At first glance, social concerns are not an important matter in this "Burglar" mystery, although they do play a role in other mysteries in the series. The villains are often cheaters, people who want to profit twice, for example, by gouging insurance companies. They claim as stolen items they did not have or that they have already disposed of. These villains are also usually egotistical people who are power- mad and excessive in their demands on society and on life. The detective Bernie is a contrast because his ambitions and demands recognize some limits.

He would like some trappings of the good life, like the ownership of his store and of an original Mondrian painting, something that makes him happy. But day to day he lives quietly selling books.

The Burglar in the Library satirizes the English country house mystery by playing up its artificiality. A...