Rating: 
Summary: not as good as "The Ax," but still a fun read
Review: "The Hook" is about struggling crime authors, who get themselves entangled in a messy murder. One author, who is rich and famous, pays the other to kill his estranged wife: the payment is in the form of a fraudulent ghost-writing deal. Perhaps Westlake is very familiar with the plight of authors who write good books but suffer under market forces; he does not seem to work very hard to get us to sympathize. "The Hook" will probably "work" as a psychological novel as much as the reader admires the lifestyle of fiction writers in Manhattan. I certainly don't, so that's likely part of the problem.
Plausibility is also de-emphasized here. How do these writers turn so easily into opportunitistic criminals - is there really some descent into insanity? Better writer-turned-madman (also astronaut-turned-madman) stories have been written by the gloomier and funnier Barry Malzberg. In fact, "The Ax" and "The Hook" make Westlake a kind of Malzberg-Lite in my mind, which is good because Westlake has a lot of books for sale.
Despite my criticisms here, "The Hook" was still an entertaining and rapid read.
Rating: 
Summary: The Master In Top Form!
Review: "The Hook" is great fun. Savagely satirical, blurring the line between reality and fantasy, fact and fiction, Westlake delivers a one/two punch. A knock out of a book. Having read everything by Westlake and his nom de plume Richard Stark, I would put this near the top. This is more in keeping with "The Ax" from a few years ago than with "Help I'm Being Held Prisoner!" or any of his other comic novels. A terrific read.
Rating: 
Summary: Maybe He Should have called it "Side Show"..........
Review: ....because the 2 main characters are, figuratively, joined at the hip. By now everyone knows this is the story of Bryce Proctorr, a best selling author who has writers block, and the "deal he strikes with the devil" involving Wayne Prentice, an author who has books and ideas but is dropping off of the charts because he can't get published. The solution: Bryce turns in one of Wayne's novels as his own and they both split the $1+ million advance. The "hook": Bryce is going through a bitter divorce and doesn't want to split his half of the proceeds with his estranged wife Lucie. Hence, Wayne has to "ice" Lucie. This all takes place rather early on in the book and the bulk of the tale is really about how Bryce and Wayne become each other. The story moves quickly, the plot is good, and the book is a real good read that holds your attention. That's why I gave it 4 stars. However, the main characters, Bryce and Wayne are so very predictable and whiney you want to shake them. This might be one of the "false notes" that Peter M. talks about. I found the auxiliary characters, particularily the women, to be much stronger. Bryce, for one, appears to be drawn toward strong women. Certainly Lucie has the fire and passion that he seems to lack. His ex- wife, Ellen, comes across much stronger than him when he "confesses" (his confession was a real reach for me). Even his lover, Isabelle, leaves him. Wayne gets off no easier with his companion. Susan, his wife, at first blush seems to be somewhat timid and not the risk taker. The way she pushes him to apply for a college teaching position is a safe move. But, once she becomes aware of his involvement, she turns right away into the stronger of the two and a bit more Machiavellian. In the end, the way Wayne becomes Bryce, she actually becomes Lucie. While this is a little darker than "High Adventure" or "The Hot Rock", it is fast paced and yet does have it's pitfalls. Wayne's method of murder was a little unbelievable, to say the least, in the way it was planned and brought about (or I should say the lack thereof in planning). Nothing comes of the detective's investigation, so he is a useless character. And the ending, while somewhat inevitable, appeared hurried to me. Still, all in all, on a long flight from DC or NY to LA, this is a great read and the perfect book for the trip. Enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: A TALE OF TWO AUTHORS
Review: After I wrote my own review for myfiles, I read the 29 reviews here.I found each one to be helpful inthe various points they made. Iliked the way Westlake writes with tongue in cheek and generally tothe point. He gives insight intomoderen day publishing woes andhow the computer skims over thebooks to select the top writers,shuting down the market for thenew comers and mid-level writers. Here we have Wayne and Bryce meetin the library after a twenty yearlapse in contact. Both are frustrated, Bryce by writer's block and Wayne unable to publish his finished book. Bryce offersto "rewrite" Wayne's book underhis name and split the million +advance if Wayne will but get ridof Lucie, his money grabbing wife.The pact is made and Wayne meeteLucie for a date. In her apartmentto say good-night, Wayne suddenlyattacks Lucie and beats her to death. He collects his money, starts writing for magazines andforgets about the killing. Brycecan't stop imagining how it wasand goes into a depression. Hisagent is pressing for evidence of his next book but Bryce can'twrite anything but gibberish. Heneeds Wayne to help him. The twoagain try to make something outof a half-finished book of Wayne'sbut it isn't working. Only a fewpages of The Hook remain so how isthis to end so soon. Just like aHitchcock story...unexpectedly andyou get to complete it youself.Those readers who wanted more charcter development need to realize that men like Wayne, a cold-blooded killer, and Bryce, amanic-depressive don't have theessentials to be developed unlessthey get proper therapy. Therejust isn't any way to identify with these men unless you havewalked in their shoes and know thefeeling.I liked the way Westlake writes and hope to read The Ax.
Rating: 
Summary: Review of The Hook, by Westlake
Review: As much as I admire Donald Westlake's enormous talent, this latest release just doesn't cut it. The overall rather lazy treatment of the Proctorr character; the almost immediate and complete lack of any residual guilt or horror by the Prentice character over committing murder; the matter-of-fact acceptance of the murder by Prentice's wife and her cold-blooded decision to rent Proctorr's apartment; etc., etc. The whole plot just too pat and way, way superficial. I think Westlake was in over his head on this one. The best I can say for the plot is the gradual deterioration of Proctorr over the final portion of the novel - that wasn't bad, and the ending was brutally abrupt. But, a so-so read (I finished it because Westlake wrote it!) and shallow overall.
Rating:
Summary: The Hook does The Ax one better
Review: As much as I have enjoyed various Donald Westlake novels over the year, I was unprepared three years ago for his superb "The Ax". That book combined an absorbing psychological study of a man with a thought-provoking look at one of contemporary society's genuine problems: marginalizing some of our most productive people by "downsizing" them during corporate mergers. And I wondered how Westlake would follow the success of that book. Frankly, I thought he would probably return to the genial comic crime novel. And when I started reading "The Hook" that is indeed what I thought he had done. And then ... a descent into a psychological inferno, making for even more compelling reading than "The Ax". I bought the book yesterday, started reading it after supper, and I could not let myself go to bed until I had finished it! Many authors seem to slide off into mediocrity after years or even decades of writing, but not Donald Westlake. He just keeps getting better.
Rating:
Summary: Bold Lessons in Bad Writing
Review: Cleverness is no substitute for a plausible story with convincing characters. Donald E. Westlake's THE HOOK is a psychological thriller about a murderous collaboration between two novelists. It is also a tutorial on how not to write a suspense novel. Throughout the book, Westlake's antiheroes discuss the difficulty in writing good fiction and cite failings in their own prose, such as inconsistent characters and a novel's premise that is at best a short story. The joke is on the reader for the much acclaimed Westlake is far too talented not to be referring to his own book. Naming his protagonists Proctorr and Prentice for proctor and apprentice and titling their fictional works, The Domino Doublet, Two Faces in the Mirror, The Shadowed Other, does not make the grade as philosophical inquiry, psychological insight or character development. Instead of a meaningful intelligent story the reader gets gamesmanship. Westlake places concept over believability resulting in an impossible premise that requires inconceivable behavior by the characters. After a quick set-up in Chapter 1 and an early climax in Chapter 8, Westlake spends much of the book's other twenty-nine chapters explaining his characters and excusing himself. In Chapter 17 he admits as much when he writes, "Some behavior is wrong, some reaction is wrong. It's a rip in the fabric of the novel, but it's necessary to get the story where it has to go, so the novelist merely sighs and shakes his head and does it." In real life, both Proctorr and Prentice would be in custody by Chapter 9. After numerous dead ends, Westlake surrenders and leaves his story's conclusion to the reader to resolve. Still one has to admire Mr. Westlake's fearlessness as he writes about a literary star's work being published, regardless of merit, solely on the strength of the author's name and past sales.
Rating:
Summary: Bold Lessons in Bad Writing
Review: Cleverness is no substitute for a plausible story with convincing characters. Donald E. Westlake's THE HOOK is a psychological thriller about a murderous collaboration between two novelists. It is also a tutorial on how not to write a suspense novel. Throughout the book, Westlake's antiheroes discuss the difficulty in writing good fiction and cite failings in their own prose, such as inconsistent characters and a novel's premise that is at best a short story. The joke is on the reader for the much acclaimed Westlake is far too talented not to be referring to his own book. Naming his protagonists Proctorr and Prentice for proctor and apprentice and titling their fictional works, The Domino Doublet, Two Faces in the Mirror, The Shadowed Other, does not make the grade as philosophical inquiry, psychological insight or character development. Instead of a meaningful intelligent story the reader gets gamesmanship. Westlake places concept over believability resulting in an impossible premise that requires inconceivable behavior by the characters. After a quick set-up in Chapter 1 and an early climax in Chapter 8, Westlake spends much of the book's other twenty-nine chapters explaining his characters and excusing himself. In Chapter 17 he admits as much when he writes, "Some behavior is wrong, some reaction is wrong. It's a rip in the fabric of the novel, but it's necessary to get the story where it has to go, so the novelist merely sighs and shakes his head and does it." In real life, both Proctorr and Prentice would be in custody by Chapter 9. After numerous dead ends, Westlake surrenders and leaves his story's conclusion to the reader to resolve. Still one has to admire Mr. Westlake's fearlessness as he writes about a literary star's work being published, regardless of merit, solely on the strength of the author's name and past sales.
Rating:
Summary: Watch out when novelists take up murder---it's fun
Review: Donald Westlake under any name is a wonderful writer. His newone, "The Hook," has an unusual angle, with two novelistsgetting into murder. The story zips along with sudden twists, as Westlake's stories always do. But an especially interesting subtext---vital knowledge for all you writers out there---is how the Big Computer is wiping out the good old fashioned "mid-list" writers. This book is one long happy night of pleasure for the reader, but it's hell on writers.
Rating:
Summary: Westlake is up to his usual standard
Review: How often do you find yourself chuckling at the end of each chapter in a suspence novel? It may have been for tension relief, or even accidental, but it was there. Early in the novel I saw shades of "Sacred Monster". As it turns out, I was not far off. Donald Westlake did an exceptional job of bringing the reader right where he wanted him at each step of the novel. Again, I don't know if it was intentional of not, but the last chapter writes itself. It is as if Donald Westlake is Wayne, helping us to finish what he began. Seldom have I read a novel as riveting as this one. As much as I enjoy his humor, such as the Dortmunder series, no one else does suspence as well as he can.
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