Rating: 
Summary: Enjoyable read
Review: This is the 3rd Bernie Rhodenbarr book I have read, and I enjoyed it the most out of the bunch. I read the Burglar in the Closet, which disappointed me by having an extremely predictable ending, and I read the Burglar who Traded Ted Williams which was a middle of the road mystery. What kept me coming back was that I thought the character of Bernie Rhodenbarr was likable and the stories flow and end up being a quick read.I thought that this story was intriguing and the ending is not readily predictable. This story and its characters are well developed and it keeps you interested throughout. For mystery lovers the references to Hammett, Chandler, and the Christie comparison of the story prove to be an extra treat. Even if you are not familiar with those writers it doesn't detract from the story and the book should still prove to be enjoyable. So whether you have or haven't read Lawrence Block before, this one is worth picking up.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable read
Review: This is the 3rd Bernie Rhodenbarr book I have read, and I enjoyed it the most out of the bunch. I read the Burglar in the Closet, which disappointed me by having an extremely predictable ending, and I read the Burglar who Traded Ted Williams which was a middle of the road mystery. What kept me coming back was that I thought the character of Bernie Rhodenbarr was likable and the stories flow and end up being a quick read. I thought that this story was intriguing and the ending is not readily predictable. This story and its characters are well developed and it keeps you interested throughout. For mystery lovers the references to Hammett, Chandler, and the Christie comparison of the story prove to be an extra treat. Even if you are not familiar with those writers it doesn't detract from the story and the book should still prove to be enjoyable. So whether you have or haven't read Lawrence Block before, this one is worth picking up.
Rating: 
Summary: A delightful sned up of classic British mystery novels
Review: This latest entry in the saga of Bernie Rhodenbarr, gentleman burglar, takes Bernie and Henchperson, Carolyn, out of their beloved Manhattan to a veddy, veddy British manor house in the country. Rare books, good drink, strange characters ensue. This may be my favorite Bernie since "The Burglar who Painted Like Mondrian" Buy this book for some veddy, veddy entertaing reading
Rating: 
Summary: A book that's too concerned with its cleverness.
Review: This was my firest book by Block, and it's probably the one I liked the least. So much of the book hinges upon the reader knowing the history of mystery fiction, various authors, elements of the genre, etc... and it gets even worse when Bernie goes on and on about this author and that author. It's as if the author is trying to let us know how clever everything really is. After a while, I just stopped reading those sections. The supporting cast has its ups and downs. The only member I didn't fancy was the little girl, Millicent (I think that's her). Her dialogue and behavior seemed highly unlike a 10-year old. More like a 20 year pretending to be 10 by reading Bobbsey Twins novels. So it hurt getting to the end. It was an effort in which my eyes blurred a lot and wondered whether or not I'd be better of just staring at the ceiling. But finally, when it all came to a close...I liked it. The mystery and how it was solved was actually pretty good, even if it did come from nowhere. But only then. I'd suggest that one skip all of the chapters, pick any random 15 pages, then go to the last chapter. That should do a good job of summarizing the book.
Rating:
Summary: WHAT A HOOT!
Review: This was my first 'Burglar' experience. In fact, I got the audio for my ride back and forth to work. It took a while but I got into the story pretty fast. Witty dialogue. Bernie and Carolyn were an interesting 'couple'. I loved the similarity to "And Then There Were None' (a black and white film that was the best version - look for it in your video store), Agatha Christie and Raymond Chandler. Altho there were some discouraging reviews I will try another Lawrence Block 'Burglar' soon. With all the air travel that I do, I may just get another audio and block out reality for a while enroute.
Rating:
Summary: WHAT A HOOT!
Review: This was my first 'Burglar' experience. In fact, I got the audio for my ride back and forth to work. It took a while but I got into the story pretty fast. Witty dialogue. Bernie and Carolyn were an interesting 'couple'. I loved the similarity to "And Then There Were None' (a black and white film that was the best version - look for it in your video store), Agatha Christie and Raymond Chandler. Altho there were some discouraging reviews I will try another Lawrence Block 'Burglar' soon. With all the air travel that I do, I may just get another audio and block out reality for a while enroute.
Rating: 
Summary: Nice Who Done It
Review: This was the first book I have read by Mr. Block. I found it to be an enjoyable read with a straight forward plot. It reminded me of an old Charlie Chan movie or an old locked room mystery. A little slow at the start but once it got going it bacame a page turner. At times it seemed as if Mr. Block was just rambling to fill pages or perhaps, I was just distracted at those points. I didn't particularly care for the way Mr. Block used the first person by using the word "I" so much when Bernie would be talking. I intend to read other novels by Mr. Block and not being an avid mystery reader don't know of any other authors to compare him too. If you enjoy a light hearted mystery, then this book is for you.
Rating: 
Summary: I tried and tried, but gave up at page 90
Review: This was the first book of the series I have read -- well, I should say attempted to read since I didn't make it to page 100. It wasn't funny enough for me to follow as a pure satire on Agatha Christie. But the biggest problem is, I just grew tired of waiting for something to happen. The first 80 pages could have been condensed to 10 without losing any of the plot. It seemed like Block was on too much of a leisurely vacation with this one.
Rating:
Summary: Good Comedy, not his best mystery
Review: While sometimes some of the entries in Lawrence Block's Burglar series can be a bit formulaic (some of the scenes are virtual repeats, at times), this one is a parody of other authors' prior, classic mystery works. Block's characters are simply a riot. The plot has a few flaws, but the emphasis here is on comic mystery not purity. So, if you are looking for a hard boiled or serious mystery, read Block's Scudder series or an Agatha Christie. There is fun in this book and two great quotes for my collection: "Whenever a politician answers a question that you haven't asked, he's lying" on page 282; and "I don't know who picked you to be the head wallaby in this kangaroo court" on page 303. However, this is not, IMHO, his best Burglar/Rhodenbarr book. Try "The Burglar Who Traded Ted Williams" or "The Burglar in the Closet." Still, I'd recommend reading them all as light entertainment, somewhat similar to Block's Tanner/pseudo-spy series.
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