Rating: 
Summary: ...but the author can choose any ending he wants
Review: This book is admirable from the standpoint that Mr Block invented a new mystery genre - the lighthearted murder mystery solved by the friendly cat burglar. I probably would have enjoyed it more had it been my first "burglar" book, but I was spoiled by the excellent "Ted Williams" edition. I found this book annoying in how the author leads us down two endings - one for the police, and then the real story as explained by our burglar. I was tired of... this is what happened -- no this is what happened -- no, I was right in the first place -- no, I was right the second time, etc.
Rating: 
Summary: A Good Start To An Intriguing Series
Review: This is an intriguing concept that I've only just stumbled across: A protagonist of a mystery book who's a professional burglar. Bernie Rhodenbarr is hard at work one night knocking over a house in which, he's assured, he'll find a leather-bound box. Problem 1, the box isn't there. Problem 2, the police catch him in the act. Problem 3, there's a dead body in the house, which is found by the police. Was he set up or was his luck just really bad on this job? In order to prove his innocence Bernie has to find out who committed the murder while staying ahead of the law.This is a great idea for a different slant on mystery protagonists. It's not every story that you find yourself on the side of the burglar, so I found this book very refreshing indeed. Bernie commits crimes as a living does essentially a reprehensible job, but you can't help but like the guy. And as an investigator he's not too bad either. This is a very good mystery that has certainly prompted me to read other books in the series.
Rating:
Summary: A cute little mystery novel
Review: This is the first of the Bernie Rhodenbarr books (and where on earth did Block get the name Rhodenbarr from?). Bernie is a professional burglar who seems to get into more trouble than a cat at a dog show, if this series is to be believed. But if this book is any indication, the series is well worth your time.
Yes, the characters (except for Bernie) are pretty much from the list of typical "B-movie" roles, some of the clues are so obvious you could just cry, and the solution to the murder is really straight out of left field - but surprisingly, it doesn't really matter. Despite all these flaws I actually had a good time with this book, and I will get the next book in the series for my shelves the next time I go on a book-buying binge.
Rating: 
Summary: A Long line of great books
Review: This one is a page turner. Block has some of the best dialogue in the business. Very funny with unforgettable characters. If you are wondering if you should buy this book. Buy It!!!
Rating:
Summary: A Long line of great books
Review: This one is a page turner. Block has some of the best dialogue in the business. Very funny with unforgettable characters. If you are wondering if you should buy this book. Buy It!!!
Rating:
Summary: Burglar-Sleuth Introduced in new Series from Block
Review: While traveling down I-95 to Florida I found a more recent Lawrence Block book, "The Burglar Who Traded Ted Williams." I found Block's style of mystery-humor very interesting and couldn't wait until I could seek and find the other books in the series. "Burglars Can't Be Choosers," the first in the series of seven other books featuring Bernie Rhodenbarr introduces us to a burglar who is caught in act by Ray Kirchmann, one of the city's finest in blue. Bernie is a loveable cat burglar who has to turn detective to save his own skin after stumbling over a murder. If you read a more recent "Burglar who..." you soon realize Bernie's friend Carolyn is introduced in a later work. His second occupation, that of a Greenwich Village used bookstore owner doesn't take place until later. I generally advocate reading books in a series in sequence to see how reoccurring characters develop. This is certainly true of this series. "Burglars Can't Be Choosers," is a good start for a delightful series.
Rating:
Summary: Burglar-Sleuth Introduced in new Series from Block
Review: While traveling down I-95 to Florida I found a more recent Lawrence Block book, "The Burglar Who Traded Ted Williams." I found Block's style of mystery-humor very interesting and couldn't wait until I could seek and find the other books in the series. "Burglars Can't Be Choosers," the first in the series of seven other books featuring Bernie Rhodenbarr introduces us to a burglar who is caught in act by Ray Kirchmann, one of the city's finest in blue. Bernie is a loveable cat burglar who has to turn detective to save his own skin after stumbling over a murder. If you read a more recent "Burglar who..." you soon realize Bernie's friend Carolyn is introduced in a later work. His second occupation, that of a Greenwich Village used bookstore owner doesn't take place until later. I generally advocate reading books in a series in sequence to see how reoccurring characters develop. This is certainly true of this series. "Burglars Can't Be Choosers," is a good start for a delightful series.
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