What do you think?
Rate this book
The Bowin Novels #2
The Honeymoon Assignment
An ex-Mossad operative is at the posh Georges Cay Resort in the Bahamas, but she is not on vacation. She is believed to be an assassin for hire. Possible targets among her fellow guests are an American cyber security genius, an African opposition leader in exile, a Texan billionaire, a Columbian drug lord, a Miami mob boss, a noted French journalist, and a Moroccan yacht owner and his Egyptian traveling companion. Recently married US agents Alice and Tom Bowin, undercover as a vacationing couple from San Francisco, join the party. The Bowins' usual assignments are to hunt "specially designated global terrorists." Now they are charged with preventing an assassination rather than committing one. When one of the guests mysteriously goes missing, things become more complicated and the Royal Bahamian Police Force arrives to investigate. If the Bowins don't identify and neutralize the bad guys fast, there will be hell to pay.
312 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
43 people want to read
About the author
Lee Holz
20 books102 followersLee Holz is a novelist, poet, lawyer and opera fan and eclectic reader. He lived in Europe for many years, and his travels took him to Australia and more than thirty other countries on five continents.
Lee lives on an island with his feline buddy "far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife."
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lee.Holz.Far...
Lee lives on an island with his feline buddy "far from the madding crowd's ignoble strife."
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lee.Holz.Far...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 10, 2012
I'm going to do something a bit different for this review--provide a "mid-experience" impression. I think it's a valuable service to prospective readers to comment while the initial impressions are fresh in my mind, rather than with the retrospect tint of having survived the ending.
Note also that I didn't read the first novel of this series ("The Abomination Assignment"), so this review will also help to assess how well author Lee Holz' second installment in his Thriller series stands up on its own.
One author reviewing another's work can sometimes be a recipe for disagreement; we can be lured into the trap of forever questioning, "Now how would I have written that sentence?" I contribute to similar genres (although I take a different tone, and I lean a bit further toward Suspense than Lee's Thrillers might, probably because I like to viscerally feel the dilemmas tangled within characters' minds). So I'm going to remember that every author has his or her voice and style; I'm going to go straight to the topics of storytelling and plot.
A book, if it's done well, strives to achieve something. Some simply seek to shock, or trick. Some strive for some kind of fluid poetic quality. Some paint every nuance of every character, from the breeze-caressed ruffle of a shirt to the duration of a muffled sigh. Lee Holz, in his Thrillers, gets right to the tale.
The story begins with tense action. You're in the middle of it from Sentence One. The dialog is crisp, authentic, to the point. The venue is appropriately exotic, immediately stretching most readers' personal experience and beckoning the imagination to go there and see, smell, touch and taste. You're there, and you get into the boat.
Holz knows how to stream-feed a reader the highly relevant details and yet make them seem like random, experiential observation. He doesn't describe overmuch of the superfluous...any more than his highly capable protagonist would marvel at the peat moss. He is true to his characters' own style. Holz knows how to lay out a story to simultaneously tantalize and flow; it's not an easy thing to do, and it takes an instinct that cannot be taught.
The back-story weaves nicely and gracefully into the moment--again with a skill obviously born of instinct and experience. The plot throughout is not afraid to move toward the unexpected or unknown, but not gratuitously; character decisions and turns of events are plausible.
As I said, I haven't finished "The Honeymoon Assignment" yet, but each new page calls out, and I will. I think anyone who loves the rush of a taut thriller might say the same. At this point I don't think it's necessarily what a poetry buff or an addict of spiritual inspirational literature might seek out, but that doesn't mean it can't be enjoyed by pretty much anyone just the same. It has its style and level of depth, and it's done very well. I'll give him five stars.
I won't spoil it (because I can't!). I will encourage readers who like decisive action and an interwoven plot to pick up "The Honeymoon Assignment" by Lee Holz and to enjoy it as I am (and maybe start with the first novel in the series, like I did not). I read slowly when I like something, so if you get to the end first, don't tell me what happens!
Note also that I didn't read the first novel of this series ("The Abomination Assignment"), so this review will also help to assess how well author Lee Holz' second installment in his Thriller series stands up on its own.
One author reviewing another's work can sometimes be a recipe for disagreement; we can be lured into the trap of forever questioning, "Now how would I have written that sentence?" I contribute to similar genres (although I take a different tone, and I lean a bit further toward Suspense than Lee's Thrillers might, probably because I like to viscerally feel the dilemmas tangled within characters' minds). So I'm going to remember that every author has his or her voice and style; I'm going to go straight to the topics of storytelling and plot.
A book, if it's done well, strives to achieve something. Some simply seek to shock, or trick. Some strive for some kind of fluid poetic quality. Some paint every nuance of every character, from the breeze-caressed ruffle of a shirt to the duration of a muffled sigh. Lee Holz, in his Thrillers, gets right to the tale.
The story begins with tense action. You're in the middle of it from Sentence One. The dialog is crisp, authentic, to the point. The venue is appropriately exotic, immediately stretching most readers' personal experience and beckoning the imagination to go there and see, smell, touch and taste. You're there, and you get into the boat.
Holz knows how to stream-feed a reader the highly relevant details and yet make them seem like random, experiential observation. He doesn't describe overmuch of the superfluous...any more than his highly capable protagonist would marvel at the peat moss. He is true to his characters' own style. Holz knows how to lay out a story to simultaneously tantalize and flow; it's not an easy thing to do, and it takes an instinct that cannot be taught.
The back-story weaves nicely and gracefully into the moment--again with a skill obviously born of instinct and experience. The plot throughout is not afraid to move toward the unexpected or unknown, but not gratuitously; character decisions and turns of events are plausible.
As I said, I haven't finished "The Honeymoon Assignment" yet, but each new page calls out, and I will. I think anyone who loves the rush of a taut thriller might say the same. At this point I don't think it's necessarily what a poetry buff or an addict of spiritual inspirational literature might seek out, but that doesn't mean it can't be enjoyed by pretty much anyone just the same. It has its style and level of depth, and it's done very well. I'll give him five stars.
I won't spoil it (because I can't!). I will encourage readers who like decisive action and an interwoven plot to pick up "The Honeymoon Assignment" by Lee Holz and to enjoy it as I am (and maybe start with the first novel in the series, like I did not). I read slowly when I like something, so if you get to the end first, don't tell me what happens!
July 21, 2014
Lee Holz has a real gift for writing adventure novels.
The first of his Bowin series - 'The Abomination Assignment' - introduced us to his protagonist, Tom Bowen, idealist and assassin, as he stoically attended to the mortal business at hand. In 'The Honeymoon Assignment', Bowin is on less certain ground where he and his new wife (herself skilled in the fatal arts) are assigned to prevent an assasination.
Holz's writing is sparse and compelling. His short chapter structure keeps you flicking over the pages. Descriptions are kept to a minimum - just enough for his reader to appreciate what is going on, but without interfering with the action. His narrative twists and turns; dubious agencies and personalities abound. The threat of sudden death is ever-present.
The author has created a moreish series, highly recommended to get the heart pounding.
The first of his Bowin series - 'The Abomination Assignment' - introduced us to his protagonist, Tom Bowen, idealist and assassin, as he stoically attended to the mortal business at hand. In 'The Honeymoon Assignment', Bowin is on less certain ground where he and his new wife (herself skilled in the fatal arts) are assigned to prevent an assasination.
Holz's writing is sparse and compelling. His short chapter structure keeps you flicking over the pages. Descriptions are kept to a minimum - just enough for his reader to appreciate what is going on, but without interfering with the action. His narrative twists and turns; dubious agencies and personalities abound. The threat of sudden death is ever-present.
The author has created a moreish series, highly recommended to get the heart pounding.
December 13, 2011
THE HONEYMOON ASSIGNMENT has it all: contemporary international politics; the war on terrorism; modern-day James Bond and his equally adept wife, but American government agents this time around; an exotic locale, love and romance, and a rip roaring page turner to boot. Readers of international intrigue, mystery, and those who love to see the good guys eventually, after overcoming enormous odds, triumph in the end against the evils of the world, will be thrilled by reading this fast moving novel of suspense. I enjoyed it immensely, and you will too.
October 27, 2012
Lee Holz's The Honeymoon Assignment is even better than his The Abomination Assignment. This latest offering is loaded with suspense. Holz is a master at scene and character descriptions, allowing the reader to clearly visualize the settings and his characters. The book is full of what appears to be insider information about the intelligence community, and has plenty of accurate information for weapons aficionados. I very much enjoyed the book.
January 11, 2012
The Honeymoon Assignment is a terrific sequel to The Abomination Assignment. I felt like its predecessor laid the groundwork, leaving us free to get to the action. And there is plenty of action in this book. I couldn't turn the virtual pages fast enough. The Bowins are strong characters, as believable as agents as they are as man and wife, making it easy to root for them. I recommend this book to all thriller lovers everywhere.
June 10, 2012
I'm going to do something a bit different for this review--provide a "mid-experience" impression. I think it's a valuable service to prospective readers to comment while the initial impressions are fresh in my mind, rather than with the retrospect tint of having survived the ending.
Note also that I didn't read the first novel of this series ("The Abomination Assignment"), so this review will also help to assess how well author Lee Holz' second installment in his Thriller series stands up on its own.
One author reviewing another's work can sometimes be a recipe for disagreement; we can be lured into the trap of forever questioning, "Now how would I have written that sentence?" I contribute to similar genres (although I take a different tone, and I lean a bit further toward Suspense than Lee's Thrillers might, probably because I like to viscerally feel the dilemmas tangled within characters' minds). So I'm going to remember that every author has his or her voice and style; I'm going to go straight to the topics of storytelling and plot.
A book, if it's done well, strives to achieve something. Some simply seek to shock, or trick. Some strive for some kind of fluid poetic quality. Some paint every nuance of every character, from the breeze-caressed ruffle of a shirt to the duration of a muffled sigh. Lee Holz, in his Thrillers, gets right to the tale.
The story begins with tense action. You're in the middle of it from Sentence One. The dialog is crisp, authentic, to the point. The venue is appropriately exotic, immediately stretching most readers' personal experience and beckoning the imagination to go there and see, smell, touch and taste. You're there, and you get into the boat.
Holz knows how to stream-feed a reader the highly relevant details and yet make them seem like random, experiential observation. He doesn't describe overmuch of the superfluous...any more than his highly capable protagonist would marvel at the peat moss. He is true to his characters' own style. Holz knows how to lay out a story to simultaneously tantalize and flow; it's not an easy thing to do, and it takes an instinct that cannot be taught.
The back-story weaves nicely and gracefully into the moment--again with a skill obviously born of instinct and experience. The plot throughout is not afraid to move toward the unexpected or unknown, but not gratuitously; character decisions and turns of events are plausible.
As I said, I haven't finished "The Honeymoon Assignment" yet, but each new page calls out, and I will. I think anyone who loves the rush of a taut thriller might say the same. At this point I don't think it's necessarily what a poetry buff or an addict of spiritual inspirational literature might seek out, but that doesn't mean it can't be enjoyed by pretty much anyone just the same. It has its style and level of depth, and it's done very well. I'll give him five stars.
I won't spoil it (because I can't!). I will encourage readers who like decisive action and an interwoven plot to pick up "The Honeymoon Assignment" by Lee Holz and to enjoy it as I am (and maybe start with the first novel in the series, like I did not). I read slowly when I like something, so if you get to the end first, don't tell me what happens!
Note also that I didn't read the first novel of this series ("The Abomination Assignment"), so this review will also help to assess how well author Lee Holz' second installment in his Thriller series stands up on its own.
One author reviewing another's work can sometimes be a recipe for disagreement; we can be lured into the trap of forever questioning, "Now how would I have written that sentence?" I contribute to similar genres (although I take a different tone, and I lean a bit further toward Suspense than Lee's Thrillers might, probably because I like to viscerally feel the dilemmas tangled within characters' minds). So I'm going to remember that every author has his or her voice and style; I'm going to go straight to the topics of storytelling and plot.
A book, if it's done well, strives to achieve something. Some simply seek to shock, or trick. Some strive for some kind of fluid poetic quality. Some paint every nuance of every character, from the breeze-caressed ruffle of a shirt to the duration of a muffled sigh. Lee Holz, in his Thrillers, gets right to the tale.
The story begins with tense action. You're in the middle of it from Sentence One. The dialog is crisp, authentic, to the point. The venue is appropriately exotic, immediately stretching most readers' personal experience and beckoning the imagination to go there and see, smell, touch and taste. You're there, and you get into the boat.
Holz knows how to stream-feed a reader the highly relevant details and yet make them seem like random, experiential observation. He doesn't describe overmuch of the superfluous...any more than his highly capable protagonist would marvel at the peat moss. He is true to his characters' own style. Holz knows how to lay out a story to simultaneously tantalize and flow; it's not an easy thing to do, and it takes an instinct that cannot be taught.
The back-story weaves nicely and gracefully into the moment--again with a skill obviously born of instinct and experience. The plot throughout is not afraid to move toward the unexpected or unknown, but not gratuitously; character decisions and turns of events are plausible.
As I said, I haven't finished "The Honeymoon Assignment" yet, but each new page calls out, and I will. I think anyone who loves the rush of a taut thriller might say the same. At this point I don't think it's necessarily what a poetry buff or an addict of spiritual inspirational literature might seek out, but that doesn't mean it can't be enjoyed by pretty much anyone just the same. It has its style and level of depth, and it's done very well. I'll give him five stars.
I won't spoil it (because I can't!). I will encourage readers who like decisive action and an interwoven plot to pick up "The Honeymoon Assignment" by Lee Holz and to enjoy it as I am (and maybe start with the first novel in the series, like I did not). I read slowly when I like something, so if you get to the end first, don't tell me what happens!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews