The Burglar on the Prowl
A Bernie Rhodenbarr mystery
By Lawrence Block

      Bernie Rhodenbarr is recruited by his friend, Marty Gilmartin to burgle the home of crooked plastic surgeon, Crandall Roantree Mapes, and remove off- the- books cash from his safe. The surgeon has stolen Marty's mistress, Marisol.

       While Bernie is walking around casing the house, he decides to make a side trip to test his expertise. He picks a random apartment, figuring it to be an easy job. Unfortunately, the woman returns home with her date for the evening. Bernie is forced to hide under the bed, the only place of concealment and is the unwilling witness to the woman being date raped.

       The next day a customer asking for a specific book is shot near his bookstore; an émigré couple is murdered; a former war criminal is reported in New York. Bernie's apartment is ransacked. Bernie's friend, Carolyn Kaiser, is once again seeking a partner. To solve the mystery Bernie assembles the possible culprits in the surgeon's living room, and explains each role in these events.

         The return of Bernie Rhodenbarr is a welcome one. The character is a charming, likeable and witty one as well as being an expert clever burglar. The first rate plot is a complex one with an excellent cast of characters: bad and ugly ones as well as a few quirky ones. There are many humorous touches with Carolyn and Bernie trying to solve Carolyn's amorous problems. The witty dialogue add to the first rate story.

      This is guaranteed to please any reader seeking light entertainment.