The Burglar Who Painted Like Mondrian: A Bernie Rhodenbarr Mystery

I just LOVE Bernie (the burglar) Rhodenbarr. He is so rodent-like -- an aptly named character. His dialogue with gay gal-pal, Caroline, is inspiring to all who appreciate sustained wit. I also adore the oafish policeman who insists on pronouncing Mondrian "Moon-drain." I laughed all through this goofy mystery. I give any and all of Lawrence Block's Bernie Rhodenbarr mysteries my highest recommendation.

While Bernie seems to be in a similar predicament time after time, it never gets dull. And while all of the books I've read so far in the Bernie series are funny, this one seemed to be exceptionally so.

My first Lawrence Block book and I'm sold. Bernie Rhodenbarr is the kind of person we like to befriend in the real world. Unique. Risk taking. Confident. Colorful. Funny.So because I liked him, I wanted to go along on his adventures. And for my efforts, I was rewarded with an exciting read. Now, I'm off to find my next Block book. And no, I'm not a relative.

Antiquarian book dealer Berni Rhodenbarr feels pretty good about his current job, appraising New York millionaire Gordon Onderdon's personal collection. While checking the library, Bernie, being a thief, cannot help casing the rest of the house in case he decides to abscond with something. Bernie's close friend Carolyn Kaiser informs Bernie that someone has abducted her cat. For ransom, they want the Piet Mondrian painting hanging in a museum where it is virtually impossible to steal anything. Bernie, knowing that Gordon has a fake on his wall, returns to the wealthy man's home to steal the painting. Instead, he finds a corpse and no painting. Of course, the police turn to Bernie as the prime suspect. Now he has to rescue the feline and prove his own innocence. This is a reprint of a classy Bernie Rhodenbarr novel, which may be the best of this highly regarded series. Bernie and friends remain interesting and fun, while New York City comes to life in a way rarely seen in a novel. The crisp story line keeps reader attention throughout the book. Bottom line is the entire eight-novel collection is worth reading because no one does Manhattan any better than Lawrence Block does with these incredible tales. Harriet Klausner

Somewhere in cyberspace by review of "The Burglar Who Painted Like Mondrian" got lost. Once again Bernie the bookseller/burglar/sleuth has to solve the crime. Our favorite characters, Carolyn Kaiser, who runs a dig grooming parlor and Ray Kirschmann, the best cop money can buy, are there. The story which deals with a kidnapped cat, or should I say a catnapped cat, and a forged and genuine Mondrian paintings mixed with murder makes this another well written "The Burglar who entry."