Billy Summers is a seasoned sniper, having previously crafted his trade in war time he’s now a gun for hire – with a catch; he’ll only take the job if the quarry is a ‘bad guy’. Which is where we pick up Billy’s post war occupation – being romanticized by an acquaintance in organised crime to take out another killer who took down the son of a media magnate. The rationale, whilst solid enough to abide by Billy’s morals, isn’t the quencher – the promise of a cool 1.5 million means this hit could be Billy’s ticket to retirement, closing the door on a bloody business.
Stephen King has a knack for writing great characters with equally interesting backstories which steadily seep through the narrative into the present day setting. Billy’s life as a sniper in the armed forces, and the way in which it was introduced via Billy’s present day cover as a budding author writing his memoirs made for a seamless switch across story lines, adding context and emotion to the character and his assignment. But that wasn’t the kicker; it was Alice, a character I won’t delve into because of spoilers but who stole the spotlight in a deserving way whilst emphasising Billy’s ‘hit man with a heart’ narrative.
Author Max Allan Collins and his excellent Quarry series introduced me to these antiheroes and Billy Summers is a great addition to the theme. Not only does this book entertain, it pulls on the heartstrings, making for a more impactful reading experience. Highly recommend.
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