Customer Reviews

Assassin's Game

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

 

 

A good read! Don't start this book if you're just wanting to read yourself to sleep, you'll be up all night.

Surprised to read that this is the author's first book. Well written, very interesting, out of the ordinary. Hope to see more from him.

because you aren't going to want to put it down. (I'm glad I started it in the morning!) Clever plot-- kept me guessing. I loved the characters-- I liked that Seth wasn't a type-cast computer geek but an intelligent believable person you might actually know. (Or at least want to) The pages seemed to be turning themselves as I lost track of time. I went to sleep last night mentally casting the characters of what I hope will be a movie. I'm bummed there aren't a list of other books I can run out and read by this author.

A quick read -- very Grisham-esque (although a touch more believable in most cases). It's challenging to write a mystery/suspense novel without breaks in logic, and I was quite impressed with how easily (and logically) Assasin's Game flowed (while still keeping me guessing). I'm looking forward to reading more of Johnson's work.

this book keeps you on the edge. There are lots of twists and turns, especially the one at the very end. Never saw it coming. If you like stories that come at you fast and furious and keep you turning the pages, then I think you'll like this one. This is the author's first novel and seems to be a great debut.

The story takes place in Madison, Wisconsin and centers around Seth Anderson, a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin. He's doing some gradute research on detecting hidden messages on the Internet that might be used by terrorists and criminals, when he stumbles upon some very strange messages that seem to be linked to several murders throughout the Midwest. I'd say more about these murders, but I don't want to ruin the plot. Let's just say it's a very different type of setup than I've read before. As if this discovery isn't enough to keep Seth busy, he's beginning to suspect that Alicia, his new girlfriend, may really be out to steal his research. The story begins with several different threads and you wonder how they're all going to be tied together and explained at the end, but they are. This is one of those stories that stretches the reality of conspiracies a little, but then again in this day and age you never know what's possible. Also, isn't that what fiction is all about, stretching things a bit. If I want reality I'll turn on the news.

Debut novels are often a bit awkward, but Stephen has a good mind for plot and an interesting background in computers. The biggest problems with the book are details that aren't needed to move the plot forward, strange repetitions (tall athletic man,) a criminal boss who doesn't really seem in charge, and illogical descriptions of a would-be murderer jumping up and down in frustration, and expressions like; "Wait," he yelled to himself, and, "What do you think so far?" she screamed over the loud music and screaming girls.

With an experienced critic wielding a red pen, I believe the essence of the book could have been covered in 235 pages and been made much stronger. All that being said, Stephen should analyze his first work, learn from revising it, and write again soon.

The further you get into the plot, the better this novel becomes!
Pick up a copy. It will keep you guessing.

Nerdy but cute graduate student cracks a code and then is pursued by a lovely young lady. Coincidence? We think not! Add serveral near death experiences and even the most blase will be suspicious. The hero of this well-thought-out story is smart, clever and just quirky enough to be believable. You will find yourself having to read "just a few more pages" even though you are too tired to keep your eyes open, this book is a real page-turner. I don't want this to be a spoiler, so I can't go any further in my plot description (but don't trust the girl), but let it suffice to say that you will find this book exciting and entertaining! A rip-roaring read!

Nerdy but cute graduate student cracks a code and then is pursued by a lovely young lady. Coincidence? We think not! Add serveral near death experiences and even the most blase will be suspicious. The hero of this well-thought-out story is smart, clever and just quirky enough to be believable. You will find yourself having to read "just a few more pages" even though you are too tired to keep your eyes open, this book is a real page-turner. I don't want this to be a spoiler, so I can't go any further in my plot description (but don't trust the girl), but let it suffice to say that you will find this book exciting and entertaining! A rip-roaring read!