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Bank Shot  By  cover art

Bank Shot

By: Donald E. Westlake
Narrated by: Jeff Woodman
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Publisher's summary

With the help of an unusual set of cronies, bank robber John Dortmunder puts a set of wheels under a trailer that just happens to be the temporary site of the Capitalists' & Immigrants' Trust and hauls it away. But when the safe won't open and the cops get close, Dortmunder realizes he's got to find a place to ditch the "bank".

Listen to more Dortmunder capers.
©1972 Donald E. Westlake (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

All-Time Top 100 Mysteries (Mystery Writers of America).

What listeners say about Bank Shot

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Another terrific Dortmunder novel, well read

I've been an enthusiastic fan of Westlake's Dortmunder books for decades, and was very pleased to discover that someone had the sense to get readers that do them justice. In "Bank Shot," Jeff Woodman does an excellent job; his voices and tone are perfect for the book.

If you're not familiar with Dortmunder, you really should be: Westlake pretty much invented the comic caper novel with the gloomy John Dortmunder (the first was "The Hot Rock," also an excellent audiobook) and his group of somewhat misfit pals. The extraordinarily quirky situations they get into are invariably entertaining, and the curve balls Fate throws at Dortmunder have, on occasion, actually helped me see the comic side of my own misfortunes...not that mine are nearly as entertaining as Dortmunder's!

The only people I would not recommend this & other Dortmunder books to are those who absolutely hate to laugh.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

great story - well narrated!!!

Happy I discovered Donald Westlake. I love Thomas Perry's capers such as 'Metzger's Dog' (except his Jane Whitefield stories), this is similar! Great fun to listen to and well narrated by Jeff Woodman who I sometimes find a bit whiney (e.g. Chris Grabenstein stories). Don't miss out!

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Precarious Hilarity

In one of the final chapters, it occurs to Dortmunder that his luck is never wholly good, but then it is never entirely bad, either. For example, the rain that almost reveals his current caper also foils pursuit. Two books into this series, I think this teeter-totter of fate is what makes it all so precariously fun.

Two of the last batch of misfits are here: Merch and Kelp. We also get to know Merch’s mom a lot better. And newbie Victor is worth the price of admission all on his own. Imagine if they put the same dedication, ingenuity, physical exertion, and mental effort into a legitimate enterprise. Like…oh, I don’t know…work? Nah. It wouldn't be as fun.

Once again, Jeff Woodman is flawless. I fear I may miss him in the next few installments.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Standard Westlake

Donald Westlake has always been a favorite read in the 70’s and early 80’s. Adding the audible concept is great, Jeff Woodman did an amazing job!!!!

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Bank on the Run

What did you love best about Bank Shot?

The outrageous idea of steeling a bank. Fresh idea.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Kelp, unbelievable character. Too ditsy to be true. Merch's mom is a hoot.

Have you listened to any of Jeff Woodman’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Only the Dortmunder books. The characters are coming along quite well.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

HAVE BANK WILL TRAVEL!!!

Any additional comments?

Not to long a book definitely a one day listen and truly hysterical. This group is a dense as a bag of nail. I found myself talking to myself saying your on the phone to long they can trace, or your giving them enough information so they can find out who you are. Funny, Funny, Funny.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Fun Crime Caper

This was a fun and light crime caper. Parts were quite funny and I enjoyed the premise of a thief stealing a whole bank rather than just breaking into the safe. It was a unique twist on the bank robbery theme. The characters were exactly that - characters! They all have unique skills and attitudes that they bring to the caper. Although this was the second in the series, this is the first one I read and I did not find it hard to pick up who everyone was. I haven't decided yet if I want to delve into the entire series, or just leave it at this one.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great Caper!!

West lake assembles a perfect set of unlikely characters to plan and execution a hair brained heist! A great read!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • JB
  • 06-29-21

The Dortmunder Crew is always thinking...

These guys can't catch a break. I love the voices the narrator does for each character. My favorite is the "mom". I can totally picture what she looks like from the voice. Another great story, worth your time.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fun read. Excellent performance.

A classic Dortmunder yarn.
Good characters. Lots of snags in the caper. Great dialogue. Nobody bleeds.
A perfect road-trip novel.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • KM
  • 07-28-16

Dortmunder rides again

Any book with Dortmunder is tons of fun. The narrator was a little different from some of the others, but he's great.

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