Hit Me Audiobook

" In spite of some genuinely funny dialogue and a number of vivid characters, this collection of Keller stories seemed a little perfunctory to me. It is heavily freighted with long, detailed discussions of the nuances of stamp collecting, none of which had much to do with any of the plots. OK, Keller-the-killer keeps his guilt at bay and manages to stay sane partly by collecting stamps: I get it. But here it takes up so much time that it is a distraction, more or less like the repeated and repeated AA meetings in Block's Matthew Scudder novels. Maybe Block himself is more interested in stamp collecting than in writing. These stories show signs of being written by a master who no longer needs to do anything but gesture at actually writing the story. Block admits in one of them that they are really just puzzles--how will Keller get past the guards, or get into the impregnable building, or be two places at once, or correctly identify the real intended victim, or whatever? Once the puzzle is solved (and Block knows that we know he will solve it), there is no further interest. So here, the actual murders are foregone conclusions, and we don't actually witness any of them. Once Keller has figured out how to do it, the actual execution (in both senses) is assumed. In the last story, Block even foregoes clarifying the puzzle--he just states that Keller will successfully figure out who deserves to be killed, and the story ends. Maybe next time (if there is one) the phone will ring, it will be Dot with a job for Keller, and Block will let us assume the rest. "

" A good thriller with an interesting premise. I read another of his books and it is the same method. "

" It reprises one of the most interesting, iconic characters in all crime fiction literature, a legendary hit man known only as Keller. This an entertaining romp through the pages of Mr. Block's latest work. You will have a great time! "

" I haven't read the other Keller stories. I enjoyed this one for a lazy Saturday read. A little more detail about stamp collecting than was probably necessary. "

" Well worth the wait! The ending clearly suggests another book is on the way. The beginning was a little slow and the Keller and Dot personalities took awhile to emerge. Overall a great read as usual from Mr. Block. "

" I continue to love this series. :-) "

" If you liked the other Keller books, you will certainly want to read this one too. But if you are new to this author, start with the first in the series. "

" Lawrence Block is very underrated. His sense of pace and the non-linear approach to the story is outstanding. I highly recommend his books. "

" This book is more a series of short stories than a novel. Way too much information on stamp collecting and not enough plot. The wife was odd. Overall not impressed. "

" If you have not read anything by Lawrence Block, I highly suggest you start! I have read at least 25 of his books and have never been disappointed. "

" Keller, as a family man, is "less" violent. Nice to see that he has a new occupation "

" It's such a treat to have Keller back again. His conversations with Dot, his "handler" are hilarious. "

" Another solid entry in the Hit Man series. If this is indeed Lawrence Block's last novel, he has gone out on a high note. "

" I really enjoyed the first few books in Block's unexpected crime novel series about Keller, a professional hit man. I recommend starting at the beginning of the series, and if you like those, you'll find this update on what Keller's been up to since his 'retirement' interestng too. "

" Did not enjoy this book. Distracted by the bits on stamp collection; plot is jagged as the author writes little sections on each "hit" he has been assigned. "

" I have read all the Keller books. Totally love them!!!! "