this IS a FUN book... but is that enough?

books:

	• What's the Worst That Could Happen? (Dortmunder Novels) Donald E. Westlake Mysterious Press, 1996 - 384 pages average customer review:based on 18 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

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. At least he doesn't have little elves and hobbits running around or something.

Not his best, but not so bad. Has its moments of hilarity, no argument there. What really amused me was spotting the I Ching imagery. That is pure Westlake. See if you can identify it when you read it. Westlake pulls something new out of his sleeve with every new installment.

My recommendations if you like Westlake: My favorites are "I Gave at the Office," "Adios Scheherazade," and "The Hot Rock."

Other recommendations: Also, any film with Peter Falk such as "In-Laws" with Alan Arkin, and episodes of the series "Columbo." Now, years later, I get such a laugh from Columbo, and it really feels reminiscent of Westlake's brand of humor. Also, check out Falk in "Wings of Desire" by Wim Winders, where Winders has captured the essence of the beauty that is Peter Falk. And BTW, the "Hot Rock" movie from the 1970s was a beaut, not well executed, what with Fonda cast in the lead role. That was NOT my Dortmunder. And the end had to be sanitized also, so it was a botched movie generally. But definitely had its moments.

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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. Dortmunder is a pretty decent protagonist, thrown out there by the illustrious Donald E. Westlake. As a character, Dortmunder is an unassuming and humble crook. He is not the brightest of bulbs out there, but in the end he manages to whip together one big time heist after another. What is kind of lacking with Dortmunder or with this series as a whole is character development. Other than a few quirks, the characters are really only skin deep. The main draw with these books are that they are always interesting takes from the other side of the fence. Instead of following around a PI busting an evildoer, with these books we follow around the slime presented in a kindly light while they make fools of authority.

With `What's the Worst that could happen?' Westlake offers up a sort of Oceans Eleven plot here. Only this plot is much more complicated and in the end more satisfying than the movie. Dortmunder stalks a Billionaire who through circumstances I wont go into here, takes possession of Dortmunder's ring. Now he wants his ring back and the exploits that follow are enjoyable to follow.

A lot is lacking in this series. They are fun. I wont deny that. But they are on par with a decent 80's TV show like Magnum PI rather than attempting to become an earth moving force like Raymond Chandler. These are throwaway novels... pulp in the extreme. Nothing bad about that, but you should know that with these books you should not expect greatness.

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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. Dortmunder, appraising the situation, sees little risk. After all, the house is guaranteed to be empty, and he is wearing his lucky ring, a gift from his girlfriend's uncle.

Of course, if you are at all familiar with this series, you know that luck and Dortmunder are like water and oil. While engaged in this seemingly foolproof job, Dortmunder is accosted by the mansion's owner, billionaire communications giant Max Fairbanks. Armed with a shotgun, he corners Dortmunder and calls the police. To add insult to injury, Fairbanks impulsively tells the officers who respond that the ring on Dortmunder's finger is his. Dortmunder can only stand there gaping as Fairbanks robs him.

Enraged by this turn of events, Dortmunder escapes from the police and begins his campaign to get his ring back. Over the course of several weeks, Dortmunder haunts Fairbanks, narrowly missing several opportunities to regain his precious ring. For the first time in his life, however, he can do no wrong criminally--obsessed with getting his ring back, he scarcely notices that his pursuit of Fairbanks is netting him a fortune.

What's the Worst That Could Happen? is typical Westlake, well written, fast and funny. Fans of the series can savor the familiar elements of the Dortmunder books, while newcomers can sit back and enjoy the ride, and look forward to reading other entries in this hilarious series.

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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.

reviews: page 1, 2, 3, 4

With the planned heist of a religious relic, Dortmunder, the unluckiest criminal in the world, plunges into international diplomacy with a caper for acquiring a seat on the United Nations General Assembly. But a major fiasco proves a bone of contention and forces him to come up with Plan B.

Dortmunder's lucky ring is stolen in the bungled burglary of a nasty billionaire's Long Island mansion. Now, a series of raids are planned to get the ring back -- and get even.

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