
The Burglar Who Studied Spinoza
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Narrated by:
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Richard Ferrone
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By:
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Lawrence Block
About this listen
Bookselling burglar Bernie Rhodenbarr doesn’t generally get philosophical about his criminal career. He’s good at it, it’s addictively exciting—and it pays a whole lot better than pushing old tomes. He steals therefore he is, period.
He might well ponder, however, the deeper meaning of events at the luxurious Chelsea brownstone of Herb and Wanda Colcannon, which is apparently burgled three times on the night Bernie breaks in: once before his visit and once after. Fortunately he still manages to lift some fair jewelry and an extremely valuable coin. Unfortunately, burglar or burglars number three leave Herb unconscious and Wanda dead…and the cops think Rhodenbarr dunnit.
There’s no time to get all existential about it—especially after the coin vanishes and the fence fencing it meets with a most severe end. But Bernie is going to have to do some deep thinking to find a way out of this homicidal conundrum.
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Quick entertaining listen
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With an inscrutable salad of random but cogent, facts from history, literature and New York life - the pair provide riveting stories what are wonderfully recounted by the voices of Richard Ferrone. He has one of those voices that would make a science textbook more palatable.
I’ve loved these books for ages - listening on cassette tapes in my pick-up truck in college, CDs in my BMW while showing houses around town and even today - streaming through Audible into my Forester.
I’m glad the books were a hit, because it’s nice to have good AND humorous mystery writing this rare in such ample supply.
Lawrence Block’s Bernie and Carolyn ALWAYS satisfy!
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In this book, he & his friend Carolyn have gone to a house with intent to burgle, only to discover that someone was there before them. They find several things to take with them, but leave, believing they missed out on an opportunity--not knowing that a murder occurs there. They visit a kind old man, who seems to be a "gentleman fence," a man whom Bernie seems to genuinely like and so makes a gift of an old book of writings by Spinoza before getting down to the transaction of selling his loot. All that happens after this is typical Bernie, with the on-going cast of characters who people the stories, including the semi-crooked cop, Ray (who both wants to arrest Bernie, but tends to help him as well).
This is a good story, a good listen. My only small criticism (and it is small) is that the narrator does not do a good job of women' voices. He tends to lower his voice tone (rather than raise it) for Bernie's friend Carolyn, which can leave the listener confused. This entire series is really a fun listen. For some reason I have been listening to them out of order, and it doesn't seem to hurt anything (there is rarely mention of what took place in earlier books). Recommend!
Leaves you rooting for the burglar !
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love the narrator and these stories
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Bernie is Real...
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He’s Always Got a Story
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Bernie Rhodenbarr does it again. He and Carolyn become the second thief and he gets blamed for the burglary as well as a murder. They take the loot to a fence he knows well,and then that man gets murdered. While Bernie works to find out who did the murders, we get a nice lesson in numismatics. The solution is presented with a flourish, as usual.
Richard Ferrone is the narrator and is fantastic.
Bernie always gets the blame!
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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Bernie does it again. He burgles, he is arrested, and he solves another mystery to save himself. Lawrence Block does it again! Another wonderful story.Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?
YesWhich scene was your favorite?
All of them!Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I always laugh at Bernie's adventurws.Any additional comments?
NoLoved everything
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Richard changed Carolyn’s voice in this one
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