The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Hitman*
Review of the Mariner Books Kindle eBook edition (June 4, 2009) of the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt hardcover original (May 12, 2008).

He had heard somebody say once that as long as a man’s hopes outnumbered his regrets, he was still alive. But by that measure, he had been dead for years.
...
There was a skill to being an outlaw. The only people who knew and respected it were the people who had it and the people who made a living chasing them down, but a man who did things right lasted a little longer.

I've read (but not reviewed) every single book by Thomas Perry since I became a fan with The Butcher's Boy (1982). Most of his books follow the formula of a hunter character vs. a hunted character. The detailing of the steps taken by each in the pursuit and the run is what makes for the suspense and tension in each story. The formula is switched up by varying which character is the hero or the villain. My favourites have been those with his most regular series character Jane Whitefield, who is a one-woman witness protection agency, hiding deserving people and giving them new lives, when the authorities are powerless or perhaps not to be trusted.

I was somewhat surprised then when Fidelity from 2008 came up as a Kindle Deal of the Day on February 12, 2024 and I had no particular memory of having read it. I figured it must not have been very memorable for some reason and perhaps would have even earned an Unsatisfactory Ending Alert™ back in the day. So a re-read seemed in order.

So, yes, this isn't quite top drawer Perry. It meanders quite a bit, although the theme of the title does get some interesting slants to it. Housewife Emily Kramer is shocked by learning that her private detective husband Phil Kramer has been murdered for no apparent reason. She then learns that he had emptied all of their bank accounts before his death. While searching for the motive behind the murder she discovers that he may not have been the faithful husband whom she had married. Then it becomes apparent that the killer also has her in his sights.

Hitman Jerry Hobart has taken on the job of the Kramers for an initially unidentified rich man. Hobart doesn't know the reason for the bounty, but begins to suspect that if he can discover it for himself it may mean a much bigger payday in the end. He is wearying of his life on the road and yearns to reconcile with the lost love of his youth. He hopes that enough of a financial stake will help him towards that goal.

The ending is satisfactory but it comes about in such a bizarre way that you still aren't quite content with the result. A three-star rating seems the best compromise here.

Footnote
* Yes, I stole the idea for my lede from Alan Sillitoe's The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner (1959). ( )

Another great story by Thomas Perry. Not part of a series. ( )

Normally I love Thomas Perry. If you have not read the Jane Whitfield series, run to the nearest bookstore or library. Right now. This was a bit too contrived, with shallow characters and more possibility than realization. Not up to his usual standard. ( )

Not up to Perry's usual high quality. Murder and mayhem and dirty secrets too, but the wife of a murdered P.I. solving the crime and a hit man gone soft was too incredulous. ( )

I am a sucker for any Thomas Perry book and this was no different. It was not my favorite but it was still a very compelling story told in a manner that would not let me put it down until I got to the final word. ( )