Strike

by Stuart R. West

Leon Garber’s an accountant and occasional assassin. But he’s one of the good guys. See, Leon’s only interested in taking out abusers. He’s not the only serial killer on a mission, though. His past employer Like Minded Individuals, Inc. (LMI for short), employs quite a few. Mostly, Leon was a model employee. Or at least, he was until that little falling-out he had with them last year. Now he’s got a target on his back. He’s seriously out-numbered, but even worse, LMI has hired Leon’s former associate, Cody Spangler, to track him down. Unfortunately for Leon, someone else from Leon’s past, someone he never wanted to see again, has other ideas for Leon’s welfare.

Old allies and new enemies clash to bring down the insidious Like-Minded Individuals, Inc. Serial killers have never been so much fun.

Genres: Mystery

Kindle Edition

Published February 11, 2016

Reviews

[Marva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stuart West's second book in the Killers Incorporated series, builds on the first book's conscience-stricken hero's take down of the international corporation which is using serial killers for political ends. Not that serial killers are particularly nice, but they do have their standards. Leon (the hero) kills abusers, Nanette kills rich men who have taken advantage of women, Gustav and Delilah kill good samaritans. Okay, their motive for killing good samaritans escapes me. These, and others, have discovered Killers Inc. organization using them for purposes not in alignment with the murderers' true calling (as psychotic as that might be). They team up to take down the evil corporation once and for all.

The first book, Secret Society, had a much faster pace partly because it had a smaller cast. I'm afraid that too many people are in this book. There are several who serve no purpose to the forward movement of the plot.

Much space is wasted on the Killers Inc. pursuers, Sensitivity (yes, that's his code name) and Bug. It seems their only purpose is to drag Cody (who was a partner with Leon in the first book) around the country in pursuit of Leon and the gang pursuing the end of Killers Inc. Next door neighbors' back stories and a couple of serial killers who didn't contribute much to the plot, long periods of time sweating it out in sleazy motels, all drag down the pace to a crawl. I think Mr. West just loves the characters he creates so much, he, unlike his ruthless killers, just can't take them out of the action.

Now for the plus side. This is a very fun and readable book, although more gloomy than the first. If you enjoyed the first in the series, then you'll like this one as well. Don't start with #2, however, because foreknowledge of a lot of the events and people is essential to understanding Strike.

I wish a serial killer editor had taken a scalpel to Strike to trim its fat. It would have been a much better book. As it is, I'd still recommend it, but I just can't be as enthused as I was with the first in the series.

Overall, I give high marks to Mr. West's books. He has a wonderful sense of humor, with enough of a dark side to keep the readers attention.

[Boundless Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was provided a copy of Strike (Killers Incorporated, #2) in exchange for an honest review. Once again Stuart nailed it! Take a book about serial killers; of all things, and actually make the characters endearing a likable!

I know what you are thinking, “well what about Dexter? He was likable.” Strike is Dexter multiplied; in Strike there are several serial killer psychopaths that you can’t help but truly like. Not only is there Leon; but Cody, ah Cody, he is so ridiculous at times, yet I think he is my favorite Character, Yo. In Strike, we are reintroduced to a few others, and even some new faces. All Like-minded Individuals; meaning they are killers, yet not always bad, much like Leon, only killing those who deserve it.

Strike was a fast paced crazy thrillingly fun ride that I couldn’t put down! Stuarts writing style is done in a way that sucks you in and doesn’t let go. It’s also the perfect example of a mixed POV book done right! I can only give Strike (Killers Incorporated, #2) 5 Boundless stars, it was perfect!...Sara


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[Sara]

Please see Boundless Book Reviews for the review, that will post at a later date.

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3...

[Yolanda Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Strike (Killers Incorporated Book 2, Leon Garber is in the Florida Keys, hiding out, working as a bartender, but tempted to get back to his evil ways. He kills abusers, and one just happens to show up in his bar and makes the mistake of showing his true colors. Of course, Leon, who's been good for far too long, can't fight temptation. He takes the abuser out and gives his location away.

Now he's back on the run, from LMI, and Cody Spangler, someone he thought was a friend. Cody's been hired by LMI to bring him in, and then there's the police, a new character that I hope will show up again, Detective Keats. She questions Leon about another crime, one he had nothing to do with, but her Spidey sense is on alert. Now she's onto Leon too.

Still Leon has a score to settle. He's determined to take the LMI down.

It's a fast-paced read, the best kind. What I found even more interesting were the horrifying and yet exciting new characters, most of them serial killers with grotesquely unique specialties. A black widow who falls in, not sure if can call it love, but she's interested in Leon. Should he be afraid or intrigued? Truthfully, and maybe not surprisingly, he's a little of both.

With so many people on his tail, Leon doesn't lose his interest in his ultimate goal, taking the LMI down. However, with serial killers, it's hard to know whom to trust. The ending is explosive and a surprise. Has Leon and his crew of misfits actually managed what they set out to do, or is the LMI too big to kill?

I look forward to the third book in the series!

[Jeff Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leon and crew are back for another round of murderous mayhem. Leon is on the run from a new pair of LMI hit men. A surprise appears out of the blue from Leon's troubled past to complicate his attempts to stay out of sight and alive. Cody is looking out for Cody and hoping to charm the ladies. There's very little serial killing in this one. The serial killers are too busy killing each other. We meet some new disturbing killers and go deep into the innards of LMI, the mother ship of corporate greed. The founder of LMI is sicker than his employees. Prepare yourself for an explosive but surprising conclusion.

[Heather Brainerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, and the sequel didn't disappoint. With tons of action, plenty of humor, and a whole lot of super crazy characters, Strike is a non-stop thrill ride. I was very pleased to see some of my favorite characters return, and enjoyed meeting quite a few great new characters, too. It was nice to get glimpses into various characters' pasts/motivations, all without breaking the fast pace of the plot. I hope to see more in this series.

[Heath Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, a serial killer with a heart. Gotta love Leon. He seems to find himself in some crazy situations with some 'different' people. I loved the reintroduction of the characters from the first book. Keep this series coming, Mr. West. I love the humour.

Merged review:

Great sequel