Rating: 
Summary: Very Strange
Review: This was a very strange story. I couldn't wait to finish it. Not because it was so interesting, but because it was so depressing. Keller is very good at what he does but his life is dull. Maybe that's Mr. Block's point. A hit man is just another poor slob trying to get through life, doing what he does best and trying to make sense of it all. The title for this book really should have been, "Hit Men Are People Too".
Rating: 
Summary: Good book; GREAT reading by Forster!
Review: I listen to quite a few audio books, and this is one of the best readings I can remember. Forster has the perfect voice and inflection for the characters in the book, giving you the impression that he truly is the protagonist, seeing the world through the protagonist's eyes. It's also great to hear Forster smile at the slight, wry humor sprinkled around in the book. Oh, yeah, and the story is a lot of fun, too. Listen to this one!
Rating: 
Summary: Even when he's boring, J.P. Keller is interesting
Review: I've never read Lawrence Block before, but after being introduced by a mutual acquaintance -- J.P. Keller -- I will again. Keller headlines a unique page-turner here: He's a hit man who's not a good shot, not a tough guy...but who is the kind of neighbor you'd want to take in your mail when you go on vacation (unless he had to leave town to kill someone). There's not much action here, very little danger, not much suspense -- but page after page, Keller stays interesting. Even when he's boring -- walking his dog or collecting stamps, for goodness' sake -- he's fascinating. The dialogue -- between Keller and Dot, between Keller and his psychiatrist, between murderer and various murderees -- pops. Hit Man isn't a typical mystery thriller, but that's one reason why it's very enjoyable.
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Summary: One of the best collection of short stories ever
Review: The tales of Keller are classic works of crime fiction. Lawrence Block gives us a great tragic figure in this book which collects his adventures in "removal". This book is great because it shows murder cases from the other side. Also it gives us a hero in a dark world. One who thinks and hopes and dreams while he continues to work. A well written piece.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a bad book, but not great.
Review: First, when I picked it up I was disappointed to find it was actually a series of short-stories, some of which I've already read in other collections (Answers to Soldier comes to mind). Some of these were new, however, and they did hang together fairly well. I've always enjoyed Mr. Block's writing and these stories were no exception. I think a few of the previous reviewers missed the point that the book was not so much about a hired killer, but about an everyday man with a decidedly different profession. Perhaps Mr. Block may miss some technical aspects of being a hired gun, but he really knows how to make his characters seem alive.
Rating:
Summary: I recommend this book
Review: This is my first Lawrence Block novel, and I enjoyed it a great deal. It was a surprising book, while at the same time having some plot twists that you see coming. I say it was surprising because of the books moral stance. It doesn't judge this character's career choice the way you might expect (or might not...hey maybe it's just me). It almost seems like a documentary, and if I'd read this in some other form, not knowing it was a novel, I would totally have believed it was a true story. I also like the "Dot" character. She was plucky and strong, and well written for a female character by a male author. I also liked the understated tone of the narrative, and the restraint from overly morbid descriptions. I could have done with less of Keller's introspection, though.
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Summary: An engrossing, often amusing look at an assassin's life
Review: This is the first Lawrence Block book that I've read, and I enjoyed it immensely. Other reviewers in this space have suggested that "Hit Man" is not up to Block's usual standards. If that's the case, then I can't wait to read more of his work. I found "Hit Man" to be a nice variation on the killer-who's-cold-as-ice theme -- except for the fact that he kills strangers for a living, the title character is pretty much an average Joe. Some of the scenes were implausible at best -- and at least one was completely out of character -- but for the most part I found "Hit Man" fascinating and utterly entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: Short stories deserve a read if nothing better is available.
Review: The usual Lawrence Block great prose, plot and characters (aside from the principal character, Keller). However, if you want to read the ultimate story of a hit man, then read Thomas Perry's THE BUTCHER'S BOY, absolutely the best read about this subject!
Rating:
Summary: Terrific Book!! 10 STARS * * * * * * * * * * *
Review: Keller is one of the most interesting characters I've read in a long time. He's sensitive, outgoing, funny, intelligent and careful. Congratulations to Mr. Block on this novel, I just picked up his new one "TANNER ON ICE" it sounds just a promising on "HITMAN". I do hope Mr. Block writes another novel with Keller. The book leaves readers wanting more of his humor and his 'assignments'.
Rating:
Summary: Highly recommend the unabridged audio version
Review: Don't approach this one expecting standard plotting and development! Block has an absolutely wicked sense of tongue-in-cheek humor and tale-telling; you *must* let go and go along for Block's ride to "get" this one. Rewards are fabulous. The audio version is extremely well read with a delightful understanding of what the author is doing. I listen to tapes on long drives and I kept inventing excuses to get in my car to listen to this... then I kept inventing excuses to NOT get in my car so the tapes would be prolonged...
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