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Bernie Rhodenbarr Books in Order

18 Books
1977 – 2022 Published
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How to Read the Bernie Rhodenbarr Series

Lawrence Block’s Bernie Rhodenbarr mysteries are classic, lighthearted caper stories. Bernie is a professional burglar who owns a Greenwich Village bookstore and has a knack for finding dead bodies during his heists. While the mystery in each book is self-contained and can technically be read standalone, readers will get the most enjoyment by following the publication order. Reading sequentially allows you to watch Bernie's personal life, his business ventures, and his endearing friendships—particularly with his best friend Carolyn Kaiser and the crooked-but-friendly cop Ray Kirschmann—evolve naturally over time.

Bernie Rhodenbarr Books in Publication Order

The core of the series consists of 12 novels and several short stories. Because the chronological narrative matches the order in which the books were published, following this list is the best path through Bernie's career:

  • Burglars Can't Be Choosers (1977) – The novel that introduces Bernie, where a routine break-in lands him right next to a fresh corpse.
  • The Burglar in the Closet (1978) – Bernie gets trapped in a closet while witnessing a murder. This book was loosely adapted into the 1987 film starring Whoopi Goldberg.
  • The Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling (1979) – Bernie's hunt for a rare manuscript embroils him in a literary mystery. This novel won the prestigious Nero Award.
  • The Burglar Who Studied Spinoza (1980) – A heist targeting valuable coins goes sideways, forcing Bernie to clear his name once again.
  • The Burglar Who Painted Like Mondrian (1983) – Art theft and murder collide in this high-society caper.
  • Like a Thief in the Night (1983) – A short story originally published in Cosmopolitan magazine.
  • The Burglar Who Traded Ted Williams (1994) – Returning after an 11-year hiatus, Bernie gets tangled in sports memorabilia theft.
  • The Burglar Takes a Cat (1994) – A cozy short story featuring a feline companion.
  • The Burglar Who Thought He Was Bogart (1995) – A cinematic adventure where Bernie hides out in movie theaters and channels Humphrey Bogart.
  • The Burglar in the Library (1997) – A classic country-house locked-room mystery paying homage to Agatha Christie.
  • The Burglar in the Rye (1998) – Bernie goes after the letters of a reclusive writer in a clear nod to J.D. Salinger.
  • The Burglar Who Dropped in on Elvis (1999) – A short story involving the King of Rock 'n' Roll.
  • The Burglar on the Prowl (2001) – A novel that shows Bernie navigating the changing streets of New York at the turn of the millennium.
  • The Burglar Who Smelled Smoke (2011) – A unique short story co-authored by Lawrence Block and his wife, Lynne Wood Block.
  • A Bad Night for Burglars (2011) – A short story originally written early in Block's career as a character prototype.
  • The Burglar Who Counted the Spoons (2013) – Bernie tackles the theft of valuable collector spoons in a modernizing world.
  • The Burglar in Short Order (2020) – A collection gathering Bernie's short stories, prototype material, essays, and author notes.
  • The Burglar Who Met Fredric Brown (2022) – The final novel, which sends Bernie into a nostalgic, alternate-reality New York as a tribute to science fiction writer Fredric Brown.

Spin-offs, Adaptations, and Collaborations

While Bernie Rhodenbarr exists in the wider Lawrence Block literary universe—alongside darker characters like Matthew Scudder and Keller—he does not formally cross over into their hard-boiled storylines. However, Bernie's world has expanded in other ways:

  • The 1987 Film Adaption: The Burglar in the Closet was adapted into the movie Burglar. The film altered the lead character into a woman, Bernice "Bernie" Rhodenbarr, played by Whoopi Goldberg. Author Lawrence Block was notably displeased with how the adaptation handled his character.
  • Co-Authored Stories: The short story "The Burglar Who Smelled Smoke" was written in collaboration with Lawrence Block's wife, Lynne Wood Block, who generated the core premise and helped research the background.
  • Fredric Brown Homage: In the metafictional 2022 novel The Burglar Who Met Fredric Brown, Bernie slips into a parallel universe inspired by Brown's classic sci-fi novel What Mad Universe, allowing Block to blend science fiction with classic cozy detective work.

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading the Bernie Rhodenbarr series?

You should start with the first novel, Burglars Can't Be Choosers (1977). This book establishes Bernie's double life as a Greenwich Village bookseller and a gentleman thief who keeps getting framed for murder.

QDo I have to read the Bernie Rhodenbarr books in order?

While each mystery is self-contained and resolved within its book, reading them in publication order is highly recommended to appreciate the development of Bernie's friendships and recurring series jokes.

QIs there a movie based on Bernie Rhodenbarr?

Yes. The novel The Burglar in the Closet was adapted into the 1987 comedy film Burglar, starring Whoopi Goldberg as a gender-bent version of the character named Bernice.

QWho is Bernie's partner-in-crime in the books?

Bernie's best friend and platonic soulmate is Carolyn Kaiser, a lesbian pet groomer who runs a shop nearby and frequently helps Bernie plan his capers or clear his name.

QDid Lawrence Block co-author any Bernie Rhodenbarr stories?

Yes. The short story "The Burglar Who Smelled Smoke" was co-authored with his wife, Lynne Wood Block, who came up with the idea and conducted the necessary research.

QWhat is the latest Bernie Rhodenbarr book?

The latest novel is The Burglar Who Met Fredric Brown, published in 2022. It features a unique alternate-universe plot that pays homage to classic science fiction writer Fredric Brown.