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.
Serving as an A-Z guide to the artists and bands who have shaped jazz, this work tracks the history of jazz and its changing styles.
Instead of robbing a bank, Dortmunder tries to steal the whole building.
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.
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.
After the publication of Butcher's Moon in 1974, Donald Westlake said, "Richard Stark proved to me that he had a life of his own by simply disappearing. He was gone." And readers waited. But nothing bad is truly gone forever, and Parker's as bad as they come. According to Westlake, one day in 1997, "suddenly, he came back from the dead, with a chalky prison pallor"--and the novels that followed showed that neither Parker nor Stark had lost a step. Backflash finds Parker checking out the scene on a Hudson River gambling boat. Parker's no fan of either relaxation or risk, however, so you can be sure he's playing with house money--and he's willing to do anything to tilt the odds in his favor. Featuring a great cast of heisters, a striking setting, and a new introduction by Westlake's close friend and writing partner, Lawrence Block, this classic Parker adventure deserve a place of honor on any crime fan's bookshelf.