The Burglar on the Prowl (Bernie Rhodenbarr)

I've just finished reading THE BURGLAR ON THE PROWL, my third Lawrence Block book in the continuing adventures of master burglar, Bernie Rhodenbar. I have to say that I've enjoyed them all tremendously. The charactors are thoroughly enjoyable and the stories, though wildly improbable, are just too much fun to miss. Mr. Block writes in a style that is quick but deliberately paced, keeping those pages turning well into the evening. The characters are funny, sterotypical, completely predictable, and absolutely marvelous. That perhaps is the great charm of these books - they are like riding a roller coaster. You can see what's coming a mile away, you anticipate the plunges, dips, swerves and loops. You know they're coming, you're absolutely delighted as you go through them, and you are always satisfied with the result once you're done. Granted, these stories do not rise to the level of a really engaging John Le Carre, P.D. James or Collin Dexter mystery. Actually, they put me more in mind of a Lilian Jackson Braun "Cat" novel or a really funny episode of Monk on the television. If you want a dark, brooding mystery with gritty realism, leave Block's books on the shelf. If, on the other hand, you want a great experience of light reading on a cold winter's evening or while lounging on a sunny beach - these are the books for you.

This was my first ever Lawrence Block book and it certainly wont be the last! Its was fun, funny and easy to read. I loved the cast of charactors and Bernie would now be my favourite heroCant wait to get my hands on more of this series!!

Lawrence Block's Burglar on the Prowl is a lot of fun, probably won't win the Pulitzer Prize, but still, it is fun to read. Burglar on the Prowl is the first book by Mr. Block that I have ever read, but it certainly won't be my last. The story is well-written, it's funny, it flows. The plot works and the ending will make you smile. Burglar on the Prowl is an enjoyable, quick read, the perfect companion for a long plane ride or a sunny day sitting beside the pool.

If you are a Bernie fan, run out and grab one of these books today and you will feel like you did when you discovered your first Bernie novel, it is that good. Not to be overly critical of the last couple of Bernie books, but they cannot hold a literary candle to The Burglar on the Prowl. I felt like Mr. Block was starting to rest on his laurels a bit like Tom Clancy has started to do of late and just throw fans a weak effort at a Bernie novel every now and then. But, as if to restore my faith, along comes The Burglar on the Prowl! This is what a Bernie book should be...it was a sheer pleasure to read. The wit is back Mr. Block. Stay off the cruise ships when you write and go to Ragsdale and repeat this process again and again. It has produced a winner! I laughed aloud at least 5 times by the beginning of Chapter 4! The wit of Bernie and Carolyn combined with all the wonderful metaphors, word plays, and well-researched literary (and other) references plus the tie-in to the earlier 'Ted Williams' book made this new read seem like an old friend right from the start. Welcome back Bernie! Welcome back Lawrence Block! Well done!

I so look forward to each installment in the Bernie Rhoddenbarr series. This book lived up to my expectations. It is well written with all the usual characters and many others thrown in. Bernie himself has to be one of the more interesting characters in literature. A burglar that runs a bookstore and has a soft spot in his heart. I finished the book in under 3 days and enjoyed ever bit of it.