Status
Available
Call number
Series
Genres
Publication
Grand Central Publishing (2005), 416 pages
Description
This time out John Dortmunder and his merry band of crooks return to the scene of the crime world in an attempt to steal a fleet of automobiles that would leave the Sultan of Brunei blushing. The mark is Monroe Hall, corrupt CEO of a now defunct conglomerate, who spent more of his company's money on himself than the boys at Enron and WorldCom combined. Having escaped prosecution, Hall is holed up on his massive Pennsylvania farm and Dortmunder, as usual, has his eyes on the big prize: Hall's vintage wheels.
User reviews
LibraryThing member Mike-L
Not one of Westlake's best novels.
When the Dortmunder crew sets out to do a job there is one thing you can absolutely count on... something will go wrong. They'll do their best. It won't necessarily be their fault. But all the same something WILL go wrong! The current caper is no exception, it's
This is my third experience with the series and I've come to the conclusion that these stories are definitely all about the journey rather than the destination and this latest story fits that mold. It's more about the way they get to the point of doing the job (robbery) than about the job (robbery) itself or how the job (robbery) goes down. That being the case it's not really a mystery so much as an oddball adventure story of sorts.
In this particular case I found the build up to the main caper -- and ultimately the ending -- to be a little bit tedious at times, the sidetracks that are necessary in order for the whole thing to come together just so in the end were often a little dull, bringing the whole story close to a full stop before continuing on with the plot. The phrase overly complicated keeps coming to mind. In the end everything sort of fizzled out rather than coming to a major resolution. The whole thing just seemed somehow incomplete.
If you like action and lots of it then this probably isn't the book for you. The detailed descriptions, while adding a good deal of narrative ambiance, can get a little wearying after awhile. It slows to a crawl at some points before picking back up again and it doesn't have a lot in the way of wham/bang action sequences. If you enjoy eccentric characters in odd situations with a good deal of humor thrown in and you don't mind taking your time to get to where you're going then it might be worth your while to take a closer look at this book.
When the Dortmunder crew sets out to do a job there is one thing you can absolutely count on... something will go wrong. They'll do their best. It won't necessarily be their fault. But all the same something WILL go wrong! The current caper is no exception, it's
Show More
standard Dortmunder.This is my third experience with the series and I've come to the conclusion that these stories are definitely all about the journey rather than the destination and this latest story fits that mold. It's more about the way they get to the point of doing the job (robbery) than about the job (robbery) itself or how the job (robbery) goes down. That being the case it's not really a mystery so much as an oddball adventure story of sorts.
In this particular case I found the build up to the main caper -- and ultimately the ending -- to be a little bit tedious at times, the sidetracks that are necessary in order for the whole thing to come together just so in the end were often a little dull, bringing the whole story close to a full stop before continuing on with the plot. The phrase overly complicated keeps coming to mind. In the end everything sort of fizzled out rather than coming to a major resolution. The whole thing just seemed somehow incomplete.
If you like action and lots of it then this probably isn't the book for you. The detailed descriptions, while adding a good deal of narrative ambiance, can get a little wearying after awhile. It slows to a crawl at some points before picking back up again and it doesn't have a lot in the way of wham/bang action sequences. If you enjoy eccentric characters in odd situations with a good deal of humor thrown in and you don't mind taking your time to get to where you're going then it might be worth your while to take a closer look at this book.
Show Less
LibraryThing member tgraettinger
Another enjoyable Dortmunder caper. The usual gang is here, with one or two additions. In typical style, there are some fun twists that make life miserable for the Dortmunder gang. It's always something.
LibraryThing member SpikeSix
The more I read Donald Westlake the better he gets. The Road to Ruin is very clever and a good insight into Dortmunder's gang of rouges. This time they are going to steal a fleet of vintage cars from a hated businessman.
LibraryThing member MiaCulpa
I've long liked the Dortmunder gang and their shenanigans and although "The Road to Ruin" isn't the best of the series, it was good to meet the gang again.
"Road to Ruin" covers the Dortmunder gang infiltrating the mansion of a disgraced billionaire with the plan of stealing a collection of classic
"Road to Ruin" covers the Dortmunder gang infiltrating the mansion of a disgraced billionaire with the plan of stealing a collection of classic
Show More
cars. Obviously, this being Dortmunder, things don't go to plan. All of the familiar Dortmunder gang characters make an appearance, including Andy Kelp, Mae, Arnie the fence and Tiny. Show Less
LibraryThing member Stahl-Ricco
Opening up this book was like seeing old friends again! Dortmunder, Stan, Tiny, and Andy, hanging out in the back room of the O.J. Bar & Grill, drinking the same drinks that Rollo the bartender always makes them, and saying the same things they always say, after they pass the arguing regulars at
In this book, the group decides to steal a fleet of collectible automobiles from a rich man who swindled a whole lot of people out of their investments and savings. An entirely different group, unbeknownst to the Dortmunder gang, is angrily attempting to kidnap the same rich man! Of course both plans, and both groups of men, run afowl of each other. Oh, and then there's the assassin from the embassy!
Good book, good characters, and good Dortmunder fun!
Show More
the end of the bar! I realized as I read, that I'd actually missed this gang of misfit thieves!In this book, the group decides to steal a fleet of collectible automobiles from a rich man who swindled a whole lot of people out of their investments and savings. An entirely different group, unbeknownst to the Dortmunder gang, is angrily attempting to kidnap the same rich man! Of course both plans, and both groups of men, run afowl of each other. Oh, and then there's the assassin from the embassy!
Good book, good characters, and good Dortmunder fun!
Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2004
Physical description
391 p.; 17.2 cm
ISBN
044640022X / 9780446400220