R.I.P. - Donald Westlake

Damn fine writer -- I used to read about five books/week when I was living in Seattle and Westlake was one of my favorite writers. From the NY Times:

Donald E. Westlake, Mystery Writer, Is Dead at 75
Donald E. Westlake, a prolific, award-winning mystery novelist who pounded out more than 100 books and 5 screenplays on manual typewriters during a career of nearly 50 years, died on Wednesday night. He was 75.

Mr. Westlake collapsed as he was headed to New Year�s Eve dinner while on vacation in Mexico, said his wife, Abigail Westlake.

The cause was apparently a heart attack, his publicist, Susan Richman, said.

Mr. Westlake, considered one of the most successful and versatile mystery writers in the United States, received an Academy Award nomination for a screenplay, three Edgar Awards and the title of Grand Master from the Mystery Writers of America in 1993.

His Dortmunder series is a lot of fun. Up until the last he always used manual typewriters. There is one more novel in the pipeline -- Get Real is scheduled for an April release.