Tuesday, April 22, 2014

'The Intern's Handbook'

After spending the day job hunting online and pestering our local bookstore manager, I decided that it was time to relax.  Grab a book, plop down on the couch, and lose myself in a fabricated world.  Perhaps even take a nap.

Yeah.  Sure.

I had a copy of 'The Intern's Handbook', the first novel written by Shane Kuhn. His story does not induce naps.  Far from it.

It keeps you awake, reading reading reading, eager to find out just what happens. Just how it ends.  And when you think you have it figured out, you're wrong.  At least, I was wrong.

And that's one of the many reasons why I love this book.  Not only was it sarcastic and blunt, it moved.  It flowed.  The characters will surprise you.  "Okay...who is he really?"  "Is this guy a total idiot?"  "Oh.  He's not."

You go back-and-forth, amazed by the information, the precision and planning, and delighted by the snarky narrator. But John Lago is much more than snarky.  He's brilliant.  He's cunning.  He's been taught very well.  And he exacts revenge with a passion I haven't seen in recent novels.

And he's funny.  I laughed my butt off while reading his advice for would-be assassins.

John Lago is a very, very bad man, and the best at what he does.  He infiltrates top-level companies and assassinates misbehaving executives.  John is a chameleon, able to change his appearance, his voice, his name, and his background to suit the situation.  But with one major mistake, he finds his life and comfy soon-to-be retirement in jeopardy.  

Yes, 'The Intern's Handbook' is a thriller.  It's full of suspense.  It's a pure cat-and mouse game.  But it's also hilarious.  And dangerous.  And so very well-written.

You won't put it down.  I promise.  
Author Shane Kuhn

I read it in one day, despite my previous chores.  While I was reading it, I couldn't help but see it as a movie.

A very dangerous, hilarious movie.








'The Intern's Handbook', published by Simon & Schuster, is now available at independent bookstores and your local library.  If you happen to meet the author, tell him Book Hog says, "Bravo!"

1 comment:

WritingGoddess said...

Just put it on hold at the library, my friend. In the meantime, a recommendation for you in return. I am just finishing The Burn Palace by Stephen Dobyns and have been absolutely enthralled. Get a copy!