Donald E. Westlake, the famously prolific mystery writer noted for his cinematic storytelling, died on Dec. 31 at age 75 of an apparent heart attack while on vacation in Mexico, according to the New York Times.
Westlake began publishing in the early 1960s and showed a mastery of the comic heist caper in novels starring the hapless crook John Dortmunder such as The Hot Rock (1970) and Bank Shot (1972)—both adapted into successful films starring, respectively, Robert Redford and George C. Scott. Writing under the pseudonym Richard Stark, he produced nearly two dozen mystery gems starring the single-named Parker, a coolly professional criminal with sociopathic tendencies who recalled Patricia Highsmith’s Tom Ripley in everything but style. (While Ripley was more of a sexually ambiguous dandy with the airs of an artist, Parker sprang more from the no-nonsense hardboiled mold of a Dashiell Hammett character.) The first Parker book, The Hunter, which pits our antihero against the woman and best friend who betrayed him (as well as a Mafia-like "Oufit"), was adapted to the screen twice, first as the 1967 thriller Point Blank starring Lee Marvin and later as 1999′s Payback starring Mel Gibson.
With his penchant for twisty plots and witty dialogue, Westlake was a favorite in Hollywood. He also wrote several screenplays himself, picking up an Oscar nomination for director Stephen Frears’ 1990 film The Grifters starring Anjelica Huston and John Cusack as mother-son baddies. (The script was adapted from a novel by another undersung writer, Jim Thompson.)
Westlake, who set most of his books in his native New York City, was a pioneer in another sense. Working in an era long before writers like James Patterson could extend their personal brands churning out as many as five or six new titles annually, Westlake published as many as four books a year — but under a seemingly endless series of pseudonyms. In addition to Richard Stark, there was Tucker Coe, Samuel Holt, Edwin West, and J. Morgan Cunningham. On his website, Westlake noted that the cover of Cunningham’s 1970 book, Comfort Station, even contains one of his favorite blurbs: "I wish I had written this book!" — Donald E. Westlake. You’ve got to admire a guy who could get away with blurbing himself.
The Dortmunder novels mentioned here as the “comic heist cpares” are hilarious and well worth reading. Sad to see this talent pass away.
This guy was a phenomenal writer/entertainer/teller of tales. Anybody looking for a totally original horror/crime novel — and one that’s become newly timely — should grab a copy of THE AX immediately.
One of my favourites “Help I’m being held Prisoner
A great loss. My favorite writer. If you like heist stories you need to read his work. If you like capers, you should know the man practically invented the genre. A true heavyweight.
He was really the best in the business, and this is a truly devastating loss. Almost nothing makes me happier than reading one of his books, and I was reading one today when I heard about his passing. My thoughts are with his family and friends. I can’t imagine how they feel, as I am aching from this. I am so thankful for his writing. I miss him terribly already.I look forward to Stephen King’s thoughts, which I’m sure will be coming soon. Rest in Peace, Mr. Westlake. You have made a huge impact on so many lives. I am off to Dortmunder myself to find some solace….
The Mafia-like entity in the Parker books isn’t called the “Organization”; it’s called “the Outfit.”
What a loss! I look forward to each new book by him. I’ve read over 80 of his titles including those written under pseudonyms. All the Dortmuder novels are hysterical, but my favorite is the caper novel “Dancing Aztecs.” And his hard-boiled Stark series cannot be beat. What a loss …
I have every one of his books under every nom-de-plume. I was lucky enough to meet the lovely man a few years ago. What a horrible loss. My heart goes out to Abby.
LK
When I heard about his death, I thought, “What a crummy way to start a new year.” He was the best, versatile, and fresh. He kept my nose between the pages. After reading anything by “Westlake” I always looked forward to his next book. In the meantime, I’d find solace in catching up on his old classics down at the local library. Literary heroes shouldn’t die. I wish I could write like him.
Bad news to start the new year.
I read Dortmunder for years, and Parker later – took me till last year to figure out they were the same writer.
I happen to be reading a new release of “The Hunter” right now. Westlake is my favorite writer and has given me hours upon hours of reading pleasure. What a loss.
I will miss him like I miss Hammet and Hammer. Parker was one of a kind.
He was my idol – the reason I became a writer. His “High Adventure” and “Kahawa” inspired me to write and to travel overseas. I met him once at the Edgar Award ceremony and it ranks as my single best moment as an author. The world is suddenly a lot less interesting.
I can’t say I’m a huge fan or know all of his work, yet I am here. I read so many good books of different genres that it’s hard for any one author to stand out, yet I am here. When I saw the headline something clicked & I am here. I’ve read a bit of his work, but why did his name trigger such fond literary memories? I’ll leave that to his diehard fans to tell me here. Prayers to his family & friends. Even casual readers like me feel the loss.
I can’t imagine what rock I have been under, but came lately to Donald Westlake’s Dortmunder and determined to clear bookshelf space for anything/everything he has written. What a gift he had to be able to entertain so many!