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.

the funny life of a hitman

While it is unlikely that this little story will earn literary awards --it is a worthwhile escape. This dark comedy is expertly narrated and it's protagonist engaging, possessing an array of contradictory impulses. An entertaining diversion for those with a slightly twisted sense of humor.
I gave it a four because there were a few uneven moments and because it was too short!!

eerie but funny

If you could sum up Hit Man in three words, what would they be?

different, funny, eerie

What did you like best about this story?

love the narratator, he brought the characters out well

What about Robert Forster’s performance did you like?

he doesn't change his voice to freaky female voices. He uses the same voice just will change his tone a bit.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

laugh

Happy Ending

What did you love best about Hit Man?

A lighthearted story about a man with a job to do. There were times when I thought he wouldn't do it, shouldn't do it, would have a change of heart, but he was a professional.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Hit Man?

The rules and regulations of the job.

Good Weave

Interesting subject matter. It goes to show you that even a hitman has a life.

Block @ Best

I've always loved the ironic style of LB but I didn't see this one coming. I thought, just the usual stereotypical hitman type book but must be well written as it's by LB. I have only read his 'burglar' series prior to this book, but how wrong I was. This book is brilliant and worth every last cent of what I paid. I love the Keller character: a real person with feelings, likes, dislikes and desires just like the rest of us and, ay, a really nice person to boot! LB is an excellent writer; a master storyteller with an almost unnatural tallent for wit and irony.
I can't recommend this book, now a series, high enough.

Can't miss with this price

I am giving this book 5 stars because it is such a great listen for such a low price. I listened to it while I was running on the treadmill, and it was very entertaining.

Awesome book for cheap price

I figured this would be a boring story or bad quality (considering its price). But this was a GREAT listen...check it out!

Keller rocks!

The Hit Man series is a great twist on the assassination genre. Block does a wonderful job of humanizing a person most people could not relate with.

God Bless You, Robert Forster

I think that this is the first audio book that I've ever given five stars.

If you are a fan of detective fiction or suspense novels, you can purchase this book without worry. Well-written. Nicely paced. Extrememly well read. You'll wish that it was double the length.

THIS IS MY KIND OF KILLER!

I loved this book! I just finished reading Andrew Peterson's latest Nathan McBride (#4) installment "Ready a To Kill". I was mad as heck! No sniper action until the book was almost over! But THIS assassin, Keller, is just like I love my assassins: deadly, dour, and incredibly funny. Block weaves a great tale here with plenty of killings. Keller goes about his job as if he works at the post office. He tries to act heartless but he's a killer with a bit of a conscious. If not actually sorry for taking folks out, he yearns to own a house with a yard for a dog. To sit in front of the television, watching HBO and doing crossword puzzles. Or talking for a full 30 minutes on stamp collecting. Yet he is a deadly killer! A charming unassuming guy who gets his targets to trust him, even inviting Keller to dinner. Then.....WHAM! No one saw it coming! And his partner in crime, the assignment "scheduler", a woman named Dot is the perfect "Charley" to his "Angel". Narrator Robert Forster is the perfect choice - although the author steps in for the next book. I HATE IT WHEN AUTHORS READ THEIR WORKS! But we'll see......

Andrew Peterson needs to take a page from Block's play book. I want a book about assassins who complete their assignments satisfactory, quick, and efficient. Not a bunch of generic ex-CIA snipers whom Peterson failed to take the time to develop. Now I'm on to the next book in this outstanding series! Well played, Block!