Erica’s Pick of the Week: Assassins Anonymous

Whether you’re a film buff or a book lover, there’s nothing quite like a summer thriller – a fast paced, high-stakes story with plenty of punches and punchlines. And if you prefer pages to screens, I’ve got your sure bet of the summer: Rob Hart’s Assassins Anonymous.

Mark is a contract killer…in recovery. After hitting rock bottom, he quit the adrenaline-fueled life of an assassin cold turkey and started a a twelve-step program for killers, complete with a sponsor, church-basement meetings, and serenity prayers. Just shy of earning his one-year chip, Mark’s sobriety is challenged when someone takes a hit out on him. How can he stop his would-be killers without doing some killing of his own? But if the only way to neutralize the threat is to return to his old life…is it worth losing his newfound peace? 

The solution, Mark decides, is to outwit the assassin and figure out who ordered the hit. His list of enemies is long, including former bosses, rival assassins, and vengeful family members. His allies are thin on the ground. Nevertheless, Mark sets out with a reluctant sidekick and his beloved cat on a globe-spanning investigation that gradually reveals how he came to be the most dangerous man on the planet – and why he quit.

Action and snark abound as Mark chases down answers on multiple continents, but there’s also a surprising amount of depth. Mark is a nice guy with a good heart and a self-deprecating sense of humor. He’s also a legendary killer – the best in the business until he walked away. He’s caused a lot of pain. Does he deserve to survive? Can he change his ways? Can he ever truly make amends?

Rob Hart excels at writing clever, funny genre novels that explore deeper themes. His previous book, The Paradox Hotel, was a story about grief disguised as a time-travel/mystery hybrid. This time, he uses a high-octane thriller to examine addiction, recovery, and redemption. The result is a cinematic, can’t-miss story that will appeal to fans of Lisa Lutz, Kevin Wilson, and Robert B. Parker’s early Spenser novels.