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The Hot Rock

The Dortmunder Novels, Book 1

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The Hot Rock

By: Donald E. Westlake
Narrated by: Justin Price
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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 Crime Fiction Literature & Fiction Mystery
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The first Dortmunder novel. As would be expected, it is a funny, fast-moving heist story written with all of Donald E. Westlake's customary panache. There is no higher praise!

The first Dortmunder

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This is a Dortmunder novel, I think someone should have told the narrator this. Its a good story and a great movie but I'm afraid the narration lets it down too deadpan, pity Brian Holsopple didn't do this one, and Bank Shot which is coming out soon.

Its Dortmunder not Parker.

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