Donald E. Westlake’s series of Dortmunder books is the complete opposite of his alter ego Richard Stark’s Parker novels. These books — including the new WHAT’S SO FUNNY? — are more comic capers and less man-on-a-mission no-matter-what revengers. Even if you’ve never read any of the other books in the series, you won’t feel lost, since Westlake’s writing is so enjoyable and breezy, you don’t mind not knowing the hero whole history.

John Dortmunder is a career thief — a man who likes to break into places and make away with the goods, with no huge, elaborate plans or long weeks of planning and recruiting. Instead, Dortmunder stays put in New York City, where he has a group of associates who all hang out in a bar. Some of this crew are not the best and brightest when it comes to ideas of things to steal.

For example, one of his cronies has the bright idea to steal a gold dome that is due for a mosque; never mind that it’s 12 feet in diameter and there is nowhere they could hide it. Westlake lets these guys do their thing for ace comic effect, never making fun of them.

FUNNY’s plot has Dortmunder being blackmailed into pulling a impossible job of stealing a priceless chess set. The man doing the blackmailing is an ex-cop by the name of Eppick, who’s hooked up with millionaire Mr. Hemlow, who resembles every kid of old rich man who thinks he knows best.

Indeed, Hemlow feels he is owed the set, which was stolen originally by the him and his army pals back in the war. They were all supposed to share in its wealth, but you know how greed takes over some folks. Hemlow has found out that his niece works for a firm in possession of the set, which is currently embroiled in a legal battle within a family.

With bullying tactics, Hemlow and Eppick figure they can use Dortmunder like a pawn in this caper, until things blow up in their face. Later, they have to use Dortmunder as an equal partner. What Westlake does best is in brilliantly weaving multiple stories into this enjoyable tale of greed and robbery, because when the outcome finally happens, he gives you a great little chuckle. –Bruce Grossman

Buy it at Amazon.

OTHER BOOKGASM REVIEWS OF THESE AUTHORS:
• ASK THE PARROT by Richard Stark
• LEMONS NEVER LIE by Richard Stark
• THE MAN WITH THE GETAWAY FACE by Richard Stark
• POINT BLANK by Richard Stark
• THE SOUR LEMON SCORE by Richard Stark
• 361 by Donald E. Westlake