The locals in the quaint Italian village call him Mr. Butterfly, for they think he earns his living by painting flowers and insects. Unbeknown to them, he is really a highly skilled specialist gun merchant--a creator of custom guns for assassins. And, unbeknown to Mr. Butterfly, someone is looking for him.

The first thing I thought of while reading this novel is why hasn't it made a bigger splash than it has. Yes, it is the basis for the movie The American starring George Clooney, but the book was published in 1990, and the movie was released in 2010. If not for the movie, this wonderful novel would have faded away into obscurity--and that would have truly been a shame.

The character of Mr. Butterfly is quite fascinating, and his opinions on life, his job, and history are interesting to read. He's getting to the end of his career, and all he wants is to find a little peace and quiet in his retirement. I don't know if I'd call him an unreliable narrator so much as a misguided one. Nevertheless, he's world-weary and sardonic--and extremely intelligent, which I think makes the first-person narrative such a treat. There isn't much dialog, but reading his observations is extremely engaging for readers who want a little more out of their thrillers than just running and shooting.

The other noteworthy aspects are the atmosphere and the information about his profession. The Italian village and surrounding mountains are very well described. It's such an inviting depiction, it could easily double as a travel advertisement for the area. We also learn a fair bit about gunsmithing and the world of assassinations that it feels similar to Frederick Forsyth's Day of the Jackal, another enjoyable read.

If I were to pick a slight fault, it would be the climax. It's extremely fitting on one hand, yet it's a bit of a letdown in how it actually unfolds. I mean to say that it's not a problem with the writing so much as the plotting. Still, that doesn't dampen the overall excellent quality of this novel.

It may not be a novel for people who don't like cynical, masculine, slow thrillers, but it's a gem for those who do. The only thing to add is that they cut one of the best parts out of the movie: going from two to only one. If you want to know what I mean, you'll have to read the book.