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Bernie Rhodenbarr #11.5
The Burglar in Short Order
Four decades ago, Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Lawrence Block introduced the world to one of his most beloved and enduring Bernie Rhodenbarr, the clever, nimble-fingered star of novels such as Burglars Can't Be Choosers, The Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling, and The Burglar Who Counted the Spoons. Called “the Heifetz of the picklock” by the New York Times, Bernie has stolen not only antiques, stamp collections, and priceless works of art but also millions of readers' hearts. Now, for all those craving more adventures of their favorite bookseller-by-day and burglar-by-night, The Burglar in Short Order for the first time ever collects all of Bernie's short-form appearances in one complete volume. From the story in which a prototype of Bernie first appeared (“A Bad Night For Burglars”) to his appearances in Playboy and (maybe? It's kinda complicated) Cosmopolitan…from an essay discussing Bernie's misadventures in Hollywood (how in the world did Whoopi Goldberg ever get cast?) to a piece commissioned by a European publisher for a tourist guide to New York…you'll find every published story, article, and standalone excerpt Bernie has ever appeared in—plus two new, unpublished an introduction discussing the character's colorful origins and an afterword in which the author, contemplating retirement, comes face to face with his own creation. In all of mystery fiction, there has never been a character like Bernie—and in this, his dozenth book, he demonstrates all the charm and wit and kleptophilic ingenuity that has made two generations of readers welcome their favorite burglar into their homes.
198 pages, Paperback
First published February 29, 2020
154 people are currently reading
501 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 108 reviews
April 5, 2022
If you have somehow missed reading any of Block's Burglar tales, this volume of shorts is the perfect introduction to them. Tidy, twisty plots and great characters.
My goodness! I must have hit the wrong button. The rest of the review.
Many years ago, when I was 18 and trying to figure out how to be a writer, I subscribed to a magazine called Writer's Digest. Lawrence Block was a regular contributor, and offered much sage advice.
One of the most enjoyable things about this collection of Bernie stories is how they appealed to me as a writer. Block talks about how the character came to be, what the inspiration was, muses on a major difference between Bernie and Scudder (another of his serial characters) and other bits of great interest to me as a writer. Among the other stories gathered here is the first of Block's tales that featured a burglar, as yet unnamed, but in some ways the prototype Bernie. Throughout the gathered tales, the humor is clever and the plots still manage to catch me off balance.
My favorite in the collection is the Elvis story. But I also loved the tale that showcased the author's familiarity with Rex Stout and Nero Wolfe (another writer hero and a favorite character of mine.)
And at the end of this collection, the author has a brief chat with his character, in which they discuss retiring and when one should do it.
In this slim volume there is so much for a reader to simply enjoy, and even more for a writer to ponder.
Highly recommended.
And as ever, the quality of this Subterranean Press edition is outstanding!
My goodness! I must have hit the wrong button. The rest of the review.
Many years ago, when I was 18 and trying to figure out how to be a writer, I subscribed to a magazine called Writer's Digest. Lawrence Block was a regular contributor, and offered much sage advice.
One of the most enjoyable things about this collection of Bernie stories is how they appealed to me as a writer. Block talks about how the character came to be, what the inspiration was, muses on a major difference between Bernie and Scudder (another of his serial characters) and other bits of great interest to me as a writer. Among the other stories gathered here is the first of Block's tales that featured a burglar, as yet unnamed, but in some ways the prototype Bernie. Throughout the gathered tales, the humor is clever and the plots still manage to catch me off balance.
My favorite in the collection is the Elvis story. But I also loved the tale that showcased the author's familiarity with Rex Stout and Nero Wolfe (another writer hero and a favorite character of mine.)
And at the end of this collection, the author has a brief chat with his character, in which they discuss retiring and when one should do it.
In this slim volume there is so much for a reader to simply enjoy, and even more for a writer to ponder.
Highly recommended.
And as ever, the quality of this Subterranean Press edition is outstanding!
February 24, 2022
Over the last few months I've been making my way back through Lawrence Block's Bernie Rhodenbarr series of which this collection of short stories is the last. I read the book when it was first released but somehow failed to review it then. Virtually all of these stories have appeared elsewhere and so there were only a couple that I hadn't read before this volume appeared. Still it was fun to revisit them.
This is a book that will appeal principally (I would think) to fans of Lawrence Block and of Bernie Rhodenbarr. For those who haven't made his acquaintance, Rhodenbarr is a gentleman burglar by night and the owner of a used book store in New York City by day. Inevitably in the course of his nocturnal activities, Bernie finds himself in a world of trouble and has to spend the bulk of the novel attempting to extricate himself. All of the novels and stories are very light and amusing--not nearly as dark as Block's Matthew Scudder series--and it's always fun to spend an evening in Bernie's company.
For those who haven't read any of the books in the series, this would definitely not be the place to start as the book is clearly directed at readers who are familiar with the character. Much better to begin with one of the earlier books in the series, such as Burglars Can't Be Choosers, which is the first in the series, or The Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling, which is the third. By that point, the character and the world around him are pretty firmly established and one can encounter Bernie fully formed.
This is a book that will appeal principally (I would think) to fans of Lawrence Block and of Bernie Rhodenbarr. For those who haven't made his acquaintance, Rhodenbarr is a gentleman burglar by night and the owner of a used book store in New York City by day. Inevitably in the course of his nocturnal activities, Bernie finds himself in a world of trouble and has to spend the bulk of the novel attempting to extricate himself. All of the novels and stories are very light and amusing--not nearly as dark as Block's Matthew Scudder series--and it's always fun to spend an evening in Bernie's company.
For those who haven't read any of the books in the series, this would definitely not be the place to start as the book is clearly directed at readers who are familiar with the character. Much better to begin with one of the earlier books in the series, such as Burglars Can't Be Choosers, which is the first in the series, or The Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling, which is the third. By that point, the character and the world around him are pretty firmly established and one can encounter Bernie fully formed.
March 18, 2020
If Michael Connelly is the best storyteller currently active in crime fiction and if James Lee Burke is the most literary writer in this genre then Lawrence Block must surely be the most industrious scribbler of them all. Not only has his career output been prodigious - well over one hundred books - but the standard of his output has been pretty amazing too. I’ve read more than fifty of his books and at least three of his series (and I can think of seven different series off the top of my head) have held me completely captive. Of these, the one that makes me smile the most is that featuring book shop owner by day and enterprising burglar by night, Bernie Rhodenbarr.
He wrote his first Rhodenbarr book in 1977 and released the most recent novel in 2013. In the series Bernie never ages, but in truth nor do the stories – even the early books seem as sharp and funny now and they must have when they were first released. I love these books, they’re funny and clever and always leave me wanting more. And apart from the twelve books there have also been a number of short stories that have previously been released in magazines or published in anthologies. These are the pieces that have been compiled here, together with one new story to close the collection.
I’ve come across a number of these before, but that’s perfectly alright as I’m always happy to be reacquainted with Bernie (and my memory is so bad these days that I normally only realise I’ve read it before just as I reach the end). I’m not sure if LB will release any more Rhodenbarr stories, he’s in his eighties now so there must be some doubt, but you never know. Hope springs eternal.
He wrote his first Rhodenbarr book in 1977 and released the most recent novel in 2013. In the series Bernie never ages, but in truth nor do the stories – even the early books seem as sharp and funny now and they must have when they were first released. I love these books, they’re funny and clever and always leave me wanting more. And apart from the twelve books there have also been a number of short stories that have previously been released in magazines or published in anthologies. These are the pieces that have been compiled here, together with one new story to close the collection.
I’ve come across a number of these before, but that’s perfectly alright as I’m always happy to be reacquainted with Bernie (and my memory is so bad these days that I normally only realise I’ve read it before just as I reach the end). I’m not sure if LB will release any more Rhodenbarr stories, he’s in his eighties now so there must be some doubt, but you never know. Hope springs eternal.
Want to read
March 26, 2020This Limited hardcover is numbered 151 of 400 numbered copies signed by Lawrence Block.
May 5, 2022
To call this "book 12" in Bernie Rhodenbarr/Bruglar series is a really misnomer and sort of misleading if one doesn't read the description (which I admit I didn't read before I got the book). I was so excited to see Bernie in a new book that I leaped (with joy!) before I looked... This DEFINITELY is NOT a full novel (story) of Bernie supplementing his bookstore income ("burglaring"), finding a dead body, and solving the crime(s) -- which is what I am waiting and hoping for. Bernie Rhodenbarr is one of my favorite characters of all time and while I like his short adventures and "chats" with the author, I love his novel-length mysteries, which I reread (binge!) every few years.
No... The description -- if one reads it! -- tells us exactly what readers are getting, a collection of short stories, excerpts, and essays.
So, the good... Really, the best thing about this collection is that it puts all (or most) of Bernie's "short" appearances (short stories and essays) into one single volume. Yay! Included is the first (sort of) appearance of Bernie, A Bad Night For Burglars. (The thief in this story goes unnamed, but has Bernie's personality.) There's also an essay on how Bernie became a woman in the movies from the Hollywood vs The Author anthology. This saves one from having to track down the individual items if s/he doesn't have them already. Hardcore fans of Burglar Bernie will love this. I did -- to a point. Which leads...
On to the bad... There's really nothing new here save a couple of essays -- a newly-written introduction and a sort of why-there-are-no-more-Bernie-books-on-the-horizon afterward -- that bookend the older content. Both are fine, but not worth spending anywhere from $10 (e-book) to $12 (paperback) to $24+ (hardcover) for. Most everything else is available in Block's various short story collections, anthologies, and within the novels themselves.
And, it may not include items that appeared in Block's newsletter (or web site?). For example, I'm thinking of a cute piece called Bernie Rhodenbarr's Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich, which was a Facebook posting Block sent to his newsletter subscribers, but isn't in this collection. I don't know what else might be out there -- but I guess, technically, that wasn't "published," or do newsletters and postings count??
I would say if you're a superfan of Bernie's you might want this just to have a more complete Bernie collection and to have your "Bernie shorts" in one place that's "Bernie" only. If you've never heard about or read the Burglar books, I can recommend it as a pretty good introduction to the character's personality and the author's writing style for the character -- but I'd look for it at the library. It provides a short history of the character, snippets through the years, and several capers. Though the short stories (various capers) and essays are fun, I love the full-length novels more. If this leads more readers to them, it's a good thing.
Though I'm not holding my breath, I still hope for more novels/novellas featuring Bernie. Maybe in one of Block's "conversations" with Bernie a good idea will hit and germinate into new novel-length Bernie content. Otherwise, I'll content myself with the novels and shorts available and be happy that Bernie pops up now and then in a new short or posting.
#TheBurglarinShortOrder, #LawrenceBlock, #BernieRhodenbarr, #Bruglar
No... The description -- if one reads it! -- tells us exactly what readers are getting, a collection of short stories, excerpts, and essays.
So, the good... Really, the best thing about this collection is that it puts all (or most) of Bernie's "short" appearances (short stories and essays) into one single volume. Yay! Included is the first (sort of) appearance of Bernie, A Bad Night For Burglars. (The thief in this story goes unnamed, but has Bernie's personality.) There's also an essay on how Bernie became a woman in the movies from the Hollywood vs The Author anthology. This saves one from having to track down the individual items if s/he doesn't have them already. Hardcore fans of Burglar Bernie will love this. I did -- to a point. Which leads...
On to the bad... There's really nothing new here save a couple of essays -- a newly-written introduction and a sort of why-there-are-no-more-Bernie-books-on-the-horizon afterward -- that bookend the older content. Both are fine, but not worth spending anywhere from $10 (e-book) to $12 (paperback) to $24+ (hardcover) for. Most everything else is available in Block's various short story collections, anthologies, and within the novels themselves.
And, it may not include items that appeared in Block's newsletter (or web site?). For example, I'm thinking of a cute piece called Bernie Rhodenbarr's Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich, which was a Facebook posting Block sent to his newsletter subscribers, but isn't in this collection. I don't know what else might be out there -- but I guess, technically, that wasn't "published," or do newsletters and postings count??
I would say if you're a superfan of Bernie's you might want this just to have a more complete Bernie collection and to have your "Bernie shorts" in one place that's "Bernie" only. If you've never heard about or read the Burglar books, I can recommend it as a pretty good introduction to the character's personality and the author's writing style for the character -- but I'd look for it at the library. It provides a short history of the character, snippets through the years, and several capers. Though the short stories (various capers) and essays are fun, I love the full-length novels more. If this leads more readers to them, it's a good thing.
Though I'm not holding my breath, I still hope for more novels/novellas featuring Bernie. Maybe in one of Block's "conversations" with Bernie a good idea will hit and germinate into new novel-length Bernie content. Otherwise, I'll content myself with the novels and shorts available and be happy that Bernie pops up now and then in a new short or posting.
#TheBurglarinShortOrder, #LawrenceBlock, #BernieRhodenbarr, #Bruglar
November 29, 2019
The Bernie Rhodenbarr short stories. A few are chapters from a novel, others are essays--one is a funny essay about the film Burlgar starring Whoopi Goldberg--and other are simply short stories (some from Bernie's perspective and a few from his best friend, Carolyn Kaiser's perspective). And every one of the stories or essays or whatever is enjoyable and downright fun.
October 16, 2020
"Burglary. Actually, it's a lot like writing. You do all you can to avoid human contact. You set your own hours, and you can work at night if you want."
The final book in the Bernie Rhodenbarr series collects all the short stories, essays, and other ephemera associated with the character. Much of the content is outstanding--even if there is not much of it--and it is satisfying to have it all collected into a single volume:
"A Bad Night for Burglars" (1977) -- A burglar is interrupted when a rich homeowner gets the drop on him. While Bernie is not mentioned by name, this character is clearly his prototype. The plot combines an interesting situation and clever dialog to create a story that is both tense and funny at the same time.
"Mr. Rhodenbarr, Bookseller, Advises a Young Customer on Seeking a Vocation" (1980) -- This is the first chapter of The Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling, which was excerpted and published as a chapbook in 1980 by Oak Knoll Books.
"The Burglar Who Strove to Go Straight" (2018) -- This is the second chapter of The Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling, which was included in the 2018 anthology Florida Happens.
"Like a Thief in the Night" (1983) -- A woman breaks into a corporate office building only to discover Bernie is already burgling the place. This is a well-crafted story with more than one surprising twist. It is the only Bernie story in which he is not the point-of-view narrator.
"The Burglar Who Dropped in on Elvis" (1980) -- Bernie must break into Graceland to take pictures of its rarely-seen upstairs rooms. One of my favorite Lawrence Block stories of all time, if only because I live in Memphis and he perfectly captures the spirit of Elvis mania.
"The Burglar Who Smelled Smoke" (1997) -- A satisfying locked-room mystery inspired by and set in Otto Penzler's library filled with his definitive mystery novel collection.
"The Burglar Who Collected Copernicus" (2000) -- A one-page story which establishes a friendship (and criminal collusion!) between two Lawrence Block series characters--Bernie Rhodenbarr and Evan Tanner.
"A Burglar's-Eye View of Greed" (2002) -- A short interview with gentleman thief Bernie Rhodenbarr. A lighthearted fluff piece that shows up sometimes on Lawrence Block bibliographies because it was also published separately as a limited-edition broadside.
"The Burglar on Location" (2020) -- Another short interview in which Bernie discusses New York real estate.
"Five Books Bernie Has Read More Than Once" (2013) -- Bernie discusses his favorite crime novels.
"A Burglar's Complaint" (2020) -- Bernie discusses the ubiquity of security cameras in New York City.
"The Burglar Takes a Cat" (2010) -- An excerpted scene from The Burglar Who Traded Ted Williams in which Bernie comes to own his celebrated cat Raffles.
"The Burglar on the Screen" (2018) -- An interesting essay discussing how The Burglar in the Closet came to be adapted into a film starring Whoopi Goldberg.
The final book in the Bernie Rhodenbarr series collects all the short stories, essays, and other ephemera associated with the character. Much of the content is outstanding--even if there is not much of it--and it is satisfying to have it all collected into a single volume:
"A Bad Night for Burglars" (1977) -- A burglar is interrupted when a rich homeowner gets the drop on him. While Bernie is not mentioned by name, this character is clearly his prototype. The plot combines an interesting situation and clever dialog to create a story that is both tense and funny at the same time.
"Mr. Rhodenbarr, Bookseller, Advises a Young Customer on Seeking a Vocation" (1980) -- This is the first chapter of The Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling, which was excerpted and published as a chapbook in 1980 by Oak Knoll Books.
"The Burglar Who Strove to Go Straight" (2018) -- This is the second chapter of The Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling, which was included in the 2018 anthology Florida Happens.
"Like a Thief in the Night" (1983) -- A woman breaks into a corporate office building only to discover Bernie is already burgling the place. This is a well-crafted story with more than one surprising twist. It is the only Bernie story in which he is not the point-of-view narrator.
"The Burglar Who Dropped in on Elvis" (1980) -- Bernie must break into Graceland to take pictures of its rarely-seen upstairs rooms. One of my favorite Lawrence Block stories of all time, if only because I live in Memphis and he perfectly captures the spirit of Elvis mania.
"The Burglar Who Smelled Smoke" (1997) -- A satisfying locked-room mystery inspired by and set in Otto Penzler's library filled with his definitive mystery novel collection.
"The Burglar Who Collected Copernicus" (2000) -- A one-page story which establishes a friendship (and criminal collusion!) between two Lawrence Block series characters--Bernie Rhodenbarr and Evan Tanner.
"A Burglar's-Eye View of Greed" (2002) -- A short interview with gentleman thief Bernie Rhodenbarr. A lighthearted fluff piece that shows up sometimes on Lawrence Block bibliographies because it was also published separately as a limited-edition broadside.
"The Burglar on Location" (2020) -- Another short interview in which Bernie discusses New York real estate.
"Five Books Bernie Has Read More Than Once" (2013) -- Bernie discusses his favorite crime novels.
"A Burglar's Complaint" (2020) -- Bernie discusses the ubiquity of security cameras in New York City.
"The Burglar Takes a Cat" (2010) -- An excerpted scene from The Burglar Who Traded Ted Williams in which Bernie comes to own his celebrated cat Raffles.
"The Burglar on the Screen" (2018) -- An interesting essay discussing how The Burglar in the Closet came to be adapted into a film starring Whoopi Goldberg.
April 24, 2020
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley to read and review.
THE BURGLAR IN SHORT ORDER by Lawrence Block is a fine assortment of short stories, and is the 12th book in the “Bernie Rhodenbarr series”, with novels based on an owner of a bookstore who uses it as a front for his criminal activities as a highly successful burglar, and who is elusive as a result of having learned how to avoid leaving anything behind to implicate him, as well as maintaining a low profile so that he is successful in flying under the radar to avoid suspicion for the crimes he’s committed.
Excellent assortment of short stories included here that are supported by sections where Block provides detailed descriptions of how the Rhodenbarr “Burglar”character came about as a nameless burglar at first, in addition he also describes his personal and professional life at that point, and explains how the series develops and plays into furthering his career.
Highly recommended to fans of Lawrence Block novels and this series in particular, this book also includes the author’s thoughts on Bernie Rhodenbarr in comparison to other characters from novels in his highly successful career.
4 stars.
THE BURGLAR IN SHORT ORDER by Lawrence Block is a fine assortment of short stories, and is the 12th book in the “Bernie Rhodenbarr series”, with novels based on an owner of a bookstore who uses it as a front for his criminal activities as a highly successful burglar, and who is elusive as a result of having learned how to avoid leaving anything behind to implicate him, as well as maintaining a low profile so that he is successful in flying under the radar to avoid suspicion for the crimes he’s committed.
Excellent assortment of short stories included here that are supported by sections where Block provides detailed descriptions of how the Rhodenbarr “Burglar”character came about as a nameless burglar at first, in addition he also describes his personal and professional life at that point, and explains how the series develops and plays into furthering his career.
Highly recommended to fans of Lawrence Block novels and this series in particular, this book also includes the author’s thoughts on Bernie Rhodenbarr in comparison to other characters from novels in his highly successful career.
4 stars.
October 10, 2022
This collection of short fiction by Lawrence Block is all Bernie Rhodenbarr stories. Some are very good indeed, others just so-so, more like filler, though if you like the Bernie character, and I do, they're still worth reading. There's interesting information here about both Bernie and Block so if your a Bernie fan you'll want to read it, just don't expect it to be up to the level of the novels. Otherwise, read one of the novels.
August 4, 2020
A collection of short fiction featuring burglar Bernie Rhodenbarr. In the afterward of this 2020 compilation, author Lawrence Block writes of retiring. Block is now 82 and has been writing since the late 1950s with twenty some odd forays into soft porn, some with fellow mystery writer Donald E. Westlake. He is certainly entitled to retire and he is using volumes like the current one to help feather his nest. Here we have 139 pages of previously published short fiction, with the exception of a Foreward and Afterward by Block. The package is priced at $30 which is more than a new Rhodenbarr novel (were there such a thing) would bring. I don't begrudge his retirement, but thanks to my local library I won't be helping to support it with this slim volume.
In 1977, Block introduced Bernie Rhodenbarr in Burglars Can't Be Choosers. By day Bernie runs a used bookstore with his cat Raffles, but by night his adventures as a burglar often land him in the path of a murder that he must solve in order to clear his good name. A charming thief who likes Scotch and women, Bernie is a beloved character with a devoted following. This collection includes all of the short stories and pieces Bernie has appeared in over his lifetime in various publications, as well as two new pieces. The first is the author's own story of Bernie's origins and evolution, and a clever afterword has Bernie confronting his maker, voicing his complaint that while the world around him changes, he stays the same year after year, frozen in time.
In 1977, Block introduced Bernie Rhodenbarr in Burglars Can't Be Choosers. By day Bernie runs a used bookstore with his cat Raffles, but by night his adventures as a burglar often land him in the path of a murder that he must solve in order to clear his good name. A charming thief who likes Scotch and women, Bernie is a beloved character with a devoted following. This collection includes all of the short stories and pieces Bernie has appeared in over his lifetime in various publications, as well as two new pieces. The first is the author's own story of Bernie's origins and evolution, and a clever afterword has Bernie confronting his maker, voicing his complaint that while the world around him changes, he stays the same year after year, frozen in time.
June 21, 2020
Bookseller and "reformed" burglar, Bernie Rhodenbarr is one of author Block's most popular characters. Block has collected several short stories, plus some excerpts from Rhodenbarr books, added some brief essays, including one written especially for this collection, and called it--well, a day, actually, as the essay that ends the book hints that there will be no more. There's some repetition in Block's essays, but all in all this is an enjoyable selection, if you care for some comedy mixed with your larceny. One story gives co-writing credit to Lynne Wood Block, wife of the main author.
April 14, 2020
Stole.my heart
I have read over the years all the Burglar books. I had seen some of these shirt pieces before. Still having them all in.one place was an enjoyable escape while "sheltering at home." Bernie steals.your heart and sometimes more with his adventures. A pleasure to step into.his story and spend some time. I guess I even bought a book, hope it helps keep.the store open.
I have read over the years all the Burglar books. I had seen some of these shirt pieces before. Still having them all in.one place was an enjoyable escape while "sheltering at home." Bernie steals.your heart and sometimes more with his adventures. A pleasure to step into.his story and spend some time. I guess I even bought a book, hope it helps keep.the store open.
June 4, 2022
If you haven’t read any of Lawrence Block's burglar books, you are in for a treat and I envy you. This book of the history of Bernie Rhodenbarr by Lawrence Block is a group of short stories, many of them with the same theme of a full-length book with the same title. It was OK but I would much rather have another full-/length book. I have tried to read blocks Matthew Scudder series, but I can’t get into them. Maybe I’ll give it another try. Meanwhile this was a fun remembrance.
March 25, 2020
I had eagerly awaited what I thought was to be the next installment of the Rhodenbarr series only to discover that it's merely a collection of very short stories with Bernie as a vague theme and some essays discussing his genesis. Very disappointed.
December 5, 2019
The Burglar in Short Order by Lawrence Block- This is a must-have book for Bernie Rhodenbarr fans, that burglar, cool, calm, and collected, who has appeared in eleven of Block's novels. This collection covers all the short stories involving our favorite burglar and more. In his introduction, Block goes on to tell us how he first came up with this character, and why he keeps going back to him. Some of the stories are rudimentary and no great brain teasers, but Bernie, with his comedic charm and wit, makes them eminently readable. I especially enjoyed The Burglar Who Dropped in on Elvis, and The Burglar Who Smelled Smoke. Then after the stories there are five mini-essays which delve into Bernie's world, almost short stories which are informative without plot or dialogue. I got an advanced digital readers copy, which was great, but I know how phenomenal Subterranean Press editions are. You won't want to miss this!
June 21, 2020
I believe that I have read all the Bernie Rhodenbarr-novels and I would not have done that if I didn't like them (a lot).
This collection is really for fans only - and still I could have done with half of them, especially those Block probably gave away for program books etc. That said, a few were very good.
This collection is really for fans only - and still I could have done with half of them, especially those Block probably gave away for program books etc. That said, a few were very good.
January 25, 2021
I'll never complain about more Bernie Rhodenbarr stories, but this really just left me wanting more. It was great to get a little more insight into the character and the story behind him, but I could have gone with at least one or two more fully formed short stories, or even a novella. That said, I enjoyed it, and if you are a Bernie fan, its worth checking out.
March 4, 2020
I've come to the realization that Lawrence Block has, almost stealthily, become my third-favorite writer. Stephen King, known for horror, and John Irving, known for ... I don't know, quirk? ... are the only authors above him. Unlike with those other two, there are quite a few Block books that don't really interest me. I tried to get into the Tanner series and gave up after the first book. He has a whole passel of early erotic fiction, often written under pseudonyms, that I simply don't want to delve into. But a lot of his one-off books (Getting Off, Resume Speed, Defender of the Innocent, to name a few) are killer. Of course, I'm not original. The books that grabbed me the most were the Matt Scudder books, the Keller books, and the comic mysteries of gentleman burglar Bernie Rhodenbarr. We got what might be a final Keller book last year. Now it's Bernie's turn.
To be fair, most of The Burglar in Short order isn't exactly new stuff. There's a long introduction in which Block details where the selections all came from - catnip to a publishing nerd like me - and most of them are short stories, selections from Bernie novels, and weird ephemera in which we see Block interacting with Bernie inside his bookstore. Most of the short stories have been collected before - I specifically recently read "A Thief in the Night" in the older Block collection Enough Rope. But a lot of it was new to me, and I loved all of it. Especially the locked-room mystery "The Burglar Who Smelled Smoke," which made me so happy I literally giggled reading it.
The last bit is brand-new, a meta-take on how some series characters never age. I won't spoil it, but it reminded me very much of the Pinocchio character in the comic book Fables, who had been granted the wish to become a real boy ... only the Blue Fairy had been frustratingly literal.
Man, I loved this book. Like all fans who've had their hearts stolen by the gentleman burglar, I want the adventures of Bernie Rhodenbarr (and Scudder, and Keller) to continue forever, even though that's not possible. As it stands, The Burglar in Short Order is a good way to go out ... unless, lurking somewhere in Lawrence Block, another novella just HAS to come out. A reader can dream.
To be fair, most of The Burglar in Short order isn't exactly new stuff. There's a long introduction in which Block details where the selections all came from - catnip to a publishing nerd like me - and most of them are short stories, selections from Bernie novels, and weird ephemera in which we see Block interacting with Bernie inside his bookstore. Most of the short stories have been collected before - I specifically recently read "A Thief in the Night" in the older Block collection Enough Rope. But a lot of it was new to me, and I loved all of it. Especially the locked-room mystery "The Burglar Who Smelled Smoke," which made me so happy I literally giggled reading it.
The last bit is brand-new, a meta-take on how some series characters never age. I won't spoil it, but it reminded me very much of the Pinocchio character in the comic book Fables, who had been granted the wish to become a real boy ... only the Blue Fairy had been frustratingly literal.
Man, I loved this book. Like all fans who've had their hearts stolen by the gentleman burglar, I want the adventures of Bernie Rhodenbarr (and Scudder, and Keller) to continue forever, even though that's not possible. As it stands, The Burglar in Short Order is a good way to go out ... unless, lurking somewhere in Lawrence Block, another novella just HAS to come out. A reader can dream.
July 18, 2022
All the Bernie burglar stories. Great fun.
Maybe Bernie is better in short form. Often the novels have two or three twists more than required (desired?), whereas the stories are lean and mean and on to the next. I also enjoyed the sped-up evolution of proto-Bernie to canonical Bernie to meta-Bernie (in conversation with the author -- yes that happens and was new to me), all in one volume.
I've had my problems with some of Block's latest. Of A Time to Scatter Stones I wrote: "Lawrence Block has hinted at / declared retirement for maybe a decade now. Each new story that comes along seems like a bonus desert, but this was the first that tasted too sweet, as though our charmingly inattentive confectioner might have added twice the intended sugar." But this collection, spanning across his career, found the appropriate sweet spot.
Maybe Bernie is better in short form. Often the novels have two or three twists more than required (desired?), whereas the stories are lean and mean and on to the next. I also enjoyed the sped-up evolution of proto-Bernie to canonical Bernie to meta-Bernie (in conversation with the author -- yes that happens and was new to me), all in one volume.
I've had my problems with some of Block's latest. Of A Time to Scatter Stones I wrote: "Lawrence Block has hinted at / declared retirement for maybe a decade now. Each new story that comes along seems like a bonus desert, but this was the first that tasted too sweet, as though our charmingly inattentive confectioner might have added twice the intended sugar." But this collection, spanning across his career, found the appropriate sweet spot.
November 27, 2020
If I had to pick a favorite Lawrence Block character, I would have to pick them all! However, Bernie Rhodenbarr is the only character that led me to a museum to see a Mondrain exhibit.
The Burglar in Short Order is a compilation of early Bernie stories and ends with the author having a conversation with Bernie.
I loved this book. I love the wit and charm, I love that Bernie's favorite books include some by my favorite authors, including a series by his author. What a hoot!
I have mixed feelings about the afterward. Is it the last goodbye to Bernie because a burglar can't burglarize in an era of camera's everywhere or simply a conversation between two friends, the character and the author, who meet far too seldom?
5 Stars
p.s. Mr. Block, we need a bit more John Paul Keller, too.
The Burglar in Short Order is a compilation of early Bernie stories and ends with the author having a conversation with Bernie.
I loved this book. I love the wit and charm, I love that Bernie's favorite books include some by my favorite authors, including a series by his author. What a hoot!
I have mixed feelings about the afterward. Is it the last goodbye to Bernie because a burglar can't burglarize in an era of camera's everywhere or simply a conversation between two friends, the character and the author, who meet far too seldom?
5 Stars
p.s. Mr. Block, we need a bit more John Paul Keller, too.
February 2, 2023
I saw that Lawrence Block had written some more from Bernie and I had somehow missed it so I had to solve that right away. This is a collection of short stories and lays out the evolution of Bernie Rhodenbarr. Its interesting seeing the earlier iteration of something that became so familiar to me. The author spends some time talking about the character which is very fascinating, he also talks about the movie that was made and how he felt about it. There are a couple of short stories where Bernie is more fleshed out and its the Bernie that we all came to know and love. I especially enjoyed the Burglar who dropped in on Elvis. How the cat came to be in his possession was also quite enjoyable.
Now I am off to read the Burglar who met Fredric Brown!
#bernierhodenbarr
#theburglarwho
Now I am off to read the Burglar who met Fredric Brown!
#bernierhodenbarr
#theburglarwho
June 3, 2022
This last Bernie book is a book of short stories. Some of them appear to be excerpts from his regular books like the Elvis story and some appear to be short stories from magazines. I have to admit I dnf'd this one at 70%.
I mean some of the new (to me) short stories were neat but I just lost interest because some of them just weren't very interesting or didn't have a point.
Having read all the Scudder series and liked it, forced myself to finish the Bernie series and dnf'd on the rest, I'd have to say that Block can be a good writer. I think maybe that he writes for himself rather than the reader (at least not for me). I like the books when he puts in an effort and don't like it when he doesn't.
I mean some of the new (to me) short stories were neat but I just lost interest because some of them just weren't very interesting or didn't have a point.
Having read all the Scudder series and liked it, forced myself to finish the Bernie series and dnf'd on the rest, I'd have to say that Block can be a good writer. I think maybe that he writes for himself rather than the reader (at least not for me). I like the books when he puts in an effort and don't like it when he doesn't.
April 17, 2023
Lawrence Block is a genius at selling his words. And in general, I’ve loved the majority of the books he’s put them into. But he’s been writing for many, many years, and I don’t think he’s has too many more in the bag.
This is what I refer to as a sausage book - a collection of scooped up bits from here and there encased in a new skin. I was aware that the contents were published before, but I thought there’d be some that were new to me. I didn’t find any.
In other words, this was a big, sad disappointment for me.
His discussion of his reaction to Whoopi Goldberg playing Bernie was interesting. Hence the one star.
This is what I refer to as a sausage book - a collection of scooped up bits from here and there encased in a new skin. I was aware that the contents were published before, but I thought there’d be some that were new to me. I didn’t find any.
In other words, this was a big, sad disappointment for me.
His discussion of his reaction to Whoopi Goldberg playing Bernie was interesting. Hence the one star.
May 14, 2024
Well, I’m not sure I would recommend this to anyone who didn’t love Bernie already. The essays and whimsy that are added—even the amusing, elegiac final story—are fine, but only the one about making the Burglar movie is really interesting. The excerpts from the novels are good and very familiar to any readers of Bernie. And that leaves the four stories that most fans will have read over several times. And those are all terrific, with the locked-room library one the best. It’s nice to have them all together and on the shelf within easy reach. I will read them all again. Probably soon. Thanks, Mr. Block.
August 26, 2020
These short stories were lots of fun. There are a couple of interviews with Bernie, a chapter excerpted from a full length book (which was of less interest, since I just finished reading the entire oeuvre in order), and some capers that weren't deep enough to make a full length book.
All were enjoyable, but the interviews threw me a bit i tend to think of written characters as having their own existence to some extent, but even though this series is written in first person, hearing Bernie talk to his creator - well, that made him real in a rather disturbing way.
All were enjoyable, but the interviews threw me a bit i tend to think of written characters as having their own existence to some extent, but even though this series is written in first person, hearing Bernie talk to his creator - well, that made him real in a rather disturbing way.
June 23, 2022
OK but a huge disappointment. I was expecting another Bernie Rhodenbarr story. As I read the very long intro I realized I might be in for a disappointment. In that I was not disappointed. I fell like he wanted to squeeze Bernie's fans for a little money. Most of the material was already in print somewhere else and he just pulled it together. The longest chapter was about how Raffles came to be in the book store. Who doesn't remember that? It is one of my fondest memories ever. Then he says he added in a new piece...waste of paper. Block you owe us.
August 7, 2020
There wasn't as much 'new' content in this collection as I expected. Some background from Block about the origins of the character. A couple excerpts from the novels. The standout was story about Elvis which was a lot of fun.
Also Block spends a couple pages complaining about how one of his agents wrote the worst contract ever and how he can never get the film rights for Bernie back. That was amusing
Also Block spends a couple pages complaining about how one of his agents wrote the worst contract ever and how he can never get the film rights for Bernie back. That was amusing
February 22, 2024
I really listened to the Audible version, which is not currently listed on Goodreads.
Block is such an odd writer. This books if full of funny, surprising short stories, none of which disappoint. Most involve a funny twist on a crime. One is just a funny conversation. It's a delightful book. It's just so hard to figure how the same guy can write something as distasteful and filthy as "Catch and Release."
Excellent narrator.
Block is such an odd writer. This books if full of funny, surprising short stories, none of which disappoint. Most involve a funny twist on a crime. One is just a funny conversation. It's a delightful book. It's just so hard to figure how the same guy can write something as distasteful and filthy as "Catch and Release."
Excellent narrator.
January 17, 2021
This is not the first book one should read to meet Bernie, but it is fun for those of us familiar with him. It is very easy to read, even if you have a headache, like I did today. I was really happy that it include one of my favorite part in the books: when Bernie's friend Carolyn talks about women with cats. I love that!
January 20, 2021
I loved this book! I found this by chance at the library, just before going back to curbside pickup only, and was excited to see something new from the Bernie series. My favorites were 'The Burglar Takes a Cat' and 'The Burglar Who Dropped in on Elvis.' So hilarious and clever. This reminded me that I need to pick up where I left off in Mr. Block's series!
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