Heart of the Assassin: A Novel Hardcover August 11, 2009

Assassin Trilogy #3

by Robert Ferrigno

Time is running out for the two nations that once made up the former USA. Weakened by their division, both the Islamic republic and the Bible Belt are threatened by the expansionist dreams of the Atzlan Empire to the south, and their own intellectual decay engendered by their fundamentalist beliefs. The only solution is to reunite the two nations and regain its former glory, and there's only one way to do it. And only one man, Rakkim Epps, who can. Time is also running out for the arch enemy of the trilogy, the Old One. Over 150 years old, long used to the idea of near immortality, he is dying, and with him the idea of creating one world under his domination. His solution is to reunite the Islamic republic and the Bible Belt, a first step in his march to power. His plan involves his voluptuous and deadly daughter Baby...and none other than Rakkim himself.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Dystopia, Science Fiction, Alternate History, Mystery, Post Apocalyptic

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Robert Ferrigno is an American author of crime novels and of speculative fiction. I've written twelve novels in the last twenty years, most crime thrillers. Sins of the Assassin was a finalist for the Edgar, Best Novel, by the Mystery Writers of America in 2008, and my comic short story, "Can I Help You Out?" won the Silver Dagger, Best Short Story, by the Mystery Association of Great Britain.

Series:
* Jimmy Gage Mystery
* Assassin Trilogy

My most recent book is The Girl Who Cried Wolf (2013), a contemporary crime thriller.

Reviews

[James Thane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in 2045, this is the concluding volume in Robert Ferrigno's Assassin trilogy. A devious and ambitious one hundred and fifty year-old character called the Old One dreams of creating a Muslim Caliphate under his own rule. He's been laboring on the project for years (and through the two previous books in this series, Prayers for the Assassin and Sins of the Assassin). As part of the scheme, years earlier, he planted suitcase nukes in New York, Washington, D.C. and Mecca.

In the aftermath of the attacks, the United States crumbled and was divided, essentially, into two-parts, the Belt, dominated by Christians, and the Republic, dominated by Muslims. As this book opens, both regions are threatened by the powerful Aztlan Empire to the south, which is nibbling away at the former U.S., determined at a minimum to regain the territory that the U.S. annexed from Mexico in the middle of the 19th century.

While the Old One manipulates events from behind the scenes, sowing chaos in a fashion calculated to advance his own ambitions, some strategically placed people in the Republic are developing plans to reunite the Belt and the Republic in the hope of restoring the glory of the former U.S. While the politicians and others maneuver, Rakkim Epps, a moderate Muslim and genetically enhanced warrior fights the evil-doers (as he has in the previous books) and attempts to support all things good and virtuous in a decaying world. Rakkim is married to Sarah, a gifted historian who is key to the reunification plans, but in this book, he is also sorely tempted by Baby, the scheming, voluptuous daughter of the Old One.

Ferrigno has created in these books a chilling vision of the near future and a memorable cast of characters. Readers who find the premise appealing will certainly want to read the books in order, although any one of them could be read as a stand-alone.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hadn't read the previous two books in Ferrigno's Assassin series but I saw a favorable review and decided to give it a try. The style and plot of the book was remindful of the "Dune" series so brilliantly written by Frank Herbert. It had a similar science fiction political conflict but not the master philosophical depth that the Dune books had.
Assassin takes place in an America of the not too distant future of 2045. America has been fractured by civil war and is divided into The Islamic Republic and The Bible Belt with several independent free states as well : Nueva Florida, Morman Territories and Nevada Free State. Mexico has become the Aztlan Empire and is encroaching from the south to regain territory that was once hers.
Central to the political intrique is a plot by The Old One, the corrupt, fundamentalist religious Mahdi of the Islamic Republic to brew up a war between The Bible Belt and the Aztlan Empire so he can come to the Bible Belt's rescue and reunite the two nations under his religious theocracy. Into this mix is Baby, the sex kitten daughter of the Old One who is trying to inflence the outcome to her own advantage and Rakkim Epps (who Baby has the hots for), a non-fundamentalist Fedayeen shadow warrior who sets out to uncover the plot and stop it. Also in the mix of comic book characters is Lester Gravenholtz, an invulnerable sadistic killer who is sent to stop Rakkim from spoiling the plot. The whole thing reads a bit like a comic book fantasy satire but is nonetheless a good escapist read.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading (listening to) the first two in the trilogy, I was ecstatic to find that my local library had this ready to check out. Each book of the trilogy is well-encapsulated, but builds into the third book. The first two were so moving that the third was somewhat of a letdown. The world Ferrigno created in book one was so wild, but I now feel somewhat comfortable in the continuing craziness. The stakes didn't seem as high as the earlier books, and there was more political risk than personal risk. Don't get me wrong: while the first two books were 9.9's, this was a solid 9.7. This entire series was more haunting to me than 1984 or Brave New World. It is far more real. The narrator continues to make this audio-book greater than the paper version. His acting abilities really bring that much more depth to the characters. A wonderful ending to a great series. I'm sad to say goodbye to Rakkim Epps.

[Schnaucl · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

I was hoping the last book would have Rikki spending more time with the friends we met over the course of the first two books in the trilogy. Anthony, Leo, Sarah, Michael, Moseby, etc. We got glimpses but that's about it.

I also thought the ending was far too neat. You have two theocracies with democratic elements and they reunify instantly and seamlessly? Even in the face of an outside threat I think it would take a lot more than the exchange of a religious artifact. And I doubt the black robes would really just go away. That's not how bullies work. Who is in charge now? Where is the capital? Are they going to draw up a new Constitution? Will the law of the land be Shariah, Biblical, a combination or something else? And where are the terrorists who are trying to derail the peace process? Shouldn't one (or more) of the leaders of the unification end up assassinated? It's tragic, but that's what tends to happen when long time enemies try for peace.

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is no doubt much I missed by jumping in with the third book in the series, but I was still very satisfied with this book on its own. Discovering the events leading up to a Western hemisphere dominated by three major religions makes me want to go back and read the first books in this series. Even so, I was provided the info I needed to keep up with the twisting tale of power hungry leaders trying to exert their influence over the world.
The narrator of this audiobook did an excellent job providing voice to all of the characters: a southern drawl for the lady, a bit of accent for the Aztlan president and gravel in the voice of another. Couldn't have asked for anything more.
Language, sexual content and violence all put this on the adult bookshelf.

[Elizabeth Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending was beautifully done, the series was an amazing eye opener. How different religions come together and all though they swore to never see eye to eye, they ended up pulling through in the Amircan dream way. By placing their differences aside and taking a leap of faith in trust and love for what they stand for.

[Randy Ramsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The series was good with a nice twist on a post apocalyptic world. Was a "happy ending" to the trilogy . Hero was particularly interesting along with many of the other characters while a few fell flat.

[Alden · Rating 3 out of 5]

kinda mid in the end. I will not be reading the first one. Maybe I'm being harsh, it was just more of the same. I'd recommend it but not as good as shit like Paolo Bacigalupi or fucking N. K. Jemison or some other shit.

[Eoin · Rating 2 out of 5]

A sadly flat and mediocre ending to a decent trilogy.

[Dylan Schouppe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good. Definitely a bit of a testosterone thriller at parts, inconsistent writing, but overall actually a pretty good story. Very unique idea.

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The third book in the Assassin Trilogy. Fast-paced and entertaining.

[Bob Box · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 2010. A smart and violent futuristic thriller.

[Paul Sand · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Imported automatically from my blog. Some formatting there may not have translated here.]

This is the concluding entry of Robert Ferrigno's "Assassin" trilogy. To recap the scenario: the USA has disintegrated. A horrific dirty-nuke attack against major cities precipitated a civil war, resulting in the "Islamic Republic" in the North and West, the "Bible Belt" in the South, and a few other enclaves (Here's a map.)

Things are rapidly going downhill for the fractured nation. Fundamentalists condemn people to death for the slightest infraction of their hyper-sharianism. Much of the country is an anarchic mess, where life is even cheaper. The Aztlán Empire (née Mexico) is aggressing from the South. The evil mastermind behind the original attacks is still around, and has intentions of establishing a worldwide caliphate, not caring overmuch how much more mass murder he needs to engineer. He has vast riches, and an array of ruthless and resourceful henchpersons.

That leaves things looking pretty grim for our hero, Rakkim Epps. He's barely survived the first two installments in the series, but (fortunately) he's become an even more deadly killing machine. His task here is set for him by his lovely wife, Sarah: could he go to still-radioactive Washington D. C., in search of a valuable—one might even say sacred—artifact, hidden away in an abandoned secret bunker? Even for Rakkim, this is slightly more dangerous than running down to the 7-11 for a pint of Cherry Garcia.

Posts about the previous volumes in the series are here and here. Recommend you read them first.

This installment has the usual imaginative violence, suspense, and a sharply rendered array of colorful characters. Ferrigno plays things pretty straight, but (without spoiling things too much) when the Aztlan Empire decides to bomb a particular cultural shrine in the Bible Belt, even I said: OK, that's a little over the top.

[Brett T · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best known for his noirish crime thrilers, Robert Ferrigno switched gears in 2006 with his "Assassin" trilogy, a dystopian future thriller set in a United States divided between a northern and western section called the Islamic Republic and a southern section called the Bible Belt. Political unrest and economic crises following nuclear detonations in Washington, D.C. and Mecca split the country in the second decade of the 21st century, with civil wars being fought between the two nations and several skirmishes on a regular basis.

Rakkim Epps is a moderate Muslim employed as a Fedayeen, or elite "shadow warrior" working for the Seattle-based headquarters of the Republic. In the two novels prior to Heart, he has come to realize that the destabilization and conflict came not from terrorist organizations, but from a man called the Old One, a wealthy puppeteer who believes himself to be the Mahdi that will inaugurate a worldwide caliphate. The Old One has continued to manipulate world events to reach his goal, but Rakkim and several people in both the Republic and the Bible Belt are working to stop him.

As in the first two books of the series, Ferrigno does an excellent job setting up the society of a moderate majority Islamic nation set in the former U.S. There are radio call-in shows asking questions about sharia law, descriptions of the different accommodations religious and cultural groups make to the majority religion, allusions to the history of the two nations and so on. But in wrapping up his trilogy, Ferrigno seems as though he has a little bit more story than he has book to put it in, with a number of features much more rushed than they were in the former volumes. It's still a great end of the trilogy and an interesting exploration of whether what makes the United States the United States is greater than what might divide it.

Original available here.

[William · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really, this trilogy should just been well edited book. I found this very disappointing having invested my time in the first two

[KarenC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Concluding novel in Ferrigno's futuristic Assassin trilogy. Prayers for the Assassin and Sins of the Assassin were more interesting and had a higher level of suspense. Made the mistake of reading Sins prior to Prayers to meet a personal goal to read Edgar Award nominees; that was a mistake. In my opinion the trilogy is better read in order as a set. Certain events and character moves will be better understood as you watch them develop through the full series.
The story took on more relevance to current events as this year progressed. This trilogy should be read in the current context of religious intolerance and disregard for women's rights. Is this a fictional version of where the U.S. is headed?
The writing in this novel generally stays to the point, but some of Epps's choices seem to stray from the main goal. Even the main goal gets a little obscured for a while. Actions seem predictable once the reader is aware of Epps's destinations. If you have read the first two books you would have a strong idea of where the plot twists go in this one. We do learn more about Rakkim Epps, Baby, and the Mahdi; motives, relationships. It wrapped up the series, tied up most loose ends and allowed the main characters to walk away.
Overall, a decent read and worth it to finish the story.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This third installment in the Assassin trilogy follows our hero, the Fedayeen warrior Rakkim Epps, as he tries to... what exactly? I was never clear on his goal. I think it is to reunite the former United States, which we learn in the first book dissolved into the Islamic Republic and the Bible Belt following a civil war in 2017. Although in that dispute I wasn't sure who we were supposed to be rooting for; I decided to stop trying to figure it out and accept that both "countries" had flaws and so there was no "good" side. If you can get past the lack of a coherent MacGuffin, this book - and really the whole trilogy - is a fun exercise in an alternate future, exploring the cultural, societal and economic results of such a schism. With lots of action. It is a worthy conclusion to a trilogy that kept me interested and always looking forward to the next book.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third 'Assassin' novel. Just as hot dang action grabbing as the first two and every thing is neatly tied in a bow at the end.

Rakkim, the hero, has grown over the three novels that make up this series. A Sci-Fi novel only because it is set 30 or 40 years in the future. Nothing 'off putting' in the scientific/technical realm.

A great read. I thoroughly enjoyed all three novels in the series and they were of the 'can't put down' genre.

[Zach · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost stopped reading this book after 100 pages or so, but kept going and was glad I did. The story and plot are intriguing, but the characters are not very well developed and to be blunt, I didn't care who lived or died. In the future, the country is run by Muslims and Evangelists, with hypocrites and power hungry leaders on all sides. The plot jumped around but was easy to follow. This book would have been better if I had somebody to root for.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

The final chapter in the trilogy. You have to read this series. The concept is fascinating, the writing is gripping, and the story takes your breath away. A divided America. A corrupted America. Will it reunite? Survive? Ever be anywhere close to the same that it once was? A post-apocalyptic tale with a very timely twist. You'll devour it.

[CT · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bitter sweet ending to a fine trilogy. PRAYERS FOR THE ASSASSIN and SINS OF THE ASSASSIN were much better, since it was pretty obvious how Ferrigno was going to end the last book of the series. I still enjoyed the characters and will miss being in Ferrigno's alternative reality. I recommend the trilogy to anyone who is interested in thrillers and religion.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first two books in this series, but it petered out a bit in this final installment. The characterization that drove previous installments gets a bit thin here, so it just does have the same drive. A shame, but worth it to see how it ends.

[Stephen Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the previous 2 novels in the series. I enjoyed the way this wraps up the story and concludes the series. If you liked the previous 2 books in the series you will more than likely enjoy this one.

[Jayw]

Lots of action in the Assassin series. Full of politics & intrigue in in post apocalypse US with a Muslim area, religious right area, open area and an emergent Mexico. The hero is the Muslim assassin Rakkim Epps. Read em all but the 1st 2 are the best of the trilogy

[Ann Tonks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Science Fiction only attracts me when there's sociology and politics rather than technology and fairy stories so this series appeals. The vision of the US split into different religious empires is interesting and the characters created by Mr Ferrigno are engaging and rich.

[Janis]

I read this without knowing that it was the third in a series. It was a wild ride. I will be going back to read the first two.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine ending to the trilogy.

[Monty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed this futuristic alternative history trilogy. What more can I say except that I was up late last night reading the last 150 pages because I couldn't put it down.

[Christen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only finished this book because I had read the other two and was on an airplane with nothing else to read. Don't waste your time. Not quite bad enough for a 1 star, but I thought about it.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good science fiction thriller. The hero is a Muslim in a sort-of post apocalyptic USA. Didn't read the 1st 2 in the series - wish I had.