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4.0 out of 5 stars
Misdirection Is Nine-Tenths of the Law!, Jul 29 2003
Nobody's Perfect reminds me of the old story about how for lack of a nail . . . the kingdom is lost. Little things matter a lot in this story, so pay close attention!As the book opens, Dortmunder is about to begin a defense against being caught red-handed with a stack of television sets he is stealing. As a twice-convicted felon, that's bad news. Suddenly, in walks one of the great criminal defense attorneys, J. Radcliffe Stonewiler, Esq., and in an hour-and-a-half Dortmunder is a free man. What's going on? That's what Dortmunder wonders, too, and he soon finds out that he has an obligation to fulfill to Arnold Chauncey, a society collector who likes to fill in the gaps in his income with payments from his insurance company for art that has "disappeared." Although he's not excited about the caper, Dortmunder figures it will be pretty easy and the payoff is a large one. Then, while lifting a $400,000 painting, he decides to take just one or two other items . . . and everything begins to unravel. This story brings Dortmunder into the full realization that the bad luck that dogs him has more to do with him than with Andy Kelp, who he has been blaming for the problems that arose in Bank Shot, The Hot Rock and Jimmy the Kid. It also marks the introduction of that large and easily angered tough guy, Tiny Bulcher, who is a fixture of many of the best books in the series. The Continental Detective Agency also makes another appearance, having been reassigned after losing the bank in Bank Shot. One of the charms of this story is that Arnold Chauncey is one of the most larcenous rich people you will ever meet, aided by an indifference to the needs of others and a diabolical mind for finding ways to get what he wants. Donald E. Westlake sets up one of the funniest complications for having a heist go sour that you will ever read as the gang splits up and runs into unexpected challenges when a wee bit of the dew is upset. The story is filled with lengthy gags involving various aids that the criminals are using. You'll imagine yourself watching a very funny video as you read some of the sequences. After you finish enjoying this fine tale, think about where wanting just a little more has caused problems in your life. Where can more moderation serve you better in the future?
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