The Recurring Cast
Character · The Dortmunder gang · 14 books

John Dortmunder

Brilliant, unlucky thief · Donald E. Westlake

John Dortmunder is a brilliant, unlucky thief.

Spoiler-free profile written for The Recurring Cast.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Character facts

First appearance
The Hot Rock (1970)
Latest appearance
Get Real (2009)
Books
14 (14 as lead)
Series
Dortmunder
Author
Donald E. Westlake
Circle
The Dortmunder gang

Where to meet John Dortmunder

John Dortmunder first appears in The Hot Rock (1970), as the lead, book 1 of the Dortmunder series.

Buy The Hot Rock

Every book with John Dortmunder

In publication order, with the size of their role in each.

  1. 1970LThe Hot Rocklead · DortmunderBuy
  2. 1972LBank Shotlead · DortmunderBuy
  3. 1974LJimmy the Kidlead · DortmunderBuy
  4. 1977LNobody's Perfectlead · DortmunderBuy
  5. 1983LWhy Me?lead · DortmunderBuy
  6. 1986LGood Behaviorlead · DortmunderBuy
  7. 1990LDrowned Hopeslead · DortmunderBuy
  8. 1993LDon't Asklead · DortmunderBuy
  9. 1996LWhat's the Worst That Could Happen?lead · DortmunderBuy
  10. 2001LBad Newslead · DortmunderBuy
  11. 2004LThe Road to Ruinlead · DortmunderBuy
  12. 2005LWatch Your Back!lead · DortmunderBuy
  13. 2007LWhat's So Funny?lead · DortmunderBuy
  14. 2009LGet Reallead · DortmunderBuy

Appears most often with

CharacterBooks together
Andy KelpDortmunder's cheerful friend14
Stan MurchGetaway driver14
MayDortmunder's partner13
Tiny BulcherHuge, dangerous gang member11