Customer Reviews

The Killer

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I just read The Killer while on holiday (or rather on the flight there), and I have to admit to being surprised and delighted by the quality of the writing style and the material. The Killer is one of those books that you just plough through without putting down, full of dynamism and a good story arc, and without some of the cheesy detail about guns and equipment which stylise some of the authors peers. There is still enough detail for the layman to understand without nausea and to know that Hinshelwood knows his stuff without shoving it down your throat.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good engaging thriller or a book for reading by the pool (where I finished it) or on a flight. Totally immersive, fun, and fast paced. The chapters are just the right length for when you want to 'dip in' to the book quickly, and add to the pace of the action and the read.
A great first book, and a good romp across Europe with the excellent 'Victor'. I look forward to the next one.

Hinshelwwod's Killer is just that, a cold, ruthless workman who's business is contract killing. If you're tired of thrillers where the characters sit around and yak, yak, yak to each other instead of getting on with business, this is the book for you. The author fires it up, slams down the pedal and doesn't let up till the end. Exhilarating. Exhausting. Terrific.

I was put onto this book by a friend who had read the reviews although she had not read the book, as yet. The timing was perfect as I was looking for a book to read as my wife and I made our semi annual trek from our home in Tucson to our summer home in Maine by car. It is a five day, four night drive and a book that takes you by the lapels and brings you inside the cover is just what I need after all those miles before catching some shut eye.

The author did not disappoint which is a nice compliment for a first effort. The central figure of the book is Victor and Victor is most assuredly "a killer" in every sense of the word. He has been hired to intercept and kill a Russian turncoat who is selling the whereabouts of a sunken Russian submarine which is carrying some very sophistcated and highly desirable anti-ship missles which are more technically advanced than anything in the West. His employers are unknown, but they are willing to pay very well for the "flash drive" that the Russian is selling.

Completing the assignment was the easiest part of the effort for Victor, however as he returns to his Parisian hotel following obtaining the drive he finds that there is a team of killers at the hotel and they are looking for him.

Eight dead men left behind testify to Victor's accomplishments as a killer, but his problem is now, who were they, who were they working for and has he been double crossed?

From here on in the story gets very interesting and very complicated and if you want to find out how the matter plays out, I suggest you do yourself the favor of acquiring this book and settling in for a few nights of solid reading. You will be glad you did.

My favorite type of hero is the anti-hero, the morally ambiguous hero, and Victor in The Killer is exactly that. A man with no past, no future and no name other than Victor, you kind of like him, you kind of don't, but you find his journey fascinating nonetheless.

After Reading Mark Greaney's latest Gray Man novel, I was looking for something similar since I was in that mood and figured I wouldn't find it. To my surprise, I did, and this story satisfied on all fronts for me. Suspenseful, great plot, excellent characters... and Victor isn't the only one with questionable morals. In this tale, there are really no true blue heros, all shades of gray with suit me fine.

I'm looking forward to the next installment "War of Lies". Very few books I'll buy in hardback, but this will be one I make an exception for.

Well written and thought out. The weapons handling made sense and showed he did his research on the subject. Great read.

This was a wonderful thriller, the action kept going and going. It's about a gun for hire, his name is Victor and he completes his contract only to find those that hired him, are out to get rid of him. He's chased all over Europe and as the book goes on, you find yourself rooting for Victor, he has a certain appeal and you begin to see a vulnerable side to him, at least I did. If you are looking for a can't put down book and lots of action, this book is for you, you won't be disappointed.

There can be a distant connection drawn with Bourne. If you like a Bourne type character you will enjoy Victor. I actually liked the main character better than Bourne. This is not a book about touchy, feely characters. I liked the fact that I simply didn't know every sentimental thought that was harbored in each character nor were characters riddled with complex emotions that would have been useless in a super action thriller. The plot is initially simple yet there are interesting characters that add unexpected twists, turns and events. I actually enjoyed the detail from the point of view of the killer(s). I liked the unknown and the unexpected possibilities the author provided each chapter solving situations with great satisfaction. The characters are solid and direct in words and actions. Some reviewers said characters could be emotionless yet I found them extremely clever with unique character development over the book. Most of the fun is the fast paced detailed action, weapons, intelligence and movement through different countries. I truly thought Victor was pretty amazing. I could not put this book down and look forward to a second one.

I enjoyed this book very much until around page 240. 20 page car chases and knife fights don't do it for me. The book was very well written hence the four star rating, but I think this new author is much to good to have 40-50 pages of filler in the middle of a novel. As I said. Very well written, so give it a shot you could do far worse.

I just finished reading "The Killer", and I'll keep it short and sweet...EXCELLENT!!
Can't hardly wait for his next book. No spoilers here, read it!

Get this book.

I've just read "The Killer" and thoroughly, absolutely enjoyed it. The plot, the characters, the richness of the settings, the pace -- just outstandingly impressive. The writer will take you on an exciting ride, and when you put the book down, the first word you'll say is "WOW".

In particular, the level of detail is incredible -- Tom explains and delves into the particularities of how the characters use their intelligence, know-how, surroundings, etc. to accomplish a particular goal. By doing so and by not chalking up such results to postulated athletic and/or intellectual superiority of a character, Tom conveys a sense of realism and believability unmatched by other writers.

Do yourself a favor and buy this book. Just don't try to start reading it if you've got other things to do, as you will not be able to put this book down.

By the way, I've purposefully chosen not to comment on the plot/story -- this book is too amazing to ruin with even the hint of a spoiler.