Sunday 11 February 2018

LAWRENCE BLOCK - KELLER IN DES MOINES (2008)


Synopsis/blurb.....

It seems pretty straightforward. Keller's hired, dispatched to Des Moines, and given the particulars on an assignment. His client stashes him in a motel room where he's to await further instructions. And then, well,something happens. Something unforeseen.Something life-changing.

Four of the five novels featuring Keller are episodic. But HIT AND RUN, of which KELLER IN DES MOINES is the opening sequence, is a thriller with a single story arc from beginning to end. Thus, unlike the other Keller novelettes and novellas available for Kindle, KELLER IN DES MOINES is unresolved at its end; you'll want to turn the page, and to do that you'll have to have the complete novel.

And that's why the price of KELLER IN DES MOINES is only 99¢. It's a quick and inexpensive introduction to HIT AND RUN—in fact it's completely free, if you're a Kindle Unlimited subscriber. And, if you're intrigued, it's easy enough to go on.

The fifth of six short Keller tales which I read in the month and it has certainly wetted my appetite for the four as yet unread Keller novels I have in the stash.

As stated above there's no real resolution to this one, only an ongoing situation with Keller in the brown stuff up to his neck after being played for a mug on his latest contract.

A job in Des Moines, some stalling tactics, a choice of weapons and a gun with Keller's prints all over it. A leisurely drive and reconnaissance on our target, something's not right. Keller's spider sense tells him there's a problem. Ergo - a political assassination and I wonder whose prints they are going to find on the gun. Our man's in enemy territory and a long way from home.

Top banana tale from the top banana author.

5 from 5

Read in January, 2018
Page count - 30
Published - 2008
Source - Kindle Unlimited
Format - Kindle

4 comments:

  1. This one sounds good, Col. That plot point - ordinary person dropped in the soup because of larger forces - can work really well when it's done right. And Block does it right. Glad you enjoyed this.

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    Replies
    1. Margot, ordinary person yes, but extraordinary job. I'm really interested in getting the whole story.

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  2. Yes, I can see I'm gong to end up reading this, and the whole novel...

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