By: Nancy

Dear Mr. Block:

You say a day rarely passes without someone asking when you will write the next book about our favorite burglar, Bernie Rhodenbarr, so here I am to ask. It has been a long time since your last burglar novel. I have read them all. I miss Bernie and Carolyn: their comfortable, loyal friendship; their great sense of humor; and their fondness for cats. These heartwarming novels have given me hours of upbeat enjoyment and some good laughs, for which I want to thank you.

I love the Bernie Rhodenbarr burglar novels–except at the end. Bernie stops being fun in the last few pages when he sets up a meeting to expose the criminals and gives a lecture. I challenge you, instead, to include us readers in Bernie’s discoveries as the adventure unfolds. I vote to bring back Bernie and Carolyn for many more fun burglar novels.

I just learned that you have written three Bernie Rhodenbarr short stories. The titles are: “Like a Thief in the Night” (1983), “The Burglar who Dropped in on Elvis“ (1990), and “The Burglar Who Smelled Smoke” (1997). I could not find them under their titles. I wonder if you could give me the names and dates of the publications that include them, so I can find them at the library.

Thank you,

Nancy