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Peter Newman #3
The Assassins
With this suspenseful, action-packed finale, Oliver North concludes the trilogy that has included his best-selling novels Mission Compromised and The Jericho Sanction.Years after the September 11th attacks on America, the world awakes one morning to the news that Islamic Jihadists have assailed multiple targets in Saudi Arabia, destroying oil-pumping equipment, crippling pipelines, and assassinating most of the royal family. Inflation rocks the world's financial markets. The normal rules no longer apply. In a closed session of Congress an "Assassination Bill" is introduced. General Peter Newman is assigned to head a new "Threat Mitigation Unit," and he is given authority to recruit and train up to 100 specialists for the ominous task at hand -- to assassinate terrorists. Soon, intelligence shows Iranians are planning to attack America, and as Newman and his team are dispatched, a chase around the world ensues. But the enemy's backup plan involves hijacked airplanes with nuclear weapons targeting major American cities.
526 pages, Hardcover
First published October 3, 2005
40 people are currently reading
417 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
May 21, 2024
The Assassins, the final volume in Oliver North and Joe Musser's action/adventure espionage trilogy, is every bit as good as its predecessors. There's plenty of intensity, some admirable heroes and easily despisable villians, and even a bit of family drama thrown in there. For those who enjoy military suspense tales, this is a good one.
May 29, 2016
Very exciting novel in the middle east and Central America. Lots of action that started first in Mission Compromised and Jericho Sanction. I recommend that you read the first two books before you read the Assassins. This way you can see how God works through his servants and even in the lives of the unsaved.
December 18, 2022
This one isn't the best technothriller around, but it's not terrible. A few negatives stuck out... the first was some over the top numerology which might make an end-times enthusiast salivate and a somewhat distant second being some fairly obvious cases of "the names have been changed to protect the innocent, but only by a letter or two." As far as the "celebrities trying to be fiction writers" genre goes it could be worse but I'm not going to prioritize getting the two earlier books in the series.
September 17, 2017
Awesome book....
I thought this book was extremely well written. The characters were right on. The dialogue was interesting and kept my interest for the whole book. Was sorry we lost a
superior character . ,Really liked the last of the book that gave us a heads up for what the main character s did with the rest of their lives. Thanks,Amarillo Turtle
I thought this book was extremely well written. The characters were right on. The dialogue was interesting and kept my interest for the whole book. Was sorry we lost a
superior character . ,Really liked the last of the book that gave us a heads up for what the main character s did with the rest of their lives. Thanks,Amarillo Turtle
May 11, 2018
Amazing Read
This book carried on the continuing story of Peter Newman. It was full of action entwined with Christianity. I recommend it and the other 3 Peter Newman stories. And now on to #4.
This book carried on the continuing story of Peter Newman. It was full of action entwined with Christianity. I recommend it and the other 3 Peter Newman stories. And now on to #4.
May 30, 2017
Excellent book that read surprisingly fast. Wasn't sure if it would be my kind of book, but it definitely was. The characters were admirable and the storyline was believable. I rate it 4.8 stars.
December 30, 2017
Can't wait to read the final book in the set.
September 5, 2017
Great novel with realistic military and political suspense.
November 26, 2018
A gripping read - excellent!
If if you have not read the earlier “Peter Newman” books, I strongly recommend books 1 - 3. I feel like I personally know the characters.
If if you have not read the earlier “Peter Newman” books, I strongly recommend books 1 - 3. I feel like I personally know the characters.
November 11, 2019
3.75 / 5
May 13, 2020
This is a very good book - Fast paced - and an interesting story plot. My second book I have read by Oliver North and it did not disappoint
May 13, 2021
So-So
July 30, 2022
Another solid entry to the series offering sustained action and intrigue.
July 26, 2023
Enjoyed this book very much. Looking forward to the next one.
May 25, 2025
Very well written. Reads as if it were non-fiction even though it is fiction.
May 25, 2012
A nice action/political intrigue read.
The first hundred pages of "The Assassins" establishes the Iranian/Russian connection that has triggered trouble and panic in the US and around the globe. Oil fields and resources have been compromised, and now nuclear devices from old Cold War stockpiles are in play. It's nothing we haven't seen in numerous other thrillers, from "The Fifth Horseman" to "The Faithful Spy," but North and Musser provide enough details to make it believable on the political and military ends. The second hundred pages start to show the building of the team of assassins, with our old friend Peter Newman as the head of the force. At this point I was enjoying the buildup, but then another hundred pages passed, without much happening. And another hundred pages. By the time we finally see a target in the assassins' sights, we are 3/4 of the way through the book--and, as it turns out, a last-second order cancels out the mission.
The tenor of the book starts with the Acknowledgments, right up front. Colonel North is an "expert" on Afghanistan, except he cannot spell the country's name correctly. Later on, he invents a new kind of orbital dynamics for a low-altitude satellite that somehow can be put into geosynchronous orbit for three hours, and it does this magnificent and temporary feat not even over the Equator (where all good geosynchronous satellites have operated until this book) but right over the Middle East. Anyone who listened in a high school physics class knows better - but if the reader is not familiar with orbital dynamics... well Colonel North just as well could have invented an aircraft carrier that grows pink wings and hovers over Baghdad... The good Colonel quotes Spanish that he clearly does not speak... etc, etc, etc. The technical errors and impossibilities are just too numerous... Another, absoultely irritating "dumbness" (it comes up on almost every page near the end): Col. North, a former Cold Warrior not only does not know Russian, but does not know how Russian individuals are named, and how they call each other in conversation. Somewhere he noticed that two names are used at times - but it is obvious he has no idea how to do that...
Now, let's review character development. There is very little of it. The hero, a Marine BG? Perhaps a "this is what I deserved to be, if only those... " dream? The most irritating character is the wife of the hero. She is essentially a whiner, holding back her husband, but of course the words in the book say she is a hero (not the deeds, unfortunately). I think, by and large, wives of Marine Generals are better than that.
The book, as is, is at best at a throw-away paperback - unfortunately the author's name will lure people into buying it as a hardcover - perhaps the only format available. In other words, this book is a good idea that committed hara-kiri due to the ineptness of the authors and editors.
The first hundred pages of "The Assassins" establishes the Iranian/Russian connection that has triggered trouble and panic in the US and around the globe. Oil fields and resources have been compromised, and now nuclear devices from old Cold War stockpiles are in play. It's nothing we haven't seen in numerous other thrillers, from "The Fifth Horseman" to "The Faithful Spy," but North and Musser provide enough details to make it believable on the political and military ends. The second hundred pages start to show the building of the team of assassins, with our old friend Peter Newman as the head of the force. At this point I was enjoying the buildup, but then another hundred pages passed, without much happening. And another hundred pages. By the time we finally see a target in the assassins' sights, we are 3/4 of the way through the book--and, as it turns out, a last-second order cancels out the mission.
The tenor of the book starts with the Acknowledgments, right up front. Colonel North is an "expert" on Afghanistan, except he cannot spell the country's name correctly. Later on, he invents a new kind of orbital dynamics for a low-altitude satellite that somehow can be put into geosynchronous orbit for three hours, and it does this magnificent and temporary feat not even over the Equator (where all good geosynchronous satellites have operated until this book) but right over the Middle East. Anyone who listened in a high school physics class knows better - but if the reader is not familiar with orbital dynamics... well Colonel North just as well could have invented an aircraft carrier that grows pink wings and hovers over Baghdad... The good Colonel quotes Spanish that he clearly does not speak... etc, etc, etc. The technical errors and impossibilities are just too numerous... Another, absoultely irritating "dumbness" (it comes up on almost every page near the end): Col. North, a former Cold Warrior not only does not know Russian, but does not know how Russian individuals are named, and how they call each other in conversation. Somewhere he noticed that two names are used at times - but it is obvious he has no idea how to do that...
Now, let's review character development. There is very little of it. The hero, a Marine BG? Perhaps a "this is what I deserved to be, if only those... " dream? The most irritating character is the wife of the hero. She is essentially a whiner, holding back her husband, but of course the words in the book say she is a hero (not the deeds, unfortunately). I think, by and large, wives of Marine Generals are better than that.
The book, as is, is at best at a throw-away paperback - unfortunately the author's name will lure people into buying it as a hardcover - perhaps the only format available. In other words, this book is a good idea that committed hara-kiri due to the ineptness of the authors and editors.
May 8, 2016
I am torn as to how many stars to assign to this book; and it was a difficult decision because, what I liked, I liked. For example, author Oliver North is so knowledgeable, and the story itself is riveting - and so applicable! But the parts that I did not like overshadowed the rest of the book, for me, anyway.
I really, really dislike it when so many quotation marks " " are used, and they were in nearly every sentence in "The Assassins." Many individuals whom I previously worked with that were ten or more years older than me used them consistently, so maybe the usage of quotation marks is something that was taught at one time. Unfortunately, for me, this alone greatly - and I stress greatly - detracted from the story.
The other thing I disliked about this story was the fact that there were so many characters involved in the story that there was an information overload, if that makes any sense. It was so detailed for each character's part that the story became overloaded for lack of a better term. But the information entailed was outstanding. Thus, either author North knows his subject well enough that he does not have to do much research or he really did a lot of it for this story, and it shows, positively!
If an editor could rework this book - and others I have read of this author's - and take out the prolific amount of quotation marks, I would give the works a five plus rating!
I really, really dislike it when so many quotation marks " " are used, and they were in nearly every sentence in "The Assassins." Many individuals whom I previously worked with that were ten or more years older than me used them consistently, so maybe the usage of quotation marks is something that was taught at one time. Unfortunately, for me, this alone greatly - and I stress greatly - detracted from the story.
The other thing I disliked about this story was the fact that there were so many characters involved in the story that there was an information overload, if that makes any sense. It was so detailed for each character's part that the story became overloaded for lack of a better term. But the information entailed was outstanding. Thus, either author North knows his subject well enough that he does not have to do much research or he really did a lot of it for this story, and it shows, positively!
If an editor could rework this book - and others I have read of this author's - and take out the prolific amount of quotation marks, I would give the works a five plus rating!
March 22, 2010
For fans of high-concept political and military intrigue, Ollie North scores huge with this harrowing tale of a SpecOps unit assigned to mitigate the disastrous after effects of a terrorist attack on the American oil bastion in Saudi Arabia. North provides the most intimate details involved with a complex military campaign that spans several continents, and involves many different players. From the gritty U.S. commandos vying to execute the mission, to the Washington brass that seek political clout from its success, North reveals all in a nail-biting fight against terror that keeps you guessing until the end!
- Baze
- Baze
May 20, 2012
Since I have been watching re-runs of 24, this was a good book for me to read. :o) Took me a bit to get into it because of the military jargon, but once I was introduced to all the characters and understood the plot line, I was hooked. Picked this book up on a whim at a library book sale a year or so ago. Didn't realize Ollver North had written three fiction novels. Now that I have read this one, I would like to read the other two he wrote. Very interesting, especially with what our country is facing today with gas prices skyrocketing, unemployment, etc. Giving this copy to a friend who I think will appreciate the military/24 story line.
March 6, 2015
This book is the third book in the Peter Newman series, has usual for me. When I decide to start a new book, with a new author I'm pleasantly surprised. This book by col Oliver North is no exception. Oliver North delivered everything I look for in a book. A great cast of characters, a military operation full of action, a foundation built on faith, yet it was not so overpowering to push away those that don't have a relationship with God. And a deep impact on the reader leaving them to think that this fictional book could have come right out of today's headlines. If anyone is considering reading Oliver Norths book you will not be disappointed.
December 19, 2015
Was this a look from the inside?
I really enjoyed the book. I reserve five stars for those one in a hundred so the four stars is what would be five for many. Having grown up around and been in the military I recognised the same type of authenticity I saw in Clancy's books. Great development of a complex plot but without spoiling it I think the ending was a bit soft. You gotta wonder how much of the view was truly from Col. North's time in the inner circle. I was certainly never anywhere near that level so it's a fascinating fictional setting where I really can't discern where the real ends and the fiction begins in a historical setting that I remember from the headlines.
I really enjoyed the book. I reserve five stars for those one in a hundred so the four stars is what would be five for many. Having grown up around and been in the military I recognised the same type of authenticity I saw in Clancy's books. Great development of a complex plot but without spoiling it I think the ending was a bit soft. You gotta wonder how much of the view was truly from Col. North's time in the inner circle. I was certainly never anywhere near that level so it's a fascinating fictional setting where I really can't discern where the real ends and the fiction begins in a historical setting that I remember from the headlines.
March 3, 2008
This book was a disappointment after reading the first two (in what I guess is a series). The first book - Mission Compromised - was excellent. The second book - The Jericho Sanction - was still good but not quite as well written as the first. I think he wrote this one quickly to capitalize on whatever success he may have had with the first two.
All three are very similar in nature: political thriller/action with a main character that bears a striking resemblence to LTC Oliver North.
All three are very similar in nature: political thriller/action with a main character that bears a striking resemblence to LTC Oliver North.
September 9, 2010
Don't read the first 15 pages at bedtime to go to sleep; I missed details and had to repeat the section. There is a 6 page glossary of acronyms as a preface. This is written like a movie. It is a fast paced story about terrorism described in short clips of global scenes. The reader has to build the story from the clips. This is an easy read once you adjust to the byte type glimpses of events.
August 6, 2016
Best book in the series this far!!! A page-turner from the very beginning. Extremely well-written, with the exception of the ending (which cost this book 1 star in my rating). The progression of the final battle was terribly predictable and the plot too sewn up. It would have been much better with a little mystery left as to how things concluded. Having all of the "bad guys" receive justice, and the "good guys" canonized as heroes, regretfully lacks depth.
April 12, 2009
Perhaps I shouldn't have rated this one, seeing as I never read it all the way through, but I know I don't like it.
First of all, at the time I read it, it was futuristic. Second of all, it had a far out story that kind of went back to the first book.
Maybe if I read it now I would like it, but somehow, I don't think my mind will change.
First of all, at the time I read it, it was futuristic. Second of all, it had a far out story that kind of went back to the first book.
Maybe if I read it now I would like it, but somehow, I don't think my mind will change.
July 9, 2013
One of the better military/spy action books I've ever read. Seriously makes you wonder as I'd bet quite a bit of the "fiction" is not so fictitious. Very well written - super hard to put down - and the author was able to craft a superb read without using a ton of cuss words. Highly recommended if you are in the mood for a great action story with heroes worth emulating.
April 19, 2010
The third in the ongoing study of General Peter Newman. Here the U.S. Senate has decided that a few people just need killin' and authorizes a squad of mixed military types to do it. Pretty good story.
October 22, 2011
The Iranians destroy Saudi Arabia's oil industry and kill the royal family. A Russian arms dealer sells nuclear warheads to Iran. The American Congress approves an assassination organization and Marine General Peter Newman is tasked to put it together.
January 4, 2012
So far, an interesting read. Historically discriptive, and most of all, thrilling. Based on events during the oil crisis in Saudi Arabia, Oliver does a good job of giving his characters the perfect qualitys.
February 25, 2013
It took me awhile to get into this book. The second half of the book went much easier than the first though. I read the first two books in the series several years ago and enjoyed them. This third installment, however, just wasn't as good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews