I have to admit that I have a weakness for Donald E Westlake books. In particular I found his 'Dortmunder' books about some really inefficient minor criminals, really amusing; particularly 'Bank Shot'. Westlake writes with a similar style to Elmore Leonard, and having written well over a hundred books, is quite likely to have something on screen.Anyhow, going back to find another of is books is easy for me, I know it's going to be interesting and fun. And this one, 'The Scared Stiff' doesn't disappoint. No, the title isn't an error; it is, as the French might say, a double entendre.The story is about an insurance rip-off, and although the protagonists are from America, all the action is actually in a South American country. It's actually quite serious, but it is still amusingly written; Westlake simply can't help himself.The action is more or less continuous, seeming to rock back and forth, and offers a slightly surprising, but satisfying conclusion.Again, as a Donald E Westlake book, it is written in a quirky style, though more serious than his normal writing. It's fun and well worth reading, as are most of his books.
this is my first Westlake, and it was OK but a little too smart for its own good: fast paced and funny from time to time with a likable crook who manufactured his own death and now is trying to outsmart the people who would think he is not dead enough. Plot twists come almost with every short chapter, giving the plot a rather contrived aspect, like a hollywood script that needs to keep the audience on the edge of the seat. And like the same hollywood script, the main characters are more like actors playing their designated roles, rather than flesh and bone people. And the humor is ok, but the smug American superiority deriding their backward South American neighbor gets old pretty quick.I would say it is a good choice for killing time on commute or on holiday, but finally quite forgetable. I understand Westlake can do better, so I might try some of his older novels.
