Victim Series by Robert Sheckley

The 1950s saw publication of Sheckley's 1st four books: short story collections Untouched by Human Hands (Ballantine '54), Citizen in Space ('55), Pilgrimage to Earth (Bantam '57) & a novel, Immortality, Inc. (1st serialized in Galaxy, '58)... moreThe 1950s saw publication of Sheckley's 1st four books: short story collections Untouched by Human Hands (Ballantine '54), Citizen in Space ('55), Pilgrimage to Earth (Bantam '57) & a novel, Immortality, Inc. (1st serialized in Galaxy, '58)."The Monsters" (F&SF 1953/3) "Cost of Living" (Galaxy 1952/12) "The Altar" (Fantastic 1953/7&8) "Keep Your Shape" (Galaxy 1953/11; aka Shape) "The Impacted Man" (Astounding 1952/12) "Untouched by Human Hands" (Galaxy 1953/12; aka One Man's Poison) "The King's Wishes" (F&SF 1953/7) "Warm" (Galaxy 1953/6) "The Demons" (Fantasy Magazine 1953/3) "Specialist" (Galaxy 1953/5) "Seventh Victim" (Galaxy 1953/4--later expanded"Ritual" (Climax 1953; aka Strange Ritual) "Beside Still Waters" (Amazing 1953/10&11) less

The 10th Victim (La decima vittima) is an Italian cult sf film directed by Elio Petri in 1965. It is based on Robert Sheckley's 1953 short story "Seventh Victim". He published a novelization of the film in 1966. The film begins with a man chasing a woman thru the streets whilst shooting at her. He's stopped by a policeman for questioning. The man shows his licence to kill. The policeman allows him to continue... moreThe 10th Victim (La decima vittima) is an Italian cult sf film directed by Elio Petri in 1965. It is based on Robert Sheckley's 1953 short story "Seventh Victim". He published a novelization of the film in 1966. The film begins with a man chasing a woman thru the streets whilst shooting at her. He's stopped by a policeman for questioning. The man shows his licence to kill. The policeman allows him to continue. Scenes switch between the pursuit & a narrator explaining the rules & justification of the game. In the near future, big wars are avoided by giving violence-prone individuals a chance to kill in the Big Hunt. The Hunt is the world's most popular form of entertainment, attracting participants seeking fame & fortune. It includes ten rounds for each competitor, five as hunter & five as victim. The survivor of the ten rounds becomes the ultimate champion. Caroline Meredith is the huntress armed with a high caliber Bosch Shotgun looking for her 10th victim. Marcello Poletti is the victim. He's reluctant to kill Meredith as he's unsure she's his hunter. Killing the wrong person would get him locked up in prison for 30 years. To maximize her financial gain, Meredith wants to get a perfect kill in front of the cameras as she's negotiated a major sponsor from the Ming Tea Company. less

It is a dying Earth's defiant answer to a seemingly hopeless future. While the world's remaining population struggles to survive on a planet made barren by humanity's own greed, a small, select group of men and women seek wealth and glory in the challenge of death itself. They are the Hunters. and they are also the Victims, co-conspirators in a mutual duel of destruction played out for the world's vicarious entertainment... moreIt is a dying Earth's defiant answer to a seemingly hopeless future. While the world's remaining population struggles to survive on a planet made barren by humanity's own greed, a small, select group of men and women seek wealth and glory in the challenge of death itself. They are the Hunters. and they are also the Victims, co-conspirators in a mutual duel of destruction played out for the world's vicarious entertainment. One by one, the have come to the small Caribbean island where the Hunt is held. And two by two, computers have assigned them their roles - Hunter and Victim - to Kill or be killed by any means fair or fowl. less

His wife, an innocent victim, was slain in a senseless act of terrorism. And now, Frank Blackwell was a perfect recruit for the underground operation known to a select few as the Hunt. In a world on of exterminating itself, the men and women of the Hunt sought to create order out of deadly chaos, choosing Victims with care. Blackwell was chosen to exterminate one of the world's major gunrunners, a man who almost singlehandedly could supply the equipment to launch the Third World War... moreHis wife, an innocent victim, was slain in a senseless act of terrorism. And now, Frank Blackwell was a perfect recruit for the underground operation known to a select few as the Hunt. In a world on of exterminating itself, the men and women of the Hunt sought to create order out of deadly chaos, choosing Victims with care. Blackwell was chosen to exterminate one of the world's major gunrunners, a man who almost singlehandedly could supply the equipment to launch the Third World War. It was a once-in-a-lifetime assignment that could see Blackwell stalked by the top assassins of every undercover power around the globe- in a fast-paced game of blood and betrayal! less