Donald E. Westlake was an American author known for his prolific writing in the crime and mystery genres. Born on July 12, 1933, he published over 100 novels, many of which featured humor and clever plots. Westlake is perhaps best known for his series featuring the character John Dortmunder, a professional thief who often finds himself in absurd situations. In addition to his novels, Westlake wrote screenplays, including the adaptation of his own book, The Hot Rock. His work earned him several prestigious awards, including the Edgar Award for mystery writing. Westlake's unique style and engaging storytelling have left a lasting impact on the genre.