Lawrence Block's Hit and Run is the latest - and possibly final - work involving resident hitman and stamp collector John Keller. In his latest adventure Keller is lured west to complete a 'job' but told to cool his heels and wait for the go-ahead. When a prominent African-American politician is assassinated it becomes clear Keller is the designated patsy. He hits the road in an effort to stay ahead of the law and even the score with the men who framed him.
If you go into this thinking it will be gloom and gore, ala Tarantino, think again. Block can do dark and heavy (the great Eight Million Ways to Die being an example) but at heart Block is a easygoing writer with more than a dash of humor and wit. Hit and Run is a brisk, easy read with a lighthearted air. Sure, Keller and company occasionally have to murder the odd gas station attendant or Jehovah's Witness, but that doesn't mean they can't have fun too.
I will say that the midpoint of the second act, when Keller finds love, seemed forced and rather predicable in the 'damsel in distress' mode. Other than that, and a relentless stream of trivia about stamps, I have no complaints.
Will Keller be back? The end of this novel seems to shout 'no', but you never know.
If nothing else, there's always room for a prequel, right?
3.25 out of 5, 80 out of 100
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