The Hunter [Paperback]

Richard (Donald Westlake) Stark (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Perma; First Printing edition (January 1, 1962)
• ASIN: B002DXR4BA
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Parker - The Anti-Hero, August 7, 2004

By 

David N. Cook (Oxnard, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The hunter (Gregg Press mystery fiction series) (Hardcover)

The Hunter (also known by it's movie names of Point Blank or Payback) is the beginning of the "Parker" series written by Donald E. Westlake under the penname of Richard Stark. These were paperback originals in a noir crime vein with Parker as the master thief and organizer of major robberies. Written from the early 60's through the mid-70's, the first 12 or so novels became cult classics especially popular with prisoners! DEW resumed the series due to popular demand in the 90's and has completed about 4 more with 1 more just being released. The writing style is stripped-down for fast action and none of the characters seems to have any conscience, least of all Parker. About half of the jobs Parker is involved in go bad due to unforseen problems like greed and betrayal, so murder (but only out of necessity) and revenge are common themes. This series has been reprinted over and over as new readers discover Parker and his single-minded focus on robbery to maintain his quietly luxurious but anonymous lifestyle. Serious literature? NO! Great fun for the crime novel fan? YES!

30 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Parker Rules, December 2, 2007

By 

Gunner (Smyrna, Georgia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: THE HUNTER (Paperback)

The Hunter

This is the book where Donald Westlake writing as Richard Stark introduces us to Parker in 1962. After re-reading the book after thitysomething years I realize that Lee Marvin was probably cast as a truer version of Parker. Danny DeVito would have been a good messenger and James Gandolfini would have made a better Mal Resnick. The ending was changed for the movie, but what the hey, that's Hollywood. I think I'll reread them all as my next project. They're that good.

I think Sam Elliott would make a great Parker. He could make a whole career out of this series.

As far as I can tell the other Parker books are:

1) The Hunter (1962; AKA Point Blank, Payback; Parker, by Richard Stark).
2) The Man With the Getaway Face (1963; AKA The Steel Hit; Parker,
3) The Outfit (1963; Parker, by Richard Stark)
4) The Mourner (1963; Parker, by Richard Stark)
5) The Score (1964; AKA Killtown; Parker, by Richard Stark)
6) The Jugger (1965; Parker, by Richard Stark)
7) The Seventh (1966; AKA The Split; Parker, by Richard Stark)
8) The Handle (1966; AKA Run Lethal; Parker, by Richard Stark)
9) The Rare Coin Score (1967; Parker, by Richard Stark)
10) The Green Eagle Score (1967; Parker, by Richard Stark)
11) The Black Ice Score (1968; Parker, by Richard Stark)
12) The Sour Lemon Score (1969; Parker, by Richard Stark)
13) Slayground (1971; Parker, by Richard Stark)
14) Deadly Edge (1971; Parker, by Richard Stark)
15) Plunder Squad (1972; Parker, by Richard Stark)
16) Butcher's Moon (1974; Parker, by Richard Stark)
17) Comeback (1997;
18) Backflash (1998; Parker)..
19) Flashfire (2000; Parker, by Richard Stark)..
20) Firebreak (2001; Parker, by Richard Stark) ..
21) Nobody Runs Forever (2004) Parker, by Richard Stark

Highly recommended for Parker fans and fans of action adventure stories.


Gunner December, 2007

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hunter Hero, November 4, 2010

By 

W. Easley "Opa" (Colorado Rocky Mountains) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Hunter: A Parker Novel (Parker Novels) (Paperback)

Several friends have suggested that I read the "Parker" stories. The Hunter is the first in the Parker series and the first Richard Stark novel I have read.

Donald Westlake, under the pen name Richard Stark, writes an atypical style of mystery. The Hunter is a story of conniving, betrayal and violence. The main character, Parker, is a ruthless violent man, that despite his unsavory qualities is a hero for whom the reader cheers. The primary characters are clearly described and realistic. The story if believable and interesting.

In many ways Parker reminds me of John Wayne in western movies, he is a strong, tough man who means what he says and says little. Parker was betrayed by his wife, Lynn, and his friend Mal Resnick. He was shot, assumed dead and left in a burning building. As a result he has two missions: revenge against those who wronged him, and gathering a significant financial stake to begin a new life.

In the beginning of the story, Parker is alone, afoot, with tattered unkempt clothing and holes in his shoes and socks. Parker needs a new start, so he forges a drivers licence and cashes checks for an invented alias, Edward Johnson. It takes four banks before one will accept his tale of woe that he lost his checkbook and account number. The fourth bank actually has an account for an Ed Johnson, accepts Parkers forged ID and provides him with blank checks. In a matter of a few hours Parker has new clothing and several hundred dollars in his wallet.

Parker is an excellent detective. He quickly finds his ex-wife and gains information about his betrayer. Parker's plans and actions are clever and imaginative as he accomplishes his goals. Without divulging "spoiler" information, I can say that Parker's plans outwit his adversaries. I can also say that Parker can be an exciting and violent man.

The Hunter is an excellent mystery novel. The action is fast paced and exciting. The plot is believable and interesting. I recommend "The Hunter".