diff --git a/doc/scripts/builtins.rst b/doc/scripts/builtins.rst
index d274de6b7b..ba786ba0d2 100644
--- a/doc/scripts/builtins.rst
+++ b/doc/scripts/builtins.rst
@@ -417,10 +417,6 @@ The Bro scripting language supports the following built-in types.
     Writing to files like this for logging usually isn't recommended, for better
     logging support see :doc:`/logging`.
 
-.. bro:type:: func
-
-    See :bro:type:`function`.
-
 .. bro:type:: function
 
     Function types in Bro are declared using::
@@ -504,6 +500,74 @@ The Bro scripting language supports the following built-in types.
     identifier and the body of each will be executed in turn.  Ordering
     of execution can be influenced with :bro:attr:`&priority`.
 
+.. bro:type:: hook
+
+    A hook is another flavor of function that shares characteristics of
+    both a :bro:type:`function` and a :bro:type:`event`.  They are like
+    events in that many handler bodies can be defined for the same hook
+    identifier, they have no return vale, and the order of execution
+    can be enforced with :bro:attr:`&priority`.  They are more like
+    functions in the way they are invoked/called, because, unlike
+    events, their execution is immediate and they do not get scheduled
+    through an event queue.  Also, a unique feature of a hook is that
+    a given hook handler body can short-circuit the execution of
+    remaining hook handlers simply by exiting from the body as a result
+    of a ``break`` statement (as opposed to a ``return`` or just
+    reaching the end of the body).
+
+    A hook type is declared like::
+
+        hook( argument* )
+
+    where *argument* is a (possibly empty) comma-separated list of
+    arguments.  For example:
+
+    .. code:: bro
+
+        global myhook: hook(s: string)
+
+    Here ``myhook`` is the hook type identifier and no hook handler
+    bodies have been defined for it yet.  To define some hook handler
+    bodies the syntax looks like:
+
+    .. code:: bro
+
+        hook myhook(s: string) &priority=10
+            {
+            print "priority 10 myhook handler", s;
+            s = "bye";
+            }
+
+        hook myhook(s: string)
+            {
+            print "break out of myhook handling", s;
+            break;
+            }
+
+        hook myhook(s: string) &priority=-5
+            {
+            print "not going to happen", s;
+            }
+
+    Note that, although the first (forward) declaration of ``myhook`` as
+    a hook type isn't strictly required, when it is provided, the
+    argument types must match.
+
+    To invoke immediate execution of all hook handler bodies, a ``hook``
+    statement must be used:
+
+    .. code:: bro
+
+        hook myhook("hi");
+
+    And the output would like like::
+
+        priority 10 myhook handler, hi
+        break out of myhook handling, bye
+
+    Note how the modification to arguments can be seen by remaining
+    hook handlers.
+
 Attributes
 ----------
 
diff --git a/src/Attr.cc b/src/Attr.cc
index bdf247b4f5..6e0769c7b0 100644
--- a/src/Attr.cc
+++ b/src/Attr.cc
@@ -71,7 +71,9 @@ void Attr::DescribeReST(ODesc* d) const
 
 		else if ( expr->Type()->Tag() == TYPE_FUNC )
 			{
-			d->Add(":bro:type:`func`");
+			d->Add(":bro:type:`");
+			d->Add(expr->Type()->AsFuncType()->FlavorString());
+			d->Add("`");
 			}
 
 		else
@@ -401,13 +403,13 @@ void Attributes::CheckAttr(Attr* a)
 
 	case ATTR_GROUP:
 		if ( type->Tag() != TYPE_FUNC ||
-		     ! type->AsFuncType()->IsEvent() )
+		     type->AsFuncType()->Flavor() != FUNC_FLAVOR_EVENT )
 			Error("&group only applicable to events");
 		break;
 
 	case ATTR_ERROR_HANDLER:
 		if ( type->Tag() != TYPE_FUNC ||
-		     ! type->AsFuncType()->IsEvent() )
+		     type->AsFuncType()->Flavor() != FUNC_FLAVOR_EVENT )
 			Error("&error_handler only applicable to events");
 		break;
 
diff --git a/src/BroDoc.cc b/src/BroDoc.cc
index 1e2d7d52ea..23b1f56aaa 100644
--- a/src/BroDoc.cc
+++ b/src/BroDoc.cc
@@ -271,6 +271,7 @@ void BroDoc::WriteInterface(const char* heading, char underline,
 	WriteBroDocObjList(state_vars, isPublic, "State Variables", sub, isShort);
 	WriteBroDocObjList(types, isPublic, "Types", sub, isShort);
 	WriteBroDocObjList(events, isPublic, "Events", sub, isShort);
+	WriteBroDocObjList(hooks, isPublic, "Hooks", sub, isShort);
 	WriteBroDocObjList(functions, isPublic, "Functions", sub, isShort);
 	WriteBroDocObjList(redefs, isPublic, "Redefinitions", sub, isShort);
 	}
diff --git a/src/BroDoc.h b/src/BroDoc.h
index ac6ff0a59b..79f02b7110 100644
--- a/src/BroDoc.h
+++ b/src/BroDoc.h
@@ -179,6 +179,30 @@ public:
 		all.push_back(o);
 		}
 
+	/**
+	 * Schedules documentation of a hook declared by the script.
+	 * @param o A pointer to a BroDocObj which contains the internal
+	 *        Bro language representation of the script hook and
+	 *        also any associated comments about it.
+	 */
+	void AddHook(const BroDocObj* o)
+		{
+		hooks.push_back(o);
+		all.push_back(o);
+		}
+
+	/**
+	 * Schedules documentation of a hook handler declared by the script.
+	 * @param o A pointer to a BroDocObj which contains the internal
+	 *        Bro language representation of the script hook handler and
+	 *        also any associated comments about it.
+	 */
+	void AddHookHandler(const BroDocObj* o)
+		{
+		hook_handlers.push_back(o);
+		all.push_back(o);
+		}
+
 	/**
 	 * Schedules documentation of a function declared by the script.
 	 * @param o A pointer to a BroDocObj which contains the internal
@@ -241,6 +265,8 @@ protected:
 	BroDocObjList notices;
 	BroDocObjList events;
 	BroDocObjList event_handlers;
+	BroDocObjList hooks;
+	BroDocObjList hook_handlers;
 	BroDocObjMap functions;
 	BroDocObjList redefs;
 
diff --git a/src/Expr.cc b/src/Expr.cc
index e6936267d8..733e0fe9a5 100644
--- a/src/Expr.cc
+++ b/src/Expr.cc
@@ -4374,7 +4374,7 @@ bool InExpr::DoUnserialize(UnserialInfo* info)
 	return true;
 	}
 
-CallExpr::CallExpr(Expr* arg_func, ListExpr* arg_args)
+CallExpr::CallExpr(Expr* arg_func, ListExpr* arg_args, bool in_hook)
 : Expr(EXPR_CALL)
 	{
 	func = arg_func;
@@ -4402,8 +4402,33 @@ CallExpr::CallExpr(Expr* arg_func, ListExpr* arg_args)
 
 		if ( ! yield )
 			{
-			Error("event called in expression");
-			SetError();
+			switch ( func_type->AsFuncType()->Flavor() ) {
+
+			case FUNC_FLAVOR_FUNCTION:
+				Error("function has no yield type");
+				SetError();
+				break;
+
+			case FUNC_FLAVOR_EVENT:
+				Error("event called in expression, use event statement instead");
+				SetError();
+				break;
+
+			case FUNC_FLAVOR_HOOK:
+				// It's fine to not have a yield if it's known that the call
+				// is being done from a hook statement.
+				if ( ! in_hook )
+					{
+					Error("hook called in expression, use hook statement instead");
+					SetError();
+					}
+				break;
+
+			default:
+				Error("invalid function flavor");
+				SetError();
+				break;
+			}
 			}
 		else
 			SetType(yield->Ref());
diff --git a/src/Expr.h b/src/Expr.h
index c16cf86612..bd4824f8ee 100644
--- a/src/Expr.h
+++ b/src/Expr.h
@@ -959,7 +959,7 @@ protected:
 
 class CallExpr : public Expr {
 public:
-	CallExpr(Expr* func, ListExpr* args);
+	CallExpr(Expr* func, ListExpr* args, bool in_hook = false);
 	~CallExpr();
 
 	Expr* Func() const	{ return func; }
diff --git a/src/Func.cc b/src/Func.cc
index 582de1d9bb..27acce4f04 100644
--- a/src/Func.cc
+++ b/src/Func.cc
@@ -284,8 +284,8 @@ Val* BroFunc::Call(val_list* args, Frame* parent) const
 #endif
 	if ( ! bodies.size() ) 
 		{
-		// Can only happen for events.
-		assert(IsEvent());
+		// Can only happen for events and hooks.
+		assert(Flavor() == FUNC_FLAVOR_EVENT || Flavor() == FUNC_FLAVOR_HOOK);
 		loop_over_list(*args, i)
 			Unref((*args)[i]);
 		return 0 ;
@@ -309,7 +309,7 @@ Val* BroFunc::Call(val_list* args, Frame* parent) const
 		DescribeDebug(&d, args);
 
 		g_trace_state.LogTrace("%s called: %s\n",
-			IsEvent() ? "event" : "function", d.Description());
+			FType()->FlavorString().c_str(), d.Description());
 		}
 
 	loop_over_list(*args, i)
@@ -348,6 +348,12 @@ Val* BroFunc::Call(val_list* args, Frame* parent) const
 			parent->SetDelayed();
 			break;
 			}
+
+		if ( flow == FLOW_BREAK && Flavor() == FUNC_FLAVOR_HOOK )
+			{
+			// short-circuit execution of remaining hook handler bodies
+			break;
+			}
 		}
 
 	// Warn if the function returns something, but we returned from
@@ -380,7 +386,7 @@ void BroFunc::AddBody(Stmt* new_body, id_list* new_inits, int new_frame_size,
 
 	new_body = AddInits(new_body, new_inits);
 
-	if ( ! IsEvent() )
+	if ( Flavor() == FUNC_FLAVOR_FUNCTION )
 		{
 		// For functions, we replace the old body with the new one.
 		assert(bodies.size() <= 1);
diff --git a/src/Func.h b/src/Func.h
index 909b2a9802..7f9627b66d 100644
--- a/src/Func.h
+++ b/src/Func.h
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ public:
 	virtual ~Func();
 
 	virtual int IsPure() const = 0;
-	int IsEvent() const	{ return FType()->IsEvent(); }
+	function_flavor Flavor() const	{ return FType()->Flavor(); }
 
 	struct Body {
 		Stmt* stmts;
diff --git a/src/ID.cc b/src/ID.cc
index dcf163650c..959ad9b07d 100644
--- a/src/ID.cc
+++ b/src/ID.cc
@@ -107,7 +107,8 @@ void ID::SetVal(Val* v, Opcode op, bool arg_weak_ref)
 #endif
 
 	if ( type && val &&
-	     type->Tag() == TYPE_FUNC && type->AsFuncType()->IsEvent() )
+	     type->Tag() == TYPE_FUNC &&
+	     type->AsFuncType()->Flavor() == FUNC_FLAVOR_EVENT )
 		{
 		EventHandler* handler = event_registry->Lookup(name);
 		if ( ! handler )
@@ -657,7 +658,7 @@ void ID::DescribeReSTShort(ODesc* d) const
 				break;
 
 			case TYPE_FUNC:
-				d->Add(type->AsFuncType()->IsEvent() ? "event" : type_name(t));
+				d->Add(type->AsFuncType()->FlavorString());
 				break;
 
 			case TYPE_ENUM:
diff --git a/src/SerialTypes.h b/src/SerialTypes.h
index c47ff19298..a18c9bcc65 100644
--- a/src/SerialTypes.h
+++ b/src/SerialTypes.h
@@ -165,6 +165,7 @@ SERIAL_STMT(EVENT_BODY_LIST, 16)
 SERIAL_STMT(INIT_STMT, 17)
 SERIAL_STMT(NULL_STMT, 18)
 SERIAL_STMT(WHEN_STMT, 19)
+SERIAL_STMT(HOOK_STMT, 20)
 
 #define SERIAL_TYPE(name, val) SERIAL_CONST(name, val, BRO_TYPE)
 SERIAL_TYPE(BRO_TYPE, 1)
diff --git a/src/Serializer.cc b/src/Serializer.cc
index fc6d00d06c..3dea7ee9e4 100644
--- a/src/Serializer.cc
+++ b/src/Serializer.cc
@@ -389,23 +389,35 @@ bool Serializer::UnserializeCall(UnserialInfo* info)
 		{
 		if ( info->print )
 			fprintf(info->print, "%s [%.06f] %s(%s)\n",
-				functype->IsEvent() ? "Event" : "Function call",
+				functype->FlavorString().c_str(),
 				time, name, types ? d.Description() : "<ignored>");
 
-		if ( functype->IsEvent() )
+		switch ( functype->Flavor() ) {
+
+		case FUNC_FLAVOR_EVENT:
 			{
 			EventHandler* handler = event_registry->Lookup(name);
 			assert(handler);
+
 			if ( ! info->ignore_callbacks )
 				GotEvent(name, time, handler, args);
+
+			break;
 			}
-		else
+
+		case FUNC_FLAVOR_FUNCTION:
+		case FUNC_FLAVOR_HOOK:
 			if ( ! info->ignore_callbacks )
 				GotFunctionCall(name, time, id->ID_Val()->AsFunc(), args);
+			break;
+
+		default:
+			reporter->InternalError("invalid function flavor");
+			break;
+		}
 
 		if ( info->ignore_callbacks )
 			delete_vals(args);
-
 		}
 	else
 		delete_vals(args);
diff --git a/src/Serializer.h b/src/Serializer.h
index e7396cb7f8..72e0723880 100644
--- a/src/Serializer.h
+++ b/src/Serializer.h
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ protected:
 
 	// This will be increased whenever there is an incompatible change
 	// in the data format.
-	static const uint32 DATA_FORMAT_VERSION = 22;
+	static const uint32 DATA_FORMAT_VERSION = 23;
 
 	ChunkedIO* io;
 
diff --git a/src/Stmt.cc b/src/Stmt.cc
index 7d754d8e72..0a5ae16ef6 100644
--- a/src/Stmt.cc
+++ b/src/Stmt.cc
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ const char* stmt_name(BroStmtTag t)
 		"print", "event", "expr", "if", "when", "switch",
 		"for", "next", "break", "return", "add", "delete",
 		"list", "bodylist",
-		"<init>",
+		"<init>", "hook",
 		"null",
 	};
 
@@ -933,6 +933,52 @@ bool EventStmt::DoUnserialize(UnserialInfo* info)
 	return event_expr != 0;
 	}
 
+HookStmt::HookStmt(CallExpr* arg_e) : ExprStmt(STMT_HOOK, arg_e)
+	{
+	call_expr = arg_e;
+	}
+
+Val* HookStmt::Exec(Frame* f, stmt_flow_type& flow) const
+	{
+	RegisterAccess();
+
+	Val* ret = call_expr->Eval(f);
+	Unref(ret);
+
+	flow = FLOW_NEXT;
+
+	return 0;
+	}
+
+TraversalCode HookStmt::Traverse(TraversalCallback* cb) const
+	{
+	TraversalCode tc = cb->PreStmt(this);
+	HANDLE_TC_STMT_PRE(tc);
+
+	// call expr is stored in base class's "e" field.
+	tc = e->Traverse(cb);
+	HANDLE_TC_STMT_PRE(tc);
+
+	tc = cb->PostStmt(this);
+	HANDLE_TC_STMT_POST(tc);
+	}
+
+IMPLEMENT_SERIAL(HookStmt, SER_HOOK_STMT);
+
+bool HookStmt::DoSerialize(SerialInfo* info) const
+	{
+	DO_SERIALIZE(SER_HOOK_STMT, ExprStmt);
+	return call_expr->Serialize(info);
+	}
+
+bool HookStmt::DoUnserialize(UnserialInfo* info)
+	{
+	DO_UNSERIALIZE(ExprStmt);
+
+	call_expr = (CallExpr*) Expr::Unserialize(info, EXPR_CALL);
+	return call_expr != 0;
+	}
+
 ForStmt::ForStmt(id_list* arg_loop_vars, Expr* loop_expr)
 : ExprStmt(STMT_FOR, loop_expr)
 	{
@@ -1944,6 +1990,7 @@ int same_stmt(const Stmt* s1, const Stmt* s2)
 	case STMT_RETURN:
 	case STMT_EXPR:
 	case STMT_EVENT:
+	case STMT_HOOK:
 		{
 		const ExprStmt* e1 = (const ExprStmt*) s1;
 		const ExprStmt* e2 = (const ExprStmt*) s2;
diff --git a/src/Stmt.h b/src/Stmt.h
index 7c3b42609b..68bb8d6425 100644
--- a/src/Stmt.h
+++ b/src/Stmt.h
@@ -286,6 +286,24 @@ protected:
 	EventExpr* event_expr;
 };
 
+class HookStmt : public ExprStmt {
+public:
+	HookStmt(CallExpr* e);
+
+	Val* Exec(Frame* f, stmt_flow_type& flow) const;
+
+	TraversalCode Traverse(TraversalCallback* cb) const;
+
+protected:
+	friend class Stmt;
+
+	HookStmt() { call_expr = 0; }
+
+	DECLARE_SERIAL(HookStmt);
+
+	CallExpr* call_expr;
+};
+
 class ForStmt : public ExprStmt {
 public:
 	ForStmt(id_list* loop_vars, Expr* loop_expr);
diff --git a/src/StmtEnums.h b/src/StmtEnums.h
index f431e3fea1..fa5b70389d 100644
--- a/src/StmtEnums.h
+++ b/src/StmtEnums.h
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ typedef enum {
 	STMT_RETURN,
 	STMT_ADD, STMT_DELETE,
 	STMT_LIST, STMT_EVENT_BODY_LIST,
-	STMT_INIT,
+	STMT_INIT, STMT_HOOK,
 	STMT_NULL
 #define NUM_STMTS (int(STMT_NULL) + 1)
 } BroStmtTag;
diff --git a/src/Type.cc b/src/Type.cc
index e1a9271aa3..e9b0949d13 100644
--- a/src/Type.cc
+++ b/src/Type.cc
@@ -651,12 +651,12 @@ bool SetType::DoUnserialize(UnserialInfo* info)
 	return true;
 	}
 
-FuncType::FuncType(RecordType* arg_args, BroType* arg_yield, int arg_is_event)
+FuncType::FuncType(RecordType* arg_args, BroType* arg_yield, function_flavor arg_flavor)
 : BroType(TYPE_FUNC)
 	{
 	args = arg_args;
 	yield = arg_yield;
-	is_event = arg_is_event;
+	flavor = arg_flavor;
 
 	arg_types = new TypeList();
 
@@ -664,6 +664,25 @@ FuncType::FuncType(RecordType* arg_args, BroType* arg_yield, int arg_is_event)
 		arg_types->Append(args->FieldType(i)->Ref());
 	}
 
+string FuncType::FlavorString() const
+	{
+	switch ( flavor ) {
+
+	case FUNC_FLAVOR_FUNCTION:
+		return "function";
+
+	case FUNC_FLAVOR_EVENT:
+		return "event";
+
+	case FUNC_FLAVOR_HOOK:
+		return "hook";
+
+	default:
+		reporter->InternalError("Invalid function flavor");
+		return "invalid_func_flavor";
+	}
+	}
+
 FuncType::~FuncType()
 	{
 	Unref(arg_types);
@@ -698,7 +717,7 @@ void FuncType::Describe(ODesc* d) const
 	{
 	if ( d->IsReadable() )
 		{
-		d->Add(is_event ? "event" : "function");
+		d->Add(FlavorString());
 		d->Add("(");
 		args->DescribeFields(d);
 		d->Add(")");
@@ -712,7 +731,7 @@ void FuncType::Describe(ODesc* d) const
 	else
 		{
 		d->Add(int(Tag()));
-		d->Add(is_event);
+		d->Add(flavor);
 		d->Add(yield != 0);
 		args->DescribeFields(d);
 		if ( yield )
@@ -723,7 +742,7 @@ void FuncType::Describe(ODesc* d) const
 void FuncType::DescribeReST(ODesc* d) const
 	{
 	d->Add(":bro:type:`");
-	d->Add(is_event ? "event" : "function");
+	d->Add(FlavorString());
 	d->Add("`");
 	d->Add(" (");
 	args->DescribeFieldsReST(d, true);
@@ -755,9 +774,30 @@ bool FuncType::DoSerialize(SerialInfo* info) const
 
 	SERIALIZE_OPTIONAL(yield);
 
+	int ser_flavor = 0;
+
+	switch ( flavor ) {
+
+	case FUNC_FLAVOR_FUNCTION:
+		ser_flavor = 0;
+		break;
+
+	case FUNC_FLAVOR_EVENT:
+		ser_flavor = 1;
+		break;
+
+	case FUNC_FLAVOR_HOOK:
+		ser_flavor = 2;
+		break;
+
+	default:
+		reporter->InternalError("Invalid function flavor serialization");
+		break;
+	}
+
 	return args->Serialize(info) &&
 		arg_types->Serialize(info) &&
-		SERIALIZE(is_event);
+		SERIALIZE(ser_flavor);
 	}
 
 bool FuncType::DoUnserialize(UnserialInfo* info)
@@ -774,7 +814,27 @@ bool FuncType::DoUnserialize(UnserialInfo* info)
 	if ( ! arg_types )
 		return false;
 
-	return UNSERIALIZE(&is_event);
+	int ser_flavor = 0;
+
+	if ( ! UNSERIALIZE(&ser_flavor) )
+		return false;
+
+	switch ( ser_flavor ) {
+	case 0:
+		flavor = FUNC_FLAVOR_FUNCTION;
+		break;
+	case 1:
+		flavor = FUNC_FLAVOR_EVENT;
+		break;
+	case 2:
+		flavor = FUNC_FLAVOR_HOOK;
+		break;
+	default:
+		reporter->InternalError("Invalid function flavor unserialization");
+		break;
+	}
+
+	return true;
 	}
 
 TypeDecl::TypeDecl(BroType* t, const char* i, attr_list* arg_attrs, bool in_record)
@@ -1603,7 +1663,7 @@ int same_type(const BroType* t1, const BroType* t2, int is_init)
 		const FuncType* ft1 = (const FuncType*) t1;
 		const FuncType* ft2 = (const FuncType*) t2;
 
-		if ( ft1->IsEvent() != ft2->IsEvent() )
+		if ( ft1->Flavor() != ft2->Flavor() )
 			return 0;
 
 		if ( t1->YieldType() || t2->YieldType() )
@@ -1890,7 +1950,7 @@ BroType* merge_types(const BroType* t1, const BroType* t2)
 		BroType* yield = t1->YieldType() ?
 			merge_types(t1->YieldType(), t2->YieldType()) : 0;
 
-		return new FuncType(args->AsRecordType(), yield, ft1->IsEvent());
+		return new FuncType(args->AsRecordType(), yield, ft1->Flavor());
 		}
 
 	case TYPE_RECORD:
diff --git a/src/Type.h b/src/Type.h
index 3a0b349f19..8e2bb099d8 100644
--- a/src/Type.h
+++ b/src/Type.h
@@ -35,7 +35,11 @@ typedef enum {
 #define NUM_TYPES (int(TYPE_ERROR) + 1)
 } TypeTag;
 
-typedef enum { FUNC_FLAVOR_FUNCTION, FUNC_FLAVOR_EVENT } function_flavor;
+typedef enum {
+	FUNC_FLAVOR_FUNCTION,
+	FUNC_FLAVOR_EVENT,
+	FUNC_FLAVOR_HOOK
+} function_flavor;
 
 typedef enum {
 	TYPE_INTERNAL_VOID,
@@ -350,18 +354,19 @@ protected:
 
 class FuncType : public BroType {
 public:
-	FuncType(RecordType* args, BroType* yield, int is_event);
+	FuncType(RecordType* args, BroType* yield, function_flavor f);
 
 	~FuncType();
 
 	RecordType* Args() const	{ return args; }
 	BroType* YieldType();
 	void SetYieldType(BroType* arg_yield)	{ yield = arg_yield; }
-	int IsEvent() const		{ return is_event; }
+	function_flavor Flavor() const { return flavor; }
+	string FlavorString() const;
 
-	// Used to convert a function type to an event type.
-	void ClearYieldType()
-		{ Unref(yield); yield = 0; is_event = 1; }
+	// Used to convert a function type to an event or hook type.
+	void ClearYieldType(function_flavor arg_flav)
+		{ Unref(yield); yield = 0; flavor = arg_flav; }
 
 	int MatchesIndex(ListExpr*& index) const;
 	int CheckArgs(const type_list* args) const;
@@ -374,14 +379,13 @@ public:
 	void DescribeReST(ODesc* d) const;
 
 protected:
-	FuncType()	{ args = 0; arg_types = 0; yield = 0; return_value = 0; }
+	FuncType()	{ args = 0; arg_types = 0; yield = 0; flavor = FUNC_FLAVOR_FUNCTION; }
 	DECLARE_SERIAL(FuncType)
 
 	RecordType* args;
 	TypeList* arg_types;
 	BroType* yield;
-	int is_event;
-	ID* return_value;
+	function_flavor flavor;
 };
 
 class TypeType : public BroType {
diff --git a/src/Var.cc b/src/Var.cc
index d54d94a078..9c4fb5b978 100644
--- a/src/Var.cc
+++ b/src/Var.cc
@@ -171,7 +171,9 @@ static void make_var(ID* id, BroType* t, init_class c, Expr* init,
 
 	id->UpdateValAttrs();
 
-	if ( t && t->Tag() == TYPE_FUNC && t->AsFuncType()->IsEvent() )
+	if ( t && t->Tag() == TYPE_FUNC &&
+	     (t->AsFuncType()->Flavor() == FUNC_FLAVOR_EVENT ||
+	      t->AsFuncType()->Flavor() == FUNC_FLAVOR_HOOK) )
 		{
 		// For events, add a function value (without any body) here so that
 		// we can later access the ID even if no implementations have been
@@ -258,7 +260,7 @@ void add_type(ID* id, BroType* t, attr_list* attr, int /* is_event */)
 		case TYPE_FUNC:
 			tnew = new FuncType(t->AsFuncType()->Args(),
 			                    t->AsFuncType()->YieldType(),
-			                    t->AsFuncType()->IsEvent());
+			                    t->AsFuncType()->Flavor());
 			break;
 		default:
 			SerializationFormat* form = new BinarySerializationFormat();
@@ -292,14 +294,14 @@ void add_type(ID* id, BroType* t, attr_list* attr, int /* is_event */)
 void begin_func(ID* id, const char* module_name, function_flavor flavor,
 		int is_redef, FuncType* t)
 	{
-	if ( flavor == FUNC_FLAVOR_EVENT )
+	if ( flavor == FUNC_FLAVOR_EVENT || flavor == FUNC_FLAVOR_HOOK )
 		{
 		const BroType* yt = t->YieldType();
 
 		if ( yt && yt->Tag() != TYPE_VOID )
-			id->Error("event cannot yield a value", t);
+			id->Error("event/hook cannot yield a value", t);
 
-		t->ClearYieldType();
+		t->ClearYieldType(flavor);
 		}
 
 	if ( id->Type() )
@@ -313,21 +315,29 @@ void begin_func(ID* id, const char* module_name, function_flavor flavor,
 
 	if ( id->HasVal() )
 		{
-		int id_is_event = id->ID_Val()->AsFunc()->IsEvent();
+		function_flavor id_flavor = id->ID_Val()->AsFunc()->Flavor();
 
-		if ( id_is_event != (flavor == FUNC_FLAVOR_EVENT) )
-			id->Error("inconsistency between event and function", t);
-		if ( id_is_event )
-			{
+		if ( id_flavor != flavor )
+			id->Error("inconsistent function flavor", t);
+
+		switch ( id_flavor ) {
+
+		case FUNC_FLAVOR_EVENT:
+		case FUNC_FLAVOR_HOOK:
 			if ( is_redef )
 				// Clear out value so it will be replaced.
 				id->SetVal(0);
-			}
-		else
-			{
+			break;
+
+		case FUNC_FLAVOR_FUNCTION:
 			if ( ! id->IsRedefinable() )
 				id->Error("already defined");
-			}
+			break;
+
+		default:
+			reporter->InternalError("invalid function flavor");
+			break;
+		}
 		}
 	else
 		id->SetType(t);
diff --git a/src/input/Manager.cc b/src/input/Manager.cc
index 43ac63200f..33f612cddd 100644
--- a/src/input/Manager.cc
+++ b/src/input/Manager.cc
@@ -393,7 +393,7 @@ bool Manager::CreateEventStream(RecordVal* fval)
 
 	bool allow_file_func = false;
 
-	if ( ! etype->IsEvent() )
+	if ( etype->Flavor() != FUNC_FLAVOR_EVENT )
 		{
 		reporter->Error("stream event is a function, not an event");
 		return false;
@@ -566,7 +566,7 @@ bool Manager::CreateTableStream(RecordVal* fval)
 		{
 		FuncType* etype = event->FType()->AsFuncType();
 
-		if ( ! etype->IsEvent() )
+		if ( etype->Flavor() != FUNC_FLAVOR_EVENT )
 			{
 			reporter->Error("stream event is a function, not an event");
 			return false;
diff --git a/src/logging/Manager.cc b/src/logging/Manager.cc
index 4c6d2e92fd..f62cd1685d 100644
--- a/src/logging/Manager.cc
+++ b/src/logging/Manager.cc
@@ -327,7 +327,7 @@ bool Manager::CreateStream(EnumVal* id, RecordVal* sval)
 		// Make sure the event is prototyped as expected.
 		FuncType* etype = event->FType()->AsFuncType();
 
-		if ( ! etype->IsEvent() )
+		if ( etype->Flavor() != FUNC_FLAVOR_EVENT )
 			{
 			reporter->Error("stream event is a function, not an event");
 			return false;
diff --git a/src/parse.y b/src/parse.y
index 9ef4525afb..9a66973d6b 100644
--- a/src/parse.y
+++ b/src/parse.y
@@ -2,14 +2,14 @@
 // See the file "COPYING" in the main distribution directory for copyright.
 %}
 
-%expect 87
+%expect 88
 
 %token TOK_ADD TOK_ADD_TO TOK_ADDR TOK_ANY
 %token TOK_ATENDIF TOK_ATELSE TOK_ATIF TOK_ATIFDEF TOK_ATIFNDEF
 %token TOK_BOOL TOK_BREAK TOK_CASE TOK_CONST
 %token TOK_CONSTANT TOK_COPY TOK_COUNT TOK_COUNTER TOK_DEFAULT TOK_DELETE
 %token TOK_DOUBLE TOK_ELSE TOK_ENUM TOK_EVENT TOK_EXPORT TOK_FILE TOK_FOR
-%token TOK_FUNCTION TOK_GLOBAL TOK_ID TOK_IF TOK_INT
+%token TOK_FUNCTION TOK_GLOBAL TOK_HOOK TOK_ID TOK_IF TOK_INT
 %token TOK_INTERVAL TOK_LIST TOK_LOCAL TOK_MODULE
 %token TOK_NEXT TOK_OF TOK_PATTERN TOK_PATTERN_TEXT
 %token TOK_PORT TOK_PRINT TOK_RECORD TOK_REDEF
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@
 %type <re> pattern
 %type <expr> expr init anonymous_function
 %type <event_expr> event
+%type <call_expr> hook
 %type <stmt> stmt stmt_list func_body for_head
 %type <type> type opt_type enum_body
 %type <func_type> func_hdr func_params
@@ -118,6 +119,7 @@ extern const char* g_curr_debug_error;
 
 #define YYLTYPE yyltype
 
+static bool in_hook = false;
 int in_init = 0;
 int in_record = 0;
 bool resolving_global_ID = false;
@@ -868,7 +870,13 @@ type:
 	|	TOK_EVENT '(' formal_args ')'
 				{
 				set_location(@1, @3);
-				$$ = new FuncType($3, 0, 1);
+				$$ = new FuncType($3, 0, FUNC_FLAVOR_EVENT);
+				}
+
+	|	TOK_HOOK '(' formal_args ')'
+				{
+				set_location(@1, @3);
+				$$ = new FuncType($3, 0, FUNC_FLAVOR_HOOK);
 				}
 
 	|	TOK_FILE TOK_OF type
@@ -1000,12 +1008,27 @@ decl:
 				ID* id = $2;
 				if ( id->Type()->Tag() == TYPE_FUNC )
 					{
-					if ( id->Type()->AsFuncType()->IsEvent() )
-						current_reST_doc->AddEvent(
-							new BroDocObj(id, reST_doc_comments));
-					else
+					switch ( id->Type()->AsFuncType()->Flavor() ) {
+
+					case FUNC_FLAVOR_FUNCTION:
 						current_reST_doc->AddFunction(
 							new BroDocObj(id, reST_doc_comments));
+						break;
+
+					case FUNC_FLAVOR_EVENT:
+						current_reST_doc->AddEvent(
+							new BroDocObj(id, reST_doc_comments));
+						break;
+
+					case FUNC_FLAVOR_HOOK:
+						current_reST_doc->AddHook(
+							new BroDocObj(id, reST_doc_comments));
+						break;
+
+					default:
+						reporter->InternalError("invalid function flavor");
+						break;
+					}
 					}
 
 				else
@@ -1185,6 +1208,15 @@ func_hdr:
 				current_reST_doc->AddEventHandler(
 					new BroDocObj($2, reST_doc_comments));
 			}
+	|	TOK_HOOK def_global_id func_params
+			{
+			begin_func($2, current_module.c_str(),
+				   FUNC_FLAVOR_HOOK, 0, $3);
+			$$ = $3;
+			if ( generate_documentation )
+				current_reST_doc->AddHookHandler(
+					new BroDocObj($2, reST_doc_comments));
+			}
 	|	TOK_REDEF TOK_EVENT event_id func_params
 			{
 			begin_func($3, current_module.c_str(),
@@ -1219,9 +1251,9 @@ begin_func:
 
 func_params:
 		'(' formal_args ')' ':' type
-			{ $$ = new FuncType($2, $5, 0); }
+			{ $$ = new FuncType($2, $5, FUNC_FLAVOR_FUNCTION); }
 	|	'(' formal_args ')'
-			{ $$ = new FuncType($2, base_type(TYPE_VOID), 0); }
+			{ $$ = new FuncType($2, base_type(TYPE_VOID), FUNC_FLAVOR_FUNCTION); }
 	;
 
 opt_type:
@@ -1341,6 +1373,14 @@ stmt:
 			    brofiler.AddStmt($$);
 			}
 
+	|	TOK_HOOK { in_hook = true; } hook { in_hook = false; } ';' opt_no_test
+			{
+			set_location(@1, @5);
+			$$ = new HookStmt($3);
+			if ( ! $6 )
+			    brofiler.AddStmt($$);
+			}
+
 	|	TOK_IF '(' expr ')' stmt
 			{
 			set_location(@1, @4);
@@ -1494,6 +1534,14 @@ event:
 			}
 	;
 
+hook:
+		expr '(' opt_expr_list ')'
+			{
+			set_location(@1, @4);
+			$$ = new CallExpr($1, $3, in_hook);
+			}
+	;
+
 case_list:
 		case_list case
 			{ $1->append($2); }
diff --git a/src/scan.l b/src/scan.l
index 8ff33e7d24..4e1a66144e 100644
--- a/src/scan.l
+++ b/src/scan.l
@@ -287,6 +287,7 @@ for	return TOK_FOR;
 function	return TOK_FUNCTION;
 global	return TOK_GLOBAL;
 "?$"	return TOK_HAS_FIELD;
+hook	return TOK_HOOK;
 if	return TOK_IF;
 in	return TOK_IN;
 "!"{OWS}in/[^A-Za-z0-9]	return TOK_NOT_IN;	/* don't confuse w "! infoo"! */
diff --git a/testing/btest/Baseline/doc.autogen-reST-example/example.rst b/testing/btest/Baseline/doc.autogen-reST-example/example.rst
index bee8658e14..1f60efe70b 100644
--- a/testing/btest/Baseline/doc.autogen-reST-example/example.rst
+++ b/testing/btest/Baseline/doc.autogen-reST-example/example.rst
@@ -73,9 +73,9 @@ Events
 
 Functions
 #########
-=============================================== =======================================
-:bro:id:`Example::a_function`: :bro:type:`func` Summarize purpose of "a_function" here.
-=============================================== =======================================
+=================================================== =======================================
+:bro:id:`Example::a_function`: :bro:type:`function` Summarize purpose of "a_function" here.
+=================================================== =======================================
 
 Redefinitions
 #############
diff --git a/testing/btest/Baseline/doc.autogen-reST-func-params/autogen-reST-func-params.rst b/testing/btest/Baseline/doc.autogen-reST-func-params/autogen-reST-func-params.rst
index 15526f12c7..9739d024e3 100644
--- a/testing/btest/Baseline/doc.autogen-reST-func-params/autogen-reST-func-params.rst
+++ b/testing/btest/Baseline/doc.autogen-reST-func-params/autogen-reST-func-params.rst
@@ -20,9 +20,9 @@ Types
 
 Functions
 #########
-===================================== ======================================
-:bro:id:`test_func`: :bro:type:`func` This is a global function declaration.
-===================================== ======================================
+========================================= ======================================
+:bro:id:`test_func`: :bro:type:`function` This is a global function declaration.
+========================================= ======================================
 
 Detailed Interface
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
diff --git a/testing/btest/Baseline/language.hook/out b/testing/btest/Baseline/language.hook/out
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..10688acc3b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testing/btest/Baseline/language.hook/out
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+myhook, &priority=10, [a=1156, b=hello world]
+myhook, &priority=5, [a=37, b=goobye world]
+myhook3, 8
+myhook4, 2
+myhook4, 1
+myhook, &priority=10, [a=2, b=it works]
+myhook, &priority=5, [a=37, b=goobye world]
diff --git a/testing/btest/Baseline/language.invalid_hook/out b/testing/btest/Baseline/language.invalid_hook/out
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..167d62ccc8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testing/btest/Baseline/language.invalid_hook/out
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+error in /Users/jsiwek/Projects/bro/bro/testing/btest/.tmp/language.invalid_hook/invalid_hook.bro, line 15: hook called in expression, use hook statement instead (myhook(nope))
diff --git a/testing/btest/core/leaks/hook.bro b/testing/btest/core/leaks/hook.bro
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..eadb406e71
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testing/btest/core/leaks/hook.bro
@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+# Needs perftools support.
+#
+# @TEST-GROUP: leaks
+#
+# @TEST-REQUIRES: bro  --help 2>&1 | grep -q mem-leaks
+#
+# @TEST-EXEC: HEAP_CHECK_DUMP_DIRECTORY=. HEAPCHECK=local bro -m -b -r $TRACES/wikipedia.trace %INPUT
+
+type rec: record {
+	a: count;
+	b: string;
+};
+
+global myhook: hook(r: rec);
+global myhook2: hook(s: string);
+# a hook doesn't have to take any arguments
+global myhook4: hook();
+
+hook myhook(r: rec) &priority=5
+	{
+	print "myhook, &priority=5", r;
+	# break statement short-circuits the hook handling chain.
+	break;
+	print "ERROR: break statement should return from hook handler body";
+	}
+
+hook myhook(r: rec)
+	{
+	# This handler shouldn't execute ever because of the handler at priority=5
+	# exiting the body from a "break" statement.
+	print "myhook, &priority=0", rec;
+	}
+
+hook myhook(r: rec) &priority=10
+	{
+	print "myhook, &priority=10", r;
+	# modifications to the record argument will be seen by remaining handlers.
+	r$a = 37;
+	r$b = "goobye world";
+	# returning from the handler early, is fine, remaining handlers still run.
+	return;
+	print "ERROR: break statement should return from hook handler body";
+	}
+
+# hook function doesn't need a declaration, we can go straight to defining
+# a handler body.
+hook myhook3(i: count)
+	{
+	print "myhook3", i;
+	}
+
+hook myhook4() &priority=1
+	{
+	print "myhook4", 1;
+	}
+
+hook myhook4() &priority=2
+	{
+	print "myhook4", 2;
+	}
+
+event new_connection(c: connection)
+	{
+	print "new_connection", c$id;
+
+	hook myhook([$a=1156, $b="hello world"]);
+
+	# A hook with no handlers is fine, it's just a no-op.
+	hook myhook2("nope");
+
+	hook myhook3(8);
+	hook myhook4();
+
+	# A hook can be treated like other data types and doesn't have to be
+	# invoked directly by name.
+	local h = myhook;
+	hook h([$a=2, $b="it works"]);
+	}
diff --git a/testing/btest/istate/events-ssl.bro b/testing/btest/istate/events-ssl.bro
index 1d285869b4..e4440834a7 100644
--- a/testing/btest/istate/events-ssl.bro
+++ b/testing/btest/istate/events-ssl.bro
@@ -11,8 +11,8 @@
 # @TEST-EXEC: cat receiver/http.log | $SCRIPTS/diff-remove-timestamps >receiver.http.log
 # @TEST-EXEC: cmp sender.http.log receiver.http.log
 # 
-# @TEST-EXEC: bro -x sender/events.bst | sed 's/^Event \[[-0-9.]*\] //g' | grep '^http_' | grep -v http_stats | sed 's/(.*$//g' | $SCRIPTS/diff-remove-timestamps >events.snd.log
-# @TEST-EXEC: bro -x receiver/events.bst | sed 's/^Event \[[-0-9.]*\] //g' | grep '^http_' | grep -v http_stats | sed 's/(.*$//g' | $SCRIPTS/diff-remove-timestamps  >events.rec.log
+# @TEST-EXEC: bro -x sender/events.bst | sed 's/^event \[[-0-9.]*\] //g' | grep '^http_' | grep -v http_stats | sed 's/(.*$//g' | $SCRIPTS/diff-remove-timestamps >events.snd.log
+# @TEST-EXEC: bro -x receiver/events.bst | sed 's/^event \[[-0-9.]*\] //g' | grep '^http_' | grep -v http_stats | sed 's/(.*$//g' | $SCRIPTS/diff-remove-timestamps  >events.rec.log
 # @TEST-EXEC: btest-diff events.rec.log
 # @TEST-EXEC: btest-diff events.snd.log
 # @TEST-EXEC: cmp events.rec.log events.snd.log
diff --git a/testing/btest/istate/events.bro b/testing/btest/istate/events.bro
index 590aabcd23..c292f77113 100644
--- a/testing/btest/istate/events.bro
+++ b/testing/btest/istate/events.bro
@@ -11,8 +11,8 @@
 # @TEST-EXEC: cat receiver/http.log | $SCRIPTS/diff-remove-timestamps >receiver.http.log
 # @TEST-EXEC: cmp sender.http.log receiver.http.log
 # 
-# @TEST-EXEC: bro -x sender/events.bst | sed 's/^Event \[[-0-9.]*\] //g' | grep '^http_' | grep -v http_stats | sed 's/(.*$//g' | $SCRIPTS/diff-remove-timestamps >events.snd.log
-# @TEST-EXEC: bro -x receiver/events.bst | sed 's/^Event \[[-0-9.]*\] //g' | grep '^http_' | grep -v http_stats | sed 's/(.*$//g' | $SCRIPTS/diff-remove-timestamps  >events.rec.log
+# @TEST-EXEC: bro -x sender/events.bst | sed 's/^event \[[-0-9.]*\] //g' | grep '^http_' | grep -v http_stats | sed 's/(.*$//g' | $SCRIPTS/diff-remove-timestamps >events.snd.log
+# @TEST-EXEC: bro -x receiver/events.bst | sed 's/^event \[[-0-9.]*\] //g' | grep '^http_' | grep -v http_stats | sed 's/(.*$//g' | $SCRIPTS/diff-remove-timestamps  >events.rec.log
 # @TEST-EXEC: btest-diff events.rec.log
 # @TEST-EXEC: btest-diff events.snd.log
 # @TEST-EXEC: cmp events.rec.log events.snd.log
diff --git a/testing/btest/language/hook.bro b/testing/btest/language/hook.bro
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..8f7a85ce95
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testing/btest/language/hook.bro
@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+# @TEST-EXEC: bro -b %INPUT >out
+# @TEST-EXEC: btest-diff out
+
+type rec: record {
+	a: count;
+	b: string;
+};
+
+global myhook: hook(r: rec);
+global myhook2: hook(s: string);
+# a hook doesn't have to take any arguments
+global myhook4: hook();
+
+hook myhook(r: rec) &priority=5
+	{
+	print "myhook, &priority=5", r;
+	# break statement short-circuits the hook handling chain.
+	break;
+	print "ERROR: break statement should return from hook handler body";
+	}
+
+hook myhook(r: rec)
+	{
+	# This handler shouldn't execute ever because of the handler at priority=5
+	# exiting the body from a "break" statement.
+	print "myhook, &priority=0", rec;
+	}
+
+hook myhook(r: rec) &priority=10
+	{
+	print "myhook, &priority=10", r;
+	# modifications to the record argument will be seen by remaining handlers.
+	r$a = 37;
+	r$b = "goobye world";
+	# returning from the handler early, is fine, remaining handlers still run.
+	return;
+	print "ERROR: break statement should return from hook handler body";
+	}
+
+# hook function doesn't need a declaration, we can go straight to defining
+# a handler body.
+hook myhook3(i: count)
+	{
+	print "myhook3", i;
+	}
+
+hook myhook4() &priority=1
+	{
+	print "myhook4", 1;
+	}
+
+hook myhook4() &priority=2
+	{
+	print "myhook4", 2;
+	}
+
+event bro_init()
+	{
+	hook myhook([$a=1156, $b="hello world"]);
+
+	# A hook with no handlers is fine, it's just a no-op.
+	hook myhook2("nope");
+
+	hook myhook3(8);
+	hook myhook4();
+
+	# A hook can be treated like other data types and doesn't have to be
+	# invoked directly by name.
+	local h = myhook;
+	hook h([$a=2, $b="it works"]);
+	}
diff --git a/testing/btest/language/invalid_hook.bro b/testing/btest/language/invalid_hook.bro
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0dbbfd1b6f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/testing/btest/language/invalid_hook.bro
@@ -0,0 +1,16 @@
+# @TEST-EXEC-FAIL: bro -b %INPUT >out 2>&1
+# @TEST-EXEC: TEST_DIFF_CANONIFIER=$SCRIPTS/diff-remove-abspath btest-diff out
+
+global myhook: hook(s: string);
+
+hook myhook(s: string)
+	{
+	print "myhook", s;
+	}
+
+event bro_init()
+	{
+	# hooks must be invoked with a "hook", statement.  They have no return
+	# value and don't make sense to evaluate as arbitrary expressions.
+	local r = myhook("nope");
+	}