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Mr. In-Between by Neil Cross (24-Feb-2015) Paperback
Jon Bennet works for the Tattooed Man. He is the ideal utterly loyal to the man for whom he kills. It's an existence that encourages solitude - until he encounters Andy and Cathy. His life is threatened, not by violence, but by the demands of friendship - and the Tattooed Man must punish.
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First published February 5, 1998
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About the author
Neil Cross
35 books213 followersNeil was born in Bristol in 1969. He lived in Edinburgh, Brighton, Leeds and London before settling down. He is the author of several novels including Always the Sun, Burial and Captured as well as the bestselling memoir Heartland. He was lead scriptwriter for the acclaimed series 6 and series 7 of the BBC spy drama series Spooks and is the creator of the forthcoming BBC crime thriller Luther, which is scheduled to appear on BBC1 in 2010, starring Idris Elba. Following the British publication of Captured in January 2010, he is working on his next novel and continues to write for the screen. He lives in New Zealand with his wife and two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
August 25, 2017
I don't mind admitting that this unsparing and disturbing novel by Neil Cross had me in a vise-like grip right from the opening line. This is relentless storytelling, incorporating literary components as well as heart-pounding passages of inhuman violence, and combining this potent mix with a totally believable and complex protagonist -- even if he is a man on the shadowy fringes of society. Jon Bennet is employed by the deliciously malevolent Tattooed Man in the capacity of exterminating angel and killer. Whenever drastic and / or terminal is required, Bennet steps into his designated role as a cold and merciless hit man, or as a grim breaker of bones when persuasion rather than death is the indicated way to go. He is loyal to his employer, does not raise questions about his part in the proceedings and is totally efficient in the dispatching of the unfortunate people that fall foul of his monstrous employer.
No wonder then that a complicated relationship (with a strange co-dependency on each other at its core) has been established between the Tattooed Man and Bennet over the years. The bond between them is composed of many varied parts, but mutual respect and an incontrovertible acknowledgement of the rules befitting their situation feature largely. For Bennet, the Tattooed Man is the closest thing to a family he has ever known (as illustrated by his near-familiar attachment to his employer and the subtle suggestion that he enjoys a privileged position in the scheme of things.) Bennet is in fact a lonely, psychologically scarred individual with Phil, one of the drivers, the closest thing to a friend and ally he will ever have. But Bennet is uncomfortably aware that he operates in a netherworld where any feelings and doubts need to be repressed to ensure continued peace of mind, and where the sense of security does not quite mask the possibility of shifting loyalties and attitudes spilling disastrously over into alarmingly new and potentially deadly patterns at the drop of a hat. When an old school friend of Bennet's is re-introduced into his life, his long-suppressed emotions come into play, and the stage is set for devastating changes as he reluctantly allows his human side to emerge.
Cross (the creator of the popular TV series Luther with Idris Elba) is excellent at capturing the twilit world Bennet inhabits. A sense of inevitability hangs over every well-written scene, and as we move to the bleak conclusion the novel effortlessly combines all the classical time-tested elements that make great literature so enthralling. This is a truly sobering read.
No wonder then that a complicated relationship (with a strange co-dependency on each other at its core) has been established between the Tattooed Man and Bennet over the years. The bond between them is composed of many varied parts, but mutual respect and an incontrovertible acknowledgement of the rules befitting their situation feature largely. For Bennet, the Tattooed Man is the closest thing to a family he has ever known (as illustrated by his near-familiar attachment to his employer and the subtle suggestion that he enjoys a privileged position in the scheme of things.) Bennet is in fact a lonely, psychologically scarred individual with Phil, one of the drivers, the closest thing to a friend and ally he will ever have. But Bennet is uncomfortably aware that he operates in a netherworld where any feelings and doubts need to be repressed to ensure continued peace of mind, and where the sense of security does not quite mask the possibility of shifting loyalties and attitudes spilling disastrously over into alarmingly new and potentially deadly patterns at the drop of a hat. When an old school friend of Bennet's is re-introduced into his life, his long-suppressed emotions come into play, and the stage is set for devastating changes as he reluctantly allows his human side to emerge.
Cross (the creator of the popular TV series Luther with Idris Elba) is excellent at capturing the twilit world Bennet inhabits. A sense of inevitability hangs over every well-written scene, and as we move to the bleak conclusion the novel effortlessly combines all the classical time-tested elements that make great literature so enthralling. This is a truly sobering read.
April 7, 2018
This wasn’t at all what I was expecting. The characters were there as they always are with Cross, but there was far too much discussion/lecturing about morals and evil and good and some other things that I wound up skimming through. This was “balanced” by some of the most graphic violence I’ve read—and I’ve read more than on Palahniuk.
Short version, the book just didn’t work for me.
Short version, the book just didn’t work for me.
March 4, 2015
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a short book, almost a novella. I've got conflicting emotions about it. On the one hand, it's the kind of fascination and fetishizing of ugliness and decay that I don't like. On the other hand, some of the characterization was quite good- that's really all that saved it from one star.
Because this is the kind of book that glories in its nastiness. If you like descriptions like "puke on a gray sidewalk" to give you a visual of what a neighborhood is like (this is taken from the review copy)) then you'll love this book. It shows a world of grim shabbiness and bad people. The most interesting character in the book, the Tattooed Man, is undoubtedly a psychopath. So is Jon, our main character. Jon and the Tattooed Man talk pretty frankly about inability to feel empathy and how love doesn't stop them from destroying anything.
One small grace- the book isn't big on torture porn. Jon is an assassin who hurts people badly before allowing them to die to strike fear into the hearts of any who would cross the Tattooed Man. At least I didn't have to read about it in detail.
The book was at its most interesting when it showed Jon trying to navigate the normal world while feeling like an outsider. He's invited to a friend's party, for example, and just tries to blend in with the wallpaper so no one will ask him to dance. Jon's non-psycho friends aren't romanticized, but their every-day-ness is so intently observed that it becomes touching, when seen by someone who knows that this life cannot be for him.
So, in short, this is a character study of someone who is not normal, can torture people to death, and his grungy little world. It's a well-written study. But be aware that it will rain on your parade unless you really like a close look at bad things and people.
This is a short book, almost a novella. I've got conflicting emotions about it. On the one hand, it's the kind of fascination and fetishizing of ugliness and decay that I don't like. On the other hand, some of the characterization was quite good- that's really all that saved it from one star.
Because this is the kind of book that glories in its nastiness. If you like descriptions like "puke on a gray sidewalk" to give you a visual of what a neighborhood is like (this is taken from the review copy)) then you'll love this book. It shows a world of grim shabbiness and bad people. The most interesting character in the book, the Tattooed Man, is undoubtedly a psychopath. So is Jon, our main character. Jon and the Tattooed Man talk pretty frankly about inability to feel empathy and how love doesn't stop them from destroying anything.
One small grace- the book isn't big on torture porn. Jon is an assassin who hurts people badly before allowing them to die to strike fear into the hearts of any who would cross the Tattooed Man. At least I didn't have to read about it in detail.
The book was at its most interesting when it showed Jon trying to navigate the normal world while feeling like an outsider. He's invited to a friend's party, for example, and just tries to blend in with the wallpaper so no one will ask him to dance. Jon's non-psycho friends aren't romanticized, but their every-day-ness is so intently observed that it becomes touching, when seen by someone who knows that this life cannot be for him.
So, in short, this is a character study of someone who is not normal, can torture people to death, and his grungy little world. It's a well-written study. But be aware that it will rain on your parade unless you really like a close look at bad things and people.
March 15, 2015
I received a copy of this from Open Road Integrated Media and Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Mr In- Between is a dark and gritty psychological thriller about a killer for hire.
Jon Bennet works for The Tattooed Man. He's very good at what he does. He's extremely efficient and fiercely loyal making him the ideal employee.
As a result Jon lives very well and has more money than he knows what to do with.
One Day Jon bumps into an old school friend Andy, who is now married with a child. Andy is down on his luck and Jon decides to help him out by getting him a job working for the Tattooed Man. When tragedy strikes Andy's family , Jon is forced to re examine his life and the consequences of the choices he has made. Can Jon break free from the hold of the Tattooed Man or will he succumb to it all?
This was the second book by Neil Cross that I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed it and one that I would recommend .
Mr In- Between is a dark and gritty psychological thriller about a killer for hire.
Jon Bennet works for The Tattooed Man. He's very good at what he does. He's extremely efficient and fiercely loyal making him the ideal employee.
As a result Jon lives very well and has more money than he knows what to do with.
One Day Jon bumps into an old school friend Andy, who is now married with a child. Andy is down on his luck and Jon decides to help him out by getting him a job working for the Tattooed Man. When tragedy strikes Andy's family , Jon is forced to re examine his life and the consequences of the choices he has made. Can Jon break free from the hold of the Tattooed Man or will he succumb to it all?
This was the second book by Neil Cross that I have read and I thoroughly enjoyed it and one that I would recommend .
January 20, 2019
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
I first got interested in Mr. In-Between when I learned Neil Cross is behind the series Luther and used to work on Spooks. While I was expecting it to be a raw story, I'm not sure anything could have prepared me for the thoroughly depressing world of Jon.
As an assassin to The Tattooed Man he kills and maims on order, without ever feeling anything about it. It is not just his job, but everything that seems to have this dark, gruesome and hopeless atmosphere. Even when he meets some people from 'before' and he is said to re-enter the normal world, a feeling left me wondering whether he was being pulled there, or was he not pulling them with him into the darkness.
Nice is not a term to describe a novel like this. I can't even say I enjoyed reading it. But somehow it did have something interesting. However, I bore quickly from lengthy descriptions of torture and I'm not sure I would read more books by Mr. Cross.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I first got interested in Mr. In-Between when I learned Neil Cross is behind the series Luther and used to work on Spooks. While I was expecting it to be a raw story, I'm not sure anything could have prepared me for the thoroughly depressing world of Jon.
As an assassin to The Tattooed Man he kills and maims on order, without ever feeling anything about it. It is not just his job, but everything that seems to have this dark, gruesome and hopeless atmosphere. Even when he meets some people from 'before' and he is said to re-enter the normal world, a feeling left me wondering whether he was being pulled there, or was he not pulling them with him into the darkness.
Nice is not a term to describe a novel like this. I can't even say I enjoyed reading it. But somehow it did have something interesting. However, I bore quickly from lengthy descriptions of torture and I'm not sure I would read more books by Mr. Cross.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
December 8, 2011
This densely written thriller is mainly a character study of a contract killer who works on the behalf of an influential crime figure. However, this story goes in directions I did not expect it and that's thanks to the ingenuity of Neil Cross. I found some sections over-written and overly descriptive, but it works as one semblance of a cracked individual with irksome values. A great début novel.
January 21, 2016
This was not what I expected from Neil Cross. It was an utter letdown! I can only conclude that as it was his first novel perhaps he lacked confidence in his abilities. I have read and enjoyed later books by N.C. which is why this was such a disappointment.
April 26, 2018
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
Jon Bennet is the perfect employee: systematic, productive, and utterly reliable. He is also completely detached from the world around him and seemingly feels nothing . . . for Jon's life is anything but common. On the tight leash of the Tattooed Man, Jon kills and maims on order. And he's good at it.
But Jon's days of favor are about to end. After bumping into old school friends, he slowly reenters the normal world, where the bonds of friendship, love, and kindness are expected, and he finds himself changing back into the person he once was.
But the Tattooed Man requires total servitude, and his wrath is more fearful than Jon could ever have expected.
Originally released in 1998, this is the debut novel by the creator of Luther.
I have read a few of his later books (Captured, Burial) and quite enjoyed them.
This, on the other hand, is just heavy handed in the violence and a bit light on story. I am not averse to violence and gore in novels, but this felt like it was going for the shock factor, where his later novels really focused on character and plot (also, think of Luther and his characterisations there.)
I am not going to give this book a hard time - I know that the author has improved over the years. I just didn't like this one very much at all.
Paul
ARH
Jon Bennet is the perfect employee: systematic, productive, and utterly reliable. He is also completely detached from the world around him and seemingly feels nothing . . . for Jon's life is anything but common. On the tight leash of the Tattooed Man, Jon kills and maims on order. And he's good at it.
But Jon's days of favor are about to end. After bumping into old school friends, he slowly reenters the normal world, where the bonds of friendship, love, and kindness are expected, and he finds himself changing back into the person he once was.
But the Tattooed Man requires total servitude, and his wrath is more fearful than Jon could ever have expected.
Originally released in 1998, this is the debut novel by the creator of Luther.
I have read a few of his later books (Captured, Burial) and quite enjoyed them.
This, on the other hand, is just heavy handed in the violence and a bit light on story. I am not averse to violence and gore in novels, but this felt like it was going for the shock factor, where his later novels really focused on character and plot (also, think of Luther and his characterisations there.)
I am not going to give this book a hard time - I know that the author has improved over the years. I just didn't like this one very much at all.
Paul
ARH
October 1, 2018
A bit different crime novel. Partly.
It's very difficult for me to pinpoint what was wrong with this novel. Why I didn't actually like it very much and reading took more time that it should have taken. Not so many pages in this. Perhaps there was some psychological level I just didn't get...
The story was like in some grim movie where you somehow all the time anticipate that this can't end well. There are just different scenarios how everything could go wrong and the tension is mostly in waiting which one will become true.
I can't say I could foresee the ending. I didn't. But nevertheless also the finale a was a bit disappointing. Perhaps dozens of American movies made me wait for a more drastic ending as the main character was quite drastic and extreme.
There were also some literary (artistic?) depictions which appeared to be out of place in this kind of novel. To me they were more irritating than entertaining in this context. Unsophisticated me.
And the odd remark: Everybody was smoking, whether s/he was a criminal, police, priest, doctor... That was quite eye-catching nowadays when smoking is a vanishing habit. The novel isn't old enough to explain - my guess is that the writer is a dedicated smoker :-)
Gloomy atmosphere allover.
Välimies
LIKE 1999
It's very difficult for me to pinpoint what was wrong with this novel. Why I didn't actually like it very much and reading took more time that it should have taken. Not so many pages in this. Perhaps there was some psychological level I just didn't get...
The story was like in some grim movie where you somehow all the time anticipate that this can't end well. There are just different scenarios how everything could go wrong and the tension is mostly in waiting which one will become true.
I can't say I could foresee the ending. I didn't. But nevertheless also the finale a was a bit disappointing. Perhaps dozens of American movies made me wait for a more drastic ending as the main character was quite drastic and extreme.
There were also some literary (artistic?) depictions which appeared to be out of place in this kind of novel. To me they were more irritating than entertaining in this context. Unsophisticated me.
And the odd remark: Everybody was smoking, whether s/he was a criminal, police, priest, doctor... That was quite eye-catching nowadays when smoking is a vanishing habit. The novel isn't old enough to explain - my guess is that the writer is a dedicated smoker :-)
Gloomy atmosphere allover.
Välimies
LIKE 1999
October 21, 2022
So violent while also beautifully written
So violent while also a beautifully written story of a hitman of some esteem. A deep dive into his sociopathy, but also his love and compassion for friends and close associates.
Always with the sharp edges hat I came to enjoy on Cross' "Luther" series.
So violent while also a beautifully written story of a hitman of some esteem. A deep dive into his sociopathy, but also his love and compassion for friends and close associates.
Always with the sharp edges hat I came to enjoy on Cross' "Luther" series.
December 5, 2024
More of a meditation on male friendship dolled up as a crime novel, the prose is florid but compelling and is a great read for the first half. After that it makes a decided turn, and not for the better. The main character's descent is at turns insightful and pathetic and in the end, the very end, there is nothing.
January 26, 2018
Intense. Hard to believe this was a debut novel when it has such power and experience in it. Definitely a book to read again although hard to think that even time could wipe it from memory...
July 2, 2019
I too am Mr. In-Between
I liked some of the book and other parts of the book did not seem go with the rest of the story. It might be the context used between American and British?
I liked some of the book and other parts of the book did not seem go with the rest of the story. It might be the context used between American and British?
August 2, 2024
While the writing and story are good it kind of goes nowhere. I didn’t understand spending the last day together. Why bother kill them?
March 17, 2016
Unlike many of the reviews here, I purchased this book because I wanted to. After becoming a big fan of Luther (who isn't?) I read the excellent prequel novel written by Neil Cross, who is also responsible for the TV show's writing and immediately felt compelled to read his other books.
Mr In-between is his first; a haunting look into the darkest elements of English society, the story revolves around Jon, an assassin who works for a mysterious and seemingly omnipotent 'tattooed' man. Expression of affiliations and motives are limited so as a reader you're forced to attempt to fill in the gaps. Not as easy a task as you expect - Jon is a fascinating character who demands sympathy and all too often gets it from the reader; but is he deserving of it? That's up to you to decide.
Cross has created multiple, believable psychopaths that almost make me concerned for his mental wellbeing. It's a staggering achievement to be able to articulate characters that have such concerning and alien emotions as well as he has, and it makes the reader second guess their emotions regarding each of the characters on numerous occasions.
Starting off as a believable setting, the everyday life that surrounds and is observed by Jon spirals into depravity as the story progresses; it feels like a fever dream and you almost begin to question if the narrative is reality or only in Jon's head. This is heightened by the way significant moments are referred to, rather than shown.
This is a book about characters; more so than events. As a result, it certainly isn't for everyone, but those that are willing to delve into a world far outside of their comfort zone may just find something truly special here.
Mr In-between is his first; a haunting look into the darkest elements of English society, the story revolves around Jon, an assassin who works for a mysterious and seemingly omnipotent 'tattooed' man. Expression of affiliations and motives are limited so as a reader you're forced to attempt to fill in the gaps. Not as easy a task as you expect - Jon is a fascinating character who demands sympathy and all too often gets it from the reader; but is he deserving of it? That's up to you to decide.
Cross has created multiple, believable psychopaths that almost make me concerned for his mental wellbeing. It's a staggering achievement to be able to articulate characters that have such concerning and alien emotions as well as he has, and it makes the reader second guess their emotions regarding each of the characters on numerous occasions.
Starting off as a believable setting, the everyday life that surrounds and is observed by Jon spirals into depravity as the story progresses; it feels like a fever dream and you almost begin to question if the narrative is reality or only in Jon's head. This is heightened by the way significant moments are referred to, rather than shown.
This is a book about characters; more so than events. As a result, it certainly isn't for everyone, but those that are willing to delve into a world far outside of their comfort zone may just find something truly special here.
February 17, 2015
I received and ARC from the publisher Open Road Integrated Media and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Jon Bennet works for a man called Tattooed Man. He is at the beck and call of his boss and kept on a very tight leash. He kills or maims depending on his intructions from the Tattooed Man. Jon seems to act like he has no feelings or guilt by the things he has done. He also appears to be a very troubled man. As a very young boy he murdered his father and was institutionalized by his mother.
One day Jon bumps into an old school friend of his he hasn't seen in years. He is invited to their house for dinner. Jon becomes involved with his friend and family and helps them out with a "loan" and obtaining work for his unemployed friend.
His friends wife and baby daughter are killed and Jon becomes angry and kills someone in a brutal way. This upsets the Tattooed Man and he is banished from his job. Jon sinks into a deep depression until the day he realizes that he needs to do something. He goes to his friends house and finds that he has been pulled into the the Tattooed Man's group. He kills his friend in order to save him from the Tattooed Man.
Jon is picked up by the Tattooed Man and goes on the last ride he will ever take.
This is a story about a man who has some serious mental health issues and ends up working as a hired killer. It is an interesting story to read as the author has a unique way of putting a story together.
Jon Bennet works for a man called Tattooed Man. He is at the beck and call of his boss and kept on a very tight leash. He kills or maims depending on his intructions from the Tattooed Man. Jon seems to act like he has no feelings or guilt by the things he has done. He also appears to be a very troubled man. As a very young boy he murdered his father and was institutionalized by his mother.
One day Jon bumps into an old school friend of his he hasn't seen in years. He is invited to their house for dinner. Jon becomes involved with his friend and family and helps them out with a "loan" and obtaining work for his unemployed friend.
His friends wife and baby daughter are killed and Jon becomes angry and kills someone in a brutal way. This upsets the Tattooed Man and he is banished from his job. Jon sinks into a deep depression until the day he realizes that he needs to do something. He goes to his friends house and finds that he has been pulled into the the Tattooed Man's group. He kills his friend in order to save him from the Tattooed Man.
Jon is picked up by the Tattooed Man and goes on the last ride he will ever take.
This is a story about a man who has some serious mental health issues and ends up working as a hired killer. It is an interesting story to read as the author has a unique way of putting a story together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2015
I received this book via NetGalley to give an honest review.
I have read one book by this author and I enjoyed his work, now with this book I literally felt like I just wanted to finish it quickly so I could move on.
At times I couldn't tell you what was going on. What I gathered is Jon is hired killer, one that people fear then he runs into an old friend from school. They play catch up, then Andy loses his family which causes Jon to lose it and kill someone without the consent of his boss. This leads to Andy working for the Tattooed man and Jon has issues with it. At the end Jon is free to put it in easy terms.
I think Jon has mental issues because of his childhood but I am not really sure. I just felt lost with this story, I honestly had no clue what was going on. I know that there is drugs and drinking, and killing and one finally becoming free it seems.
Now this may be a book for others who can truly understand what is all going on but for me it wasn't what I was expecting.
I don't know what else I can write in this review and this is truly a first for me. Normally the words come out easy but I guess because I didn't "click" with the book on any level there isn't much to write.
I have read one book by this author and I enjoyed his work, now with this book I literally felt like I just wanted to finish it quickly so I could move on.
At times I couldn't tell you what was going on. What I gathered is Jon is hired killer, one that people fear then he runs into an old friend from school. They play catch up, then Andy loses his family which causes Jon to lose it and kill someone without the consent of his boss. This leads to Andy working for the Tattooed man and Jon has issues with it. At the end Jon is free to put it in easy terms.
I think Jon has mental issues because of his childhood but I am not really sure. I just felt lost with this story, I honestly had no clue what was going on. I know that there is drugs and drinking, and killing and one finally becoming free it seems.
Now this may be a book for others who can truly understand what is all going on but for me it wasn't what I was expecting.
I don't know what else I can write in this review and this is truly a first for me. Normally the words come out easy but I guess because I didn't "click" with the book on any level there isn't much to write.
February 12, 2015
Given To Me For An Honest Review
Mr. In-Between by Neil Cross isn't the hitman story that I had thought. It was even better. This book is even better. You'll open the book to page one and it will grab you, hold you down and then those pages will turn and turn and turn some more until you get to the last page. You'll then wonder what did you just read. Jon Bennet kills as willed by Tattoo Man. Before too long he realizes that he is a slave and that he has a choice between freedom and slavery. As a killer he has it all. He has everything he would ever want or need except for a normal life. Will Jon Bennett ever get to have his freedom? Will he always be a slave? What will he choose ... freedom or slavery? This book was a great read. I really enjoyed reading it. It would make a great gift and would look good on your bookshelf. I gave this book 5 stars but wish I could have given it more. I highly recommend it to everyone, especially if you enjoy reading futuristic crime fiction, social realism and imaginative writing. Neil Cross did a fantastic job with this book and I look forward to more of his writings.
Mr. In-Between by Neil Cross isn't the hitman story that I had thought. It was even better. This book is even better. You'll open the book to page one and it will grab you, hold you down and then those pages will turn and turn and turn some more until you get to the last page. You'll then wonder what did you just read. Jon Bennet kills as willed by Tattoo Man. Before too long he realizes that he is a slave and that he has a choice between freedom and slavery. As a killer he has it all. He has everything he would ever want or need except for a normal life. Will Jon Bennett ever get to have his freedom? Will he always be a slave? What will he choose ... freedom or slavery? This book was a great read. I really enjoyed reading it. It would make a great gift and would look good on your bookshelf. I gave this book 5 stars but wish I could have given it more. I highly recommend it to everyone, especially if you enjoy reading futuristic crime fiction, social realism and imaginative writing. Neil Cross did a fantastic job with this book and I look forward to more of his writings.
March 26, 2015
No doubt there are people like this in the world. Not that I know of or care to know about. A British setting provides for a plentitude of idioms likely common amongst the blue collar class of the indigenous populace but readers here in the Colonies have to take our best shot at substituting a meaningful word. Always a negative for this reader. Some slang solutions are provided in later settings. The story centers on a central character and his few work associates who engage in the killing, maiming and creation of mayhem at the whim of a maniacal boss. His few “mates” are bottom feeders and of little consequence. Living in a world of no regard for life, no emotion, and lacking desire for anything substantive. Too many pages are filled with the philosophy of all these nothings and these become tedious meanderings best glazed over in a quest to reach the end which itself was a disappointment. Being an avid fan of reading and encouraging reading, it is disappointing to only rate a book two and one half stars but that must be rounded up to three stars, there being no half star increment ratings, so I give only three stars.
February 25, 2015
The Mind of an Assassin
Jon works for the Tattooed Man as a hit man. Because he's good at his job and does whatever the Tattooed Man assigns, he lives well, but he's a loner. When he meets up with Andy, an old school friend, that changes. Andy is out of work, and he has a wife a baby.
Jon realizes that his friend has something he doesn't, and he wants to help him. This is the beginning of real changes in his life. When he does the bidding of the Tattooed Man, he functions as a slave, but now he has a chance to act on his own.
This is a very psychological book. Jon is a complex character. Cross does a good job of presenting Jon's background and development without overdoing the backstory. Andy is also a well done character moving from being a loser to losing himself.
If you enjoy psychological novels, I recommend this book. It deals with an interesting interpretation of what it means to be free or a slave.
I reviewed this book for Net Galley.
Jon works for the Tattooed Man as a hit man. Because he's good at his job and does whatever the Tattooed Man assigns, he lives well, but he's a loner. When he meets up with Andy, an old school friend, that changes. Andy is out of work, and he has a wife a baby.
Jon realizes that his friend has something he doesn't, and he wants to help him. This is the beginning of real changes in his life. When he does the bidding of the Tattooed Man, he functions as a slave, but now he has a chance to act on his own.
This is a very psychological book. Jon is a complex character. Cross does a good job of presenting Jon's background and development without overdoing the backstory. Andy is also a well done character moving from being a loser to losing himself.
If you enjoy psychological novels, I recommend this book. It deals with an interesting interpretation of what it means to be free or a slave.
I reviewed this book for Net Galley.
February 10, 2015
Imagine a killer, blindly killing those he’s ordered to – a slave, a servant, doing the will of the mysterious powerful Tattoo Man, and
now imagine this killer, Jon Bennet, suddenly realizing that he is a slave, and that he has a choice between freedom or slavery.
But he has it all as a killer – a fine apartment with beautiful furnishings, money to burn – everything but a normal life – love and the day to day life many of us enjoy.
What would you do? Do you sometimes just wait for the freedom of your days off and wishe that you could hit the lottery and be free from your job?
Sure, Bennet’s job is extreme – but he has it all. And soon he finds himself stuck – is freedom having it all? Or is freedom doing what you would love to do, but can’t given your job? Find out how Bennet wrestles with this – does he succeed? Read this and fine out!
now imagine this killer, Jon Bennet, suddenly realizing that he is a slave, and that he has a choice between freedom or slavery.
But he has it all as a killer – a fine apartment with beautiful furnishings, money to burn – everything but a normal life – love and the day to day life many of us enjoy.
What would you do? Do you sometimes just wait for the freedom of your days off and wishe that you could hit the lottery and be free from your job?
Sure, Bennet’s job is extreme – but he has it all. And soon he finds himself stuck – is freedom having it all? Or is freedom doing what you would love to do, but can’t given your job? Find out how Bennet wrestles with this – does he succeed? Read this and fine out!
February 28, 2015
This book deals with personalities and moralities not commonly found. I found it fascinating and repelling at the same time. Yet, it was most difficult to put down. This book is a better analysis of the elements affecting human relationships than a text. It provides situations and interactions familiar to all of us, but in a context that requires the reader to analyze and thank them through. Jon, the main character, exists in between two very definite worlds, yet can not exist in either one. Only when he tries to become alive, he fails. The writing is crystal-clear and the imagery wonderful. The book will stay on your mind long after you stop reading.
March 19, 2015
**I received an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review
Jon is an assassin. He had to set up everything as the tattooed man has asked. Many of Jon's possessions had been gifts from the tattooed man, who seemed genuinely concerned in his lack of interest in the little luxuries. Lon like to take speed. One day he ran into an old friend from school, Andy. Andy was married and had a child but was unemployed. While playing catch up, Andy invited him to his house to meet his family. This begins his slow transition back into a "normal" world".
I got through about half of the book, but I couldn't really make any rhyme nor reason of the story. It just didn't make sense to me.
Jon is an assassin. He had to set up everything as the tattooed man has asked. Many of Jon's possessions had been gifts from the tattooed man, who seemed genuinely concerned in his lack of interest in the little luxuries. Lon like to take speed. One day he ran into an old friend from school, Andy. Andy was married and had a child but was unemployed. While playing catch up, Andy invited him to his house to meet his family. This begins his slow transition back into a "normal" world".
I got through about half of the book, but I couldn't really make any rhyme nor reason of the story. It just didn't make sense to me.
July 25, 2013
A flayed and bleak novel that follows the spiritual liberation of a retained hitman. First, he renews an old friendship, vicariously indulging himself in family life instead of alcoholic oblivion. Then, after tragedy, he cuts his ties with his satanic boss, the Tattooed Man, in a swathe of gore. It's a short book, as well, but the reader hangs on every word. Okay, there are a few minor glitches (editing I reckon), but these don't get in the way of the story and a lot is left off the page for the reader to imagine rather than painted in gore.
February 18, 2015
I would actually give this book 3 1/2 stars.
For me it was just okay. This was the second book I've read by Neil Cross reading this one after Captured kind of let me down. I skipped a LOT of pages in this one as sometimes the story just seemed to go on and on without adding anything to the story. I truly believe this story could have been told with a lot less words.
Thank you Open Road Integrated Media and Net Galley for providing me with this free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
For me it was just okay. This was the second book I've read by Neil Cross reading this one after Captured kind of let me down. I skipped a LOT of pages in this one as sometimes the story just seemed to go on and on without adding anything to the story. I truly believe this story could have been told with a lot less words.
Thank you Open Road Integrated Media and Net Galley for providing me with this free e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
March 20, 2015
This book started out good. Joe Bennett, a brutal, cold-blooded hired killer unquestionably does the bidding of the "tattooed man." But then Joe runs into his childhood buddy, who is down on his luck and a chink emerges in his unfeeling, uncaring facade.
This book started out with an intriguing premise and I found the characters very interesting and compelling--but suddenly the book seems to change and becomes almost a new story with a different focus. I did finish the book but it was unsatisfying.
This book started out with an intriguing premise and I found the characters very interesting and compelling--but suddenly the book seems to change and becomes almost a new story with a different focus. I did finish the book but it was unsatisfying.
February 14, 2015
I got to Chapter 2 and couldn't go any further. I have never seen a book with more adjectives than this one. It went on and on so much it became a major distraction from the story. I'm still not sure what the author was trying to write about. What put the nail in the coffin was the author's gutter language. It didn't take long to get tired of it. I just don't need such idiocy rattling around in my brain when I am reading.
September 25, 2015
This book was SO messed up. I loved it.
If you've ever wondered about the inner life of the psychopath, this is the book for you. It's written by the creator of the BBC's Luther; Alice Morgan was my favorite character there, so it's no big surprise that this was right up my alley. But man, is it BLEAK. The protagonist's detachment works well as a contrast to the extreme violence and depravity of the storyline, and the ending is perfect. Highly recommended.
If you've ever wondered about the inner life of the psychopath, this is the book for you. It's written by the creator of the BBC's Luther; Alice Morgan was my favorite character there, so it's no big surprise that this was right up my alley. But man, is it BLEAK. The protagonist's detachment works well as a contrast to the extreme violence and depravity of the storyline, and the ending is perfect. Highly recommended.
March 30, 2025
This was the only English language novel at my hotel, so admittedly not one I'd be likely to buy. It took a surprising amount of time to finish despite it being so short.
My conclusion is finally that it's too clever for it's own good and that after a believable beginning it gets just too weird. I thought the plot, such as it is, was full of holes (the school boy friendship and its resurrection in particular) and the tattooed man at its heart too complex yet unexplained a character to work.
My conclusion is finally that it's too clever for it's own good and that after a believable beginning it gets just too weird. I thought the plot, such as it is, was full of holes (the school boy friendship and its resurrection in particular) and the tattooed man at its heart too complex yet unexplained a character to work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2015
Terrifyingly honest look inside the life of a sadistic henchman of an emotionally warped warlord. Enjoyed the unpredictability and the darkness for a brief change, but I couldn't read this all the time. That's a side of the street I'm glad I've never walked on.
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