The Risk Profession By: Donald E. Westlake (1933-)
Donald E. Westlake takes readers on a thrilling and thought-provoking journey in his captivating novel, The Risk Profession. From the outset, Westlake introduces us to a dystopian future where insurance policies dictate nearly every aspect of life. In this world, citizens are judged not by their character or talents, but by the level of risk they pose to insurers. The protagonist, Herbert Hilliard, is an insurance investigator in this grim future society. With a keen eye for detail and an unrivaled dedication to his job, Hilliard navigates a treacherous landscape of deceit, danger, and moral ambiguity. As he delves deeper into his investigations, he uncovers a web of corporate conspiracy, greed, and power-mongering that threatens to dismantle society's already fragile balance. One of the novel's greatest strengths is Westlake's ability to immerse readers in this dystopian reality. The author's vivid descriptions of a world obsessed with risk provide a chilling mirror to our own obsession with safety and control. Through the lens of insurance, Westlake forces readers to question the limits of personal freedom and the corrosive effect that an excess of safety can have on a society. Moreover, Westlake's characterization of Herbert Hilliard is undeniably gripping. Hilliard's relentless pursuit of truth, despite the odds stacked against him, makes him a compelling and relatable protagonist. His internal struggle to reconcile his duty as an investigator with his own genuine desire for justice creates a complex and multi-dimensional character that keeps readers emotionally invested throughout the narrative. In addition to the engaging characters and thought-provoking themes, The Risk Profession is also a masterclass in suspense. Westlake expertly constructs a tightly woven plot filled with twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Each revelation and obstacle Hilliard encounters serves to ratchet up the tension, creating an irresistible page-turner that demands to be devoured in one sitting. However, despite the author's storytelling prowess, some readers may find the pacing of the novel to be uneven at times. While the majority of the book is packed with adrenaline-fueled action and intrigue, there are a few moments when the narrative slows down, slightly disrupting the otherwise breakneck pace. Nevertheless, these moments are short-lived and do not detract significantly from the overall reading experience. In conclusion, The Risk Profession is a must-read for any fan of dystopian fiction. Through an enthralling narrative and well-crafted characters, Donald E. Westlake creates a thought-provoking exploration of the fragile balance between safety and personal freedom. With its expertly executed suspense and powerful social commentary, this novel leaves a lasting impression, urging readers to question the role of risk in our own lives. First Page: [Illustration: Illustrated by IVIE] The men who did dangerous work had a special kind of insurance policy. But when somebody wanted to collect on that policy, the claims investigator suddenly became a member of ... The RISK PROFESSION By DONALD E. WESTLAKE Mister Henderson called me into his office my third day back in Tangiers. That was a day and a half later than I'd expected. Roving claims investigators for Tangiers Mutual Insurance Corporation don't usually get to spend more than thirty six consecutive hours at home base. Henderson was jovial but stern. That meant he was happy with the job I'd just completed, and that he was pretty sure I'd find some crooked shenanigans on this next assignment. That didn't please me. I'm basically a plain living type, and I hate complications. I almost wished for a second there that I was back on Fire and Theft in Greater New York. But I knew better than that. As a roving claim investigator, I avoided the more stultifying paper work inherent in this line of work and had the additional luxury of an expense account nobody ever questioned. It made working for a living almost worthwhile. When I was settled in the chair beside his desk, Henderson said, "That was good work you did on Luna, Ged. Saved the company a pretty pence... Continue reading book >>

The Risk Profession By: Donald E. Westlake (1933-)

Donald E. Westlake takes readers on a thrilling and thought-provoking journey in his captivating novel, The Risk Profession. From the outset, Westlake introduces us to a dystopian future where insurance policies dictate nearly every aspect of life. In this world, citizens are judged not by their character or talents, but by the level of risk they pose to insurers.

The protagonist, Herbert Hilliard, is an insurance investigator in this grim future society. With a keen eye for detail and an unrivaled dedication to his job, Hilliard navigates a treacherous landscape of deceit, danger, and moral ambiguity. As he delves deeper into his investigations, he uncovers a web of corporate conspiracy, greed, and power-mongering that threatens to dismantle society's already fragile balance.

One of the novel's greatest strengths is Westlake's ability to immerse readers in this dystopian reality. The author's vivid descriptions of a world obsessed with risk provide a chilling mirror to our own obsession with safety and control. Through the lens of insurance, Westlake forces readers to question the limits of personal freedom and the corrosive effect that an excess of safety can have on a society.

Moreover, Westlake's characterization of Herbert Hilliard is undeniably gripping. Hilliard's relentless pursuit of truth, despite the odds stacked against him, makes him a compelling and relatable protagonist. His internal struggle to reconcile his duty as an investigator with his own genuine desire for justice creates a complex and multi-dimensional character that keeps readers emotionally invested throughout the narrative.

In addition to the engaging characters and thought-provoking themes, The Risk Profession is also a masterclass in suspense. Westlake expertly constructs a tightly woven plot filled with twists and turns that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Each revelation and obstacle Hilliard encounters serves to ratchet up the tension, creating an irresistible page-turner that demands to be devoured in one sitting.

However, despite the author's storytelling prowess, some readers may find the pacing of the novel to be uneven at times. While the majority of the book is packed with adrenaline-fueled action and intrigue, there are a few moments when the narrative slows down, slightly disrupting the otherwise breakneck pace. Nevertheless, these moments are short-lived and do not detract significantly from the overall reading experience.

In conclusion, The Risk Profession is a must-read for any fan of dystopian fiction. Through an enthralling narrative and well-crafted characters, Donald E. Westlake creates a thought-provoking exploration of the fragile balance between safety and personal freedom. With its expertly executed suspense and powerful social commentary, this novel leaves a lasting impression, urging readers to question the role of risk in our own lives.

First Page:

[Illustration: Illustrated by IVIE]

The men who did dangerous work had a special kind of insurance policy. But when somebody wanted to collect on that policy, the claims investigator suddenly became a member of ...

The RISK PROFESSION

By DONALD E. WESTLAKE

Mister Henderson called me into his office my third day back in Tangiers. That was a day and a half later than I'd expected. Roving claims investigators for Tangiers Mutual Insurance Corporation don't usually get to spend more than thirty six consecutive hours at home base.

Henderson was jovial but stern. That meant he was happy with the job I'd just completed, and that he was pretty sure I'd find some crooked shenanigans on this next assignment. That didn't please me. I'm basically a plain living type, and I hate complications. I almost wished for a second there that I was back on Fire and Theft in Greater New York. But I knew better than that. As a roving claim investigator, I avoided the more stultifying paper work inherent in this line of work and had the additional luxury of an expense account nobody ever questioned.

It made working for a living almost worthwhile.

When I was settled in the chair beside his desk, Henderson said, "That was good work you did on Luna, Ged. Saved the company a pretty pence... Continue reading book >>

Genres for this book
Literature
Science

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Wikipedia – Donald E. Westlake
Wikipedia – The Risk Profession

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