分類:Terry’s Library

Burglars Can’t Be Choosers 2021#1

Sunday, January 3, 2021

評分:4 分,滿分為 5。

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.

Judgment In Death

Saturday, August 24, 2019

評分:5 分,滿分為 5。

J D Robb

Detective Taj Kohli 在工作的酒吧被殺. Lieutenant Eve Dallas 發現, 酒吧 Purgatory 又是 Roarke 眾多產業之一. 她還發現, 大壞蛋

p210

“The MTs rolled up, and right behind them a cab. He saw Peabody leap out, rush to her lieutenant. To his surprise, she shook her head when Eve gestured her aside. What appeared from his viewpoint to be a short, snarly argument took place. In the end, Eve threw up her hands, then hobbled over to one of the MTs to have her leg treated.

Amused, he wandered up to Peabody. “How’d you manage that?"

She was surprised to see him, and it showed, but she shrugged. “I threatened her with Roarke."

“What do you mean?"

“Reminded her that if she went home without having that gash seen to, he’d be pissed, treat it himself. And pour a pain blocker into her. She hates that."

…..

“Got grit in it," the MTs stated.

“Got grit in it," she mimicked and scowled at him as he closed the cut. “I hate you guys."

“Oh, we know. My partner paid me twenty so I’d treat you instead of him." He finished the job while she sat and stewed, then stepped back. “There now. Want a lollitape?"

Because her lips quivered she didn’t risk cursing him but simply got to her feet. “Easiest twenty you ever made, pal."

Ha ha ha.

p271

…. “I haven’t ridden in a black and white for a while." She patted the thin, miserably uncomfortable seat. “I haven’t missed it."

“It was the best I could do. I’m going to get grief for commandeering this at the scene, but my unit’s trash."

“Nah." Peabody yawned again, rubbed her eyes. “the uniform you snagged it from’s too much in awe. He’ll probably put a plaque in this thing. Eve Dallas sat here.

“Give me a break." But the idea made her snicker as they climbed out. “I want you to contack Maintenance. They don’t hate you as much as me. Yet. Get them to put my unit back in shape."

“It’ll go quicker if I lie and put in the request under another badge number."

“Yeah, you’re right. Use Baxter’s. You’re punchy," she added when Peabody yawned again.

Ha ha ha ha.

p274

…..

Working … multitask request of this nature will require minimum of four hours-twenty minutes to complete …

“Then you’d better get your ass in gear."

Command unknown. Please rephrase command …

“Christ. Begin task."

Ha ha ha ha ha

….. “Do we take him flowers or something?"

“I think not. If you did that, the shock would likely put him back in a coma."

Ha ha ha ha ha ha …….