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A review by book_concierge
Jimmy The Kid by Donald E. Westlake
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).