Haven

by John R. Maxim

Elizabeth Stride has come to Hilton Head Island to escape her past as "the Black Angel"--a ruthless assassin--and to escape Martin Kessler, a fellow operative who owned a piece of her soul. But just as she's begun to rebuild her shattered life, Kessler reappears, toppling Elizabeth's protective wall of anonymity. A teenage girl about to be abducted from an exclusive nearby tennis club--a girl who unwittingly holds the key to horrific planned act of terrorism. By joining forces in a daring rescue of the girl, Elizabeth and Martin will be forced to put their fates in each other's hands one more time--and decide once and for all if they are to live together or apart. In doing so, they will be drawn into a secret war of fanaticism, greed, and doomsday technology. And there will be no haven.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Mystery Thriller

416 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 1, 1997

About the author

John R. Maxim was born in Greenwich Village, NYC, educated at NY Jesuit Schools (Xavier and Fordham) played all the street sports and most team sports.
Comes from a family of cops and a few Feds. After school, took up flying, skydiving and dirt-track stock car racing until the Military decided it could do without him. Then went into marketing and advertising. Several awards. Rose to Senior VP at major New York Advertising agencies. Work involved a great deal of international travel. Major hobby back then was sailing.
Always wanted to write, however, and, one night on the bar car, decided to give it a year, succeed or fail. Sold first novel at age 41. Wrote 12 more plus one non-fiction, averaging a year and a half each. Translated into ten languages. Several were optioned for film or TV. Still waiting.
Took up skiing. Many trips to Switzerland and Colorado. With the kids gone, sold our Connecticut house and moved to Hilton Head Island with his beautiful wife, Christine, herself a champion sailor.

Reviews

[Sharon Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basic plot revolves around two professional assassins who have essentially retired, or have attempted to do so, with joint history and a number of plot threads that entangle them back into terrorism plots.

Well written, fast moving, interesting characters and plotting. Enjoyed the read until the last few chapters. Found the ending unnecessarily grim and sad, which as a character-driven reader a place I prefer not to go for entertainment.

[Ronda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was great in that I learned alot about the Saudi culture and once it got started it was hard to put down.

[Lydia Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slow to start but picked up pace quickly. Ending was great!!!!!

[Jan Norton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book captivated me. This thriller was written pre 9/11 and therefore, I found it even scarier. This is the first book by this author that I have read. Elizabeth Stride wants to start her life over in a quiet town. Her former partner and lover, Martin Kessler shows up. From there they unwittingly find themselves in the middle of a terror attack, kidnapping, and greed driven crime.

[Roblee · Rating 2 out of 5]

A decent spy thriller, interesting characters and plot line. Terrorists, nukes, and mayhem at a tennis academy in the South. Muslims, Germans, and Brits. Plus the now obligatory super woman type of hero.

[Carl Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent work by Maxim. My first read by this author. Great story line & complex characters. Graphic in spots when describing treatment of women by radical Muslims. Twists & turns throughout the story that keep you wondering all the way to the end!

[Sharon Ivey-Swofford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a quick read and very interesting and informative.

[Scott Breslove · Rating 3 out of 5]

To quote Beerfest the movie...”eh, it was ooookay”

[Dorina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too retired assassins get together again in a well written plot, lots of action. A really good read!

[Kshydog · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book held my interest. The concept of people wanting to leave their careers as assassins yet are still drawn into it again. The issues of religion was very well done showing that there are good and bad in every religion. Elizabeth and Martin were personable so that I wanted to keep rooting for them to succeed. Even the young girl Aisha was a strong enough character. The ending was not what I expected because it really does not leave you thinking there will be a sequel yet I was sure throughout the story that there would be one.

[Tatiana · Rating 3 out of 5]

it's been a while, but i vaguely remember this as a trade paperback book of the kind i usually don't read unless i'm stuck in my father's house, but one that i actually found engaging and satisfying.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent --- Not one of Maxim's best but fairly good. Story of Elizabeth Stride trying to make a new life on Hilton Head. Enter Islamic extremists and her old flame Martin Kessler as they try to protect the young Aishia from being kidnapped by her crazy uncle Gamal from Egypt.

[Daisyaday · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the interesting plot twists and the characters. I especially love the setting of Hilton Head, South Carolina. However, I think it is illegal to own blue heron feathers, even if the bird is not harmed. They are a protected species.

[Joe O'Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very Good; Woman who used to be a counterterrorist finds new life on Hilton Head Island, but her past and terrorists with nuclear weapons catch up to her.

[Rehman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book isn't as anti-Muslim as it seems in the description.

[Jessica]

I wanted a happy ending. This book suffered by my decision to read several other books at the same time. Even so, not the ending I wanted.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thriller with a good plot, but somehow it didn't hold my attention as well as it should have. I couldn't really warm to any of the characters.

[Lysergius · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is quite a well written and plotted novel, which develops at good pace and the conclusion surprises.

[Toesnorth's mom]

good, terrorists and intrigue

[Linden · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this a lot, as it had former assassins fighting Islamic terrorists that have a nuke, while also aiding an Islamic underground railroad smuggling at-risk Saudi women to safety.