BROTHERS KEEPERS

(Titan Books €11.20) A THROWBACK to the age when land was cheap, a small monastery occupies a prime site in downtown New York. But not for much longer, if a property magnate has his way. When the monks refuse to go quietly, the scene is set for a battle with the philistines, who are no strangers to dodgy practices.

The plot centres on Brother Benedict, the youngest of the order, who departs into the wide world to confront the enemy.

There, he meets the fun-loving daughter of his chief opponent, who leads him to a solution that might not be quite in the traditions of holy practice.

It’s hard to categorise Westlake. Crime, yes, but comedy caper may be more apt. What is beyond dispute is his classic status.