the second thief and he gets blamed for the burglary as well as a murder. They take the loot to a fence he knows well,and then that man gets murdered. While Bernie works to find out who did the murders, we get a nice lesson in numismatics. The solution is presented with a flourish, as usual.
Richard Ferrone is the narrator and is fantastic.
Richard Ferrone is the narrator and is fantastic.
December 10, 2020
The best in the series so far but Bernie Rhodenbarr has now been involved in 4 burglaries that have all ended up with him framed for murder and then having to solve the case all by himself so you'll need to be prepared to suspend a lot of disbelief if you're thinking of entering this world. Rhodenbarr is much more likeable than Poirot or Miss Marple though, so that's a positive.
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