Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
Mysterious Press (2004), Paperback
Pages
xv; 184
Description
Featuring Westlake's hapless hero John Dortmunder, this original compilation of short stories ties in to the author's latest Dortmunder hardcover, "The Road to Ruin."
Awards
This Mystery is Amazing! (#8 — 2010)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2005
Physical description
xv, 184 p.; 8 inches
ISBN
0446693022 / 9780446693028
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User reviews
LibraryThing member sloopjonb
The world cannot have too much of John Archibald Dortmunder, and these twelve short stories about our favourite thief will do vey nicely until the next full-length novel comes out. Technically only 11 stories are about Dortmunder and his crooked cronies, because the 12th story is about ... um,
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someone else. Kinda. Mr. Westlake explains it all in the foreword. It is, however, the funniest of the 12, and caused my father to fall out bed laughing, and hurt himself. (It's OK, Don; he won't sue). Westlake practically invented the comic crime genre, and these stories (none of which have appeared in book form before) illustrate why he became and remains the master of his craft. Intelligent, witty, well-plotted, with well-rounded characters and (of course) very funny indeed ... what more do you need to know? Go buy the thing. Show Less
LibraryThing member Smiley
A mixed bag @ best. Dortmunder is better served by the longer novel form. Although the story "Party Animal" is classic Dortmunder and almost worth the price of the book.
There are 11 stories in this Dortmunder Dozen and the last one, Fugue for Felons, doesn't have Dortmunder or any of his pals. A
There are 11 stories in this Dortmunder Dozen and the last one, Fugue for Felons, doesn't have Dortmunder or any of his pals. A
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collection published based on the popularity of the author/character and not the writing or stories themselves. Show Less
LibraryThing member eurohackie
Absolutely hilarious! Dortmunder is an absolute delight in short form, and I kinda like that these were more or less stories and him (with a side helping of Andy Kelp). He can get lost in the longer novels, but here, he can really shine.
LibraryThing member eetzel
Some fun Dortmunder and one almost Dortmunder. A very good read.
LibraryThing member bjkelley
What can I say...it's Westlake short stories. There's not a dud in the bunch. The last story is interesting, since Westlake thought he was going to lose the rights to Dortmunder to the movie people, he created a story with another crew with similar, yet not similar, characters.
LibraryThing member Stahl-Ricco
“Never break a law you don’t intend to break…”
A collection of Dortmunder short stories! (Well, one is a John Rumsey story…). What a treat!
Loved the first 2 pages of the introduction, especially the comment about Redford! Made me chuckle. As does the title of the book, in regards to how
The beauty of these stories, and really all things Dortmunder, are his terrible, and often hilarious, bad luck. Like breaking the back wall into a bank vault to find that it’s full of hostages because the bank is being robbed from the front! This book is full of his 'tough luck'!
I do have one question though, is Diddums actually Welsh?
A collection of Dortmunder short stories! (Well, one is a John Rumsey story…). What a treat!
Loved the first 2 pages of the introduction, especially the comment about Redford! Made me chuckle. As does the title of the book, in regards to how
Show More
many stories are included! Very witty!The beauty of these stories, and really all things Dortmunder, are his terrible, and often hilarious, bad luck. Like breaking the back wall into a bank vault to find that it’s full of hostages because the bank is being robbed from the front! This book is full of his 'tough luck'!
I do have one question though, is Diddums actually Welsh?
Show Less