The Burglar in the Library (Bernie Rhodenbarr Mystery) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "At three in the afternoon on the first Thursday in March, I got Barnegat Books settled in for the weekend..." (more)
Key Phrases: canine stylist, cat carrier, big sleep, Cuttleford House, Miss Dinmont, Dakin Littlefield (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Bernie, if you recall, is that likeable young New Yorker who has tempered his passion for stealing classy works of art with the more staid vocation of selling books. But his passion always reigns. In this eighth Bernie Rhodenbarr caper, author Lawrence Block mimics the murderer's M.O. in Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None while preserving the premise of the Burglar series. Bernie bursts in on someone else's wrongdoing before he gets to have any fun. All he wants is to make off with a Raymond Chandler first edition, but instead, red-handed, he stumbles on foul play. Lots of amusing send-ups of the genre's older conventions, particularly those oft-employed twists of dame Christie. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Book thief Bernie Rhodenbarr has his work cut out for him when, in the wake of a paralyzing winter storm, a body is discovered in the library of a bed-and-breakfast.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Signet (June 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451407830
• ISBN-13: 978-0451407832
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,387,321 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This is item 8 in The Burglar Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best Christie send-up ever, February 14, 2001

By	Miss Ivonne (Louisville, KY USA) - See all my reviews

This is one of the best in Block's Bernie Rhodenbarr series.

"The Burglar in the Library" is one part Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None" (a.k.a. "The Ten Little Indians"), one part Christie's "The Body in the Library" and one part Dashiell Hammett's "The Thin Man," with Bernie and Carolyn Kaiser pairing up as a platonic Nick and Nora Charles. All of the Rhodenbarr books are pretty funny, but this one is also a loving take on the English house murders that Dame Agatha Christie made famous.

Usually, these near-parodies aren't as kind to their inspiration. But "The Burglar in the Library" makes you want to rush out and re-read a Miss Marple mystery.

This book is such a departure from the Rhodenbarr books, which are as brash and hip as their New York City setting. I wonder how many years Block has yearned to produce his own genteel English mystery? I'm glad he decided to scratch that particular itch.

It's an excellent book. The true test of a mystery is if you enjoy it when you re-read, when you already know "who done it." This book passes the test with flying colors: I've read it twice, and I'm sure I'll be reading it again.

As with all the Rhodenbarr books, Block fills it with tons of book and other trivia. I'd never read any Hammett or Chandler (who figure prominently in this book), but Block prompted me to correct that, too.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Mystery Buffs Dream Weekend, August 24, 2001

By	Untouchable (Sydney, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This is a tribute to Agatha Christie and Raymond Chandler, all rolled into one neat murder mystery. Bernie and Carolyn spend the weekend in a New England guesthouse, which attempts to replicate an authentic old English manor. When guests begin showing up murdered, it's Bernie who plays the part of Hercule Poirot or, if you like, Philip Marlowe, as he gathers the clues, which will hopefully lead him to the murderer before too many more guests are knocked off. Being a guesthouse, there are suspects aplenty delivering us ample opportunity to figure out the mystery ourselves. If mystery fans will be delighted by this book, then fans of the British crime story will be even more so. Combining the wit and humour of Lawrence Block with the traditional murder mystery creates a deadly weekend, though presented in a light and breezy manner.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable read, December 21, 2000

By	Mark S. Winger (Wood Dale, IL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.