Josh Redmont receives a check once a month for $1,000.  "United States Agent" issues the checks.  Josh continued to receive these checks even when he moved to a new address.  At first, he made some attempt to find out if there was a mistake.  Josh soon believed that for unknowable reasons some branch of the government was paying him $1,000 per month.  The checks continued coming for seven years.

Josh was now married and had a child.  One day while away on vacation at Fire Island, a person approaches Josh and states "I'm from United States Agent.  You are now active."

It turns out that Josh was receiving the checks for a job he was being paid to do.  His job was to help assassinate a much-hated foreign premier scheduled to visit Yankee Stadium. 

What does Josh do now?  After all, he did accept the money - $12,000 per year for 7 years = $84,000 - not bad for doing "nothing".  Tax-free too!

Donald E. Westlake has written a great book.  It has a touch of comedy but at the same time is a thriller.  The main character, Josh, is very likeable.  You almost want to believe that he really thought he was getting these checks for some unknown reason and that he didn't have to do anything else to earn them.  Add this book to your collection.  It is thoroughly entertaining and you will be in for a treat!


NANCY EATON

DO NOT REPRINT WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR, NANCY EATON