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usbsticky's review against another edition
3.0
I'm a big fan of the Matthew Scudder series, so much a fan that I ignored all the things I didn't like about Block's writing and finished it. I had previously read Rhodenbarr #1 but couldn't finish it. Now that I'm more forgiving of Block's writing I decided to give Rhodenbarr another try.
Spoilers ahead:
The same things I didn't like about Block's writing are still here, but now I'm an old friend and I just fast read the passages I don't like. Namely the things I don't like are: too much cutesy. It's too forced and a bit cringy. Also, Block's long writing, sometimes the extra pages of words seem like filler. The books aren't long to begin with and sometimes the dialog is just nonsensical or cringy. But now that I'm a fan of Block, I just tend to ignore the stuff I don't like.
The premise of this book is pretty good. Bernie is tasked to steal a one of a kind Kipling book. After he accomplished his mission, he was requested to drop it off at an apartment. When he got to the apartment he was drugged by a cup of tea and when he woke up, the book was gone and the woman who let him in was shot to death.
This kind of premise is line with the Bernie books. Something unusual happens and he's accused of it. This could have been the beginning of a pretty good plot but Block makes it too convoluted. Sometimes simpler is better. It's not the deviousness of the plot that appeals to the reader but the way it's presented to the reader. i.e, I would have liked it a lot more if Block had spent time on developing and writing an appealing simple plot, rather than writing a poorly written complex plot.
Still, I like the character, and I don't want to have to hunt for a new series/author to read so I'm going on to the next book.
Spoilers ahead:
The same things I didn't like about Block's writing are still here, but now I'm an old friend and I just fast read the passages I don't like. Namely the things I don't like are: too much cutesy. It's too forced and a bit cringy. Also, Block's long writing, sometimes the extra pages of words seem like filler. The books aren't long to begin with and sometimes the dialog is just nonsensical or cringy. But now that I'm a fan of Block, I just tend to ignore the stuff I don't like.
The premise of this book is pretty good. Bernie is tasked to steal a one of a kind Kipling book. After he accomplished his mission, he was requested to drop it off at an apartment. When he got to the apartment he was drugged by a cup of tea and when he woke up, the book was gone and the woman who let him in was shot to death.
This kind of premise is line with the Bernie books. Something unusual happens and he's accused of it. This could have been the beginning of a pretty good plot but Block makes it too convoluted. Sometimes simpler is better. It's not the deviousness of the plot that appeals to the reader but the way it's presented to the reader. i.e, I would have liked it a lot more if Block had spent time on developing and writing an appealing simple plot, rather than writing a poorly written complex plot.
Still, I like the character, and I don't want to have to hunt for a new series/author to read so I'm going on to the next book.
noonjinx's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A light and fluffy murder mystery. I have only read one other Lawrence Block book and that one was quite dark. This one is much lighter in tone. It was quite amusing, the characters are engaging and the writing flows well. Didn't think it was satisfying enough to seek out another one in the series though
roxanamalinachirila's review against another edition
2.0
Reasons this book was boring:
1. The police doesn't use Bernie Rhodenbarr as a murder-detector yet - despite his tendency to stumble onto fresh or about-to-happen murder scenes.
2. All characters we already know (except Bernie and the cop) are discarded for a new cast, so Bernie can continue to have no developing relationships whatsoever.
3. The murder clues can be deciphered by nobody but Bernie while I give a damn, then the solutions are thrown at me when I no longer care.
4. I'm not sure what the fourth reason is, it's already been a day since I read it and it's such a memorable novel that the details are starting to fade...
1. The police doesn't use Bernie Rhodenbarr as a murder-detector yet - despite his tendency to stumble onto fresh or about-to-happen murder scenes.
2. All characters we already know (except Bernie and the cop) are discarded for a new cast, so Bernie can continue to have no developing relationships whatsoever.
3. The murder clues can be deciphered by nobody but Bernie while I give a damn, then the solutions are thrown at me when I no longer care.
4. I'm not sure what the fourth reason is, it's already been a day since I read it and it's such a memorable novel that the details are starting to fade...
ferrisscottr's review against another edition
3.0
Bernie is back - he's opened a bookstore and kind of sort of gone legit (but not really) - and it's Bernie Rhodenbarr so of course when pulls a job and delivers the stolen goods to the middle man he gets drugged and wakes up next to a dead body with the cops at the door. So pretty much your usual Bernie Rhodenbarr book.
I'm a pretty big Lawrence Block fan and I did enjoy this book but it wasn't anything special or great. I think it suffered from way too many characters - everything was just stretched too thin and I didn't feel like you could sink your teeth into anybody for any length of time. It was fun and funny and a little bit tense.
Good book, not great, but good.
I'm a pretty big Lawrence Block fan and I did enjoy this book but it wasn't anything special or great. I think it suffered from way too many characters - everything was just stretched too thin and I didn't feel like you could sink your teeth into anybody for any length of time. It was fun and funny and a little bit tense.
Good book, not great, but good.
bundy23's review against another edition
3.0
For the third time in three books Bernie Rhodenbarr finds himself framed for murder while attempting a seemingly simple robbery and is forced to solve a ridiculously convoluted case to clear his name. Maybe it's time he gives up the seedy side of his life and sticks to selling books even though they do make entertaining reads.
jasrm's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
jakewritesbooks's review against another edition
3.0
While Carol is a welcome addition to this series, and while it still makes me laugh, these are definitely lesser Lawrence Block works, especially compared to the excellent Scudder series. Barry gets himself in the same jam time-after-time and yet finds ways to wiggle himself out, ways that Block obstructs until the end. They're fine reads to pass the time and tour the city but I wish they were better.
paperbackstash's review against another edition
3.0
The Bernie Rhodenbarr series remains an unusual series since the main character is an unapologetic burglar who doesn't lose sleep over swiping some valuables. This time Bernie is behind the front of a used bookstore he wants to succeed with, but he's drawn into a shady deal against his better judgement when conned into a valuable book deal of all things.
Outside the same police detective that Bernie bribes occasionally, there continues to be no continuing cast. All new people yet again, dependable and non-judgemental women. It does grow old in the series that, by continuously recycling out any regular characters, there is no need for Bernie to have a continued, developing or layered relationship.
I do find it refreshing how matter of factly the lesbian relationship was treated, especially considered it was the 70s and published, but I suppose it's about a burglar being okay with breaking and entering and robbing people of their possessions, so why have any hang ups about what people do in the bedroom?
The detective is a returner, as I said, and he's amusing. I always liked him. He speaks in the classic noir type - chopped and figuratively, much like Bernie and those he interacts with. Like a lot of crime novels, each character's dialogue rings as too similar to be wholly believable.
The story just wasn't that interesting, despite it's bonuses. I was bored in a few sections and kind of ready for it to be over by the time I was halfway through.
Outside the same police detective that Bernie bribes occasionally, there continues to be no continuing cast. All new people yet again, dependable and non-judgemental women. It does grow old in the series that, by continuously recycling out any regular characters, there is no need for Bernie to have a continued, developing or layered relationship.
I do find it refreshing how matter of factly the lesbian relationship was treated, especially considered it was the 70s and published, but I suppose it's about a burglar being okay with breaking and entering and robbing people of their possessions, so why have any hang ups about what people do in the bedroom?
The detective is a returner, as I said, and he's amusing. I always liked him. He speaks in the classic noir type - chopped and figuratively, much like Bernie and those he interacts with. Like a lot of crime novels, each character's dialogue rings as too similar to be wholly believable.
The story just wasn't that interesting, despite it's bonuses. I was bored in a few sections and kind of ready for it to be over by the time I was halfway through.
janedallaway's review against another edition
3.0
I found this one a bit formulaic in comparison to the first 2. But I did like the idea behind the story and I did chuckle a few times. Unfortunately I've now cast Bill Nighy as Bernie in my head which I suspect changes the character somewhat. An easy and amusing read.