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Burglars Can't Be Choosers

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Burglars Can't Be Choosers

By: Lawrence Block
Narrated by: Richard Ferrone
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About this listen

 In this first in a series of wickedly funny mysteries, best-selling author Lawrence Block introduces Bernie Rhodenbarr, sometimes burglar, sometimes sleuth. Pulling only an occasional, very discreet job, Bernie manages to maintain his comfortable New York City apartment and keep his unorthodox vocation a closely-guarded secret. Every burglar knows never to trust anonymous phone calls. But when the caller offers easy money for an hour's work, Bernie can't ignore the job. All he has to do is find a blue box in an empty apartment. But the valuable box is nowhere to be found. The occupant is, however - and he's dead. Suddenly Bernie finds himself the object of a massive man hunt, wanted for both theft and murder. Winner of multiple Edgar and Shamus Awards, Lawrence Block crafts clever plots with characters you wish you could have over for drinks. But stop to count the silver afterwards. You'll find yourself laughing out loud as gravelly-voiced narrator Richard Ferrone brings sticky-fingered Bernie to life.©1977 Lawrence Block (P)1998 Recorded Books, LLC Mystery Suspense Thriller & Suspense Fiction Funny Thief
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Bernie Rhodenbarr is a mid-thirties gentleman burglar plying his trade in New York. He’s very pleasant and friendly with an amusingly cynical take on life. I haven’t quite worked out the time period, but with the lack of technology and unreconstructed social attitudes, I’m guessing it’s around the 1960s. Bernie’s heists don’t always go to plan and he’s often caught up in a murder which he solves, usually to clear his own name. In this inaugural book, Bernie is caught red-handed robbing an apartment by two policemen who discover the owner murdered in the bedroom. Like Raymond Chandler’s Marlowe series, there’s a lot of great humour and word play if you can tolerate the dated views. The most entertaining thing about these is the audio narrator, Richard Ferrone, he’s so talented and comedic and he channels Bernie’s dry wit and cynicism perfectly (currently free on the Audible Plus catalogue)!

This series is a firm favourite!

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I do like Bernie the Burglar he’s clever and funny unfortunately I read these out of order so got a bit bored with the middle ones. This has been one of my favourites

First one terrific

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As always with Block a great yarn with some fun characters. Love Bernie’s laconic style

Compact, witty and charming.

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