The final unpublished novel by MWA Grandmaster – a wild, romantic road trip across America by taxi cab – demonstrates why this beloved author is so fondly remembered and so dearly missed.
“A book by this guy is cause for happiness.” Stephen King
DONALD E. WESTLAKE
GOES OFF THE BEATEN PATH
In 1977, one of the world’s finest crime novelists turned his pen to suspense of a very different sort – and the results have never been published, until now.
Fans of mystery fiction have often pondered whether it would be possible to write a suspense novel without any crime at all, and in CALL ME A CAB the masterful Donald E. Westlake answered the question in his inimitable style. You won’t find any crime in these pages – but what you will find is a wonderful suspense story, about a New York City taxi driver hired to drive a beautiful woman all the way across America, from Manhattan to Los Angeles, where the biggest decision of her life is waiting to be made. From Pennsylvania to Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Arizona and Nevada on the way to California, the characters’ odyssey takes them through uncharted territory – on the map and in their lives. It’s Westlake at his witty, thought-provoking best, and it proves that a page-turner doesn’t need to have a bomb set to go off at the end of it in order to keep sparks flying every step of the way.
"Westlake proves that his signature wit and ability to turn out delightful banter can drive even a crimeless novel." — Booklist
"Minor Westlake is still Westlake, and his many fans will turn the last page with a tear." — Kirkus
"Fans of Westlake will not be disappointed in this perceptive romantic suspense novel...Westlake expertly proves the old adage that it’s better to travel hopefully than to arrive....This story is as wistful as the theme from old episodes of Taxi." — Publishers Weekly
“As riveting as any of his previous brilliant works… thoughtfully fascinating and deeply nostalgic… One of Westlake’s best” — Borg.com
"It’s all high entertainment... You’ll be hard-pressed to find more fun in a single sitting." — Book Reporter
"Westlake delivers his typical, engaging, page-turner story and dialogue and does so in a way that almost makes you forget that there’s no crime. He builds the suspense anyway, and the results are wonderful." — Scoop
ACCLAIM FOR DONALD E. WESTLAKE:
"One of the great writers of the 20th Century." — Newsweek
"A book by this guy is cause for happiness." — Stephen King
"The novel’s deeper meditations will keep you thinking long after you’ve closed the book." — USA Today
"Westlake is always original." — Elmore Leonard
"Westlake knows precisely how to grab a reader, draw him or her into the story, and then slowly tighten his grip until escape is impossible." — Washington Post
"Westlake has a genius for comic strategy...a lunatic brilliance." — New York Times
"Westlake is one of the best." — Los Angeles Times
“Brilliant.” — GQ
“Marvelous.” — Entertainment Weekly
“Westlake is a national literary treasure.” — Booklist
Donald E. Westlake is widely regarded as one of the great crime writers of the 20th century. He wonthree Edgar Awards and was named a Grandmaster by the Mystery Writers of America. Many of his books have been made into movies; Westlake also wrote the screenplay for The Grifters for which he received an Academy Award nomination.
The final unpublished novel by MWA Grandmaster – a wild, romantic road trip across America by taxi cab – demonstrates why this beloved author is so fondly remembered and so dearly missed.
“A book by this guy is cause for happiness.” Stephen King
DONALD E. WESTLAKE
GOES OFF THE BEATEN PATH
In 1977, one of the world’s finest crime novelists turned his pen to suspense of a very different sort – and the results have never been published, until now.
Fans of mystery fiction have often pondered whether it would be possible to write a suspense novel without any crime at all, and in CALL ME A CAB the masterful Donald E. Westlake answered the question in his inimitable style. You won’t find any crime in these pages – but what you will find is a wonderful suspense story, about a New York City taxi driver hired to drive a beautiful woman all the way across America, from Manhattan to Los Angeles, where the biggest decision of her life is waiting to be made. From Pennsylvania to Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Arizona and Nevada on the way to California, the characters’ odyssey takes them through uncharted territory – on the map and in their lives. It’s Westlake at his witty, thought-provoking best, and it proves that a page-turner doesn’t need to have a bomb set to go off at the end of it in order to keep sparks flying every step of the way.
Praise
"Westlake proves that his signature wit and ability to turn out delightful banter can drive even a crimeless novel." — Booklist
"Minor Westlake is still Westlake, and his many fans will turn the last page with a tear." — Kirkus
"Fans of Westlake will not be disappointed in this perceptive romantic suspense novel...Westlake expertly proves the old adage that it’s better to travel hopefully than to arrive....This story is as wistful as the theme from old episodes of Taxi." — Publishers Weekly
“As riveting as any of his previous brilliant works… thoughtfully fascinating and deeply nostalgic… One of Westlake’s best” — Borg.com
"It’s all high entertainment... You’ll be hard-pressed to find more fun in a single sitting." — Book Reporter
"Westlake delivers his typical, engaging, page-turner story and dialogue and does so in a way that almost makes you forget that there’s no crime. He builds the suspense anyway, and the results are wonderful." — Scoop
ACCLAIM FOR DONALD E. WESTLAKE:
"One of the great writers of the 20th Century." — Newsweek
"A book by this guy is cause for happiness." — Stephen King
"The novel’s deeper meditations will keep you thinking long after you’ve closed the book." — USA Today
"Westlake is always original." — Elmore Leonard
"Westlake knows precisely how to grab a reader, draw him or her into the story, and then slowly tighten his grip until escape is impossible." — Washington Post
"Westlake has a genius for comic strategy...a lunatic brilliance." — New York Times
"Westlake is one of the best." — Los Angeles Times
“Brilliant.” — GQ
“Marvelous.” — Entertainment Weekly
“Westlake is a national literary treasure.” — Booklist
Author
Donald E. Westlake is widely regarded as one of the great crime writers of the 20th century. He wonthree Edgar Awards and was named a Grandmaster by the Mystery Writers of America. Many of his books have been made into movies; Westlake also wrote the screenplay for The Grifters for which he received an Academy Award nomination.
