The Burglar Who Studied Spinoza

Lawrence Block

Oct 2009 · Bernie Rhodenbarr Book 4 · Sold by Harper Collins

About this ebook

Bookselling burglar Bernie Rhodenbarr doesn't generally get philosophical about his criminal career. He's good at it, it's addictively exciting—and it pays a whole lot better than pushing old tomes. He steals therefore he is, period.

He might well ponder, however, the deeper meaning of events at the luxurious Chelsea brownstone of Herb and Wanda Colcannon, which is apparently burgled three times on the night Bernie breaks in: once before his visit and once after. Fortunately he still manages to lift some fair jewelry and an extremely valuable coin. Unfortunately burglar or burglars number three leave Herb unconscious and Wanda dead . . . and the cops think Rhodenbarr dunnit.

There's no time to get all existential about it—especially after the coin vanishes and the fence fencing it meets with a most severe end. But Bernie is going to have to do some deep thinking to find a way out of this homicidal conundrum.

Ratings and reviews

bernie-rodenbarr, murder, amateur-sleuth, law-enforcement, nyc, humor, snarky Bernie Rhodenbarr does it again. He and Carolyn become the second thief and he gets blamed for the burglary as well as a murder. They take the loot to a fence he knows well,and then that man gets murdered. While Bernie works to find out who did the murders, we get a nice lesson in numismatics. The solution is presented with a flourish, as usual.

About the author

Lawrence Block is one of the most widely recognized names in the mystery genre. He has been named a Grand Master of the Mystery Writers of America and is a four-time winner of the prestigious Edgar and Shamus Awards, as well as a recipient of prizes in France, Germany, and Japan. He received the Diamond Dagger from the British Crime Writers' Association—only the third American to be given this award. He is a prolific author, having written more than fifty books and numerous short stories, and is a devoted New Yorker and an enthusiastic global traveler.