Title: The Hitman’s Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes
Author: Alice Winters
Series: The Hitman’s Guide #2
Pages: 370
Leland has retired from being a hitman and has joined Jackson in the PI business. While he has been enjoying the simple life, his past has caught up with him when a copycat Sandman arrives in town. Now he has to investigate the murder and find out who is behind the hit.
Like the first book, this was a humorous investigation that had serious topics. This one really delves into Leland’s past and childhood with the original Sandman. I found the investigation interesting and enjoyable to read. I especially enjoyed learning about his mentor and the other people he trained.
My issues with this book are similar to my complaints with the first book. Leland is so over the top with his ridiculousness and he doesn’t know how to have a serious conversation. We get a few very brief ones in this but he has to always make a joke or do something silly to pull away from it. I was just expecting a bit more from his character since he has been with Jackson for a while now and knows that you need to talk things out.
My other issue was with Jackson being such a pushover. He really has no personality outside of agreeing with whatever Leland wants and just helping to continue the joke that is going on. While I really enjoy the action in these books, I really expected and wanted more from the characters, especially since they have been together for a while now. I was just disappointed in the lack of character development.
Overall, while this was a ridiculous investigation, my feelings about the main characters brought my enjoyment down. I don’t think I will read the next book. Hopefully a different series from Winters will be more to my liking.
TW: death; child homelessness, abuse, neglect and manipulation discussed; kidnapping and rape discussed; PTSD and nightmares; gun violence;
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Previous books and reviews for the series:
Red-Haired Ash Reads 