Columbus has retired. or so he thinks. He and his lover, Risina, a mysterious rare-book dealer, have fled to a tiny Italian coastal village where no one knows their names. And yet Columbus has trouble letting go.
His paranoia is justified when, one day, he notices a suspicious man following him, and within days he’s back in Chicago trying to figure out why his old fence has been kidnapped and maybe even killed. The ransom note left behind demands Columbus by name.
The Silver Bear must now sever this last link with his dark past if he and Risina are to ever have hope at a new life. yet Risina seems to show a remarkable knack for the kill herself . . . and perhaps there won’t be a chance for turning back.
MLTWC
Posted December 14, 2011
This thriller really makes you change your mind about your usual ¿hit man.¿ At the beginning of the book the main character, a hit man known as ¿Columbus¿ has retired from his job and, along with his lady friend, Rosina, has come to a very peaceful setting in an Italian village on the sea. They are reasonably happy but Columbus is missing his former profession and has a lot of trouble just enjoying life without ducking bullets and living normally.
One day, while shopping in the village, Columbus notices a man following him and when he faces the man, finds out that his former fence, Archibald Grant (the person that finds work for assassins) has been kidnapped and a ransom note was left stating: Bring Columbus home, or you¿ll get Grant back in a way you won¿t like. Columbus and Rosina travel back to Chicago to find Archie and see who wants him back in the city and why. He finds that it is very difficult to escape his past and meets up with a few really odd folks who are connected with Archie¿s kidnapping. These people are hit men and women too and have some extremely different styles of living. Columbus has to deal with these people while trying to find Archie and starts eliminating people until eventually coming face to face with the culprit. There is a lot of action and when the reader finds out the identity of the Dark Men it¿s a bit of a surprise.
This book is very fast-paced and you have to pay attention not to lose the many clues left for Columbus. The author, Derek Haas, has also written The Silver Bear and Columbus featuring this main character and also writes screenplays such as 3:10 to Yuma and Wanted. Also, adding to Mr. Haas¿ writing credits is a film entitled The Double, that is available as one of the best of 2011 starring, among others, Richard Gere and Martin Sheen. Mr. Haas is a master in keeping everyone guessing as to who is doing what to who. A great story for all mystery/thriller fans.
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Overview
Columbus has retired. or so he thinks. He and his lover, Risina, a mysterious rare-book dealer, have fled to a tiny Italian coastal village where no one knows their names. And yet Columbus has trouble letting go.
His paranoia is justified when, one day, he notices a suspicious man following him, and within days he’s back in Chicago trying to figure out why his old fence has been kidnapped and maybe even killed. The ransom note left behind ...