Hit Man

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A man known only as Keller reflects on Samuel Johnson's quote that "'patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.'" He admits he might be a scoundrel himself, though he feels like an ordinary New York single guy, living alone, eating takeout, and doing the Times crossword. His life seems mundane, filled with the typical stories of the city, until he receives phone calls from a man in White Plains, prompting him to pack a bag, catch a flight, and kill someone. This behavior clearly marks him as a scoundrel. However, Lawrence Block, a master of the mystery genre, complicates this notion. Through a collection of linked short stories, we gain a deeper understanding of Keller, seeing his profession as just one aspect of his humanity. We witness his struggles with baffling cases, his unprofessional actions, and a notably unsuccessful analysis, alongside his encounters with a cunning intelligence agent. We also share in the loss of a dog he acquires, along with its attractive walker. Like Richard Stark's Parker, Keller challenges our perceptions of criminals, making us ponder that they could be the people next door—or even ourselves, given different circumstances.