# The Hot Rock

By Donald E. Westlake · Dortmunder, book 1

Profile: https://hahafiction.com/books/the-hot-rock-88e6b975/

Fresh out of prison, John Dortmunder accepts an emerald theft proposed by his friend Kelp. The commission comes from a representative of an African nation that wants the disputed stone back. Dortmunder can devise the robbery; keeping the emerald turns out to require several more plans.

## What makes it funny?

Before Dortmunder even reaches freedom, a well-meaning warden costs him money. He has sold his prison cell, but the warden insists on walking him to the gate, making a discreet payoff impossible. The official’s pride in rehabilitation only increases the departing thief’s frustration.

### The comedy at work

Westlake keeps sending the gang back to work on the same emerald. Each apparent solution leaves another logistical problem, giving accomplished thieves reason to attempt an increasingly varied series of capers. Their planning skills keep the job possible while bad luck keeps it unfinished.

### Try this if…

Elaborate schemes, criminal teamwork and repeated reversals are the attractions here. Dortmunder is a capable planner whose helpers and circumstances make competence an unreliable route to a payday.

### Good to know

The story is divided into six phases of one continuing pursuit. That structure gives the crew successive problems to solve rather than a single robbery to prepare.

## What to expect

- Genre: Crime & thriller
- On the shelf: Crime caper
- Kind of humor: Dry wit · Farce · Situational comedy
- Format: Novel
- Length: 304 pages
- Audiobook: 6 hr 28 min

## A few distinguishing details

- One emerald requires repeated thefts
- A prison farewell interferes with a criminal payoff

## Sources & further reading

- Publisher: [Audiobook publisher](https://highbridgeaudio.com/thehotrock.html)
- Book information: [Apple Books audiobook](https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/the-hot-rock-the-first-dortmunder-novel-unabridged/id374960685)
- Review: [Kirkus review](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/a/donald-westlake-6/the-hot-rock-2)
- Publisher: [Print publisher](https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/donald-e-westlake/the-hot-rock/9780446677035?lens=grand-central-publishing)
- Review: [Daniel Robichaud review](https://consideringstories.wordpress.com/2018/08/30/considering-westlake-the-hot-rock)