Cheap Jimmy the Kid (Book) (Donald E. Westlake, Richard Stark) Price

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Customer Reviews of Jimmy the Kid

As the book opens, Dortmunder is looking to break into a warehouse in a neighborhood where people live . . . so he needs to be quiet. Suddenly someone is calling out his name and trying to get his attention. Dortmunder can't believe that anyone would do this to him. But it's only Andy Kelp who is trying to help. Dortmunder has slightly miscalculated where the warehouse is.

Dortmunder takes a long time to get over being angry with Kelp about this incident. As a result, he's slow to take to Kelp's idea that the gang kidnap a child following the plot of a novel called Child Heist by Richard Stark. Eventually, Mae (Dortmunder's live-in girlfriend), Stan Murch (his favorite driver), Murch's Mom (the New York City cabbie) and Dortmunder agree. Mae and Murch's Mom go along more because they want to be sure that the child isn't harmed.

The book alternates sections from Child Heist with what actually occurs. The differences make for grand humor. Dortmunder also has a problem with execution because by relying on the book, everyone becomes over-confident and makes easily avoidable errors.

Anyone who has ever tried to reach someone on a cell phone with no success with how with laughter as Murch's Mom calls a car phone to direct how the ransom is to be dropped off.

In the midst of this, Jimmy turns out to be a child genius who easily runs circles around the gang. The results are humorous and often unexpected. My only complaint about this fine book is that Mr. Westlake made Jimmy a little too much like Super Boy. I don't think there are many adults who could have pulled off elements of what he does in the story.

If you have liked any of the Dortmunder novels, or like humorous books, I can wholeheartedly recommend this book. It compares favorably with the best of the Stephanie Plum novels.

After you finish enjoying the book, think about where you can add your own original touch to make life better for all.

Funny, Suspenseful, Awesome
This book is excellent. It is a well thought out, well written Comedy about the Troubles in the Dortmunder gang, A loveable and hilarious group. Donald E. Westlake is an amazing and talented author. Definitly worth the read.

What?! Funny, yes I said funny!
Westlake's Dortmunder books are his best. This is perhaps the funniest of those comic capers. A young genius cons the cons in this ironic, whimsical and hilarious adventure. Hard as they may try, Dortmunder, Kelp and the gang always lose, and though we empathize, we love seeing them do it.