Casual Friday

John Lago Thriller #0.5

by Shane Kuhn

Casual Friday is the story of hit man John Lago’s very first assignment as a recruit with Human Resources, Inc., a placement agency that sends assassins, disguised as interns, to take out high-level targets under cover of corporate invisibility. John will go on to become the most successful “intern” in HR’s history. You can read more about his career in The Intern’s Handbook, a full-length thriller that will be published on April 8, 2014.

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Humor, Contemporary, Crime

50 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 4, 2014

About the author

Shane Kuhn is a writer, director, and producer with fifteen years of experience working in the entertainment business and advertising. He is also one of the original cofounders of the Slamdance Film Festival.

Reviews

[Will M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this right after reading the first novel of the series, The Intern's Handbook That being said, I already had a good idea who John Lago was and what he did for a living. While I really enjoyed the first novel, this prequel was not as enjoyable.

This novella talked about Lago's very first mission as an assassin, disguised as an intern. It was fun to read about how he did in his first mission, but the mission itself was just okay for me. It wasn't as grand as the ones in the first novel, but this being a novella, it was okay I guess. The other characters in this novella weren't that interesting and likable, unlike Alice and some others in the first novel. I got this for free though, so I shouldn't really complain that much.

3.5/5 stars. I can't wait to read the sequel coming my way this 2015. John Lago is slowly starting to make it to my favorite characters. I'm just hoping that the sequel wouldn't flop.

[Carl Kleinebecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

SO.... I found out about The Intern's Handbook and was intrigued... have not bought it yet... but the "Prequel" was free (Kindle addition)... What the hell right? LOVED it... wanted more... defiantly could have been MORE... Could be its own movie... HELL should be... its begging for it... has a stronger story line then a lot of the sholck that's out there... It was enough to wet my appetite for the "real deal." The Intern's Handbook is going on my WILL read list!

[Melissa Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! Okay, so it's no secret to some that ever since I read by Shane Kuhn I've been dying for the second book in the series of John Lago. "The Intern's Handbook" sat on my feature shelf for the past year until I reluctantly took it down to make my feature shelf for my fave 2015 reads. However, even though it's not on my feature shelf at the moment, it's still in my top five favorite books ever.

With that said, I just read "Casual Friday" which is a kind of prequel and sequel to "The Intern's Handbook". It's a very short read and sets you up for the before and after of book one. While nothing will take the place of the epic awesomeness of book one, the full novel of "TIH", this was a great read for fans of the book and the Author. It'll hold you over until book two is released. Which I can extremely excitedly say is due for release on July 14, 2015 and available for pre-order now)!!!!!! Book two is so check it out!!

So, I loved this short story that introduces you to John Lago and "The Intern's Handbook". I'm getting myself ready to re-read the first book before July. I'm just saying that Book one is Freaking Brilliant!! This short is great and I'd recommend it to anyone as a read before or after the first book in the series. I really don't think it makes a difference.

I am incredibly bummed that I didn't win the contest to be featured as a character that gets killed off in "Hostile Takeover", but win or lose, I'm still thrilled, excited and screaming to get my hands on the next installment!! It's been far too long since I've been able to spend time with John Lago and I need to see what happens next. Maaaaaybe an ARC? Because, I mean you never know when an intern may kill me so if I don't survive until July, I might not EVER be able to read it!! If I don't get the chance to read it than I'm going to have to come back from the dead and haunt John Lago in the same manner he's assassinated the CEO's. I'll be a ghostly intern. Now there's an idea for book three......assassinated CEO comes back from the dead and haunts John Lago the intern!! That I'd love to see.

This short story can be a before or an in between story for the novels, but I do recommend it. It introduces you to the MC and gives you insight into his main story. I personally favor the full novel, but this was a fun read to hold me over for a bit. It's truly a brilliant series and July cannot get here fast enough!! A series I highly recommend.

Please note: I know there are readers who like their books squeaky clean. If that's the case.....fair warning.....this series is full of sick (awesome) humor, sarcasm, cursing, ruthless killing, kick *ss fun and may will offend the easily offended. I'm not one of those people so Mr. Kuhn.....offend away in "Hostile Takeover" please, lol!!

RUN AND GET "The Intern's Handbook", Grab a digital copy of this book "Casual Friday" and pre-order "Hostile Takeover". If your sense of humor and reading likes are anywhere close to mine you're going to love them!!

In the who recommended this book to you, it's the full novel "The Intern's Handbook" that I won Through The .@Goodreads First Reads Program .@SimonBooks & .@shaneskuhn and I purchased this short for my kindle. I can't delete that and fix because as I said above only a portion of the review box is viewable and that part I can't see.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am reading Victor the Assassin while reading this short story and I have to say that Victor this guy is not, he behaves as his imbecilic little brother that should not be allowed to touch a gun ever.

While Victor is trying to make himself almost invisible because he is a contract killer, John on the other hand is holding a flashing neon light arrow on top of his head, he also does not have any clear plan or purpose. The premise was interesting but the caricaturesque characters and lack of a cohesive plot made it unreadable.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

This recounting of John Lago's first assignment as a contract assassin is a nice short read (free from Amazon, and still free as of today's writing, 10/27/14) full of some serious deadly humor. It will kill you before you know what hits you. Then it will quickly disappear as though it never existed.

Really, this was a fun short read (along with a copy of the first chapter of The Intern's Handbook, which seems promising in its own right). John Lago, rescued from the streets at the ripe old age of 12, is trained in many disciplines as a young recruit for Human Resources, Inc. This recounts his very first official job. Humorous throughout, it still maintains that undercurrent of deadly seriousness. But it's all about taking out corrupt CEOs, so it can't be all bad, right? Recommended (especially if you like your humor dark).

Death, like life, can't be taken too seriously.

[Natasha den Dekker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dear Mr Kuhn,

Please stop writing stories about assassins that makes them seem like the coolest characters in the world. Also, I would kindly like you to write more short stories because I want to know everything about John and where he goes next. I would also like comment on the amount of pop culture references - thanks for those - I also like the occasional dig at various institutions. I would like more of those please. I could do without the romantic interludes, but I get it, he has a penis, it gets hard etc etc.

I will now twiddle my thumbs until the next instalment.

Best,
Natasha

[Conal · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an OK read but the story did not really capture me and the characters were not very likeable. I will have to read the first full length novel in this series to get a better idea of what the author is trying to do here.

3 Stars for an OK read.

[Candy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice intro to character.

[Tim Kretschmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

WARNING: Not really a full book...more an introductory novella. I didn't care for the main character, but I'm sure it would connect with some. Extremely average to my taste.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet. And brutal. Loved it!

[Andy Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun short story!

[Bob Cantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hollywood

This is just funny story. The main character was a smart-aleck, but a likeable one. It made me chuckle all the way to the end.

[Chris Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and insanely fun for fans of John Lago.

A bit of backstory to fill in the origin and first job of the assassin from The Interns Handbook.

Quick enjoyable read.

[Scott Siegel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The short story Casual Friday: A Short Story Prequel To The Interns Handbook by Shane Kuhn was a short story (100-120 pages) about John Lago, and his first assignment at HR Inc.. This story includes a good amount of action and a perfect dash of adventure and thrill to tingle any reader.

In this book, many topics are repeats about the first book, The Interns Handbook. The story in Casual Friday was talked about in the main book, but is put in with little extra detail in this new copy. He was put on his first assignment, and is an undercover hit man posing as an intern. He has to kill the leader of this company for some not-so-desireable things.

Overall, this book was ok. I would give it 3 stars, for the repetitiveness of The Interns Handbook makes it not as fresh or exciting. Although it was a page turner, I found myself turning pages to skip retold plot and save my time. I would definitely recommend anyone to read this, but only if you didn't read The Interns Handbook. If you did, you'll leave with a yucky taste in your mouth and a bad view on Shane Kuhn

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Casual Friday" by Shane Kuhn is a short story that is a prequel to the awesome book, "The Intern's Handbook". If you read "The Intern's Handbook" I don't think you will be disappointed. You don't have to have read "The Intern's Handbook" to understand and enjoy "Casual Friday". There are no spoilers in "Casual Friday". It details John Lago's first assignment with HR Inc and of course nothing goes as planned. I really enjoyed seeing how John got his start in the company, and what he was like before "The Intern's Handbook". In "Casual Friday" John is more rough around the edges, and has a smart mouth on him. He's technically still a teenager, so he's not as mature as he is in "The Intern's Handbook". But he's still a likable character and I wanted him to be victorious in his mission. You don't have to read "Casual Friday", there's no shocking or surprising details, but it's fun reading and it's an interesting view of John Lago before "The Intern's Handbook".

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not that quick of a read. It felt more like a rambling less polished version of the novel. Perhaps as an introduction into the story this would be good but after having read the novel, going backwards made it a bit of a slog.

It could be that the story was just not that good. It details John's first assignment: Hollywood studio producer. Essentially an intern gets hired because he is a nobody, but in this story he sure moves up the ladder pretty quick and unbelievably so. Perhaps it was all just a flying snowman for me, but I didn't really connect with this story like I did with the novel.

It wasn't bad but not the best. Very middle of the road in my opinion.

[No haiku summary for short fiction]

[Filip · Rating 3 out of 5]

Povídka je součástí Příručky stážisty a funguje jako spíše taková perlička na ukončení celé knihy. Popisuje první Johnův případ ve filmové brandži, ve které Shane Kuhn ukazuje svou genialitu a schopnost manipulovat se čtenáři, aby věřili cíli, který se na konci stejně otočí o 360 stupňů, takže pouze a jen mile překvapí! Sice tenhle případ neměl na ten, co byl v celé knize, ale i tak autor ukázal, že dokáže překvapit a využít jakýchkoli detailů a věcí, které můžeme dnes a denně sledovat ve filmech. Jenže po přečtení této povídky a samotné knihy si uvědomíte, že filmy zase až tak nelžou. S trochou představivostí lze provést vše.
Doslova.

[Freda Mans-Labianca · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the most part, I liked it.
I hated the ending though. With a passion.
I was enjoying the flow of the story. John Lago is quite the character, and he introduces the reader to a world we wouldn't otherwise know anything about. I liked how this story was a twisted take on that world. That definitely appealed to me as a reader.
At the end, I think the author was going for dramatic. It didn't work for me though. I said out loud, 'That's it?!'. Then I shook my head a few times. Yup.
I hope The Intern's Handbook picks up where Casual Friday abruptly left off.

3.5/5

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was just a short (and free) e-book to give readers a taste of the Interns Handbook series. John Lago is an 'intern' who works for Human Resources Inc, an assasin who works by getting placed in key internships and then executing his target after getting close to them. After all, who gets noticed less than an intern?

Casual Friday tells the story of John's first job and gives a tiny bit of his backstory. It's a quick read with the same flavor as the first 2 books in the series. A fun read and a good introduction to the series if you haven't read it yet.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This prequel novella is much too short, and is wrapped up by the time you reach the 75% mark. The rest is an excerpt from the novel The Intern's Handbook.

John Lago's first solo mission brings him to Hollywood and the movie business, which happens to be John's biggest passion. While it was entertaining, it was also a little too outrageous for me. An intern as a producer? Riiight? Still, I give this one 3.5 stars. PS: I still want a sequel!

[Jami · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short prequel to the Intern's Handbook. It was enjoyable, but if I had not already been interested in reading the Intern's Handbook, this prequel alone would not have enticed me to read the full book. In some cases, I have read prequels that were the main reason I took a chance on the complete book; this was not the case for me with this one. However, since I am interested in the book already, this was a good intro to the main character's history and motivations.

[Carl Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. Fun and exceedingly violent little short about John Lago that whets the appetite for The Intern's Handbook. This short stands on its own, as the descriptions and setups duplicate those in the novel a little bit. The intro to John Lago's character and Human Resources Inc. is breezy and satisfying. I read this after finishing The Intern's Handbook; nothing from this short is essential when reading the novel.

[Wing Kee · Rating 2 out of 5]

A short tale that introduces and acts as a teaser for the first book of the series, I went into this blind and I found the story to be amusing. The pacing was way off, the dialog snappy, the characters cardboard cutouts. I don't know if I want to continue with the series, but this is not really a fun read. Also, it just ends so lazily that I don't even want to comment on it.

Onward to the next book!

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short. Feels a bit like something edited out of The Intern's Handbook; perhaps Kuhn and the editor disagreed with whether it should've been in, and he published it anyway. Prequel is a stretch, since the Handbook is essentially a retelling of past events anyway. Whatever. If you dug the Handbook, and want another crazy-ass almost-dead rescued-at-the-last-minute tale of absurdity, get your fix.

[Mosh · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having read "The Intern's Handbook", I thought this prequel would be a fun tale to supplement what was a fun book. Not quite. Kuhn tries to cram too much into too little and in doing so takes away the charm of the original book. Everything goes down so quickly that nothing develops; it just happens. There is no character development and everything that is done so well in the novel is not given a chance here.

[Aric · Rating 3 out of 5]

I downloaded this short story for free since it is a prequel to a Daily Deal I purchased from Amazon. It is okay just a little over the top. It just probably didn't achieve its desired effect towards me because it takes a book I bought because of an interesting premise and knocks it down several spots on my 'to-read' list.

[P R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick ... dpes not entice me to read 'the handbook' but I will anyway.

[Don ツ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first John Lago work as a full-fledged assassin. Few scenes are very confusing but knowing John from the novel I wouldn't mind. It's very fast pace short pusher to the real book.

xoxo
Don

[Duffy Pearce · Rating 4 out of 5]

My sister Alice gave it a 3 and I gave it a 4 because 3.5 isn't an option. It's not great literature but it's the perfect read for a day at the lake when your husbands doing winterizing projects you'd just as soon avoid. Very fast paced, funny and ultimately romantic in a twisted kind of way.

[Cailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the most satisfying prequel. I guess it must have been written before the book, especially since it seemed like the style wasn't super consistent with the book. Same swagger, but not yet perfected. I liked the case he was on okay, although it ended quite abruptly.