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Victor the Assassin #1.5
Bad Luck in Berlin
Victor has been out of the game for six months - but he's as deadly as ever. He's in Berlin, preparing for his first assignment as a CIA taking out the scout of a notorious crime lord. No one is supposed to die - not yet - but as Victor tracks his target, he realises he's not the only one interested in the scout . . . and if Victor is going to do his job, he has to stop someone else doing theirs. Packed with roaring action and breathless suspense, this specially priced, exclusive short story is perfect for fans of Tom Wood - and for readers who have yet to discover him.
96 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2012
140 people are currently reading
896 people want to read
About the author
Tom Wood
23 books1,288 followersHe is the author of the Victor series of 10 novels and 2 ebook novellas. Tom also wrote the standalone thriller A Knock at the Door under the pseudonym T W Ellis
Victor 10, TRAITOR, is out now in UK, IE, AS & NZ.
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Victor 10, TRAITOR, is out now in UK, IE, AS & NZ.
Subscribe to Tom's newsletter to stay up-to-date, and have the chance of winning signed copies and more: tomwoodbooks.com/newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
October 30, 2016
A short novel by author Tom Wood taken from the 'Victor the assassin' series.
I have read other books in this series but I think this would be an ideal book to any new Tom Wood reader to get an insight into both the writer and the series.
I did enjoy the book but rated it only three stars due to the length of it and not the overall quality.
In this short story Victor is in Berlin, preparing for his first assignment as a CIA contractor where he is taking out the scout of a notorious crime lord.
A decent little story but for me only serves as a taster for future novels.
I have read other books in this series but I think this would be an ideal book to any new Tom Wood reader to get an insight into both the writer and the series.
I did enjoy the book but rated it only three stars due to the length of it and not the overall quality.
In this short story Victor is in Berlin, preparing for his first assignment as a CIA contractor where he is taking out the scout of a notorious crime lord.
A decent little story but for me only serves as a taster for future novels.
March 14, 2012
Kindle Edition, published March 13th, 2012
Hachette Digital
After he was forced to give up of his freedom, contract killer Victor is now on the CIA’s payroll. What fun - a handler telling him who to gank and when to do it.
This time it’s a crime lord, and Victor takes up surveillance of the man’s trusted scout. Soon he realizes he’s not the only party interested in the guy, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Complications arise, plans need to be changed. Bad Luck…in Berlin.
I admit it, I’m a total lunatic. I waited until this exclusive short story was delivered to my Kindle at 2 am in the morning and then, read it right away. Two words: No regrets!
I didn’t think Wood could up the ante much more after his debut thriller The Hunter (it blew me away), but hot damn, he managed to do it. Bad Luck in Berlin is the perfect in-between shorty before sinking one’s claws into book two. No worries if you happen to be one of the unfortunate few that haven’t yet read The Hunter, because as much as this short story is tied to both full length novels, in my opinion, you can read it as a stand-alone as well. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean I’d recommend doing so. If you're a thriller fan, read The Hunter first. Are you a newbie to the genre, or just not sure you'd like the antihero-theme? Go for Bad Luck in Berlin as a stand-alone. It'll wow you - promise!
I’m a real stickler when it comes to less than stellar first chapters, but I loved this one. Nothing to complain about. It didn’t just reunite me with the antihero - his distinct yet secretive persona - I had safely stored away in my memory, the scene also turned out to be one heck of a surprise. The author played on the reader’s expectations and did it well. Way to get my pulse pounding!
As for Victor himself, that such a thing as norm in terms of accepting your death even exists in his mind emphasized his unique point of view as an assassin. It gave me a very accurate and intimidating idea of what Victor is capable of. It’s a fine line between being outright afraid of someone and being scared, yet in awe of the person. A bit of humor can go a long way in keeping the balance. Direct hit! I felt compassion for Victor, I even laughed at the situation he found himself in. Sneaky, sneaky, if you pause long enough to think it through. Before you know it you don’t care what he does for a living. Happened to me! I like him and was relieved that despite being dangerous and deadly, he was not perfect. He made mistakes (just never twice).
Victor creeped me out and fascinated me all at once. He showed me how troublingly easy it is to chit-chat with a stranger about work or life in general and give nothing of importance away. To make a certain encounter all about odds was a brilliant move. What are the odds of the guy you’re talking to being a contract killer? It also put the spotlight on two major character traits of Victor that are hugely dependent on each other, but are evolving in opposite directions.
•He felt uncomfortable in an everyday situation. The
eternal outsider on the inside.
•He perfected the art of hiding even the slightest
indication of it.
All the way through these 96 pages, irony was simmering just below the surface. The writing superb, the antihero’s emotions within reach, but never too concrete. Victor maintained a level of detachment from others and from the reader at all times, which in turn increased his appeal. He doesn’t just work as a killer, Victor is a killer. A big difference that separates the men from the boys – the antihero from the wannabe bad-boy.
Wood provided the reader with detailed data on Victor’s every course of action. They played a part in contributing to portray the mission as precise as possible, for it can mean the difference between completing and failing a job. Victor was in a bind. Working for the CIA was non-negotiable (so far), but being an employee of sorts entailed greater risks. Hopefully this catch-22 situation will be further addressed in The Enemy (book two).
The suspense, oh the suspense. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Trouble around every corner. The kind that had me cursing at myself for reading this shorty in the middle of the night. It got violent. More thriller authors should take that to heart. The fight scenes were very real. I could see them unfold in my mind’s eye.
I also loved the fact that both inabilities and skills of his opponents were pointed out. It would have been no fun to watch Victor fight total dummies. Wood kept the challenge alive and well.
Yes, I am a huge fan of Wood’s debut thriller, but just to make it clear, if this short story had sucked big time (or even just a little), I wouldn’t have hesitated to call it how it is.
I really, truly, absolutely enjoyed every page of it and can’t wait for The Enemy to arrive on my doorstep. 5 stars to Bad Luck in Berlin by Tom Wood.
Beware of Spoilers!
A few of my favorite quotes for those of you who are interested:
° “Intelligence is a curse, isn’t it? I’m not joking. Have you ever met anyone happier than a dog with a stick?”
° “...and those who paid for the services of a killer he trusted least of all.”
° “...underestimating a person’s stupidity could be as dangerous as underestimating their intelligence.”
° “...in Victor’s line of work a potential threat was a definite threat until proven otherwise.”
° ”...learned the line separating self-confidence and arrogance is the most dangerous of all.”
Hachette Digital
After he was forced to give up of his freedom, contract killer Victor is now on the CIA’s payroll. What fun - a handler telling him who to gank and when to do it.
This time it’s a crime lord, and Victor takes up surveillance of the man’s trusted scout. Soon he realizes he’s not the only party interested in the guy, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Complications arise, plans need to be changed. Bad Luck…in Berlin.
I admit it, I’m a total lunatic. I waited until this exclusive short story was delivered to my Kindle at 2 am in the morning and then, read it right away. Two words: No regrets!
I didn’t think Wood could up the ante much more after his debut thriller The Hunter (it blew me away), but hot damn, he managed to do it. Bad Luck in Berlin is the perfect in-between shorty before sinking one’s claws into book two. No worries if you happen to be one of the unfortunate few that haven’t yet read The Hunter, because as much as this short story is tied to both full length novels, in my opinion, you can read it as a stand-alone as well. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean I’d recommend doing so. If you're a thriller fan, read The Hunter first. Are you a newbie to the genre, or just not sure you'd like the antihero-theme? Go for Bad Luck in Berlin as a stand-alone. It'll wow you - promise!
I’m a real stickler when it comes to less than stellar first chapters, but I loved this one. Nothing to complain about. It didn’t just reunite me with the antihero - his distinct yet secretive persona - I had safely stored away in my memory, the scene also turned out to be one heck of a surprise. The author played on the reader’s expectations and did it well. Way to get my pulse pounding!
As for Victor himself, that such a thing as norm in terms of accepting your death even exists in his mind emphasized his unique point of view as an assassin. It gave me a very accurate and intimidating idea of what Victor is capable of. It’s a fine line between being outright afraid of someone and being scared, yet in awe of the person. A bit of humor can go a long way in keeping the balance. Direct hit! I felt compassion for Victor, I even laughed at the situation he found himself in. Sneaky, sneaky, if you pause long enough to think it through. Before you know it you don’t care what he does for a living. Happened to me! I like him and was relieved that despite being dangerous and deadly, he was not perfect. He made mistakes (just never twice).
Victor creeped me out and fascinated me all at once. He showed me how troublingly easy it is to chit-chat with a stranger about work or life in general and give nothing of importance away. To make a certain encounter all about odds was a brilliant move. What are the odds of the guy you’re talking to being a contract killer? It also put the spotlight on two major character traits of Victor that are hugely dependent on each other, but are evolving in opposite directions.
•He felt uncomfortable in an everyday situation. The
eternal outsider on the inside.
•He perfected the art of hiding even the slightest
indication of it.
All the way through these 96 pages, irony was simmering just below the surface. The writing superb, the antihero’s emotions within reach, but never too concrete. Victor maintained a level of detachment from others and from the reader at all times, which in turn increased his appeal. He doesn’t just work as a killer, Victor is a killer. A big difference that separates the men from the boys – the antihero from the wannabe bad-boy.
Wood provided the reader with detailed data on Victor’s every course of action. They played a part in contributing to portray the mission as precise as possible, for it can mean the difference between completing and failing a job. Victor was in a bind. Working for the CIA was non-negotiable (so far), but being an employee of sorts entailed greater risks. Hopefully this catch-22 situation will be further addressed in The Enemy (book two).
The suspense, oh the suspense. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Trouble around every corner. The kind that had me cursing at myself for reading this shorty in the middle of the night. It got violent. More thriller authors should take that to heart. The fight scenes were very real. I could see them unfold in my mind’s eye.
I also loved the fact that both inabilities and skills of his opponents were pointed out. It would have been no fun to watch Victor fight total dummies. Wood kept the challenge alive and well.
Yes, I am a huge fan of Wood’s debut thriller, but just to make it clear, if this short story had sucked big time (or even just a little), I wouldn’t have hesitated to call it how it is.
I really, truly, absolutely enjoyed every page of it and can’t wait for The Enemy to arrive on my doorstep. 5 stars to Bad Luck in Berlin by Tom Wood.
Beware of Spoilers!
A few of my favorite quotes for those of you who are interested:
° “Intelligence is a curse, isn’t it? I’m not joking. Have you ever met anyone happier than a dog with a stick?”
° “...and those who paid for the services of a killer he trusted least of all.”
° “...underestimating a person’s stupidity could be as dangerous as underestimating their intelligence.”
° “...in Victor’s line of work a potential threat was a definite threat until proven otherwise.”
° ”...learned the line separating self-confidence and arrogance is the most dangerous of all.”
February 21, 2020
Bad Luck in Berlin (Victor the Assassin, #1.5) by Tom Wood
It's a Short Story in Tom Wood's "Victor" series. I usually don't like these kind of books but Tom Wood definitely knows how to keep the readers engaged. If you haven't read any of his books, read this one as a sample. I'm sure you would love it..
It's a Short Story in Tom Wood's "Victor" series. I usually don't like these kind of books but Tom Wood definitely knows how to keep the readers engaged. If you haven't read any of his books, read this one as a sample. I'm sure you would love it..
February 27, 2015
My first time reading a short story.
A clever idea, as this story fits nicely into the two main "Victor" books.
Somehow you know this character will return in the future.
Also nice to just have a quick read but still exciting
A clever idea, as this story fits nicely into the two main "Victor" books.
Somehow you know this character will return in the future.
Also nice to just have a quick read but still exciting
March 12, 2021
This is a short story and falls as #1.5 in the Victor the Assassin series by Tom Wood. While there’s somewhat of a spoiler to events in book 1, The Killer – I think if you wanted to get a taste for Wood’s writing or the character of Victor, this is a nice place to start and you could still go back and thoroughly enjoy The Killer.
Most of this book spans a few hours in one evening – but Wood still manages to pack in quite a bit of information about Victor’s skill & training as well as the humanity he tries to cover up most of the time. Caught in the middle of two ops – Victor struggles to balance his own task while protecting a newly discovered innocent. A quick and enjoyable afternoon read.
I’m ready for book 2 (which I grabbed in audio), The Enemy.
Most of this book spans a few hours in one evening – but Wood still manages to pack in quite a bit of information about Victor’s skill & training as well as the humanity he tries to cover up most of the time. Caught in the middle of two ops – Victor struggles to balance his own task while protecting a newly discovered innocent. A quick and enjoyable afternoon read.
I’m ready for book 2 (which I grabbed in audio), The Enemy.
January 15, 2018
I have recently read and loved the first two Victor the Assassin novels by Tom Wood after having them on my TBR for years. I was interested to see how well Tom would turn his hand to writing a short story featuring Victor because his full-length novels are packed full of detail and story that what could Victor possibly do that would be entertaining and detailed in so few pages?
Bad Luck in Berlin serves as a good introduction to those who haven’t yet acquainted themselves with one of my new favourite characters. We see him following a target on his first job for the CIA, a job he has no choice in doing as a rogue agent has him under his control. Unfortunately for Victor the target he is following also has somebody else hunting him down. What follows is an extremely quick read with minimal action as Victor attempts to not kill the target, but keep him alive.
I’ve said it in my reviews of the other books in the series that Victor is a really intriguing and fascinating character. Without going into detail he has previously stated that his sole focus is always on getting the job done, and he prides himself on knowing everything going on around him. Well, he’s a little slow on the uptake here and makes one or two mistakes and puts his own life at risk to protect somebody not even associated with the job he’s been tasked to do. In previous novels I have liked this about him and that it what, to me, humanises him as a character beyond just being a cold-blooded killer. It also introduces a character that I think we will see again.
If you are looking to read this series then this would be a good place to start on a bus journey or on a break at work. A quick introduction to a brilliant main character before starting the main series which contains some gripping and thrilling reads that have been some of my favourites over these past few weeks. Highly recommended.
Bad Luck in Berlin serves as a good introduction to those who haven’t yet acquainted themselves with one of my new favourite characters. We see him following a target on his first job for the CIA, a job he has no choice in doing as a rogue agent has him under his control. Unfortunately for Victor the target he is following also has somebody else hunting him down. What follows is an extremely quick read with minimal action as Victor attempts to not kill the target, but keep him alive.
I’ve said it in my reviews of the other books in the series that Victor is a really intriguing and fascinating character. Without going into detail he has previously stated that his sole focus is always on getting the job done, and he prides himself on knowing everything going on around him. Well, he’s a little slow on the uptake here and makes one or two mistakes and puts his own life at risk to protect somebody not even associated with the job he’s been tasked to do. In previous novels I have liked this about him and that it what, to me, humanises him as a character beyond just being a cold-blooded killer. It also introduces a character that I think we will see again.
If you are looking to read this series then this would be a good place to start on a bus journey or on a break at work. A quick introduction to a brilliant main character before starting the main series which contains some gripping and thrilling reads that have been some of my favourites over these past few weeks. Highly recommended.
May 8, 2024
Better as this was more involved and the story was interesting with so many subplots.
December 17, 2024
Under 100 page novella. The writing is taut. The tension made to hold. Classic Victor. But the end is unsure as to where it is going.
January 5, 2013
The intrigue around Victor the assassin grows!!! The Hunter left Victor caught between a rock and a hard place. With no choice but to become a contract employee for CIA, Victor feels out of his depth while going about his everyday work.
Bad Luck in Berlin sets up the premise for Victor's career in CIA. Even as Victor thinks of himself as a man without ties or any feeling of emotions, he plays the Samaritan to perfection while rescuing a pretty bartender from a fate worse than death even without her knowing it while earning a new nemesis for himself in the meantime. All this while doing his job of looking after his next target.
With this short story Tom Woods sets up a nice outline for his next book The Enemy where he continues Victors story.
Bad Luck in Berlin sets up the premise for Victor's career in CIA. Even as Victor thinks of himself as a man without ties or any feeling of emotions, he plays the Samaritan to perfection while rescuing a pretty bartender from a fate worse than death even without her knowing it while earning a new nemesis for himself in the meantime. All this while doing his job of looking after his next target.
With this short story Tom Woods sets up a nice outline for his next book The Enemy where he continues Victors story.
April 12, 2014
A great afternoon read.
Victor does his first job for his new boss in CIA and it to kill someone in Berlin, he has to follow someone so he know where the person he has to kill is staying, but the person all so has some one following him so Victor watches them and another man turns up the Casino.
Where ever Victor goes other people get hurt even if there are the bad people
This book is the one before The Enemy but you can only get it on Kindle
Victor does his first job for his new boss in CIA and it to kill someone in Berlin, he has to follow someone so he know where the person he has to kill is staying, but the person all so has some one following him so Victor watches them and another man turns up the Casino.
Where ever Victor goes other people get hurt even if there are the bad people
This book is the one before The Enemy but you can only get it on Kindle
November 15, 2015
Great little story... Sounded like it was setting the scene well for book 2. I have that on order... I like the authors writing style and his action scenes are good.... I find myself wondering on the fighting style he is basing the techniques on. Could be jujitsu, aikido, or a big bag of mixed styles.
September 26, 2016
Engaging short story but a bit of a trifle overall. I found it slow moving with few memorable events other than the introduction of an interesting antagonist for Victor. You could skip this story and not feel as though you missed anything eventful. Not as strong as Wood's full novels.
November 27, 2018
This was a good short story and I am hoping it is just an insight into things to come. It also shows how Victor is still human and not the "superman" of assassins. Love his ability to be fallible. Now, on to his next book - The Enemy
October 19, 2015
Tom Wood is just brilliant!!! I have enjoyed all of his books so far, and this was no exception. It may have been a short story, but it was still as exciting and thrilling as his novels.
November 27, 2023
1st read Sep 2015
Re-read May 2016
Re-read May 2016
January 17, 2023
This one was slipped in later between 1 & 2. Good value again with Victor.
Read
December 18, 2024As is my usual review practice, I've marked this as 'contains spoilers' simply because I use this space to suit my specific purpose, which is for a medical vs memory battle, and for that purpose alone. This book retains its location in my never ending cycle of re-reading this entire series, from first to last...over & over & over, etc. A luxury of no memory thanks to M.S.: I'll never need to buy another book, ever...lol - They're just like new each time I open one.
My 'Star' Rating & Review
Are my genuine opinions, and it has absolutely no value whatsoever to anyone other than myself. It's simply my opinion. Ignore mine and form your own. It consists of a 3-choice system: 1=Why Didn't I just throw this book out? - 2&3 are never used,so I guess they're just ~Neutral place-holders - 4=I Liked It (and it's my usual/average rating for a decent book) - 5=Whoa-This is so good that it Changed My World! - so that's 1, 4 or 5...got-it?
In this case, it was a high 'I Liked it' book.
My Summation
It appears to be a talent of Mr Wood's that he writes in a fashion that's all his own - and he's good at it. A complex book (in a good way) with alot of characters. The book is full of detail and the character development is done well. I never felt lost in how complex it was. I enjoyed this book, and Victor's next adventure is already queued to start (again) immediately. I know that I'll enjoy it too.
Do I recommend it? Yes, to people that appreciate a 'thriller' that's not just blood & gore...there's actually a plot here. There's no 'Rinse & Repeat' of his work's or others.
My 'Star' Rating & Review
Are my genuine opinions, and it has absolutely no value whatsoever to anyone other than myself. It's simply my opinion. Ignore mine and form your own. It consists of a 3-choice system: 1=Why Didn't I just throw this book out? - 2&3 are never used,so I guess they're just ~Neutral place-holders - 4=I Liked It (and it's my usual/average rating for a decent book) - 5=Whoa-This is so good that it Changed My World! - so that's 1, 4 or 5...got-it?
In this case, it was a high 'I Liked it' book.
My Summation
It appears to be a talent of Mr Wood's that he writes in a fashion that's all his own - and he's good at it. A complex book (in a good way) with alot of characters. The book is full of detail and the character development is done well. I never felt lost in how complex it was. I enjoyed this book, and Victor's next adventure is already queued to start (again) immediately. I know that I'll enjoy it too.
Do I recommend it? Yes, to people that appreciate a 'thriller' that's not just blood & gore...there's actually a plot here. There's no 'Rinse & Repeat' of his work's or others.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2025
This novella is part of a series that I truly enjoy. The reader tags along for tours of far-off, exotic destinations; has a front-row seat for fast-paced action; learns the art of an assassin’s life from a master … what more could one ask for?
This particular installment grabs the attention immediately. And while the opening sequence may be a bit misleading, it was still fun - a bit like running around in a panic looking for your lost cell phone, only to find it safely tucked away in a different pocket.
As the story moves forward, the reader encounters plenty of threats, twists & turns, complications (the book is appropriately titled), action, character development, and vivid settings. The end leaves the reader wanting more, which ought to be the goal of any good author. Wood leaves some unresolved plot lines, draped with a sense of foreboding: What will happen to a couple of periphery characters? Will Victor encounter his (unexpected) nemesis again? When? Under what circumstances? So well done.
Wood’s main character, Victor, is realistic. He makes miscalculations and mistakes. He can be injured. He is human and relatable, qualities that are often missing from protagonists in this genre. Wood also gives the reader a window into Victor’s thought processes and logic. You don’t just witness his actions and behavior, but you understand why he makes certain choices.
I love this genre, and I have read many selections from it. Few are comparable to, and none are better than, Tom Wood’s Victor series.
This particular installment grabs the attention immediately. And while the opening sequence may be a bit misleading, it was still fun - a bit like running around in a panic looking for your lost cell phone, only to find it safely tucked away in a different pocket.
As the story moves forward, the reader encounters plenty of threats, twists & turns, complications (the book is appropriately titled), action, character development, and vivid settings. The end leaves the reader wanting more, which ought to be the goal of any good author. Wood leaves some unresolved plot lines, draped with a sense of foreboding: What will happen to a couple of periphery characters? Will Victor encounter his (unexpected) nemesis again? When? Under what circumstances? So well done.
Wood’s main character, Victor, is realistic. He makes miscalculations and mistakes. He can be injured. He is human and relatable, qualities that are often missing from protagonists in this genre. Wood also gives the reader a window into Victor’s thought processes and logic. You don’t just witness his actions and behavior, but you understand why he makes certain choices.
I love this genre, and I have read many selections from it. Few are comparable to, and none are better than, Tom Wood’s Victor series.
February 14, 2020
Under the thumb of his CIA handler, Victor is tasked with killing a mobster named Farkas who is paranoid about his security. Farkas always sends an advance team to scout possible lodging (never a hotel) but doesn't make a decision until a day or two before travel. Knowing this, Victor trails the advance man, Deak, around Berlin. But this man isn't as paranoid as Farkas. He has no idea he's being followed and is in a hurry to finish so he can drink and gamble (American roulette). Victor follows him to a casino and immediately spots three watchers on Deak. After a while Deak heads to the bar with his winnings and Victor wanders over. Only then does he spot the fourth man in a booth, a highly trained professional. Victor has to neutralize the three man hitsquad without Deak noticiing (so Farkas will keep his appointment in Berlin the following week) while trying to get information on the man in the booth.
Bad Luck in Berlin in a short story but well worth the time. It crackles with tension, the action is intense, and a new enemy emerges.
Bad Luck in Berlin in a short story but well worth the time. It crackles with tension, the action is intense, and a new enemy emerges.
May 12, 2018
Victor the assassin is back. His new CIA bosses have sent him to Berlin to plan the killing of Farkas, a Hungarian crime boss. He is following Deak, the man Farkas has sent ahead to find the best and safest location for a not too distant meeting. Victor finds out through surveillance that 3 men have been waiting for Deak to kill him and they are waiting until he leaves a casino to carry out the task. Victor also notices a mysterious man sitting in the corner, who he initially believed was part of the team, but soon realises that he is an experienced contract killer on another mission, to abduct a young blonde barmaid who has been serving Victor. Victor doesn’t want her to come to harm, although he needs to stop the other team carrying out their plans to kill Deak first. It’s a short story, of course, but still keeps you guessing as to what will happen. Recommended.
June 17, 2022
I'm invested in this series enough that I decided to read this novella. Most novellas I have read in a book series are not that good. Most are usually too short without a plot or character development. This novella had a good plot and continued the development of the protagonist.
I did find the writing was not smooth like the previous novels which made it feel it like there was another person writing parts of the book. The dialogue at the start of the book ran a little too long, although it was descriptive. The previous Victor books were not clunky like this. However, the essence of Victor was captured in this book so that is what bumped it to 4 stars. The plot was perfect for Victor.
I did find the writing was not smooth like the previous novels which made it feel it like there was another person writing parts of the book. The dialogue at the start of the book ran a little too long, although it was descriptive. The previous Victor books were not clunky like this. However, the essence of Victor was captured in this book so that is what bumped it to 4 stars. The plot was perfect for Victor.
May 14, 2018
A nice little short story to bridge the gap between Books 1 and 2 of the "Victor the Assassin" series.
Victor has recovered from his injuries sustained in Book 1 and now is on his first assignment for his new C.I.A. handler, and he definitely is a reluctant, if capable employee. Of course things don't go quite to plan and a few complications come up for Victor to deal with, which is does in typical "Victor" like fashion.
This works as a stand-alone to an extent, so if you are thinking about getting into this series, it's not a bad place to dip your toe in the water, it will definitely give you a sense for what kind of character Victor is.
Victor has recovered from his injuries sustained in Book 1 and now is on his first assignment for his new C.I.A. handler, and he definitely is a reluctant, if capable employee. Of course things don't go quite to plan and a few complications come up for Victor to deal with, which is does in typical "Victor" like fashion.
This works as a stand-alone to an extent, so if you are thinking about getting into this series, it's not a bad place to dip your toe in the water, it will definitely give you a sense for what kind of character Victor is.
September 15, 2017
This was a great novella for this series.
This novella picks up 6 months after the first book and ends right where the second book begins. Victor just wants to get the three jobs done for the CIA man so he can go back to his own life where he is his own freelance assassin again.
In this novella, Victor meets someone who is just a bit better than him, and is surprised to find out that he has a touch of humanity that he didn't know he had.
This novella picks up 6 months after the first book and ends right where the second book begins. Victor just wants to get the three jobs done for the CIA man so he can go back to his own life where he is his own freelance assassin again.
In this novella, Victor meets someone who is just a bit better than him, and is surprised to find out that he has a touch of humanity that he didn't know he had.
December 25, 2023
Another 3.5. I probably need to revise my rating system. Not a terrible book, but did not hold my attention. Overly detailed descriptions of unimportant details, as I said for the first book in this series. I don't remember much about most of the books I read. It is interesting to me, to see a similar complaint about both books by this author. There is some continuity, even if it is not conscious.
October 4, 2017
Really enjoyed this. As others have said this is a very good introduction for people unsure if they want to read Tom Wood of not (but trust me, you do want to read Tom Wood novels). It has been written in such a way too that if doesn't give away details of the novels, so there's no real spoilers per se within it. Highly recommended.
March 16, 2018
A good solid concise Victor episode that not only draws the reader into a sense of endearment for Victor, but also shows that he is not entirely flawless. Victor gets knocked around almost as much as his opponents.
A great "bridge" sequel/prequel between Tom Wood's novels "The Hunter" and "The Enemy".
A great "bridge" sequel/prequel between Tom Wood's novels "The Hunter" and "The Enemy".
December 8, 2018
Fast paced and action packed
Love the fact that Victor was not portrayed too much as mechanical and without soul but just practical and a survivalist. The 2 short stories were fantastic though I would have loved Victor to have some time alone with Anika. Looking forward to your new book or more short stories.
Love the fact that Victor was not portrayed too much as mechanical and without soul but just practical and a survivalist. The 2 short stories were fantastic though I would have loved Victor to have some time alone with Anika. Looking forward to your new book or more short stories.
September 12, 2019
Victor's first assignment as a contractor for the CIA takes him to Berlin. For now, all he's tasked with is surveillance... though a kill team targeting the man he's observing constitutes a bit of a complication.
A quick, actionpacked read. I always have a bit of a soft spot for stories set in or around Berlin, so that's an added bonus right there.
A quick, actionpacked read. I always have a bit of a soft spot for stories set in or around Berlin, so that's an added bonus right there.
May 22, 2025
I have read all of the “Victor” books available through Kindle, which isn’t all of them. There are also books 10, 11, and 12, already written but not available. I read “Orphan X” and after the most recent one there was a write up about Tom Wood’s books. So I tried them. And enjoy them.
This particular item is a short story. I think it is good for a short story. And introduces you to Victor.
This particular item is a short story. I think it is good for a short story. And introduces you to Victor.
April 8, 2019
Another winner for Victor
I normally listen to the audio books. I love this assassin, and reading this book still gave me the feeling of listening to it. The flow is the same. Not all writers can accomplish that. Can’t wait for the next full feature.
I normally listen to the audio books. I love this assassin, and reading this book still gave me the feeling of listening to it. The flow is the same. Not all writers can accomplish that. Can’t wait for the next full feature.
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