God Save the Mark

Have you ever bought something and later wondered why? Have salesmen talked you into purchasing something you did not really want? In God Save the Mark, Fred Fitch wonders if he is the greatest sucker in history as he looks at his massive pile of receipts for useless products and services. Fred is what con men call a "mark". This novel is the most enjoyable book I have read in many months. Although a mystery, it is also a comic look at people with little sales resistence. Fred Fitch, who knows he is an easy "mark" inherits several hundred thousand dollars from an uncle he never knew existed. Fred is suspicions. Is it possible that this inheritance is one more con job designed to take advantage of his weakness? His friend, Reilly, a police officer in the local bunco squad, assures Fred that the inheritance is real, and decides Fred needs protection from himself. Fred, who doesn't really want the money, embarks upon a hilarious quest that introduces him to many people, most of whom simply want part of Fred's fortune. In "God Save The Mark" the author introduces us to many characters. The main characters, Fred, Karen, Gertie, and Reilly, seem like real people. Getting to know these characters as people is a part of the book that is especially fun. This is a mystery that has action without ferocity, suspense without violence, heart stopping excitement while maintaining a sense of humor. I highly recommend "God Save the Mark".

Gentle, distant Fred Fitch is the world's easiest mark. He knows every con game going but that doesn't stop him from being a victim over and over again. He's not stupid, he just has an overabundance of faith in his fellow man. But what good can possibly befall such a guy when he inherits $300,000? That's just the beginning of this funny, imaginative story as Fred gets taken for the ride of his life. This one was a delight, beginning to end.

Donald E. Westlake is one of the very best writers of semi-serious or comic crime fiction. Others in this category are Lawrence Block, Tamar Myers, Carl Hiaasen, and Janet Evanovich. The Dortmunder series are perhaps Westlake's best, but "God Save the Mark" is a fine example of the Westlake talent writing farce. The central character, hardly a hero in the usual sense, tries very hard to be rational and brave, but he is more akin to Jackie Gleason's The Poor Soul than to Mike Hammer. Fred Fitch is, simply put, a sucker--a sucker for every conman grifter in the world. Then out of nowhere he inherits a fortune (a fortune in 1967, when this was first published) and suddenly old Fred finds himself a target for bullets rather than grifts. And now he is on the run. There are few laugh-out-loud moments--although Fred's attempt to report to the NYPD of a kidnapping is worth more than a smile. The city is a more or less constant threat to Fred. Ditto for all of the characters he meets. They could give anyone paranoia. The dialogue is as good as that of Lawrence Block's. In short, this is fun to read as a comedy and as a murder mystery.

I've owned two previous copies of this hilarious novel by the best comic mystery writer I've ever encountered, Donald Westlake. I bought it when it first came out in the late 1960s, later had it in paperback, and now it's been reprinted again. Fred Fitch has to be one of the funniest protagonists in a mystery novel ever. OK, he's drawn a bit unrealistically -- I mean, has anyone ever been as dumb and yet articulate as he? I doubt it. But the notion of his being the easiest mark ever (hence the title) is a hilarious set-up for a book, and Westlake makes you chortle (well, I chortle, but perhaps you guffaw or snort) on practically every page. A definite recommendation, particularly for those Westlake fans who may have missed this one the first time around. Scott Morrison

If you are a fan of Westlake, chances are you will buy this book no matter what the reviews - and good for you. Those who may have stumbled onto this for some reason may want to give this book a chance. If you enjoy a quick mystery/crime novel with a funny slant, especially one with a taste for the times during which it was written (this is a reprint of a very early novel by the author), then you may very well enjoy this book. It is also a great introcuction to a writer who continues his successful run of novels (both humourous and grave) to this date. Well worth checking out.