Evil is as evil does

Just finishing up Richard Stark's (AKA Donald Westlake) Flashfire. It's enjoyable enough, it would certainly be great for a commute or exer-bike book, as you can knock it off in about 2 hours. What is notable about it is that it is a crime procedural, which you don't see too often. There are plenty of police procedurals, which show how cops use routines to catch criminals. This book shows how a criminal goes about his business. For example, Parker, the main character, wants to raise cash to prepare a job. So we get about 50 pages of theft, launder, acquire tools, repeat. There is an odd amorality to the entire book as well. Parker's motivation is rarely if ever touched upon. When you finish it, all the crime and killing slides off like it was nothing.

Contrast this to reading Patricia Highsmith or Jim Thompson. After reading one of those you want to go pick flowers for your Mom to show that there is good in the world. These authors focus on the inner lives and motivations of their characters and this draws the reader deeper into the story. Stark is entirely focused on plot and explaining how criminals do their work which makes it essentially clinical. If I had my choice I would rather read a Highsmith or a Thompson, but sometimes I just need to zone out on the plane and Stark is good for that.

The really quite good movie, Point Blank, is based upon one of these books. The less good movie, Payback, is a remake of Point Blank. Watch it instead.