Rating: 
Summary: Overall, good book.
Review: 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. His first mistake was to not have taken the jewels in the closet with him. It was really far-fetched to think that he would ever find the jewels and I knew that it would be very difficult to find the killer AND the jewels, but in the end, it worked out quite well for him. I will continue to follow with the rest of the 'Bernie Rhodenbarr' mysteries.
Rating:
Summary: Overall, good book.
Review: 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. His first mistake was to not have taken the jewels in the closet with him. It was really far-fetched to think that he would ever find the jewels and I knew that it would be very difficult to find the killer AND the jewels, but in the end, it worked out quite well for him. I will continue to follow with the rest of the 'Bernie Rhodenbarr' mysteries.
Rating:
Summary: Dental pain taken to the next level
Review: I love the burglar series. These books are well written, and most important, highly entertaining. Expect the unexpected as you drift through what seems like unimportant fluff, only to discover the subtle clues were laid down to allow our favorite burglar to solve yet another set of murders. It all starts with a dental instrument embedded in a woman's chest. The heat is on Bernie again, as New York's finest have him fingered as a suspect. Bernie finds unusual quantities of cash in the unlikeliest of places, as he pastes together the past of his dentist's ex-wife. Bernie pre-maturely pegs the murder on somebody who ends up dead --- in an awkward location. The grand finale is spectacular as always, with Bernie pulling out a fake witness to corroborate his suspicions and force a confession out of the guilty.
Rating:
Summary: Dental pain taken to the next level
Review: I love the burglar series. These books are well written, and most important, highly entertaining. Expect the unexpected as you drift through what seems like unimportant fluff, only to discover the subtle clues were laid down to allow our favorite burglar to solve yet another set of murders. It all starts with a dental instrument embedded in a woman's chest. The heat is on Bernie again, as New York's finest have him fingered as a suspect. Bernie finds unusual quantities of cash in the unlikeliest of places, as he pastes together the past of his dentist's ex-wife. Bernie pre-maturely pegs the murder on somebody who ends up dead --- in an awkward location. The grand finale is spectacular as always, with Bernie pulling out a fake witness to corroborate his suspicions and force a confession out of the guilty.
Rating: 
Summary: Amusing Enough
Review: I was recommended this book by a friend and I was pleasantly pleased by it, although not unduly impressed. the stories about a burglar who plays detective is rather improbable, but a fairly effective technique for solving goo old-fashioned mysteries. It won't knock the masters of the genre out of their places, but it's a great book for mystery fans. Funny too.
Rating:
Summary: Lawrence, Meet ... Lawrence
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Burglary Isn't All It's Cracked Up to Be!
Review: 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
Rating: 
Summary: Block is the absolute master of the genre!
Review: 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. These books are intelligent and are completely satisfying. This book, the second in the series, is a wonderful romp. I can't recommend this book enough!
Rating:
Summary: The second "Burglar" whodunnit, as hilarious as the first
Review: 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 character bits and at least a dozen scenes that will make you laugh out loud. Bernie is not yet the proprietor of his used bookstore here -- he's a full-time burglar and part-time detective, working desperately to free his dentist from a charge of murder. Block's authoritative asides on the science of burglary are delicious and the climactic unmasking of the killer at the end is entirely satisfying. (Fans of the series will note that this book contains the first appearance of artist Denise Raphaelson, who returns to great effect in Block's brilliant THE BURGLAR WHO PAINTED LIKE MONDRIAN.)
Rating:
Summary: Not His Best
Review: 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. Lawrence Block is too good an author for the generally weak story. I read the Burglar Who Traded Ted Williams and thought that it was better. I have read all three of his short story collections and think those are well worth the purchase, so give him a shot but if you aren't an avid fan, take a pass on this one.
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