The quirky hit man
John Keller lives a very quiet, ordinary life. He’s single. Lives in Manhattan. Had a dog as a pet for a while. Had a midlife crisis, sort of, and thought about moving to a small town. Collects stamps, his one small obsession. Thinks about retirement, but has been making some large stamp purchases that eat into his savings. Travels widely in his work. Oh yes, his work – he kills people on contract, a hit man.
Lawrence Block created Keller in short stories that have evolved into three books, Hit Man, Hit List and the latest, Hit Parade. The books read like stitched together short stories and sketches but that’s ok. Block’s subject is a hired killer, but the stories are as much about Keller as any man, with any man’s concerns, interests and issues. The big anomaly is that killing other people is against the moral code of most any man. Block doesn’t shy from the mundane accounting of Keller’s workday, providing the occasional detail but not justifying or showcasing it. The hit man scenes in the stories are more about the business side, the planning, the problems to be worked out and the occasional moral or ethical hiccup. He’s a sociopath and a little sensitive about the label! Block doesn’t try to make you root for Keller and success in his work, but he does make you interested in Keller the man.
These stories are more about anti-detection – doing a job and avoiding getting caught or getting hurt; the law and order authorities play almost no role. Keller the man could almost be viewed as a boring nobody (with the exception of his profession). Yet, for me, Block gives him the appeal of the quirky detective, the oddball protagonist, or the non-hero that engages the reader. Caring is too strong, but you are interested in how it all plays out. The appeal might be that Keller does have everyman doubts, neighbor hood type issues, aging anxieties, and a sense of the struggle of daily life. Or it might be that Block is just such a darn fine writer.
Recommendation – Lawrence Block is such a fine and prolific author that recommending him is like saying you should catch a sunset sometime. His Matt Scudder books have complex story lines and a hard edge, about an alcoholic ex-cop who gets drafted into private detection of the noir kind. His Bernie Rhodenbarr series is light and fun reading about a casual burglar and bookstore owner. John Keller is the hit man, next door. Block has been equally prolific with the short story where he has given his series characters short spins, as well as created many other engaging good and bad folk. Start anywhere, but do catch a sunset.
This review is also featured at One Storm Day and at I Love A Mystery.
Lawrence Block created Keller in short stories that have evolved into three books, Hit Man, Hit List and the latest, Hit Parade. The books read like stitched together short stories and sketches but that’s ok. Block’s subject is a hired killer, but the stories are as much about Keller as any man, with any man’s concerns, interests and issues. The big anomaly is that killing other people is against the moral code of most any man. Block doesn’t shy from the mundane accounting of Keller’s workday, providing the occasional detail but not justifying or showcasing it. The hit man scenes in the stories are more about the business side, the planning, the problems to be worked out and the occasional moral or ethical hiccup. He’s a sociopath and a little sensitive about the label! Block doesn’t try to make you root for Keller and success in his work, but he does make you interested in Keller the man.
These stories are more about anti-detection – doing a job and avoiding getting caught or getting hurt; the law and order authorities play almost no role. Keller the man could almost be viewed as a boring nobody (with the exception of his profession). Yet, for me, Block gives him the appeal of the quirky detective, the oddball protagonist, or the non-hero that engages the reader. Caring is too strong, but you are interested in how it all plays out. The appeal might be that Keller does have everyman doubts, neighbor hood type issues, aging anxieties, and a sense of the struggle of daily life. Or it might be that Block is just such a darn fine writer.
Recommendation – Lawrence Block is such a fine and prolific author that recommending him is like saying you should catch a sunset sometime. His Matt Scudder books have complex story lines and a hard edge, about an alcoholic ex-cop who gets drafted into private detection of the noir kind. His Bernie Rhodenbarr series is light and fun reading about a casual burglar and bookstore owner. John Keller is the hit man, next door. Block has been equally prolific with the short story where he has given his series characters short spins, as well as created many other engaging good and bad folk. Start anywhere, but do catch a sunset.
This review is also featured at One Storm Day and at I Love A Mystery.
posted by Jack Stankevicz | 9:13 AM
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