Noirboiled Notes

I was a machine, and my arm was the arm of the machine, and the gun was a part of the machine. And when the machine ’s finger contracted t...

no man has ever been trapped except through his emotions           Donald E. Westlake           The Mercenaries           1960

spread-eagled on the bed like a steamrollered Arthur Dimmesdale           Donald E. Westlake           What ’s So Funny?           2007

An ounce of caution is worth a pound of plasma.           Donald E. Westlake           The Mercenaries           1960

That was the moment his mouth opened, his throat closed, his eyes bulged, his heart contracted, and his hands began to shake like fringe o...

So rarely is the truth the simplest possible answer.           Donald E. Westlake           “Party Animal”           19...

I hope I break even today; I could use the cash.           Donald E. Westlake           “Horse Laugh”           1986

You open a door in New York, you never know what’s in there.           Donald E. Westlake           Get R...

Never break a law you don’t intend to break.           Donald E. Westlake           “Ask a Silly Question”           1981

This mob whodunit would probably not have warranted a reprint by Hard Case Crime were it not Donald E. Westlake’s debut (or, more accurate...

one good cop is about as useful as one good paper towel in a hurricane           Donald E. Westlake           introduction to Charles Will...