The Burglar in the Library

Rating:
Summary: One of a rare mystery
Review: As a first time reader of Block, I didn't know what to expect. But this is a classic mystery that didn't give the answer away until the very end. That is a rare quality that only good mystery writers and/or mystery novels have. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a good mystery.

Rating:
Summary: New setting, same great comedy in eighth "Burglar" book
Review: As readers of Lawrence Block's "Burglar" series know, master cracksman Bernie Rhodenbarr is a city boy -- New York City, to be specific. It is strange, then, to see him tromping through the snow and the plush rooms of a British-style manor house in THE BURGLAR IN THE LIBRARY. Block uses the eighth installment in this excellent series as an opportunity to send up mysteries of the Agatha Christie "And Then There Were None" variety (also taking some affectionate potshots at Raymond Chandler along the way). The result is extremely funny, and the brilliance of the comedy makes it hard to mind too much that the solution to the book's mystery is awfully hard to follow. Does anyone complain that the plot of Neil Simon's "Murder By Death" doesn't make any sense? No. They just pop the tape in the VCR and laugh themselves sick. THE BURGLAR IN THE LIBRARY is disorienting in spots and some long-time readers may not approve of the change of venue, but I defy any reader to make it from cover to cover without laughing out loud. A wonderful, wonderful work of comic fiction.

Rating:
Summary: New setting, same great comedy in eighth "Burglar" book
Review: As readers of Lawrence Block's "Burglar" series know, master cracksman Bernie Rhodenbarr is a city boy -- New York City, to be specific. It is strange, then, to see him tromping through the snow and the plush rooms of a British-style manor house in THE BURGLAR IN THE LIBRARY. Block uses the eighth installment in this excellent series as an opportunity to send up mysteries of the Agatha Christie "And Then There Were None" variety (also taking some affectionate potshots at Raymond Chandler along the way). The result is extremely funny, and the brilliance of the comedy makes it hard to mind too much that the solution to the book's mystery is awfully hard to follow. Does anyone complain that the plot of Neil Simon's "Murder By Death" doesn't make any sense? No. They just pop the tape in the VCR and laugh themselves sick. THE BURGLAR IN THE LIBRARY is disorienting in spots and some long-time readers may not approve of the change of venue, but I defy any reader to make it from cover to cover without laughing out loud. A wonderful, wonderful work of comic fiction.

Rating:
Summary: Bernie Rhodenbarr deserves better than this!
Review: Bernie is in his element when he has successfully broken into a mansion only to discover a body while being trapped by the unexpected arrival of the owners, yet somehow he always come through. Here, he is presented as a cool sleuth with few of his usual tricks of the trade. As a mystery, a 7, as a Bernie Rhodenbarr mystery, a 4. Bernie's a better thief than Block gives him credit for

Rating:
Summary: If you enjoy Agatha Christie, Lawrence Block is better!
Review: Bernie Rhodenbarr goes to a quiet bed and breakfast in New England to find a rare book and murder. Set in a driving snowstorm with a cast of characters that Agatha Christie would have enjoyed. I couldn't put it down and can't wait to read another Rhodenbarr mystery. This certainly was a book worth reading.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely delightful,enthralling and fullfilling
Review: Bernie Rhodenbarr invites Carolyn to join him for a weekend at Cuttleford House, a Massachusetts bed and breakfast. Now bring along a good looking woman like Carolyn should leave one to think that bernie is interested in a weekend of good loving. Only problem is Carolyn is a lesbian, a fact that Bernie is well aware of. Being the book lover (and Burglar) that Bernie is, he needs to steal a rare Raymond Chandler first edition of the BIG SLEEP which happens to include an inscription by the great author. ...... However, as seems to be the norm for Bernie (just try the previous seven tales in this satirical series to confirm that point and have an enjoyable reading experience), his plan goes awry when a blizzard traps everyone inside the bed and breakfast. Soon people mysteriously start getting killed and to Bernie's chagrin, the rare detective story is stolen by someone else. The latter does not sit well with Bernie, who begins to act more like Inspector Poirot investigating a case than the burglar he normally. ..... THE BURGLAR IN THE LIBRARY is a fantastic addition to one of the best satirical mystery series on the market today. Bernie and his friends are great characters, and the story line is witty and jocular. Readers who enjoy a light-hearted jab at the Agatha Christie novels will love the latest novel from Lawrence Block. ......Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely delightful,enthralling and fullfilling
Review: Bernie Rhodenbarr invites Carolyn to join him for a weekend at CuttlefordHouse, a Massachusetts bed and breakfast. Now bring along a good lookingwoman like Carolyn should leave one to think that bernie is interested in a weekend of good loving. Only problem is Carolyn is a lesbian, a fact that Bernie is well aware of. Being the book lover (and Burglar) that Bernie is, he needs to steal a rare Raymond Chandler first edition of the BIG SLEEP which happens to include an inscription by the great author. ...... However, as seems to be the norm for Bernie (just try the previous seven tales in this satirical series to confirm that point and have an enjoyable reading experience), his plan goes awry when a blizzard traps everyone inside the bed and breakfast. Soon people mysteriously start getting killed and to Bernie's chagrin, the rare detective story is stolen by someone else. The latter does not sit well with Bernie, who begins to act more like Inspector Poirot investigating a case than the burglar he normally. ..... THE BURGLAR IN THE LIBRARY is a fantastic addition to one of the best satirical mystery series on the market today. Bernie and his friends are great characters, and the story line is witty and jocular. Readers who enjoy a light-hearted jab at the Agatha Christie novels will love the latest novel from Lawrence Block. ......Harriet Klausner

Rating:
Summary: Best of the series.
Review: Bernie Rhodenbarr is at work again. This time Lawrence Block takes him and Carolyn to a bed and breakfast in Massachusetts. Bernie's quest is a rare Raymond Chandler first edition, which is inscribed by the author. Our book lover/burglar/sleuth goal is to steal the rare book but this plan must be put on hold. First a snowstorm turns into a blizzard and traps all the guests. People mysteriously get killed. (What would a "Burglar who..." book be with out a murder or two.) The novel, which Bernie has come for, is stolen. As they say, "The plot thickens." "The Burglar in the Library," is the best of all in the series of seven others. New colorful characters join our all time favorites. Good reading.

Rating:
Summary: Bernie Goes Agatha
Review: Book antiquarian and friendly burglar Bernie Rhodenbarr goes chasing a rare edition of Chandler's The Big Sleep, inscribed to Dashiell Hammett, accompanied by his lesbian dog stylist friend Carolyn, and Raffles the cat. Soon they find themselves caught up in a regular Agatha Christie-a-like English manor who-dunnit plot, thin as a white sheet of paper, but thoroughly enjoyable and often quite funny. Rhodenbarr is a charming acquaintance. A good read, although hardly memorable.

Rating:
Summary: Moving out of New York an interesting twist in this series.
Review: By setting the book outside of the normal confines of New York, made for an interesting twist in this latest addition to the series. Bernie's summation of the mystery became some what over done, however, this did not take away from the clever twists in this novel.