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David Slaton #2
Assassin's Game
David Slaton has a good life. He has a new wife and a house in the Virginia suburbs. But he also has a dark past. Slaton is a former kidon, the most lethal Israeli assassin ever created.
After decades of work, a brilliant scientist has taken Iran to the threshold of its dream—a nuclear-tipped ballistic missile. Mossad must eliminate the man, but with a spy lurking high in its ranks there is only one option: bring back Slaton. The kidon has vowed to never kill again, but when his wife is attacked and forced to flee across Europe, events force his hand.
Slaton plots to assassinate one of the most closely guarded men on earth. Success is improbable. Survival unlikely. Only when he learns the labyrinthine truth does Slaton see one high-stakes chance. A chance for an assassin’s game . . . .
After decades of work, a brilliant scientist has taken Iran to the threshold of its dream—a nuclear-tipped ballistic missile. Mossad must eliminate the man, but with a spy lurking high in its ranks there is only one option: bring back Slaton. The kidon has vowed to never kill again, but when his wife is attacked and forced to flee across Europe, events force his hand.
Slaton plots to assassinate one of the most closely guarded men on earth. Success is improbable. Survival unlikely. Only when he learns the labyrinthine truth does Slaton see one high-stakes chance. A chance for an assassin’s game . . . .
Unknown Binding
First published August 26, 2014
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About the author
Ward Larsen
31 books579 followersWard Larsen is the USA Today bestselling author of espionage thrillers. A seven-time winner of the Florida Book Award, his first novel, The Perfect Assassin, has been optioned for film by Amber Entertainment.
A former Air Force fighter pilot, he has also served as an airline captain, and is a trained aircraft accident investigator.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
A former Air Force fighter pilot, he has also served as an airline captain, and is a trained aircraft accident investigator.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
April 24, 2019
suprising thriller. must say i was a bit skeptic in the beginning my being an Israeli and the plot is Israelies, Iranians etc fighting over yes or no atomic bomb. so when i started to see weird names for Israelis, situations which were hard to believe like an Israeli lady selling secrets given to her by her lover the Mosad head of operation i went ... but the plot was packed and good and than all went into the right place with gusto and bravado so it got to be nice and cool story, light and enjoyable.
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June 16, 2020
"Assassin's Game - David Slaton, #2; Narrator: Luke Daniels"
Audible Audiobook - 4.0 Stars - "I really liked it"
I started this series a bit 'bum about', listening to "Assassin's Code, - David Slaton, #4, (Narrator: P. J. Ochlan)", first, and rating it 4.0 Stars (My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...).
Obviously I enjoyed it, so I purchased "The Perfect Assassin - David Slaton, #1, (Narrator: Amy McFadden)", and listened to that. I enjoyed #1, also rating it 4.0 Stars, but so far, *tsk *tsk, I haven't written a review. Given that 4.0 Stars is a high rating for me, I remember that this was 'just a 4.0', as I had some reservations about the credibility of the plot/story line, and I was not impressed by the narrator. Probably I should revise my rating to 3.5 Stars, rounded up to 4.0 Stars.
So, what did I think of "Assassin's Game - David Slaton, #2; (Narrator: Luke Daniels)"? Well. "I really liked it", rating it 3.5 stars, again because of unsatisfactory narration, but rounding up to 4.0 Stars overall. If you want to know a little about David Slaton, please read my brief review of "Assassins Code, #4", above. The storyline was pretty energetic, stuff happens, baddies die, the usual..., but this is not the place to describe the action - read the blurb if you wish.
Suffice it to say that I started "Assassin's Silence - David Slaton, #3, (Narrator: P. J. Ochlan)" almost as soon as I had finished "Assassin's Game" and I have already devoured more than an hour of listening before falling asleep with the Bose stuck to my ears!
I am pleased that P J Ochlan appears to have been established as the on-going narrator for the David Slaton series. If you want to know why, check out my review for "Assassins Code, #4", above.
Audible Audiobook - 4.0 Stars - "I really liked it"
I started this series a bit 'bum about', listening to "Assassin's Code, - David Slaton, #4, (Narrator: P. J. Ochlan)", first, and rating it 4.0 Stars (My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...).
Obviously I enjoyed it, so I purchased "The Perfect Assassin - David Slaton, #1, (Narrator: Amy McFadden)", and listened to that. I enjoyed #1, also rating it 4.0 Stars, but so far, *tsk *tsk, I haven't written a review. Given that 4.0 Stars is a high rating for me, I remember that this was 'just a 4.0', as I had some reservations about the credibility of the plot/story line, and I was not impressed by the narrator. Probably I should revise my rating to 3.5 Stars, rounded up to 4.0 Stars.
So, what did I think of "Assassin's Game - David Slaton, #2; (Narrator: Luke Daniels)"? Well. "I really liked it", rating it 3.5 stars, again because of unsatisfactory narration, but rounding up to 4.0 Stars overall. If you want to know a little about David Slaton, please read my brief review of "Assassins Code, #4", above. The storyline was pretty energetic, stuff happens, baddies die, the usual..., but this is not the place to describe the action - read the blurb if you wish.
Suffice it to say that I started "Assassin's Silence - David Slaton, #3, (Narrator: P. J. Ochlan)" almost as soon as I had finished "Assassin's Game" and I have already devoured more than an hour of listening before falling asleep with the Bose stuck to my ears!
I am pleased that P J Ochlan appears to have been established as the on-going narrator for the David Slaton series. If you want to know why, check out my review for "Assassins Code, #4", above.
February 18, 2023
What an exciting book. Realistic and yet fiction. I never wanted to put it down—-yes, we’ve heard that before! If you’re in to these kind of books, give it a try.
October 8, 2021
I wonder how many times David Slaton will have his identity revealed? Assassin's Game by Ward Larsen is an action filled thriller with a large part set in Sweden and he has done a great job with the language. Except for missing a few ö and calling Stortorget, Stortorget square. That will be Bigsquare square. I really liked this book and it ended to fast but gladly I have five more to read and will deal with them shortly before the 8th one is released. It is always interesting to read about a main character that is not american. There are enough of them in the literary world and their focus is to similar. At least when it comes to international relations. I also wonder why everyone must have problems with their personal life. I only read one series where husband and wife is a successful.
September 4, 2014
Kidon David Slater is working as a stone mason, having vowed never to kill again, when the new head of Mossad decides he must have David's help to terminate an Iranian nuclear scientist after two failed attempts, which are thought to be the result of an internal leak. Mossad tries to grab Slater's wife, who goes on the run. When David comes to rescue her, he decides that in order to be left alone he must take the assignment, risking his marriage. Great action and deception, and while I liked the ending, one part seemed too altruistic.
May 25, 2017
Another great adventure!
Exciting story with an ending that had me in tears...The kidon, David, must try to keep his wife Christine safe, as the time they have spent living in America seems to have come to an unwanted end. There is an important message for David while he works as a brick-layer causing him to leave immediately and answer the call. The new story begins...
Exciting story with an ending that had me in tears...The kidon, David, must try to keep his wife Christine safe, as the time they have spent living in America seems to have come to an unwanted end. There is an important message for David while he works as a brick-layer causing him to leave immediately and answer the call. The new story begins...
January 12, 2025
David Slaton, Mossad assassin extraordinaire is presumed dead for about a year and happily married to a doctor.
There is an Iranian scientist who is getting very close to completing their first nuclear warhead. There have been 2 unsuccessful attempts on his life by the Israeli.
Mossad decides to send Slaton after the scientist and there's a plan to kidnap his wife to compel him to complete one more mission. Enter a determined Swedish detective as a wrench in the mix.
A well written thriller.
There is an Iranian scientist who is getting very close to completing their first nuclear warhead. There have been 2 unsuccessful attempts on his life by the Israeli.
Mossad decides to send Slaton after the scientist and there's a plan to kidnap his wife to compel him to complete one more mission. Enter a determined Swedish detective as a wrench in the mix.
A well written thriller.
August 15, 2017
David Slaton is the most effective, lethal assassin created . . .
ASSASSIN’S GAME is the second book in the David Slaton series. (The first was THE PERFECT ASSASSIN — click here for the review). Both books are quick, exciting reads. However, I enjoyed ASSASSIN’S GAME just a bit more.
Dr. Ibrahim Hamedi is the scientist Iran has been waiting for. A country desperate for nuclear weapons of their own, they cling onto the doctor’s promise that he can get them where they need to be. Desperate to stop Iran’s head-long charge toward nuclear-tipped madness the Mossad (Israeli Intelligence) formulates a plan. Problems start when it is soon realized the plan they came up with is far from a good plan.
David Slaton was on of the best trained assassin’s within the Mossad. He has since retired, and gotten married. All evidence that he existed has been erased. He and his family should have been forgotten. Instead, the director decides kidnapping Slaton’s wife, Christine, and holding her hostage would be the best way to get Slaton back into the game.
Once Mossad has Christine then Slaton could be forced to assassinate Dr. Hamedi before Iran has a fully functional nuclear weapon. Christine isn’t having it. She is not surrendering easy. And is now on the run. When David Slaton figures out what Mossad is up to he has multiple difficult decisions to make. But first Slaton has to find his wife. Then he has to figure out how to keep her safe. In order to keep Israel safe, Slaton must also figure out a way to keep nuclear weapons out of Iran’s hands.
Allies and enemies. Sometimes they are evident. Concrete. Sometimes you can’t tell one from the other. Slaton has his work cut out for him, and limited time to fit all of the pieces of the puzzle together!
I truly enjoy Ward Larsen’s tight writing. He keeps his chapters short, and packed with tension. What I really like is how Larsen give just as much time to create depth not just for his main characters, but for the secondary, and even the less significant characters. I am in a spy-reading mode lately, and have been kicking back with the likes of Vince Flynn, and Tom Clancy. Love that I can add a new author to my list.
Phillip Tomasso
Author of the Severed Empire Series
and the Vaccination Trilogy
ASSASSIN’S GAME is the second book in the David Slaton series. (The first was THE PERFECT ASSASSIN — click here for the review). Both books are quick, exciting reads. However, I enjoyed ASSASSIN’S GAME just a bit more.
Dr. Ibrahim Hamedi is the scientist Iran has been waiting for. A country desperate for nuclear weapons of their own, they cling onto the doctor’s promise that he can get them where they need to be. Desperate to stop Iran’s head-long charge toward nuclear-tipped madness the Mossad (Israeli Intelligence) formulates a plan. Problems start when it is soon realized the plan they came up with is far from a good plan.
David Slaton was on of the best trained assassin’s within the Mossad. He has since retired, and gotten married. All evidence that he existed has been erased. He and his family should have been forgotten. Instead, the director decides kidnapping Slaton’s wife, Christine, and holding her hostage would be the best way to get Slaton back into the game.
Once Mossad has Christine then Slaton could be forced to assassinate Dr. Hamedi before Iran has a fully functional nuclear weapon. Christine isn’t having it. She is not surrendering easy. And is now on the run. When David Slaton figures out what Mossad is up to he has multiple difficult decisions to make. But first Slaton has to find his wife. Then he has to figure out how to keep her safe. In order to keep Israel safe, Slaton must also figure out a way to keep nuclear weapons out of Iran’s hands.
Allies and enemies. Sometimes they are evident. Concrete. Sometimes you can’t tell one from the other. Slaton has his work cut out for him, and limited time to fit all of the pieces of the puzzle together!
I truly enjoy Ward Larsen’s tight writing. He keeps his chapters short, and packed with tension. What I really like is how Larsen give just as much time to create depth not just for his main characters, but for the secondary, and even the less significant characters. I am in a spy-reading mode lately, and have been kicking back with the likes of Vince Flynn, and Tom Clancy. Love that I can add a new author to my list.
Phillip Tomasso
Author of the Severed Empire Series
and the Vaccination Trilogy
December 10, 2017
As indicated, this is the second David Slaton book by Larsen and I hope there are several more. This is marginally better than the first, The Perfect Assassin, but that's not knocking that book. Both are very good.
Larsen shows an ability to have multiple characters and locations in one time frame but one of his talents is to keep the reader aware of what's going on and current wtih all of those subjects and locales.
After the first book Slaton retired, he thought, to a bucolic life in Virginia with his wife, but the state of Israel has other ideas for their best assassin. This does not sit well with Slaton or his wife Christine and even his old boss. When the Swedish National Police become involved there are even more who are unhappy with the circumstances.
How this is resolved, or IF it's resolved makes for a smashing good read. And wanting more.
Larsen shows an ability to have multiple characters and locations in one time frame but one of his talents is to keep the reader aware of what's going on and current wtih all of those subjects and locales.
After the first book Slaton retired, he thought, to a bucolic life in Virginia with his wife, but the state of Israel has other ideas for their best assassin. This does not sit well with Slaton or his wife Christine and even his old boss. When the Swedish National Police become involved there are even more who are unhappy with the circumstances.
How this is resolved, or IF it's resolved makes for a smashing good read. And wanting more.
January 23, 2021
Just when I thought I was out, they drag me back on. Ward Larsen really brings it again in Assassin's Game, his fast pace thrilling action and his development of his characters were amazing. DAVID Slaton had found a nice peaceful life in Virginia, until Israel drags him back into the Assassin's Game with a kill that no one else has been able to make. He must protect his wife and unborn baby as well and decide if he is back working for Mossad or not.
November 28, 2014
This was a fine thriller, well-written and well-plotted. The characters are not deeply drawn, but they are more than stick figures too. The reader finds it possible to believe that these are the sorts of human relationships, logistic challenges and ballistic considerations you must contend with when you are an elite Mossad trained killing machine with a heart of gold. (And, in a sense, who among us isn't?)
The final resolution of the assassin's book-long efforts relies on an increasingly too convenient set of plot points, and finally veers into the level of comic book absurdity, with an improbable (but satisfying) resolution. But who can say what the best assassin ever should or shouldn't be capable of accomplishing? You? Me?
Alright, so maybe it wouldn't happen like that in the real world, but the author has taken you on a nice ride, and the reader is willing to forgive and ride out the final chapters.
This is way better than your average military/spy/assassin thriller.
The final resolution of the assassin's book-long efforts relies on an increasingly too convenient set of plot points, and finally veers into the level of comic book absurdity, with an improbable (but satisfying) resolution. But who can say what the best assassin ever should or shouldn't be capable of accomplishing? You? Me?
Alright, so maybe it wouldn't happen like that in the real world, but the author has taken you on a nice ride, and the reader is willing to forgive and ride out the final chapters.
This is way better than your average military/spy/assassin thriller.
October 31, 2016
David Slaton has a really good life. A new wife, and a house in the Virginia suburbs. He
also has a very dark past. Slaton is a kidon. The most lethal Israeli assassin ever created.
After a decade of work a brilliant scientist has taken Iran to the threshold of it's dreams.
A nuclear tipped ballistic missile. Mossad must eliminate this man but they have a spy
lurking high in it's ranks. There is only one option -bring back Slaton. He has vowed never
to kill again but when his wife is attacked and forced to flee across Europe events force his
hand. Slaton plans to assassinate the most closely guarded man on earth. Success improbable
Survival unlikely.Only when he learns the truth does Slaton see one high stakes chance.
A chance for an assassin's game. This is book two in the David Slaton series and it's
another winner. I gave it a 5.
also has a very dark past. Slaton is a kidon. The most lethal Israeli assassin ever created.
After a decade of work a brilliant scientist has taken Iran to the threshold of it's dreams.
A nuclear tipped ballistic missile. Mossad must eliminate this man but they have a spy
lurking high in it's ranks. There is only one option -bring back Slaton. He has vowed never
to kill again but when his wife is attacked and forced to flee across Europe events force his
hand. Slaton plans to assassinate the most closely guarded man on earth. Success improbable
Survival unlikely.Only when he learns the truth does Slaton see one high stakes chance.
A chance for an assassin's game. This is book two in the David Slaton series and it's
another winner. I gave it a 5.
July 21, 2014
I read Ward Larsen's Perfect Assassin 3 years ago and ever since then I kept occasionally checking to see if a sequel was in the works. I always ended up disappointed but finally the wait is over!!! David Slayton returns in The Assassin's Game and this book is as realistic and gritty as the first. It eschews the over the top fight sequences, gimmicky gadgets and superhero lead characters.
The story is top notch with multiple threads converging at the end with a surprising twist that no one will see coming. I can't wait for the next David Slayton adventure!!
The story is top notch with multiple threads converging at the end with a surprising twist that no one will see coming. I can't wait for the next David Slayton adventure!!
April 20, 2015
A sequel to The Perfect Assassin, written six years later. While reading Perfect Assassin would be a help as to background for Slaton, it's not really necessary. Assassin's Game is a very good stand alone novel.
Slaton is an assassin (Kidon) for Israel. The similarities between the character Larsen has created and Silva's Allon character are evident.
One very big twist and, for me at least, an unsatisfactory conclusion to the story.
Slaton is an assassin (Kidon) for Israel. The similarities between the character Larsen has created and Silva's Allon character are evident.
One very big twist and, for me at least, an unsatisfactory conclusion to the story.
September 30, 2016
Well after reading the third one in this series I went back and read the first two.
I would say the third one is the best. This one was okay - I wanted to know what was going on - more back ground , so it was worth a read.
I would say the third one is the best. This one was okay - I wanted to know what was going on - more back ground , so it was worth a read.
September 21, 2014
Mossad killing Mossad in Sweden doesn't make sense. Deutchemark falling? Wagner in Israel? The source of the leak is unplausible.
The whole story is idiotic and does not make sense.
The whole story is idiotic and does not make sense.
July 16, 2015
Excellent. Had not read this author before. Plot, pace, characters and descriptions all top notch. In my opinion Larson is right up there with Connelly and Lescroart.
March 28, 2023
Nice continuation in this thriller series about an Israeli assassin who is trying to move on to a normal life but gets dragged back in. Lots of action, as expected, but also a well-balanced set of realistic characters with conflicting motivations. I really need to read book #3 now to see what happens next.
March 16, 2017
DNF. Lost interest in the main character rather quickly. Dumped the book in order to avoid investing more time in it.
June 22, 2020
Perfect Twists and Turns!
David Slaton is back at it again in Assassins Game! The question of can a world class assassin outrun his past is posed in this. What will this Assassin do to protect the ones he love? Read on to find out! Also, that plot twist at the end had me gasping! Absolutely perfect!
David Slaton is back at it again in Assassins Game! The question of can a world class assassin outrun his past is posed in this. What will this Assassin do to protect the ones he love? Read on to find out! Also, that plot twist at the end had me gasping! Absolutely perfect!
February 7, 2024
This genre can be very entertaining. Not a fan of a book without a conclusion that requires reading the next book in the series to resolve questions.
January 27, 2022
A decent spy thriller, but nothing too unique to set it apart. Reluctant hero is forced into action, saves the day and avenges.
September 8, 2014
I received Assassin's Game as an eArc through NetGalley. Ward Larsen has a winning series on his hands. I love it!
Assassin's Game is the 2nd in the series that follows "David Slaton" (if that is his real name), the most lethal Kidon to be trained by the Mossad. In this book we see David under his new assumed identity and Christine as they have begun their new domesticated life. Christine has completed her residency and has flown to Sweden to attend a medical conference when David's former life comes back to haunt both of them. They both find out it is not so easy to leave the Mossad and secrets are very hard to keep if more than one person knows them. The Mossad wants its agent back and they have a huge problem with a nuclear weapons expert who works for one of Israel's biggest enemies.
David Slaton has to create a plan against the odds to kill the chemist and also try to protect his wife who is being chased across Europe by police and other forces. In the middle of all of this he has to try to figure out how to keep his marriage together. I have to admit that at the end of this action-packed story I had to remember this is not a romance. This is an action-packed thriller. But, Ward Larsen does a great job of portraying the tensions on a marriage that is fraught with violence, deception and betrayal. This portrays espionage and international politics in the best fashion. We also get to follow the stories of some of the side characters like the investigators and the villains. Another great aspect of this story is that it is a great mystery. I cannot wait for the next installment in this intriguing story.
Review can also be seen at LadyTechie's Book Musings http://LadyTechiesBookMusings.blogspo...
Assassin's Game is the 2nd in the series that follows "David Slaton" (if that is his real name), the most lethal Kidon to be trained by the Mossad. In this book we see David under his new assumed identity and Christine as they have begun their new domesticated life. Christine has completed her residency and has flown to Sweden to attend a medical conference when David's former life comes back to haunt both of them. They both find out it is not so easy to leave the Mossad and secrets are very hard to keep if more than one person knows them. The Mossad wants its agent back and they have a huge problem with a nuclear weapons expert who works for one of Israel's biggest enemies.
David Slaton has to create a plan against the odds to kill the chemist and also try to protect his wife who is being chased across Europe by police and other forces. In the middle of all of this he has to try to figure out how to keep his marriage together. I have to admit that at the end of this action-packed story I had to remember this is not a romance. This is an action-packed thriller. But, Ward Larsen does a great job of portraying the tensions on a marriage that is fraught with violence, deception and betrayal. This portrays espionage and international politics in the best fashion. We also get to follow the stories of some of the side characters like the investigators and the villains. Another great aspect of this story is that it is a great mystery. I cannot wait for the next installment in this intriguing story.
Review can also be seen at LadyTechie's Book Musings http://LadyTechiesBookMusings.blogspo...
June 16, 2017
My rating is really almost 5 and would be a 5 if not for the ending that leaves questions. Still, Assassin's Game is one of the best thrillers I have ever read. Now I must read the first book in this series, The Perfect Assassin.
Ward Larsen has joined my list of 'favorite' authors. In The Assassin's Game he has written a novel involving a former Israeli Kidon (assassin), David Slaton, who has 'retired' to the US and has lived in Virginia with his wife Christine for 2 years, having given up forever his work with Mossad (Israeli CIA). Mossad, however, wants him back again to kill the head scientist of Iran's nuclear program. Or does it? Assassin's Game not only is an exciting novel of suspense, but one that is involved in the morality of killing innocents.
Slaton is a superb author and has a wonderful way with words. "A gust swept leaves over the ground like so much October confetti." AND (in describing a character in the book) "His home life showed equal promise when it became apparent that his wife's bland figure disguised a thriving fertility." Ward Larsen's writing skills puts the reader right in the midst of this exciting novel.
Ward Larsen has joined my list of 'favorite' authors. In The Assassin's Game he has written a novel involving a former Israeli Kidon (assassin), David Slaton, who has 'retired' to the US and has lived in Virginia with his wife Christine for 2 years, having given up forever his work with Mossad (Israeli CIA). Mossad, however, wants him back again to kill the head scientist of Iran's nuclear program. Or does it? Assassin's Game not only is an exciting novel of suspense, but one that is involved in the morality of killing innocents.
Slaton is a superb author and has a wonderful way with words. "A gust swept leaves over the ground like so much October confetti." AND (in describing a character in the book) "His home life showed equal promise when it became apparent that his wife's bland figure disguised a thriving fertility." Ward Larsen's writing skills puts the reader right in the midst of this exciting novel.
August 6, 2017
I really liked the first book in this series, so I bought this book hoping for more character development and excitement. There was zero character development and the entire reason for the book - that Mossad was engaging this hit man in the first place is impossibly contrived, given that his target is actually working on their side and they know it. So why blow up Davids whole life to kill a target they don't actually want killed. I'm so confused. And disappointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2014
Starts well but
It was all good for a while but then it went down. Not the worst book ever but really clumsy and full of cliches like "cold tears" and other nonsense. I was thinking 3 stars but struggled to finish it. It only got worse and worse. Can't even give it full 2 stars. Waste of time in my opinion
It was all good for a while but then it went down. Not the worst book ever but really clumsy and full of cliches like "cold tears" and other nonsense. I was thinking 3 stars but struggled to finish it. It only got worse and worse. Can't even give it full 2 stars. Waste of time in my opinion
January 23, 2015
Far too many implausible elements in the plot.
Countless coincidences and investigational deductions that are ridiculously improbable. In addition, there is passage in which Slaton is scanning newspapers in Stockholm and one of the headlines reads "Deutschmark fell". Deutschmark, seriously?!?
Countless coincidences and investigational deductions that are ridiculously improbable. In addition, there is passage in which Slaton is scanning newspapers in Stockholm and one of the headlines reads "Deutschmark fell". Deutschmark, seriously?!?
June 22, 2019
A very satisfying read. Real suspense. Would recommend to readers interested in espionage.
July 18, 2021
This is a great spy novel! It's very modern and up to date - even technically accurate for those who would be bothered if it were otherwise. But the story line and general feel is that of the great spy novels written during the cold war. Slowly building tension and complexity followed by intense action scenes.
Mind you, this is a book for people who like spy novels. It's not non-stop action. There's a lot of subtle strategy and chesss like move/counter-move activity - thinking man strategies. There's action, and it's exciting. But it's not a Micheal Bay movie (thank goodness!).
The part that pulls the reader in, besides the characters that you are quickly rooting for, is that non of the players have all the information. There's stuff they know they don't know. And then even more stuff that's going on that they don't have a clue about and will likely blind side them.
The story revolves around an Israeli assassin, David, and his wife, Christine. This is the 2nd novel in the series and apparently they met in the first novel. I plan to go back and read that one, "Perfect Assassin," but I can say that starting with the 2nd book is not a problem. You get all the insight you need into the two of them. This book stands on it's own quite nicely.
The basic premise is that Mossad, Israel's version of the CIA, but with a very real rep for dirty ops, wants to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. They focus their efforts to stop this by going after the key man who's driving the program forward at record pace, Dr. Hamedi. They've sent two assassination squads after Dr Hamedi, but both were wiped out due to a high level leak within Mossad. So Mossad decides they need the recently retired David back to do one more assassination.
Unfortunately, rather than ask him, they decide to try to force him to help by going after his wife. Well, pretty much from the start that plan falls apart and things get really interesting.
If you like spy novels, you will definitely like this book!
Mind you, this is a book for people who like spy novels. It's not non-stop action. There's a lot of subtle strategy and chesss like move/counter-move activity - thinking man strategies. There's action, and it's exciting. But it's not a Micheal Bay movie (thank goodness!).
The part that pulls the reader in, besides the characters that you are quickly rooting for, is that non of the players have all the information. There's stuff they know they don't know. And then even more stuff that's going on that they don't have a clue about and will likely blind side them.
The story revolves around an Israeli assassin, David, and his wife, Christine. This is the 2nd novel in the series and apparently they met in the first novel. I plan to go back and read that one, "Perfect Assassin," but I can say that starting with the 2nd book is not a problem. You get all the insight you need into the two of them. This book stands on it's own quite nicely.
The basic premise is that Mossad, Israel's version of the CIA, but with a very real rep for dirty ops, wants to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. They focus their efforts to stop this by going after the key man who's driving the program forward at record pace, Dr. Hamedi. They've sent two assassination squads after Dr Hamedi, but both were wiped out due to a high level leak within Mossad. So Mossad decides they need the recently retired David back to do one more assassination.
Unfortunately, rather than ask him, they decide to try to force him to help by going after his wife. Well, pretty much from the start that plan falls apart and things get really interesting.
If you like spy novels, you will definitely like this book!
November 21, 2025
Several years ago I read Ward Larsen's debut novel Perfect Assassin with Israeli Kidon David Slaton. It was a solid debut. With the upcoming release of his collaboration with Brad Thor for Cold Zero, I thought that I would revisit this series. Assassin's Game starts off with David and his wife Christine enjoying life in Virginia, or so they think. With Iran getting closer to having nuclear weapons, David is unwillingly drawn back into the life as an Israeli assasin, or Kidon, to help neutralize this threat. The Israeli government knows that he will never come back into the fold and try to use his newly pregnant wife as a bargaining chip. Seeing that he has little choice, David uses his cunning, skills, and smarts to end this threat. This is a very well written book and the non-stop action is first rate. I highly recommend this series and will be reading the rest of David Slaton's adventures.
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