Bernie Rhodenbarr, the protagonist of Lawrence Block's The Burglar Who . . . series, is a man liked by his neighbors even though they know that he occasionally robs people, but only those rich "momsers" across town.

Because of his occupation, people seek him out and force him to use his skills for their benefit or to make him into a scapegoat for their iniquities. Even the cops admit that Bernie has never been known to be violent. He is a gentleman and a burglar so neat that his victims do not realize at first that he has been on their premises. Another of Bernie's virtues is his sense of humor. He makes silly jokes to his friend Carolyn, and he can also laugh at himself.

Because Carolyn is lesbian, the possibility of a sexual relationship between the protagonist and his sidekick is removed, which releases her from the usual feminine...