Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful writing--interesting but damaged character
Review: Keller is a hit man--he doesn't see anything especially wrong with his job although he prefers not to know about his victim's families--it's just how he pays the rent and keeps up his stamp collection. Now, though, something funny is happening. Several of his victims are killed before Keller gets to them. A new girlfriend accuses him of having 'murderer's thumb,' and an astrologer forecasts difficult times ahead.Lawrence Block is a wonderfully talented writer who manages to make such an inherently unsympathetic character interesting and even sympathetic. Unlike some of the other reviewers, I didn't mind Keller's banter and the jury scene. In fact, I think this is part of Block's trick to make us understand how Keller sees himself--just a guy doing a job. I do agree that the conclusion is just a little knocked off. I would have liked to see a little more cleverness in setting the trap for the killer after Keller. Still, I enjoyed this book a lot.
Rating: 
Summary: Hit List Gets Whacked
Review: I've long been a devoted fan of Block, specifically the Matt Scudder series, but I latched onto Hit Man in '98. A great new character coupled with Block's talent at dialogue. Hit List, however, is filled with so many inane asides and trivial banter that the story suffers. I couldn't help thinking that this book couild have been told in half as many pages had the reader been spared some of the sparring between Keller and Dot--Patrick Picciarelli, author, "Blood Shot Eyes."
Rating:
Summary: Hits in Parts But Misses in Others
Review: Some parts of this book are really interesting and a great read while others you are fighting not to fall asleep as they are so boring. When Keller is actually on the job as a hit man it is fascinating and must turn the next page to find out what will happen next reading, but when he is not on the job his life is very boring. Stamp collecting, visiting an astrologer, jury duty and things like this just aren't interesting. Basically this book is about a professional killer named Keller who has some competition. Only problem is that his competition doesn't want any, and it soon becomes apparent to Keller that if he doesn't work out who his rival is and kill him first he will be killed himself. If Lawrence Block had maybe concentrated a little more on this aspect rather than the boring chapters he wrote then this book could have been five stars. Without the editing it barely makes two and a half.
Rating: 
Summary: Still Love Keller...but he has a case of the "slows"
Review: When Abraham Lincoln fired General McClellan, he gave the the general the boot because he had a "case of the slows." Well, Abe might say the say the say about Block's book. It was not a bad book by any stretch. It was good, but not much happened (which, I will grant is much of Keller's life when he is not working). However, the goofy and sarcastic conversations with Dot were too long. Also, the ending was totally out there. Still, there is a charm to Keller and I was pulling for him. The strengths of "Hit Man" were not totally in evidence and in the end,the book had the slows. Still, I love Keller hope there is a new novel about him soon.
Rating:
Summary: Was it really Block who wrote it?
Review: After reading 'Hit man' (and other 11 of Block's books), I expected great time with this one. Were it some 150 pages shorter it could have given me a good time. But I've ended up with nothing but a long, boring time. I simply couldn't stand all those endless, pointless, funless dialogues, and the looong description of the jury thing.
Rating:
Summary: Too Much Schtick
Review: I looked forward to reading this book after I read "Hit Man." At best, it was average, with too many Abbott and Costello routines mixed in. What made the first book good was that it was a collection of short stories, which were, in effect, his assignments. Too bad this book couldn't have been more of the same. Also, not that I'm an expert, but his obsession with stamp collecting could lead to his downfall...he's leaving a trail. But maybe he wants to get caught...hmmmm. Read it and you'll see what I mean. I do recommend reading it, but don't have high expectations going in.
Rating:
Summary: Block is usually terrific but this one is subpar
Review: Lawrence Block writes excellent mysteries (especially the Matthew Scudder series) but this one fell flat for me. The idea was a good one, put the hit man on a hit list, but the plot is confusing. Block usually writes beautifully but this one felt stretched out and thin. Read any of the Scudder novels or "Hit Man" instead. I think this is one that Larry mailed in.
Rating:
Summary: engrossing and somewhat grossing out
Review: I bought this because of a rave review, and wasn't disappointed. It's a well crafted page-turner with a thoughtful subtext about the banality of evil. After I finished it, though, the main character kept coming back to my mind, in an unpleasant way. It's very much about how normal-seeming people can have an absolute vacuum where the rest of us have morals. Knew a guy like this in Vietnam, and got to where I didn't want to turn my back on him ... same feeling with Keller.
Rating: 
Summary: Keller- what more is there to say?
Review: As I was glimpsing through the Mystery section of my local bookstore, i looked at a title. "Hit List". I read the back and it looks interesting. John Keller, your average ordinary joe. He collects stamps, goes to auctions, goes on dates, and even attends jury duty, but when he gets a phone call, he's off to a strange new exotic place, to kill someone. but now someone is trying to hit the hitman. that is the type of summary that just gets someone. and after reading the book, i honestly can't say i was disappointed. Reading this, only inspired me to read it's prequel, "Hit Man". this wordy, and interesting book was to my liking and i'd recommend it to anyone
Rating: 
Summary: Total waste of time
Review: Avoid it,do not buy it, take a long walk, even talk to your ex(if you re divorced or seperated) you might find it less painfull.A total joke and waste of time and money.I wish i could ask for a refund and then burn the money infront of Mr Block.
The story has no beginning and no end,everything that takes place is highly unlikely to happen.Keller and Dot the protagonists, do not have a bone of real life professionalism and to top it all,the hitman that suppossingly is after Keller, looks like an amauter at the end.Give us a break Block,even in B movies with no budget at all, directors try harder to make them believable.
People, you want crime noir read Richard Stark and the Parker series.You want funny crime noir read Richard Stark and the Grofield series.Still whatever you do,do not read Block's Keller series,its a total waste of time.
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