Hit and Run-Lawrence Block

Hit and Run
Lawrence Block
Morrow, Jul 2008, $24.95
ISBN: 0060840900

Hit man John Keller is in Des Moines on what he had decided will be his last job; he does not need the money so he figures it is time to retire. With his tongs and the Scott’s stamp catalogue with him, John inspects a Norway Posthorn issue he needs for his collection and discusses Sweden with the dealer. However, while they negotiate, CNN shows the assassination of charismatic Ohio Governor Longford killed in Iowa.

Suddenly the country is looking for Keller. He flees Iowa heading for his apartment in New York City and to his assistant in White Plains. When he arrives in Manhattan, he finds his stamp collection stolen and the real killer stalking him to silence him permanently. Keller travels to New Orleans where he rescues Julia Roussard from a rapist. They are attracted to one another, but John knows he must first prove his innocence and take out the guy who framed him, or spend his remaining life on the run.

This is an exhilarating Hit Man thriller as Keller becomes the target of law enforcement when he is set up to take the fall of a high visible political assassination. The story line is fast-paced but filled with humor as Keller had been thinking retirement, but has a personal clean up to take care of. Fans will enjoy this strong thriller as the heat is on Keller.

Harriet Klausner