Rating: 4/5
Review:
Very enjoyable
I enjoyed Burglars Can’t Be Choosers very much. It’s an
involving read with genuine wit and some real content in places, too.
Written and set in
1977, Bernie Rhodenbarr is a “gentleman burglar” in New York.
While burgling an apartment he is first surprised by the police and
then by the discovery of a body, recently murdered. The story is
then of Bernie trying to find enough evidence to convince the police
that he isn’t the killer. It’s a well put-together plot which
does require considerable suspension of disbelief – but that’s
just fine by me because it’s very well written, very entertaining
and has some quite thoughtful moments, too; for example, some
speculation about the nature of honesty and integrity when
considering a policeman who will cheerfully accept a bribe from
someone he considers harmless but would never dream of not sharing it
with his partner or failing to keep his word.
There is a moral
problem, of course, in accepting the idea of a “gentleman burglar.”
Anyone who has been burgled will tell you that it’s not the
remotest bit funny or romantic. There are also some rather
pre-feminist attitudes and a pretty loose approach to the Sixth
Commandment, but it’s all pretty mild compared with a good many
1977 views. Personally, I’m fine with it all in this context; it’s
a lighthearted book and I’m prepared to be lighthearted in return.
I’m very much
looking forward to reading the rest of this series and I can warmly
recommend Burglars Can’t Be Choosers.
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