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The Face of the Assassin
The faceless are Paul Bern’s business. As a forensic artist in Austin, Texas, Paul painstakingly reconstructs the likenesses of unfortunate souls whose features have been obliterated by crime or accident. As macabre as his vocation may be, it has become a comfortable and lucrative routine - until the day a mysterious woman arrives at his studio. The visitor brings two gifts. The first is a human skull she has smuggled out of Mexico. The second is a staggering secret that brings him eyeball to eyeball with a past he never knew he had.
Suddenly, Paul’s own government blackmails him into cooperating in a clandestine mission against a Middle Eastern terrorist group that has made the drug jungles of South America its staging ground. By using his own face as bait to lure the enemy, he will become all too intimate with the underworld of violence that he seeks to destroy, while thousands of lives hang in the balance of his intricate and dangerous deception.
Suddenly, Paul’s own government blackmails him into cooperating in a clandestine mission against a Middle Eastern terrorist group that has made the drug jungles of South America its staging ground. By using his own face as bait to lure the enemy, he will become all too intimate with the underworld of violence that he seeks to destroy, while thousands of lives hang in the balance of his intricate and dangerous deception.
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First published April 1, 2004
15 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
David L. Lindsey
29 books92 followersI’m a native Texan, and I spent my early years a few miles from the Mexican border in Starr County. Eventually my family moved to West Texas where I grew up in the oil fields and ranches of the Colorado River valley northwest of San Angelo. After graduating from North Texas State University and spending a year in graduate school (focusing on 19th century European literature), I moved to Austin in 1970 where my wife, Joyce, and I still live.
Although I wanted to try my hand at writing fiction after graduate school, Joyce and I had two small children, and the often-rocky road to publishing and establishing a writing career seemed a risky proposition that I couldn’t afford to take at that point. I took an editing job with a small regional press and spent the next decade knocking around in a variety of jobs, including running my own small publishing company for a few years, and editing books in the humanities for the University of Texas Press.
Finally, in 1980, I decided I couldn’t wait any longer to try my hand at fiction. Knowing I couldn’t afford to write for nothing, I decided to increase my odds of getting published by researching what kinds of fiction had the best chance of finding a publisher. Mystery novels rose to the top of my research results. I don’t think I’d ever read a “mystery novel” at that time, but I immediately bought a representative collection of twenty-five popular, famous, and classic mystery novels, including British and European writers. After reading these, and many more, I realized that the “genre” encompassed a startling variety of work, everything from Mickey Spillane to Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Two years later I began my writing career by publishing two mystery novels in the same year. Thirty-odd years later I’ve just finished my 15th novel. Though I began writing in the mystery genre, I eventually went on to write fiction in other areas, mostly dealing with the criminal, national, and private intelligence professions.
When I’m not writing, I spend most of my time in my library. My other pleasure is gardening and landscape work, though where I live in the hilly streets of west Austin, “gardening” most often looks like wrestling with nature, rather than gently nurturing it. Still, though it’s a lot of work, it’s a great pleasure to watch things grow. Joyce and I now sit in the shade of trees that are forty feet tall that we planted when we first moved to this place nearly thirty years ago. That’s a good thing.
Although I wanted to try my hand at writing fiction after graduate school, Joyce and I had two small children, and the often-rocky road to publishing and establishing a writing career seemed a risky proposition that I couldn’t afford to take at that point. I took an editing job with a small regional press and spent the next decade knocking around in a variety of jobs, including running my own small publishing company for a few years, and editing books in the humanities for the University of Texas Press.
Finally, in 1980, I decided I couldn’t wait any longer to try my hand at fiction. Knowing I couldn’t afford to write for nothing, I decided to increase my odds of getting published by researching what kinds of fiction had the best chance of finding a publisher. Mystery novels rose to the top of my research results. I don’t think I’d ever read a “mystery novel” at that time, but I immediately bought a representative collection of twenty-five popular, famous, and classic mystery novels, including British and European writers. After reading these, and many more, I realized that the “genre” encompassed a startling variety of work, everything from Mickey Spillane to Fyodor Dostoevsky.
Two years later I began my writing career by publishing two mystery novels in the same year. Thirty-odd years later I’ve just finished my 15th novel. Though I began writing in the mystery genre, I eventually went on to write fiction in other areas, mostly dealing with the criminal, national, and private intelligence professions.
When I’m not writing, I spend most of my time in my library. My other pleasure is gardening and landscape work, though where I live in the hilly streets of west Austin, “gardening” most often looks like wrestling with nature, rather than gently nurturing it. Still, though it’s a lot of work, it’s a great pleasure to watch things grow. Joyce and I now sit in the shade of trees that are forty feet tall that we planted when we first moved to this place nearly thirty years ago. That’s a good thing.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
July 29, 2024
A qui pro quo from the beginning.
A blackmail that can not be solved, even if Paul agrees to play the role. A very rainy town and some foggy characters, including CIA men. Blood (too much, in fact...)and deception on the final pages. Lucky or not, I've guessed the true identity of Sabella.
A blackmail that can not be solved, even if Paul agrees to play the role. A very rainy town and some foggy characters, including CIA men. Blood (too much, in fact...)and deception on the final pages. Lucky or not, I've guessed the true identity of Sabella.
May 15, 2021
My Review Four Stars****
I finished this expertly constructed thriller by one of my favorite authors a week or so before Thanksgiving. One might say that I “discovered” Lindsey a few years ago, but it wasn’t until this year that I began in earnest to read his works that had fascinated me from afar for a long time. Specifically, I had been yearning to read MERCY (1990) and A COLD MIND (1984) for what seemed like forever. The stumbling block so to speak was the fact that these particular titles were unavailable in eBook format. It so happened that my county library system notified me that a novel by Lindsey was available in eBook format early this year and I rented it right away. It was REQUIM FOR A GLASS HEART [1996] and it was unforgettable and without question one of the best if not THE best “spy novel” I had ever read. Then in July of this year I revisited his books that were available in Kindle format, which included AN ABSENCE OF LIGHT [1994]. It was one of the most riveting espionage thrillers I’ve ever read. Subsequently I broke down and ordered MERCY and A COLD MIND. Read them both during the day and I was confronted with how strange it felt to feel a physical book in my hands and to be actually turning pages! They were both outstanding and neither disappointed.
THE FACE OF THE ASSASSIN published in the early 2000’s is obviously one of Lindsey’s later novels. I bought it (and THE COLOR OF NIGHT [1999] which I have yet to read) at the same time. That said, I would have to say that THE FACE OF THE ASSASSIN, while I was not left “disappointed”, and would certainly join the ranks of the 94% of Amazon readers who rated the book 4 or 5 Stars, it simply did not pack the same emotional, visceral “gut punch” as his other works I’ve read to date. Lindsey’s writing in my opinion is every bit as outstanding as the superlative works of Robert Ludlum, and that is perhaps one of the highest accolades I can envision. Editorial Reviews have also exclaimed “Move over John le Carre”, albeit I haven’t read any novels by this larger than life author of espionage thrillers.
Ironically, this novel is designated as a “Psychological Thriller” and NOT as “Espionage” or “International Thriller”, etc. Well, if this isn’t a “spy novel” I’ve never read one. The main protagonist is Paul Bern, a forensic artist who resides in Austin, Texas. The character development is superb all the way around, and the novel is populated by a colorful and memorable cast of heroes and villains---although in the shadowy world of espionage and terrorism it seems that things are seldom either black or white. Lindsey brings his talent for rendering the backdrop of the plot line in a kaleidoscope of realism and atmosphere, from the bright colors and historical architecture of Mexico City to the dark and dank alleys of its shadowy underworld. The plot is complex but adroitly managed in the capable hands and masterful creative mind of its author. Lindsey demonstrates the ability to paint a vivid scene using words like a talented painter uses brush strokes to create a visual masterpiece on a canvas. Lindsey’s works remind me of the likes of Lawrence Sanders and William Bayer. In an Editorial Review I read somewhere; the critic remarked that David Lindsey’s books are found in the “Literature” section of the Library. There is a reason for that important distinction.
IN FACE OF THE ASSASSIN, Lindsey has included a fascinating deal of research relative to forensics, but also about the cultural significance that surrounds the subject of one’s face. This was quite fascinating, and of course pertinent to the plot. The gist of the main plot is admittedly unbelievable at first blush. The story line posits the premise that two identical twin boys were separated as infants and grew up separately with different sets of adoptive parents to follow very different yet very similar career paths. Paul Bern, our hero, became a highly skilled and respected forensic artist, largely assisting the police to aid the criminal justice system to benefit innocent victims of assault and families to find closure for murdered family members. His twin brother Jude also gravitated toward his own artistic leanings and became a talented artist. However, there is a big “But”… In the case of Jude, he worked secretly for the CIA to infiltrate a terrorist cell in order to get close enough to a dangerous Hezbollah target to carry out an assassination. It isn’t a “Spoiler” to add that the gist of the plot is for the civilian forensic artist Paul to replace his murdered twin brother Jude the seasoned spy.
I thought Lindsey carried out this implausible premise masterfully and he managed to insert an admittedly tepid romantic angle as well. The author creates a villain for the ages in the character of Vincente Mondragón, a monster without a face…literally. Paul was a very sympathetic protagonist, and there is a completely shocking plot twist at the conclusion which I never saw coming. It was a masterful touch to what was overall an enthralling tale. It is a solid four star read, but it just didn’t move me emotionally to the extent of the other novels by Lindsey I’ve managed to read thus far.
ANOTHER FASCINATING THRILLER BY ONE OF THE GRAND MASTERS OF THE GAME DAVID L. LINDSEY
I finished this expertly constructed thriller by one of my favorite authors a week or so before Thanksgiving. One might say that I “discovered” Lindsey a few years ago, but it wasn’t until this year that I began in earnest to read his works that had fascinated me from afar for a long time. Specifically, I had been yearning to read MERCY (1990) and A COLD MIND (1984) for what seemed like forever. The stumbling block so to speak was the fact that these particular titles were unavailable in eBook format. It so happened that my county library system notified me that a novel by Lindsey was available in eBook format early this year and I rented it right away. It was REQUIM FOR A GLASS HEART [1996] and it was unforgettable and without question one of the best if not THE best “spy novel” I had ever read. Then in July of this year I revisited his books that were available in Kindle format, which included AN ABSENCE OF LIGHT [1994]. It was one of the most riveting espionage thrillers I’ve ever read. Subsequently I broke down and ordered MERCY and A COLD MIND. Read them both during the day and I was confronted with how strange it felt to feel a physical book in my hands and to be actually turning pages! They were both outstanding and neither disappointed.
THE FACE OF THE ASSASSIN published in the early 2000’s is obviously one of Lindsey’s later novels. I bought it (and THE COLOR OF NIGHT [1999] which I have yet to read) at the same time. That said, I would have to say that THE FACE OF THE ASSASSIN, while I was not left “disappointed”, and would certainly join the ranks of the 94% of Amazon readers who rated the book 4 or 5 Stars, it simply did not pack the same emotional, visceral “gut punch” as his other works I’ve read to date. Lindsey’s writing in my opinion is every bit as outstanding as the superlative works of Robert Ludlum, and that is perhaps one of the highest accolades I can envision. Editorial Reviews have also exclaimed “Move over John le Carre”, albeit I haven’t read any novels by this larger than life author of espionage thrillers.
Ironically, this novel is designated as a “Psychological Thriller” and NOT as “Espionage” or “International Thriller”, etc. Well, if this isn’t a “spy novel” I’ve never read one. The main protagonist is Paul Bern, a forensic artist who resides in Austin, Texas. The character development is superb all the way around, and the novel is populated by a colorful and memorable cast of heroes and villains---although in the shadowy world of espionage and terrorism it seems that things are seldom either black or white. Lindsey brings his talent for rendering the backdrop of the plot line in a kaleidoscope of realism and atmosphere, from the bright colors and historical architecture of Mexico City to the dark and dank alleys of its shadowy underworld. The plot is complex but adroitly managed in the capable hands and masterful creative mind of its author. Lindsey demonstrates the ability to paint a vivid scene using words like a talented painter uses brush strokes to create a visual masterpiece on a canvas. Lindsey’s works remind me of the likes of Lawrence Sanders and William Bayer. In an Editorial Review I read somewhere; the critic remarked that David Lindsey’s books are found in the “Literature” section of the Library. There is a reason for that important distinction.
IN FACE OF THE ASSASSIN, Lindsey has included a fascinating deal of research relative to forensics, but also about the cultural significance that surrounds the subject of one’s face. This was quite fascinating, and of course pertinent to the plot. The gist of the main plot is admittedly unbelievable at first blush. The story line posits the premise that two identical twin boys were separated as infants and grew up separately with different sets of adoptive parents to follow very different yet very similar career paths. Paul Bern, our hero, became a highly skilled and respected forensic artist, largely assisting the police to aid the criminal justice system to benefit innocent victims of assault and families to find closure for murdered family members. His twin brother Jude also gravitated toward his own artistic leanings and became a talented artist. However, there is a big “But”… In the case of Jude, he worked secretly for the CIA to infiltrate a terrorist cell in order to get close enough to a dangerous Hezbollah target to carry out an assassination. It isn’t a “Spoiler” to add that the gist of the plot is for the civilian forensic artist Paul to replace his murdered twin brother Jude the seasoned spy.
I thought Lindsey carried out this implausible premise masterfully and he managed to insert an admittedly tepid romantic angle as well. The author creates a villain for the ages in the character of Vincente Mondragón, a monster without a face…literally. Paul was a very sympathetic protagonist, and there is a completely shocking plot twist at the conclusion which I never saw coming. It was a masterful touch to what was overall an enthralling tale. It is a solid four star read, but it just didn’t move me emotionally to the extent of the other novels by Lindsey I’ve managed to read thus far.
ANOTHER FASCINATING THRILLER BY ONE OF THE GRAND MASTERS OF THE GAME DAVID L. LINDSEY
August 27, 2023
Не е лоша книжката. Сюжета си е за типичен холивудски филм. Краят ме беше слаб.
July 30, 2018
"Бърн бе достигнал до едно по-съвременно разбиране на древното вярване, че човешкото лице е нещо далеч повече от сбор от физически черти. То е по-скоро материално отражение на личността, на нейната душевност. Но съвременният човек лесно се заблъждава по отношение на външния облик на дадено лице и често омаловажава значението му, свеждайки го само до привлекателност или непривлекателност."
В някои аспекти доста прилича на "Правилата на мълчанието". Още в процеса на четене ми направи такова впечалтение, а след като проверих - оказа се, че двете книги са на един и същ автор, което обяснява много. Като изключим, че се препокриват с части от сюжета на друга книга, доста очебийни, и елементите на филмарство с близнаците - прилично не много бозаво криминале.
В някои аспекти доста прилича на "Правилата на мълчанието". Още в процеса на четене ми направи такова впечалтение, а след като проверих - оказа се, че двете книги са на един и същ автор, което обяснява много. Като изключим, че се препокриват с части от сюжета на друга книга, доста очебийни, и елементите на филмарство с близнаците - прилично не много бозаво криминале.
October 28, 2011
I like my bad guys bad. Creepy and bad is even better. Forensic anthropologist /artist Paul Bern makes his living recreating the heads of crime victims, by building up layers of clay on their skulls. A women brings him a skull, says she bought it off the street in Mexico and asks him to recreate the features-- she thinks it may be her late husband’s skull. He doesn't believe her, but completes the work, even after she disappears, only to find that looking at the completed head is like looking in the mirror... The plot twists and turns from there, as Bern meets one of the creepiest characters I've seen since Hannibal Lechter. I really liked this book!
February 10, 2018
I haven't read a decent crime book in ages! And to be honest, I didn't expect to like this one. But with its fast pace and likeable main character, interesting (yet sometimes really disturbing moments and descriptions) story and complex characters, I didn't realize when I've finished it.
Maybe the only thing that I didn't like so much was the characterisation of the female characters. Something about it that they were used mainly as tools of sex and seduction made something in me to cringe but I won't judge so hard since the book is from 2005.
I'll recommend it to anyone who would be interested in these kind of books.
Maybe the only thing that I didn't like so much was the characterisation of the female characters. Something about it that they were used mainly as tools of sex and seduction made something in me to cringe but I won't judge so hard since the book is from 2005.
I'll recommend it to anyone who would be interested in these kind of books.
October 15, 2016
This was a fun, fast-paced spy thriller with lots of unexpected twists and turns. The fun part of these books is that they are set in Houston, so I recognize some of the places that they go to. Part of the ending was inevitable, but there is still a huge surprise that you never see coming.
Want to read
March 14, 2024Die namenlosen Toten sind Paul Berns Geschäft. Er rekonstruiert die Gesichter von Menschen, die durch einen Unfall oder durch ein Verbrechen bis zur Unkenntlichkeit entstellt wurden. Für ihn reine Routine - bis er nach Beendigung seiner jüngsten Arbeit voller Entsetzen in sein eigenes Gesicht starrt. Pauls Nachforschungen führen ihn auf die Spur seines Zwillingsbruders, den er nie gekannt hat. Nun soll er dessen Identität annehmen, um eine geheime Mission auszuführen - ein vielleicht tödliches Unterfangen ...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2020
Another spell binder from this author.
This author is always good for twists and turns. Just when the character thinks the decisdion is the right one the is something else in the way.
This author is always good for twists and turns. Just when the character thinks the decisdion is the right one the is something else in the way.
February 8, 2022
It took a very long time for the plot to get going. In between, the book has lengths and lost my attention. The plot is very simple and predictable. It took me quite a long time to finish it.
March 18, 2022
Enjoyed the book very much.
July 4, 2022
Read in 2005. Complex mystery.
July 13, 2014
In The Face of the Assassin, forensic sculptor Paul Bern works on reconstructing a face that is brought to him under unusual circumstances. This begins the process of Bern immersing himself in the world of espionage and terrorism. He impersonates his twin brother, a CIA agent who had recently been killed, and goes into the underworld of Mexico City on a mission to capture the world’s most dangerous terrorist. He has to go through Mexican gangsters in the process, including a man with his face torn off.
This is a novel that is loaded with action and a strong plot. There is intrigue throughout and a number of twists and turns, especially at the end of the novel. David Lindsey shows exceptional skill as a writer and knows how to keep the reader engaged in the novel. I would strongly recommend this action thriller.
Carl Alves – author of Blood Street
This is a novel that is loaded with action and a strong plot. There is intrigue throughout and a number of twists and turns, especially at the end of the novel. David Lindsey shows exceptional skill as a writer and knows how to keep the reader engaged in the novel. I would strongly recommend this action thriller.
Carl Alves – author of Blood Street
June 5, 2015
This was a decent thriller, following up on the links between Mexican drug cartels and Middle Eastern terrorists. Those links are an ongoing source of concern for many intelligence and law enforcement agencies. That's part of the framework here. The title is grimly appropriate on a few levels, but I won't comment on those because of spoilers.
Any book that relies on "twin" as part of the main story has a tough deficit to overcome. If you add "long lost" or "evil" it's a steeper climb. This book has some great thriller moments and a few odd ones.
It's a good story overall but with a few weird little moments that didn't quite work. At one point, characters are described as "playing a card game that Alice loved." That just reads oddly. It's not a major issue, but it makes me wonder why they couldn't have taken the extra moment (and less words even, maybe) to name the game.
Any book that relies on "twin" as part of the main story has a tough deficit to overcome. If you add "long lost" or "evil" it's a steeper climb. This book has some great thriller moments and a few odd ones.
It's a good story overall but with a few weird little moments that didn't quite work. At one point, characters are described as "playing a card game that Alice loved." That just reads oddly. It's not a major issue, but it makes me wonder why they couldn't have taken the extra moment (and less words even, maybe) to name the game.
July 3, 2013
He's one of my favourite authors and if it had been by a different author it might have scraped 3 stars. However you unconsciously compare it to his other much better books and it fails. It has some really good characterisation, but the plot is just too far fetched for me I'm afraid.
Bring back Stuart Haydon please David.
Bring back Stuart Haydon please David.
September 15, 2010
This book might have been 4-stars were it not for the last 5% of the book. The last two chapters should have been eliminated.
March 20, 2012
I only got through two chapters. The second chapter was just chocked full of unnecessarily stomach turning violence. I saw no purpose in continuing such an unenjoyable exercise.
October 3, 2013
It took WAY too long for the story to get going. I liked the concept, but it took forever to get to a point. Once it finally got there, I no longer cared about the story or people.
October 20, 2015
Not sure what to write about this one. Certainly a mystery but some gruesome details included. Did have to read it all to see how it ended.
February 19, 2016
Really good story...lots of suspense. Great one for all Lindsey lovers.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews