Donald E. Westlake

Donald E. Westlake was an American author who is widely regarded as one of the greatest crime fiction writers of the twentieth century. Born in 1933, he was extraordinarily prolific, writing over one hundred novels under his own name and various pseudonyms, most notably Richard Stark, under which he wrote the acclaimed Parker series. 361 is an early Westlake novel that showcases his ability to write lean, hard-edged crime fiction with the precision and momentum that would become his hallmark. The novel follows a young man returning from military service who is drawn into a spiral of violence and revenge. Westlake won three Edgar Awards from the Mystery Writers of America and was named a Grand Master by the organisation. His work ranges from dark, violent crime fiction to the comic caper novels featuring the hapless thief Dortmunder. His audiobooks and books remain essential reading for fans of crime fiction at its sharpest and most entertaining. He died in 2008.