This book with a somewhat preposterous premise by Rob Hart, is nevertheless filled with the kinds of struggles faced by those in any 12-step addiction recovery program. The book jacket gives an accurate flavor of the storyline. "Mark was the most dangerous killer-for-hire in the world. But after learning the hard way that his life's work made him more monster than man, he left all of that behind, and joined a twelve-step group for reformed killers. When Mark is viciously attacked by an unknown assailant, he is forced on the run. From New York to Singapore to London, he chases after clues while dodging attacks and trying to solve the puzzle of who's after him. All without killing anyone. Or getting killed himself. For an assassin, Mark learns, nonviolence is a real hassle."
Publishers Weekly opens their review with this, "A legendary assassin joins a support group of murderers hoping to cure themselves of their addiction to violence in Hart's nail-biting latest..." and concludes, "Mark's continued efforts to stay "clean" from violence provide welcome humor to the otherwise breakneck proceedings. Strong characters and rattling suspense lift things further above par." Kirkus generally concurs, saying "Despite Mark’s insistence that 'being an assassin is nothing like John Wick,' Hart’s latest wears its myriad cinematic influences on its sleeve. Escalating stakes and precisely choreographed action sequences keep the pages turning, but a slew of increasingly gonzo twists skew the tone toward camp—a vibe underscored by Mark’s droll yet angsty first-person-present narration. Though Hart often mistakes quirk for character development, the scenes Mark shares with his fellow recovering murder addicts impart some nice emotional resonance, helping to ground the tale and lend it heft. Bombastic whiz-bang fun."
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