The Intern's Handbook: A Thriller (1) (A John Lago Thriller) Hardcover – April 8, 2014

Shane Kuhn delivers high-voltage entertainment in his debut novel The Intern's Handbook, a smart, punchy thriller that makes a brilliant addition to anyone's dude-lit library. In main character John Lago, Kuhn concocts a snarky combination of world-weary wisdom and brash, punkish bravado. Lago is a twenty-something hitman with nothing much to lose as he blends in and blasts through one final job before retirement. His first-person narration rolls face-forward (the whole book is a mock desk manual explaining the intricacies of assassination as a career choice) and addresses the reader as a fellow "intern" in the employ of HR, Inc. This device allows for some slick behind-the-curtain revelations of his motives and methods in a wickedly sarcastic first-person dialect. And the action scenes pulsate with urgency as Lago--also a devoted film buff--displays his singular acumen at dispensing his targets and reminisces prior take-downs, peppering his tales with fun cinematic references. He even works his way through a sharp-edged contemporary romance that balances out the shop talk, told largely through another clever literary device best left as a fun surprise. But an unexpected layer of this character that struck me most-- and which I hope strikes other readers just as much--was the self-recognition the author bestows upon his character in the midst of all the mayhem: at his core, John Lago is a grown-up child haunted by the loss of things he never had the opportunity to possess, understanding the world through a framework of brutality because his survival has demanded it of him. He knows all too well the toll his work has taken, and he's ready to move on from it by any means necessary. This well-delivered stroke humanizes the one-man death squad and gives resonance to his overriding quandary without coming across as forced or maudlin.If you're a fan of high-concept action flicks with a touch of humanity thrown in the mix for good measure, you've just found your next read. Fire it up.

This one grabbed me from the beginning and took off like a rocket. Great characters, great story concept and a decent plot are all included. The lead character and narrator, John, is likeable for a hired assassin. His actions are believable until he starts messing up. Then I had some problems sustaining my willingness to believe his boss, Bob, would give him so many second, third and even fourth chances. I also found the ending surprisingly weak. Still, it was very readable.

The opening of the book is quite fun. The tone of voice the narrator uses is a bit snarky with some amusing comments on corporate hierarchies in general and law firms in particular. But its really hard to maintain that fun aspect of the book when the narrator is someone who confesses to multiple murders. If you can see the humor in a character who puts a bullet into his lover before confessing his love for her then you are doing better than I am. The author is trying to combine romantic comedy and a "Dexter" like character but it eventually just breaks down for me. I'm assuming the movie will need a major rewrite. And then the author has a sequel where he starts by stealing the title from an author who did a much better job than he did.

This is a truly original book. I don't find that many at my age and having read more than 4000 fiction novels.Shane Kuhn has created a remarkable debut novel.His use of the first person voice is highly effective and, though it takes a few pages to realize you ARE reading a handbook, the narrative is compelling and what you think you are reading Jis ohn Lago's (the veteran hitman) internal thoughts, what you are actually reading is what he has written on the pages of The Intern's Handbook.The company Lago works for specializes in assassinations of rich and powerful rich people, most of them heavily guarded by private security personnel. I love the name of the company: Human Resources, Inc.Ingeniously, Kuhn has this company succeed in the "hits" by training young men and women to be real interns at a mark's company, insinuating themselves into the confidence of the mark by becoming Indispensable around the office, and then killing the target.John Lago is the best ever hitman ever to work for the company....with the possible exception of his boss. He has written this "handbook" for prospective hitmen/women without authorization of the company so that he can convey the people skills and technical skills it really takes to be a successful hitman, rather than the way he was developed by the company.He does this as a sort of swan song as he only has one more hit, an easy one, before he himself reaches the mandatory retirement age of............24. Why only 24? Because, the company reasons, how can one be a credible intern, willing to work for free to get his first job with a company, by being much older than that. The employer would be suspicious of anyone older applying for his first job.This is, quite possibly, the most original book I've personally read since Replay (Ken Grimwood) back in 1988.Go for it!