Hired by his dentist to steal back some valuable diamonds from his ex-wife, Bernie Rhodenbarr is nearly discovered and hides in the closet, only to become the witness to the woman's murder. Reprint. NYT.
The Burglar in the Closet
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About the Author
A Mystery Writers of America Grand Master, Lawrence Block is a four-time winner of the Edgar Allan Poe and Shamus Awards, as well as a recipient of prizes in France, Germany, and Japan. The author of more than fifty books and numerous short stories, he is a devout New Yorker who spends much of his time traveling.
--This text refers to an alternate Mass Market Paperback edition.From AudioFile
This is the second in the popular Bernie Rhodenbarr series, and once again the feckless New York City burglar blunders into a murder scene. Getting himself out of this situation while chasing a woman or two occupies him throughout. Adams Morgan narrates in such a way that he disappears into the background. He has an expressive American voice, and he imparts the rueful lightness called for by the first-person point of view. His characterizations are entirely a matter of pacing. It's all nicely done and understated. D.W. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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"Gramercy Park," said Miss Henrietta Tyler, "is an oasis in the middle of a cruel sea, a respite from the slings and arrows of which the Bard has warned us." Read the first page
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"Gramercy Park," said Miss Henrietta Tyler, "is an oasis in the middle of a cruel sea, a respite from the slings and arrows of which the Bard has warned us." Read the first page
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
By T. L. Browne
Format:Mass Market Paperback
If you miss Lawrence Saunders, then meet Lawrence Block. His series reminds me a lot of Saunders' Archy McNally, except that Bernie's on the other side of the law!! But the gist is the same, bachelor, swinger, funny, and always entertaining. In this installment, he steals jewels,which are stolen from him, doesn't kill someone the police think he killed and sleeps with a girlfriend that ain't his. But he puts everything (well, almost everything) back into balance by the end of the story, though he doesn't get the jewels or the girl. A good read, and an entertaining plot that doesn't give itself away until the very end, it will make you want to get the rest of Block's series. Easy going fiction.
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Lawrence Block is one of our most talented mystery authors. In the Bernie Rhodenbarr series he explores out an ordinary, but intelligent, "honest" person might go about pursuing a life of crime as a fastidious and talented burglar who isn't proud of what he does, doesn't like to hang out with criminals, and really gets a big thrill out of breaking and entering . . . and removing valuables. As you can see, there's a sitcom set-up to provide lots of humor. But the humor works well in part because Mr. Block is able to put the reader in the Bernie's shoes while he breaks, enters and steals . . . and evades the long arm of the law. To balance the "honest" burglar is an array of "dishonest" and equally easy-money loving cops. As a result, you're in a funny moral never-never land while your stomach tightens and your arm muscles twitch as tension builds. To make matters even more topsy-turvy, Bernie at some point in every story turns into an investigator who must figure out "who-dun-it" for some crime that he personally didn't do. It's almost like one of those "mystery at home" games where the victim comes back as the police investigator, playing two roles. Very nice!
So much for explaining the concept of the series. The Burglar in the Closet is the second book in the series. I strongly suggest that you begin the series by reading Burglars Can't Be Choosers. Each story in the series adds information and characters in a way that will reduce your pleasure of the others if read out of order. Although, I originally read them out of order and liked them well enough. I'm rereading them now in order, and like it much better this way. The Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling comes next in the series.
As Stephen King likes to point out, a great way to start a book is to put a character in an unusual situation and then let things happen from there. The Burglar in the Closet certainly follows that route in a successful manner with what reads and feels like a very realistic (and hilarious to think about) burglary experience.
The complications soon start coming from all directions like sharpened spears, and Bernie's ducking before one of them hits him! Along the way you'll meet The World's Greatest Dentist and his hygienist, some remarkably vivid barflies, and visit again with the brilliant, but bent cop, Ray Kirschmann from Burglars Can't Be Choosers. Bernie gets accused of just about everything but what he actually did, and as before, straightens matters out through his own investigation.
I thought that the identity of the more serious criminal was pretty obvious, but the plot develops in such a witty, charming way that I didn't really mind. The plot is pretty complicated, and will keeep you on your toes . . . so pay attention!
This book is definitely a step up from Burglars Can't Be Choosers and really establishes the series as a solid one for fans of off-beat mysteries.
As I read this book, I was reminded of Murphy's Law (anything that can go wrong, will). Most of the unpleasant situations in our lives come about because we ignore Mr. Murphy. This book will certainly remind you to think through what could go wrong . . . before you go ahead.
Donald Mitchell
Co-author of The 2,000 Percent Solution, The Irresistible Growth Enterprise and The Ultimate Competitive Advantage
By T
Format:Mass Market Paperback
While I do love Lawrence Block and his Bernie Rhodenbarr series, I found this piece to be not one of his best works. The plot was a bit jumpy, and his other books are on the bit more realistic side.
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3.9 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Overall, good book.
Although this was not the first 'Bernie Rhodenbarr' mystery in the series, this was my first book by the author. I found the book to be quite good. Read more
Published on Nov 2 2000 by Latrica Tutt
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not His Best
This book really rates about 2 1/2 stars. The book was enjoyable to read and the character is likeable, however I thought you could see the ending coming for way too long. Read more
Published on Aug 15 2000 by Mark S. Winger
3.0 out of 5 stars
Amusing Enough
I was recommended this book by a friend and I was pleasantly pleased by it, although not unduly impressed. Read more
Published on Jun 29 2000 by "gsibbery"
5.0 out of 5 stars
Block is the absolute master of the genre!
Lawrence Block is the mystery writer for the thinking person. His Bernie books are witty, humorous, well-written, and, most importantly, never take the reader for granted. Read more
Published on Aug 25 1999
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another fun to read Burglar Who...book
This is the second of eight novels in the Bernie Rhodenbarr series by author Lawrence Block who has written many other novels. Read more
Published on April 28 1998 by Harold L. Laroff
4.0 out of 5 stars
The second "Burglar" whodunnit, as hilarious as the first
Less well known than some of the installments that followed it in the "Burglar" series, THE BURGLAR IN THE CLOSET is a fabulous play-fair whodunnit, filled with great... Read more
Published on Nov 16 1997 by Steven Cross
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