The Hot Rock

The Dortmunder Novels, Book 1

By: Donald E. Westlake

Narrated by: Justin Price

Edgar Award Finalist: A comical crime caper "filled with action and imagination" (The New York Times Book Review).

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.

©1970 Donald E. Westlake (P)2024 HighBridge, a division of Recorded Books

Finally Number 1

I've worked from the middle to the beginning and the end of these Dortmunder novels and found them most addictive. Very simply written and with likeable characters and always amusing plots. This is where it all starts and with perhaps one or two exceptions DEW maintained great quality throughout the series. Easily worth visiting and then revisiting for quality and entertainment.