Who Stole Sassi Manoon?

by Donald E. Westlake

Who Stole Sassi Manoon? You'll have a great time finding out.

Genres: Crime, Humor, Fiction, Mystery

174 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1968

About the author

Donald E. Westlake (1933-2008) was one of the most prolific and talented authors of American crime fiction. He began his career in the late 1950's, churning out novels for pulp houses—often writing as many as four novels a year under various pseudonyms such as Richard Stark—but soon began publishing under his own name. His most well-known characters were John Dortmunder, an unlucky thief, and Parker, a ruthless criminal. His writing earned him three Edgar Awards: the 1968 Best Novel award for God Save the Mark; the 1990 Best Short Story award for "Too Many Crooks"; and the 1991 Best Motion Picture Screenplay award for The Grifters. In addition, Westlake also earned a Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America in 1993.

Westlake's cinematic prose and brisk dialogue made his novels attractive to Hollywood, and several motion pictures were made from his books, with stars such as Lee Marvin and Mel Gibson. Westlake wrote several screenplays himself, receiving an Academy Award nomination for his adaptation of The Grifters, Jim Thompson's noir classic.

Some of the pseudonyms he used include
•   Richard Stark
•   Timothy J. Culver
•   Tucker Coe
•   Curt Clark
•   J. Morgan Cunningham
•   Judson Jack Carmichael
•   D.E. Westlake
•   Donald I. Vestlejk
•   Don Westlake

Reviews

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did a book report on this book in the seventh grade. Nobody was surprised when I was forcibly ejected from the school newspaper staff several years later.

As a second act, the next six weeks I did a book report on Bank Shot. The teacher was appalled at my selections, and was apparently under the impression my parents had no idea what I was reading. She was even more shocked to find out that my mother was supplying me with books.

Que sera sera.

[Dave · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Sassi Manoon is alive and well. If she is to be returned, a ransom of four hundred thousand dollars must be paid,” thus reads the ransom note. But, let’s back up a second. Who is Sassi Moon? None other than the world’s most famous movie star, sort of Marilyn Monroe. And being rich and famous you are often the target for kooks.

The primary kook is “Kelly, Kelly Bram Nicholas IV, son of Kelly Bram Nicholas III, grandson of Kelly Bram Nicholas II, great-grandson of Kelly Bram Nicholas, hated everybody but loved machines.” Indeed, the entire caper is organized by “Starnap,” perhaps the very first instance of artificial intelligence {AI}. Frank Ashford and Robby Creswel are brought onboard and the trio proceeds to Jamaica with little in the way of plans other than to find Sassi and grab her.

If it hadn’t all been cursed from the start, it was then. They kidnap the wrong woman from the screening room. And while they’re dealing with the wrong victim, another merry band kidnaps Sassi.

To be honest, Who Stole Sassi Moon? Is a comic caper the slapstick like humor of which hadn’t been seen in many a year. What do you do when you’ve planned the most audacious caper ever (with the help of early AI) and someone else beats you to it?

[Glenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ultra-lighthearted caper from Westlake (oddly credited on the cover without his middle initial) that is short on depth but long on comical planning and silly situations. It’s cozy and convoluted finale takes away from the fun first half but this one isn’t high art, it’s just there for fun. It almost feels as if Westlake might have cranked this one out during an inspired week’s vacation somewhere in the Caribbean. If that was actually these case, it’s just more proof of what an inventive and prolific storyteller he was.

[Dominick · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one's basically Westlake on cruise control; this is the sort of thing he could almost write in his sleep, I would imagine. Quirky characters, elaborate plot, multiple twists and double-crosses, many humorous set-pieces, all in the service of a kidnapping caper with two sets of kidnappers and one interloper. Amusing, an easy read, but not memorable. I think if it had been done as a Parker novel, with the humour cut way back and the edginess of the Parker books added, it would have a better claim to classic status. One for Westlake fans, for sure, but I doubt it would win him any converts.

[Holly Dolezalek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witty, smart, and funny. My first Donald Westlake and I'm looking forward to the rest.

[Mandolin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sassi Manoon has it all and she's bored with it. With the classic rags-to-riches story, she's become an international celebrity, garnering nearly a million dollars for each of her widely popular films. She is highly in demand and finds herself flitting from one exotic location to another. She's had several marriages and plenty of lovers, with prospects for many more to come. Anything material she could desire, she can get. But Sassi is sick of it all. It's no wonder, then, that she is almost happy to be kidnapped by a gang of unlikely criminals. Free of the constant pressure and demands on her time, she's finally able to relax and be herself! So, she, like the reader of this funny novel, can find it in her heart to like her kidnappers and almost wish them well in their endeavors. Schnookish Kelly and his intelligent computer Starnap , racially restricted Robby, impersonator extraordinaire Frank, uptight Major and Victorian Miss Rushby...quirky and lovable, they encounter mishap after mishap in their attempts to make an easier life for themselves by capturing Sassi for ransom and capture the readers' heart as well. If you're at all human, you'll probably find yourself rooting for them as well! Great light-hearted read from a master at comic criminal novels!

[Denise M.]

AKA: Alan Marshall, Alan Marsh, James Blue, Ben Christopher, Edwin West, John B. Allan, Curt Clark, Tucker Coe, P.N. Castor, Timothy J. Culver, J. Morgan Cunningham, Samuel Holt, Judson Jack Carmichael, Richard Stark, Donald E. Westlake

[Book Concierge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun kidnapping caper from the master of this genre. Bumbling "criminals," a victim who isn't, and double crosses galore. His books are just a joy to read.

[Zach Bumgardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant.

[Janet Bird · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous read, I can't get enough Donald E. Westlake. I find him absolutely hilarious and also informative.