One of my favorite authors, Lawrence Block, has a new book coming out, Hit Parade. I probably wouldn’t ordinarily mention it, but I don’t have anything else to write about just got a newsletter from him today. This is his third novel with this character, John Keller, who is, you guessed it, a hit man.

You always hear things like, “Write about what you know.” Makes me wonder why people like Mr. Block always write about thugs, thieves (I lust after Bernie Rhodenbarr—what’s that say about me? Hm.), and hit men. But I don’t wonder too loudly. Have you seen his picture (if not, be sure to follow the link above to his home page and scroll to the bottom)? One thing they all have in common: they were written by Block. And they all have marvelous personalities, most have a delightful sense of humor, and a way with the ladies. I mean, how can you not like Bernie Rhodenbarr? He’s a swell guy. He knows how to show a lady a nice time, including a fabulous meal in a posh place, wine, a little nightcap later on… He just also happens to be a burglar. Shrug. And then there’s Evan Tanner. Linguist, scholar, and insomniac. I’ve only
read one of the Tanner books so far, Tanner on Ice. I need to go back and find the rest of them, as it was marvelous. He has other characters, other books, a couple other series, a number of one-offs. I probably haven’t even read half of them, but have loved all I’ve read.

I find it wonderful that characters like Block’s exist, so I can have fun reading about them, and sometimes maybe even living a vicariously though them a bit. I don’t know about you, but I’d no sooner steal a Mondrian or rare book than fill a hit on someone, but I can dream a little… Get some aggressions out, have a little thrill, all in the safety of my own home, and my own imagination… With a little help from Lawrence Block, and his wonderful books.