---
product_id: 221007675
title: "Castle in The Air (Hard Case Crime, 148)"
brand: "donald e. westlake"
price: "8.10 OMR"
currency: OMR
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.com.om/products/221007675-castle-in-the-air-hard-case-crime-148
store_origin: OM
region: Oman
---

# Castle in The Air (Hard Case Crime, 148)

**Brand:** donald e. westlake
**Price:** 8.10 OMR
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Castle in The Air (Hard Case Crime, 148) by donald e. westlake
- **How much does it cost?** 8.10 OMR with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.com.om](https://www.desertcart.com.om/products/221007675-castle-in-the-air-hard-case-crime-148)

## Best For

- donald e. westlake enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted donald e. westlake brand quality
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## Description

Castle in The Air (Hard Case Crime, 148)

## Images

![Castle in The Air (Hard Case Crime, 148) - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51e-OB4-rzL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Don’t let the cover fool you
  

*by H***H on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on December 29, 2022*

Like the title don’t judge the book by it’s cover. Castle in the Air is a very enjoyable quick read that played out like a comedy. You will be laughing at the absurdity and antics  the characters get up to when trying to steal a castle filled with valuables. Think of it almost like an Oceans movie.My only gripe is it was too short. The plot progressed quickly for my taste. It was along the lines of meet the characters and boom they are in Paris about to steal the loot.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    A Lovely Confection
  

*by R***Z on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on April 22, 2021*

Crazed, comedic caper novels are Westlake’s forte and CASTLE IN THE AIR is a prime exemplar of his craft.  A slimey dictator from a fictional South American country is being sought for extermination by the political left, while the political right is happy to allow him to escape, so long as he surrenders the totality of his ill-gotten gains.  El Presidente has other plans; he will sequester his treasure in the stones of a local castle which will then be transported—piece by piece—to Paris for an international exhibition.  He will attend and recapture the loot.A British criminal named Eustace Dench has other ideas.  Linked with an informant from El Presidente’s country, he will assemble an international team of gonefs to steal the treasure, promising (halfheartedly) to return half to the country via his female informant.  The international team which he summons for the task consists of Germans, Frenchmen/women, Italian men/women and Englishmen.  Needless to say, no one trusts anyone and all are up for a major double-cross, even within their own national groups.Since all of the characters are hilariously stereotypical it is a short step to a bevy of now politically-incorrect belly laughs at their expense.  The book reminds us of the comedic possibilities of 1980, something for which many now hunger (including a wide array of professional comedians, forced to take their wares away from contemporary college campuses).Westlake knows his Paris—the principal setting—and he knows the nuances of the languages which tend to lead to mutual incomprehension and more laughs at the uncomprehending speakers’ expense.  He knows how to plot and he knows precisely how to craft a satisfying ending.This is a romp, pure entertainment, and largely harmless entertainment.  There is no gore, no dark side, no explicit sex, just good, clean politically-incorrect fun.  For that we can all be grateful.Thanks again to Charles Ardai for reissuing this lovely confection; we remain in his and HardCaseCrime’s continuing debt.

### ⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Let's Carjack a Castle
  

*by D***E on Reviewed in the United States 🇺🇸 on March 31, 2021*

Westlake's "Castle in the Air," now being republished after four decades, is one of his wacky comedic crime caper stories which stand in sharp contrast to his hard-edged Parker novels.  This one seems like it was originally thought of as a movie treatment.The idea is that the President of a fictional third-world republic is losing his grip on the country and has secreted enormous wealth in the flagstones of a castle.  The castle is being taken apart piece by piece and shipped to Paris as part of a World's Fair type exhibition.  In Paris, the devious el presidente and his wife are going to slowly tap into the hidden fortune in jewels.  But, others  from the little third world country have gotten wind of the operation and are going to intercept the stones and have engaged a crack team of thieves to do the job.Onward we go to small teams of crooks from Britain, Germany, and Italy, all speaking different languages and out to execute this devious plan to swipe a castle and make a fortune, the actual execution of which seems akin to the more recent movie, The Italian Job, but with a wacky cast of goofy stars in it.Overall, a mildly entertaining short novel that shows off Westlake's comedic touch.

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*Product available on Desertcart Oman*
*Store origin: OM*
*Last updated: 2026-03-18*