Donald E. Westlake was renowned for witty crime fiction and clever mysteries. His popular works include the comic adventure The Hot Rock and the engaging Parker novels written under the pseudonym Richard Stark.
If you enjoy reading books by Donald E. Westlake then you might also like the following authors:
Lawrence Block's stories are sharp, witty, and filled with richly drawn characters. He mixes crime, humor, and street-smart dialogue to craft entertaining mysteries.
His book The Burglar Who Liked to Quote Kipling features Bernie Rhodenbarr, a craftily likable burglar who solves crimes with humorous charm. Westlake fans will appreciate Block's smart humor and lively writing.
Elmore Leonard's style is casual, snappy, and loaded with clever dialogue. He creates sharp, vivid characters involved in crime and shady dealings, often blurring lines between hero and villain.
Check out his novel Get Shorty, a witty ride through Hollywood's criminal underworld filled with humor and twists. Fans of Westlake's sharp wit and entertaining criminals will feel right at home.
Carl Hiaasen brings Florida alive with eccentric characters, bizarre crimes, and biting satire. His novels aren't just mysteries; they're funny critiques of greed, corruption, and environmental issues.
Hiaasen's book Tourist Season, about a hilarious and chaotic plot to rid Florida of tourists, captures his playful, satirical style. Readers who love Westlake's offbeat humor and unpredictable plots will definitely enjoy Hiaasen.
Ross Thomas writes complex mysteries with sharp dialogue, clever plotting, and shady political dealings. His style is breezy and smart, filled with cynical observations and sharp humor.
His novel Briarpatch features political intrigue, murder, and clever plot twists, perfect for readers who enjoy Westlake's blend of humor and suspenseful storytelling.
Joe R. Lansdale blends crime fiction with humor, vivid characterizations, and gritty realism, all set against the backdrop of East Texas. His book Savage Season introduces Hap and Leonard, a pair of colorful friends whose misadventures combine sharp humor, mystery, and action.
Fans who appreciate Westlake's lively characters and humorous crime-solving should give Lansdale a try.
Charles Willeford offers a gritty, darkly humorous look at crime, with eccentric characters and sharp dialogue. His novel Miami Blues introduces quirky detective Hoke Moseley.
The storytelling blends stark realism with unexpected humor, giving readers an offbeat, fresh spin on mysteries and crime fiction.
Gregory Mcdonald engages readers through witty humor, breezy dialogue, and snappy, fast-paced plots. His book Fletch stars investigative journalist Irwin Maurice Fletcher, whose charm, humor, and knack for trouble make for entertaining mysteries.
Fans of Westlake’s laid-back humor and sharp plotting will appreciate Mcdonald’s stories.
George V. Higgins brings originality to crime novels with dialogue-driven narratives and realistic portrayals of the criminal underworld.
His novel The Friends of Eddie Coyle immerses readers in the daily realities of low-level criminals through authentic conversation and gritty storytelling. Those who enjoy Westlake's ability to capture flawed characters will find Higgins' novels equally appealing.
Chester Himes puts readers directly into bustling Harlem through fast-paced, vivid storytelling. His book Cotton Comes to Harlem features detectives Gravedigger Jones and Coffin Ed Johnson, who pursue justice amidst lively street scenes and colorful characters.
Himes' frank storytelling, mixing humor with tough realities, will resonate with readers who enjoy Westlake’s engaging crime stories.
Dashiell Hammett’s novels set the standard for hard-boiled detective fiction with crisp, tight prose and compellingly flawed characters.
His classic book, The Maltese Falcon, brings detective Sam Spade to life in a story packed with deception, double-crosses, and morally complex situations. Readers fond of Westlake's sharp pacing and intriguing plots will find Hammett a rewarding author.
Raymond Chandler is an excellent choice if you appreciate characters with sharp wit and vivid storytelling. His detective, Philip Marlowe, shines in atmospheric mysteries set in gritty cities full of moral ambiguity.
Start with The Big Sleep, where Chandler's quick dialogue and classic tough-but-honorable detective style really come to life.
James M. Cain is perfect if you're in the mood for tense, psychological crime stories. His writing explores human weakness, risky decisions, and spiraling outcomes, often involving ordinary people drawn into crime.
Try The Postman Always Rings Twice, a short, punchy novel about passion and murder that still grips readers today.
Ed McBain created the famous 87th Precinct series, one of the best examples of police procedural fiction. He captures the gritty daily life of a group of detectives in a realistic city precinct.
Check out Cop Hater, the first book in the series, to enjoy McBain's concise style, tight plotting, and compelling cast of characters.
Max Allan Collins blends historical settings, sharp dialogue, and solid detective stories into enjoyable mysteries. His Nathan Heller series cleverly weaves actual history with fictional suspense.
True Detective makes a great starting point; it's engaging, atmospheric, and rich with authentic period details.
If you appreciate Westlake's fiction, you'll definitely enjoy Richard Stark—Westlake used Stark as his darker pen name. Stark writes lean, tough crime novels featuring the relentless professional thief named Parker. Try The Hunter, the first Parker novel.
It's crisp, action-packed, and utterly addictive.