Lawrence Block's talent for creating colorful characters, sophisticated dialog, and engaging atmosphere has earned him many awards: the title of Grand Master, three Edgar Awards, four Shamus Awards, and a Nero Wolfe Award. One of his most popular series follows the adventures of the suave bookseller and crook, Bernie Rhodenbarr. Bernie's sweetheart has dumped him. But although his heart is broken, he hasn't lost his love for fine books-or for an occasional discrete burglary. So Bernie takes off for a snowy winter weekend at a country inn that just happens to have a rare, signed first edition of The Big Sleep in its library. It's not long, however, before Bernie's ex-girlfriend arrives with her new husband, a body is found in the library, and the book disappears. Bernie must sort out a tricky tangle of clues if he has any hope of nabbing the priceless edition for himself. Narrator Richard Ferrone captures Bernie's cool demeanor and his flair for perfect timing.
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"I wish Lawrence Block would write more Bernie Rhodenbarr stories, the plots don't vary much, but the interactions of the characters is great. "
— Jean (4 out of 5 stars)
" You know the drill...Bernie is a burglar and gets accused for something he didn't do. He must solve the mystery to keep himself out of trouble. Lots of coincidences in this book and the solving of the crime was way out there. "
— woody, 4/3/2011" Listened to this on audio while I exercise and do housework. This one is definitely my last of these. It was too far fetched and bizaar. Bernie knew too much not in evidence. "
— Margaret, 3/17/2011" coincidence is a theme, but still.... "
— Xdw, 1/23/2011" For me, this Burglar book was forgettable. I haven't read the entire series, maybe half, but this entry just felt too familiar. Usually I like Bernie and Block, but in TBOTP I found them both tired. "
— Dave, 11/27/2010" Usual romp, some laugh out loud lines. "
— Leslie, 11/12/2010" I'm still not sure who did it . . . "
— Melissa, 8/29/2010" A terrific summer's day read. Block at his best "
— Simon, 7/31/2010" Incredibly confusing but still entertaining. Did not appreciate that a key player only appeared twice before it turns out they're a key player. Come to think of it... most of the characters were like that. "
— That70sheidi, 7/31/2010" I love these stories, but I don't particularly like the actors reading the newer CDs. I enjoyed the author's narration better on the older books on tape. "
— Cat, 6/20/2010" Block always delivers a story with elan and information "
— Jim, 6/4/2010Lawrence Block is the recipient of a Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America and a New York Times bestselling author. His prolific career spans over one hundred books, including four bestselling series and dozens of short stories and articles. He has won multiple Edgar, and Shamus awards, two Falcon Awards from the Maltese Falcon Society of Japan, the Nero and Philip Marlowe Awards, the Cartier Diamond Dagger from the Crime Writers Association of America, and many others. Aside from being a mystery writer, he has also written a number of episodes for television, including two episodes of the ESPN series Tilt; he also cowrote the screenplay for the film My Blueberry Nights, starring Norah Jones. Block currently lives in New York City with his wife, Lynne.
Richard Ferrone recorded over 150 audiobooks including thrillers, romances, science fiction, and inspirational novels. He won the prestigious Audie Award and was a finalist for four Audie Awards, including for Best Solo Male Narrator. He was named an AudioFile "Voice of the Last Century" and a "Rising and Shining Star." He earned many AudioFile Earphones Awards, including being named the 2011 Best Voice in Mystery and Suspense as well as the 2009 Best Voice in Science Fiction and Fantasy. A science fiction fan, he narrated Kim Stanley Robinson’s Mars trilogy. He also narrated works by James Patterson, Walter Mosley, John Sandford, Eric Van Lustbader, and Stuart Woods.