Keller's Fedora

By: Lawrence Block

Narrated by: Lawrence Block

In this brand-new novella, Keller, everyone's favorite assassin for hire, is Chicago-bound on Amtrak's City of New Orleans, ready to do what he does best. But it's complicated. Usually there's someone ready to point him toward the target. Or he'll have a photo, say. Or, bare minimum, a name and address.

Not this time. When he gets to Baker's Bluff, Illinois, he'll have to play private detective before he can get down to business. Well, okay. He knows how it works. So before he boards his train, before he even packs his suitcase, Keller buys a fedora.

Keller, a faithful husband, doting father, and dedicated philatelist, has become a guilty pleasure for an increasing number of listeners. They don't think they should like the guy - but they just can't help themselves.

Cover design by Adil Dara.

©2016 Lawrence Block (P)2016 Lawrence Block

A bit different

It was fun to have Keller back and with such an interesting twist to the story. I think Jill had some input on this one, but Keller came up with his usual excellent plan tto dispense with the client's problem and prevent Dot's total dislike of giving money back. Kudos for a slick new twist to this Keller job!

What a great story

Narration was excellent too. Off to get more of Lawrence Blocks books. Man's a gem.

Great Fun on Many Levels

Where does Keller's Fedora rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This question is difficult to answer because Keller's Fedora is a novella and I have so many different genres of audiobooks in my library so comparing this to all of the others cannot be done easily. Having said that...
As a mystery/thriller Keller's Fedora is definitely in the top 5. The plot is good, the characters are well presented, there is humor peppered throughout and I looked forward to getting back into my car so that I could hear more.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes, mainly because the plot is fast moving. The main (and title) character, Keller, is a hired killer, and thus the author structures this with the invitation, the planning, the execution, but as always there is a twist that must also be handled. The plot kept unfolding and my interest was kept.

What does Lawrence Block bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Himself. Rarely do I have the chance to hear an author read his or her own audiobook. In one book, a former President does so, but does not do so well. In "Keller's Fedora" I felt that Lawrence Block's narration helped draw me into the story further. The author can do what many cannot, translate his work in the way he intended to when he first put the words down up on the page. A few of the wry jokes and humorous musings might have been lost if not for the author making sure, through his vocal styling, to make sure that me, the reader, got the joke. I also loved Block's Eastern (New York?) accent, not to heavy but just enough to add some credence to the characters he presents through his oral reading.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Keller, the killer for hire, is the narrator of the story and he looks at life, makes observations, and offers satirical comments, and many of these led me to laughing out loud.

Any additional comments?

If you need a break from that 33 and a half hour audiobook that you are planning to delve into, then I recommend this as a short respite and a satisfying listen.

Keller is a great character.

Keller really is one of the great hitmen. Always basic. No reliance on high tech or near SiFi to make it work. Just willing and ready.

Lawrence Block is Best Mystery Writer

Keller is my favorite character. you never know what to expect. my library is full of Block 's bpoks.

Great introduction to Lawrence Block and Keller

Several of Lawrence Block's short stories are available cheap on Audible. Many are about Matthew Scudder, but this one is about one of Block's other series characters: reluctant hit man JP Keller. It's a great book and more novella than short story. It has enough going on in the story to keep you going and the characterization is excellent. Block has a subtle but wicked sense of humor. It's also a great experience to have the narration by the author whose dead pan tone is wonderful. Highly recommend this story and almost anything Block has written.

Another observant adventure with Keller

Another entertaining story with the most unlikely of entertaining heros. The usual dry observant wit and story telling.

Another great story by Lawrence Block 

Clever, plotline, clever story, incredible dialogue. And humor. Another great story by Laurence Block. I hope he keeps writing forever.

Block

Makes a hitman seem almost normal. He makes the novella a very interesting form - will forgive him for the cheap shot at FLOTUS

Delightful

Enjoyable to have the author reading his story . another madcap caper and how he Is to assume different roles before he can do the business he set out to do, always enjoyable. Given audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion