A Likely Story is another Donald E. Westlake tale from the 1970s that feels outdated now. A writer compiling a Christmas related anthology has a whole range of romantic issues with current girlfriend and former wife, and assorted children, which comes to a head at a holiday house by the beach.

Perhaps the best part of A Likely Story is the "appearance" of entries in the anthology from writers like Isaac Asimov and Stephen King; from the little I know of Asimov, I wouldn't be the slightest surprised if his response to a simple query to contribute a Christmas related article would be to bombard the author with a slew of articles on absolutely everything even vaguely Christmas. ( )

a writer's trials and tribulations with girl friend, ex-wife, girl friend's ex-husband, publisher and editor

Westlake is a prolific author of comedic crime (cf Dortmunder). Here, however, he takes the reader on a journey through the publishing business told from the author's (and philanderer's) perspective. A book about an author writing a book (about Christmas in fact...). It's actually so well done that at times it seems like a manual on how to survive the publishing business, and how not to go about managing blended families and the world of serial monogamy. There's an ironic tone to the book, with just a few moments of Westlake's comedic genius. But it's not a satire, or indeed a comedy but a kind of gentle tribute to two institutions that he seems to have some affection for. (publishing and marriage). Recommended for fans of Westlake, and those curious about the world of book publishing. ( )