Book Review: The Burglar in the Rye

Reviewed By: Pat Reid - RAM

The Burglar in the Rye     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Lawrence Block
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Series: Bernie Rhodenbarr # 9
Harper, 1999, 321 pps.

The Paddington Hotel in New York City is the main setting for The Burglar In The Rye. When Bernie Rhodenbarr, bookstore owner and burglar, checks into The Paddington, he is offered a Paddington bear to share his room. Of course, Bernie accepts but has to put up a deposit in case he wants to take the bear with him when he leaves. Bernie has no intention of leaving until his mission is accomplished.

Alice Cottrell, a charming young woman who professes to be the ex-lover of Gulliver Fairborn, famous novelist, has approached Bernie with a task. Gulliver wrote Nobody’s Baby, which seems to have had some long-lasting effect on many people. Gulliver’s agent at the time the novel was written has now announced that she is planning to auction off the author’s personal letters to her. Alice wants Bernie to get the letters back from Gulliver’s old agent Anthea Landau in order for Alice to return the letters to Gulliver. At least that is Alice’s story.

Bernie does find his way to Anthea’s room at The Paddington but Gulliver’s letters are not where Bernie expects them to be and he finds a body instead

Bernie manages to work his way through this mess and beat a murder charge with the help of his friend Carolyn Kaiser, dog groomer and owner of the Poodle Factory, and some very smart detecting.

Pat Reid - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Pat Reid - RAM

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