Hitman Andres and the meaning of it all by Jonas Jonasson

"Hitman Andres and the meaning of it all" by Jonas Jonasson. This book is published by Fourth Estate in 2016 and has 400 pages. 

Per Persson, a nobody, is a receptionist in a third rate hotel. Hitman Andres, a thrice convict, comes to stay in the hotel. A jobless priestess Johanna Kjellander, who does not believe in God, meets Per. Three of them form a strange alliance and business venture. 

What is the alliance? Has it anything to do with money? Is there violence? How is Jesus involved? What is the connection with Santa?

It's a slapstick comedy where characters do all sorts of nonsensical things. The lead characters act without thinking thereby creating a lot of confusion and funny scenarios. They do all sorts of crazy things but eventually come out unscathed and triumphant. It's the journey that entertains you rather than the outcome. 

Here Hitman, Receptionist and Priest run three different business ventures. Each one very different from other. Jonas has concluded the book with a business venture that is satisfying and gratifying. In short a happy ending. 

The story drags, trundles, rolls, crawls in the general direction of conclusion. Although the narration of the standalone book is entertaining, those who have read the first two books will find it repetitive and monotonous.

Author has little to add in this book that was not there in the previous two. At times I was tempted to abandon. 

This is author's third book. First one was absolutely fantastic. He has a very special dry humor style of narration. Second was less good. This one is even less good. I sincerely hope the author brings something new in his next one. 

Give it a miss.