Hit Man

By: Lawrence Block

Narrated by: Robert Forster

Length: 7 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

Keller possesses all the qualities of a professional killer. He's cool, confident, reclusive, icy, and ruthlessly efficient. But this seasoned hit man is also prone to self-doubt as he finds himself caught in the clutches of a mid-life crisis. Between contracts, he learns a few crucial truths about himself and the ways of the world he's become detached from, and winds up a wiser - if not better - man.

©1998 by Lawrence Block (P)1998 by Dove Audio, Inc.

fun to listen to

I like stories that are easy to listen to while doing other things. some stories have too many details to keep track of. This was great for me.as the short stories are easy to follow, well crafted and have enough wit and cleverness to keep it interesting.

Masterpiece for the genre

you'll love Keller! a particularly investing hitman personality. I really liked all his ideas about what to do while waiting for clients.

a must listen

A rare find, Lawrence Block takes the listener for a fantastic ride. Superbly nuanced and surprisingly poignant at times. This darkly humorous tale captivates the listener

Loved the book.

Any additional comments?

Loved it. Similar to Richard Stark's Parker books. Appropriate reading that really enhanced the story. Recommend, especially to Donald E. Westlake fans.

enjoyable

Robert Forester does a great job narating a very good book. series started as a few short stories but turned into some good novels. the fourth is my favorite.

Beware the Hit Man Cometh!

This book is wonderful in that it keeps the reader/listener wanting more. The storyline keeps moving and does NOT bore you. My opinion of this title would be to suggest it to anyone who likes to listen/read mystery/thriller styles. The main character in the story is at times comical and others very dramatic. Keep your mind open when it comes to predetermined opinions about killers and the MOB. This story does not fit the pattern.

Didn't want it to end...

A great story. Great narrator. Out of the box gentle humor. You can't go wrong with this one!

Surprisingly fun listen

Ordered this one because it was cheap and was pleasantly suprised. Hit men and crime thrillers are not usually my thing but this one had just enough humor and plot twists to more than satisfy. The reader was perfect voice for Keller's ruminations on life death patriotism and pet ownership. Would have given five stars but it wasn't that deep. Still, great fun.

Possibly the Best Audio Book I've Ever Heard

There isn't mucht to add from what the other reviewers have said except one thing.

I don't see this as a story about a hit man. It is yet another allegory about "everyman". The fact that Keller is a paid assassin is not the point of the story. It makes it very interesting to listen to because his occupation is very extreme.

The story is about who we are and what we become and how we end up looking back at our lives trying to decide if what we do defines who we are. I know that I never dreamed as a child of going into sales -- yet here I am at age 50 running a sales organization. Like Keller, I don't love what I do, but I don't hate it. It's not at all, though about who I am.

Being a hit man is not who Keller is, it's just what he does. This story has certainly been done before -- the mid-life crisis where a man gets a dog, a hobby, a much-younger girlfriend -- but doing it in this context is nothing short of brilliant.

And then when you add Robert Forster into the mix, magic happens. This narration is simply remarkable. Forster nailed this one dead on.

Don't be put off by the fact that this hit man isn't punished or thinking that this book will desensitize you to violence -- it won't. It's a great book and if you pass it up - you'll be missing a lot.

Great hit!

This was a terribly witty, funny and streaming book. I found the writing a lot like Elmore Leonard (or maybe it is vice versa). Highly recommended reading for the people that like the genre.