Fresh out of prison, Dortmunder plans a heist that could mean war. John Dortmunder leaves jail with ten dollars, a train ticket, and nothing to make money on but his good name. Thankfully, his reputation goes far. No one plans a caper better than Dortmunder. His friend Kelp picks him up in a stolen Cadillac and drives him away from Sing-Sing, telling a story of a $500,000 emerald that they just have to steal. Dortmunder doesn't hesitate to agree. The emerald is the crown jewel of a former British colony, lately granted ...
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Fresh out of prison, Dortmunder plans a heist that could mean war. John Dortmunder leaves jail with ten dollars, a train ticket, and nothing to make money on but his good name. Thankfully, his reputation goes far. No one plans a caper better than Dortmunder. His friend Kelp picks him up in a stolen Cadillac and drives him away from Sing-Sing, telling a story of a $500,000 emerald that they just have to steal. Dortmunder doesn't hesitate to agree. The emerald is the crown jewel of a former British colony, lately granted independence and split into two nations: one for the Talabwo people, one for the Akinzi. The Akinzi have the stone, the Talabwo want it back, and their UN representative offers a fine payday to the men who can get it. It's not a simple heist, but after a few years in stir, Dortmunder could use the challenge.
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Add this copy of The Hot Rock to cart. $75.00, fair condition, Sold by Ann Open Book rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Lansing, MI, UNITED STATES, published 1970 by Simon and Schuster.
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Seller's Description:
Fair in Good jacket. Book Previous owners names are stamped inside on front free end paper. Not Ex-Library. Scotch tape remaindes on Front and Back Boards.
Add this copy of The Hot Rock to cart. $95.00, very good condition, Sold by Jeff Bergman Books ABAA/ILAB rated 1.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Flemington, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 1970 by Simon & Schuster.
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Near Fine in Fine jacket. Ex-Library. 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall. Near fine copy in a fine jacket. Ex-Library. No pocket or stamps. $5.95 0n flap. Stated First Edition. Missing front end paper. Excellent Copy. Quite Rare. Great Movie.
Add this copy of The Hot Rock to cart. $112.09, fair condition, Sold by BooksRun rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Philadelphia, PA, UNITED STATES, published 1970 by Simon & Schuster.
Add this copy of The Hot Rock to cart. $193.71, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Hialeah, FL, UNITED STATES, published 1970 by Simon & Schuster.
Add this copy of The Hot Rock to cart. $332.43, very good condition, Sold by Wonder Book - Member ABAA/ILAB rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Frederick, MD, UNITED STATES, published 1970 by Simon and Schuster.
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Very Good. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1970. 1st edition. 8vo hardcover. 249pp. Very Good book. Good dust jacket. Dust jacket has one inch tear to spine. (Detectives, Mystery) Inquire if you need further information.
This a delightful book, with a very likable crook as its anti-hero. I kept pulling for the bad guys. The only difficulty in reading this book is that one laughs so much it becomes hard to see.
Sleuth
Apr 3, 2007
What a Gem
Within a few hours of being released on parole, John Dortmunder, a small-time thief and con artist is embroiled in a new caper. He has been commissioned to steal a valuable emerald for a newly-formed small African nation. John handpicks the men who will assist him in this heist, each of whom brings their special skills to the job at hand and their off-center behavioral traits.
This is not exactly your gang that couldn't shoot straight. Rather, these misfits just seem to be the victims of events often beyond their control. No matter how much inventive planning goes into each robbery, they never seem to walk away with the prize. It is constantly back to the drawing board for Dortmunder and each robbery calls for more innovative and daring methods.
At times, the dialogue reads like the old "who's on first, what's on second" routine made famous by Abbott and Costello. At other times, the humor is much more subtle. Either way, you will find yourself chuckling or, if you are in the safety of your own home, laughing out loud.
Living in New York, I was amazed at how well Mr. Westlake knows the city and the outer boroughs. Having grown up in a rather obscure part of one of these boroughs, I think that unbeknownst to me, Mr. Westlake must have lived next door to me. He can describe stores and houses on the smallest side street with pinpoint accuracy.
This is not the type of book that I would normally seek out. However, I had recently read a short story by Mr. Westlake that caught my fancy. I liked the style of writing so much that I decided to try one of his books.
If you like a well written action caper that will have you laughing throughout, I suggest you pick up a copy of "The Hot Rock." As for me, I am going to order the next few books in the Dortmunder series as soon as I submit this review.
