One of crime fiction's all-time greats, Donald E. Westlake, died of a heart attack on New Year's Eve at the age of 75. The author of the Parker novels (under the pseudonym Richard Stark), Westlake also found success in screenwriting, most notably earning an Oscar nomination for adapting THE GRIFTERS. He will, it goes without saying, be missed.
BOOKGASM REVIEWS OF DONALD E. WESTLAKE:
• ASK THE PARROT by Richard Stark
• THE AX by Donald E. Westlake
• COPS AND ROBBERS by Donald E. Westlake
• DIRTY MONEY by Richard Stark
• THE HUNTER by Richard Stark
• KILLTOWN by Richard Stark
• LEMONS NEVER LIE by Richard Stark
• THE MAN WITH THE GETAWAY FACE by Richard Stark
• THE OUTFIT by Richard Stark
• PITY HIM AFTERWARDS by Donald E. Westlake
• POINT BLANK by Richard Stark
• SOMEBODY OWES ME MONEY by Donald E. Westlake
• THE SOUR LEMON SCORE by Richard Stark
• THE SPY IN THE OINTMENT by Donald E. Westlake
• 361 by Donald E. Westlake
• WHAT'S SO FUNNY? by Donald E. Westlake
• WHAT'S THE WORST THAT COULD HAPPEN? by Donald E. Westlake
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve been reading Westlake for more than 40 years. It’s hard for me to imagine the mystery field without him.
This is such a huge blow to all fans of crime fiction.
R.I.P Mr. Westlake/Stark.
What a lousy way to start the year. Goddamn but this sucks. The man could have written forever and never have gotten boring.
R.I.P., dear sir.
damn. i only started reading his stuff this last year, but it didn’t take long to realize how important he was to the genre. RIP sir
Indeed, a very sad way to start the New Year. And much like his friend and fellow writer, Ed McBain, the best way to honor his memory is to continue reading his works and recommending them to everyone we know. What a wonderful legacy this giant-of-an-author left us. Long may they remain in print and inspire generations of readers and writers to come.