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book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
3.5***
John Dortmunder is at it again. Talked into a “perfect” kidnapping plot by his “friend” and previous cohort, Andy Kelp, he tries everything to pull of the big caper that is certain to make the gang a fortune. Recently, while a guest of the county for possessing burglar tools, Kelp came across an interesting mystery story in the prison library. Child Heist by Richard Stark outlines a perfect crime – the kid is unharmed, and the kidnappers get away scot free. All the details are there, they just have to follow them in real life! What could possibly go wrong?
A lot.
I love Westlake’s writing, and particularly enjoy the comic capers of John Dortmunder and his gang of inept accomplices. Of course they’ll pick a kid who is smarter than all of them put together. Jimmy’s resourcefulness and superior intelligence serve him (and the gang) well. The cops are as hapless and unlucky as the gang.
As I was reading, I kept thinking what a fun movie this would make. Obviously not an original idea – it’s been adapted THREE times: in Italy (1976), in the US (1982 – starring Gary Coleman!), and in Germany (1998).
John Dortmunder is at it again. Talked into a “perfect” kidnapping plot by his “friend” and previous cohort, Andy Kelp, he tries everything to pull of the big caper that is certain to make the gang a fortune. Recently, while a guest of the county for possessing burglar tools, Kelp came across an interesting mystery story in the prison library. Child Heist by Richard Stark outlines a perfect crime – the kid is unharmed, and the kidnappers get away scot free. All the details are there, they just have to follow them in real life! What could possibly go wrong?
A lot.
I love Westlake’s writing, and particularly enjoy the comic capers of John Dortmunder and his gang of inept accomplices. Of course they’ll pick a kid who is smarter than all of them put together. Jimmy’s resourcefulness and superior intelligence serve him (and the gang) well. The cops are as hapless and unlucky as the gang.
As I was reading, I kept thinking what a fun movie this would make. Obviously not an original idea – it’s been adapted THREE times: in Italy (1976), in the US (1982 – starring Gary Coleman!), and in Germany (1998).
soapythebum's review
5.0
This was just a real fun read. As it's the third book in the Dortmunder series you should know already what to expect, the perfect plan that should go off without a hitch, and yet hitches abound. It was only after I was halfway through reading it that I recalled that I had actually seen this when I was a kid, it stared a young Gary Coleman as Jimmy and I remember it being a hoot, I also found the book to be laugh out loud funny.
If you're looking for a light heist novel, then it's well worth reading these and I think that so far this has been my favorite of the series and I look forward to reading the rest.
If you're looking for a light heist novel, then it's well worth reading these and I think that so far this has been my favorite of the series and I look forward to reading the rest.
kivt's review
3.0
didn’t like this as much as Bank Shot or Hot Rock, but i thought Jimmy was very funny. i’d like a spin-off caper with him, May, and March’s mom.
bettermetal's review
4.0
Not my favorite but still great. The weakest one of the first three I think. I loved the Parker inserts, they made The Gang’s attempts at crime even funnier. It was a clever addition.
Rater a 4-/5, it just didn’t resonate with me as much as the first two. Maybe because I don’t like kids. Still plenty funny and enjoyable
Rater a 4-/5, it just didn’t resonate with me as much as the first two. Maybe because I don’t like kids. Still plenty funny and enjoyable
dantastic's review against another edition
4.0
Andy Kelp gets the bright idea of using a plan from a Richard Stark novel to pull off the kidnapping of a rich kid and hold him for ransom. Dortmunder eventually caves and decides to go along with the plan, only to quickly realize he shouldn't have. The kid they choose ends up being a precocious little bastard and things start going wrong. Not everything works like it does in the books...
The best way I can summarize this one is to say Hilarious. Dortmunder is still the loveable loser introduced in the Hot Rock. I really wanted him to get away with the money this time. The plot device of using a Richard Stark novel was great. The chapters of the fictitious Parker novel, Child Heist, show how versatile Westlake was a writer. It's a shame Child Heist doesn't exist as a standalone novel. The characters were great, as usual. Marsh and his mother continue to be my favorites of the supporting cast. James Harrington was a brat but his intelligence was well done. I still wouldn't mind throttling him myself.
Once again, I'd recommend Donald Westlake to fans of Christopher Moore, as well as fans of capers. I have to think Westlake is an influence on Moore.
The best way I can summarize this one is to say Hilarious. Dortmunder is still the loveable loser introduced in the Hot Rock. I really wanted him to get away with the money this time. The plot device of using a Richard Stark novel was great. The chapters of the fictitious Parker novel, Child Heist, show how versatile Westlake was a writer. It's a shame Child Heist doesn't exist as a standalone novel. The characters were great, as usual. Marsh and his mother continue to be my favorites of the supporting cast. James Harrington was a brat but his intelligence was well done. I still wouldn't mind throttling him myself.
Once again, I'd recommend Donald Westlake to fans of Christopher Moore, as well as fans of capers. I have to think Westlake is an influence on Moore.
heathersbike's review against another edition
Now he's plagiarizing himself. LOL. That was so much fun. And now I want to read Richard Starks. Pretty clever.
bundy23's review against another edition
3.0
Probably the best in the series so far as Dortmunder teams up with some idiots who decide to kidnap a kid based on a fictional book by Westlakes alter-ego Richard Stark starring the almighty Parker. It all gets a bit slapstick and turns to crap but there was enough funny stuff to keep me smiling without it went getting too cringey.