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Actor Sam Holt has packed in Packard, the TV detective he played for several years to much acclaim and lots and lots of money. But success has had its downside: Holt is so closely identified with Packard that he can't get hired to play anyone else. Suddenly, though, someone seems to have a new role for Holt: the role of Dead Body. Years of having watched stunt-drivers do their stuff help Holt avoid becoming a grease-spot on the San Diego Freeway, but his Volvo will never play the violin show more again. And if Holt can't figure out where the screenwriters are going with this one, he's not going to get a chance for a second take. When the Holt books first came out, in the mid-1980s, critics raved about this new author's wit and style, not realizing that Holt was a pseudonym for one of the wittiest - and savviest - pros in the business. A fast-paced blood-and-blunder thriller - San Diego Union A warm welcome to Samuel Holt - Lawrence Block Fans of Lawrence Block's Burglar series and, well, show lessTags
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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 show more 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. show less
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 show more 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. show less
Very dated in the 80s, overall, not up to his other books, just ok
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268+ Works 27,836 Members
Author Donald E. Westlake was born in Brooklyn, New York on July 12, 1933. He attended colleges in New York, but did not graduate. He wrote more than 100 novels and 5 screenplays throughout his lifetime. He also wrote under numerous pseudonyms including Richard Stark, Tucker Coe, and Samuel Holt. Almost 20 of his novels were adapted into films and show more he created the television series, The Father Dowling Mysteries. He is a three-time winner of the Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America and was nominated for an Academy Award for his screenplay for The Grifters. He was also named a Mystery Writers of America Grand Master in 1993. He died of a heart attack on December 31, 2008 at the age of 75. (Bowker Author Biography) Donald E. Westlake has won three Edgar Awards & was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for "The Grifters". He lives in upstate New York. (Publisher Provided) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- One of Us Is Wrong
- People/Characters
- Sam Holt
- Important places*
- USA
- Epigraph
- Fame is nothing but an empty name. -- Charles Churchill, Ghosts
The technique of murder must be presented in a way that will not inspire imitation. -- A Code To Govern the Making of Motion and Talking Pictures by the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America, Inc. March 31, 1... (show all)930 - Dedication
- This is for Otto and Michael, unindicted co-conspirators.
- First words
- "When you invest in a shopping center," Karen told me, "you don't look at the shopping center."
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)"Why not," I said, and dove in.
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
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- Reviews
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- Languages
- English, Italian
- Media
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- ISBNs
- 5
- ASINs
- 1
