Rating: 
Summary: I can't wait to read more about my friends...
Review: One daren't talk of "the best ever" because Westlake keeps on surpassing himself, but it's the best so far! How nice to see Dortmunder actually making a profit.
Rating: 
Summary: A real treat - the Master gets better & better
Review: One daren't talk of "the best ever" because Westlake keeps on surpassing himself, but it's the best so far! How nice to see Dortmunder actually making a profit.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a good first Dortmunder to read
Review: 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 Fairbanks, a rich homeowner. Dortmunder was breaking into Fairbank's estate, and got caught. When the police arrive, Fairbanks can't resist an impulse to tell the police that the ring belongs to him, and Dortmunder is driven to try to recover his ring. He chases Faribanks from one domicile to another, always netting plenty of cash, but never attaining his goal. The climax involves clashing armies of crooks and security guards in Las Vegas.
The Good and the Bad:
I enjoyed the early portions of this book, in which the situations and the characters are both fresh and interesting. But as the book wears on, believability is stretched further and further, and an explosion of new characters leaves only enough time for a stereotypical understanding of each (as with the hulking thief named Tiny--- yawn!). The problem with continually escalating the stakes and the forces at play on either side is that eventually you're just repeating yourself, but louder. Westlake falls into this trap, and the climax is only mildly suspenseful. I would have liked to have seen Dortmunder himself in a wider variety of situations, so that we could more fully explore and appreciate his quirkiness, but sadly, that was not the direction that Westlake chose.
I picked up this book because I enjoy the Parker novels so much, but I don't think I'd give Dortmunder another try. To me, Stark is the real author and Westlake is the pseudonym.
Rating:
Summary: Joy
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Dortmunder's Revenge
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Dortmunder's Revenge
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: WtWTTCH not buying this? You Miss Out on an Interesting Book
Review: 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? Only the house is not vacant and billionaire media baron tycoon Max Fairbanks holds Dortmunder captive at gunpoint until the police arrive. The police ask Fairbanks if anything is stolen and upon seeing a ring on Dortmunder's finger he decides he will turn the tables on his intruder and steal his ring. He claims the ring is his and the cop makes Dortmunder hand it over. Pleased with himself Fairbanks figures, what's the worst that could happen? Fairbanks is humiliated and enraged. Vengeance and getting the ring back are all that occupies his mind, but Fairbanks is extremely powerful and hard to track down. This is an interesting book. A bit slow in parts but a good basic plot. If you like this and want a sensational Westlake novel read his book The Ax.
Rating:
Summary: WtWTTCH not buying this? You Miss Out on an Interesting Book
Review: 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? Only the house is not vacant and billionaire media baron tycoon Max Fairbanks holds Dortmunder captive at gunpoint until the police arrive. The police ask Fairbanks if anything is stolen and upon seeing a ring on Dortmunder's finger he decides he will turn the tables on his intruder and steal his ring. He claims the ring is his and the cop makes Dortmunder hand it over. Pleased with himself Fairbanks figures, what's the worst that could happen? Fairbanks is humiliated and enraged. Vengeance and getting the ring back are all that occupies his mind, but Fairbanks is extremely powerful and hard to track down. This is an interesting book. A bit slow in parts but a good basic plot. If you like this and want a sensational Westlake novel read his book The Ax.
| 
