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Amsterdam Assassin #0.4
Aconite Attack: A Katla KillFile
Assassin Katla finds a devious way to get a target to poison himself…
The Aconite Attack KillFile (10,700 words) follows Katla Sieltjes on her first foray as a freelance assassin and corporate troubleshooter, when she gets herself hired by the CEO of a modelling agency to permanently remove his playboy partner draining the firm’s resources on his downward spiral into self-destruction. Katla finds a way to administer poison to the target, but he has to be isolated for her plan to succeed. Every plan has a fluke factor though, and Katla soon finds herself in mortal danger, when the target reveals his darker side…
The Katla KillFile short stories chronologically precede the novels in the Amsterdam Assassin Series.
Each KillFile features Katla Sieltjes, expert in disguising homicide, executing one of her contracts. While not mandatory reading, each KillFile provides insight both in Katla’s work methods and skill, and additional background information in her character and personal history. The KillFiles can be read out of order, as the contracts are random samples from Katla’s past.
This e-book features a glossary.
Cover design by Farah Evers
The Aconite Attack KillFile (10,700 words) follows Katla Sieltjes on her first foray as a freelance assassin and corporate troubleshooter, when she gets herself hired by the CEO of a modelling agency to permanently remove his playboy partner draining the firm’s resources on his downward spiral into self-destruction. Katla finds a way to administer poison to the target, but he has to be isolated for her plan to succeed. Every plan has a fluke factor though, and Katla soon finds herself in mortal danger, when the target reveals his darker side…
The Katla KillFile short stories chronologically precede the novels in the Amsterdam Assassin Series.
Each KillFile features Katla Sieltjes, expert in disguising homicide, executing one of her contracts. While not mandatory reading, each KillFile provides insight both in Katla’s work methods and skill, and additional background information in her character and personal history. The KillFiles can be read out of order, as the contracts are random samples from Katla’s past.
This e-book features a glossary.
Cover design by Farah Evers
59 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 29, 2014
3 people want to read
About the author
Martyn V. Halm
9 books63 followers
Martyn enjoys reading reviews of his work, but doesn't 'respond' to them, so if you want to get a response, please provide direct feedback by sending an email to katlasieltjes@yahoo.com
Friend requests are welcome, but preferably from people with a compatible taste in books.
A Brief Bio:
Martyn V. Halm lives in Amsterdam, with his two children, one cat, two rats, and countless imaginary characters vying for attention.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 11, 2015
I was so excited to find out that another Katla KillFile had come out while I wasn't looking! Again, it's a short work that predates the AA Series.
One of the reasons this latest KillFile got 5 stars is that Katla shows some nervousness - I'm assuming [though it's not specified] that this adventure occurs early in her career as an assassin - and she actually makes some dumb mistakes from which she's saved mostly out of luck rather than design. It was a fresh twist on the character, giving her a needed flush of humanity.
One of the reasons this latest KillFile got 5 stars is that Katla shows some nervousness - I'm assuming [though it's not specified] that this adventure occurs early in her career as an assassin - and she actually makes some dumb mistakes from which she's saved mostly out of luck rather than design. It was a fresh twist on the character, giving her a needed flush of humanity.
March 26, 2015
I received a copy of this book from the author as an Advanced Reader Copy.
I am a big fan of the Katla Series of books and have read the other 3 Kill Files along with the full novels and when I discovered this was being released I was keen to read. Fortunately Martyn V Halm was only too happy to oblige with an ARC copy in exchange for a review and I can only hope my comments can encourage any of you thinking of reading the series to do so.
For those who are unfamiliar with Katla she is an assassin for hire and is supported by a close network of friends who are all in their own right interesting characters.
The premise of this book differs from the other books in the series as it sees Katla touting for work usually she deals with clients over the phone only and never meets them and on this occasion she visits the prospective client in person to encourage him to hire her. Unless I missed something I failed to see why Katla wanted this particular contract as usually to her the contracts are just business.
The story itself is no less than I would expect with strong attention to detail that I have come to expect in these books with the methods fully researched. The final scene where Katla is executing the contract is highly engaging and Katla has to use all her skills to survive.
Not my favourite one of the Kill Files so far with Fundamental Error still holding that particular claim but a enjoyable read and I will look forward to the forthcoming fourth novel in the series.
I am a big fan of the Katla Series of books and have read the other 3 Kill Files along with the full novels and when I discovered this was being released I was keen to read. Fortunately Martyn V Halm was only too happy to oblige with an ARC copy in exchange for a review and I can only hope my comments can encourage any of you thinking of reading the series to do so.
For those who are unfamiliar with Katla she is an assassin for hire and is supported by a close network of friends who are all in their own right interesting characters.
The premise of this book differs from the other books in the series as it sees Katla touting for work usually she deals with clients over the phone only and never meets them and on this occasion she visits the prospective client in person to encourage him to hire her. Unless I missed something I failed to see why Katla wanted this particular contract as usually to her the contracts are just business.
The story itself is no less than I would expect with strong attention to detail that I have come to expect in these books with the methods fully researched. The final scene where Katla is executing the contract is highly engaging and Katla has to use all her skills to survive.
Not my favourite one of the Kill Files so far with Fundamental Error still holding that particular claim but a enjoyable read and I will look forward to the forthcoming fourth novel in the series.
January 2, 2015
As a confirmed fan of this series, I found it fascinating to go back to freelance assassin Katla’s early career, and see her developing her homicidal enterprise. It’s oddly true to life somehow that she’s more nervous about her sales pitch for it than she is about actually doing the work. In this long short story or short novella—I’m not sure of the right name for fiction of this length—the plot is tight, facets of Katla’s complex character are revealed through it, and the tension and pace are perfect. As always, Halm has done his research. The accuracy of the events, from the subtle to the violent, is one of the strengths of his story, but it is the remarkable protagonist who carries it. Katla’s an assassin because of her skill. She takes satisfaction in her competence, not pleasure in killing, and acts without a trace of cruelty—and yet also without a trace of guilt. The result: a reader gets wrapped up her struggles and successes in an occupation with which it's hard to identify. If you’re new to the series, this short episode could be a way to try it out. If, like me, you’re already hooked, it can keep you from going into withdrawal while you wait for the next full length book.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews