The Assassin [Mass Market Paperback]

Rachel Butler (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 29, 2005

Selena McCaffrey knows what it’s like to fight for your life, to hone your body until it’s sharp and to never let down your guard–for anyone. A beautiful artist with a dark, painful past, Selena also knows how to keep secrets. With a .40-caliber Smith & Wesson and a double-edged dagger packed in her bags, Selena is leaving Key West for the American heartland. She’s going to kill a man.

Fourteen years ago, a chance encounter plunged Selena into the grasp of a criminal mastermind, William Davis, who became her protector and twisted father-figure. Now William has ordered her to move in next door to a Tulsa cop investigating a triple homicide. A man of quiet strength, Detective Tony Ceola is closer than he knows to bringing down William’s criminal empire. But as Selena slowly gets to know her new neighbor, her past starts slipping away and a choice appears before her eyes: between the man who trapped her in a world of violence and lies–and another who can set her free.…If she doesn’t kill him first.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Butler offers up an emotionally damaged half-black, half-Latino heroine, Key West art gallery owner Selena McCaffrey, who's sure to give J.D. Robb's Eve Dallas a run for the money in this rapid-fire first novel. Life hasn't always been sunshine and roses for beautiful Selena. Fourteen years earlier, she'd been an abused 12-year-old working the mean streets of Jamaica until a wealthy American drug lord, William Davis, rescued her and raised her to take over his business. But Selena has other plans, and they don't include running drugs. Still, she feels sufficiently indebted to William to submit to his demand that she kill a Tulsa cop who's getting too close to exposing William's operation. Selena's target is Det. Tony Ceola, godson to Tulsa's chief of police and her temporary next-door neighbor. When she begins to suspect that William is leading a double life and she's likely to be his next victim, it comes down to kill or be killed. Butler delivers a taut tale with clever twists and turns, lots of well-drawn characters and an unexpected ending, which will allow readers to graciously overlook some obvious plot flaws. Despite those, this is a fine read that will surely bring suspense and crime-drama fans back for the next book in the series. Agent, Andrea Cirillo. (Apr.)
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Review

A taut tale with clever twists and turns, lots of well-drawn characters and an unexpected ending.... Elena McCaffrey is sure to give J.D. Robb’s Eve Dallas a run for the money."—Publishers Weekly

"The Assassin delivers the goods:  fast action, surprise twists, and a heroine who's positively killer with a gun."—Lisa Gardner, author of Alone

"Wow! Fast-paced, sexy suspense: The Assassin is a thrill ride I didn't want to end."—Karen Robards, author of Bait

“Gritty and sexually charged. The cop and the killer are a dynamite duo.”—Andrea Kane, author of I’ll Be Watching You

"Taut, fast-paced suspense with a twist at every turn, The Assassin delivers one surprise after another all the way to the explosive ending - great characters, great fun, and a great read."—Tara Janzen, author of Crazy Hot

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Dell; First Edition edition (March 29, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440241200
• ISBN-13: 978-0440241201
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 1 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,185,548 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent read!!!, April 28, 2005

By 

Susan Shay "Insatiable Reader" (Okie Land) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Assassin (Mass Market Paperback)

I have to say, this is one of the best suspense novels I've read in years. Not only is the book hard hitting and fast paced, it's very tender. I especially enjoyed the thoughtful way Ms. Butler dealt with the Alzheimers patient. Excellent job!
This is not a mindless read with cardboard characters. Selena and Tony are fully three dimensional, coming to life on the very first page. And they continue to live even after the book is finished.
THIS BOOK HAS EVERYTHING TO RECOMMEND IT! Rate it from one to five stars? If I could, I'd give it a ten.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful read, May 30, 2005

By 

S. Ervin (McAlester, OK United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Assassin (Mass Market Paperback)

It's prime time Sunday evening and I just finished reading THE ASSASSIN. Now I'm feeling sad, like friends moved out of town and left me behind. The excerpt from Butler's next book, DEEP COVER, helped a little, but that one won't be out until fall. The worst part about reading a really good novel is the letdown when you finish. Darn. Of course, I could just start at the beginning and read it again. Good idea. I believe I will.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I'll be buying ALL Rachel Butler's books!, May 2, 2005

By 

Kelley Zeringue (Alabama) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Assassin (Mass Market Paperback)

Selena McCaffrey's story grabs hold of your heart, clenches it tight, then keeps you on the edge of your seat until the last page is turned. Rachel Butler is clearly a phenomenal author of emotional, page-turning suspense! My only complaint is that I have to wait anxiously until November for the next book in the series, and I'm itching to read more!