The Burglar in the Library by Lawrence Block

The provided text is an excerpt from the mystery novel "The Burglar in the Library" by Lawrence Block, which is part of "The Bernie Rhodenbarr Mysteries" series, as evidenced by the cover image, copyright, and list of other works. The content begins with a table of contents and then transitions into Chapter One, introducing the protagonist, Bernie Rhodenbarr, a bookseller and burglar, and his companion, Carolyn. The narrative centers on a trip the two take to Cuttleford House, an exclusive English-style hotel, initially booked for Bernie and his former girlfriend, Lettice, who unexpectedly shows up with her new husband. The plot develops into a classic "locked-room" mystery when a snowstorm traps the guests and staff inside the remote location, and multiple murders occur—starting with a man named Rathburn, whose death is initially made to look like an accident in the library. Bernie, seeking a rare signed book by Raymond Chandler hidden in the library, reluctantly becomes involved in unraveling the murders to ensure his and Carolyn's safe escape.