Burglar in the Closet

by Lawrence Block

Book Overview

At a routine check-up, Bernie's dentist hires him to steal some valuable diamonds from his soon-to-be ex-wife. But after Bernie breaks into Crystal Sheldrake's apartment, someone comes home and Bernie slips into the closet. Time passes, and Bernie emerges, and there's lovely Crystal Sheldrake, only she's dead on the floor, a dental instrument to blame. To top it off, the diamonds are gone, and soon Bernie is too, chasing a killer's shadow and evading...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0671617044
• ISBN13: 9780671617042
• Release Date: March 1986
• Publisher: Pocket Books
• Length: 222 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Bookblogger

Exactly what I expected. Well packaged. Book was not damaged during shipping. No true of other books I have ordered.

Burglary Isn't All It's Cracked Up to Be!

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

Block is the absolute master of the genre!

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!

Another fun to read Burglar Who...book

This is the second of eight novels in the Bernie Rhodenbarr series by author Lawrence Block who has written many other novels. I was first introduced to Bernie when I picked up a copy of "The Burglar Who Traded Ted Williams," in a discount pile of books on the way down south on I-95. I have also read and reviewed "Burglars Can't Be Choosers," which introduces us to Bernie a burglar who lets himself into wherever he wants to go with his trusty set of burglar tools. Bernie gets himself into trouble, again. This time while burglarizing an apartment he is locked into a closet. He has already lifted the jewels he came for. His victim is Crystal Sheldrake the ex-wife of Bernie's dentist who puts him up to the crime. While locked in the closet Crystal is murdered by another intruder. The weapon just happens to be a dentist's scalpel. Once again this full-time cat burglar must turn part-time detective to save his own skin. "The Burglar in the Closet," is fun as are the other "The Burglar Who..." books I have read.

The second "Burglar" whodunnit, as hilarious as the first

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.)