In 1960, Westlake’s first novel, The Mercenaries *, was published. That started a productive period of writing for Westlake — so productive that he used at least 10 pen names in addition to his own, since people had a hard time believing one person could be so prolific.
“Richard Stark” was the only one he kept over time. Writing mostly mystery novels, Westlake was as good as he was abundant: he is one of only two mystery writers to receive Edgar Awards in three different categories: Best Novel (God Save the Mark, 1968), Best Short Story (“Too Many Crooks”, 1990), and Best Motion Picture Screenplay (The Grifters, 1991).
He was also named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America in 1993, and was nominated for an Academy Award for Grifters. In all, he wrote more than 100 books and several other screenplays, using a manual typewriter because he didn’t want to be bothered by the hum of an electric. He wrote seven days a week right up to the end: his last novel will be published in April. Westlake died December 31 from a heart attack while on his way to a New Year’s Eve dinner in Mexico. He was 75.