A classic detective story from a master Donald Westlake is one of the classic detective fiction writers, and I was introduced to him through the Hard Case Crime Series. The Hard Case Crime Series releases both old classics and new thrillers of the classic detective stories.
361 by Westlake is a good one. It is full of suspense, violence and clean prose you expect in the genre and doesn't have all the sex, graphic violence, and bad language that some of the newer Hard Case Crime books have.
Ray Kelly has just gotten out of the airforce and gone home, to see his dad. While in the car, his dad is gunned down by thugs. Ray is furious to also find out his brother's wife has been killed. Are the killings connected? Without a home, Ray's purpose in life is to revenge the deaths of his father and sister in law.
Ray and his brother Bill travel to New York where they become involved with a shady law firm, a second rate private detective, and, of course, the mob.
This is a classic book in the Hard Case Crime Series and I recommend it to all.
a competent, well-executed crime story Donald Westlake must have written hundreds of novels and short stories to date. '361' is certainly not among his more widely known novels, which is a shame because it is a very decent read. The somewhat complicated but well explained story is about a young man who is quickly sucked into the criminal underworld by virtue of actions of his father many years earlier. There is death, vengeance and despair. '361' is not a happy story; I doubt if it will ever make Oprah's must read list. Yet Westlake's crisp dialogue and very readable prose make '361' an enjoyable read. Is it some long lost classic? No, not by a long shot. But few readers would be disappointed.
Bottom line: a curious journey into the New York underworld circa 1960. Certainly worth a look.
SLOW, BORING-DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME! OH MY GOD-THIS IS AWFUL.
IT NEVER STARTS GOING, AND GETS WORSE FROM THERE. THE COMBINATION OF A QUESTIONABLE STORY LINE, BLAND CHARACTERS AND NO ACTION DEEP SIX THIS CHILD-LIKE NOVEL.
I AM A VORACIOUS READER, AND THIS IS THE FIRST BOOK I SIMPLY THREW DOWN AND DIDN'T FINISH IN OVER A YEAR.
DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY!
BRUCE J. HOESMAN
How Good is Westlake? Republish More of His Classic Novels! 361 republished by Hard Case Crime (2005) originally was written back in 1962. This may not be Westlake's best ever novel from that era but it is the best fit for the Hard Case Crime various author collection. Hard Case Crime also have republished another classic crime novel by Westlake called Lemons Never Lie (Hard Case Crime) which was written under his pen name Richard Stark. Hard Case Crime should be commended for bringing the classics back for readers of today as most of Westlake's older stuff is very hard to find and expensive if you can get it. At least these two books are affordable and readily available. This is a great novel, non politically correctness, heavy smoking and drinking reinforce the times the story is set in and make it all the more believable as well as fun for the reader. We need more of these classics republished!
In 361 Ray Kelly in New York after serving in the Marines is reacquainting himself with his father and connecting on a level he never did before. Ray's glad to be back and pretty happy. As they leave the New York hotel one morning their vehicle is shot up by a passing car. Ray's father is dead and he wakes in hospital with a number of injuries including the loss of an eye. He swears vengeance on those who did this but to find out their identities he must first learn a bit more about his father. His father has kept quite a few secrets from him throughout his life and Kelly will find himself mixed up in the underworld. He will have his vengeance though!
Westlake is one of the greatest authors of all time, especially his standalone thriller books. A great modern day classic you absolutely have to read is his ultimate solution to unemployment - The Ax!
An eye for revenge 361, published originally back in 1962 and in 2005 by Hard Case Crime, is a classic hardboiled detective story. Things go bad for the protagonist - his father is killed, while he ends up with a gimp foot and a blind eye - and then, it gets worse.
Like in any hardboiled novel worth the label, 361 has plenty of action, both gunfights and fistfights. The hero empties a bottle of booze about every two pages. This is definitely not high literature, but 361 is a gripping book I'm sure many people will read in one sitting. It has great entertainment value, simply put.
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