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Hit Man

by Lawrence Block

Hit Man is more like a series of stories than a novel, although all the stories seem to be related. However, each story resolves itself within the chapter, rather than at the end of the book, as in all other murder mysteries. And there's no mystery here about whodunit – the hit man is the star. The only mystery is how he manages to get to each of his marks. Perhaps another mystery – and one that remains unresolved – is why his girlfriend and dog suddenly left…?

Lawrence Block should need no introduction. As always, his writing is way above average, and he introduces us to Keller, a man who kills people for a living. Clients who want somebody permanently out of the way call Keller's boss in White Plains, New York, and then the boss' secretary, Dot, notifies Keller with the particulars. After that, the hit man travels all over the country taking care of a client's wishes – first in this state then that one. The more we read, the more Keller seems like just another human being, not a cold-blooded killer at all. The hit man fantasizes about living in some of the towns he visits, even though he's a dedicated New Yorker and loves his city. He never knows who the client is, and doesn't much care.

Hit Man is a departure from most of Lawrence Block's work. There is a touch of humor here and there, but nothing like we find in his Bernie Rhodenbarr books, for instance. Keller is a totally different character; certainly not a mobster type, but a sensitive, caring individual who sees taking out people as just another job. A job, incidentally, that pays very well – a necessary item in Manhattan!

The first chapter has Keller on an airplane on his way to a small town called Roseburg in Oregon. The mark is now known as Ed Vandermeer, running a Quik Print shop with his wife, Betty. A member of the Witness Protection Program, Ed and his wife have already moved several times, but are hoping that Roseburg will be their last destination. Unfortunately for Ed (whose real name is Burt Engleman) it is.

The second chapter finds Keller in Wyoming, and there he decides to take out someone else instead of the mark – but then the mark is killed in an accident, and Keller gets the credit for it back in White Plains.

Jerrold Breen is a psychiatric therapist who counsels Keller, and nobody knows Keller is going to him. Breen is evidently a good therapist, and when Keller has dreams and tells Breen about them, Breen is able to help Keller interpret the odd things he's dreamed of. But when Breen murders his wife by throwing her out of a window, Keller kills him. He then takes the dog, named Nelson.

Since Keller must travel often, he gets a girl to walk Nelson, feed him, and take care of his apartment while he's gone. The girl's name is Andria. It's not long before Andria moves in permanently and becomes Keller's girl, even after realizing what he does for a living. But eventually she moves out, taking Nelson with her. We're not told exactly why. We only know that Keller is once more alone without even a dog to keep him company.

The boss in White Plains is getting old and senile. Dot finally takes over, and although Keller himself has taken up stamp collecting as a hobby and supposedly retired, Dot presses him back into service when she decides to continue the business with herself in charge.

Hit Man is an interesting book, as the character Keller himself is interesting. In this novel, Lawrence Block has provided interpretation of a character so far removed from our mobster idea of a hit man that Keller's personality in itself is a revelation. As always, with this book, Mr. Block has once more succeeded in capturing our complete attention. Although I've yet to read everything Lawrence Block has written, I haven't the slightest doubt that whatever I choose among his many efforts will be rewarding!

Alan Paul Curtis

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