Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1234695 in Books
• Published on: 1988-01-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 288 pages

From School Library Journal
YA The sixth novel about professional thief John Dortmunder. While escaping from a robbery attempt, Dortmunder falls through the roof of a convent. The cloistered nuns take this as a sign from heaven and tell Dortmunder (by writing notes) that they will not turn him in if he helps to return Sister Mary Grace to their convent. Sister Mary Grace is a young nun who is being kept in a tower apartment by her millionaire father, who is trying to deprogram her, but she is firm in her commitment to remain a nun. She is able to smuggle out the details of the high-rise's security system to Dortmunder, and the big escape begins. The humorous and realistic strategy is lively and will keep readers guessing. Erin Hayden, Prince George's County Public School System, Md.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Dortmunder the Good Samaritan
While working one night, John Dortmunder accidentally sets off a burglar alarm, an occupational hazard for a thief, and winds up hanging from the rafters of the local convent. Although the occupants are an order of nuns who have taken a vow of silence, they manage to let John know that in return for not turning him into the police, they would make use of his specialist skills. They want him to rescue a young nun who was taken from the convent by her father and is held on the top floor of a 76-storey building.

Dortmunder's flair for getting himself into and out of impossible situations are highlighted again as he attempts to breach the defences of a building that seems as impenetrable as any well guarded fortress can be. The ever-changing motley crew that he works with is made to seem even more motley by the inclusion of the skirt chasing (but never catching) Wilbur Howey. Tiny Bulcher is again along for the ride in all his menacing glory as are two regulars Andy Kelp and Stan Murch.

It's the humorous ways in which Dortmunder deals with setbacks that gives the book it's charm. Interest is added by limiting the field of play to one building. How to get in, save the girl and then out again is the problem he faces.

This is yet another satisfyingly entertaining entry in the Dortmunder series that proves this time that he has a caring side, or maybe it's just his guilty, greedy side rearing it's head again. Whichever it is, it's a pleasure to see it.

This Could Only Happen to Dortmunder
John Dortmunder becomes St John when his latest caper drops him into a convent. The sisters see it as divine intervention so they ask him to rescue a kidnapped nun from her tyrannical father who is having the Catholicism deprogrammed out of her. Only Dortmunder could gather a group of thieves to rescue a nun and end up facing a mercenary army set for a Central American Revolution. Full of hilarious incident after hilarious incident, this is the Dormunder gang at its best.

What fun as Dortmunder rescues a silent nun.
Sister Mary Grace has two callings: one is to join a convent of cloistered nuns who have taken vows of silence, the other is from her father to take her rightful place among the heirs to his corporate empire. Enter burglar by trade and knight-in-not-so-shining armor John Dortmunder to rescue Sister Mary Grace who is being held captive by her father on the 76th floor of his office tower. Dortmunder's heroism is hilarious. Imagine his list of phobias when the Sister tells him to hide in a dishwasher. Then, imagine his description of his pretzel shape when he emerges. You will find yourself chuckling often as you read this book. Thank you, Donald Westlake.