The Burglar Who Traded Ted Williams (2005) - Plot & Excerpts
After reading a later book in the series ("The Burglar Who Thought He Was Bogart"), I decided to read an earlier one. In this case, the low-hanging fruit proved to be one that also set up certain key facts in the life and "career" of the protagonist.Like the previous sample, I found it to be a fun read. The plot is complex enough but not overly difficult with good side-ventures and the writing is witty and good. Again, I would classify the book as "lighter fiction" one that reads easily and seduces you into reading longer passages than you may have budgeted for. There's certainly nothing wrong with any of that!As I read this book, I decided it was a lucky coincidence that this was the volume that happened to be on the shelf. As noted above, there are a few major developments in the life and circumstances of our burglar-cum-bookseller. Some he creates on his own, others, as the saying goes, were thrust upon him. Together they establish some of the "rules" by which the later books (as in the Bogart one) must abide. Okay, "should" not "must": like the SCOTUS, an author is not necessarily bound by precedent, but a good one will only bend their universe a few times if they plan to have a long-lived series.I must admit that in the matter of titles, Mr. Block has gone two-for-two. Personally I think the Ted Williams hook made me think about it more, as many people (guys especially identify with Bogart's film persona.) Williams was an icon of equal if not greater stature. Not only was he the "Splendid Splinter" (the last ballplayer to hit at or above .400 for a season), but he was also a genuine "hero". He was a fighter pilot not only during World War II (which was not so remarkable when you consider all the other figures that served), but he also suspended his baseball career and flew again during the Korean Conflict (which puts him in very rare company versus other "stars".) Who can tell what records he might have set had he played all those years during his prime physical skills and prowess.Enough about a personal favorite - back to the book. After reading these two samples, I am definitely planning to peruse the rest of the series. If you enjoy reading decent mysteries with unusual characters (and their odd personal lives), then I strongly suggest you read this and the other "The Burglar Who..." books.
Bernie Rhodenbarr, part-time bookseller and one time full-time burglar, has pretty much retired from the thievery business. He is now semi-content to simply run his second hand bookstore in Greenwich Village and teach his inventory guard Raffles, a cat bestowed upon Bernie to rid his store of a potential mice infestation, how to better hunt the prey hiding behind the shelves. Sure he's been getting the urge to get back to his one true calling, but life is good without taking the risk. Right?Wrong. Bernie's life goes south in a big way when Borden Stoppelgard buys an original hardcover of Sue Grafton's novel "B" is for Burglar. Stoppelgard is not only a snotty customer, he is also Bernie's new landlord and he intends to raise Bernie's rent to a level that will drive him out of business. Whether he likes it or not, or he wants to or not, it looks like Bernie will be forced to get back into his old line of work.To say anything more about The Burglar Who Traded Ted Williams would only rob the reader of the joy of discovering all the witty and suspense filled surprises that await Bernie when he finds a dead body littering what should have been a simple burglary. And there is a great deal of wit (most of it at the expense of Sue Grafton and her alphabet titled Kinsey Millhone series) and surprises (no spoiler hints in this gratuitous parenthetical, dear reader) in Lawrence Block's novel.I don't think it will come as any surprise to share with you that I simply adore books and that one of my all-time favorite recreational pursuits is browsing through a bookstore, preferably a secondhand bookstore. Having shared that, it should also come as no surprise that I also adore books (or movies) about books. In both real life and the escape of good fiction, I love any and all time spent wandering through rows and rows of books, and hearing people talk books. The Burglar Who Traded Ted Williams not only had plenty of that, but it also had a truly baffling mystery (one that is perhaps a bit too baffling) for Bernie to solve. While it wasn't perfect, it had enough good and smart fun to get me good and hooked. I'm going to make dropping in at Barnegat Books to visit with Bernie and Raffles a regular habit.
What do You think about The Burglar Who Traded Ted Williams (2005)?
These mystery novels by Lawrence Block featuring Bernie Rhodenbarr, a burglar cum bookseller, are always funny. You can very much see the influence of Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe novels, with the wry narrator and final gathering of the suspects to solve the crime. Each one is very like the other, Bernie being wrongly accused of a crime, but not being able to prove that he didn't do it, because at that time he was burgling, and that's not a very good alibi - if you admit to that, you'll go to jail anyway! This one talks about Sue Grafton's alphabet mysteries, giving them clever alternate titles!
—Duckpondwithoutducks
L'infâme cambrioleur/bouquiniste Bernie Rhodenbarr a juré de ne plus pénétrer chez autrui. Lorsqu'il apprend que les Gilmartin se rendront au théâtre un soir de la semaine suivante... il lutte, essaie de penser à autre chose. La tentation revient lorsque la belle Gwendolyn Cooper l'informe que les Nugent sont partis en Europe et que donc... C'en est trop, Bernie capitule, Mais dans l'appartement, c'est un cadavre qu'il découvre. Son vieil ennemi, l'inspecteur Ray, l'attend chez lui et l'arrête. Bernie va devoir prouver son innocence... Après dix ans d'absence, Bernie est de retour, et Lawrence Block signe ici un chef-d'oeuvre d'humour et de savoir-faire romanesque.
—Mazel
I might as well confess now. I have a weakness for 'series'... esp characters who are butting into other people's businesses reluctantly! So by the same logic I love Lincoln Rhymes, Ms Braun's Koko etc etc. But This was my first of Rhodenbarr's and I think might be adding to my list of series. I picked on a whim, looking for something light and quick, a snack of a book, and it dint disappoint me one bit. No nasty after taste. And I love the wry tone and the snide side observations and of course, plenty of literary references all over the place. I mean the man owns a second hand book store; how will I ever resist that? It's perfect for the junk food reading that we all need once in a while ;)
—Crzy D
