The Killer

I've become a Tom Wood fan every since picking up one of his thrillers from an airport shop book rack. I'm surprised to find he's really not carried much in the country, I've gone to numerous Barnes & Nobles and Indie booksellers, and was flat out told by one that their distributor simply wasn't able to order them. So I finally just ordered The Killer on Amazon, not being able to find it elsewhere.

A pity. Victor the assassin is the perfect antihero protagonist in today's morally dubious age. Tom Wood's plotting and pacing are expert. Though I read the last book in the series first, and ended up with a more polished impression of the character and his world, this first book in the series is an impressive take for a first time novelist. I haven't really enjoyed a thriller this much since reading the old Travis McGee books or an Ian Fleming Bond novel. And honestly, I'm enjoying Tom Wood's works far more.

No plot spoilers, but the book is detailed, nuanced, yet full of rapid breakneck action. One of those books you can't put down and sneak looks at while you're at your desk at work.

My favorite type of hero is the anti-hero, the morally ambiguous hero, and Victor in The Killer is exactly that. A man with no past, no future and no name other than Victor, you kind of like him, you kind of don't, but you find his journey fascinating nonetheless.

After Reading Mark Greaney's latest Gray Man novel, I was looking for something similar since I was in that mood and figured I wouldn't find it. To my surprise, I did, and this story satisfied on all fronts for me. Suspenseful, great plot, excellent characters... and Victor isn't the only one with questionable morals. In this tale, there are really no true blue heros, all shades of gray with suit me fine.

I'm looking forward to the next installment "War of Lies". Very few books I'll buy in hardback, but this will be one I make an exception for.

It's mean and wrong, but I actually wrote the author an email after suffering through about a 1/4 of the book. Somebody has to let him know that what he did, what he wrote, just wasnt very good. Every review in the one star section is true.

There are more than a few bitter reviews on this from readers who were expecting... what? literature? Get serious folks, this is a thrill-a-page, chase-and-shoot, kill-or-die, comic-book of a novel. If you're looking for Jane Austen, you've come to the wrong place. Even if you're looking for an oh-so-genteel Brit mystery for the ladies, you won't find that sort here. But if you've finished all the Jack Reacher books and are looking for more of the superman types that stretch credibility to the breaking point (and beyond), this is a winner. Not for everyone and not for every time, but in its place a good trash fiction read. So, that's the standard you have to apply, else why bother?

Complaints here abound: No good guys: True enough but there are a couple of sympathetic characters who keep you interested in their fates and rooting for them despite their being despicable sorts. And the bad guys are so much worse. Predictable ending: First of all, not so much. Without spoilers, I have to say that several characters have anything but predictable fates. And, come on folks, there are only so many ways to end this sort of stuff. You know going in who's going to live and and who's going to die and who's a sleazy bastardo. Finally, the characters are formed from cardboard: True enough, but no one says this is Mann Booker prize material. It's trash and if it's trash you want to while away a few hours, you will get it in spades.

Obviously heading to a big screen near you some summer soon, It's a better book than the movie will be.

Finally, the one thing to beware of is that this is exactly the same book as Tom Woods' The Hunter. Don't buy it twice. It's not that good.

If I choose (and I am choosing) to rate this book on how difficult it was to put down, this book is nothing less than five stars. A sequel is way overdue.

Can be a bit "over the top", but as a read for release it will get you away from what ever is on your mind.

New spy author for me. I like the way he develops the characters and plot. I'm looking for other fiction he's written.

I read his 2nd book, The Enemy, first and this book is as exciting as that. I was so impressed with his writing style. I think he is as good as Vince Flynn and other spy-action authors.

As I stated before, a great book if I hadn't already read it under the name of The Hunter, what gives? I should receive a book free of charge instead of having to go through all the trouble of shipping the book back. All one has to do is to start reading the first chapter of both books and you will see that they are one and the same. I would like to be contacted with regard to my request. I would like a book (softcover) by David Baldacci or Daniel Silva. Thank you

Just the kind of super assassin it is fun to read. He is not a nice guy but has some redeaming characteristics; and of course, the bad guys have none. A few suprising twists and fairly well written and certainly not complicated. I enjoyed it and will read the next one.