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Abe Lieberman #4
人間たちの絆―刑事エイブ・リーバーマン
An unfortunate burglar happens onto a murder in progress, but runs rather than risk a jail term, at least until the murderer starts stalking him. Chicago homicide detectives Abe Lieberman and Bill Hanrahan investigate.
374 pages
First published March 1, 1995
32 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Stuart M. Kaminsky
161 books215 followersStuart M. Kaminsky wrote 50 published novels, 5 biographies, 4 textbooks and 35 short stories. He also has screenwriting credits on four produced films including ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA, ENEMY TERRITORY, A WOMAN IN THE WIND and HIDDEN FEARS. He was a past president of the Mystery Writers of America and was nominated for six prestigious Edgar Allen Poe Awards including one for his short story “Snow” in 1999. He won an Edgar for his novel A COLD RED SUNRISE, which was also awarded the Prix De Roman D’Aventure of France. He was nominated for both a Shamus Award and a McCavity Readers Choice Award.
Kaminsky wrote several popular series including those featuring Lew Fonesca, Abraham Lieberman, Inspector Porfiry Petrovich Rostnikov, and Toby Peters. He also wrote two original "Rockford Files " novels. He was the 50th annual recipient of the Grandmaster 2006 for Lifetime Achievement from the Mystery Writers of America.
Received the Shamus Award, "The Eye" (Lifetime achievement award) in 2007.
His nonfiction books including BASIC FILMMAKING, WRITING FOR TELEVISION, AMERICAN FILM GENRES, and biographies of GARY COOPER, CLINT EASTWOOD, JOHN HUSTON and DON SIEGEL. BEHIND THE MYSTERY was published by Hot House Press in 2005 and nominated by Mystery Writers of America for Best Critical/Biographical book in 2006.
Kaminsky held a B.S. in Journalism and an M.A. in English from The University of Illinois and a Ph.D. in Speech from Northwestern University where he taught for 16 years before becoming a Professor at Florida State. where he headed the Graduate Conservatory in Film and Television Production. He left Florida State in 1994 to pursue full-time writing.
Kaminsky and his wife, Enid Perll, moved to St. Louis, Missouri in March 2009 to await a liver transplant to treat the hepatitis he contracted as an army medic in the late 1950s in France. He suffered a stroke two days after their arrival in St. Louis, which made him ineligible for a transplant. He died on October 9, 2009.
Kaminsky wrote several popular series including those featuring Lew Fonesca, Abraham Lieberman, Inspector Porfiry Petrovich Rostnikov, and Toby Peters. He also wrote two original "Rockford Files " novels. He was the 50th annual recipient of the Grandmaster 2006 for Lifetime Achievement from the Mystery Writers of America.
Received the Shamus Award, "The Eye" (Lifetime achievement award) in 2007.
His nonfiction books including BASIC FILMMAKING, WRITING FOR TELEVISION, AMERICAN FILM GENRES, and biographies of GARY COOPER, CLINT EASTWOOD, JOHN HUSTON and DON SIEGEL. BEHIND THE MYSTERY was published by Hot House Press in 2005 and nominated by Mystery Writers of America for Best Critical/Biographical book in 2006.
Kaminsky held a B.S. in Journalism and an M.A. in English from The University of Illinois and a Ph.D. in Speech from Northwestern University where he taught for 16 years before becoming a Professor at Florida State. where he headed the Graduate Conservatory in Film and Television Production. He left Florida State in 1994 to pursue full-time writing.
Kaminsky and his wife, Enid Perll, moved to St. Louis, Missouri in March 2009 to await a liver transplant to treat the hepatitis he contracted as an army medic in the late 1950s in France. He suffered a stroke two days after their arrival in St. Louis, which made him ineligible for a transplant. He died on October 9, 2009.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 9, 2024
As usual I enjoyed this one very much. However, I should disclose that I was raised as a Jew, although not devout since at least my early teens. But I'm familiar with the culture and the food, and therein lies my only problem with this series... Abe's brother run's a Jewish deli/restaurant, and a lot of conversations take place here, which makes me hungry for foods I either shouldn't eat (pastrami, corned beef, etc) or more importantly, can't easily find in my neck of the woods. Asian and Mexican foods are easy. Also, I have no family here other than my wife's, who is Chinese and too health-conscious to eat some of the good stuff. Bagel and smoked salmon is about as far as she's gone.
But aside from this, I like it because of the characters. Abe is an aging, non-imposing detective, who never resorts to violence, and seems to respect everyone to some degree, even the criminals, at least the more common ones who are simply trying to get by and not killing anyone. He's polite and honest, and his main worry is his cholesterol level and the fact that he can't eat the foods he loves - or at least has to keep it to a minimum.
Oh, and he has a sense of humor, which is something I like in most books, as long as it doesn't get overbearing.
But aside from this, I like it because of the characters. Abe is an aging, non-imposing detective, who never resorts to violence, and seems to respect everyone to some degree, even the criminals, at least the more common ones who are simply trying to get by and not killing anyone. He's polite and honest, and his main worry is his cholesterol level and the fact that he can't eat the foods he loves - or at least has to keep it to a minimum.
Oh, and he has a sense of humor, which is something I like in most books, as long as it doesn't get overbearing.
March 12, 2023
Um ladrão presencia por acidente um homicídio e não sabe o que fazer.
O rabino e o padre dão uma ajuda.
O rabino e o padre dão uma ajuda.
May 12, 2017
Another good one in the series.
June 16, 2019
I'm still a little in love with Abe Lieberman.
July 1, 2024
The first half was 3 stars. But then it got better and better. I wasn't a big fan of placing the thief so ominously in the wrong place at the wrong time because it seemed gimmicky.
Yet, the last parts and especially the epilogue listings of various characters- their states of thought at the very ending after all events was SO well done (yes 5 star)! Which puts this as a full 4 star earned rating from me.
It also progressed every single series return character superbly. And as such these changes intrigued me further; it makes me eager to continue. No one prime seems static.
They still did not go very far into the Southside Chicago. No one did. The Wentworth I knew in this era certainly held few Chinese antiques. It had to be farther North by 2 miles at least to house all that lacquer.
Yet, the last parts and especially the epilogue listings of various characters- their states of thought at the very ending after all events was SO well done (yes 5 star)! Which puts this as a full 4 star earned rating from me.
It also progressed every single series return character superbly. And as such these changes intrigued me further; it makes me eager to continue. No one prime seems static.
They still did not go very far into the Southside Chicago. No one did. The Wentworth I knew in this era certainly held few Chinese antiques. It had to be farther North by 2 miles at least to house all that lacquer.
October 25, 2021
A competent and readable novel, but also a forgettable and sometimes mundane one. The scenes involving the main story were interesting and occasionally suspenseful, but the many side plots just dragged the book down and slowed down the story. If you took out all of the fluff, this short novel would be even shorter - maybe 50 pages of it was actually about the story? If you're into this kind of series, where the point is just as much to live with the main character as it is to solve the crime, you'll like it, but it was too much for me.
June 12, 2023
This series is so real for me. I see this happen frequently in criminals! People give themselves away with their body language. Cops are trained to pick up on this stuff! And I love how Abe and his partner truly capture the essence of how real detectives work.
April 25, 2025
None better .
Kaminsky and his characters of various ethnic persuasions are as entertaining as it gets. Lieberman is the best of all. Because of my own ethnic background I can really relate to him.
Kaminsky and his characters of various ethnic persuasions are as entertaining as it gets. Lieberman is the best of all. Because of my own ethnic background I can really relate to him.
January 11, 2021
love the Lieberman character... always a good story!
January 25, 2021
Just good escape lit. Good characters and nice feel for the Chicago scenery.
June 21, 2022
One of the best in the series. Several storylines converge in a entertaining finish. Narrator is excellent, as usual.
November 21, 2022
I now know there are more books in the series, I will finish the series. Good read!
October 16, 2023
Excellent, well-written mystery. I loved it!
August 26, 2024
Abe Lieberman is a good detective and this is a fun series
January 29, 2025
Love the characters and the multiple plot lines. Kaminsky has a flare for understating things but getting them done. Long live Abe.
February 16, 2015
As readers of my reviews most certainly realize, I read and enjoy books from many different genres. However, if I had to choose just one type of book, there's no question that the mystery would be my choice. A talented mystery writer must demonstrate a deep and nuanced understanding of human nature; otherwise, the reader simply won't go along for the ride. He or she usually must also have the ability to craft an intriguing puzzle which will keep the reader turning pages until the very last one has been read.
Such a mystery is "Lieberman's Thief," an entry in Stuart Kiminsky's series about police officer Abe Lieberman. Right away, the reader knows that there is nothing predictable about this book. We meet George (Pitty-Pitty) Patniks, a burglar who has spent the past couple of weeks planning to rob a home. His research showed that the husband and wife who lived in the house would be out that evening attending one event in a subscription concert series. What he didn't count on is that the homeowner was also making plans. Those plans involved a complex plan to kill his wife on that very same evening. So, as George is robbing the house, the couple come home and George hides in the pantry in order not to be discovered, but, as you would expect, these two crimes become quite connected. And that's just the beginning of this thrilling ride!
I've read Kaminsky's short stories before, but I don't believe I've tried any other entries in this series. That is certainly something I'll have to remedy. This was an excellent read which kept me intrigued from start to finish.
Such a mystery is "Lieberman's Thief," an entry in Stuart Kiminsky's series about police officer Abe Lieberman. Right away, the reader knows that there is nothing predictable about this book. We meet George (Pitty-Pitty) Patniks, a burglar who has spent the past couple of weeks planning to rob a home. His research showed that the husband and wife who lived in the house would be out that evening attending one event in a subscription concert series. What he didn't count on is that the homeowner was also making plans. Those plans involved a complex plan to kill his wife on that very same evening. So, as George is robbing the house, the couple come home and George hides in the pantry in order not to be discovered, but, as you would expect, these two crimes become quite connected. And that's just the beginning of this thrilling ride!
I've read Kaminsky's short stories before, but I don't believe I've tried any other entries in this series. That is certainly something I'll have to remedy. This was an excellent read which kept me intrigued from start to finish.
October 24, 2011
#4 in the Abe Lieberman Series-This series is silently growing on me. The mystery aspect of these books is good but what really grabs me is the characters. Abe is an older cop. Jewish. Married to Bess who he adores. He has a daughter, Lisa. If she was my daughter, I’d disown her. She is divorcing her husband and moving to San Francisco and leaving her kids with Abe and Bess. So irresponsible. Her ex-husband is getting remarried. She was the one who dumped him and does not want him back but she can’t deal with him being with someone else. Abe is a good cop. He does dabble a bit on the dark side. He has an interesting relationship with these Mexican thugs. They like him and they do him favors. These favors push the limit of the law and in the back of my mind, I feel like this is going to catch up with him one day. His partner, Bill, is divorced and in love. He is in love with an Asian woman. It’s been a struggle but his life has finally taken a positive turn. I like the setting of this series. Chicago. The beat is full of tradition but modern day poverty and struggle is slowly gnawing away at the foundation. Kaminsky has captured it and does a great job portraying it across the page. I enjoy this series and have found the next book on a mooch site.
November 1, 2019
From the Goodreads blurb:
In this fourth book of the Abe Lieberman Mystery series, the Chicago police detective finds he must catch a thief to nab a killer.
George "Pitty Pitty" Patnik was a thief who thought he had everything planned for a nice, clean in-and-out burglary. But that was before he heard the screams and saw the blood. Before the long knife came down again and again. Before the murderer realized he had an audience.
Now Pitty-Pitty is on the run - from the clever Lieberman who has figured it all out, from the murderer, and from the awful memories of what he's seen.
— the usual side issues involving Hanrahan's wedding to Iris, Lisa and the kids, and a subplot involving a crazy rabbi who wants to buy Lieberman's house and is not about to take "no" for an answer.
This was one our Lutrecia Read-alouds, and #44 on our 2016 list.
In this fourth book of the Abe Lieberman Mystery series, the Chicago police detective finds he must catch a thief to nab a killer.
George "Pitty Pitty" Patnik was a thief who thought he had everything planned for a nice, clean in-and-out burglary. But that was before he heard the screams and saw the blood. Before the long knife came down again and again. Before the murderer realized he had an audience.
Now Pitty-Pitty is on the run - from the clever Lieberman who has figured it all out, from the murderer, and from the awful memories of what he's seen.
— the usual side issues involving Hanrahan's wedding to Iris, Lisa and the kids, and a subplot involving a crazy rabbi who wants to buy Lieberman's house and is not about to take "no" for an answer.
This was one our Lutrecia Read-alouds, and #44 on our 2016 list.
May 17, 2010
A thief witnesses a murder while robbing a house. Unable to get the murder victim out of his mind, he paints a picture of the scene.
Meanwhile, the murderer calls the police and asks for Lieberman by name to solve the crime of his wife's murder.
The story revolves around how Lieberman and his partner, Bill Hanrahan solve the problem, along with little subplots surrounding their lives.
Kaminsky writes wonderful characters, and the subplots and insights into their lives are what makes thse books really enjoyable.
Meanwhile, the murderer calls the police and asks for Lieberman by name to solve the crime of his wife's murder.
The story revolves around how Lieberman and his partner, Bill Hanrahan solve the problem, along with little subplots surrounding their lives.
Kaminsky writes wonderful characters, and the subplots and insights into their lives are what makes thse books really enjoyable.
May 10, 2011
There was nothing wrong with this novel.It was the first Abe Lieberman story that I have read and just could not get into the characters.The mystery seemed to be thin as well, but then that just might be in comparison to his other series.This was a police procedural while the Toby Peters and Lew Fonecesca series are in the amateur/private eye category.Toby and Lew have to depend on themselves so they end up solving the mystery while Abe can rely on his fellow policemen to help "push" the suspects into giving themseles away.
July 12, 2015
I'd guess it's been close to 20 years since I last read a Lieberman, and I'd forgotten how the 60-something Jewish detective series was beginning to grow on me. And how ideal and subtle a showcase it is for Kaminsky's mastery... of economy, of plotting, of the human condition. In under 200 pages, there are probably two dozen characters and half a dozen subplots, every bit of which handled to perfection. I'd thought of this as a silly minor series, but am really beginning to rethink that position.
April 22, 2024
This book seemed different from the first four. It was more like a Columbo episode. I liked the story line, but it seemed like Kaminsky was in a hurry to finish it. If you like the series, you'll want to see the few new details about the main character. If you're trying the series for the first time, go back to the beginning: Liberman's Folly.
September 24, 2009
If you like Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar series, Stuart Kaminsky's Abe Lieberman series will hit the spot.
February 8, 2012
Lieberman and Rostnikov would be friends.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews