Donald E. Westlake was an exceptionally prolific and talented author of American crime fiction, renowned for his cinematic prose and brisk dialogue. His works often delved into the lives of thieves and criminals, with memorable characters like the unlucky John Dortmunder and the ruthless Parker. Westlake was a master craftsman, capable of crafting thrilling narratives with unexpected twists and a keen insight into human nature. His ability to write under various pseudonyms and adapt his stories for film underscores his versatility and lasting impact on the genre.
This companion volume features a stunning oversized slipcase edition that brings together two acclaimed works, The Score and Slayground. Celebrated for its quality, this collection follows the success of the award-winning Martini Edition, offering fans an elegant presentation of these stories.
Knocking over a lucrative religious revival show, Parker reminds us that not all criminals don ski masks - some prefer to hide behind the wings of fallen angels. Backflash followed soon after, and it found Parker checking out the scene on a Hudson River gambling boat.
This collection features the complete works of Darwyn Cooke's acclaimed graphic novels, celebrated for their innovative storytelling and artistic style. Combining multiple award-winning narratives, it showcases Cooke's unique approach to the graphic novel format, making it a significant addition for both new readers and long-time fans. This softcover volume brings together these groundbreaking stories in one comprehensive edition, highlighting Cooke's impact on the genre.
When John Dortmunder sets out to rob a bank, he really means it. He steals the whole thing. With the help of his usual crew, as well as a sophomoric ex-FBI man and a militant safecracker, Dortmunder puts a set of wheels under a trailer that just happens to be the temporary site of the Capitalists' & Immigrants' Trust Corp. When the safe won't open and the cops close in, Dortmunder realizes he's got to find a place -- somewhere in suburban Long Island -- to hide a bank. "One of the funniest conceptions you're going to come across...the ending is hilarious." (The New York Times)
You are in the jungles of Belize. You pick your way carefully along the overgrown trail until you come to the clearing. There, above you, rest the ruins of a Mayan pyramid. Is that a stone whistle at your feet? An idol of a bat- god? Riches surround you and Kirby Galaway will be more than happy to smuggle your finds up to the United States in a bale of marijuana. Aren't you glad you met Kirby? ..... Now it is your turn to meet Kirby Galaway and begin the most hilarious adventure of your life.
The master of the comic caper is back with a new riotous tale of double identity. When Art Dodge falls in love with beautiful twins, he wants both all to himself. So, Art and Bart Dodge marry the girls, until he is exhausted and decides Bart has to go.
Set against a backdrop of societal change, this book explores the complexities of human relationships and personal growth. The narrative delves into the lives of its characters, revealing their struggles and triumphs as they navigate the challenges of their time. Themes of love, identity, and resilience are woven throughout, making it a poignant reflection on the human experience. The author's insightful prose captures the essence of the era, inviting readers to connect deeply with the characters' journeys.
The thief Parker teams up with some crooks to steal half a million dollars from a TV evangelist. But one cannot keep his mouth shut and Parker is on the run, pursued by people on both sides of the law.
Bumbling comic criminal John Dortmunder is in hot water as he tries to keep a nasty old man from blowing up a dam to unearth $750,000. Dortmunder must devise a safer scheme to get the loot... before the old coot's trigger finger gets too itchy.
Parker robs a rock concert, but the heist goes sour, and he finds himself - and his woman, Claire - menaced by a pair of sadistic, drug-crazed hippies. Slayground turns the hunter into prey, as Parker gets trapped in a shuttered amusement park, besieged by a bevy of local mobsters.
After a four-way split following a job, George Uhl begins to pick off his fellow hoisters, one by one. His first mistake? He doesn't begin things by putting a bullet into Parker.
Stuck in jail while awaiting trial, Parker builds a network among his fellow cons to assist him in getting out, but when he becomes involved in a heist set up by one of his fellow escapees, they suddenly find themselves on the run.
Interrupted during a burglary by the owner of the Long Island mansion he had been trying to rob, professional thief Dortmunder encounters a bit of bad luck when he loses his lucky ring
JAILED FOR A JOKE It isn't easy going to jail for a practical joke. Of course, this particular joke left 20 cars wrecked on the highway and two politicians' careers in tatters - so jail is where Harold Künt landed. Now he's just trying to keep a low profile in the Big House. He wants no part of his fellow inmates' plan to use an escape tunnel to rob two banks. But it's too late; he's in it up to his neck. And that neck may just wind up in a noose... HELP I AM BEING HELD PRISONER is Donald E. Westlake at his funniest and his most ingenious, a rediscovered crime classic from the MWA Grand Master returning to stores for the first time in three decades.
In a seemingly idyllic town, private investigator Tim Smith, known as The Operator, maintains a fragile peace amidst underlying corruption. However, the tranquility shatters when a series of killings disrupts the community. As chaos ensues, Tim is thrust into a dangerous investigation that challenges the balance of his town and his role in it.
Parker mistakenly involves an amateur in his plan, which includes a woman named Claire.
The seventh book in the Parker series, this describes the aftermath of a brilliant heist at a college football game
Parker works with a group of professional con men on his biggest job yet - robbing an entire town in North Dakota.
Parker robs a rock concert, but the heist goes sour, and he finds himself - and his woman, Claire - menaced by a pair of sadistic, drug-crazed hippies. Slayground turns the hunter into prey, as Parker gets trapped in a shuttered amusement park, besieged by a bevy of local mobsters.
When the Outfit tries to kill him, Parker declares war. Ripping off the syndicate is easy, but going one-on-one with Bronson, the Outfit's big boss, is the hard part. Hard for anyone but Parker, because the entire underworld understands that whatever Parker does -- he does for keep
Parker robs a rock concert, but the heist goes sour, and he finds himself - and his woman, Claire - menaced by a pair of sadistic, drug-crazed hippies. Slayground turns the hunter into prey, as Parker gets trapped in a shuttered amusement park, besieged by a bevy of local mobsters.
John Dortmunder and his merry crew stumble upon a television reality show whose producer decides to push the limits of the medium. The studio will film the gang as they plan and execute one of their patented nothing-can-go-wrong-until-it-does capers. As the gang strategizes its next move with the cameras rolling, Dortmunder and his partner Kelp organize a private side enterprise. It will take an ingenious plan to outwit the executive suits and keep viewers glued to their television sets. But Dortmunder is nothing if not persistent, and he's determined to end this shoot with extra money in his pockets. GET REAL is the last hilarious caper by the late Grand Master of mystery and suspense Donald E. Westlake.
Originally published: New York: Mysterious Press, 2000.
Together at last. Under the pseudonym Richard Stark, Donald E. Westlake, one of the greats of crime fiction, wrote twenty-four fast-paced, hard-boiled novels featuring Parker, a shrewd career criminal with a talent for heists and a code all his own. With the publication of the last four Parker novels Westlake wrote-Breakout, Nobody Runs Forever, Ask the Parrot, and Dirty Money-the University of Chicago Press pulls the ultimate score: for the first time ever, the entire Parker series will be available from a single publisher. In Ask the Parrot, Parker's back on the run, dodging dogs, cops, and even a helicopter. Forced to work with a small-town recluse and a group of fools at a gun club in rural Massachusetts, Parker focuses on getting the cash and getting out. It'll be a deadly day at the races. Featuring new forewords by Chris Holm, Duane Swierczynski, and Laura Lippman-celebrated crime writers, all-these masterworks of noir are the capstone to an extraordinary literary run that will leave you craving more. Written over the course of fifty years, the Parker novels are pure artistry, adrenaline, and logic both brutal and brilliant. Join Parker on his jobs and read them all again or for the first time. But don't talk to the law.
Together at last. Under the pseudonym Richard Stark, Donald E. Westlake, one of the greats of crime fiction, wrote twenty-four fast-paced, hard-boiled novels featuring Parker, a shrewd career criminal with a talent for heists and a code all his own. With the publication of the last four Parker novels Westlake wrote-Breakout, Nobody Runs Forever, Ask the Parrot, and Dirty Money-the University of Chicago Press pulls the ultimate score: for the first time ever, the entire Parker series will be available from a single publisher. Nobody Runs Forever opens a three-part saga with a job at a poker game that sours into a necktie party. When Parker goes in on a messy scam-stealing an armored car-with someone he barely knows, as usual the amateurs get in the way of the job. Featuring new forewords by Chris Holm, Duane Swierczynski, and Laura Lippman-celebrated crime writers, all-these masterworks of noir are the capstone to an extraordinary literary run that will leave you craving more. Written over the course of fifty years, the Parker novels are pure artistry, adrenaline, and logic both brutal and brilliant. Join Parker on his jobs and read them all again or for the first time. But don't talk to the law.
THE CRIME WAS OVER IN A MINUTE – THE CONSQUENCES LASTED A LIFETIME Hospitalized after a liaison with another man’s wife ends in violence, Paul Cole has just one goal: to rebuild his shattered life. But with his memory damaged, the police hounding him, and no way even to get home, Paul’s facing steep odds – and a bleak fate if he fails… This final, never-before-published novel by three-time Edgar Award winner Donald E. Westlake is a noir masterpiece, a dark and painful portrait of a man’s struggle against merciless forces that threaten to strip him of his very identity.
A Parker novel, which has the main character in Sagamore, Nebraska, at the request of Joe Sheer, a retired safe cracker who carries many of Parker's criminal secrets.
Here's Parker--planning to steal the entire payroll of an Air Force base in upstate New York, with help from Marty Fusco, fresh out of the pen, and a smart aleck finance clerk named Devers. Holed up with family in a scrappy little town, the hoisters prepare for the risky job by trying to shorten the odds. But the ice is thinner than Parker likes to think--and Marty's ex-wife is much more complicated. "Parker is refreshingly amoral, a thief who always gets away with the swag."--Stephen King, Entertainment Weekly "Westlake knows precisely how to grab a reader, draw him or her into the story, and then slowly tighten his grip until escape is impossible."--Washington Post Book World
Parker and his team attempt to get past a mansion's security and heist a Montana millionaire's stolen paintings. No matter how untamed the wilderness, Parker's guaranteed to be the most dangerous predator around.
Doublecrossed, shot and left for dead in a burning house by his wife and one-time partner, Parker is out for revenge. They thought they had left him for dead, but Parker survived and now he's out for revenge and prepared to do whatever it takes. Stark's brutal novel was made into the cult classic film starring Lee Marvin.
This collection of stories traces the hard-working, danger-filled days of middle-aged Brooklyn detective Abe Levine, a man struggling with conflict and death
The multi-award-winning, widely-acclaimed mystery master Donald E. Westlake delivers a masterpiece with this brilliant, laser-sharp tale of the deadly consequences of corporate downsizing.Burke Devore is a middle-aged manager at a paper company when the cost-cutting ax falls, and he is laid off. Eighteen months later and still unemployed, he puts a new spin on his job search -- with agonizing care, Devore finds the seven men in the surrounding area who could take the job that rightfully should be his, and systematically kills them. Transforming himself from mild-mannered middle manager to ruthless murderer, he discovers skills ne never knew ne had -- and that come to him far too easily.
The fourth Parker novel has the main character coming up against the KGB while on the trail of a small statue stolen from a fifteenth-century French tomb
Parker is enlisted by the mob to knock off an island casino guarded by speed- boats and heavies, forty miles from the Texas coast.
Master thief Parker visits a plastic surgeon in Nebraska to hide the face that the New York syndicate wants to destroy, but now, with a whole new face, Parker sets out to plan the perfect heist of an armored car, but somehow things still keep going wrong
Fresh out of prison, Dortmunder plans a heist that could mean war. John Dortmunder leaves jail with ten dollars, a train ticket, and nothing to make money on but his good name. Thankfully, his reputation goes far. No one plans a caper better than Dortmunder. His friend Kelp picks him up in a stolen Cadillac and drives him away from Sing-Sing, telling a story of a 500,000 emerald that they just have to steal. Dortmunder doesn't hesitate to agree. The emerald is the crown jewel of a former British colony, lately granted independence and split into two nations: one for t
Tom Diskant, a writer, struggles to get a Christmas anthology published, and wishes his estranged wife would get involved with someone else so that he could marry his girlfriend
Set against the backdrop of a cross-country taxi cab journey, this final unpublished novel captures the essence of adventure and romance. The narrative showcases the author's signature style, blending humor and heart as characters navigate their relationships and the diverse landscapes of America. This work is a poignant reminder of the author's legacy, celebrating their unique voice and storytelling prowess that fans continue to cherish.
THE MOVIE STAR AND THE MOVIE CRITIC - HOW FAR WOULD THEY GO TO KEEP THEIR SECRETS BURIED? DOUBLE FEATURE contains two CLASSIC Donald E. Westlake novellas, A Travesty and Ordo
The MWA Grand Master's Great Lost Novel - First Time in Paperback!
The year is 1977, and America is finally getting over the nightmares of Watergate and Vietnam and the national hangover that was the 1960s. But not everyone is ready to let it go. Not aging comedian Koo Davis, friend to generals and presidents and veteran of countless USO tours to buck up American troops in the field. And not the five remaining members of the self-proclaimed People's Revolutionary Army, who've decided that kidnapping Koo Davis would be the perfect way to bring their cause back to life... The final novel from the legendary Donald Westlake!
A corrupt African colonel has smuggled diamonds to Manhattan, prompting four citizens to plan a heist to reclaim their nation's wealth. They enlist Parker, a skilled specialist, who faces pressure from both his girlfriend's expectations and threats from hired goons. Will he break his rule against amateurs to help them?
SOMETIMES WINNING FEELS AN AWFUL LOT LIKE LOSING. Cab driver Chet Conway was hoping for a good tip from his latest fare, the sort he could spend. But what he got was a tip on a horse race. Which might have turned out okay, except that when he went to collect his winnings Chet found his bookie lying dead on the living room floor. Chet knows he had nothing to do with it – but just try explaining that to the cops, to the two rival criminal gangs who each think Chet’s working for the other, and to the dead man’s beautiful sister, who has flown in from Las Vegas to avenge her brother’s murder…
* mark n. An easy victim; a ready subject for the practices of a confidence man, thief, beggar, etc. That's the definition of a mark, and Fred Fitch is the quintessential example. He boasts the largest collection of fake receipts, phony bills of sale, and counterfeit sweepstakes tickets in the Western Hemisphere. Uniquely, he is also the only New Yorker in the twentieth century to purchase a money machine. Every con artist in New York sees hitting Fred as essential; he’s the ultimate target. When his long-lost Uncle Matt dies, leaving Fred three hundred thousand dollars, it sets off a chaotic chain of events. With this windfall, Fred attracts unwanted attention, especially since Uncle Matt was murdered, and now someone is determined to do the same to him. Along the way, he encounters two charming women of contrasting types, adding to the chaos. As Fred navigates the New York City landscape—interacting with cops, con men, and potential murderers—his journey resembles that of a comedic hero caught in a whirlwind of absurdity. The mix of comedy and suspense ensures a wild ride filled with laughter and unexpected twists.
Sam Holt played TV-detective Jack Packard for five years, and he doesn't want to do it again. Not in a movie, not in dinner theater, not even in a commercial for the American Cancer Society. But his tough-minded girlfriend (It s not about you) has carried the day, and now he s stuck on an isolated island, hunting clues to a cancer cure alongside Charlie Chan, Miss Marple, and Sherlock Holmes. The script says they're doomed to failure (translation: Donate money to cancer research).And when a genuine murder crops up, their sleuthing isn't likely to be much more successful; after all, these folks are not famous detectives, they just play 'em on TV. But with the cops cut off by a storm and a killer stalking the island, Holt and Co. must play detective for real.
Sam Holt spent years playing Packard, everyone's favorite TV-detective; he's got no desire to play sleuth in real life. But when a long-lost pal calls with a rant about conspiracies, sinister cargo ships and hit men, and then gets poisoned at a party full of Holt's closest friends, there doesn't seem to be a lot of choice. Sure, Holt could leave it to the cops and cross his fingers. But Packard would never have taken such a weenie's way out. And Holt, to his astonishment, finds that he can't take it, either.
When a serious young journalist discovers a bloody corpse on the way to her new job at a sleazy tabloid paper, she is soon dodging bullets and matching wits with her enigmatic publisher.
A crime boss's right-hand man must find the real killer of Mavis St. Paul, a rich man's mistress, in order to clear the name of a two-bit punk accused of the crime who has been set up to take the fall by a clever cutie.
Ever-lovable but hapless crook John Dortmunder and his merry band of misfits attempt to drive off with a fleet of vintage automobiles in a con against a corrupt CEO who has lavished more of his company's money on himself than the boys at Enron and WorldCom combined.
Donald E. Westlake is one of the greats of crime fiction. Under the pseudonym Richard Stark, he wrote twenty-four fast-paced, hardboiled novels featuring Parker, a shrewd career criminal with a talent for heists. Using the same nom de plume, Westlake also completed a separate series in the Parker universe, starring Alan Grofield, an occasional colleague of Parker. While he shares events and characters with several Parker novels, Grofield is less calculating and more hot-blooded than Parker; think fewer guns, more dames. Not that there isn’t violence and adventure aplenty. The third Grofield novel, The Blackbird shares its first chapter with Slayground: after a traumatic car crash, Parker eludes the police, but Grofield gets caught. Lying injured in the hospital, Grofield is visited by G-Men who offer him an alternative to jail, and he finds himself forced into a deadly situation involving international criminals and a political conspiracy. With a new foreword by Sarah Weinman that situates the Grofield series within Westlake’s work as a whole, this novel is an exciting addition to any crime fiction fan’s library.
Donald E. Westlake is one of the greats of crime fiction. Under the pseudonym Richard Stark, he wrote twenty-four fast-paced, hardboiled novels featuring Parker, a shrewd career criminal with a talent for heists. Using the same nom de plume, Westlake also completed a separate series in the Parker universe, starring Alan Grofield, an occasional colleague of Parker. While he shares events and characters with several Parker novels, Grofield is less calculating and more hot-blooded than Parker; think fewer guns, more dames. Not that there isn’t violence and adventure aplenty. . The Dame finds Grofield in Puerto Rico protecting a rich, demanding woman in her isolated jungle villa, and reluctantly assuming the role of detective. A rare Westlake take on a whodunit, The Dame features a cast of colorful characters and a suspenseful—and memorable—climax. With a new foreword by Sarah Weinman that situates the Grofield series within Westlake’s work as a whole, this novel is an exciting addition to any crime fiction fan’s library.
Seven years after he begins receiving mysterious checks that follow him as he moves through life, Josh Redmont, en route to a summer vacation, is approached by a stranger with information about Josh's identity. 35,000 first printing.
Actor Sam Holt has packed in Packard, the TV detective he played for several years to much acclaim and lots of money. But success has had its downside: Holt is so closely identified with Packard that he can't get hired to play anyone else. Suddenly, though, someone seems to have a new role for Holt: the role of Dead Body. Years of having watched stunt-drivers do their stuff help Holt avoid becoming a grease-spot on the San Diego Freeway, but his Volvo will never play the violin again. And if Holt can't figure out where the screenwriters are going with this one, he's not going to get a chance for a second take.
Francis gets out of prison if he'll pull off one very special heist--of an incriminating videotape that could cost the President of the United States his re-election, and maybe even his freedom. He's about to meet a whole new breed of conspirators: the kind that live in Washington, don't know how to keep a secret, and could get an honest crook killed...
Tis the Season to Be Deadly, Stories of Mistletoe and Mayhem From 17 Masters of Suspense - Advance Reader's Copy
Each year, for the past seventeen years, Mysterious Bookshop proprietor Otto Penzler has commissioned an original Christmas story by a leading suspense writer. These stories were then produced as pamphlets, just 1,000 copies, and given to customers of the bookstore as a Christmas present. Now, all seventeen tales have been collected in one volume, showcasing the talents of: Charles Ardai Lisa Atkinson George Baxt Lawrence Block Mary Higgins Clark Thomas H. Cook Ron Goulart Jeremiah Healy Edward D. Hoch Rupert Holmes Andrew Klavan Michael Malone Ed McBain Anne Perry S. J. Rozan Jonathan Santlofer Donald E. WestlakeSome of these stories are humorous, others suspenseful, and still others are tales of pure detection, but all of them together make up a charming collection and a perfect Christmas gift for all ages.
Donald E. Westlake is one of the greats of crime fiction. Under the pseudonym Richard Stark, he wrote twenty-four fast-paced, hardboiled novels featuring Parker, a shrewd career criminal with a talent for heists. Using the same nom de plume, Westlake also completed a separate series in the Parker universe, starring Alan Grofield, an occasional colleague of Parker. While he shares events and characters with several Parker novels, Grofield is less calculating and more hot-blooded than Parker; think fewer guns, more dames. Not that there isn’t violence and adventure aplenty. The Damsel begins directly after the Parker novel The Handle. Following a wounded Grofield and his damsel on a scenic, action-packed road trip from Mexico City to Acapulco, The Damsel is full of wit, adrenaline, and political intrigue. With a new foreword by Sarah Weinman that situates the Grofield series within Westlake’s work as a whole, these novels are an exciting addition to any crime fiction fan’s library.
He'd Lost Everything - Except His Eye for Vengeance - Complete and Unabridged
The men in the tan-and-cream Chrysler came with guns blazing. When Ray woke up in the hospital a month later, he was missing an eye, and his father was dead. Then things started to get bad... From the incomparable Donald E. Westlake comes a devastating story of betrayal and revenge, exploring the limits of family loyalty and how far a man will go when everything he loves is taken from him.
The men in the tan-and-cream Chrysler came with guns blazing. When Ray Kelly woke up in the hospital, it was a month later, he was missing an eye, and his father was dead. Then things started to get bad.From the mind of the incomparable Donald E. Westlake - Mystery Writers of America Grandmaster and Academy Award nominee for the screenplay of The Grifters - comes a devastating story of betrayal and revenge, an exploration of the limits of family loyalty and how far a man will go when everything he loves is taken from him.
In the funniest crime caper ever from Grandmaster Donald Westlake, four teams of international thieves race through Paris to steal a king's ransom from the walls of a disassembled castle. A DIRTY DOZEN WITH A FRENCH CONNECTION When four groups of international heist artists team up to pull off the theft of the century – stealing an entire castle, and the treasure hidden in its walls –what could possibly go wrong? Well, consider this: none of the master thieves speak each other’s languages... and no one knows precisely where the loot is stashed... and every one of them wants to steal it all for him or herself. It’s MWA Grand Master Donald E. Westlake at his wildest, a breathless slapstick chase through the streets of Paris only one step ahead of the law – and each other.
Exploring existential questions, this book delves into the human experience of seeking identity, purpose, and meaning in life. It reflects on the universal desires for love, friendship, and happiness, highlighting the journey between birth and death as a quest for understanding our place in the world. Through thoughtful contemplation, it invites readers to engage with profound themes that resonate deeply within us all.
The Remarkable True Story of the 1969 British Invasion of Anguilla
Set in early 1969, the story unfolds on the Caribbean island of Anguilla, which has transformed into a center of rebellion and criminal activity. The narrative explores the island's turbulent atmosphere, highlighting the clash between local insurgents and external influences, as well as the impact of gangsters seeking refuge there. The book delves into the complexities of this unique historical moment, capturing the essence of a community grappling with change and conflict.
Preserving a significant work in literary history, this modern edition of a classical book has been reformatted and retyped for clarity and readability. Alpha Editions aims to ensure that this important narrative remains accessible to both present and future generations, emphasizing the commitment to high-quality publishing standards. The effort to avoid scanned copies enhances the reading experience, making it a valuable addition to any collection.
This is the story of a White Rabbit named Oliver who meets a Black Alice named Leona in the Blunderland of the New York City public school system, and of how even a rabbit who doesn't know what time it is can sometimes come in first. When Oliver Abbott (100 percent white) takes a teaching post at Schuyler Colfax High School (93 percent black) that the local community wanted filled by a black man, there just isn't going to be anything in front of our hero but trouble. The trouble starts normally enough with picket signs and a student strike, but it doesn't end there, not with well-meaning Oliver at the middle of the whirlpool. Oliver just can't get it through his non-woolly head that he's important enough to be the center of a controversy. He seeks explanations, and they are furnished by a beautiful black militant name Leona Roof. When the explanations begin to get more personal, Oliver compounds his interest in Leona, and troubles with the rest of the world. If you would like to know what really happens during a Black Caucus (not exactly the same as a Black Mass), if you'd like to meet a hero's mother who makes lemonade for the people picketing the house, then lift Up Your Banners and start to read a message novel whose message is: As Long As We're All This Foolish, There's Probably Still Hope.
Burk Devore, ein gescheiterter Manager, hat seit zwei Jahren keinen Job und kämpft um seine Familie. Um seine Ziele zu erreichen, plant er, seine Konkurrenten auszuschalten, um die gewünschte Stelle zu bekommen. Ist Mord als Notwehr gegen den Stellenabbau gerechtfertigt?
Kelp, a troublesome jinx, convinces Dortmunder to base their next gang caper on a kidnapping that works for the criminals in his favorite pulp novel. Of course, plans never survive their execution. Dortmunder tries to simplify the printed plot for real life, but their target Jimmy 11 has his own ideas.
A high-octane trip across America, The Score finds Parker assembling the best caper men he can find to knock over his most audacious target yet: an entire town. They scheme, they prepare, and they execute with military precision, unaware that the whole thing is about to blow up in their faces. Long considered a high water mark in the Parker series, this new graphic adaptation brings the original to violent, double-crossing life. Darwyn Cooke, Eisner-Award winning creator of DC: The New Frontier, continues adapting Richard Stark's genre-defining Parker novels with his signature pulp flair in this third installment. A hard-nosed thief, Parker is Richard Stark's most famous creation, and Stark, in turn, is the most famous pen name of Mystery Writers of America Grand Master Donald E. Westlake.
Tout commence dans la salle de lecture d'une bibliothèque de Manhattan. Bryce Proctorr, auteur à succès, y prend des notes pour son prochain roman, qu'il a du mal à commencer. Il faut dire que Bryce est au milieu d'un divorce particulièrement pénible, et que Lucie, sa future ex-femme, a promis de le saigner à blanc. Soudain, Bryce aperçoit Wayne Prentice, un " collègue " avec lequel il a débuté. Mais qui n'a pas eu sa chance : il est sur la fameuse liste " intermédiaire " de l'ordinateur des commerciaux, celle qui recense les écrivains dont la courbe des ventes est descendante. Les conséquences sont faciles à prévoir : moins de livres mis en place dans les librairies, des avances de plus en plus faibles, le début d'un cercle vicieux. Les deux hommes, qui ne se sont pas revus depuis des années, exposent leurs difficultés, et Bryce a soudain une idée de génie : Wayne a un manuscrit, mais pas d'éditeur ; Bryce a un éditeur, mais pas de manuscrit. Wayne va donc " vendre " son œuvre à Bryce qui la fera publier sous son nom, et les bénéfices seront répartis de façon égale. Wayne accepte. C'est alors que Bryce ajoute une clause à l'étrange contrat qui va les lier : son épouse doit mourir. Dans la lignée du Couperet, un Westlake impitoyable qui dissèque les mœurs éditoriales américaines et illustre à sa façon le mythe de Faust, jusqu'au final aussi imprévisible que saisissant.
Ungezählten Filmproduzenten überließ der große Donald Westlake alias Richard Stark die Rechte an seinem Helden, aber nie einem Comicverlag – bis Darwyn Cooke zu ihm kam. Es war ein geniales Match, das mit dieser Prachtausgabe noch einmal gefeiert wird. In der Kriminalliteratur sucht Parker bis heute seinesgleichen. “Sein Gesicht war ein Brocken Beton mit Augen aus staubigem Onyx. Sein Mund ein flüchtiger, blutleerer Strich. Seine Hände sahen aus, als hätte ein Bildhauer, der in großen Linien dachte, sie aus braunem Lehm geformt. Die Ladys in den Büros wussten, wie er war. Sie wussten, er konnte auf eine Frau fallen wie ein Baumstamm in der Nacht.” Band 1 enthält "The Hunter", eine 24-seitige Adaption von "Parkers Rache", "Die Gorillas", eine Kurzfassung von "Der Amateur" sowie umfassendes Bonusmaterial.
Wybitna adaptacja powieści R. Starka (twórcy thrillerów z gatunku 'hard boiled'). Kilka powieści o Parkerze zostało zaadaptowane na srebrny ekran, do najważniejszych zalicza się „Zbieg z Alcatraz” (Point blank) z 1967 z Lee Marvinem w roli głównej oraz „Godzina zemsty” (Playback) z Melem Gibsonem. Twórcą komiksowej adaptacji jest D. Cook (znany w Polsce m.in. jako autor komiksu 'Strażnicy Początek: Gwardziści) Cook jest wielokrotnym laureatem nagrody Eisnera, najwyższego wyróżnienia w branży komiksowej. Do 2013 roku został nagrodzony 10 razy, z czego 5 nagród otrzymał za serię „Parker”.
Hot on the heels of his return in the enthusiastically acclaimed "Comeback", Parker, master thief extraordinaire, engineers a lucrative--and very deadly--gambling heist.
Hardboiled-Krimi vom Feinsten Parker will das Geld holen, das er bei seinem Banküberfall zurücklassen musste. Dumm nur, dass die damals beteiligten Kumpel plötzlich auf eigene Faust arbeiten wollen. Und dass andere Gangster Wind davon bekommen. Und dass die Scheine nummeriert sind. Ganz zu schweigen von der Polizei, die an jeder Straßenkreuzung auf ihn lauert. Band 3 der Parker-Reihe bei dtv
John Dortmunder, artista del crimine e ladro di onorevole carriera, ne ha viste tante e tante ne ha fatte. Ma questa volta l'incarico che ha accettato è davvero strano: si tratta di recuperare un femore. Non uno qualunque, si capisce, ma quello che ottocento anni fa sosteneva la nobile figura di una casta giovanetta, cui toccò l'orribile sorte di essere uccisa e mangiata dai suoi familiari, e il raro privilegio di essere poi beatificata. E adesso i servizi segreti di mezzo mondo si disputano le sacre spoglie mortali di santa Ferghana. Inutile dire che Dortmunder non riesce a resistere: un piccolo ritocco alla paga, ed eccolo che raduna la sua banda di sbandati per gettarsi in una nuova impresa.
La vicenda di uno scrittore di romanoromanzi come grottesca, esilarante metafora della vita - romanzo
Il suo amico Rod gli aveva detto: "Se sei capace di scrivere una lettera senza errori, sei capace di scrivere un romanzo erotico". E così Ed Topliss si era convinto e aveva scritto, al ritmo di uno al mese, ventotto pornolibri. Ma arrivato al ventinovesimo, scopre di non farcela più. E non solo non riesce più a scrivere Passioni deliranti, Sesso d'estate e Fuga nel piacere, ma si trova anche immerso in una riflessione sulla sua vita: il matrimonio, gli amici, il mestiere di scrittore di pornoromanzi. Con Addio, Shéhérazade l'ironico e scintillante Westlake raggiunge il massimo dello humour e del divertimento.
