The Hamptons Lawyer Chapter 83 Summary – A Killer’s Celebration
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
In Chapter 83, assassin Robby Sassoon checks into the Topping Rose House in Bridgehampton to celebrate a successful hit. He watches news coverage of the murder he just committed: Allen Reese, a Hamptons real estate tycoon, shot twice in his own home. Robby had entered through an unlocked patio door, killed Reese without warning, then used Reese’s phone to call the police—a flourish he finds amusing. He receives a call from his criminal boss Sonny Blum. Blum asks whether Reese tried to avoid paying; Robby confirms Reese missed his deadline and paid with his life. Blum mentions a recent meeting with “Cunniff” and hints that if Cunniff and his lawyer keep causing trouble, Robby will be sent in again. After the call, Robby resumes listening to “No Good Deed” from Wicked and orders butternut minestrone soup, recalling he last ate there after killing Bobby Salvatore. He pours Scotch and reflects with dark irony that “people keep saying irony is dead.”
Key Events
- Robby Sassoon settles into a suite at the Topping Rose House in Bridgehampton, a high-end inn formerly owned by chef Tom Colicchio.
- He follows online reports of Allen Reese’s murder, noting that the media quoted his words correctly.
- In a flashback, Robby recalls entering Reese’s home through an unlocked patio door, finding him in his study, and shooting him twice (forehead and chest). He used Reese’s own phone to call the Southampton police.
- Sonny Blum calls Robby, interrupting his music. Blum asks if Reese tried to lie about the money; Robby says Reese knew he wouldn’t pay and chose not to.
- Blum reports his meeting with “Cunniff” and indicates that if Cunniff and the lawyer keep opposing him, Robby will be needed again. Robby eagerly agrees: “Send me into the game, coach.”
- After the call, Robby resumes singing along to “No Good Deed” from Wicked.
- He checks the room menu and is pleased to see butternut minestrone still available—he last ordered it after killing Bobby Salvatore.
- Robby pours a Scotch and muses that Reese “had an accident” while irony is supposedly dead.
Character Development
- Robby Sassoon: This chapter deepens Robby’s portrait as a self-aware professional killer who takes aesthetic pleasure in his work. He treats murder as a performance art, from the theatrical call to police to the choice of celebratory song. He enjoys luxury (fine dining, Scotch) and savors the irony of his situation. His dialogue with Blum shows he is loyal to his boss and welcomes future assignments with enthusiasm.
- Sonny Blum: Though only present via phone, Blum is revealed as a calculating crime figure who evaluates the loyalty of associates like Cunniff and delegates lethal enforcement to Robby. He appreciates Robby’s flair (“you really are a funny bastard”) but keeps their relationship transactional.
- Allen Reese (deceased): Although dead before the chapter begins, Reese’s character is illuminated through Robby’s recollection: a real estate tycoon who fell behind on payments to Blum and chose not to pay up, sealing his fate.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Performance and Theatricality: The chapter is saturated with references to performance. Robby listens to Wicked, sings along, and describes his murder technique in terms of keeping things “fresh” and avoiding getting “stale.” Using the victim’s own phone to call police is described as “almost whimsical.” He sees himself as an actor playing a role.
- Irony: The central ironic thread is that Robby kills while humming about “no good deed” and later decides that “irony is dead.” He also notes the contrast between the safety of Southampton and the old South Bronx. The chapter plays with the gap between the killer’s self-awareness and his utter lack of remorse.
- Food and Refinement: Robby’s appreciation for farm-to-table cuisine and butternut minestrone contrasts with his brutal profession. The Topping Rose House setting emphasizes that luxury and violence coexist seamlessly in his world.
- Debt and Payment: The entire hit stems from Reese’s failure to repay Blum. The conversation about “the cost of doing business” frames murder as a rational business transaction.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 83 serves as a chilling character study of the novel’s hitman, Robby Sassoon, and a turning point in the criminal subplot. It confirms that Sonny Blum is willing to use lethal force to enforce debts and that Robby is his loyal instrument. The chapter also foreshadows further violence: Blum’s cryptic reference to “Cunniff and the lawyer” (likely related to the main plot involving the Hamptons lawyer) suggests that Robby will soon be called on again. Additionally, the chapter deepens the theme of performance, tying Robby’s murders to a twisted sense of artistry that makes him a distinctive antagonist.
Study Questions and Answers
1. What does Robby’s choice of song (“No Good Deed” from Wicked) reveal about his mindset?
The song is about a character who commits a seemingly good deed that leads to negative consequences, but Robby twists it: he is celebrating his own “good deed” (killing Reese) as something that serves his boss’s interests. By singing along, he aligns himself with the musical’s theme of villainy justified by personal code, showing he views murder as a necessary, even noble, action.
2. Why does Robby use Allen Reese’s own phone to call the police after the murder?
Robby considers this “a nice touch, almost whimsical.” It demonstrates his desire for theatricality and control: he wants the crime to be discovered in a way that draws attention to his cleverness. It also serves a practical purpose—it prevents police from tracing the call back to him. The gesture reinforces his identity as a performer who enjoys the spectacle of his own work.
3. What does the conversation between Robby and Sonny Blum suggest about the character of “Cunniff” and the lawyer?
Blum says he will know if “Cunniff and the lawyer” are still trying to “fuck with me” based on their future actions. If they continue to oppose Blum, Robby is told he will “know what to do.” This strongly implies that Cunniff (likely a Mob figure or associate) and a lawyer (possibly the title character, the Hamptons lawyer) are targets for assassination if they don’t cooperate. The conversation sets up a direct threat to the protagonist.