Book Review: Path of the Assassin

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Path of the Assassin     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Brad Thor
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Political Intrigue   Thriller
Series: Scot Harvath
Atria, Jan 2003, $25.00, 373 pp.

Secret Service Agent Scott Harvath is doing his job when he risks his life to keep President Rutledge safe. Wwith an increase in terrorism at alarming levels from multiple sides in the Mideast confrontation and a recent kidnapping attempt of Rutledge, Scott has job security. His current assignment is to eliminate those who assaulted the president, but escaped, though Scott insured their mission failed.

With synagogues and mosques exploding, the CIA believes the trademark evidence points to the 1980s deadliest assassin Abdul Nidal who supposedly died during that decade. Scott assumes the report of Abdul’s expiration is true especially when the CIA points towards the son of the terrorist, Hashim. However, the Agency claims no pictures or description exists. One American Meg Cassidy has seen and survived Hashim’s deadly destruction. Desperate Scott drafts the civilian to help him bring down the world’s deadliest terrorist, but will soon learn there is more to this dangerous mess than the CIA, Mossad, and the American Home security agency has told him. That lack of information could cost Scott, Meg, and their allies their lives.

No description seems strange with a survivor witness, but fans of adrenaline highs will not notice. Action, action, action, and more action as that fails to describe fractionally the global events of this non stop thriller that seems so pertinent with recent events starting with 9/11 and still current with the precedent setting Saddam scenario. Scott retains his hero mantle first earned in the exciting LIONS OF LUCERNE, but the tale of the tape is ACTION as PATH OF THE ASSASSIN is a one sitting thriller.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner