This is a cracking book - to be honest, I have never really thought about what happens when an assassin gets too old to function properly, yet doesn't want to hang up their gun! So, basically, this is one of those books you never knew you need until you read it...
So... Mathilde was a dedicated and decorated hero of the French resistance back in the day. Her bravery and skills knew no bounds so it was inevitable that the skills she honed there would stand her in good stead when she migrated into the wonderful world of the assassin. But, when we catch up to her, when she is in her 60s, she is showing serious signs of ageing. She is forgetful so she writes things down when she shouldn't, she forgets to dispose of things she really shouldn't be keeping, reusing them too, and her attention to detail in carrying out her missions is somewhat lacking. She most definitely is beginning to go "off script". She is acting out of character, picking fights with her neighbour, being cruel to her dog. But she is not ready to retire. And her "handler" is getting nervous. To say she is out of control would be an understatement...
Firstly, this book pulls no punches. It is graphic and shocking, and violent. And occasionally also quite funny. And although Mathilde is wholly unlikable with very few redeemable qualities, you also really can't help feeling sorry for her, the ageing process and all that she is going through there. And it falls to her superior to try and deal with her, to retire her with grace rather than as the liability she has become. And the ending, well, I won't spoil things but, yeah, quality and unexpected. Loved it.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

The story begins in 1985 in the city of Paris, where 63 year old Mathilde Perrin is the most unlikely of assassins and shots dead a wealthy entrepreneur. It was fast paced and was very descriptive. I wasn't keen on Mathilde but some of the characters written about appealed to me more. There are a few moments where the dark humour came across.

Firstly poor Ludo. This is a story about a contract killer called Mathilde who is out of control . She is a cruel woman who hates everybody and everything including her dogs . She is 63 years old and her memory is not what it was. The bodies are piling up and the detective is on the trail. However she is always one step ahead. This book has some very dark humour in it and is different from what I have read before. There is a lot of violence and bloodshed and some shocking moments. . The ending is really good and not what I was expecting. It is a page turner and I was willing for Mathilde to stop . I don’t think as a reader you are expected to like a contract killer but there is not one redeemable quality in Mathilde, even as she descends into madness.

I loved the storyline of the book! It felt original , unique and kept me on edge since the begging! The book is fast paced but it isn’t leave anything unanswered .. and let me say this : I’m really happy with the conclusion!

DNFed at 10% after the elderly assassin kills a man and then shoots his victim’s dog in the head, vaporising half the dog and leaving the rest as a lump of meat. Callous and unnecessary by the author, it completely turned me off the book.

Confusingly, when you search for “Going to the Dogs” by the author, it takes you to “The Great Swindle” by him instead. Despite the synopsis being for the book I read about the elderly female assassin, other reviews talk about a world war soldier story…

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.

I have given this book 1 star as it was well written but that is all that it has going for it. It is a violent book, with a main character that is flawed and unlikeable.
If you love dogs, I would definitely give this book a big miss. Books these days should come with warnings on the front like they do with tv programmes. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reading copy.

An absolute treat of a book. The storyline had me gripped from the first page to the last. The plot is so original with Mathilde Perrin as a 63 year old contract killer as the main character. Mathilde is a former hero of the Resistance but is now starting to become confused and forgetful. This leads to a number of unintentional consequences that cause her boss to conclude that Mathilde has become a liability. The book is fast paced with all the different plotlines pulled together into one dramatic conclusion.
I have read several books by Pierre Lemaitre and all are well-written but this book is my favourite. I want to read it over and over again - it's just so good.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.