The Hook

Bryce Proctorr has a multi-million dollar contract for his next novel, a trophy wife raking him over the coals of a protracted divorce, a bad case of writer's block and an impending deadline. Wayne Prentice is a fading author in a world that no longer values his work. Proctorr has a proposition: if Prentice will hand over his unsold manuscript to publish under Proctorr's name, the two will split the book advance fifty-fifty. There's just one small rider to the deal...

"THE HOOK is a heartstopping suspense novel from the pro of pros. I was hooked myself, from page one. The book is full of nasty jolts and turns, including one of the most hair-raising murder scenes ever written. THE AX was good; THE HOOK is ever so much better. Westlake shines...and in this case, he terrifies, as well." - Stephen King

"THE HOOK begins with an agreement signed in blood and smoothly, unobtrusively, gracefully, relentlessly moves toward absolute devastation. This is Donald E. Westlake at the top of his form, writing with the power and confidence of a master and keeping the reader dazzled and agape all the way to the last sentence." - Peter Straub