Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.

Start by marking “The Burglar in the Rye (Bernie Rhodenbarr, #9)” as Want to Read:

Other editions

Enlarge cover

Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Open Preview

The Burglar in the Rye

(Bernie Rhodenbarr #9)

Lawrence Block (Goodreads Author)

3.92 · Rating details · 2,201 ratings · 145 reviews

A new crime novel featuring Bernie Rhodenbarr, bookshop owner and burglar, who cannot help but come to the aid of a favourite author when his agent offers their very private correspondence for public sale. From the author of THE BURGLAR IN THE LIBRARY.

Get A Copy

Paperback, 280 pages

Published March 16th 2001 by Oldcastle Books (first published January 1st 1998)

More Details... Edit Details

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about The Burglar in the Rye, please sign up.

Be the first to ask a question about The Burglar in the Rye

Lists with This Book

The Hobbit, or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien

Thieves

632 books — 1,292 voters

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde

The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel

The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde

399 books — 78 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

Showing 1-30

Average rating 3.92 ·

Rating details

· 2,201 ratings · 145 reviews

More filters

Sort order

Start your review of The Burglar in the Rye (Bernie Rhodenbarr, #9)

Aug 25, 2018 Linda rated it liked it

Shelves: 2018, audio-only

The Bernie Rhodenbarr books are always fun and not too deep. How could I resist a surprisingly honest burglar who has a love of books (and owns a bookshop), lives in New York City, has a lesbian best friend, and solves murders?

This one revolves around the coveted letters of a reclusive author whose iconic book affected Bernie's life, along with generations of others.

This 20 year old book has a funny mix of old days and contemporary esthetics. Grown women are called "girls" or "dames", and one ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

May 17, 2018 David Highton rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Another great Bernie book, a complex mix of characters all circling round a portfolio of letters from a famous reclusive author to his long ago agent, who has put them up for auction. Really enjoyed this one, Block is such a good writer.

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Jul 06, 2020 Lukasz Pruski rated it really liked it

"I don't know how the dictionary defines 'anticlimactic.' I suppose I could look it up, but so could you, if you care. I don't, because I know what it is. It's standing in a bathtub, desperate for a pee, after two people in the next room have finished making love."

90% of Lawrence Block's The Burglar in the Rye (1999) is absolutely delightful! I have been oohing and aahing about the cute prose and giggling loud. Already the third paragraph of the novel, still on the first page, made me burst out "I don't know how the dictionary defines 'anticlimactic.' I suppose I could look it up, but so could you, if you care. I don't, because I know what it is. It's standing in a bathtub, desperate for a pee, after two people in the next room have finished making love."

90% of Lawrence Block's The Burglar in the Rye (1999) is absolutely delightful! I have been oohing and aahing about the cute prose and giggling loud. Already the third paragraph of the novel, still on the first page, made me burst out laughing:

"He was a bear, of course, but not the sort whose predilection for sylvan defecation is as proverbial as the Holy Father's Catholicism."

And a few pages later:

"[...] the room was so small you had to go out to the hall to change your mind."

Then:

"People say it all the time. 'oh, really? Both the dog and your mother-in-law? That's funny, because you didn't seem drunk at all.'"

Enough of that! Let the readers find the sweet nuggets of prose on their own.

The witty prose is not the only reason to love this novel! The title offers a clear hint and - if I am allowed to hint at the nature of the author's hint - it is not because many characters in the novel frequently drink rye whisky. This installment of Burglar transcends the conventions of the series and is a high-class meta-literary joke. Something exactly perfect for us here on Goodreads!

With the witty prose and the "meta" who cares about the plot! I certainly did not pay much attention to it. But let's at least explain the setup. As usual in the series, it starts promising. Bernie Rhodenbarr checks into a room at the Paddington Hotel. From his conversation with Carolyn - a delightful conversation that touches such topics as whether gold hoops would go well with a dirndl - we understand that he is in the hotel to do his real job, that is breaking and entering, rather than the daily job of owning a used book shop.

And indeed, Bernie does break into a room in the hotel but... As usual in the series, many complications arise and their complexity only keeps growing throughout the novel. I did not even try to follow what was going on; I just kept enjoying the light touch of Mr. Block's pen. No writer's block for this bloke!

But there is the disappointing business of the remaining 10% of the novel. Well, again as usual in the series, we have a Nero Wolfean ending, with the characters gathered in one place, etc. etc. A horrid convention! (Hey, is it another pun? I should be pun-ished!)

For the Paddington bear, sylvan defecation, dirndl, for both the mother-in-law and the dog, I would really love to rate the novel with four-and-a-half stars. Alas, the cliché ending deflated my enthusiasm.

Four stars. ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Jun 22, 2014 Monnie rated it really liked it

The Bernie Rhodenbarr Mysteries, as readers of my reviews should know by now, is my my go-to series when I'm not in the mood to be disappointed. Sometimes it's right after I've read something truly awful -which, thank goodness, doesn't happen often. Other times, it's exactly the opposite; I've just finished a super book (such as the most recent one I read, Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King) and I don't want to experience a tremendous letdown.

And as usual, author Lawrence Block filled the bill perfect ...more

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Dec 14, 2013 Mike French rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Very enjoyable and entertaining book in the Bernie Rhodenbarr series.

flag 3 likes · Like · see review

Nov 13, 2018 Jeff Dickison rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Should also be known as "Bernie meets J.D.". Another good entry into the Rhodenbarr series as Bernie tries to recover some rare letters from an author (guess who) and finds a body. As usual, quite witty with Bernie coming up roses. Recommended. ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jan 29, 2018 Teri-K rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: amusing-to-funny, mystery

One of my favorite kinds of books has likable characters, a plot that pulls me in and keeps me reading, solid writing, and enough quirkiness or humor to keep me smiling. It's not easy to find a steady supply of these stories, though, so I'm glad that Block wrote about a dozen Bernie Rhodenbarr books. Over the years I've read and reread many of them but somehow I missed this one until now.

Bernie owns a used book store in New York City, and he's a well read, friendly guy. He's kind to strangers, t ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 06, 2016 Glen rated it liked it

Shelves: mystery

In this entry in the Bernie Rhodenbarr series, Bernie breaks into a venerable hotel to retrieve some letters to a privacy obsessed writer obviously based on J.D. Salinger. this leads to the usual misunderstandings and murder.

Pretty good for the most part, although I've read that Salinger was really an unpleasant jerk, rather than the slightly curmudgeonly character shown here. Obviously set in the pre-facebook era. ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 12, 2017 Jan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: nyc, law-enforcement, murder, mystery, humor, burglar

Another fun murder mystery with Bernie Rhodenbarr stuck in the middle. This one is as twisty as the rest, and still manages to have a red herring or two. Carolyn is his best friend and foil as usual, and Det. Ray Kirschman's mangling of names will truly make you spew your caffeine! The rest of the characters really are that as well. This is a reread for me as I wanted to read them in order for once.
Richard Ferrone did a great interpretation once again. ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Feb 16, 2018 Chuck Kramer rated it really liked it · review of another edition

A typically well-crafted Block mystery. 2 things stand out. First, Bernie is a great character—a burglar who’s charming, ethical, clever, and kind. A very likeable man. Second, the book is full of literary references and jokes and is gently intellectual in a back-hand manner that adds seasoning to the story to make it more than just another crime novel.

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 27, 2010 Jan rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery, own-copy, bernie-rodenbarr-series

Another delightful read from Block. Rodenbarr finds himself helping an acquaintance and being arrested for a murder he didn't commit. Block's droll digressions, witty wordplay and a wonderful ear for dialogue make this twisted plot even more enjoyable. ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Aug 07, 2014 Tom rated it it was amazing

Another cracker featuring Bernie Rhodenbarr - the usual excellent descriptions and characterisation (including that of the Hotel Paddington, which is a key location).

Smart and funny

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Jan 19, 2018 Michelle Vincent rated it it was amazing

Before I started reading this book, it sounded like there might be some similarities between this berni character and McNally from Lawrence Saunders books.
There are some similarities between the two, but yet they are very different and both very enjoyable to read.
I’m so glad I discovered a new author and character that I enjoyed reading as much as my Lawrence Saunders books.
Since I can no longer get any new books from Lawrence Saunders about my beloved character McNally and can read more of t ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Sep 23, 2019 Leslie rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: mysteries, kindle

Lawrence Block once again provides a good mystery involving the book world. This time Bernie gets involved with trying to retrieve letters written by an iconic reclusive author to the author's first literary agent, which letters the agent is in the process of submitting to Sotheby's for auction against the author's wishes. The identity of the murderer took me completely by surprise! ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jan 10, 2018 Kathy added it · review of another edition

Nope, not my favorite character imagined by a favorite author. Done with Bernie after this one though I did think the first entry was better.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Nov 11, 2018 Beth Levitt rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery

Oh Bernie how I’ve missed you! Can’t believe that I didn’t know Block had written more Burglar books but I’m hit in the trail now. This is a wonderful, fun series which always manages to surprise me at the end. High recommended.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Oct 27, 2018 Jane Rose rated it really liked it

I am a fan of all Lawrence Block’s characters. The ending of this was a little far fetched but the story was entertaining.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jul 28, 2011 Raquel Furtado rated it really liked it

Recommended to Raquel by: Antonio Carvalho

Bernie Rhodenbar is a nice and charming new yorker guy, with a common routine. He owns a boookstore, where he works in the company of his Manx cat, Raffles. He has a best friend, with whom he shares lunch everyday and some drinks almost everynight. The only thing that makes Bernie a little bit uncommon is his hobby. He is a burglar. A polite one, a must say. You never risk being burglarized by Bernie and found your house a mess. He is very careful with other people's stuff. He just picks what he ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Mar 04, 2016 Ed rated it really liked it

Shelves: cozy-mystery, crime, nyc

#9 in the Bernie Rhodenbarr series. Another in the very enjoyable series about the Greenwich Village bookseller/burglar.

Burglar Bernie Rhodenbarr series - Bookseller/burglar Bernie Rhodenbarr invades the hotel suite of an aged literary agent in search of a cache of letters, by a respected and reclusive writer, that are wanted by people both legitimate and not. Bernie finds a corpse on the other side of the locked door he so neatly opens and is immediately suspected of murder by his nemesis, stic ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jan 22, 2018 Nina rated it really liked it

How can you resist a burglar who is an antiquarian book dealer on the side, or an author who can turn a phrase like "He was a bear, of course, but not the sort whose predilection for sylvan defecation is as proverbial as the Holy Father's Catholicism." Bernie attempts to steal some valuable letters from an old woman's hotel room. He believes her to be sleeping, but she's actually been murdered -- and there he is. The ending is classic, as he pulls together all the people who wanted the letters a ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Sep 05, 2017 Linda Amos rated it it was amazing

A fun romp through the used bookstore world and burglary on the side. The usual characters with a few additions. Bernie is tasked with retrieving letters written by an author whose book changed many lives. He is offered money for these letters from many sources but he doesn't have them. Who is his mysterious customer who helps in the store? Can he avoid a murder charge and stay out of prison?
This series can be read out of order. There are few references to an earlier story. ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Dec 05, 2017 Derk rated it it was amazing

I read most books in this series many years ago and recall enjoying them much more than the later darker Scudder series that followed. It was a pleasure to again read this book. Witty conversation, a story full of twists and turns, and an almost satisfactory ending. The only flaw, in my view, was the identification of the murderer. How could Bernie figure that out?

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Nov 13, 2017 Tex rated it really liked it

Shelves: at-home, mystery-thriller

Larry Block can spin a tale. This one has our favorite burglar who gets in the middle of some missing author’s letters and the various folks who want to get their hands on them for nefarious and marginally respectable reasons.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jan 18, 2018 Lee Hoekje rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I have been reading about Bernie For a long time, not sure how long, and every time I think I have read them all happily another shows up.

A burglar who sells second hand books and solves murders. And who always helps others and ends up richer.

What more could you possibly want in a man?

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Nov 21, 2017 Anne rated it really liked it

Lawrence Block is a masterful mystery writer. The plot twists made it impossible for me to put the book down.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jan 12, 2018 Judee rated it it was amazing

I got this as a Goodreads deal. It is the first I’ve read this character. What a delight! Bernie is a bookseller and a crook. He has a cat. I have to read this series.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Feb 14, 2018 Jim rated it really liked it

Good story. I will probably read more of the adventures of Bernie, Bookseller and theif.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jun 01, 2020 Craig Childs rated it liked it · review of another edition

"I've never been able to look at something of great value without trying to figure out a way to rescue it from its rightful owner."

Bernie breaks into a room at the grand old Paddington Hotel hoping to steal the very valuable and very personal correspondence of a famous reclusive novelist. But the papers are gone, the author's agent is dead in her bed, and Bernie can hear several policemen making their way down the hall towards the scene of the crime. So, Bernie lets himself out by the fire escap "I've never been able to look at something of great value without trying to figure out a way to rescue it from its rightful owner."

Bernie breaks into a room at the grand old Paddington Hotel hoping to steal the very valuable and very personal correspondence of a famous reclusive novelist. But the papers are gone, the author's agent is dead in her bed, and Bernie can hear several policemen making their way down the hall towards the scene of the crime. So, Bernie lets himself out by the fire escape, stopping only briefly to burgle some ruby earrings and a necklace from an empty room a few floors down…

Because this is a Bernie Rhodenbarr mystery, you know Bernie is going to get arrested and have to solve the murder… just as you know the story of those rubies--where they came from, who they belong to, and whose possession they were in before Bernie took them--is very much tied to the author, the agent, and all those letters upstairs…

Much of the action revolves in and around the Paddington, which is (and has been) home to generations of artists. It is fictional, of course, but Block describes it so convincingly that it seems it must exist, it's so quintessentially New York.

I figured out two of the most significant mysteries well before Bernie, although I missed on the identity of the murderer. However, the most interesting aspect of this novel is not watching Bernie solve the crime, but watching him figure out how to turn a tidy profit without violating his own unique finicky set of ethics.

This is not one of the standouts in Lawrence Block's Burglar series, but that's really ok. Even an average Bernie book is better than most authors can manage. The plotting is intricate and clever, as always, but the characters and the witty prose were just a little off from my favorites--The Burglar Who Thought He Was Bogart, The Burglar in the Library, and The Burglar Who Painted Like Mondrian.

Part of the problem is that I've just grown tired of the J. D. Salinger character trope. Sean Connery played a Salinger character in the movie Finding Forrester. Stephen King put a Salinger in Finders Keepers (portrayed by Bruce Dern in the television adaptation). While Block's 1999 novel predated both these examples, the whole author-who-refuses-to-do-interviews is no longer viable in today's publishing climate. I think there will (sadly) be no more Thomas Pynchons, Harper Lees, or J.D. Salingers in the American literary pantheon.

Another issue that did not sit well with me is that the resolution of the crime required no less than four people traipsing through the victim's hotel room within the span of an hour (one of them twice!) without anyone noticing. ...more

flag Like · see review

Aug 23, 2020 Alan rated it really liked it

I’ve read enough of these to know the well-worn formula by now. Cynical and urbane cat burglar, Bernie, lets himself into an intended mark’s room only to find them dead with him facing murder charges. Every man, woman, and their dog pesters Bernie for the thing he intended to swipe and an elaborate shell game ensues. Along the way, Bernie beds one of the female suspects, trades one-liners with his best friend, Caroline, and quips with corrupt policeman, Ray. Lastly, Bernie gathers all the player ...more

flag Like · see review

May 04, 2019 Judy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: humor, capers, books-about-books, amateur-detective

I have been a fan of the Burglar books for a long time, but for some reason had sort of lost track of them a while back. Now I've recently read two in a row, and remember why I like them so much. (I don't think I read these before, but anything I read before Goodreads could be lost in the annals of time and advancing age.) In this one Bernie is trying to help out a reclusive author and as usual, keeps stumbling over bodies in the course of his burglaries. I love the way it ended, although to be ...more

flag Like · see review

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend It | Stats | Recent Status Updates

Readers also enjoyed

See similar books…

Genres

Mystery

146 users

Fiction

39 users

Humor

19 users

Mystery > Crime

19 users

Mystery > Detective

8 users

Thriller > Mystery Thriller

7 users

Audiobook

4 users

Humor > Comedy

3 users

Thriller

3 users

New York

3 users

See top shelves…

About Lawrence Block

Lawrence Block

2,297 followers

Lawrence Block has been writing crime, mystery, and suspense fiction for more than half a century. He has published in excess (oh, wretched excess!) of 100 books, and no end of short stories.

Born in Buffalo, N.Y., LB attended Antioch College, but left before completing his studies; school authorities advised him that they felt he’d be happier elsewhere, and he thought this was remarkably perceptiv Lawrence Block has been writing crime, mystery, and suspense fiction for more than half a century. He has published in excess (oh, wretched excess!) of 100 books, and no end of short stories.

Born in Buffalo, N.Y., LB attended Antioch College, but left before completing his studies; school authorities advised him that they felt he’d be happier elsewhere, and he thought this was remarkably perceptive of them.

His earliest work, published pseudonymously in the late 1950s, was mostly in the field of midcentury erotica, an apprenticeship he shared with Donald E. Westlake and Robert Silverberg. The first time Lawrence Block’s name appeared in print was when his short story “You Can’t Lose” was published in the February 1958 issue of Manhunt. The first book published under his own name was Mona (1961); it was reissued several times over the years, once as Sweet Slow Death. In 2005 it became the first offering from Hard Case Crime, and bore for the first time LB’s original title, Grifter’s Game.

LB is best known for his series characters, including cop-turned-private investigator Matthew Scudder, gentleman burglar Bernie Rhodenbarr, globe-trotting insomniac Evan Tanner, and introspective assassin Keller.

Because one name is never enough, LB has also published under pseudonyms including Jill Emerson, John Warren Wells, Lesley Evans, and Anne Campbell Clarke.

LB’s magazine appearances include American Heritage, Redbook, Playboy, Linn’s Stamp News, Cosmopolitan, GQ, and The New York Times. His monthly instructional column ran in Writer’s Digest for 14 years, and led to a string of books for writers, including the classics Telling Lies for Fun & Profit and The Liar’s Bible. He has also written episodic television (Tilt!) and the Wong Kar-wai film, My Blueberry Nights.

Several of LB’s books have been filmed. The latest, A Walk Among the Tombstones, stars Liam Neeson as Matthew Scudder and is scheduled for release in September, 2014.

LB is a Grand Master of Mystery Writers of America, and a past president of MWA and the Private Eye Writers of America. He has won the Edgar and Shamus awards four times each, and the Japanese Maltese Falcon award twice, as well as the Nero Wolfe and Philip Marlowe awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Private Eye Writers of America, and the Diamond Dagger for Life Achievement from the Crime Writers Association (UK). He’s also been honored with the Gumshoe Lifetime Achievement Award from Mystery Ink magazine and the Edward D. Hoch Memorial Golden Derringer for Lifetime Achievement in the short story. In France, he has been proclaimed a Grand Maitre du Roman Noir and has twice been awarded the Societe 813 trophy. He has been a guest of honor at Bouchercon and at book fairs and mystery festivals in France, Germany, Australia, Italy, New Zealand, Spain and Taiwan. As if that were not enough, he was also presented with the key to the city of Muncie, Indiana. (But as soon as he left, they changed the locks.)

LB and his wife Lynne are enthusiastic New Yorkers and relentless world travelers; the two are members of the Travelers Century Club, and have visited around 160 countries.

He is a modest and humble fellow, although you would never guess as much from this biographical note. ...more