The KILLERS GAME [Hardcover]

Jay Bonansinga (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 4, 1997

Informed by his doctor that he has merely a few months to live, Joe Flood, a hit man who prides himself on killing only those who deserve to die, puts out an open contract on his own life, but he soon discovers that the lab made a mistake and that he is in perfect health. 25,000 first printing. Tour.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Talk about a great gimmick! When ace hit man Joe Flood finds out from his doctor that he's got six months to live, he decides to go out with a bang--by putting a $6-million contract on himself. Then, as every other major hit person in the world heads for Chicago to take up the challenge, Joe gets a message on his machine: "Sorry, we tested the wrong blood sample. You're fine." What's a guy to do but use his own survival skills, and those of his feisty lady friend, to stay alive? Jay Bonansinga manages to make Flood's plight both exciting and moving--not to mention very funny.

From Kirkus Reviews

A hardcover debut that delivers the punch of early Spillane, the pace of The Fugitive, and the body count of a Schwarzenegger epic with all the credibility of Batman. Aging assassin Joseph Riley Flood, known as the Slugger, is told that he's going to die of leukemia. Joe, a Catholic, won't commit suicide, and so he has his boss establish an open contract on his life. Whoever blows Joe Flood to kingdom come will receive $6 million, which is being transferred from Joe's Swiss account and held in escrow. Joe also gives an extra million to his girlfriend Maizie, then splits. That night, on his answering machine, however, Joe's doctor tells him that through a lab error his blood sample got mixed with someone else's--and that he will likely live to be a hundred. Joe tries to break the contract, but it's too late. The world's top assassins converge on Chicago to take out the Slugger. Joe flees, at each turn dropping one or more of the hit men on his tail. Bonansinga, meantime, is heavy on the ordnance, the novel sometimes reading like a serial for Soldier of Fortune. Even Joe's girlfriend Maizie, a specialist in theater makeup and disguise, turns out to have a background in ballistics (and an unsuspected, close relationship with the mob). She tracks Joe down to tell him that she's three months pregnant and that she's not leaving him. Soon, there are only four assassins left, and the CIA says that it'll give JOe and Maizie new identities if he rids the planet of these pro killers. But who can trust the CIA? Joe has to create a spectacular theatrical finale that proves he's dead if he and Maizie are to get out alive. Unbelievable, over-the-top mayhem, rendered in a faux tough- guy prose. (Author tour) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster; First Edition edition (March 4, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0684825139
• ISBN-13: 978-0684825137
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,756,787 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fast Paced, April 7, 2002

By 

John G. Hilliard (Toronto Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The KILLERS GAME (Hardcover)

I enjoyed reading this book. This is a great story line that really is well put together. There are no "yea right" parts in it where plot errors are made. There is just a lot of action and movement in this book, a real guys book. You can easy read it in a weekend. Even though the main character is a hit man you like him and want him to win. Ok, the book is not destine for the Steinbeck hall of fame, but it is a good story that keeps you tuned in. There is even some humor thrown in. You will not be sorry you invested the time in this one.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fast, entertaining read!, September 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Killer's Game: A Novel (Audio Cassette)

From the beginning, I knew I'd like this book. I liked Joe's street-wise comments, looking at the world through his eyes, and finding out how he was going to get himself out of the mess he'd gotten himself into. Although a killer, Joe has some redeeming qualities that keeps you hoping he'll make it out of this alive. I recommend the book if you want and can handle a lot of fast action, and a few laughs.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Highly readable, but utterly preposterous, June 15, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The KILLERS GAME (Hardcover)

I am amazed by the sheer hutzpah of this writer. First, the story has already been told (see below) Second, I live in Chicago and he makes several outrageous errors in geography and misunderstands the CTA trains (our public transportation system) and their stops. Lastly, I find it hard to believe that these killers from across the globe can keep track of Joe Flood's flight so easily. How did the Cajun know Joe was in Quincy for example? Too many contrived and coincidental news reports on radio stations allow the killers to find Joe almost instantly. Aside from these minor gripes, the story is expertly constructed and is one of those thrillers that can be gobbled up in a day or two. Bonansinga thanks someone at New Line Cinema in his Acknowledgments, so it appears that this is headed for the movies. BUT back in the 1970s this same story was a made-for TV movie with Carrie Snodgress. She played a woman who thinks she is dying from leukemia, hires a hitman to kill her and then, when she discovers her medical reports were mixed up with another patient, must outwit the killer before he fulfills his contract. Surprise! More recycling.