Burglar In The Closet: Amazon.ca: Lawrence Block: Books

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Review

"Fast, Funny, Terrific" - Ed McBain "Wonderfully detailed and inspiring writing" - The London Guardian "An incorrigibly adorable thief" - New York Times "Excellent N.Y. background and unusual characters make Block a detective writer to savour" - London Daily Mirror "A homage to the golden age of murder mysteries" - Donna Leon, The Sunday Times" --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Book Description

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.

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Customer Reviews

9 Reviews

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
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Average Customer Review

3.9 out of 5 stars (9 customer reviews)

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4.0 out of 5 stars Lawrence, Meet ... Lawrence, July 14 2004

By

T. L. Browne "tarafab" (Barbados) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Burglar In The Closet (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.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Burglary Isn't All It's Cracked Up to Be!, May 3 2003

By

Donald Mitchell "Jesus Loves You!" (Thanks for Providing My Reviews over 112,000 Helpful Votes Globally) - See all my reviews
(TOP 10 REVIEWER) (#1 HALL OF FAME)

This review is from: Burglar In The Closet (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

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3.0 out of 5 stars A bit dissapointed, Sep 27 2001

By

T (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Burglar In The Closet (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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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