Bernie Rhodenbarr is a personable guy, a nice neighbor, and a great burglar. But he occasionally makes mistakes. Like accepting a paid assignment from a total stranger; like still being in the apartment when the cops arrive; like having a freshly slain corpse in the next room. Now he's got to find the true criminal while eluding the police --- a dirty job indeed, and perfect for Bernie Rhodenbarr.

Bernie Rhodenbarr is a personable chap, a good neighbor, a passable poker player. His chosen profession, however, might not sit well with some. Bernie is a burglar, a good one, effortlessly lifting valuables from the not-so-well-protected abodes of well-to-do New Yorkers like a modern-day Robin Hood. (The poor, as Bernie would be the first to tell you, alas, have nothing worth stealing.)

He's not perfect, however; he occasionally makes mistakes. Like accepting a paid assignment from a total stranger to retrieve a particular item from a rich man's apartment. Like still being there when the cops arrive. Like having a freshly slain corpse lying in the next room, and no proof that Bernie isn't the killer.

Now he's really got his hands full, having to locate the true perpetrator while somehow eluding the police -- a dirty job indeed, but if Bernie doesn't do it, who will?