Bernie Rhodenbarr is a criminal who solves crimes.
But the bookseller turned burglar finds himself in trouble when a mysterious 'Mr Smith' asks him to pull off a number of incredible heists. He is soon mixed up in a plot involving the Declaration of Independence, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and a priceless silver spoon.
Meanwhile, the police are occupied by the discovery of a dead body. An old woman has been murdered, and Bernie, with his unique understanding of the criminal underworld, might be the only one who can help...