Donald E. Westlake

Donald E. Westlake

Donald E. Westlake also wrote as: Richard Stark and Tucker Coe.

Donald E. Westlake was born in Brooklyn, New York, USA on July 12th, 1933 and passed away at the age of 75 on December 31st, 2008.

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Donald E. Westlake Stats: The highest rated book by Donald E. Westlake on Book Notification is The Hot Rock, the first novel in the Dortmunder series. The second-highest rated book is Payback / Point Blank / The Hunter (Parker #1).

The most read book by Donald E. Westlake on Book Notification is Payback / Point Blank / The Hunter, the first novel in the Parker series. The second most read book is The Hot Rock (Dortmunder #1).

Below is a complete list of Donald E. Westlake books in publication and chronological order, broken down by series. The most popular series by Donald E. Westlake is the Dortmunder Series.

List of Phil Crawford Books in Publication Order

Phil Crawford's journey through summer stock, off-Broadway, and a traveling tour company involves various women.

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
Backstage Love
1959
Go
2
What Girls Will Do
1962
Go

List of Parker Books in Publication Order (as Richard Stark)

Ranked by popularity, the top Parker books are Payback / Point Blank / The Hunter, The Steel Hit / The Man With The Getaway Face, and The Outfit.

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
8.2
Payback / Point Blank / The Hunter
1962
Go
2
8.3
The Steel Hit / The Man With The Getaway Face
1963
Go
3
8.5
The Outfit
1963
Go
4
9
The Mourner
1963
Go
5
9
The Score / Killtown
1963
Go
6
8
The Jugger
1965
Go
7
9
The Seventh / The Split
1966
Go
8
8
The Handle / Run Lethal
1966
Go
9
9
The Rare Coin Score
1967
Go
10
9
The Green Eagle Score
1967
Go
11
9
The Black Ice Score
1968
Go
12
9
The Sour Lemon Score
1969
Go
13
8.5
Slayground
1971
Go
14
10
Deadly Edge
1971
Go
15
Plunder Squad
1972
Go
16
Butcher's Moon
1974
Go
17
9.5
Comeback
1997
Go
18
Backflash
1998
Go
19
Flashfire / Parker
2000
Go
20
10
Firebreak
2001
Go
21
8
Breakout
2002
Go
22
8.7
Nobody Runs Forever
2004
Go
23
8.7
Ask The Parrot
2006
Go
24
8
Dirty Money
2008
Go

List of Mitch Tobin Books in Publication Order (as Tucker Coe)

Ranked by popularity, the top Mitch Tobin books are Kinds of Love, Kinds of Death, Murder Among Children, and Don't Lie To Me.

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
6
Kinds of Love, Kinds of Death
1966
Go
2
8
Murder Among Children
1967
Go
3
Wax Apple
1970
Go
4
A Jade In Aries
1970
Go
5
Don't Lie To Me
1972
Go

List of Alan Grofield Books in Publication Order (as Richard Stark)

Ranked by popularity, the top Alan Grofield books are Lemons Never Lie, The Damsel, and The Dame.

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
8
The Damsel
1967
Go
2
8
The Dame
1969
Go
3
8
The Blackbird
1969
Go
4
Lemons Never Lie
1971
Go

List of Dortmunder Books in Publication Order

Ranked by popularity, the top Dortmunder books are The Hot Rock, What's So Funny?, and Don't Ask.

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
8.3
The Hot Rock
1970
Go
2
Bank Shot
1972
Go
3
Jimmy The Kid
1974
Go
4
Nobody's Perfect
1977
Go
5
Why Me?
1983
Go
6
Good Behavior
1985
Go
7
Drowned Hopes
1990
Go
8
8.3
Don't Ask
1993
Go
9
What's The Worst That Could Happen?
1996
Go
10
8.5
Bad News
2001
Go
11
8.5
The Road To Ruin
2004
Go
12
8
Thieves' Dozen
2004
Go
13
7
Watch Your Back!
2005
Go
14
8.5
What's So Funny?
2007
Go
15
Get Real
2009
Go

List of Sam Holt Books in Publication Order

Ranked by popularity, the top Sam Holt books are The Fourth Dimension Is Death, One Of Us Is Wrong, and What I Tell You Three Times Is False.

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
One Of Us Is Wrong
1986
Go
2
I Know A Trick Worth Two Of That
1986
Go
3
What I Tell You Three Times Is False
1987
Go
4
6
The Fourth Dimension Is Death
1989
Go

List of Sara & Jack Books in Publication Order

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
7.3
Trust Me On This
1988
Go
2
Baby, Would I Lie?
1994
Go

List of Standalone Novels in Publication Order

Classic erotic thrillers and pulp fiction, including humor and drama.

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
Sally
1959
Go
2
Man Hungry
1959
Go
3
All My Lovers
1959
Go
4
SO WILLING.
1960
Go
5
All about Annette
1960
Go
6
Virgin's Summer
1960
Go
7
The Wife Next Door
1960
Go
8
6
The Mercenaries / The Cutie
1960
Go
9
Passion's Playthings
1961
Go
10
Call Me Sinner
1961
Go
11
Campus Doll
1961
Go
12
Brother and Sister
1961
Go
13
Killing Time
1961
Go
14
Young and Innocent
1961
Go
15
6
361
1962
Go
16
Strange affair.
1962
Go
17
Killy
1963
Go
18
Campus Lovers
1963
Go
19
Pity Him Afterwards
1964
Go
20
6
The Fugitive Pigeon
1965
Go
21
6
The Busy Body
1966
Go
22
Spy in the Ointment
1966
Go
23
8
God Save the Mark
1967
Go
24
Anarchaos
1967
Go
25
Philip
1967
Go
26
Who stole Sassi Manoon?
1968
Go
27
Up Your Banners
1969
Go
28
9
Somebody Owes Me Money
1969
Go
29
6
Adios Scheherazade
1970
Go
30
Comfort Station
1970
Go
31
Ex Officio
1970
Go
32
I Gave at the Office
1971
Go
33
Cops and Robbers
1972
Go
34
Gangway! (With: Brian Garfield)
1973
Go
35
Help, I Am Being Held Prisoner
1974
Go
36
8
Brothers Keepers
1975
Go
37
Two Much
1975
Go
38
Dancing Aztecs
1976
Go
39
4
Castle in the Air
1980
Go
40
8.3
Kahawa
1981
Go
41
A Likely Story
1984
Go
42
High Adventure
1985
Go
43
6
Humans
1992
Go
44
Smoke
1995
Go
45
7.3
The Ax
1997
Go
46
8
The Hook
2000
Go
47
The Scared Stiff
2001
Go
48
9
Put a Lid on It
2002
Go
49
9
Money for Nothing
2003
Go
50
Memory / The Actor
2010
Go
51
The Comedy is Finished
2012
Go
52
Forever and a Death
2017
Go
53
8
Call Me a Cab
2022
Go

List of Short Stories/Novellas in Publication Order

Short stories and fiction collection.

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
7.3
Too Many Crooks
1989
Go

List of Short Story Collections in Publication Order

Classic short fiction and humor.

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
Curious Facts Preceding My Execution
1968
Go
2
Enough
1978
Go
3
Levine
1984
Go
4
Transylvania Station (With: Abby Westlake)
1987
Go
5
Tomorrow's Crimes
1989
Go
6
A Good Story and Other Stories
1999
Go
7
Meteor Strike
2012
Go
8
8
Double Feature
2020
Go
9
The Spy in the Elevator
2020
Go

List of Non-Fiction Books in Publication Order

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
The Getaway Car
2014
Go

List of Akashic Noir Books in Publication Order

Features dark crime stories set in different cities or regions, each written by local authors who capture the gritty vibe of their location.

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
San Francisco Noir
2002
Go
2
Seattle Noir
2003
Go
3
Bronx Noir
2003
Go
4
Brooklyn Noir
2004
Go
5
8
Hasidic Noir
2004
Go
6
Brooklyn Noir 2
2005
Go
7
Chicago Noir
2005
Go
8
Dublin Noir
2005
Go
9
Manhattan Noir
2006
Go
10
4
Miami Noir
2006
Go
11
D.C. Noir
2006
Go
12
Baltimore Noir
2006
Go
13
Twin Cities Noir
2006
Go
14
London Noir
2006
Go
15
10
New Orleans Noir
2007
Go
16
Los Angeles Noir
2007
Go
17
Wall Street Noir
2007
Go
18
Havana Noir
2007
Go
19
Detroit Noir
2007
Go
20
Queens Noir
2008
Go
21
Brooklyn Noir 3: Nothing But the Truth
2008
Go
22
Toronto Noir
2008
Go
23
Las Vegas Noir
2008
Go
24
Trinidad Noir
2008
Go
25
D.C. Noir 2
2008
Go
26
Manhattan Noir 2
2008
Go
27
Paris Noir
2008
Go
28
Istanbul Noir
2008
Go
29
9
Boston Noir
2009
Go
30
Rome Noir
2009
Go
31
San Francisco Noir 2
2009
Go
32
Portland Noir
2009
Go
33
6
Delhi Noir
2009
Go
34
6
Phoenix Noir
2009
Go
35
Los Angeles Noir 2
2010
Go
36
Mexico City Noir
2010
Go
37
Richmond Noir
2010
Go
38
Orange County Noir
2010
Go
39
10
Indian Country Noir
2010
Go
40
Moscow Noir
2010
Go
41
Lone Star Noir
2010
Go
42
Philadelphia Noir
2010
Go
43
Haiti Noir
2010
Go
44
Copenhagen Noir
2010
Go
45
Pittsburgh Noir
2011
Go
46
San Diego Noir
2011
Go
47
Barcelona Noir
2011
Go
48
4
Cape Cod Noir
2011
Go
49
New Jersey Noir
2011
Go
50
Staten Island Noir
2012
Go
51
10
Mumbai Noir
2012
Go
52
Long Island Noir
2012
Go
53
6
Venice Noir
2012
Go
54
Kingston Noir
2012
Go
55
St. Petersburg Noir
2012
Go
56
Kansas City Noir
2012
Go
57
8
Boston Noir 2
2012
Go
58
USA Noir
2013
Go
59
Manila Noir
2013
Go
60
Buffalo Noir
2013
Go
61
Dallas Noir
2013
Go
62
Haiti Noir 2
2013
Go
63
9
Singapore Noir
2014
Go
64
Prison Noir
2014
Go
65
Tel Aviv Noir
2014
Go
66
Tehran Noir
2014
Go
67
10
Belfast Noir
2014
Go
68
Helsinki Noir
2014
Go
69
Rio Noir
2014
Go
70
Providence Noir
2015
Go
71
Chicago Noir: The Classics
2015
Go
72
Memphis Noir
2015
Go
73
7
Zagreb Noir
2015
Go
74
Marseille Noir
2015
Go
75
Beirut Noir
2015
Go
76
New Orleans Noir: The Classics
2016
Go
77
Stockholm Noir
2016
Go
78
Brussels Noir
2016
Go
79
Mississippi Noir
2016
Go
80
St. Louis Noir
2016
Go
81
Prague Noir
2016
Go
82
San Juan Noir
2016
Go
83
Oakland Noir
2017
Go
84
Trinidad Noir: The Classics
2017
Go
85
7
Atlanta Noir
2017
Go
86
New Haven Noir
2017
Go
87
Montana Noir
2017
Go
88
Buenos Aires Noir
2017
Go
89
Montreal Noir
2017
Go
90
Berlin Noir
2018
Go
91
São Paulo Noir
2018
Go
92
6
Santa Cruz Noir
2018
Go
93
Lagos Noir
2018
Go
94
Marrakech Noir
2018
Go
95
7
Baghdad Noir
2018
Go
96
7
Vancouver Noir
2018
Go
97
Sydney Noir
2018
Go
98
Hong Kong Noir
2018
Go
99
7
Amsterdam Noir
2019
Go
100
Milwaukee Noir
2019
Go
101
Houston Noir
2019
Go
102
Nairobi Noir
2020
Go
103
Columbus Noir
2020
Go
104
Santa Fe Noir
2020
Go
105
7
Alabama Noir
2020
Go
106
Berkeley Noir
2020
Go
107
7
Addis Ababa Noir
2020
Go
108
Tampa Bay Noir
2020
Go
109
Miami Noir: The Classics
2020
Go
110
8
Accra Noir
2020
Go
111
Belgrade Noir
2020
Go
112
Palm Springs Noir
2021
Go
113
Paris Noir: The Suburbs
2022
Go
114
8
Denver Noir
2022
Go
115
South Central Noir
2022
Go
116
Cleveland Noir
2023
Go
117
East Jerusalem Noir
2023
Go
118
West Jerusalem Noir
2023
Go
119
Honolulu Noir
2024
Go
120
Sacramento Noir
2025
Go
121
Hamburg Noir
2025
Go
Show All Books in this Series

List of Transgressions Books in Publication Order

Compiled by Ed McBain, features gripping novellas by top authors, offering new, engaging tales of crime and moral dilemmas.

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
Transgressions (With: Stephen King, Lawrence Block, Anne Perry, Jeffery Deaver, Sharyn McCrumb, Ed McBain, Bonnie Jeanne Perry, Joyce Carol Oates, Walter Mosley, John Farris)
2005
Go
2
6
Transgressions, Vol. 2 (By: Stephen King, Lawrence Block, Ed McBain, John Farris)
2006
Go
3
Transgressions, Vol. 3 (With: Anne Perry, Sharyn McCrumb, Ed McBain, John Farris)
2006
Go
4
Transgressions, Vol. 4 (By: Anne Perry, Sharyn McCrumb, Ed McBain)
2006
Go
Show All Books in this Series

List of Parker Graphic Novels in Publication Order (with Darwyn Cooke, as Richard Stark)

Ranked by popularity, the top Parker Graphic Novels books are The Hunter, The Outfit, and The Score.

ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
9
The Hunter
2009
Go
2
10
The Outfit
2010
Go
3
The Man with the Getaway Face
2010
Go
4
Richard Stark’s Parker: The Martini Edition
2011
Go
5
The Score
2012
Go
6
8
Slayground
2013
Go
Show All Books in this Series

List of Donald E. Westlake Anthologies in Publication Order

#ReadTitle Avg.YearBook Link
1
Simply The Best Mysteries, Edgar Award Winners And Front Runners
1970
Go
2
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow...
1974
Go
3
Tales to Send Chills Down Your Spine
1979
Go
4
Alfred Hitchcock's A Choice of Evils
1983
Go
5
High Jinx
1987
Go
6
Fifty Best Mysteries
1993
Go
7
Murderous Schemes
1996
Go
8
6
The Plot Thickens
1997
Go
9
The Mysterious Press Anniversary Anthology: Celebrating 25 Years
2001
Go
10
Transgressions
2005
Go
11
Price of Desire
2005
Go
12
6
Transgressions, Vol. 2
2006
Go
13
Transgressions, Vol. 3
2006
Go
14
Transgressions, Vol. 4
2006
Go
15
Paris Noir
2008
Go
Show All Anthologies
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Donald E. Westlake

Donald E. Westlake (Donald Edwin Westlake) was born on July 12th, 1933. Donald passed away December 31st, 2008 at 75 years old. Donald E. Westlake was born in Brooklyn, New York, USA.

Donald E. Westlake is known for writing in the Thriller and Crime Fiction genres.

Donald E. Westlake had written 53 standalone novels, starting with Sally in 1959. The most recently released novel was Call Me a Cab, which was released in 2022.

Donald E. Westlake also wrote the Parker series which has 24 books including Payback / Point Blank / The Hunter and The Steel Hit / The Man With The Getaway Face.

Westlake has been honoured on Japan's Kono Mystery ga Sugoi! list many times. In 1995, Dancing Aztecs was ranked #3 on the international list. Good Behavior took the 9th spot in 1998. The Ax was listed at #4 in 2002. In 2004, The Hook was ranked #5. Thieves' Dozen was ranked 8th on the list in 2010. In addition to his own name, writing as Richard Stark, his novel Comeback made the 2000 list at #5.

Donald E. Westlake: Awards & Accolades

Donald E. Westlake has won multiple awards including: The Anthony Award Lifetime Achievement Award, in 1997, Shamus Award Lifetime Achievement Award (The Eye), in 2004 and the Gumshoe Award Lifetime Achievement, in 2008.

Westlake's book, God Save the Mark won the Edgar Award, Best Mystery Novel, in 1968.

The following novels by Donald E. Westlake were also nominated for these awards:

  • The Mercenaries / The Cutie: Edgar Award, Best First Novel (1961).
  • The Busy Body: Edgar Award, Best Mystery Novel (1967).
  • The Hot Rock: Edgar Award, Best Mystery Novel (1971).
  • Kahawa: Edgar Award, Best Mystery Novel (1983).
  • Too Many Crooks: Macavity Award, Best Short Story (1990).
  • Humans: Hammett Prize, Best Crime Novel (1992).
  • The Ax: Macavity Award, Best Mystery Novel (1998).
  • Bad News: Barry Award, Best Novel (2002).
  • What's So Funny?: CrimeFest, Last Laugh Award (2008).
  • Don't Ask: CrimeFest, Last Laugh Award (2009).

Donald E. Westlake: Lists & Other Mentions

  • The Hot Rock: Mystery Writers of America: Top 100 Mystery Novels of All Time Selection in 1995.
  • Bank Shot: Mystery Writers of America: Top 100 Mystery Novels of All Time Selection in 1995.
  • Drowned Hopes: Telerama: The 100 Best Thrillers Selection in 2024.
  • God Save the Mark: Mystery Writers of America: Top 100 Mystery Novels of All Time Selection in 1995.

Related Authors

Fans of Donald E. Westlake also enjoy these authors:

  1. Elmore Leonard, author of the Raylan Givens Series.
  2. Jo Nesbø, author of the Harry Hole Series .
  3. Ian Rankin, author of the Inspector Rebus Series.
  4. Robert B. Parker, author of the Spenser Series.
  5. Adrian McKinty, author of the Detective Sean Duffy Series.
  6. Joe Ide, author of the IQ Series.
  7. Rob Hart, author of the Assassins Anonymous Series.
  8. Reed Farrel Coleman, author of the Jesse Stone Series.
  9. Raymond Chandler, author of the Philip Marlowe Series.
  10. John McMahon, author of the Head Cases (PAR Unit) Series.

Donald E. Westlake: F.A.Q

When was Donald E. Westlake Born?

Donald E. Westlake was born on July 12th, 1933.

When did Donald E. Westlake die?

Donald E. Westlake died on December 31st, 2008 at 75 years old.

Where was Donald E. Westlake Born?

Donald E. Westlake was born in Brooklyn, New York, USA.

What awards has Donald E. Westlake won?

Donald E. Westlake has won the following awards: Lifetime Achievement Award at the Anthony Award (1997), Lifetime Achievement Award (The Eye) at the Shamus Award (2004) and the Lifetime Achievement at the Gumshoe Award (2008).

What book awards has Donald E. Westlake won?

God Save the Mark: Edgar Award: Best Mystery Novel (1968).

What was the first book Donald E. Westlake wrote?

The first book written by Donald E. Westlake was Sally, published in 1959.

What was the most recent book Donald E. Westlake wrote?

His most recently released work was Call Me a Cab on February 1st, 2022.

What is the most popular book by Donald E. Westlake?

Based on the number of readers on Book Notification, the most popular Donald E. Westlake book is Payback / Point Blank / The Hunter. Here are his most popular books and their average ratings:
  1. Payback / Point Blank / The Hunter (8.20)
  2. The Hot Rock (8.25)
  3. The Steel Hit / The Man With The Getaway Face (8.33)
  4. What's So Funny? (8.50)
  5. The Outfit (8.50)

What genres does Donald E. Westlake Write?

Donald E. Westlake primarily writes in the Crime Fiction and Thriller genres. His work includes sub-genres such as Crime Thriller, Noir, and Hard-Boiled Detective Fiction.

How many books has Donald E. Westlake written?

Donald E. Westlake has written 125 books across 18 series and categories, excluding contributions to anthologies.
  • 2 books in the Phil Crawford Series
  • 24 books in the Parker Series
  • 5 books in the Mitch Tobin Series
  • 4 books in the Alan Grofield Series
  • 15 books in the Dortmunder Series
  • 4 books in the Sam Holt Series
  • 2 books in the Sara & Jack Series
  • 53 Standalone Novels
  • 1 Short Stories/Novella
  • 9 Short Story Collections
  • 1 Non-Fiction Books
  • 1 book in the Akashic Noir Series
  • 4 books in the Parker Graphic Novels Series

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