What do You think about What's The Worst That Could Happen? (1997)?
Yes, I'm fully aware this book features Martin Lawrence and Danny DeVito on the cover, but don't let that deter you. This is one of Westlake's Dortmunder books, about sad sack criminal John Dortmunder. In this novel, Dortmunder is robbing a rich man's summer house. The man happens to be there and steals Dortmunder's ring. Dortmunder decides to focus his energy on getting his ring back, as well as various other items that belong to the rich guy. This series is great: funny, dark, and cynical, Dortmunder and his crew always come up with a master plan that rarely works out. It is a winning formula, and though this is the worst of the series, it still is a very enjoyable read.
—John
Dortmunder is another fine creation of Donald Westlake. He occasionally appears in the Parker stories, but this one is devoted to Dortmunder himself. Things always seem to go wrong and the beginning is no exception. They attempt to burgle a house on Long Island that’s supposed to be empty but it’s a house being used as a trysting place for Fairbanks (pun perhaps?) a thieving executive millionaire and his mistress. He calls the cops and then has the temerity to steal a “lucky” ring off Dortmunder’s finger before he gets hauled off to jail. Dortmunder escapes the police car (a humorous event in itself) and vows to get the ring back and make the guy sorry for his humiliation. The plot then revolves around Dortmunders extraordinary capers to get the ring back. And in the process, they decide to rob a Las Vegas casino. After conducting a little third-rate burglary at the Watergate. A little third-rate burglary at the Watergate?” Andy said, “I already tried that on him, and it didn’t work. John isn’t much of a history buff.”... Herman paused to take a roll of duct tape from inside his tuxedo jacket, tear off a length, and attach it to the edge of the door over the striker to keep it from locking. Spies, political agents, and other amateurs put such tape on a door horizontally, so that it shows on both front and back, and can be noticed by a passing security person. (There is a risk here that anyone under the age of forty will not get this reference at all.)What makes these books are the little side comments Westlake throws in a social criticism. For example: “On the TV, people covered with blood were being carried to ambulances. Wherever it was, it looked like a real mess. Then, as Dortmunder watched, the people and the ambulances faded away and some candy bars began to dance.” and “The thing is,” Andy explained, “when I feel I need a car, good transportation, something very special, I look for a vehicle with MD plates. This is one place where you can trust doctors. They understand discomfort, and they understand comfort, and they got the money to back up their opinions.”
—Eric_W
I discovered this book hidden in a collection of books I had downloaded. I hadn't seen the movie so didn't know what the book would be about. The title was the thing that grabbed my attention. I asked myself, "What is the worst that could happen?" and started reading. The main character is Dortmunder who reminds me of a cat burglar from old black and white movies. He could be played by James Stewart easily I think, the average Joe, with values who steals just because of needs. His loyalty to his live-in partner May and their interaction was sublime. Their love wasn't hot and heated, but deep and peaceful. The action in the story starts when May's uncle sends her a ring - a cheap ring with no value or sentiments for May. She gives the ring to Dortmunder as a keepsake and for luck. Won't you know it, just then the phone rings with one of Dortmunder's associates telling him about a job. Unfortunately the ring turns out more bad than good for Dortmunder. The house that he and his associate were going to rob, turned out to be occupied, by none other than the owner, Mr. Fairbanks and his dalliance for the night. Dortmunder is caught by Fairbanks at gunpoint while his partner flees. When the police arrive they ask Fairbanks if he has had anything stolen and Fairbanks being the upstart that he was, claimed stake on Dortmunder's ring. The police gave his ring to the laughing Fairbanks. That starts a role of events in which Dortmunder tries to get his ring back. The book was a hoot to read, a bit slow sometimes, but still fun.
—PenNPaper52
