J
JAMESBJOHNSON
Guest
THE MERCENARIES by Donald Westlake
Westlake wrote porn before he wrote noir and this novel is his first noir novel. Ke was a kid when he wrote it. Say, 27 years old.
The Story: George Clayton is a fixer for the Mob and takes care of any problems that pop up. So in the middle of the night a heroin addict named Billy awakes Clayton as he's in bed about to get a little lovin from his chorus girl honey. Before the dawn breaks Cantrell vanishes forever, Clayton spends days awake, and the whole Mob and NYC PD want Billy found NOW. That is, a small time whore named Mavis was murdered and Billy is the prime suspect. Everyone is excited because Mavis has an old sugar daddy who wants the killer caught. Sugar Daddy is a VIP in New York City.
The book is too long and too anal for my taste. The Parker books are half as long and 2 times better reads. Its not awful, simply too detailed. The mysteries endure till the end when all is revealed. Its superior to most first books.
Many of Westlakes books have dual titles. This one is also available as THE CUTIE.
Westlake wrote porn before he wrote noir and this novel is his first noir novel. Ke was a kid when he wrote it. Say, 27 years old.
The Story: George Clayton is a fixer for the Mob and takes care of any problems that pop up. So in the middle of the night a heroin addict named Billy awakes Clayton as he's in bed about to get a little lovin from his chorus girl honey. Before the dawn breaks Cantrell vanishes forever, Clayton spends days awake, and the whole Mob and NYC PD want Billy found NOW. That is, a small time whore named Mavis was murdered and Billy is the prime suspect. Everyone is excited because Mavis has an old sugar daddy who wants the killer caught. Sugar Daddy is a VIP in New York City.
The book is too long and too anal for my taste. The Parker books are half as long and 2 times better reads. Its not awful, simply too detailed. The mysteries endure till the end when all is revealed. Its superior to most first books.
Many of Westlakes books have dual titles. This one is also available as THE CUTIE.
