Hit List

Hit List features professional assassin John Keller taking on a series of contract killings across America. Keller works with his handler Dot, who lines up his assignments while he maintains his quiet life in New York City as a stamp collector between jobs. The story follows multiple assignments that initially seem unconnected, with Keller traveling to various cities to eliminate his targets. During his missions, Keller encounters unexpected complications and must adapt his methods while trying to maintain his professional detachment. The narrative alternates between tense action sequences and quieter moments focused on Keller's philatelic pursuits and conversations with Dot. Their relationship provides an anchor throughout the episodic structure of the assignments. The book explores themes of morality and compartmentalization, showing how someone can balance a life of violence with mundane hobbies and human connections. Through Keller's perspective, it examines the psychological impact of leading a double life and the ways people justify their choices.

Readers call Hit List a fast, tight thriller that maintains momentum from start to finish. Many note it delivers the expected Keller humor and efficient plotting Block established in earlier books in the series. Readers liked: - The dry wit and dark comedy - Keller's introspective thoughts and stamp collecting hobby - Multiple interwoven storylines - Scenes in different cities across America Common criticisms: - Less character development than previous Keller books - Some found the ending rushed - A few readers thought the stamp collecting details slowed the pacing Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (3,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (180+ ratings) "The perfect balance of dark humor and suspense" appears in multiple reader reviews. Several mention enjoying the "matter-of-fact approach to murder." A frequent critique notes that it "works better if you've read the earlier books in the series first."

Point and Shoot by Duane Swierczynski A professional killer chronicles his hits through photographs while being pursued across multiple cities by both law enforcement and rival assassins.

The Butcher's Boy by Thomas Perry A professional hitman systematically eliminates the mobsters who double-crossed him while staying ahead of a determined Justice Department investigator.

The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson A small-town deputy sheriff maintains his public persona while executing calculated murders to protect his criminal activities.

Gun Monkeys by Victor Gischler A mob enforcer navigates through multiple contract killings while dealing with competing crime organizations and mounting collateral damage.

Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell A former mob hitman works as an emergency room doctor under witness protection until his past catches up with him.

🎯 "Hit List" was published in 2000 as the 20th book in Block's popular Keller series about a professional hitman. 🏆 Lawrence Block wrote much of this novel while traveling through Europe, composing sections in various cities including Amsterdam and Prague. 📫 The protagonist, Keller, is a stamp collector - a hobby that Block himself pursued extensively and incorporated into several of his works. 🔄 The book's unique structure presents each chapter as a self-contained story that can be read independently, while still forming a cohesive narrative. 🎨 The cover art for the first edition features a distinctive bulls-eye design, playing on both the title and the protagonist's profession, created by artist Phil Parks.