Rating: 
Summary: Generally funny, fast-paced read...
Review: Although I do agree with one of the other reviewers who criticized the unbelievably inaccurate descriptions of New York City used in this book, and I also have to admit that the main character Bob is pretty dumb and hopeless, I did find the book very funny -- at least three laugh-out-loud moments.The best parts of the book are the supporting characters, especially the other assassins. I must also say that the humor in this book is much less forced and 'earnest' than Bill Fitzhugh's other book "Organ Grinders".
Rating: 
Summary: Good book
Review: I like book Book good Well book Funny book Done good Me like
Rating: 
Summary: I just don't get it...
Review: Not by any means do I enjoy giving negative reviews on just read books, but I have never felt that I had wasted my time so much as when I got to the end of this one. I am struggling with what it is that I may have missed that everyone else sees as funny. The humor was forced if not flat, the story was as original as a sophomore college student in a creative writing class and the depictions of language, people and especially New York City sound like they are coming from someone who has never really left their parents basement and instead relies on facts given to them by others who have never really gone much further than the corner store. I only hope the author has never been to New York, and if he has, I cannot figure out how he came away with so little aside from the cliche's that are as amusing and accurate as refering to Southern people as banjo-playing dolts. I don't think this story is completely void of a creative bent, but in order to rise above the drivel that makes it as artistic as a made-for-TV-movie...I think the author needs to pause and ask himself, gee, is that original or have others perhaps heard it too? I hate to think of all the manuscripts that were turned down in place of this one being put to press, and as for the author stating that his favorite book is Confederacy of Dunces...I can only say, you picked a wonderful role model for your writing, but please notice the things which make CofD so amazing...originality, lack of cliche', and most importantly, knowing the subject of the book so well that the honesty is what creates the humor and unique qualities...not the overuse of already said puns. If you love this book I do apologize, but if you are teetering this way or that, I can only say that my one star was because Amazon does not allow its reviewers to put none.
Rating:
Summary: It Floored Me
Review: This book is a whirlwind of fun from start to finish! I literally zipped through the book and was begging for me... which led me to research the referenced authors on the back jacket which led to me discovering Hiassen and Westlake. In looking back, this book is very similar to Westlake's early work and not much like Hiassen. Someone should make this into a movie!
Rating: 
Summary: Dragged too long for me.
Review: Although I recognize the humor in this book, I was more amused by it than finding it "laugh out loud" funny. The misconception that ensues with the CIA is just not believable to me. And the coincidences that abound were just too convenient and obviously there to move the story forward. Try Matthew Thomas' "Before and After" for something along the same off the wall genre... Much better writing style and much more elaborate and intricate plot.
Rating:
Summary: A blast
Review: I was 100 pages into this book before I knew it, and am enjoying it so much I thought I'd dash off a quick review for it. This book reminded me of how much fun it was to discover Carl Hiaasen and Chris Moore for the first time. Having finished with most of their output, I was looking for something in a similar vein, so a friend recommended this book, and what a delightful disovery it is. There are a lot of funny aspects to this book, so I will just mention one of them here and let you discover the rest for yourself. The parts where the powers-that-be become convinced that the young insect and pest-control man is the world's greatest and most sought-after hit-man (he's "The Exterminator") are just hilarious, and remind me of the situation with the Chauncy Gardener character in Jerzy Kosinsky's "Being There." Fitzhugh pulls off a similar gambit here, and it's just as funny. This is my first book by Fitzhugh. If the rest of his books are half as funny as this one he'll have another fan.
Rating:
Summary: TOP FUN.
Review: I don't often read comedy books, they tend to try too hard to be funny at every possible moment; they just don't know when to quit and give the reader a breather. Bill Fitzhugh's, Pest Control, is an exception to this, it being highly humorous, but careful not to overdo it. Basically, the story centres around the character Bob Dillon, who dissatisfied with the use of poisons to kill bugs, such as cockroaches, etc., quits his job to go freelance and do the same job with his specially bred Assassin Bugs. He advertises his services as 'The Exterminator' and accidentally becomes of interest to those who hire hit-men, and, in turn, the real hit-men who see him as competition. A misunderstanding compounded by some coincidental killings which Bob had nothing to do with. Bob does get to try his assassin bugs out, too, but they prove to be as big, and in some cases a bigger pest, than the pests their meant to control. This is a well written, really fun book to kill a lazy weekend with.
Rating:
Summary: Pests aside...this is a hysterical book
Review: Bob Dillon, the exterminator, is fed up. He's tired of his boss and he's frightened by what the pesticides are doing to him and the environment. And so, taking out an advertisement, Bob suddenly, unknowingly becomes the Exterminator. In a laugh out loud (I think I may have even snorted once) book, Bob Dillon comes into contact with, among others, a short man, a beautiful woman, a cowboy, a CIA agent, and a man with suicidal thoughts. How do all these people fit into a plot with more twists than Chubby Checkers hips? Ingeniously! Now what are you doing still reading this?? Buy the book!
Rating: 
Summary: KILLER to KILLER
Review: PSOCID CORNER By Gil M. Bloom It used to be that outside of various technical books and Kafka's "Metamorphosis" the literary offerings to our craft were few and hard to find. Alas that is no more as there are now books a plenty. Some are entomological science fiction others theoretical extremes , some good histories , quite a number place insects in a human evolutionary perspective and some are just plain funny. On a number of occasions I have chatted with other pest control folks and like some small cult there is always some new book being passed around. In this regularly appearing column I shall review some of the offerings. Should you have any suggestions or recommendations please feel free to send them on. For my current selection I chosen the book aptly entitled " PEST CONTROL" by Bill Fitzhugh. This book was given to me a year or so ago by Kitty Lee of Residex a dedicated member of the pest book cult. The good news is that this is a light whimsical tale of biological control gone awry . The great news is it's now in paperback. Bob Dillon is an entrepenuring PCO who has recently started a new type of business. He plans to eliminate pests in his accounts by using little critters from order Hemiptera ( true bugs) family Reduviidae also known as assassin bugs. To promote his venture he makes a flyer for distribution. It reads " Professional Exterminator Fifteen Years Field Experience. Gone Private with Lethal New Concept". He starts to get clients while seeking to perfect his strain of bugs. Unbeknownst to Bob his flyer finds it's way into the hands of a European murder for hire broker. With an endless stream of pest control double-entendres , drug dealers and assorted hit persons Bob's "business" keeps him busy. Following a route of intrigue , pests , New York scenery and late night dirty kitchens the book careens toward a great ending much like an erratic service vehicle. If you care for a smile , and if your in the trade you can always use one, I suggest you read the book.
Rating:
Summary: Well worth the embarrassment
Review: While reading "Pest Control" I laughed out loud in public twice. It's that good. Well-written, inventive, funny--this book is a joy to read. (And Bob Dylan fans will find a fun surprise.)
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