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Donald Edwin Westlake (12 July 1933 – 31 December 2008) was an American writer, with over a hundred novels and non-fiction books to his credit. He specialized in crime fiction, especially comic capers with an occasional foray into science fiction. He was a three-time Edgar Award winner, one of only two writers (the other is Joe Gores) to win Edgars in three different categories (1968, Best Novel, God Save the Mark; 1990, Best Short Story, "Too Many Crooks"; 1991, Best Motion Picture Screenplay, The Grifters). In 1993, the Mystery Writers of America named Westlake a Grand Master, the highest honor bestowed by the society.
Westlake was born in Brooklyn, New York, and attended Champlain College and Harpur College in Binghamton, New York. He spent two years in the United States Air Force. He was married to Abigail Westlake (also known as Abby Adams Westlake and Abby Adams), a writer of nonfiction (her two published books are An Uncommon Scold and The Gardener's Gripe Book). The couple lived in upstate New York. Abby Westlake is a well-regarded gardener, and the Westlake garden has frequently been opened for public viewing in the summer.
Westlake died of a heart attack on December 31, 2008 while on the way to a New Years Eve dinner, while he and his wife were on vacation in Mexico.