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(3.05) - 492 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Eluding the law has always been high on Dortmunder's list. But getting caught red-handed is inevitable in his next caper, when a TV producer convinces this thief and his merry gang to star in a reality show that captures their next score. The producer even guarantees to keep the show from being used as evidence against them. They're dubious at first, but the pay's good, so they sign on. A mock-up of the OJ Bar is built in a downtown New York City warehouse. As the gang plans their next move with the cameras rolling, Dortmunder and Kelp sneak onto the roof of their new studio to organize a private enterprise. It will take an ingenious plan to outwit viewers glued to their television sets, but Dortmunder is nothing if not persistent, and he's determined to end this shoot with money in his pockets.
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"This book was provided to me from the Book Discussion Group I've been going to every month. I'm glad we're reading another mystery again and from the reviews on the back cover, it sounds like it's going to be a funny and interesting read. I'm looking forward to it! "
— Sharon (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Before Janet Evanovich brought us Stephanie Plum, Don Westlake was the Grand Master of Criminal Laughs with his hilarious novels about professional thief John Dortmunder. Get Real is the fourteenth Dortmunder novel and proves again that Westlake is the King of Clever.”
— Robert Crais, New York Times bestselling author -
“A rollicking crime caper that pulls the pants right off the reality TV industry.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“Delightfully understated…a worthy final word from Westlake…will rouse chuckles from even jaded readers.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review) -
“With brilliant restraint and perfectly pitched deadpan dialogue, Westlake keeps his characters dancing precariously along the knife’s edge of absurdity. Reading his ever-more-colorful descriptions…is a sheer delight, only tempered by the knowledge that this is last call at the OJ Bar & Grill.”
— Booklist (starred review) -
“Side-splittingly funny…Westlake will be remembered for his clever commentary on current affairs, his always amusing whimsical characters, and of course his brilliant depiction of modern-day Robin Hoods robbing from the rich and giving to, well, themselves.”
— BookPage
Get Real Listener Reviews
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" I was glad to find a relatively new Dortmunder book. This one had a particular fun premise ....the gang starring in a reality show, and went along nicely until it just sort of ended. Still, I hope another one comes along. "
— Patty, 2/18/2014 -
" I loved the idea of Donald Westlake in a modern setting. Everything I've read of his was very old, and this one is about a reality show. Fun read. "
— Jane, 2/16/2014 -
" Loved the dialogue and humor. "
— Jerry, 2/14/2014 -
" Reality show "
— Karen, 2/5/2014 -
" this is, sadly, his last book.....and it is one of the best. His earlier Dortmunder books are hilariously funny, the later ones so-so, but this one is a keeper. RIP Westlake. "
— Annie, 2/1/2014 -
" I love Donald Westlake. This final episode (posthumous) of the Dortmunder series is as delightful as the previous ones. This level of subtle humour can only be achieved by a master writer. But start with Hot Rock and go through the entire series. "
— Missmath144, 1/24/2014 -
" I love his work. Yet another prolific author...I shall have to attain some measure of immortality "
— Caleb, 1/13/2014 -
" I love these Dortmunder books because they're light, easy reading. But they must be hard to write. Getting the dialogue just right and researching all the criminal details must take forever. Westlake manages to combine crime and humor. "
— Kirsti, 12/29/2013 -
" Dortmunder's gang gets a reality show. Westlake is always fun to read. "
— Althea, 12/19/2013 -
" When you use the same characters over and over, the results get a bit mechanical. But the series is still OK. "
— Ray, 11/20/2013 -
" His last book. Good for one airplane trip. "
— Richard, 11/9/2013 -
" A fairly simple and entertaining read, and it is more witty than funny. The bad guys are more con-men than criminals, and they have a real sense of class. DROWNED HOPES is my favorite of the John Dortmunder series. "
— Ken, 11/4/2013 -
" Very sad to have read what will probably be the last of the Dortmunder series. "
— Sandi, 1/2/2013 -
" A gang of Runyonesque crooks provide for escapist entertainment. "
— Hapzydeco, 10/24/2012 -
" He always makes me laugh. "
— Dara, 10/13/2012 -
" Pretty amusing story about crooks and reality TV. "
— Diane, 9/18/2012 -
" First one of his books that I've read. REally liked this, will try to read a few more of the Dortmunder books to find out more of the back story of the characters. "
— Jan, 8/25/2012 -
" It was everything you would expect from a Dortmunder novel. It was extremely funny, a strange idea, the bumbling and fumbling, and more. It was unfortunately Donald E Westlake's final Dortmunder novel. I will miss him and his writing. "
— Catamorandi, 7/22/2012 -
" A real fun romp, Westlake creates rich, lovable crooks and manages to shed some light on how "reality" TV shows are made. I breezed through it on the beach and laughed a ton. I'd definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a light and entertaining read. "
— Hilary, 7/20/2012 -
" As always I love Dortmunder! This one was a notch above all the others. I'm sad to learn of Westlake's death, I feel lost a close family member. "
— Elizabeth, 12/22/2011 -
" I was about halfway through this when I heard that Westlake had died earlier int he year. So I found this bittersweet. I love how he was constantly updating the scenarios for Dortmunder and his band of crooks. This take on reality TV is great. "
— Sheala, 11/21/2011 -
" New spin! Dortmunder gang meets reality show. "
— Ruth, 5/18/2011 -
" The last book in the Dortmunder series. A good way to finish, but not as good as the earlier ones. "
— Angie, 4/1/2011 -
" Dortmunder et al do a reality show. I am going to miss Dormunder. "
— Teresa, 2/20/2011 -
" Sadly, this is the last Dortmunder caper as it's the last book Westlake wrote before his death. I will miss these hilarious tales and this group of thieves. RIP Westlake. "
— Claudia, 2/11/2011 -
" Westlake's last Dortmunder novel. SIGH. He will be missed. <br/><br/>This installment has the usual mix of wacky-yet-grounded characters, the caper-committing know-how of Dortmunder's crew, and the comedic twists and turns I've come to expect from this series. "
— Ryan, 2/9/2011 -
" being caught red-handed is inevitable in Dortmunder's next production, when a TV producer convinces this thief and his merry gang to do a reality show. <br/>terrific page turner. one of my favorite dortmunder books "
— Steve, 10/28/2010 -
" If you are a fan of Westlake you will love this one. The usual cast of characters gets into the usual caper with the usual results...Hilarious. <br/> "
— Sal, 7/16/2010 -
" More fun with John Dortmunder. What needs to be said. Funny, sharp, perfect. "
— Jason, 7/13/2010
About Donald E. Westlake
Donald E. Westlake (1933–2008) wrote dozens of novels under his own name and numerous pseudonyms, including Richard Stark and Alan Marshall. Many of his books have been adapted for film, most notably The Hunter, which became the 1967 noir Point Blank and the 1999 smash hit Payback.
About William Dufris
William Dufris attended the University of Southern Maine in Portland-Gorham before pursuing a career in voice work in London and then the United States. He has won more than twenty AudioFile Earphones Awards, was voted one of the Best Voices at the End of the Century by AudioFile magazine, and won the prestigious Audie Award in 2012 for best nonfiction narration. He lives with his family in Maine.