The Ax

Donald E. Westlake · first published 1997 · ISBN 9780446404341

Burke Devore is a middle-aged technical writer laid off from his job. He decides the only way to get work is to eliminate his competition. He methodically tracks down other technical writers in his area and kills them. As the body count rises, law enforcement closes in, but Burke keeps moving forward, convinced that his plan will work if he can just eliminate enough obstacles.