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20 Reviews

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
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Average Customer Review

4.2 out of 5 stars (20 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dortmunder's Revenge, October 31, 2000

By

Larry Eischen - See all my reviews

This review is from: What's the Worst That Could Happen? (Dortmunder Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a jewel of a book from Westlake. When Dortmunder is caught in a heist, the victim manages to take the thief's "lucky" ring when the police apprehend him. Dortmunder's quest for his missing ring brings in all of our favorite characters from the series as he robs millionaire Fairbanks time and again. The book culminates in a Vegas heist that would do Ocean's 11 proud. Funny and exciting, this book is a must have for any Westlake/Stark fan.

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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dortmunder, funny as always., June 25, 2000

By

Old Fisherman "Jim" (Orange, California USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: What's the Worst That Could Happen? (Dortmunder Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

John Dortmunder is a burglar. While on what should have been an easy job he's caught by the pistol-toting homeowner and gets caught. That's bad enough, but the homeowner, wealthy Max Fairbanks, adds insult to injury when he claims that Dortmunder's lucky ring actually belongs to him. Big mistake. Dortmunder vows to get the ring back no matter what which leads to a series of funny capers where Max Fairbanks loses more and more wealth until the slam-bang finish in Las Vegas.

I've been reading the Dortmunder novels for years and they never disappoint. They are always funny with a little cockeyed slant to them that Donald Westlake is famous for. They are just fun books to read and I'd recommend any of them.

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Joy, December 11, 1999

By

Jack Jalove - See all my reviews

This review is from: What's the Worst That Could Happen? (Dortmunder Novels) (Mass Market Paperback)

These Dortmunders not only make me laugh out loud (which can be embarrassing when you're sitting alone on a bus or train) they bring joy. Does that seem goofy? Well here's to goofiness 'cause I can't help but feel better after reading 'em. They're paperbound treasure chests to me.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars very nice
my first westlake book, but surely not my last. very smooth entertainment and a nice step away from the more serious crime novels i tend to gravitate towards. Read more

Published 29 days ago by D. Edwards

4.0 out of 5 stars A Hairbrained Crime Novel
Donald Westgate is the master of crime novels. His amusing plots and crazy characters will make you laugh at the antics. You will not be able to set this one down. Read more

Published on February 12, 2010 by William L. Witham Jr

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written, fast and funny
John Dortmunder, professional thief, is asked by an associate to participate in what appears to be an exceedingly simple heist--robbing an empty mansion on Long Island... Read more

Published on August 14, 2007 by Henry W. Wagner

5.0 out of 5 stars Westlake's best since Hot Rock
This is Westlake at his best. It had me laughing out loud. I gave it as a Christmas present to a friend because I enjoyed it so much. It is definately work reading.

Published on May 22, 2007 by Sharon Williams

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent remedy for a hangover
I gotta say, the Dortmunder series feels a little like the perpetual sequel disease to me. But I still enjoy them. Read more

Published on June 20, 2006 by Herr Frog

3.0 out of 5 stars this IS a FUN book... but is that enough?
This is a breezy book making its entry into a series that is based on fun uncomplicated prose or plots. Read more

Published on July 31, 2005 by clifford

2.0 out of 5 stars Not a good first Dortmunder to read
Professional criminal Dortmunder, who is characterized by his sad-sack appearance and his inoffensive demeanor, is suddenly a man on a mission after his ring is stolen by... Read more

Published on December 22, 2004 by Matt Hetling

5.0 out of 5 stars Dortmunder's famous luck
Hilariously clever, Westlake's 1996 John Dortmunder thriller turns on luck as the ingenious but luckless burglar's soulmate, May, receives a bequest, "a small box, such as... Read more

Published on August 13, 2004 by Lynn Harnett

5.0 out of 5 stars Not picking up a Westlake Novel is the Worst Thing You Could Do!
When career thief, Dortmunder is asked by a friend to rob a vacant holiday house in Long Island he agrees thinking what's the worst thing that could happen? Read more

Published on October 24, 2003 by James N Simpson

3.0 out of 5 stars Whose Bad Luck Is It?
In If you have read any of the previous novels about John Dortmunder, the imaginative planner for many a heist, you know that he lacks only one element to have a perfect life... Read more

Published on July 19, 2003 by Donald Mitchell

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Inside This Book (learn more)
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First Sentence:
From the circumstances, Dortmunder would say it was a missing-heir scam. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
mummified woman, lucky ring, golden carriage, male cop

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Anne Marie, Max Fairbanks, New York, Las Vegas, Andy Kelp, The Book, Earl Radburn, Wally Whistler, Brandon Camberbridge, Gaiety Hotel, Wylie Branch, Gus Brock, Ralph Winslow, Hilton Head, Miss September, N-Joy Broadway Hotel, New Jersey, Stan Murch, Bernard Klematsky, John Dortmunder, Lester Vogel, Wally Knurr, Watergate East, General Manufacturing, Jim O'Hara

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