"Bernie is such a likeable goof, the dialogue so finely crafted and the plot so twisted that one sitting is all it takes on this book." —Arkansas Democrat-Gazette "All of Block's Bernie books are outrageously funny." —Associated Press "The bookseller-thief remains one of the most endearing characters in the genre, and combined with a stellar supporting cast, remarkably clever premises, and nonstop humor, the series offers terrific entertainment." —Booklist "Lawrence Block is a marvel." —Boulder Planet "Hilarious...zany...madcap stuff. Perfectly satisfying. The dialogue is crisp, the concept witty, and the pace is more than brisk." —Buffalo News "Breezy style, entertaining dialog, and sharp one-liners." —Charlotte Observer "Intoxicating writing." —Chicago Tribune
It's hard to ignore someone with his hands in your mouth. Bernie Rhodenbarr's all ears when dentist Craig Sheldrake starts complaining about his future ex-wife, and happens to mention the valuable diamonds she keeps lying around the apartment. Since Bernie's been known to supplement his income as a bookstore owner with the not-so-occasional bout of high-rise burglary, a couple of nights later he's in the Sheldrake apartment with larceny on his mind — and has to duck into a closet when the lady of the house makes an unexpected entrance. Unfortunately he's still there when an unseen assailant does Mrs. Sheldrake in . . . and then vanishes with the jewels.
Bernie's got to come out of the closet some time. But when he does, he'll be facing a rap for a murder he didn't commit — and for a burglary he certainly attempted — unless he can hunt down the killer who left him hanging.
