Outraged, Livia can't decide what to do--until she is targeted by two assassins in what seems to be coincidentally close to the timing of the investigation that was just closed down.
As it turns out, the hit on Livia was first offered to John Rain. Rain, retired from black ops with a specialty in "natural causes," refused the job.
I have not read the John Rain series by Eisler and was surprised at how he could bring in so many characters from the series and make it work, but he does. Even though this is the 10th book in the John Rain series, it functions as a standalone.
Fast-paced and suspenseful, the novel makes the best of a large cast of characters.
About the author: Barry Mark Eisler is a best-selling American novelist. He is the author of two thriller series, the first featuring anti-hero John Rain, a half-Japanese, half-American former soldier turned freelance assassin, and a second featuring black ops soldier Ben Treven. Wikipedia
And there is also a third series featuring Livia Lone. The Killer Collective combines the characters from all three series. It may sound complicated, but it isn't. The book read quickly, and I couldn't put it down.
Also, of genuine interest to me, was a section of Notes at the end. For each chapter there are links to articles that provided the inspiration for events in the story.
Livia's sting was based partly on "The Takeover: How Police Ended Up Running a Paedophile Site."
Remarks about Pentagon spending: "Only the Pentagon Could Spend $640 on a Toilet Seat."
Other links on cognitive dissonance, the "hurtcore" subculture, Secret Service scandals (oh, yes, we've read about some of those), a link to Gavin de Becker's The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals that Protect Us from Violence (a good idea to follow your gut to avoid dangerous situations), Erik Prince's Plan to Privatize the War in Afghanistan which provided the basis for the OGE group, and on and on.
The links give relevance to the plot, but they are also pretty damn scary because they show the dark side of a lot of things, and I've only listed a few.
“The fun of Eisler’s super thriller is in the excitement, the chase, and the survival. The Killer Collective binds it together into a blazing adventure of espionage escape fiction, perfect to start the new year.” —New York Journal of Books
Kindle Unlimited.
Thriller/Suspense.
Takes a good author to successfully juggle so many characters. I'll definitely have to check out some of Eisler's books. Great review!
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to see how this disparate group of characters unite to bring down the pedophile and pornography ring while facing threats from someone with extreme power and connections seeking to take them out.
DeleteThat's interesting that characters from 3 series are combined. Good way to introduce new readers to all 3 series. I'll keep this one in mind, Jenclair.
ReplyDeleteRight! By including characters from the three series together, I found myself interested in the other books. :)
DeleteI've never hear of the John Rain series but Eisler's name is familiar. I have probably seen in the book store. This sounds like a great read but I have trouble reading about pedophiles. Even if they do get caught in the end.
ReplyDeleteIt really was a good read, and while the abuse of children was the instigation, it was by implication, not details. Nevertheless, the implications were disturbing!
DeleteInteresting and it sounds fast paced and character-driven too.
ReplyDeletePS: I'm still behind on replying to your letter, Jenclair. I'll try to write it one of these days and will let you know if it's on the way.
Espionage, action, and interesting characters who unite to take action against a powerful government entity. The plot kept me riveted. Don't worry about a slow response to the letter, I'm behind on my responses, too. :)
DeleteI read the first in this series and was blown away at how intense this was. I didn't realise this series was continuing and doing a cross over!
ReplyDeleteThis one was certainly intense! And uncomfortable with all of the links to real events and scandals.
DeleteI enjoy reading author notes, several of which I've read recently which have been especially interesting. I haven't read an Eisler book, but I do like the sound of them.
ReplyDeleteAuthor notes on content and context usually interest me. The links Eisler included made research easy and quick!
DeleteI suggest that this is a novel to READ, not listen to. This is my first Eisler novel, and I immediately recognized its strengths: convincing and well-structured plot, fascinating moral dilemmas, strong character interactions, etc. However, I had to stop listening at Chapter 24 (out of 54) and begin again, this time reading.
ReplyDeleteSooo much better. I was able to understand the back-stories and the relationships of the characters.
Well worth your time.
I suggest that this is a novel to READ, not listen to. This is my first Eisler novel, and I immediately recognized its strengths: convincing and well-structured plot, fascinating moral dilemmas, strong character interactions, etc. However, I had to stop listening at Chapter 24 (out of 54) and begin again, this time reading.
ReplyDeleteSooo much better. I was able to understand the back-stories and the relationships of the characters.
Well worth your time.