The burglar in short order : a Bernie Rhodenbarr collection / by Lawrence Block.

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  • Additional Information
    • Publication Information:
      First edition.
    • Abstract:
      Summary: For the first time ever, all of Bernie's short-form appearances in one complete volume - plus two new, unpublished pieces. In all of mystery fiction, there has never been a character like Bernie--and in this book, he demonstrates all the charm and wit and kleptophilic ingenuity that has made two generations of readers welcome their favourite burglar into their homes.
    • Content Notes:
      Foreword: a burglar's origins -- A bad night for burglars -- Mr. Rhodenbarr, bookseller, advises a young customer on seeking a vocation -- The burglar who strove to go straight -- Like a thief in the night -- The burglar who dropped in on Elvis -- The burglar who smelled smoke -- The burglar who collected Copernicus -- A burglar's-eye view of greed -- A burglar on location -- Five books Bernie has read more than once -- A burglar's complaint -- The burglar takes a cat -- The burglar on the screen -- Afterword: a burglar's future.
    • ISBN:
      9781596069572
      1596069570
    • Accession Number:
      on1150920711
      1150920711
    • Accession Number:
      fay.705262

Reviews

Booklist Reviews 2020 January #1

Bernie Rhodenbarr fans are crazy-devoted to the waggish thief and bookseller, but Block has not always been kind to his Bernie Bros. There was that agonizing gap between The Burglar Who Painted like Mondrian (1983) and The Burglar Who Traded Ted Williams (1994), and then, after The Burglar Who Counted the Spoons (2013), we learned that the series had ended. What a treat, therefore, to come upon this charming addendum, which collects all of Block's Bernie short stories as well as several short essays, one describing Bernie's origins (broke, Block contemplated becoming a thief himself before deciding to write about one instead); another addressing Bernie's future (there is no future for a gentleman thief in a world of ubiquitous security cameras); and still another recounting Bernie's only appearance on film (played by . . . wait for it, Whoopi Goldberg). All this backstory will be catnip to Bernie disciples, and the stories are a treat, too, especially The Burglar Who Dropped in on Elvis, in which Bernie is charged with breaking into Graceland's impregnable second floor. Is this really Bernie's final farewell? Can't be, just can't. Copyright 2020 Booklist Reviews.

Booklist Reviews 2020 January #1

Bernie Rhodenbarr fans are crazy-devoted to the waggish thief and bookseller, but Block has not always been kind to his Bernie Bros. There was that agonizing gap between The Burglar Who Painted like Mondrian (1983) and The Burglar Who Traded Ted Williams (1994), and then, after The Burglar Who Counted the Spoons (2013), we learned that the series had ended. What a treat, therefore, to come upon this charming addendum, which collects all of Block's Bernie short stories as well as several short essays, one describing Bernie's origins (broke, Block contemplated becoming a thief himself before deciding to write about one instead); another addressing Bernie's future (there is no future for a gentleman thief in a world of ubiquitous security cameras); and still another recounting Bernie's only appearance on film (played by . . . wait for it, Whoopi Goldberg). All this backstory will be catnip to Bernie disciples, and the stories are a treat, too, especially The Burglar Who Dropped in on Elvis, in which Bernie is charged with breaking into Graceland's impregnable second floor. Is this really Bernie's final farewell? Can't be, just can't. Copyright 2020 Booklist Reviews.

LJ Reviews 2020 January

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. VERDICT Enthusiasts of the "Burglar" series will delight in revisiting Bernie's beginnings, his bookshop, and his introduction to Raffles. Readers new to the series will enjoy this introduction to a charming character.—Melissa Stoeger, Deerfield P.L., IL

Copyright 2020 Library Journal.

PW Reviews 2019 December #4

MWA Grandmaster Block collects 15 tightly crafted and amusing short stories and articles concerning burglar and bookseller Bernie Rhodenbarr, hero of The Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling and other novels. In "Mr. Rhodenbarr, Bookseller, Advises a Young Customer on Seeking a Vocation," Bernie schools a hapless shoplifter who comes with sticky fingers into his bookstore. In "The Burglar Who Smelled Smoke," a clever roman à clef inspired by the famous mystery book collection of publisher and bookstore owner Otto Penzler, an original solution is presented for a locked room puzzle, with a Penzler avatar providing the corpse. Among other high points is an article detailing how the 1987 movie Burglar inexplicably went from hiring a pre–Die Hard Bruce Willis as Bernie and instead cast Whoopi Goldberg in the title role. A foreword, "A Burglar's Origins," and an afterword, "A Burglar's Future," are original to this volume. The author's legion of fans won't want to miss this one. Agent: Danny Baror, Baror International. (Feb.)

Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly.