By Chip Minemyer
The Tribune-Democrat

I had read the book sometime before. But when I spied a copy of "The
Burglar On The Prowl" on the discount rack of a chain bookstore, I couldn't
help myself.
I was quickly in line at the checkout area, the mystery novel clutched in my
grasp and some cash at the ready in my fingers.
But the bigger surprise came later, after I had gotten the book home.
Scrawled across the bottom of the title page was the signature of the writer
himself: Lawrence Block.
Could it be authentic, I wondered, the autograph of a very successful author
who had produced nearly 60 crime novels and some of the best characters in
recent American fiction ­ right there on the discount rack?
I eventually located Block's publishing company through the Internet, and
asked them if the signature might be real.
I described what it looked like, on which page it was located.
Sounds like the real thing, was the e-mailed response.
That sometimes happens, I was told.
Writers attend book signings and scratch their names on dozens of copies
that the store managers expect will be purchased. But some aren't, and they
sometimes end up back in circulation or even find their way to the mark-down
table.
That mystery solved, I wondered: Does Mr. Block do interviews? The question
was answered a few weeks later, when my phone rang and when I answered it a
voice said: "Hello, this is Lawrence Block."
He has been cranking out crime fiction for five decades and is one of the
most decorated fiction writers around.
In 1993, he was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America.
Block's latest book, "Hit and Run," features a recurring character ­
professional hit man Keller (no first name). Like all of Block's characters,
Keller is complicated ­ a cold-blooded killer who is both philosophical and
introspective, always pondering his chosen occupation.
Block said his friend, author Peter Straub, believes Keller is much like
Block himself ­ except for the killing part.
"We talked recently and (Straub) observed that Keller sounded more like me
than the other characters do, especially in his internal monologues," Block
said. "But I think there's probably a piece of self in every character you
write about. They're all me, I suppose."
That would make Block a complicated man indeed.
He has develop several recurring characters, including the polite and funny
burglar Bernie Rhodenbarr. "The Burglar on the Prowl," published in 2004,
was the 10th in a series that Block launched with "Burglars Can't Be
Choosers" in 1977.
His other leading men include an alcoholic cop/private investigator, a thief
and an ex-con grifter.
"If I'd just been writing about one character all this time, it might have
been difficult," Block said. "But they really are a change of pace from each
other. And there are times when a series seems to have ended but I find it
later."
The new book is different for both Block and his hit man. Previous Keller
installments were collections of a few shorter narratives that could be read
in any order. This time, one narrative runs from cover to cover.
But true to form, the hit man learns life lessons among the bodies along the
way.
"It's worked quite well, actually. I enjoyed writing it," Block said. "And
the reactions have been terrific. Readers have been sending me e-mails
telling me what they think of it."
The writer said fame has not made him immune from the recent economic
downturn. Despite a successful career, Block, now 70, may keep writing for a
while longer.
"I'd rather planned on slowing down about now," he said.
"But my retirement plan's not doing so hot."
Maybe that signed copy will get some company ...

Chip Minemyer is editor of The Tribune-Democrat in Johnstown, Pa.