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I read this book about 6-Nov-2002. This is the first time I've read this book. The book is copyright 1970. This note was last modified Thursday, 19-Dec-2002 16:38:55 PST.
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This note contains spoilers for the book.
The first of the Dortmunder novels. They're supposed to be hilarious, but I don't find them so. Fun in various ways, yes. But not hilarious.
In this one, they have to steal the same emerald 6 times. That's kinda neat, and it gives an excuse to pack a lot of capers into a fairly thin book. While I'm not there yet, it's clear there's going to be trouble about payment in the end, too. They're way too easy about the arrangements with the person commissioning the heist, and way too willing to let him meet them all.
Westlake does let them come out ahead in the end, though -- well, by implication in the future, anyway. I think that may be as close as Westlake is capable of coming to a happy ending.