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: 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: 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: the Hook
Review: I bought it on last wednesday in Holland and finished it sunday.
Remind I'm Dutch, so I read a bit slower than the most of you.
It's a great plot and it turns unexpectedly.
There is some humor and the situations are almost sad, but still believeble.
It is great when a writer can keeps your attention and constant make you curious to the next page.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful entertainment with an unusual plot.
Review: I do not need to summarize the plot. You can see that above. I found this to be one of the most compelling books I have read in a long time. The tale twists and turns in the most interesting ways. "The Hook" is compulsive reading. I read this book in one sitting-something I have only done a couple of other times in my life. Westlake outthinks the reader. This book has the most surprising ending of any book I have ever read. I never saw what hit me on the last page. Read this book now.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful entertainment with an unusual plot.
Review: I do not need to summarize the plot. You can see that above. I found this to be one of the most compelling books I have read in a long time. The tale twists and turns in the most interesting ways. "The Hook" is compulsive reading. I read this book in one sitting-something I have only done a couple of other times in my life. Westlake outthinks the reader. This book has the most surprising ending of any book I have ever read. I never saw what hit me on the last page. Read this book now.
Rating:
Summary: Only the buyer is "hooked"...
Review: I enjoy this author and I particularly liked The Ax which was a real departure from his Dortmunder series, which I also like. (the review is in here somewhere if you care). The Hook was a huge disappointment. Not only is the story unbelieveable, the ending is the kind that leaves you saying.."Huh?" The central character is a popular author who is "blocked" due to the fact he is locked in a miserable divorce with his 2nd wife and during this he has a chance meeting in the library with an old friend, another writer who is far down the list of successful authors. During that conversation a plan is hatched to rid the character of his problem by having the friend murder his wife. Up to that point the story has promise, but thereafter it reads like the plot outlines that Bryce, the "blocked author" has written that his own agent can't even swallow. Too bad. The story line could be much improved, but the author chose to pull the plug on the yarn and I suggest that you save your money...even at paperback prices.
Rating:
Summary: What wouldn't you do to get a book published?
Review: In Donald E. Westlake's "The Hook," the title refers to the (b) definition of the word, something intended to attract and ensnare, specifically the "hook" in a story, rather than the (a) definition, a curved or bent device for catching, holding, or pulling, as is depicted here on the book cover. The title is certainly appropriate since Westlake hooks his readers early on in this particularly twisted tale. Famous author Bryce Proctorr has an impending deadline for his next novel but is suffering from a severe case of writer's block because of the protracted divorce he is going through with his second-wife Lucie. He happens to run into an old acquaintance, Wayne Prentice, also a writer, who has gone through two pseudonyms trying to remain marketable for the computers that help publishing houses make their editorial decisions. Proctorr needs a book to turn in and Prentice has a completed book that no one wants to buy from his current alter ego. Proctorr suggests they help solve each other's problems: Proctorr will rewrite Prentice's novel as his own and split the advance money 50-50. Proctorr will fulfill his contractual obligations and Prentice will make more money than he could ever hope to see under any of his names. Prentice is interested, but Proctorr warns there is one condition: His wife must be dead. Of course Prentice is going to agree to the deal, after receiving some surprising encouragement form his own wife. But from that point on "The Hook" begins its twists and turns, achieving the goal of its title. Expecting the unexpected does you little good here. Both Proctorr and Prentice are worried about what the other is doing or thinking of doing, but both are somewhat paradoxically interested in helping the other with his literary career. The trust each other, but, of course, cannot really trust each other. Instead of breaking away from each other, they find their live becoming more and more entwined. With every visit from the police or their editor, "The Hook" takes a new and usually unexpected turn. The only thing the reader is sure of is that there is no way these people are going to live happily ever after, but even that assumption is certainly questionable. Westlake's novel is certainly fast paced and an easy read, although some might find the details on the craft of writing and the business of publishing to become a bit much at times. But the main characters are writers and we should not be surprised they think about their crime from the perspective of a writer. Readers will be reminded at times of "Strangers On a Train," "The Tell-Tale Heart" and "Deathtrap" among other familiar works, but "The Hook" is no mere pastiche. Even if this is covering old ground Westlake's twists and style make it a very fresh approach. This is a fun, fast read, perfect for days at the beach, trips on planes, or commuting to work. This is the first Westlake novel I have read and I am certainly interested in checking out his other works.
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