Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
Mysterious Press (1994), Reprint, Paperback
Pages
332
Description
In his latest caper, Dortmunder is hired to steal the femur of a 16-year-old girl who was canonized because, 800 years ago, she was killed and eaten by her family. Now two European countries and the Catholic church are fighting like dogs over the bone. How will this free-for-all end? Don't Ask.
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1993
Physical description
332 p.; 6.7 inches
ISBN
0446400955 / 9780446400954
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User reviews
LibraryThing member BookConcierge
Book # 8 in the John Dortmunder series has the gang hired by a small country to “retrieve” a religious relic – the femur of St Ferghana. Seems that there is only one spot available at the United Nations and two neighboring and always warring countries – Tsergovia and Votskojek – are both
I love this series. I marvel at Westlake’s imagination in coming up with these convoluted scenarios. John Dortmunder is a rather gentlemanly burglar; he’s a mastermind and a great planner, but his plans, however well thought out and featuring split-second timing, never quite work out. The gang may succeed at first glance, but you can be sure that some twist will result in their ultimate defeat.
The joy comes in watching the various plans, fumbles, and regroupings unfold. I also love how Westlake describes things. For example:
"(He) wore a vaguely military tunic kind of thing, the Nehru jacket’s homicidal cousin, in dark olive green;…”
“… his usual airplane engine of a voice modulating down to a kind of heavy purr, like a well-fed lion.”
“This woman was about the size and shape of a mailbox, with a black-haired white lunch box on top for a head.”
In short, it’s a fun, fast, entertaining read.
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determined to get that seat. The head of the selection committee is an archbishop who will likely side with the country who possesses the authenticated relic. The poor countries have equally unimpressive “embassy” headquarters, so it should be pretty easy for Dortmunder and his team to get in, get the bone and get out. And it is … but then …I love this series. I marvel at Westlake’s imagination in coming up with these convoluted scenarios. John Dortmunder is a rather gentlemanly burglar; he’s a mastermind and a great planner, but his plans, however well thought out and featuring split-second timing, never quite work out. The gang may succeed at first glance, but you can be sure that some twist will result in their ultimate defeat.
The joy comes in watching the various plans, fumbles, and regroupings unfold. I also love how Westlake describes things. For example:
"(He) wore a vaguely military tunic kind of thing, the Nehru jacket’s homicidal cousin, in dark olive green;…”
“… his usual airplane engine of a voice modulating down to a kind of heavy purr, like a well-fed lion.”
“This woman was about the size and shape of a mailbox, with a black-haired white lunch box on top for a head.”
In short, it’s a fun, fast, entertaining read.
Show Less
LibraryThing member ben_a
An enjoyable and funny novel, that at times stretches for the laughs, but only slightly. Slight, but recommended.
LibraryThing member dawng
I've enjoyed all of Donald Westlake's comic novels.
LibraryThing member dickmanikowski
Donald Westlake's novels about what I think of as the Dortmunder gang (since he's the guy who usually either plans the heists or stumbles into the situations that prompt the heist) are consistently amusing but never flashy. That describes this book, and it's good enough for me.
LibraryThing member MiaCulpa
Another entry in Donald Westlake’s Dortmunder series; these comic crime capers with an outstanding cast of characters are always entertaining (although they do seem to age very quickly).
“Don’t Ask” sees the Dortmunder gang get involved with a dispute between two nations aiming for
“Don’t Ask” sees the Dortmunder gang get involved with a dispute between two nations aiming for
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international recognition and the frankly odd criteria for said recognition. Lots of great dialogue and the members of the Dortmunder gang are all hilarious and human with all their foibles. It just makes one sad that there’s no further Dortmunder books in the future. Show Less
LibraryThing member Stahl-Ricco
Dortmunder and gang are hired to steal the leg bone of a saint for a country that wants to join the UN. Makes sense, yes? If not, see the title!
This was a pretty convoluted read, with the bone, the art theft, and the UN situation. Also, what was that ending about with J.C.? Definitely not one of
This was a pretty convoluted read, with the bone, the art theft, and the UN situation. Also, what was that ending about with J.C.? Definitely not one of
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the better ones in this series, for me. Show Less