Reading order · 14 books · 1970 to 2009 · Set in New York
Dortmunder Books in Order
John Dortmunder is a gloomy, brilliant thief whose perfect plans always go comically wrong, aided by his cheerful friend Andy Kelp and a gang of oddballs who meet in the back room of a New York bar. Very funny crime capers.
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Series facts
- Books
- 14
- Published
- 1970 to 2009
- First book
- The Hot Rock
- Latest
- Get Real (2009)
- Setting
- Set in New York
The reading order
Every Dortmunder book in publication order. Choose a title for its cast and summary.
14 books · Set in New York
- 1The Hot Rock1970With John DortmunderJohn Dortmunder is hired to steal a precious emerald from a museum in Brooklyn, and has to steal it again, and again.Buy on Amazon
- 2Bank Shot1972With John DortmunderDortmunder and his gang plan to steal an entire bank, which is temporarily housed in a mobile home.Buy on Amazon
- 3Jimmy the Kid1974With John DortmunderDortmunder’s gang plans a kidnapping, using a crime novel as their instruction manual.Buy on Amazon
- 4Nobody's Perfect1977With John DortmunderDortmunder is hired to steal a painting as part of an insurance scheme.Buy on Amazon
- 5Why Me?1983With John DortmunderDortmunder accidentally steals a sacred ruby, and every police force and crook in New York wants it.Buy on Amazon
- 6Good Behavior1986With John DortmunderOn the run, Dortmunder hides in a convent, and the nuns ask him to help rescue a young sister from her father.Buy on Amazon
- 7Drowned Hopes1990With John DortmunderAn old cellmate of Dortmunder’s wants to recover loot that is now under a reservoir.Buy on Amazon
- 8Don't Ask1993With John DortmunderDortmunder is hired to steal a holy relic that could decide which tiny nation gets a seat at the United Nations.Buy on Amazon
- 9What's the Worst That Could Happen?1996With John DortmunderA billionaire steals Dortmunder’s lucky ring during a burglary, and Dortmunder sets out to get it back.Buy on Amazon
- 10Bad News2001With John DortmunderDortmunder is hired to swap bodies in a graveyard, as part of a scheme involving a casino fortune.Buy on Amazon
- 11The Road to Ruin2004With John DortmunderDortmunder poses as a servant on the estate of a disgraced businessman, in order to rob him.Buy on Amazon
- 12Watch Your Back!2005With John DortmunderDortmunder plans to rob a wealthy man’s apartment, while his favourite bar faces trouble.Buy on Amazon
- 13What's So Funny?2007With John DortmunderDortmunder is pressured into stealing a priceless jewelled chess set.Buy on Amazon
- 14Get Real2009With John DortmunderA television producer persuades Dortmunder’s gang to plan a heist for a reality show.Buy on Amazon
Do you need to read them in order?
Each book stands alone. Start with The Hot Rock.
Who appears in which book
The series’ main characters, book by book. Lead means the book is told around them; minor covers cameos.
| Book | John Dortmunder | Andy Kelp | Stan Murch | May | Tiny Bulcher |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 The Hot Rock | LLead | MMajor | ·Minor | ||
| 2 Bank Shot | LLead | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | |
| 3 Jimmy the Kid | LLead | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | |
| 4 Nobody's Perfect | LLead | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 5 Why Me? | LLead | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 6 Good Behavior | LLead | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 7 Drowned Hopes | LLead | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 8 Don't Ask | LLead | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 9 What's the Worst That Could Happen? | LLead | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 10 Bad News | LLead | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 11 The Road to Ruin | LLead | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 12 Watch Your Back! | LLead | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 13 What's So Funny? | LLead | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
| 14 Get Real | LLead | MMajor | ·Minor | ·Minor | ·Minor |
Characters in the Dortmunder books
5 characters from Donald E. Westlake’s chart, with the number of Dortmunder books each appears in.
| Character | Books | First in this series |
|---|---|---|
| John DortmunderBrilliant, unlucky thief | 14 | The Hot Rock 1970 |
| Andy KelpDortmunder's cheerful friend | 14 | The Hot Rock 1970 |
| Stan MurchGetaway driver | 14 | The Hot Rock 1970 |
| MayDortmunder's partner | 13 | Bank Shot 1972 |
| Tiny BulcherHuge, dangerous gang member | 11 | Nobody's Perfect 1977 |