Bank Shot

John Dortmunder and his crew of criminals plan an unconventional bank heist - instead of breaking in, they intend to steal the entire bank building itself. Their target is a temporary bank branch housed in a mobile home while the main building undergoes renovations. The scheme requires precise timing, specialized equipment, and cooperation from an eccentric group of accomplices. Dortmunder must navigate interpersonal conflicts within his team while executing each phase of the complex plan. The heist faces multiple complications and setbacks, forcing the crew to adapt their strategy. What begins as a straightforward concept transforms into an increasingly complex operation with higher stakes. Bank Shot combines crime caper elements with subtle humor and commentary on the nature of ambition. The story examines how even the most elaborate plans can be derailed by human nature and simple bad luck.

Readers describe Bank Shot as a light, humorous crime caper that maintains a quick pace. The second book in the Dortmunder series follows the formula of the first but with a more outlandish premise. Readers appreciate: - The comedic timing and wit - Short chapters that keep the story moving - Creative heist logistics - Character interactions between the thieves Common criticisms: - Less engaging than other books in the series - Plot feels too far-fetched - Some find the humor repetitive - Character development minimal compared to book 1 Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (190+ ratings) Several reviewers noted the book works better as part of the series rather than standalone. One frequent comment praises how Westlake builds tension through mishaps while maintaining the comedy. A minority of reviews criticize the dated elements and stereotypes from its 1970s setting.

The Hot Rock by Donald E. Westlake A team of hapless criminals must steal the same emerald multiple times after their initial heist goes wrong.

Burglars Can't Be Choosers by Lawrence Block A professional burglar accepts what seems to be a straightforward job that spirals into a web of murder and double-crosses.

The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch An orphan becomes the leader of a group of con artists who target the wealthy elite in a fantasy Venice-like city.

Good Behavior by Blake Crouch A professional thief gets caught up in a scheme to save a woman from a cult while trying to maintain his criminal enterprise.

Thick as Thieves by Peter Spiegelman A crew of professional thieves plans to rob a corrupt businessman's secret offshore account during a narrow window of opportunity.

🏦 Bank Shot (1972) is part of the "Dortmunder series" featuring John Dortmunder, a hapless criminal whose elaborate heists often go comically wrong. In this case, the gang attempts to steal an entire bank by hauling away the temporary mobile building it occupies. 📚 Author Donald E. Westlake wrote more than 100 books under various pseudonyms, including Richard Stark, Tucker Coe, and Samuel Holt. He is one of only three writers to receive Edgar Awards in three different categories. 🎬 The book was adapted into a 1974 film starring George C. Scott and Joanna Cassidy, though the movie version significantly altered the plot and characters from Westlake's original story. ✍️ Westlake created the Dortmunder character as a more comedic version of Parker, his hardboiled criminal protagonist from the Richard Stark novels, after attempting to write a Parker novel that kept turning humorous. 💎 The novel's premise was inspired by the rise of mobile bank branches in the early 1970s, when banks began using temporary buildings and trailers to establish presence in developing neighborhoods.