Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
The Burglar Who Painted Like Mondrian
Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon UK PB Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Lawrence Block
Class/Genre: Mystery
Series: Bernie Rhodenbarr # 5
Dutton, Nov 1998, $23.95, 234 pp.
Antiquarian book dealer Berni Rhodenbarr feels pretty good about his current job, appraising New York millionaire Gordon Onderdon's personal collection. While checking the library, Bernie, being a thief, cannot help casing the rest of the house in case he decides to abscond with something.
Bernie's close friend Carolyn Kaiser informs Bernie that someone has abducted her cat. For ransom, they want the Piet Mondrian painting hanging in a museum where it is virtually impossible to steal anything. Bernie, knowing that Gordon has a fake on his wall, returns to the wealthy man's home to steal the painting. Instead, he finds a corpse and no painting. Of course, the police turn to Bernie as the prime suspect. Now he has to rescue the feline and prove his own innocence.
This is a reprint of a classy Bernie Rhodenbarr novel, which may be the best of this highly regarded series. Bernie and friends remain interesting and fun, while New York City comes to life in a way rarely seen in a novel. The crisp story line keeps reader attention throughout the book. Bottom line is the entire eight-novel collection is worth reading because no one does Manhattan any better than Lawrence Block does with these incredible tales.
Harriet Klausner
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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