Has our hitman hero met his match when he takes on the U.S. political process? If you enjoyed "The Last Quarry", the current (at this writing) thriller featuring Max Allan Collins' hitman protagonist, you can't go wrong with seeking out this earlier entry in the series. "Primary Target" features everything you expect from Collins: clean, no-nonsense writing, clever plot twists, wry asides (this time about politics), a little sex, and bang-up action. You can find a copy pretty easily through Amazon's network of used-book sellers, and it's worth the effort. Besides, you really have to love a book that honestly asks which is worse, honorable hitmen or crooked politicians.
A terrific hit-man novel Primary Target, first published in 1986, was Max Allan Collins' last Quarry novel until 2006's aptly named The Last Quarry. In this previous entry, Quarry is offered one million dollars to assassinate up-and-coming third-party presidential candidate Preston Freed. When he turns it down -- he is retired, after all -- there are major consequences and Quarry is forced to get back into the business he knows best: killing. Only this time, it's personal.
What results is a wonderfully intricate story where every character is connected to at least one other. Collins stretches out the suspense beautifully and only reveals the connections one by one, as Quarry discovers them himself. Collins' style is engaging as always and Quarry is a fascinating choice for a protagonist, given that he is only ever looking out for himself (although he does show a surprisingly tender side). Primary Target is exceptionally well-crafted, with every piece fitting firmly into place. It also has a perfect ending and is just the right length, coming in at just under 200 pages.
An excellent little thriller A fine entry in an excellent series. And unlike many other series, events in one novel have ramifications in those that follow. Definitely worth buying.
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