Burglar on the Prowl

By: Lawrence Block

Narrated by: Lawrence Block

Length: 4 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

Acclaimed New York Times best-selling author Lawrence Block returns with the extraordinary Bernie Rhodenbarr. Antiquarian bookseller by day, burglar by night, Bernie has an innate knack, a gift, for getting into places designed to keep him out.

Bernie is a gentleman who knows and loves his territory, the gloriously diverse streets of Manhattan; a connoisseur who surrounds himself with the finer things in life, including his tailless Manx tabby, Raffles, and good friends like his neighbor, Carolyn. In fact, it's a friend that gets him in his latest jam. Bernie is asked for a favor, a neat, uncomplicated bit of vengeful larceny that will reap a tidy profit, an offer the intrepid thief can't refuse.

A few days before the crime, Bernie gets restless. What does a burglar do to change his mood? Go on the prowl. This bit of prowling lands Bernie in a pile of trouble that includes four murders and the burglary of his own home. Caught in the center of a deadly mystery, he must use his wits and wiles to connect the dots and add up the coincidences. Because if Bernie doesn't catch a killer, he'll lose not only his freedom but his life.

Infused with the rich atmosphere of New York City and filled with a smart, charming cast of characters headed by the stylish Bernie, The Burglar on the Prowl is an engaging and delightfully suspenseful tale sure to be savored by Block fans old and new.

©2001 Laurence Block (P)2004 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Fresh, witty and inventive as ever." (Publishers Weekly)
"Superb light entertainment." (Booklist)

Lawerence Block Narrator??!!

Mr. Block, does a find job, narrating the book. It sounds, to me , that he had fun with it. He does well, with Carolyn's, and the coppers voices. Mr. Block's vpice, is what I imagine Bernie"s voice would be.

Enjoy!!

Good book/ bad narration

I really liked this book, but just couldn't get past the whiney voice of the narrator.

I love Bernie Rhodenbarr!

I have read all the books in the series and greatly enjoyed them—am now enjoying the audible series just as much, especially the ones with Caroline. Narration by the author makes them even more enjoyable—I listen to them as “bedtime ” stories when I can’t fall asleep right away. This one was my favorite listen in the series thus far. Wish I could join Bernie & Caroline for drinks at The Bum Rap—love their friendship & humorous banter—

Complicated beyond enjoyment

The last chapter was largely committed to explaining the plot variations of the previous seven chapters. Way too convoluted for an audiobook. May have enjoyed it more as a traditional read.
Many criticize the author as narrator - I LOVE his deadpan style and clear diction.

Bernie strikes again

As usual I loved my favorite burglar and his henchperson.

When I saw this book was being read by the author I got excited. I mean, I get to hear the story the way, in my thoughts, the author intended. But I found Mr Block to rush the story, with little change in voice in the beginning to differentiate characters, sounded like one person narrated, rather than read.

It did dramatically improve about 1/3 of the way in. I am not sure if I just adapted or if it changed, but, regardless I enjoyed it immensely.

Thank you Mr. Block, for both another awesome Bernie Book and an amazing reading.

Should not have been an author-read audiobook

I have been a fan of the Burglar series since I first stumbled onto it in a library years ago. I recently picked up a pile of them in audio format for a protracted road trip. The earlier volumes were quite well executed. Then this one came around. However much I may like his turn of the pen, I don't think Lawrence Block has the voice to read the audiobook. I listen while driving, so even minor issues understanding words means I miss part of the story, since my attention has to be primarily on the road. His enunciation is not the clearest and his cadence is too fast, making it hard to understand what he is saying.

I will still read and/or listen to works he has written, but will avoid audiobooks where he is narrating.

I miss Richard Ferrone!

Decent story, but the author should not be narrating his own books. Very challenging to listen to. I am pleased that the next book in the series is narrated by Mr. Ferrone.

An entertaining listen.

What did you like best about this story?

I have a long commute and listen to a wide variety of books. Sometimes I just want a little mind candy. Engaging. Entertaining. Enjoyable. Not too heavy. This offering by Mr Block fit the bill.

What about the narrator’s performance did you like?

I thought the narrator's style fit Bernie Rhodenbarr (protagonist) to a T. I am going to search for others in the Rhodenbarr series read by him.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book made me LoL on occasion. It was pretty serious at times. It made for excellent entertainment.

Love hearing lawrence block’s narration!

Love this series, but it’s not the same unless Lawrence Block is narrating! He makes the droll humor and colorful characters fun and they are not the same characters when others narrate!!!!! Hope there will be even more in this series and that Block will narrate!

Thumbs Down

Authors generally should not record their own books, and this one is no exception. Block's voice is nasal-verging-on-whiny, and his intonation makes his attempts at wit seem petulant and annoying (even though, on the page, they actually are amusing). This audiobook might be entertaining if someone else read it. As it is, I couldn't bear it.