Hit Man [Mass Market Paperback]

What's it like to be a hit man (assassin for hire)? Lawrence Block takes on that challenging assignment in these connected short stories about John Keller ("call me Keller") who is one of the best in the business. Do you want it to look accidental and occur in 48 hours? Keller's your man.

In the professional ranks, everyone has cut outs. Keller gets his orders for an old man in White Plains. That man in turn accepts orders from other trusted brokers. No one knows who paid for the hit.

The terms? Half down and half on success. The amounts are a little vague but it seems more than adequate because Keller can live a carefree life without other forms of employment by working on only 8-10 jobs a year.

The hits take Keller away from his Manhattan home (near the U.N.) to some pretty obscure places. Sometimes those visits are a distraction and he hangs around to imagine what an ordinary life would be in the vicinity.

But when it comes to his work, Keller is unsentimental, creative and quick.

But occasionally something comes up that confuses matters . . . like the time he is ordered by two targets to kill each other. What to do?

The strength of the story is in taking us out of our lives to see the world through Keller's eyes. The only person he can talk openly to is Dot, the old man's assistant. The rest of the time is pretty lonely. That leads him to become a dog owner, after a strange series of events. But he travels a lot, so someone has to walk the dog. Keller doesn't want to leave the dog in a kennel so he finds a dog walker. One thing leads to another. How close can Keller get to someone else?

Keller is aware that his work has taken over whoever he was when he started. And he doesn't quite understand the process . . . but wants to. This leads him to seek help with an analyst. But how much to tell the analyst? It's a conundrum straight out of The Sopranos.

As time passes, Keller's human side shows more and more. Where will it take him? Dot suggests he take up a hobby.

The writing is beautiful. The plots are intriguing and engaging.

There's one problem. Keller doesn't quite ring true to me. He feels like the construct of an intellectual exercise.

But if you don't mind that falsity in the book's core, you'll have fun.

I started the series with Hit Parade, the third book in the series. That was a mistake. Start with Hit Man instead. It's a better book, and you'll like Hit Parade better when you read it if you've already read Hit Man.

Entertaining and fast-paced - the character of Keller is very well done. Block manages to seamlessly incorporate humor and humanity with the macabre responsibilities of a hit man. Unique and interesting with more than a few grains of truth about the human psyche.

Keller rules. I know that sounds like a 6th grade endorsement of this zippy novel (or short story collection?), but I'm just wild about Block's book. It was fun (and quick) read that is perfect for summer. Keller is killer as he well knows. The stories are funny and sometimes surprising. Even more, Keller gets to us. He is a decent and moral man in his own way. Block and Keller have a new fan. I'll be reading "Hit List" soon...