Time of the Assassins [Mass Market Paperback]

Hugh Holton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 18, 2001

Hugh Holton, the highest-ranking active police officer writing books today, is well-known for powerful, passion-charged novels. Reviewers compare his books to hurricanes and firestorms, descriptions that are especially apt in the case of Time of the Assassins. The most controversial story in today's inner cities is the CIA's apparent funding of counterinsurgent druglords in Latin America, who, instead of fighting revolutionaries, have used that funding to wholesale crack cocaine in this country's ghettos.

In this exciting new novel, Commander Larry Cole battles these Agency-funded druglords. Their "personal representative" is Baron von Rianocek, a hitman. A well-paid professional, known as a world-class "problem solver," he has successfully eliminated both high-profile British industrialists and South American dictators. The CIA, the FBI, and Interpol, all suspect him of being behind various incidents, but they have never been able to pin anything on the slippery millionaire, who claims to be descended from European royalty.

Police detective Larry Cole has unwittingly crossed paths several times with the notorious assassin. Appearing at the wrong place at the wrong time, he had twice foiled the assassin's work. Now the well-heeled assassin has a new target. He has set his telescopic sights on the CPD chief of detectives-Cole himself.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In 1977, Larry Cole, then a patrolman in Chicago, and international assassin Baron Alain Marcus Casimir von Rianocek cross paths when Rianocek makes an aborted attempt on the life of a Mafia don but is foiled by Cole. They meet again in New York City in 1989 when Rianocek and his two closest cohorts murder a woman but in the ensuing debacle barely escape with their lives. In 2003, an attorney with a grudge gets out of prison hires Rianocek and company to wreak havoc on Chicago and on Larry Cole, whom he holds personally responsible for all that has gone wrong in his life. In this sixth series novel, Holton drops his use of mayhem and magic to tell a straight, fast-paced tale of hatred and revenge. For most fiction collections.
-Jo Ann Vicarel, Cleveland Heights-University Heights P.L., OH
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

In 1979, Chicago police patrolman Larry Cole kills two mobsters in a failed attempt to prevent the assassination of an accountant who knew too much. That incident leads to a quarter century of rivalry between Cole and Mob henchman Alain Rianocek. Cut to the present, when Cole, now a commander in the Chicago police, must finally settle old scores and, in the process, deal with a CIA director who finances illegal Third World guerrilla campaigns via a drug network run by a coalition of mobsters and street gangstas. Author Holton, a 29-year veteran of the Chicago Police Department, spins a violent tale that's part Godfather, part Iran-Contra, and part Day of the Jackal. Although the plot may stretch credulity, Holton keeps readers turning pages through sharp dialogue, fascinating characters, and a breakneck pace. This is great escapist reading and should not be missed by aficionados of the large-scale thriller. Wes Lukowsky --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Forge Books; 1st edition (June 18, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812577787
• ISBN-13: 978-0812577785
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,923,776 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great police procedural, January 22, 2000

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Time of the Assassins (Hardcover)

The notorious Baron Alain Marcus Casimir Von Rianocek is one of the world's highest paid assassins even though he is heir to the throne of the Germany's Bavaria. Though he lives the privileged life of a European aristocrat in Argentina, Alain's success as a hired killer is based on his professional life remaining anonymous.

In 1977, Chicago police officer Larry Cole ended Alain's string of twelve straight kills when he prevented the murder of a Mafia chieftain. Years later, the Baron still thinks of Cole as a personal albatross. After completing his current assignment in New York, Alain spots Cole in a restaurant and takes off like a guilty party would. His panicky race to escape costs him his anonymity. Over the years the two men cross paths again and again but eventually one will take the other down.

Hugh Holton draws on his own experience as law enforcement official to create an excellent police procedural with international overtones. TIME OF THE ASSASSINS provides the audience with a glimpse into the mindset of a professional assassin, a rogue CIA operative and the inner workings of a shady law firm with ties to the illegal drug industry. The fascinating story line never slows down. Lovers of crime fiction will fully enjoy their time spent with this tale.

Harriet Klausner

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Greatest Ever, November 23, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Time of the Assassins (Mass Market Paperback)

I started reading Hugh Holton's books this year. Just found it on the library shelf. I wanted to read them all. I have read all of his books and find "Time of the Assassins" to be the best one yet. I have ordered it, also his new book "The Thin Black Line" and "Red Lighting" which I could not get from the library. I am sorry that we will not be able to read more books by him. A sad lost to the readers and writers world. Gripping suspense and a surprise ending. What a writer he was. He writes about things we know, but are afraid to say. So today.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The real Hugh Holton is back!, June 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Time of the Assassins (Hardcover)

This time Hugh Holton gives us an excellent story that is both believable and entertaining. This is Holton going with his strengths -- solid characters, great police procedures and enveloping mystery. It doesn't get much better than this unless you're also a fan of Eleanor Taylor Bland's Marti McAllister Mysteries (which apparently Holton is since he mentions her in his acknowledgments). However, unlike the McAllister police character, Holton's Chief of Detectives Larry Cole is still one dimensional. He sacrificed his wife and son for his career and ends up becoming a stud puppy for two very deranged sisters whose plot (despite his super-cop instincts) Cole fails to recognize. Go figure. Nevertheless, Time of the Assassins is a far better effort structurally than Holton's Red Lightning, Left Hand of God or Presumed Dead. The high-quality work which brought Holton and his cop character, Larry Cole, to national prominence, Chicago Blues, is evident in Time of the Assassins. Bravo, Mr. Holton, Bravo!