Devishly delightful. This thriller has it all: kick-ass action, timely twists, and a dash of humor, all tied up in an emotionally powerful bow. Don’t wait – pick it up today!

I was a little apprehensive for this one as I’d adored The Warehouse but The Paradox Hotel wasn’t my jam. This novel doesn’t feature the speculative fiction aspect as some of Hart’s other works. It’s more of a straight up action thriller.

I enjoyed the way most of the characters were written and appreciated the book wasn’t one to skip many steps to have a perfectly happy ending.

There was definitely some plausibility issues (to be fair I have the same ones with John Wick) but overall I felt this was a solid thriller.

3.5 stars rounded up.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I really liked this one! I enjoy the way Rob Hart tells the story. He has a knack for taking flawed characters and forcing them through the wringer and out the other side, but in a way that feels neither melodramatic nor preachy. He focuses on the struggles within the human soul, but in quirky and unusual contexts that make for delightful reads - even when, as here, much of the story is very dark and violent Hitman with a heart of gold is hardly a new construct, but I like that heart played with the humanity of his protagonist, and didn't turn this into a simple redemption story but reflected the complicated elements that would go into making a man like The Pale Horse/Mark. I thoroughly enjoyed the supporting cast as well, and found the pacing and plot to move along with just enough twists and turns to keep me engaged but not so many to feel forced. This was a really enjoyable read.

This book was such a fun read - I didn't really know what was in store for me but it was equally serious, and funny and kept me turning page after page.

Thank you for the early copy for review!

First off, the fact that Brene Brown is quoted in this book made me laugh very hard, so well done. As a social worker I never thought I’d be reading Brene Brown in a book about assassins, but I did.
Secondly, I would love to be invited to the movie premiere when this book eventually gets adapted, so I’m crossing my fingers! There were so many moments where I could picture the scenes on the screen, I kept thinking “wow this is good stuff for an action movie right here.”
Lastly, I just want to say that Hart did such a good job with this book. I was all in from page one and many times had to remind myself to box breathe while I read. This little world he built is one I’m not looking forward to leaving, soooooooo a sequel??

One of the best thrillers I've read in a long time! It's a great setup: an assassin who's trying to give up killing people the way a drunk tries to give up drinking, with a twelve-step program. It heightens some of the issues in the program that many outsiders don't think about very much, like the need to respect people's privacy, and not being judgmental.

The way the central character expresses himself makes him rich and real; the use of language is masterful and effortless - a real joy to read. It's amazing how often the verb 'to wend' can perfectly describe certain human behaviors :^) The way the timeline is structured isn't jarring at all, and helps show the before and after of his "sobriety".

The author beautifully depicts the dynamics of an AA meeting: the things you tell yourself; the things you tell others; the things you don't tell others... The way a group of imperfect people can help each other heal, just by caring.

But this is a thriller, and mixed right in with these kinds of conflicts are some people who are definitely not in the program, and trying to avoid killing and being killed is exciting, funny, painful, just thrilling!

Mark a former assassin who spent most of his adult live hunting and killing others for money and now in an assassin's rehab program is approaching his one-year anniversary. But before he can get his one-year bit, he discovers someone is on the hunt for him, Not sure who it could be from his past, he goes on the hunt himself for his assassin. and the story takes off from there with great mystery and intrigue.
It was very fast moving and grabs you right from the start. Characters are very well defined and easy to
understand and the plot moves along in easily discernible.twists and turns.
Hart foes a great job with presenting a character with a horrible past as a character with an almost likeable personality.
Almost.
But very well done.

More than a few reviews already have gone for the "if John Wick went to AA for assassins" line. And that mostly captures the novel. This quick read features Mark who has been murder-sober for almost a year when he is attacked after a session for his twelve-step group. Mark then travels the world, meets interesting people, and beats most of them to a pulp (all without killing them). Even with some fairly violent scenes and some nod to developing the main character's emotional life, the novel felt like the literary equivalent of a Netflix action movie. A little humor and a bit more thoughtfulness than you might think but, ultimately, it's mostly a fun outing for fans of the genre.

This book was an amazing original story that kept me on the edge of my seat. The action was very easy to follow and very engaging. I love the style of writing the author uses. I love how he switches back and forth between past and present events. It really helps the reader gain a better understanding of the importance of events happening in the current situations and builds more stake and importance to the events without over-complicating the past. The vivid detail and amazing storytelling were like watching a movie in my mind! I absolutely love the uniqueness of this story. I have already recommended it to numerous friends.

What happens when you take Alcoholics Anonymous and breed it with John Wick? You get Assassins Anonymous, a clever tale about how hired guns go into recovery and support each other to rediscover their morality. Even when there are hoards of killers who want nothing more than to murder you right in the face.

Mark is a former hit man known to all as the Pale Horse, a name that strikes fear and reverence across the world. However, the toll that all the killing had taken on him became too much and he turned to a support group of former assassins to begin a 12-step program towards recovery. But this is not a job that you can quietly retire from, which Mark realizes the moment he’s engaged in a violent attack and fighting for his life. Now on the run, he must determine who’s after him, why they are chasing him and, in the process, not kill anyone and reset his recovery clock from almost one year since killing someone to zero. Which turns out to be a real disadvantage when the other side has guns, knives and goons ready to put you 6 feet underground. Regardless, he’s still the Pale Horse and can kick major ass when the occasion calls for it. And the occasion most definitely calls for it right now.

Assassins Anonymous is the most unique take on a hitman-centric thriller you have ever read. A thriller in which the killer refuses to kill. A crazy concept that works. Maybe because the incredible violence is counterbalanced with pensive exploration of a person’s humanity and capacity for change. And just because the reformed assassin doesn’t want to take more lives doesn’t mean there isn’t a smorgasbord of brutality and bloodshed. Au contraire mon frère. The action sequences are plentiful and glorious. With more than a few gut punches – literally and figuratively – to elicit emotion and keep you on your toes throughout the twisting story. Add in some humor and heart, and this novel delivers a compelling read that is much more than just an interesting premise.

Kudos to Rob Hart on taking a risk and providing an unusual spin into a well-defined genre. It pays off in a big way, delivering a book that is equal parts playful, vicious, and heartfelt. One not to be missed by thriller fans.

Really liked the writing. Lean, funny, tight pacing, and strong characterization. But the premise was high concept silly, and the plotting felt lackadaisical. The "twists" ranged from unsurprising to flat out ludicrous when the Big Bad was revealed. What could have been a solid pulp novel (and was, in fairness, a decent one and pleasant read -- up until it was apparent that there would not be a real payoff) was ultimately undone by overconfidence in style overshadowing shortcomings in plotting. And while character and style elevate genre novels, story is really everything.

As a fan of assassin novels, I looked forward to Assassins Anonymous. The unique story angle had me caught right away. Imagine Assassins Anonymous where these killers try to end their preoccupation with killing. It's well-written with interesting characters and a plot that keeps your interest. Highly recommended.
Thanks NetGalley for the AARC.

A meaningful and soulful journey through the world of violence and broken promises towards making amends, Assassins Anonymous is rife with gritty action and engaging character-driven narrative that elevate the storytelling experience beyond whatever you’d expect going in.

Full review on https://www.bestthrillerbooks.com/kashif-hussain

I was immediately excited for this book when I read the title. My love for reading has flourished since joining a 12-step program and changed how I spend my free time. That being said, this book was okay. The recovery aspects of this book were mostly accurate, besides the fact that the character calls himself sober and refers to sobriety. He only means as a killer; he drinks and takes opioids.

As for the thriller aspect, it was also okay. The only twist that surprised me was the identity of the Director of the Agency. This book did not get my heart pumping or have me at the edge of my seat.

It’s a quick read, and a funny one for anyone who’s attended a 12-step meeting. Will recommend to others I know in recovery.