Books

What's the Worst That Could Happen?

What's the Worst That Could Happen?
Pub date 1st January 1996
Original publisher Mysterious Press
Publisher (UK) eBook (Kindle)
International publishers Editions Payot et Rivages (France)

It started with a ring. A cheap ring. The yellow metal said brass, not gold, and the sparkly bits were certainly not diamonds. But the ring belonged to May's horseplaying uncle, who swore it brought good luck. Dortmunder, who wouldn't kick a little good luck out of bed, puts it to the test when he goes to burglarize Long Island billionaire Max Fairbanks. As luck would have it, Dortmunder is greeted by Fairbanks himself - and a loaded gun - as soon as he strolls through the door. When the cops arrive, the mogul adds insult to injury by claiming that Dortmunder's lucky ring is actually his. Big mistake, big guy. As soon as Dortmunder can give the cops the slip, the world's most single-minded burglar goes after the fat cat with a vengeance and a team of crooks that only he can assemble. And from the get go everything will go Dortmunder's way - everything, that is, except the ring.

This Westlake novel was made into a film of the same name in 2001.

 

Praise for What’s the Worst That Could Happen?

“This lovely new Mission: Improbable from the galaxy's king of the comic crime caper will have you shouting a resounding Amen.”

- Kirkus

 “Picturesque rogues from previous Dortmunder outings are collected into a formidable army, pitted against the best security Max's millions can buy, all leading to a showdown only Westlake could have conceived. As can be expected from this expert hand, the narrative is at once laconic and fast, the jokes constant, fresh and funny. Dortmunder, as always, is a potent brew that makes the world look brighter.”

-          Publisher’s Weekly

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