ASSASSINS ANONYMOUS by Rob Hart (G. P. Putnam’s Sons, June 11, 2024) Hardcover, 308 pages
Synopsis on the Goodreads website . . . . .
In this clever, surprising, page-turner, the world’s most lethal assassin gives up the violent life only to find himself under siege by mysterious assailants. It’s a kill-or-be-killed situation, but the first option is off the table. What’s a reformed hit man to do?
Mark was the most dangerous killer-for-hire in the world. But after learning the hard way that his life’s work made him more monster than man, he left all of that behind, and joined a twelve-step group for reformed killers.
When Mark is viciously attacked by an unknown assailant, he is forced on the run. From New York to Singapore to London, he chases after clues while dodging attacks and trying to solve the puzzle of who’s after him. All without killing anyone. Or getting killed himself. For an assassin, Mark learns, nonviolence is a real hassle.
My Four-Star Review on the Goodreads website . . . .
Writer Rob Hart takes the concepts of Alcoholics Anonymous and incorporates their twelve-step program of rehabilitation into a support group to reorient hitmen and hitwomen. The fast-moving, page-turning, first person narration is chock full of personal insights and anecdotes. ASSASSINS ANONYMOUS is a clever, twisty take on the assassination business with humor, character revelations, and plenty of action.
Mark (a.k.a. The Pale Horse) is a hitman with regrets, with a strong desire to get out of the business and also fearful that he's in too deep or he may be prevented from doing so. He finds a support group run by a former hitman that he's familiar with through a shared assignment. Throughout the novel he attempts to navigate his new course while the agencies he's worked for as well as enemies do their best to dissuade him and get him to break his personal vow to no longer kill people. He's an extremely sympathetic character and is an example of the human side of what many presume to be a necessarily unemotional uncaring business.
A great read, very entertaining and thoughtful. I'll definitely seek out more work by Rob Hart.
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