Asesinos anónimos

Assassins Anonymous #1

by Rob Hart

Renunciar a la violencia tiene sus inconvenientes. Mark es el asesino a sueldo más peligroso del mundo. Su apodo, Caballo Pálido, infunde miedo en el frío corazón de todos sus rivales en cuanto lo oyen. Pero tras descubrir por las malas que la vida que ha llevado lo ha convertido en un monstruo, Mark decide dejarlo todo atrás. Con la ayuda de su padrino, Kenji, se une a un grupo de exasesinos que se reúnen en secreto para apoyarse mutuamente durante su rehabilitación. Sin embargo, en medio de su proceso, alguien lo ataca. Empujado de nuevo al oscuro mundo de la traición y el asesinato, herido y huyendo de Nueva York a Londres y de ahí a Singapur, Mark tiene que resolver el misterio de quién va a por él y por qué. ¿La Agencia habrá considerado que sabe demasiado y que hay que quitarlo de en medio? ¿Algún rival se habrá atrevido a atacar tras su decisión de dejar las armas? ¿Alguna de las miles de personas que podrían querer vengarse de él por fin habrá dado el paso? ¿Y cómo va a sobrevivir a esos ataques sin matar a nadie? En esta novela adictiva, inteligente y sorprendente, el asesino más letal del mundo renuncia a la violencia justo cuando empieza a verse acosado por unos misteriosos agresores. En una situación de matar o morir, si la primera opción queda fuera de la ecuación, ¿qué podrá hacer para defenderse a un asesino reformado?

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Crime, Suspense

320 pages, Paperback

First published June 11, 2024

About the author

Rob Hart is the author of the USA TODAY bestseller ASSASSINS ANONYMOUS. He also wrote THE PARADOX HOTEL, which was nominated for. Lambda Literary Award, as well as THE WAREHOUSE, which has been sold in more than 20 countries. He also wrote the Ash McKenna crime series, the short story collection TAKE-OUT, the novella SCOTT FREE with James Patterson, and, with Alex Segura, the comic book BLOOD OATH and the novel DARK SPACE.

His short stories have been published widely, including “Due on Batuu,” set in the Star Wars universe, which appeared in FROM A CERTAIN POINT OF VIEW: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, and "Take-Out," which appeared in BEST AMERICAN MYSTERY STORIES 2018.

He’s worked as a political reporter, the communications director for a politician, and a commissioner for the city of New York. He is the former publisher at MysteriousPress.com and class director at LitReactor. He lives in Jersey City.

Reviews

[Teju A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I say anything. Mr Hart, you better have at leat 11 books lined up with this character, or we are going to have words!!! And yes it's just a statement 😅🫡

Wowza, I loved every minute of this!!! Solid solid 5 stars, wish I could give it more. I literally ignored this book for months and just picked it up on a whim, not really expecting much. 🤨🤨🤨. Jokes on me, this was a masterpiece and I'm praying we get to see more of the pale horse...

Think of AA, now this time replace the alcoholics with assassins. We meet a renowned assassin who through an unfortunate event is trying to turn a new leaf. When someone tries killing him, he tries to uncover the plot behind it has he navigates the mine field of who he's trying to be and what he's always been......

Memorable line: "Jason Statham eats glass for breakfast " 😅😅😅😅😅😅😅

Thanks for ARC penguin group 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Very much appreciated!!!!
Coming out: June 11th 2024!

[Blaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Update 6/11/24: Reposting my review to celebrate that today is publication day!

“Welcome to Assassins Anonymous,” he says. “My name is Kenji, and I am a killer.”
…
“So you’re like John Wick?” she asks.
I don’t bother to contain the eye roll. “Being an assassin is nothing like John Wick.”
…
“We’re getting passports and IDs. Fake names. Only way to travel.”
She looks around at the stacks of copier paper. “Okay, this is some John Wick shit, though.”
“And?”
“You told me it was nothing like that.”
“Maybe it’s a little like that.”

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for sending me an ARC of Assassins Anonymous in exchange for an honest review.

Fifteen years ago, Mark made the transition from former Navy Seal to an assassin working for some shadowy US agency. He was known as the Pale Horse, a nickname people whispered the same way people speak of John Wick as the baba yaga. And then a year ago, Mark decided he had to stop. With the help of a former associate, Kenji, he tried to disappear, and started attending Kenji’s Assassins Anonymous meetings with a few other reformed killers. But tonight he was attacked, stabbed, and his notebook was stolen by a Russian hit man, and Mark decides to reenter his old life to find out why. But is there anyway he can succeed, stay alive, and maintain his new promise to not kill anyone?

Assassins Anonymous works on a number of levels. First, there is the mystery of who attacked Mark and why. Maybe some readers will connect the dots but I certainly did not. More importantly, the story works because Mark is an engaging character. You see the story from his rather snarky perspective. But the more you learn, especially as you get closer to why Mark made the decision to stop killing, the more you care about what happens to his character. I smiled every time someone said some version of “you’re an assassin? I thought you’d look more like Jason Statham.” And even though it will be straight out of John Wick 2, I won’t be sorry if the author picks up the hook he very obviously left hanging and writes a sequel bringing Mark and the others back into this world. Recommended.

[Ellery Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

Thanks to partner @prhaudio, I listened to this amusement park ride of a novel as an audiobook. Friends, if you're looking for a ridiculously fun, fast-moving, James Bond and Austen Powers rolled into one-type summer read, then grab Rob Hart's killer novel about an assassin with a heart of gold. Okay, so maybe not solid gold (I mean, Mark has killed a bunch of people, but he's trying to change his ways). One of the most likable heroes you'll encounter this year, our humorous hitman travels the globe with his cat (P Kitty) and a reluctant female partner. Together, they try to unravel the mystery of who wants Mark dead.

On the surface, it's all thrills and hijinks, but there are many levels to this novel. It asks us to explore our obsession with crime and violence, to consider who deserves forgiveness and second chances, and how significant change rarely comes without a cost. I loved it. My only quibble was having everything tied up in a pretty bow in the end. I wanted things to be a bit messier to drive home some of the book's more meaningful points. Still, this will be one of my favorite fiction reads of the year.

[Xabi1990 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pasa de las 4 estrellas xq me ha recordado poderosamente a “ Yo soy Pilgrim ”

Original planteamiento y desarrollo. No es maca total, va de asesinos con intención de rehabilitarse, si es posible. Hay flashbacks, peleas, giros inesperados y un final acorde.

Pocas paginas, creo que eran unas 300 y te las devoras.

Personajes justitos, que con esas pags no da para grandes profundidades psicológicas. Así que tópicos haberlos hailos.

Como lectura veraniega para mi penúltimo día de playa, estupenda.

[Jeremy Peers · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know who gets a bad rap? Assassins. We think of them as one-dimensional, amoral killers with no regard for life. A lost cause. Irredeemable. A job title with no positive connotations. But assassins are people, too. They have feelings; self-doubt; relationship problems just like the rest of us. And like us, assassins get burnt-out. They hate their bosses. Want a career change. And some have a change of conscience. Quitting takes real change in the assassin’s life; they need support through the process and their journey. For these people, a support group exists much like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. Assassins coming together to talk about the struggles the members are facing.

Mark–the top assassin in the world– wants out. Known as the Pale Rider– the mere mention of his moniker struck fear in the hearts of adversaries. No more. He’s tried to quit before and fallen off the wagon each time. Now, he’s nearing his one year anniversary being murder free when he is attacked by unknown assailants. Hunting the people after him while not killing them is exhausting and somehow more dangerous. Traveling around the world, Mark is determined to find who is after him and get his one-year chip.

Assassin’s Anonymous is one of the more unique thrillers I’ve read in a while. It’s the perfect amount of weird. In the same vein as Kotaro Isaka’s Three Assassins and Bullet Train, Assassin’s Anonymous is quirky, fun and with tons of heart. The characters are well developed and play well off one another.

If you want a fun, unique thriller with laughs look no further than Assassins Anonymous. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Assassins Anonymous.

[Izzie (semi-hiatus) McFussy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, so I learned something about myself while reading this book. I like plots that feature assassins. Whoda thought?

A conversation takes place in the book that lists movies with professional killers:
🔪”Grosse Pointe Blank”
🔪”Collateral”
🔪”The Professional”
🔪”In Bruges”
🔪”John Wick, Chapter 3”
*gasps* I saw all five and thoroughly enjoyed each and every one. Well, the fifth was mostly a Keanu fix😍.

And now, this book.

Huh. 🤔

Since I don’t like gore, I approached the story cautiously. However, like a bee attracted to 💐, I’m drawn to humor, which the title hinted at—Mark, an assassin in a twelve step program looking to permanently slam the door shut on his body count.

My foot tentatively on the brake and hands firmly gripping the wheel, I was prepared to veer away at the first drop of blood. Turned out the violence was described objectively, like a sportscaster giving a play-by-play. I skimmed much of it.

🥷He comes at me with a teep and I sidestep, grab him under the ankle…
🥷 …it’s a dance. The two of us throwing blocks and blows in a mad, buzzing flurry.

While I wouldn’t call this a laugh riot, the writing was fast-paced, assured, and was carried along by a wry narrative.

And, as if to make up for a lack of sentimentality Mark toted around, P. Kitty. Yes, an orange tabby. 🐈💕

There was tension, mystery, and a few surprise reveals. The ending was a little cliche, but not enough to tamp down my excitement for the sequel coming in June.

🌹My thanks to MarilynW for bringing this book to my attention.🌹

[Benjamin Uke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine if John Wick went to AA for killing. It's 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.

4/5
Hart mistakes quirk for character development, the scenes the protagonist shares with his fellow recovering murder addicts impart some nice emotional resonance, helping to ground the tale and lend it heft.

A fun thriller, with extra cheese.

[Betsy Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a page-turning relief from the after-election feelings.

Assassins Anonymous was the perfect medicine for yesterday and I read it in two huge gulps. It's well written, plot-plot-plot, and about something beneath the ingenious story about a killer in a 12-step program to give up killing. Read it!

At its deepest level it is about what it takes for a human being to commit to self-responsibility and change. It may go down like popcorn, but there is nothing shallow or insubstantial about it. This is a brilliant way to deliver the hardest work we humans can commit to.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story is 3 stars, but the audiobook narration gets a 1. Were there no editors? How does someone mispronounce wind (saying it like a breeze when it should have been like a clock) so many times? The road was not "wynnding". So distracting.

The story was predictable and didn't live up to the potential. The Statham jokes got tired, and I'm puzzled by the naivety of the main character.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Killing people makes life a lot easier, you know?”

Says the assassin. Well, former assassin. Mark is in Assassins Anonymous, a group modeled after AA for killers who want or need to quit the business. Mark hasn’t killed anyone in almost a year. But when his past comes stomping back, his recovery and resolve are put to the test. Can Mark really maintain his non-killing ways when someone is out to kill him?

This book had me at hello. I mean HELLO! An assassin trying to quit killing? Brilliant! Throw humor, pain, and adrenaline into a mystery mix and I’m all in. But wait. There’s more. Underneath the action and wit, lives some serious loneliness and vulnerability. Honestly, I didn’t expect to feel protective of Mark. I mean he’s a killer! He doesn’t need me or anyone else protecting him. Or does he? While Mark is out and about in the world trying to unmask who and why someone is hunting him, he bumps into people he hurt and memories of old jobs and math gone wrong. He feels so exposed. Weird, right? Thinking a man who is was really good at killing as vulnerable. Aren’t we all though? Maybe that’s the point. The more we put ourselves out there, the more we put our hearts at risk to rejection, pain, and loss. And love! Don’t forget about the love.

“Like, the more you reach the more you realize there’s something worth reaching for…”

I have to tip my hat to the writing at least once before I wrap this up. Specifically, to the writing of the violence. It is masterful. The scenes depicting Mark’s jobs over the years are not popcorn munching, whoop for the hero with the funny one-liner kind of skirmishes. This violence is quick and brutal. Scenes that chillingly reveal how fragile life can be. How fast it can all be over.

This is my first Rob Hart book and it’s far from my last. I fell pretty damn hard for this one. So thank goodness I have books to catch up on and books to wait for. I loved the characters (P. Kitty!), the words, the pace, and the telling. It’s a compelling read that bounces back and forth from now to then and back again. Each and every chapter propels you forward. I’m an odd duck though and tend to pump the brakes when I find a story that speaks to me. *shrugs* It’s the way I’ve always been. And I definitely didn’t want this one to end! Here’s hoping Mark lives to tell another tale.

“It’s hard to let people live. It’s hard to live.”

Highly recommended.

p.s. The fact that our main character is named “Mark” (aka target) makes me ridiculously giddy.

[Katie B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I tend to stick to thrillers more on the domestic side but a few of my reading buddies raved about Assassins Anonymous so I gave it a try. I’m glad I did because it was a fun and action packed read.

So what happens when you decide to quit your career as a paid assassin? Why you join a support group called Assassins Anonymous of course. Mark has attended meetings for the last year to help extinguish his killing tendencies but after he is brutally attacked one day, let’s just say this will be his ultimate test.

I enjoyed the humor in this one and it’s really what carries the book. Sure, it’s a wild and crazy plot but it was entertaining. I just wish a few of the”twists” weren’t so predictable but I did get one jaw-dropping moment so I can’t complain too much.

Recommend to fans of the tv show, Burn Notice, or anyone in the mood for a good popcorn thriller.

[Kristy Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is told in first person by Mark. This is my second book by this author and I found it highly entertaining. Hart’s most recent book made my Top Ten of 2022. Mark is in AA: Assassins Anonymous, that is. He’s just days away from getting his one-year chip, but when someone starts targeting him, he’s worried he might fall back into old habits and, you know, kill someone, sending him right back to the beginning. Although sometimes, he only has to say his assassin name—Pale Horse—and villains immediately surrender. Others want the notoriety of taking down the master.

Mark is accompanied on his adventures by his cat, P Kitty, who he believes saved his life. Mark’s AA group consists of some colorful characters, but can he trust them? They gave up the life too, or did they? I really enjoyed Mark’s character. I loved his snarky humor and taste in movies. As he traveled the world looking for answers, we learn about his past with his handler at the shadow agency that previously recruited him from the military, and the friends and enemies he’s made along the way. Who he sort of trusts and who he doesn’t. And at the heart of the story is the toll the life of an assassin took on him and his reasons for giving it all up.

Recommended for the humor, story and action. Would love to see this character again!

Thank you to Netgalley and GP Putnam’s Sons for a copy provided for an honest review.

[Pierre Tassé (Enjoying Books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was going to be a solid 4 in my books but the ending seemed rushed and missed a few points as it could have expounded on some of the people he developed. Alas, a good first book in the series, different in many aspects and I'll give book 2 a try ...

[Elentarri · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most lethal and notorious assassins in the business, Mark leaves the world of killing behind, and joins Assassins Anonymous, a 12-step group for recovering killers, based on Alcoholics Anonymous. Only, leaving this business is not as simple as it seems and someone is after Mark. Mad dashes (with cat) between locations, some sleuthing to find out what is going on and who is after him, along with some background flashbacks, ensures. Mark finds that being an assassin who has promised not to kill is really inconvenient, especially when everyone else is out to kill you. This is a fast paced and entertaining novel, with a complicated and pithy protagonist. Loads of fun. The narrator is fairly decent, though he does have some odd ways of pronouncing the occasional word.

[Nancy Yager · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Thrilling Cocktail of Action and Self-Reflection

Assassins Anonymous by Rob Hart is a gripping, action-packed thriller with a quirky twist: what happens when the world’s most dangerous hitman swaps secret missions for... a 12-step support group? Spoiler alert: chaos, hilarity, and heart.

Mark, aka The Pale Horse, isn’t your average assassin. He’s reformed (or at least trying really, hard to be). After a life of government-endorsed carnage, Mark leaves his bloody tenure behind and joins a group therapy session tailored for retired killers. But nonviolence isn’t as simple as it looks when some mysterious assailants drag him back into the life he swore to leave behind. Cue a globe-trotting escapade filled with cat-and-mouse chases, snarky banter, and Mark’s struggle to not use his “very particular set of skills” to solve his problems.

This novel delivers everything you want out of a modern thriller and more:
• Biting Humor: The dry, self-deprecating wit peppered through Mark’s narrative is chef’s kiss. Oh, and the chapter-by-chapter comparisons to John Wick? Keep them coming.
• Layered Characters: Mark isn’t just a brooding anti-hero. Meeting his support group (and his adorable cat, P. Kitty) reveals layers of vulnerability and a hefty dose of regret, making his fight for redemption compelling and heartfelt.
• High-Octane Action: Whether it’s an alley brawl in New York or a nail-biting pursuit across Singapore, Rob Hart knows how to craft scenes that practically leap off the page. Every hit (and dodged bullet) feels massively choreographed and emotionally charged.
• Depth Amidst the Humor: Beyond the bloodstains and sarcasm, Hart brilliantly explores themes of second chances, forgiveness, and the weight of our choices.

While the humor and fast pace make this an accessible read, the emotional resonance sets it apart from your standard thriller. You’ll likely laugh out loud at Mark’s snarky remarks, then unexpectedly find yourself tearing up as the book dives into the toll of violence—not just on his victims, but on Mark himself.

If you’ve enjoyed the likes of Bullet Train, Killers of a Certain Age, or John Wick (with a splash of
heart), this book is your next obsession. With a cinematic flair and unforgettable characters, Assassins Anonymous deserves to be on every action-lover’s bookshelf.

Although the action is plentiful if that is your thing, you still must ask the moral question, should they all be in prison? I suggest you take a dark sense of humor pill before you read the book.

Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons for the Advance Readers copy of the book. All the opinions are my own because I have freedom of speech.

[Vivian · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Sadness, that you carry like an anchor,” he says. “But more than that, a desire to put the anchor down rather than follow it into the deep.”

Deadpool meets Point Grosse Blank

“What we did, we did to people in the game. I killed warlords and terrorists. Not innocent people.” he looks at Stuart. “How the hell did you find out about this, anyway? It’s called Assassins Anonymous. Not Serial Killers Anonymous.

This is a made for movie romp. It’s got tragedy, regrets, humor, and twists and turns. For entertainment purposes you could do a lot worse. It’s fun and the ending is perfect.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow…just wow! A thriller like no other. Funny at times, heartfelt throughout and with thrilling action. I couldn’t put this book down.

I am looking for his Ash series but I guess the publisher stopped printing them. New Yorked is available as a new book only from Blackwell’s, does that make sense? Please Rob Hart make them publish them or get them so Amazon can put them on kindle….this reader will buy the whole series.

This book is well written with characters to die for, a plot and sub plots twisty and interesting and did I mention the action?…through the roof. This book can easily be the basis for a series, how readers will react to a killer that is constantly trying to prevent killing anybody else? I don’t know, but if someone can do it is this author. One of my favorite books of the year. I just cannot recommend this book enough.

[R L HERSKOWITZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark has had a good life. Well, good if you like being at the top of your game, making good money. If you wanna have an actual life, with someone to love and be loved by - then he was shit outta luck.

You see, Mark is an assassin. The Pale Horse. The name sends shivers down the spines of really tough men. Though he looks nothing like Jason Statham, which we need to get out of the way right away.
A year ago, Mark has had enough, met a woman, things went great at first and then really fucking wrong. Now, Mark has been "out" for almost a year thanks to the Assassins Anonymous and an iron will.
However, someone wants to kill him or at least wants something from him and suddenly he's on the run with the doc who stitched him up after his first I-must-not-kill-but-also-don't-want-to-be-killed encounter.

We follow Mark to several continents, meeting all kinds of assassins who want a normal life, all while trying to find out who's coming for Mark and why. Lord knows there are endless possibilities. *lol*

In real life, I'm not exactly one to root for the murderers. And yes, there is a difference between a killer and a murderer. Mark falls somewhere in the middle since he did government contracts. In highly fictionalized cases, I like "baddies" not "really" being bad and getting away with whatever it is they've done. So yes, I liked Mark, I liked that he didn't like fiction where murder was romanticized, I liked his cat and the cat's name (very funny). I also liked the running gag that he looked nothing like Jason Statham. *chuckles*

The action was quite good, but what was really enjoyable were Mark's other skills that REALLY made him top of his game. It's not JUST about pulling the trigger after all.

Some "d'aw" moments, quite a lot of situational humour, an interesting way of telling the tale of Mark's life (so far) and quite funny / nice / memorable characters. It's a little bit on the silly side but I think that is what made this work.

Just found out there will be another book, not about Mark but about someone from his circles and I've already decided I'll read that too - that's how much I liked this.

[Lilibet Bombshell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rob Hart won me over with his darkly funny, intense action-adventure-in-a-hotel, tragically romantic novel The Paradox Hotel, which is a book I think about all the time and constantly recommend because I love authors who know how to write perfect blends of dark comedy, intense action, and love of varying types.

Assassins Anonymous runs in a similar-but-definitely-not-same vein as The Paradox Hotel: darkly funny, intense action-adventure (not in a hotel), and a few different types of love. The plot is what it says on the tin: An assassin gave up the game almost a year ago and joined a 12-step program to stop killing people. A few days shy of earning his one-year chip he gets attacked and now he’s on the run to get to the bottom of the matter and get back out all without relapsing and killing someone.

Why wouldn’t I want to read that? Why wouldn’t anyone want to read that? That plot sounds like the bee’s knees.

And it was the bee’s knees! This book was fantastic. From the first page to the last this book was an interesting and fun read. It’s witty, dark, action-packed, adrenaline-fueled, reflective, and emotionally-aware. I nearly cried a couple of times, and I really loved the found family aspect that comes in clutch. I totally recommend it.

I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: Espionage Thriller/Suspense Thriller/Thriller

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Assassins are hot and Mark aka the Pale Horse is no exception. He’s not really an assassin anymore though, as he’s left that life and codename behind to join a 12-step program for professional killers who want to stop doing their jobs. His recovery is going pretty well until he’s attacked and needs to hunt the fucker down and not kill him - a plan that’s less absurd than it sounds. Mark is genuinely likable to the point where I fondly imagined him killing me multiple times during this book. He fights a bunch of dudes across the globe without anyone dying, and just when it seems like he’ll make it out unscathed, there's an angry guy with one ear who likes Mark a lot less than I do.

The plot is quick and ridiculous, but carries some unexpected depth that's relatable for anyone struggling with their self-improvement journey (mood). It’s giving reformed Jason Bourne meets Starter Villain with less typing cats, though there's still a regular cat, so 5 well-deserved stars it is.

[Bam cooks the books · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5 stars

The fresh concept behind this story--that being a hired assassin could be an addiction like drugs or alcohol and those wanting to leave that life behind could possibly do so with the help of an AA type 12-step program--is pretty amusing if somewhat preposterous and a bit silly. The novel was an exciting and quick read. Pure escapism. I can see why someone has snapped up the movie rights.

[Raul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Libro muy entretenido, de aventuras y acción, que parte de una premisa bastante curiosa.

Creo que su mayor atractivo es que no busca ser otra cosa de lo que ofrece. Es un lenguaje sencillo. Hay cosas que no se explican o profundizan para dar a las escenas de acción lo que el autor quiere. Lo que se esconde, cuando se revela, no deja de ser algo que ya se ha hecho muchas veces.

Vamos, una peli palomitera llena de acción, traiciones y amores complicados que nos hará pasar un par de tardes entretenidos.

[Tara Mickela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book for James Bond dudes written by a James Bond dude. Really hoped it wouldn’t take itself seriously. Life is full of disappointments.

[scthoughts · Rating 2 out of 5]

It reads like a Neil Breen movie if he actually had a filming budget of more than $75

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The nitty-gritty: Rob Hart delivers a thrilling assassin story with heart, humor and unforgettable characters.

Who knew that a story about a deadly assassin who is trying to quit killing people would turn out to be one of my favorite books of the year? Assassins Anonymous surprised me in every possible way, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. This book has the whole package: perfect pacing, warmth and heart, hysterically funny dialog, nail-biting action, lovable characters and even some nice messages about recovery and staying true to yourself. I’ve read two of Rob Hart’s previous books and I can say without a doubt this is his best yet.

Mark used to be a notorious assassin known as the Pale Rider, but for the past year he’s been going to weekly AA meetings—Assassins Anonymous—after a terrible event forced him to reevaluate his job as an assassin. With the help of his sponsor Kenji, a retired assassin himself, Mark is days away from earning his one year chip. But one evening after a meeting, he’s viciously attacked by a Russian thug, who ends up stabbing him, grabbing his private journal (with all kinds of notes about his jobs) and running away.

Who is the Russian and why has Mark been targeted? With the help of a woman named Astrid, one of his contacts from the old days, Mark knows his only option is to figure out how to get the Russian off his back and find out who sent him—without killing anyone.

I have to admit, the premise of Assassins Anonymous sounded a little goofy to me at first. I mean, assassins going to AA meetings? But trust me, there’s nothing goofy about it. The story is told in first person from Mark’s point of view, and right away you get a feel for who he is. At first he seems like just a regular nice guy: he’s got a cat named P. Kitty that he loves unconditionally, he takes out his elderly neighbor’s trash, and he faithfully attends his AA meetings. But underneath, Mark is still the Pale Rider, although he’s doing his best to escape that persona. Hart fills in the blanks of Mark’s assassin years through flashbacks that hit key moments of his life, and not surprisingly, these flashbacks were some of the most emotional scenes in the book.

Mark goes through quite a lot in this story, and it was nice to see his character grow and change along the way. Once you learn the devastating story of why he wants to quit killing people, you’ll probably tear up just like I did. He can turn on the Pale Rider when needed, but otherwise he’s completely human and relatable. I especially loved his cat P. Kitty (great name, right?), who winds up going to Singapore with Mark and Astrid to track down information about the Russian. (And yes, one of the flashbacks explains how he came to acquire P. Kitty) And while Mark finds himself all of a sudden back in the game, he’s determined to stick to the twelve steps of AA and must find other ways to outwit the bad guys besides killing them.

All of the other characters are fantastic as well. Kenji is the wise, older ex-assassin who is guiding Mark on his recovery journey, and he reminded me a lot of Mr. Miyagi from The Karate Kid. Astrid may or may not be a love interest for Mark, but she turns out to be much more than she appears on the surface, I loved her a lot. Ravi is the guy who recruits Mark in the first place and gives him the name Pale Rider. Even the other ex-assassins in the recovery group were a lot of fun. Hart has lots of surprise twists when it comes to the characters, so you can’t really take anyone at face value.

The action and pacing were spot on. It’s rare to find a story with such a perfect balance of action sequences and quieter moments of introspection, but Hart nailed it. You want a fast-paced story about assassins? This book does not disappoint. Mark gets himself into a boatload of trouble, and it just gets worse as the story progresses, not to mention that the flashbacks are just as action packed and tense. All this action is interspersed with heartfelt moments to remind you that these characters are indeed human, no matter how many ways they can kill someone. 

And I have to mention the humor, which made me laugh out loud at times. There are a few running jokes throughout the story, like when people keep comparing Mark to John Wick and Jason Statham. I love this type of tongue-in-cheek humor, and Hart’s dialog is so well done. There’s one particularly funny scene that takes place in Singapore when Mark decides to make amends (one of the twelve steps) to the son of someone he once killed, and OMG it was the best!

Hart has already optioned the movie rights to Assassins Anonymous (fingers crossed the movie actually gets made!), which doesn’t surprise me at all, because it has “blockbuster action movie with heart” written all over it. Seriously, read this book, you’ll thank me later.

Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.

[Shannon Miz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let's get the obvious out of the way, this book contains murder and violence and such. Because assassins. Even ones who are trying to change their murdery ways. First of all, the premise is kind of genius: a group of folks who are trying to reform themselves from their lives of murder, but the Assassin Life™ is not willing to let them go so easily. Mark is really trying. He goes to his meetings, he has a sponsor. He just wants to live a normal life.

But... someone attacks Mark, and attacks him bad. Which leads him back into the life he's been so desperate to leave. Thing is though, Mark has quite a few... shall we say, talents?



So sure enough, he's swept back into the life, because sometimes it's kill or be killed, right? And he is trying to do the right thing, but as he chases clues, literally around the world, he knows that it won't be so easy to hold his ground. The premise is just perfect, because even though you know Mark has done Some Stuff in his past, the fact that he is trying so earnestly to do better makes you like him, even if he is maybe one of the best killers on the planet. And there is a lot that Mark is going to have to unravel- his brain, in this case, is just as vital as his proverbial sword.

I could not put this book down, both because I was engrossed in the mystery, and because I was rooting so hard for Mark and everyone else who wanted to be reformed. There were so many great twists, but also, the characters were fabulous, which is something I did not expect from a book about literal mass murderers.

Bottom Line: Brilliant premise and equally great execution- pun absolutely intended.


You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight

[Judithvermo (el.rincondemislecturas) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Resumiría esta novela como atrayente, intrigante y con mucha acción.
Entre el pasado y el presente, nos lleva a conocer y acompañar a Mark, un asesino a sueldo que quiere dejar atrás a lo que se ha dedicado durante mucho tiempo. Pero un suceso hará que todo lo que había conseguido hasta ahora se retuerza y tenga que actuar, recorrer un camino que pensaba había dejado atrás y que hará cuestionarse internamente.
Un thriller que vas a querer devorar por los momentos de tensión y las incógnitas que vamos a ir descubriendo en esta gran trama, y que en algunas ocasiones no dará también un toque divertido.
Destaco el personaje de Mark, me generó mucha curiosidad tanto en lo personal como en lo profesional.
Con mucha acción. Mientras leía pensaba que me gustaría que la adaptaran al cine, sería de esas películas de las que más me valdría tener encima unas 🍿 o me mordería las uñas 🫢.

[Michael J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Writer Rob Hart takes the concepts of Alcoholics Anonymous and incorporates their twelve-step program of rehabilitation into a support group to reorient hitmen and hitwomen. The fast-moving, page-turning, first person narration is chock full of personal insights and anecdotes. ASSASINS ANONYMOUS is a clever, twisty take on the assassination business with humor, character revelations, and plenty of action.

Mark (a.k.a. The Pale Horse) is a hitman with regrets, with a strong desire to get out of the business and also fearful that he's in too deep or he may be prevented from doing so. He finds a support group run by a former hitman that he's familiar with through a shared assignment. Throughout the novel he attempts to navigate his new course while the agencies he's worked for as well as enemies do their best to dissuade him and get him to break his personal vow to no longer kill people. He's an extremely sympathetic character and is an example of the human side of what many presume to be a necessarily unemotional uncaring business.

A great read, very entertaining and thoughtful. I'll definitely seek out more work by Rob Hart.

[Bbecca_marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Assassins Anonymous by Rob Hart

Thank you so much partner Putnam for the gifted ARC.

Blurb:
The world’s most lethal assassin gives up the violent life only to find himself under siege by mysterious assailants.

✨My thoughts:
Easily devoured, this page turner is a book you need to read this year! I was on the edge of my seat with all of the action and the humor, it’s basically impossible to put it down. Mark Ian’s truly one of the best fictional characters ever written and I’m going to need more books with him in it! The violence, oh, the violence… if this is made into a movie, I know it’s going to slay the same way the book does. I really cannot wait to get my hands on a finished copy because it deserves to be be kept forever and read more than once. A comfort book if you will. This book is 100% a must read and I’m excited to see everyone give it all of the love and praise. Assassins Anonymous is out 6/11/24, so make sure you’re ready to snag yourself a copy!

Happy reading 📖