Customer Reviews

Assassin

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've just finished Assassin and I've got to say it is as good as if not better that The Accident Man and No Survivors. A. Gonten (above) has described it perfectly. What I can't figure out is why is this not being published in the US? At this time it is an import only and in order to read it I borrowed it through the Interlibrary Loan program. There may have only been one US library that had it. I'd be interested to know the ins and outs of how it's decided to publish (or not) in other countries. Since this is a pure British publication it has all those charming British words such as tyres and defence. Any way, I just loved this book and I'm sorry I've finished reading it. Highly recommended!

Former hitman Sam Carver has given up killing for a living and is working as a specialized security consultant, staging mock assassinations on high profile figures in order to highlight deficiencies in their security systems. However a former enemy, Damon Tysack, is using his name to commit high profile assassinations, which bear strong resemblances to his former modus operandi. Gradually Carver realizes that he is under Tysacks's surveillance, but even he has no idea of exactly what Tysack is planning and the role that he wants Carver to play in those plans.

This is the third book in a series which started with The Accident Man, but it isn't necessary to have read the other books. I also felt this was the best yet - and thankfully, his tedious former love interest Alix barely appears.

After a shaky start, it's a fast moving story that's hard to put down. The action moves between Dubai, the US, Norway and the UK without letting up. Cain is adept at taking his inspiration from current events and the story feels very up-to-date. The best parts of the book are when Carver starts to realize what he's up against - he's a good action hero, courageous and highly skilled, but certainly no superman.

I did feel that initially the plot borrowed a little too heavily from Robert Ludlum's novels, (right down to a high altitude parachuting sequence that felt very similar to one in The Janson Directive). It also has many of the flaws that are so common in this genre: the villain over-complicates his plot, feels the need to boast about his plans to Carver and never eliminates his foe when he's able to. Nevertheless, it's every bit as gripping as a thriller should be.

Third book in a series by a new author. Riveting, heart-pounding, well writen suspense. Loved all three. Start series with The Accident Man.

This is the third book to feature Sam Carver - The "accident man" - a highly skilled assassin now retired and running a security business and a more 'normal' life. We find Sam slightly traumatised and a little bit paranoid but his skills have not deserted him as we find out when the past catches up with him.

In Assassin we have Carver being framed with events pointing the authorities to him with the suggestion he has taken up his old trade. This was a little convoluted with some caricature bad guys, but once Carter starts to evade and strike back, things start to whip along nicely. Can Carver stop the big event that he is being put into the frame for...?

I enjoyed this as an entertaining page turner, but the original book, The Accident Man, was quite refreshingly different but this, and the previous book, do tread familiar territory. The current most popular thriller theme is very much 'lone guy against the odds', pretty much re-hashing the Bourne formula. I recently read the latest Brett Battles and that was much the same again. Don't get me wrong, this is very readable and is a page turner, it just didn't do enough to differentiate itself from the others of a similar style

IN THIS 3RD ENTRY OF "THE ACCIDENT MAN" THERE'S A COPYCAT KILLER FRAMING CARVER. HAVING READ THE 1ST TWO BOOKS I FEEL THIS IS THE BEST OF THE SERIES SO FAR.