A capably illustrated adaptation of Donald (aka Richard Stark) Westlake’s classic noir tale, this is an enjoyable way to revisit Parker, but fails to take the narrative anywhere it hasn’t already been. The illustration work is impressive, but ultimately adds little. However, it’s satisfying to see Westlake’s creation being celebrated and his audience expanded years after the author’s death.

An uneven yet very standard, and certainly over-egged, monochrome noir. Some wronged bloke who knows too many fit birds wants revenge against all the anonymous, interchangeable blokes who tried to screw him over. Too much of the plot is flashback to the crime scene, as it were, and it's got no taste of anything new.

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

In 1962, Donald E. Westlake, writing under the pseudonym Richard Stark, created what would become one of the most important and enduring crime fiction series ever produced — Parker.
Westlake wrote more than 20 Parker novels, many considered classics of the genre, and a number of which have transitioned to the big screen. Most notable of these is Point Blank, directed by John Boorman and starring Lee Marvin, released in 1967.
Westlake received many accolades during his distinguished career, including being named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writer's of America, that prestigious organization's highest honor.
The Hunter, the first book in the Parker series, is the story of a man who hits New York head-on like a shotgun blast to the chest. Betrayed by the woman he loves and double-crossed by his partner in crime, Parker makes his way cross-country with only one thought burning in his mind — to coldly exact his revenge and reclaim what was taken from him!

In writing this review, I was taken back to those pulpy paperbacks that used to be squashed into my bookcases and the "charm" they held for me when I was teenager...

There are times when artwork exceeds the story and this is one such case. The adaption by Darwyn Cooke is absolutely amazing. I could look at it for days and enjoy every second of it. Fresh and original, yet it still kept that feeling of crime noir novels from yesteryear.

I would have given this 5 stars but for the story itself. The source material really did let down the skills of Cooke in putting this together. It is a book of its time...and probably should have been left there...

Overall, though, this was a really good adaption and beautifully presented. Definitely a must-read.


Paul
ARH