"I think what they liked about Parker was that he had chosen to reject society, rather than the other way around. He was the prowling outsider, but it hadn't been forced on him. Or maybe not."

- Donald Westlake, The Getaway Car: A Donald Westlake Nonfiction Miscellany

Richard Stark's Parker novels were reintroduced to modern audiences with Darwyn Cooke's comic book adaptations and in the process, these seminal classics of crime fiction have reached readers that might have generally found the genre unwelcoming. Parker has always been an outsider though, and his exploits have historically resonated with more than just the stereotypical Stark fan. We offer an eclectic collection of reviews, thoughts, obscure finds and news from a different perspective.

You can reach us at toughbusiness@mail.com -- we welcome inquiries, conversation, and any Parker-related ephemera!

latest updates

“The story is about the people and their machinations” - An Exclusive Interview with Paul Westlake

08/05/2026

Tough Business recently had the incredible opportunity to sit down for an in-depth and intimate chat with Paul Westlake, Donald Westlake's son and one-time caretaker of his official website. We're delighted to have gotten the chance to talk to Paul about his early life, his favorite Parker adaptations, Mr. Westlake's personality, his writing process, his influences, and more.

Paul also kindly shared a number of family photos that we have the honor of publishing here for the first time.

the novels

The Grofield solo novels are counted as part of the original twenty-book series, as per the back cover blurb on the Butcher's Moon first edition, and appear in the in-universe chronological order.