Bernie Rhodenbarr is actually trying to earn an honest living. It's been an entire year since he's entered anyone's abode illegally to help himself to their valuables. But now an unscrupulous landlord's threat to increase Bernie's rent by 1,000% is driving the bookseller and reformed burglar back to a life of crime — though, in all fairness, it's a very short trip. And when the cops wrongly accuse him of stealing a priceless collection of baseball cards, Bernie's stuck with a worthless alibi since he was busy burgling a different apartment at the time . . . one that happened to contain a dead body locked inside a bathroom.
So Bernie has a dilemma. He can trade a burglary charge for a murder rap. Or he can shuffle all the cards himself and try to find the joker in the deck — someone, perhaps, who believes that homicide is the real Great American Pastime.
“Lawrence Block clearly has a great deal of fun writing his Bernie Rhodenbarr mysteries, and the sense of whimsy is infectious.” —Richmond Times-Dispatch “Once again, Block has produced a funny and eminently readable mystery with clever plotting and amusing twists.” —Roanoke Times “Engaging. Have you read Block’s [Rhodenbarr} mysteries? You should. They are a real kick. Bernie Rhodenbarr is one of the most charming and witty characters in the burglar business.” —Rocky Mountain News “One of the mystery genre’s favorite characters. Delightful. Good fun.” —San Antonio Express-News “Bernie Rhodenbarr, lighthearted and light-fingered, is a most ingratiating sleuth. Delightful…good, clean fun…thank goodness for Lawrence Block.” —San Diego Union-Tribune “Bernie Rhodenbarr is such an outrageous and witty character, you wish he were real.” —San Francisco Examiner “Block’s Burglar series is one of crime fiction’s best.” —South Bend Tribune “It’s the mark if an innovative storyteller to turn a normally reprehensible character into a hero—of sorts. Author Lawrence Block’s Bernie the burglar series aren’t just good mysteries, they’re supreme escapism…Bernie is sheer amusement.” —South Florida Sun-Sentinel “Bernie Rhodenbarr is the perfect companion.” —Tampa Tribune
