Sunday, January 3, 2021

Lawrence Block

——————————————————————————-

“Bernie Rhodenbarr is a personable chap, a good neighbor, a passable poker player. His chosen profession, however, might not sit well with some. Bernie is a burglar, a good one, effortlessly lifting valuables from the not-so-well-protected abodes of well-to-do New Yorkers like a modern-day Robin Hood. (The poor, as Bernie would be the first to tell you, alas, have nothing worth stealing.)

He’s not perfect, however; he occasionally makes mistakes. Like accepting a paid assignment from a total stranger to retrieve a particular item from a rich man’s apartment. Like still being there when the cops arrive. Like having a freshly slain corpse lying in the next room, and no proof that Bernie isn’t the killer.

Now he’s really got his hands full, having to locate the true perpetrator while somehow eluding the police – a dirty job indeed, but if Bernie doesn’t do it, who will?"

—————————————————————————————

“Fifty thousand – oh, the money. What happens to the money now?" (Ellie)

“That’s a good question. It belongs to Michael Debus, I think, but how is he going to come around and claim it? I can’t see anybody letting Loren keep it, and I don’t think Ray’ll be able to grab it all for himself. I wish there was a way I could cut myself in for a piece of it. Not out of greed but just so that I could wind up close to even. The whole business is costing me a fortune, you know. I got a thousand dollars in front and gave it to Ray. Then Debus’s men did a few damage to my apartment and its contents, and finally my five grand case money went to Ray so that I could clear myself. It all adds up to a hell of a depressing balance sheet." (Bernie)

“Can you get part of the fifty thousand?"

“Not a chance. Cops don’t give money to crooks. I’m the one person in the world who won’t get a sniff of the fifty thou. I’ll have to go steal some money in a hurry, though. I’m as broke as I’ve ever been."

–> So hilarious!! Hahaha. No wonder New York Times Book Review said, “Bernie is one wry guy and some piece of work."

I certainly will read more of the Bernie Rhodenbarr series if I ever come across any of them.