05/04/16: Lawrence Block – Hit Me (2012)

Five unrelated stories presented as a novel. Some reviewers disliked that approach, but I'm not sure it matters: each story quickly hooks you in and it's all written beautifully.

Much of the brilliance of this book comes from the juxtaposition of a ruthless killer also being a stamp collector – the two aspects of Keller's life somehow working together. There are funny and disturbing moments: just as you think it's about to get cosy, the book shocks you again. Block is excellent at moral ambiguity, making you somehow sympathise with Keller the hired killer.

If there's a flaw it's that Keller's wife (Julia) seems too good to be true: not only does she tolerate his "work", but she also finds it makes him more attractive, which doesn't quite ring true. Other than that, Hit Me is hard to fault.

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