The Burglar Who Studied Spinoza — Lawrence Block

Bernie and his friend Carolyn were planning to rob the lovely West Side brownstone...until they discovered they had been beaten to the punch. Fortunately, the first burglars left behind some decent goods...emerald earrings, a Piaget watch--and a valuable coin that might be too hot to handle. But of course Bernie takes it anyway.

By the next morning there's been a murder. And while Bernie's pawning the coin, the police show up with a few questions. Then another murder strikes, and this time it's a little too close to home. Now it's time for Bernie to go to work. Because somewhere between a bungled burglary, a double homicide, and a rare nickel is a case that makes very little sense....