Wonderful Wise-Ass Humour

Any additional comments?

(Note: I use my stars sparingly; five stars is reserved for great, world-changing, timeless literature)

Interesting how individual and subjective humour is...I find Block's writing in the Burglar series very funny, enhanced IMMENSELY by Richard Ferrone's narration. Ferrone does a star turn at capturing the sardonic, self-deprecating character of Bernie Rhodenbarr. Though Rhodenbarr might have a slightly askew moral compass, he is essentially good-hearted and is (in his own words) "just another poor bastard working late." The story is engaging, with some nice twists and turns, but what really makes me want to come back again and again is Block's turn of phrase, his avoidance of the same old descriptions and his wise-ass humour.

While there are visits to some slightly seedy locations, there is no violence or graphic sex for those who prefer to avoid these things. This does not render the story bland, by any means. Highly recommended.

11 people found this helpful

Amusing but dated

What did you like best about Burglars Can't Be Choosers? What did you like least?

Interesting main character but the settings and attitude are dated and the main female character is unsympathetic.

2 people found this helpful

A Little Disappointed

Is there anything you would change about this book?

Perhaps I went into reading this book with inappropriate expectations. I had been having a craving for more authors like Craig Johnson (Walt Longmire series) and David Rosenfelt (Andy Carpenter series.) Mysteries that are not exactly humorous, but that have an edgy, witty, fun side to them that make them a little more lighthearted than the usual tension-filled thriller.

I found this author by reading reviews on the internet from Mystery Book Readers who called Lawrence Block "wickedly funny." Nothing could have been further from the truth. The likeable, but nevertheless criminal character in Block's book, Bernie Rhodenbarr, is really rather, uh... blah. The story was slow, not particularly containing any form of humor, or even satire, wittiness, or irony. Yes there was a mystery. Bernie found himself framed for a murder, and the brunt of the story was Bernie solving the mystery of finding the real killer to save himself from a murder charge. It moved along well, and the writing was fine, but it just didn't have anything that kept me particularly interested.

The only slightly clever part of the story was when Bernie was caught in the act of a robbery, and the senior police officer who caught him in the act, greeted him like an old chum. There were several fun scenes with these two who, albeit on different sides of the law, had a mutual respect and even admiration for each other's chosen vocations.

I was hoping to be pleased enough with this book to launch into the full Bernie Rhodenbarr series by Block, but after this yawner, I think I will pass.

4 people found this helpful

Solid

Honestly I'm not sure what all the negative reviewers have against this story. It's a solid murder mystery with a fun perspective from another criminal that we don't really see a lot in other stories. The focus on locks, keys, and lock picking was a great over arching theme to the story. The only real complaint I had was the main character was stuck in the apartment a bit too long and I felt bored. Other than that the noire setting was executed really well, the narrator did a fine job creating the smokey filled room like nostalgia of a classic detective story (although Bernie and Ray sounded a bit too alike at times), and the characters themselves kept things interesting with their ever evolving and revealing back stories.

I'd recommend this to anyone who is a fan of the genre and audio books.

1 person found this helpful

Wickedly slow

I had to look at the description of the book to see if I was listening to the correct book. I didn't find an ounce of humor and found the extreme detail in the descriptions boring.

7 people found this helpful

Fine start to the series!

burglar, murder-investigation, law-enforcement, humor, snarky, bernie-rodenbarr
Read on January 15, 2017

I decided to hunt down the first book in the Bernie Rhodenbarr series since it appeared that I had never read it. I'm glad that I did as it convinces me that while this one was great fun, the stories just kept getting better and better. The mystery was good, but some of the clues did not show up until the end. The humor, however, was right there in your face the whole time!
Richard Ferrone was absolutely perfect for Bernie.

2 people found this helpful

Bernie Rhodenbarr kinda grows on ya!

Would you try another book from Lawrence Block and/or Richard Ferrone?

Will definitely read more in the Bernie series

If you’ve listened to books by Lawrence Block before, how does this one compare?

Much better than the two Matt Scudder novels I've read

What aspect of Richard Ferrone’s performance would you have changed?

None! He did an excellent job of differentiating characters' voices without going overboard, even to the extent of giving women distinction. Pacing was just right, too.

Do you think Burglars Can't Be Choosers needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Yes, I'm looking forward to finding the rest of the series. The review I read described Bernie as a

Any additional comments?

Bernie is a thief, and unashamed of it. In fact he's proud of his professionalism. At the outset I couldn't imagine admiring, respecting, or even liking such a character. But by the end of this short book I saw Bernie in a much more wholesome light, and wanted to know him better and hear more of his adventures. That is a LOT for an author to accomplish in the first book in a series.

2 people found this helpful

Always one of my favorites.

Burgling Sleuth with 99 problems and a lock isn't one of them. Well written and very enjoyable.

Case of the Red Herring!

We are introduced to Bernie Rhodenbarr, a laid back, somewhat successful burglar. He does quite well plying his trade in New York City. Accepting what appears to be an easy in and out job from a stranger, he neglects to smell something fishy in Denmark. Proceeding to the target of opportunity, he is in the apartment no longer than several minutes when the police enter uninvitedly. About to close a cash deal with one of the well-known officers, the other wandering policeman discovers a body in the bedroom. Bernie wisely makes a hasty retreat. It is now up to Bernie, and his plant-watering girlfriend, to figure out who did the deed in the bedroom, who is the stranger that set him up, and why was he the chosen pigeon? Burglars Can’t Be Choosers is a decent mystery, filled with humor and wit. I liked Ruth err…Ellie who provided additional personality and a little romance to the tale. I enjoyed the story and would follow up with more of the series.

not easy being a burglar

interesting mystery with a crazy twist to it. the main character was hilarious to me, he knows how to live the life illegally. good story, well written, kept up with the story & the reader did a wonderful job