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Lawrence Block
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Keller's Therapy: a Keller short story Kindle Edition

by Lawrence Block (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 203 ratings
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"Answers to Soldier" marked Keller's first appearance—and I never expected to write more about the wistful hit man. But time passed, and I got to thinking about him. I figured he was just the sort of Urban Lonely Guy to find himself on a psychotherapist's couch. And if the shrink has an ex-wife, and the ex-wife has a dog, well, you can see how one thing might lead to another... "Keller's Therapy" appeared first in Playboy, and won an Edgar Allan Poe award as the best short story of the year. And it launched Keller on a continuing career as a series character...
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  1. Print length
    36 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    February 17, 2013
  5. File size
    842 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00BHIZW9I
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ LB Productions (February 17, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 17, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 842 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 36 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 203 ratings

About the author

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Lawrence Block

Lawrence Block

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Lawrence Block has been writing crime, mystery, and suspense fiction for more than half a century. He has published more than 100 books, and no end of short stories.

LB is best known for his series characters, including Matthew Scudder, Bernie Rhodenbarr, Evan Tanner, and Keller. LB has also published under pseudonyms including Jill Emerson, John Warren Wells, Lesley Evans, and Anne Campbell Clarke.

His monthly instructional column ran in Writer’s Digest for 14 years and led to a series of books for writers. He has also written television and film screenplays. Several of LB’s books have been filmed, including A Walk Among the Tombstones.

LB is a Grand Master of Mystery Writers of America. He has won multiple Edgar and Shamus awards, the Japanese Maltese Falcon award, the Nero Wolfe and Philip Marlowe awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Private Eye Writers of America, and the Diamond Dagger for Life Achievement from the Crime Writers Association of the UK, been proclaimed a Grand Maitre du Roman Noir, and has been awarded the Société 813 trophy.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
203 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Kevin Tipple
5.0 out of 5 stars Therapy, Kills, and more in "Keller's Therapy" by Lawrence Block
Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2013
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Don't let the strange cover of this one turn you away from a good read. Unlike the covers of the other short story e-books by Lawrence Block that I have read, this cover featuring two dogs with one on the couch and the other one standing makes absolutely no sense to this reader. Of course, when you are Lawrence Block, covers probably don't matter at all.

Keller is in therapy as this one opens relating a dream he says he had to Dr. Jerrold Breen. The dream may mean nothing or it could be very symbolic according to the doctor. As he discusses the dream further with Keller, he finds the dream very symbolic as he does the name Keller is going by - Peter Stone.

Why Keller/Peter Stone is going to therapy is just one of the many questions gradually answered in this complicated tale set in New York City. The answer will take some time as the therapy continues with a couple of interruptions for Keller's work as a murder for hire gunman. Keller is a complicated character as is this story originally published in 1993.

Material was picked up during the author's recent free book promotion.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2013
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J. Finholm
4.0 out of 5 stars Love Lawence Block
Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2013
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I like the Keller hit man series. I like the way Keller is just a regular guy, with interests, likes, dislikes, a hobby and a rather unusual and illegal way of making a living. He seems to be very good at keeping those two parts of his life separate. The story moves along at a moderate pace (like Keller's life) which pleased me, as most peoples' lives do not go from disaster to tragedy to car chases and gun fights Just to resolve themselves to happily ever after in the span of 350 pages.
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Jaye Michaela Brink
5.0 out of 5 stars I really great short
Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2013
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The Keller stories, I'll be honest, I've never tried to get into until this one. I picked it up on Amazon when I stumbled across the fact that it was on sale (no longer as of this writing, sorry).

It could use slightly better editing -- the grammar and punctuation looks fine, but there're occasional missing words. Also, the cover is odd -- it's not about dogs.

The story is only 32 pages, so I'm not sure I can sum it up very well. I suppose a few basics would suffice. The stories are about one J. P. Keller, a professional hit man. This particular one is about Keller's sessions with a psychotherapist.

It's simply a very engrossing tale. Hard to put down, easy to finish: an all-round fantastic read. I will say, it's drier and less fun than the Bernie's, so if you know Block for them and are looking for more of the same you might be disappointed, if you simply are enamoured with Block's overall style you'll certainly dig it.
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Joe Bruno Sr.
5.0 out of 5 stars Love Hitman Keller - This is a short story that reads too fast, if that's even possible.
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2013
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Typical Lawrence Block. Hitman Keller goes to a shrink for therapy (Why - I can't figure. Maybe he just wanted to pass the time talking to a guy he doesn't like too much).

The shrink has a wife he doesn't like too much either, and although he doesn't say so in as many words, the shrink would rather his wife be dead.

I don't want to give away any spoilers, but if you like Block's Keller, you'll love this one.
[...]
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DAVID A SHEINBART
3.0 out of 5 stars there are better books avaliable
Reviewed in the United States on April 9, 2013
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fair read and very predictable it can be read in a very short period of time read other books that are offered
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Ron-the Traveling Poet-Wohl
4.0 out of 5 stars Block's work is always a good read. This novella is as well
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2016
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Block's work is always a good read. This novella is as well. The premise is old but the execution (heh! heh!) is carried out in good order..
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Joe
5.0 out of 5 stars Block is the best
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2013
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Block is one of my "must reads." His characters are appealing, his plots are unique, and you are rarely disappointed. The Hit Man is a great character. I just finished the new book and enjoyed it immensely because of the various plots (each chapter is like a short story) and the different scenarios. Now Keller is no longer in Manhattan, but returns there to investigate new developments in his life. This short story and the subsequent books are worth reading.
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John Crutcher
5.0 out of 5 stars Keller is Kool
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2013
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I've read and enjoyed every Matt Scudder book and most of the Scudder stories. I've read standalone books by Lawrence Block. I've met Block. I have signed books by block. Somehow, I've never managed to read a Keller story or book - till now. Oops! Well done, Mr. Block! I have much to look forward to.
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Top reviews from other countries

Mark
5.0 out of 5 stars Lawrence Block always delivers!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 1, 2014
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A re-issue of one of the Keller short stories. A great piece of work from one of the best crime writers of modern fiction. Highly Recommended
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Mr P Wilkinson
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 19, 2015
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good but too short - poor value for money
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