THE BURGLAR WHO LIKED TO QUOTE KIPLING

Block's semi-comic Burglar series features a habitual New York City thief named Bernie who always blunders into bigger difficulties, usually murder. He is forced to detect his way out of the jams he gets himself into, most often with the help of the "best cop money can buy" and a lesbian acquaintance named Carolyn. Richard Ferrone is an effective reader but an odd choice to portray Bernie. His gravelly, sinister presentation would be outstanding for Chandler's Philip Marlowe or Hammett's Sam Spade. Something lighter might be more appropriate for the hapless Bernie; yet Ferrone is so subtly expressive that his performance grabs the listener anyway. D.R.W. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 99]