People Die

I do not know much about Kevin Wignall. The most important thing I can tell you at this point is that he writes excellent books that revolve around hit men. I am grateful for the re-release of PEOPLE DIE, his debut novel, which is in a class all by itself. The protagonist of PEOPLE DIE is a hit man named JJ. He is rather young --- under 30 --- but very accomplished, carrying out his trade on an international scale. The book opens with JJ executing a businessman in Moscow, incidentally catching him in flagrante delicto with a woman who is much too young. He breaks his own rule and lets her walk away, even as he regrets his occupational largesse, convinced that it will come back to haunt him. Two years later, JJ suddenly finds that he and everyone connected with the Moscow assignment have inexplicably been targeted for elimination. There are very few people he can trust, and his pragmatic culling of friends turned enemies as PEOPLE DIE proceeds is surprisingly chilling in its matter-of-factness. One of JJ's few remaining trustworthy friends is a CIA agent who in turn refers him to a colleague who had a tangential association with the Moscow job. The situs of their meeting is a surprising one and sets the novel apart from the usual work of the thriller genre. JJ finds himself traveling to New England to meet with his shadowy ally at a bed and breakfast run by the family of his Moscow victim. What is telling here, however, is the interaction between him and his victim's daughter, a teenager half his age who is not much younger than the woman whose life he spared in Moscow two years before. JJ is oddly attracted to this girl on the cusp of womanhood, enjoying her company and, yes, her platonic attention. Nothing improper occurs between them, either on or off the page. What is fascinating here is Wignall's tacit acknowledgment of the vulnerability of men to the attentions of young women, and his presentation of how such matters are properly approached and dealt with in order to give respect, not to mention protection, to the innocent. That chain of events, in combination with circumstances peaceful and otherwise in the quiet of the New England countryside, leads JJ upon a quest halfway around the world to confront the man who has unleashed a vendetta against him, a journey that may well result in his own violent death. PEOPLE DIE is one of those rare novels that is nuanced so differently that it resonates with the reader long after the last page is turned. Yes, it's about tradecraft and those who coldly carry it out, but in the end it's also about people, and the unpredictable. This is a tale well-told, demonstrative of a talent that runs long and deep. --- Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub

I recently read Kevin Wignall's "For The Dogs: A Novel," and was so impressed that I picked up his first book, "People Die." Although not as good as the last effort, "People Die" is certainly worth 4 Stars and makes for an exciting and unusual read. It is an extremely well-written, fast-paced, edgy, spy thriller, with a bit of satire thrown in. William "JJ" Hoffman is the epitome of a professional. He's more-or-less a consultant in that the work he does is free-lance. And he has earned a reputation for himself as one of the best in his field - the business of assassination. His top clients include the CIA and M-16. He quietly and competently does the job, with no mess or complications. He is discreet and keeps his nose clean. As a matter of fact, some of his colleagues have actually said that if they had to be targeted for death, they would prefer JJ to make the hit. His last job, in Moscow, was the execution of an American businessman - a supposedly devoted family man found in bed with a teenager who appeared to be a prostitute. JJ was mesmerized by the beautiful and exotic young girl and allowed her to escape. Her image, her presence, will remain with him throughout the novel. When she left the hotel room, she carried a package with her. Fast-forward two years. JJ is in Paris to contact his primary handler. He finds the man dead in his home library, brutally murdered. As Hoffman professionally scans the murder scene, he gets a sense that this is not just an isolated killing. Something is terribly wrong. It turns out that JJ has every reason to be paranoid. Apparently his network is being downsized - drastically. And he is a prime target. He has no idea who to trust, especially after a very close and trusted friend tries to kill him. Wignall leads the reader through a maze of twists and turns, where nothing is as it seems. And then the author seamlessly ties everything together in a breathtaking conclusion. The character of "JJ" is extremely well developed. He is not just a man of action, as are many primary characters in suspense thrillers. There are periods where he becomes extremely introspective, especially when everyone he used to trust is dead or trying to kill him. He wonders how he ever became an assassin and if it is too late to lead a more balanced life. He has become marginalized - disconnected from his family and old friends. He finds himself isolated - totally alone. This darker, more melancholy theme gives the novel more depth than the traditional genre book. I discovered a terrific writer when I read "For The Dogs." He doesn't disappoint with his 1st book either. I can't wait for his third. Kevin Wignall is an author whose work I highly recommend. JANA

This is a great book. It's a thriller about a hitman on the run - basic stuff, but handled by Wignall with a master's touch. JJ is one of the most memorable leading characters I've seen for a long time and his thoughtful observation of the death he delivers so cold-bloodedly lifts this well above the level of most cosies and crime capers. I can see how some people have doubts about the end (I happen to think the author hits it perfectly) but even if you would have preferred a different ending, this will at least leave you thinking and live on in your mind. How many books can you say that about?There's bound to be a movie, given how visual this is and how strong the central character is, so read it now, before Hollywood gets to it.

I happened to meet the writer 4 years ago during an english course in England. In those times, I assume that "JJ" was already living in his mind and I have been delighted by the result. I enjoyed the novel, and i liked the way that Kevin seems to trully understand the thin line between being a professional, even if you are a killer, and acting humanely.Kevin, hope to be invited to your second hit again.The Real Lo Bello.

He was earning a history degree when he veered one hundred and eighty degrees off course to become a free lance hit man. He works for a secret service organization in Great Britain but always knows he could accept employment elsewhere. His latest assignment is to kill Dave Bostridge, an American in a Russian hotel. Two years later, J.J. aka William Hoffman is plying his trade when something unexpected happens, the predator becomes the prey. Everyone in his organization is being killed and J.J. doesn't know why. Ironically, it is at the Vermont bed and breakfast inn of Mr. Bostridge's family that JJ begins to get a glimmer of what started two years ago and is supposed to end with his life. Surprisingly enough, J.J. isn't a character that will turn readers off but an enigma that the audience will want to figure out. The plot is basically simple and easy to follow but it is the characters and how they interact with J.J. that make PEOPLE DIE a very unusual and refreshing tour. Kevin Wignall has talent to create an anti-hero that will live on in the audience's memory.Harriet Klausner