The Burglar Who Counted the Spoons

Bernie Rhodenbarr, Book 11

By: Lawrence Block

Narrated by: Richard Ferrone

Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's Summary

Ever since The Burglar on the Prowl climbed the best seller lists in 2004, fans have been clamoring for a new book featuring the lighthearted and light-fingered Bernie Rhodenbarr. Now everybody's favorite burglar returns in an 11th adventure that finds him and his lesbian sidekick Carolyn Kaiser breaking into houses, apartments, and even a museum, in a madcap adventure replete with American Colonial silver, an F. Scott Fitzgerald manuscript, a priceless portrait, and a remarkable array of buttons. And, wouldn't you know it, there's a dead body, all stretched out on a Trent Barling carpet....

©2013 Lawrence Block (P)2014 Recorded Books

Lost the Plot but enjoyed the ride

I dont really recall the story which was somehow fitted in between the subplot elements in such a way that I failed to notice that I had no idea what the story was until I reached the end... But this is Block's artistry that you just go on listening because his dialogue is so real and his characters so alive and interesting in their own right with or without a smart plot. Recommended, like a chat with an old friend.

Welcome back, Bernie!

I swear Lawrence Block has revived and written more material since his 'retirement' than ever before. And don't think that, just because I've been a Bernie fan for years, I gave this book an automatic 5. There's always that chance of disappointment.
I'm glad to say that Bern and Carolyn are as fresh (and apparently young) and up to mischief as ever. Plenty of twists and ***s and pretty upbeat, considering it's Bernie and Carolyn. Also, I learned some stuff that I'll never need to know, but don't mind knowing anyway.
Richard Ferrone does a fine job of handing a handful of characters and is very easy to listen to.

This was a real gift from Mr. Block.

Best. Series. Ever.

Any additional comments?

I don't know any of Block's other books but in this series, for my money, he's priceless. The writing is damnably witty. These are not huge action-movie novels. There is nothing ugly in these books - no torture, cruelty or even gore.

BUT there are clever, twisty plots. There are wonderful characters; please, Bernie and Carolyn (the main character and his trusty sidekick, who is one of the most well-written lesbian characters I've encountered), please invite me along to the Bum Wrap for dinner and a drink! Most notably, there is absolutely delightful dialogue. If you've ever admired the repartee between Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell in "His Girl Friday," there's a pretty good chance you're going to LOVE these books.

And then there is the narrator. Richard Ferrone is pure unmitigated genius. I can't imagine any plane of existence where anyone else could have narrated these books. His deliciously, ever-so-slightly deadpan delivery has caused me to chuckle like a goofball on too many occasions to list. What a delight it is to find that magic marriage between writer and narrator. This one is as good as it ever gets.

As for "Spoons" in particular, I won't bore you with details. Every single one of the series is great and they all stand on their own, so if you get them out of sequence, it won't matter much. Go. Buy. Listen. Smile. Repeat. You're welcome.

As usual, corny but very funny.

You will either like these corny mysteries and characters or you won't. I do, and I found this to be one of the funniest in the series. Richard Ferrone does an excellent job of giving voices and accents to the different main characters.

A new direction for Bernie Rodenbarr

What did you love best about The Burglar Who Counted the Spoons?

The story was even more complex than the usual Bernie Rodenbarr tales.

Any additional comments?

A very funny story.

Slow …

If you could sum up The Burglar Who Counted the Spoons in three words, what would they be?

Slow, interesting, boring

If you’ve listened to books by Lawrence Block before, how does this one compare?

Not as exciting as bast Burglar novels.

Which scene was your favorite?

The final exposure

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

No

Any additional comments?

I've alway loved Block's Burglar novels, and always recommend them to people, but this one was slow that it was almost painful.

Performance?

I am an admirer.of the author. I have read all of the Bernie books, all twice or more. The reader basically did a horrible job reading the dialogue. He makes Bernie sound too irritated and C K stupid. Story is decent, enjoyable mostly. Seems the reader is not familiar with other Bernie books and just does not portray characters even as they should be. Really corny Ray.

Love Bernie!

The Bernie Rhodenbarr series is amazingly good. I read Traded Ted Williams first (at a home care client's house wayyyy before Kindle) and was instantly in love. I then collected the rest of the series. The dialogue is exceptionally well written. I'm an introvert but I'd make an exception and have lunch with Bernie and Caroline at the Bum Rapp. In a heartbeat.

Richard Ferrone is very good and speaks Sarcasm fluently. He delivers the dry humor lines very well. I'd prefer more difference between character voices but the voice changes are enough that I can differentiate if I pay close attention.

I wholeheartedly recommend this series

Lawrence Block is the best!

I couldn't believe there was a Lawrence Block I had missed. his books are in series but stand alone, too. witty and very good writing. I highly recommend any of his books.

Excellent Book but Weird Resolution

One of the most enjoyable of the Burglar mysteries, with so much good character development, intellectual content, and intricate plotting. I don’t want to spoil the ending, but just want to say I am dismayed to see murderers get away with murder simply because they are rich. That’s morally gross.

Wisecracking dialogue, splendid plot.

Gives good dialogue, cracking plot. What more do you want from a Detective story.

More please

I just love Bernie. If you have any way of contacting Lawrence Block, please tell him that there are shed loads of Bernie fans wanting more.