About
Reviews
Search
Submit
Home

Mystery Books for Sale

[ Home ]
[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]


  

THE BURGLAR ON THE PROWL
by Lawrence Block
William Morrow, March 2004
293 pages
$24.95
ISBN: 0060198303


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

It was about time for another book in the long-running series by Lawrence Block featuring Bernie Rhodenbarr, gentleman bookseller and burglar. THE BURGLAR ON THE PROWL is number ten in the series and it is a winner.

Poor Martin Gilmartin has lost his young, beautiful mistress to plastic surgeon, Crandell Mapes. Marty has reason to believe that a wall safe in Mapes' home contains money along with other valuables. He hopes his good friend Bernie Rhodenbarr will be willing to exact a little revenge on Dr Mapes by cleaning out the safe. Bernie is more than happy to help out his friend, use his burgling skills, and make some extra money.

Bernie cases the doctor's home in preparation for the actual robbery, but he gets antsy and goes on the prowl looking for an easy place to burgle. He finds an empty apartment but while he is there the apartment's occupant returns with her date. Finding no way out, Bernie is forced to hide under the bed. It quickly becomes apparent that the woman has been given Rohypnol (or Roofie) the date rape drug. All Bernie can do is wait until the evil deed is done and the rapist leaves before he can leave the apartment.

This is just the beginning. Bernie soon finds his own apartment robbed. He's seen by security cameras outside a location where three murders and a burglary have occurred. He sells a $13 book for $1300. As Bernie says you can't escape "the long arm of coincidence." Block successfully takes all of these coincidences and weaves them into a well-plotted and fun conclusion.

THE BURGLAR ON THE PROWL was a quick and easy read. Bernie's pals Carolyn Kaiser (the dog groomer), Ray Kirschmann (the cop) and Raffles (his Manx tabby) are back. The Manhattan setting is worthy of character status. The repartee between Bernie and his pals is as witty as ever. One of my favorite discussions centers on reading a mystery. Carolyn has just finished reading the new Prey book and Bernie has just started it. It is about a "bunch of guys killing vegetarians" and is called Lettuce Prey.

The Burglar books are distinguished by the quirky integrity that makes Bernie a vivid individual and an unforgettable character. Bring on another!

Reviewed by Lane Wright, April 2004

This book has more than one review. Click here to show all.

[ Top ]


QUICK SEARCH:

 

Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]
[ Home ]