What do You think about Why Me? (1994)?
Read some of my other Dortmunder reviews to get an idea of what I think of this superb and wacky set of books. I love 'em. And Why Me? is one of the lightest, silliest ones Westlake wrote. He was certainly in a screwy mood when he wrote this book. A short read, this one had me laughing so much I was reading bits and pieces of it to my wife, who doesn't really like these types of books, but she enjoyed the excerpts, laughing along with me. And what more can you say about John Dortmunder's bad luck? Even when he gets lucky, and it's the best piece of luck he's ever had, all it does is put him at odds with every cop, every FBI agent, and every criminal in the greater New York area. Worst of all, this "good" luck of his puts him on the bad side of Tiny Bulcher, and Tiny's bad side is so bad you could run for years and never get to a corner that turns in the direction of Tiny's good side. But Dortmunder's persistent belief in his eventual demise aside, he doggedly holds fate at bay as he pessimistically waits for that one moment when he'll come up with a plan to thwart his doom. All with his best friend Andy Kelp and his dear lady friend May at his side.Great stuff, from beginning to end.
—Jason Reeser
Meanwhile, at the United Nations...While two of the intruders made determined but clumsy efforts to reclose the door they'd just demolished, their leader (known as Gregor) turned to the leader of the group at the table (code name Marko) and said, "We are here to negotiate with you dogs."Marko grimaced, scrinching up his eyes and baring his upper teeth: "What kind of debased language is that?""I am speaking to you in your own miserable tongue.""Well, don't. It's painful to my ears.""No more than
—Jonah
