The Hot Rock (Dortmunder, #1)

The Hot Rock introduces John Archibald Dortmunder, the thief whose capers never quite come off, as he and his convict friends plot to steal the fabulous Balaboma Emerald.

John Dortmunder, thief extraordinaire, wants nothing to do with the Balabomo Emerald. But when the African nation of Talabwo bids handsomely for his services, Dortmunder changes his tune to "Balabomo or bust."
Bust seems more likely and Talabwo finances a fiasco. As Dortmunder's gang strikes by car, helicopter and train, one heist after another goes wrong and the green gem keeps slipping away. As events prove, there's one thing Dortmunder can't stand: an emerald with a sense of humor!