THE MAN WITH THE GETAWAY FACE - RICHARD STARK

The Man with the Getaway Face
Richard Stark
University of Chicago Press
$14.00

This is actually the second in Richard Stark AKA Donald Westlake's Parker series and starts off immediately after the first novel Hunter AKA Point Blank AKA Payback. I'd read The Hunter and several of the later novels, those written following Comeback which saw the return of Parker after a 20 year gap.

Stark's later stuff and versions of The Hunter, usually under the title of Point Blank, are readily available in the UK but anything between Hunter and Comeback is difficult to find. But fear not, it's over to the book buyers best friend, Amazon and a day after ordering the book comes through my letter box.

These are handsome editions from the Chicago University Press who have undertaken a programme that will see the return of all of the first run of Parker/Stark novels.

Here is a press release from the Chicago University

Press Release: Three Parker Novels by RICHARD STARK

According to the New York Times, Donald Westlake was “one of the most successful and versatile mystery writers in the United States,” with over 100 books to his name. The University of Chicago Press has embarked on a project to return the early volumes of his Parker series, written under the pseudonym Richard Stark, to print for a new generation of readers to discover—and become addicted to. These reprints will feature volumes 1-16 of the incredible series, through Butcher’s Moon.

Stark’s ruthless antihero is one of the most unforgettable characters in hardboiled noir. Lauded by critics for his taut realism, unapologetic amorality, and razor-sharp prose-style—and adored by fans who turn each intoxicating page with increasing urgency—Richard Stark is a master of crime writing, his books as influential as any in the genre.

Read the press release, and read this interview with the author.

Also see our complete list of books currently available in the series.

Pictured left is the original paperback edition of The Man with the Getaway Face and below that The Hunter, renamed Payback for a movie tie-in version of the Mel Gibson movie. The novel was also filmed as Payback with Lee Marvin in the title role. The name Parker was not used in either film though and in Payback Gibson was Porter and Lee Marvin was Walker in Point Blank. This was a proviso by the author - who didn't want the Parker name used unless films makers would remain faithful to the books. Not on the Payback novel the author is credited to Donald Westlake - a further attempt to distinguish the film from its source novels as all the Parkers are credited to Richard Stark.

Both are good films - Point Blank the better of the two - but neither come close to the sheer seductive brutality of the original novels.

The Man with the Getaway Face is, like The Hunter, an awesome book. Man, I'm addicted to the character and have to track down the other titles. I've already order the next two books in the series and will probably buy two a month till I've got the lot.

OK - so what did I think of TMWTGF? It was awesome - brilliant and every bit as good as The Hunter. Course I was more familiar with the character this time so I knew what to expect. But the story moved so well, Parker's seedy underworld so vividly drawn that I defy anyone to not keep turning the pages. Once started the reader is hooked.

Parker, after the problems with The Outfit, in Payback undertakes plastic surgery - carried out by a quality doctor called Ardler. After the operation Parker is handed a note that has come for him while he has been convalescing and immediately he's off on another job - this time to rob a pay truck. Problem is Parker's not happy with the way the job 's been worked out and he suspects a double cross from the woman who fingered the job in the first place.

I don't want to give too much detail away for fear of spoiling a tightly planned story with several twists but I will say that the character of Stubbs is so well realised that the man comes living and breathing from the page. But then Parker's entire world is vividly drawn and it feels just like the world outside your window only with an imperceptible tweak. It all seems so real and Parker, immoral, cold, has no endearing qualities, but all the same you'll love every second you spend with the old bastard.

If you've read any of the Parker books then you'll know what I am raving about but if you haven't and you enjoy hard-boiled crime fiction then you really need to try one of these books.