‘Kill For Me’ by Tom Wood

Published by Sphere,
26 July 2018.
ISBN: 978-0-7515-7247-6

Victor is an ex-CIA and MI6 operative and now earns a living as a hired killer, he is of no fixed abode and is adept at hiding his real identity.

For many years two sisters living in Guatemala have been in competition, fighting to take complete control of their late father's cartel. He dealt in narcotics and just about every unlawful thing possible. They hate each other with a vengeance.

Heloise decides she wants to end the war between them and hires Victor to kill her younger sister, Maria.

However, like Heloise, Maria is protected by a large entourage of well-armed men and it will need all Victor's ingenuity to get close to her. He considers three different ways to carry out his instructions all containing certain risks to himself.

Meanwhile, unknown to him Heloise hires another hit man to kill Maria as insurance just in case Victor fails in his mission. This new assassin kills for the pleasure of it and intends disposing of Victor as well.

Victor now has enemies from all sides, can he manage to avoid Maria's hit men who always suspect someone will try and kill their employer, and Heloise's men who can't be trusted either especially those closest to her. Then there is the other killer, who is enjoying plotting how he is going to dispose of Victor and claim all the money Heloise is offering for the death of her sister.

All underestimate Victor, but even so he struggles to outwit all his enemies. Could he have met at last someone who can get the better of him, in the shape of the other contract killer who is even more ruthless than himself?  To add to his problems his latest woman is not all that she claims to be, he needs to be extra careful about his planned assassination. Can he possibly pull it off and walk away unscathed? It seems highly unlikely.

I know it's a rather hackneyed phrase, but this really is a “page turner”. I struggled to be disciplined and put it down, there were many a late meal as a consequence!  The action is fast moving, gripping and at times even amusing. The author portrays Guatemala City as a heaving den of iniquity, probably not far from the truth given the reputation of Central America as a centre of narcotics trading.

This is another author I have never come across before and look forward with great anticipation to reading more of his stories.  I cannot recommend this book enough especially for those who love an intriguing, exciting and clever plot with a surprisingly likeable amoral killer!

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Reviewer:  Tricia Chappell

Tom Wood was born and raised in Staffordshire.  After a stint as freelance editor and film-maker, his first novel, The Hunter, was an instant bestseller and introduced readers to a genuine antihero, Victor, an assassin with a purely logical view on life and whose morals are deeply questionable. Tom is passionate about physical sport, being both a huge boxing fan and practising Krav Maga, which has seen him sustain a number of injuries. He has not, however, ever killed anyone. He now lives in London.

tomwoodbooks.com

Tricia Chappell. I have a great love of books and reading, especially crime and thrillers. I play the occasional game of golf (when I am not reading). My great love is cruising especially to far flung places, when there are long days at sea for plenty more reading! I am really enjoying reviewing books and have found lots of great new authors.