#The Hitman's Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes

[cattatonically]

The Hitman's Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes - Alice Winters (Hitman's Guide, book 2)

Synopsis

Jackson

Now that Leland’s decided to give up his life as a hitman and take a walk on the mild side, we’ve been enjoying a simple life of taking down bad guys the legal way. I didn’t know he would be just as reckless as a PI, but it’s not my fault if I happen to enjoy helping him hunt down the occasional criminal. If only I could keep the house from being overrun by Leland’s gun shrine—or stop him from making our cases “more exciting” by terrorizing people into confessing. Overall, life seems perfect, right?

Wrong.

We’ve been called in to investigate a suspicious murder committed by someone claiming to be the Sandman. When we find a note on the victim’s body, we realize that this could ruin our lives forever.

Leland

I wasn’t involved in the murder. It might look like my writing and my note, but I wouldn’t do that to Jackson—especially after I promised him that I wouldn’t take a hit ever again. At least, not without telling him. I’m finally starting to learn that we’re stronger together, and I’m not going to jeopardize that.

Luckily for both of us, this copycat doesn’t know who he’s dealing with. Game’s on, fake Sandman. You think you can mess with me? Well, maybe you can, but that’s beside the point, because I will protect Jackson no matter what, even if I almost drown him in the process. (Really, that wasn’t my fault. He should learn how to swim better.)

This 110k word book contains: Disco ball pinata, camping with Sasquatch, an acrobatic housekeeper named “Mr. Cleanyface,” a questionable massage table, weapons everywhere, Jackson’s nemesis—the fence, a turkey showdown, aerial silk antics, a reappearance of Blow-up Randy, over-the-top body armor, too many hitmen, and so many emotions that Leland’s chest might explode. This is the second book in a series—while you could read and enjoy it on its own, you really should read The Hitman’s Guide to Making Friends and Finding Love for maximum enjoyment.

My Thoughts

We find Leland and Jackson in a new house, with Leland now working full-time as a detective for Leland’s agency. Following the events of the first book, Jackson’s realized that Leland can’t quite give up all of the tricks of the hitman trade as easily as they thought he could. And it’s a good thing Leland has been keeping his skills sharp, too.

There’s a copycat out there following in Leland’s footsteps, and even leaving the same calling card after a kill – a note signed by the Sandman. While Leland is very much retired (mostly), having another Sandman running around is very, very dangerous. But mostly, Leland just wants to know who is doing it, and why.

And finding those answers is, honestly, quite terrifying. Leland’s past come back to haunt him – almost literally – in a very big way, which puts everyone he cares about at risk. And from that moment on, it’s really just constant motion. There’s barely a moment for anyone to breathe as Jackson and Leland focus on keeping their loved ones safe.

Again, there’s a rather big twist that I really should have seen coming, but didn’t. Winters is pretty great at diverting my attention just enough so that I don’t see the gigantic red flag waving right in front of my face. It certainly keeps me on my toes!

In the end, our ragtag team comes out on top – and they’ve made a new friend along the way! Another hitman who was trained by the man who trained Leland. Cassel is going to be a very interesting addition to the detective agency, and very likely the reason Jackson finally loses his mind. Leland on his own his enough chaos personified – but now there’s another person with a very similar brand of chaos. It’s going to be a very, very interesting ride going forward.

[wornoutspines]

June reads |

June reads | books I read this past month #booktoread #books

[bookstattoosandtea]

New Release Review: The Hitman's Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes by Alice Winters

New Release Review: The Hitman’s Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes by Alice Winters

The Hitman’s Guide to Staying Alive Despite Past Mistakes By Alice Winters Release Date: September 26, 2019

Jackson Now that Leland’s decided to give up his life as a hitman and take a walk on the mild side, we’ve been enjoying a simple life of taking down bad guys the legal way. I didn’t know he would be just as reckless as a PI, but it’s not my fault if I happen to enjoy helping him hunt down…