Very dated in the 80s, overall, not up to his other books, just ok ( )

Samuel Holt is an actor and former small-town police officer. His role as private investigator Jack Packard in the hugely popular TV series has made him fairly wealthy, and although it’s no longer being produced, the show is still paying residuals while it’s in syndication. Trouble is, he can’t seem to get another acting job that isn’t for a private detective role. So, he takes his accountant’s advice to go investigate a potential investment opportunity. But on the way to the property, four “swarthy men in two Imapalas tried to murder me.” And we’re off …

Westlake/Holt’s crime capers are not great literature but they are loads of fun to read. Fast-paced, likeable characters, some funny dialogue, a great sidekick (I need a “Robinson” in my life!), leggy ladies, handsome leading man, car chases, guns, and crazy coincidences.

In the early- to mid-1980s Donald Westlake began to wonder “Could I do it again today?” He had great success as a writer of crime fiction, particularly with his comic crime capers starring John Dortmunder. So, he entered into a contract with his publisher to use a protected penname – Samuel Holt. No one but he, the publisher and his agent would know the author’s real identity. On the release date, Westlake was surprised to see a display of the Samuel Holt books in the window of his local bookstore, along with a sign proclaiming that Holt was, in fact, Westlake. The publisher had let their sales force in on the secret; and encouraged them to spread the word. There goes that experiment.

Fortunately, we still have the four Holt books that Westlake had contracted for. ( )