The Proxy Assassin

American Spy Trilogy #3

by John Knoerle

October, 1948. Former OSS agent Hal Schroeder gets an invitation to Washington D.C. from Frank Wisner, who heads the CIA’s new covert ops division. Hal is whisked off to Wisner’s Maryland shore retreat and introduced to a brace of Romanian royals, including the scarily beautiful Princess Stela Varadja, a direct descendant of Vlad Tepes Draculea.

Then Frank Wisner pops the question. Would Hal consider parachuting into a remote mountain camp to meet with the leader of a group of Romanian anti-Communist guerillas? Hal had already survived two previous suicide missions and a third did not appeal. But he told Frank Wisner he would need a few days to think it over and had some sightseeing to do.

As it turns out, Hal gets to do a lot more sightseeing than he bargained for. Proxy Assassin is a journey that brings the American Spy Trilogy to a surprising, and emotional, conclusion.

Genres: Fiction

280 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2012

About the author

John Knoerle's first novel,"Crystal Meth Cowboys," was optioned by Fox for a TV series.

His second novel, "The Violin Player," won the Mayhaven Award for Fiction.

John has dubbed his latest novel, "Beer and Gasoline," Book FOUR of The American Spy Trilogy. It was a finalist for the 2018 Eric Hoffer Award. Book Three was designated one of the best indie novels of 2013 by Kirkus Reviews.

John lives with his wife Judie in Shorewood, Wisconsin.

Reviews

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew! Exhausting book to read and made me glad I am not ever considering a career in espionage. It seems to take a certain mindset and ability to play chess AND have a sense of humor to keep going.

THE PROXY ASSASSIN is set in the US and other environs just after WWII. Hal Schroeder is hailed as both a hero, but isn't loved by all. He's trying to come to grips with his life thus far. I know I have to read the first two in the trilogy so I can catch up to some of the mentions and occurences that happen in this entry.
Hal is sent to Europe to battle the Red threat by garnering trust with the Romanian anti-Communist guerillas. Not everything is as it seems and Hal doesn't know who to trust other than himself...and sometimes not even him.
I loved the dry humor throughout. I think I could be friends with Hal, though the friend attrition rate is pretty high with him.
I look forward to reading the first two in the trilogy and anything else John Knoerle writes.

[Charline Ratcliff · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The Proxy Assassin” by author John Knoerle is a fast-paced read that keeps the reader enthusiastically intrigued. “The Proxy Assassin” is book three of the “American Spy Trilogy” and even though I hadn't read either of the previous two titles, I was able to jump right in and not feel as though I was missing important, already provided, information.

The year is 1948 and former OSS agent Hal Schroeder is invited to Washington D.C. to meet with Frank Wisner. Wisner heads up the new covert ops division of the CIA and Hal wonders what suicide mission the CIA is going to try and talk him into this time. Hal agrees to the meeting and is delivered to Wisner’s Maryland retreat where he dines with Frank, Frank’s family, the current King of Romania and his wife the Princess of Bourbon Parma plus one Princess Stela Varadja who just happens to be the direct descendant of Prince Vlad Tepes. With Stela’s chalk-white skin, sharp aquiline nose, black eyes and purple lips Hal can’t help but instantly see the family resemblance to Vlad the Impaler, Bram Stoker’s basis for the fictional Dracula.

After dinner, Hal is regaled with stories of Wisner’s heroism and the Romanian monarchs share their hopes and vision for a country free from Communist rule. A jovial evening is followed up with a serious question: would Hal be willing to parachute into a remote mountain camp to meet with a group of anti-Communist guerrillas? Hal is tired of being a spy; he’s burned out on behind the lines encounters with enemy agents, but for some reason he just can’t say no. I guess that either makes him a masochist or…a glutton for punishment although it seems to me that’s kind of the same thing.

What follows throughout the pages of “The Proxy Assassin” is a well-written, fast-paced story of espionage and intrigue. Knoerle has also done a great job of using factual history during the writing of his tale; this gives “The Proxy Assassin” a much more realistic and believable feel. A great read for anyone who loves action, adventure, espionage or interesting fiction. Lastly, “The Proxy Assassin” can definitely be enjoyed by readers of all ages. Four stars…

(Reviewed in association with Rebecca's Reads).

[David Ketelsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

John Knoerle has created a loving tribute to the 60s spy noir genre in this fast paced novel that ends his American Spy Trilogy. Or does it? This tribute to early cold war novels is pretty open ended---I can easily see more books being added to this series.

The Proxy Assassin sees long suffering spy/hero Hal Schroeder sent back into action again, this time to Romania. The year is 1948, and Communism is trying to spread into Eastern Europe. The West responds with men like Hal Schroeder---and we get to watch.

The plot is complex and you can expect wheels turning within wheels but it's worth it in the end. When the final hammer drops, and all is revealed, Hal Schroeder has a new lease on life. And maybe a lass to share life with? Only if there's a fourth book.

[Bj Gaskill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly I thought this book was interesting....totally caught me from the first few chapters.
I don't usually go for "Spy novels" , but this is so far from a normal "Spy novel" that I'm blown away.
I have to go back now and read books 1 and 2!
Hal Schroeder's character is remarkable...Well developed...just LOVED him!
As you traverse across Europe during the Cold war era the book has you on edge about what will happen next....so many twists :)
Never knew an ashtray could be so dangerous...LOL
If you are looking for Action...It's here!!!
Adventure....Totally!!!!
Intrigue.....It's in there
Package in short easy to read chapters that will have you wanting MORE!!
Wonderful job Mr. Knoerle!!!!

[Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed these spy novels written by John. After ripping through the first two books in one week, I decided to set aside most of my weekend for this third installment.

As with all three books, the story kept moving and didn’t have a bunch fluff that many other books seem so fond of...which is very annoying. I understand what the author was doing and he pulled it off very well.

I highly recommended the whole series!

[Paul Seneca · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third and final book of the American Spy Trilogy is by far the best and the most thrilling! You'll find yourself turning page after page in anticipation of what's going to happen next as you follow Hal Schroeder on his thrilling adventure. Highly recommended for any thriller or spy book fan and if you haven't read the first two then you should!

[Violet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Goodreads and John Knoerle for The Proxy Assassin "Living the life of a spy is filled with danger and intrigue. Following Hal Schroeder on his latest assignment will keep you turning the pages". I am certainly going to read the other books in John Knoerle's American Spy Trilogy.

[Muriel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good well paced storyline.i liked the tongue in cheek humour throughout.

[Rich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well unfortunately this was basically a pile of shit. A terrible way to finish a fantastic trilogy. Maybe old John here should have stopped at two books. I have enjoyed every book he has written until this one. The characters were forced, the action tepid, the romance worse. Our intrepid spy parachutes into Romanian at the beginning of the cold war. Yes I know what you are thinking and so was I. Why? Who gives a shit about Romania in the context of the cold war unless you are a vampire or a wear wolf looking for some pay back. From there it comes back to the good old U S of A where there is a power struggle in D.C. between the FBI (yes J Edgar) and the early CIA. Hal our man in D.C. gets caught in the middle and during all this a crazy Russian spy wants to whack Hal for some personal bullshit that happened in the second book. All in all I found this to be a convoluted mess and below the standard of writing Knoerle (the author) has previously set. Your call sports fans but were I in your shoes I would pass on this one.

[Lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not at all your typical thriller - more like a hardboiled/noir detective novel from the 40's. That's not necessarily a bad thing - just not something I've encountered before. The protagonist, Hal Schroeder, reminds me of many old time detectives with his 'witty' repartee and attitude toward women.

The story itself is a bit difficult to get at first but it works out in the end. Enough twists & turns to keep you guessing. There was no clear ending though which makes me think there will be a fourth book in this 'trilogy'.

Oh... I didn't read the first two books of the series but that didn't cause any issues - this book read fine stand-alone.

[Sanchi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok So this isn't my normal genre that I like to read on the regular, but I did like Johns writing in this 3rd book in his trilogy. I read all the Jason Bourne books and truly and enjoyed them, and this had similar excitements to that. I did have a harder time getting through it then I had liked, but it was definitely a good read by the end. This book takes you through some serious excitement for a spy thriller. I loved Hal's latest adventure through this book and would definitely recommend the book for the right person. I rated this book 3 out of 5 stars I did enjoy it, but didn't love it and definitely did not dislike it.

[Reading Fool · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an Advance Reader's Copy of this book.

This is the third and final installment of the American Spy Trilogy. It's 1948 and Hal Schroeder is a former OSS agent who has been asked by Frank Wisner, head of the CIA's covert ops group, to go to Europe on an anti-Communism mission. The style of writing is very Raymond Chandler-esque. In my mind I could picture the film (noir) version of this book, with lots of fog and scenes in smoky bars. The plot has many twists and was difficult to follow at first, but I pressed on and enjoyed it in the end.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not read the previous books in this series. I was pleasantly surprised by this book. There was quite a bit of military jargon that I did not fully understand but it did not detract from the book. I found myself a little confused at the beginning of the story but after a few chapters I got an understanding of how the author was writing. Before I knew it, I couldn't put the book down. I love John Knoerle's characters. He developed the setting well but did not put so much detail in that I wanted to skip over parts. I am now interested in getting the first two books in this series.

[Olgalijo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although the historic setting should make this book interesting the plot is too complicated. When the protagonist keeps having to explain all the reasons why he comes to a conclusion there is something wrong...

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the twists and turns this book presented. Not just your average spy novel. I like how it was presented in the past instead of the present. I say if you enjoy spy novels this one won't disappoint you.

[Tevilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sorry to see the trilogy end. Hal has been an interesting character and his development fun to follow. This is a 'noir' reading--it has its on style and storytelling.