|
[ Home ]
[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]
The prolific Lawrence Block is at it again with THE BURGLAR ON THE PROWL, the tenth book in the Bernie Rhodenbarr series. Thankfully, Block never loses his skill at creating an excellent tale featuring the antiquarian book seller-cum-burglar. The book opens with a friend of Bernie's, Marty Gilmartin, asking for his help. His mistress has given him up for another, and Marty wants to avenge the act by having Bernie rob the affluent plastic surgeon, Crandall Roundtree Mapes. Since burgling is in Bernie's blood, he's more than happy to help his friend out. Bernie plans the heist, but a couple of days before he's set to execute it, he can't resist the allure of another robbery. He's in the middle of robbing an apartment, when its occupant and her date return home. He quickly hides under the bed, and in horror, realizes that the woman has been given a Roofie and is a victim of date rape. There's nothing he can do about it except to try to minimize the effects after the villain leaves the apartment and the victim is unconscious. That little extra burgling foray has a lot of ramifications for Bernie. First of all, he was seen on a security camera in the neighborhood and is accused of an entirely different crime where two people ended up dead. In the meantime, the real perpetrators of that crime think he ended up with the goods and are after him; and he is robbed by the robbers. As always, Block tells a good tale. It was great to see a favorite character from the books, Bernie's friend, Carolyn Kaiser, take a leading role in this book. The plot branches off in many directions, but it all comes together at the end in a reasonable solution and a very happy ending for both Bernie and Carolyn. There are lots of little humorous touches woven into the book. One of my favorites was that Bernie was reading a mystery by John Sandford. The title? LETTUCE PREY. I love how Block provides Bernie with a conscience and allows him to do some good deeds amidst the crimes he commits, but he is never too good or out of character. THE BURGLAR ON THE PROWL may have a few more plot threads than it really needs; but overall, it is a very enjoyable and well-written book.
Reviewed by Maddy Van Hertbruggen, 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 ]
| 
