A kidnapping plan cribbed from a crime novel goes hilariously wrong for gang boss John Dortmunder—from the Edgar Award–winning author of Bank Shot. When his &“friend&” Andy Kelp has a plan, career criminal John Dortmunder knows that means trouble. Kelp&’s schemes, no matter how well intentioned, tend to spiral quickly out of control. But this one, Kelp swears, is airtight. He read it in a book! The novel featured a kidnapping so brilliant there&’s no way it wouldn&’t work in real life. Though offended that his usual role as heist planner has been usurped, Dortmunder reluctantly agrees to the scheme. Unfortunately, they kidnap a kid smarter than all of them put together. What&’s simple on the page turns complex and chaotic—and there&’s no reference guide to help Dortmunder through the madness he&’s signed on for. &“[Westlake&’s] most durable character. Whatever can go wrong in the man&’s elaborate attempts at larceny invariably does, and in the most amusing and unexpected ways possible.&” —Los Angeles Times &“Westlake has no peer in the realm of comic mystery novelists.&” —San Francisco Chronicle
