A Necessary Evil by Robert Stricklin

[bookworm555]

I recently read a teriffic book that I think would make a great movie. It's called "A Necessary Evil" and the author is Robert Stricklin. It's a thriller about a widower who impulsively hires a hitman to avenge his murdered wife and ends up being terrorized by his own contract killer. The book reads like one of Alfred Hitchcock's best films and just gets more and more suspenseful with each chapter. I was so impressed with the story that I can't wait to read the author's next book. I highly recommend this one.

[Poelover]

I also read "A Necessary Evil" and agree that's a gripping thriller. In fact, I tore through it in one night. I just wish it was a little longer. Other than that, I found it absorbing and suspenseful with abit of dark humor and keen insight into human behavior. I like the fact that it showed the naivete of people who glamorize gangsters and think revenge is the answer when the justice system fails. I'll read it again soon to savor the story and characterizations. I'm glad I gave the book a chance and I will definitely recommend it to my friends.

[carlaw21]

I concur. This book has all the makings of a great movie. I loved the cat-and-mouse game being played, and thought this was a fun ride. I couldn't put it down! It's definitely getting recommended.

[DavidM]

Having read your posts about "A Necessary Evil" and looking up the book on Amazon.com, I decided to take a chance and order it. You were right. It's a taut, cat-and-mouse thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat and turning pages (I know -- cliches, but applicable). I hadn't heard of the author, Robert Stricklin, before, but based on this book I'm looking forward to his next. I agree that the story has a "cinematic" quality to it and would make a very compelling movie. I'm always on the look out for new talent and great thrillers. Thanks for cluing me in.

[IamTheKing9]

Hmm... maybe I could try buying it on my next visit to the bookstore.

[Kathy26]

I'm pleased to see this book is being discussed in numerous forums. I read it months ago and was pleasantly surprised how good it was. I often find that popular, so-called "thrillers" don't live up to the hype surrounding them. But this one definitely delivers in terms of suspense and credible, compelling human drama. It's a sleeper in the best sense of the word -- an unexpected treat in a crowded genre filled with mediocrity. I hadn't heard of the author, Robert Stricklin, before. But after reading A Necessary Evil, I will certainly keep my eyes peeled for his next effort.

[armstrong26491]

As far as thrillers go, the best i've read are frederick forsyth's. I've read 'the devil's alternative' and am in the process of reading 'the day of the jackal'. Both are brilliant and highly recommended.

[raymond1274]

Instead of listening to literary critics, I usually peruse book forums like this one and read threads to see what books get recommended and which ones are worth reading. Rarely am I disappointed and this is one of those cases. I bought and read "A Necessary Evil" last week and I thought it was one of the best books I've read in a long time. I was totally engrossed in the story, identified and cared about the main character, and thought it had a powerful message. I can't say that about most thrillers, which often lack credibility. This one was totally grounded in reality. and yet was extremely suspenseful. I hope they make a movie out of this book.

[raymond1274]

I have something to add to my previous comments about "A Necessary Evil" by Robert Stricklin. Crime thrillers are often focused on people immersed in underworold activities -- mobsters, petty crooks or criminal masterminds who are made to look "cool" a la Quentin Tarantino or Mafia hitmen who are "misunderstood" or portrayed as sympathetic, when, in reality, you wouldn't want to meet up with any of these characters. That's okay, but what's interesting about "A Necessary Evil" is that it presents a head-on collision between two different worlds -- it pits an ordinary, misguided guy yearning for justice against his own contract killer and, in the process, deglamorizes the criminal element, shows the ugliness of violence, and cast doubt on the value of revenge. What makes the story so suspenseful is that it offers a protagonist who's in over his head having to deal with the monster he has created. What makes the story compelling is that he has to risk becoming a monster himself. Thankfully, the sobering climax is as haunting as it is believable.

[nathbr21]

A very good book, who likes this kind of book should read it. If I am not wrong Robert Stricklin was from the Shadow aircraft, wasnt?