The Hunter

Donald E. Westlake · first published 1962 · ISBN 9780446674645

Parker, a professional thief, is betrayed by a woman and left for dead. He survives and spends the novel hunting down the people responsible, working his way methodically through the criminal underworld. There's no humor here, only a man who operates by a code and never stops moving forward until his business is settled. Every act is purposeful. Every scene tightens the noose.