El asesinato jemer

by Barry Eisler, Marino Santirso (Translator)

A Dox, un francotirador que sirvió con los Marines, un asesinato a larga distancia en Camboya le parecía un simple encargo más. Pero cuando se ve envuelto en operaciones de inteligencia clandestinas y atraído por hermosas camareras en el más siniestro agujero negro de tráfico de personas del mundo, el asunto se complica. Y lo más peligroso de todo es convertir un encargo en algo personal.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Action, Short Stories, Espionage

56 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 31, 2012

About the author

Barry Eisler spent three years in a covert position with the CIA’s Directorate of Operations, then worked as a technology lawyer and startup executive in Silicon Valley and Japan, earning his black belt at the Kodokan Judo Institute along the way. Eisler’s award-winning thrillers have been included in numerous “Best Of” lists, have been translated into nearly twenty languages, and include the #1 bestsellers Livia Lone, The Night Trade, and The Killer Collective. Eisler lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and, when he's not writing novels, blogs about national security and the media. www.barryeisler.com

Series:
* John Rain

Reviews

[Barry Eisler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was a great short story, but I can't claim to be completely objective, close as I am with the author. :)

[The Cats’ Mother · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m just over half-way through my second Eisler novel about Livia Lone, The Night Trade, which features a character called Dox, from the John Rain series. All through it, I have had the sense that I’ve been missing out on something, as Dox mulls over recent events in Cambodia, and finally this compelled me to investigate, and I found this short story which provides all the necessary background I was missing.

Private assassin Dox is in Pnomh Penh for a job, waiting to be notified of the target. Killing time in bars and taking a different girl home every night, his conscience is troubled when he meets beautiful psychology student Chantrea. When his handler tells him he is to kill a notorious child sex trafficker, he’s all set, but seeing the man through his sniper rifle sets off his instincts that something is very wrong...

This is a short novella which only took me about half an hour to read, but it was enough to get a much better feel for Dox’s character - which in turn confirms my suspicion that I will need to read the John Rain books at some point too.
I haven’t been to Cambodia (yet) but the descriptions of the city were enough to picture it vividly as a backdrop to the action described.

Eisler manages to change my impression of Dox from a womanising sleazebag to a hero with a heart within a short number of pages, and this will make him more endearing for The Night Trade, as he has only just met Livia, and so far focussed solely on her looks. It also means I will want to read The Killer Collective before I get to my arc of All The Devils... I had thought I could skip it, but have changed my mind - no wonder my TBR keeps getting longer and longer...

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - love this series

[donna backshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who doesn't love Dox? This short gives us a little background, explaining how Dox finds his way into the Livia Lone series.

[D.G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barry Eisler rocks, both as an author and narrator. I'm always amazed how he doesn't sacrifice character development to the altar of action, as many thriller-writers do. And this short story featuring Dox is a prime example of that.

If you've read the John Rain books, you know that Dox is Rain's sniper friend and associate. In this short story, Dox is in Cambodia, on business (meaning, he's been hired to kill somebody.) As usual with Barry Eisler books, the cities and people are so vivid that you feel as if you were there. There's lots of introspection and self-reflection, because although these men are tough and might be afraid to open up, they are very honest with themselves.

Barry Eisler is one of few very talented author-narrators out there. He has a great voice and his performances are so nuanced.

Totally recommended for fans of the John Rain series.

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dox had entered Phnom Penh a few days before the meeting. He'd played the tourist bit, visiting museums, all tourist spots, photos, all to establish an identity of anonymity.

When he met his contact, vounched for by someone he trusted, he was surprised to learn the man would be on site when he made the kill. Sorm was a man into a lot of sleazy things, prominent the trafficking of young girls. Gant wanted him taken out and would be dining with him when the hit happened. That was how he would know the target. He got his equipment, the shot would be about five hundred yards, and set up.

When the time came, Dox was even more confused. He'd spotted the man dining with Gant during those few days he was early and knew he wasn't Sorm. The plan had been to call Gant just before the shot so he could step away from the table to take the "business" call.

So that's what he did.

When he demanded to know who the man really was and Gant was evasive, he knew something was wrong. The hit was off and as he returned to his ride, his ever cautious nature made him take a roundabout route and he spotted the three young men hidden in the trees, his night scope spotting the knives they all carried. Three shots ended that threat and he just had to deal with Gant.

Dox is not a man to be lied to. he's an assassin, but he still has his scruples. You don't screw with him.

[Laz the Sailor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short story in the John Rain series. Dox, that lovable big-lug assassin, has been contracted to kill a bad guy. Since the story is short, we only get a simple double-cross, and an ending with a nice leading question. The descriptions are detailed without being burdensome, and the dialog is snappy. The action is crisp and precise. This can be read as a stand-alone, if you accept that Dox is the best at what he does.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Khmer Kill is a story featuring Dox-former USMC current assassin. Dox is an associate of John Rain, the protagonist of a series of novels by Barry Eisler. Eisler is former CIA so his writing features lots of spycraft as well as action. What I enjoyed about this story (and by extension what I enjoy about the Rain novels) is that Eisler imbues these “heartless” extreme characters with a heart. It is so much more interesting to read about this type of character rather than some sort of blank-faced killing machine. As is my custom Constant Reader: no spoilers. Four stars.

[Corey Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Liked the peek into a Dox mission. He is an interesting, if unexpected, friend of John Rain. A partner even. This is a short story of Dox on his own.

Love the character, did not love this particular story. Mostly due to the “love” interest that the reader knows won’t last past this short story. The mission is not bad but was not compelling.

Truly hope more stories with Dox are in the further, with or without John Rain; he is an excellent character with lots more potential.

[reneeNaDaCherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Khmer Kill: A Dox Short Story (Kindle Single)

A quick read about Dox's next adventure. Will this paid assassin complete this job and move on ? That is the question. Or find romance in the meantime?!

2/2/2022.

[Jon Seals · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I really enjoy Barry Eisler's characters, especially Dox.

I'm not sure if a solo, short story is way to tell a one-off sniper story. I would have liked another chapter or two, maybe find out what happened the next day.

Still, I'm going to read everything Eisler puts out.

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read about Dox, a fun-loving assassin. Dox is a character in the John Rain series. A fast-paced and exciting story.

[daniel sinclair · Rating 4 out of 5]

i suggest i am more critical, or per se realistic, hence i am retired police (NJ) and worked for two (2) yrs in Iraq as a contractor/security. and, as a bonus, i lived in the philippines.

i will read another of mr. eisler's book, this one was good. i thought this 65-page "quickie" would give me insight and i like the writing style.

possibly just like a lawyer can pick up grisham books and hear/read the themes, phrases, etc..and you can "feel" if that person has been in the realm of the dome of the topic, as we can say. and yes; that is present in this book.

many authors promote and taunt their 3-letter acronym of employment and it not communicated in the novel via story, insight, characters etc.

many of these former "XYZ" persons, you can read their book and say a 3rd-year political science major with open-course google (information) could have written this.

no, not stating to reveal sensitive information; i think publishers want them to write for a broad-based audience. so they really never get "too" real in their characters, trade-craft, situations, etc. some get way (way) too unrealistic. maybe i will hit the gold mine with one, maybe

not, so with mr. eisler.

although, without this being a spoiler. my stickler here:

too much-suggested talk via phone, once the (job) "assignment" was made..that was a bit off. nothing like have a verbal spat while laying "in" wait with gear.

and-if you are doing a one-day job; in asia one does not rent a motorcycle for, as the narrative went: dox just needed it (motorbike) for "one" day-so he rents it for just one day.

story suggestion--rent it for a week. use it on "that" work/job day; park it somewhere, leave nation and you have 6 days until "someone" will look for it.

i can not speak for cambodia, but thailand and philippines. paradise found. just stay on the good road with the rules and the girls and nothing "inappropriate"--and all should and will be good.

[Bima · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished reading it about two hours after purchasing directly from Barry, thanks Amazon for making it difficult towards buyers from Asia Pacific region. If you're curious, don't ask me. Ask them.

Anyway, I like the ebook. Reading Barry's writings have always been like watching a movie and walk the street at the same time. Everything's depicted in meticulous details without bogging your mind, using plain English without so much difficult terms and always in-sync with the mood of the represented character at any given moment. It makes the reading process smooth and the illusions intact.

The story itself--as a short story, is not heavy. It's a nice kudos for the fans of the character as part of the main characters in John Rain series. It gets us to know deeper about Dox, his motivations, his morals, his self- justifications, and believable expertise as an assassin as described expertly by one who really knows his craft (Barry being an ex-covert CIA and all). A fiction persona built with all the good and bad that make him feel “real”, three dimensional and fulfilling. The story also gives a little twist in the end and makes the fans sympathize more to the man of the choices he made throughout the story.

All in all, I'm very much satisfied, but alas, it makes me hunger for more! The end story is seemingly opens to a new Dox adventure (be it alone or with other main characters of John Rain series) to hunt down the main culprit. Perhaps even a full book at that. Yummy! I would very much love to read it.

[Lnben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barry Eisler's latest short, The Khmer Kill, reminds me of bane of grammar class...the dreaded dangling participle. We are just left hanging; with our tongues out and our pulse rates soaring. But hanging none the less. Two more chapters would have given us so much closure.
Unlike Eisler's other shorts (Paris is a Bitch and Lost Coast) Khmer Kill is more a political thriller. And just like the previous shorts, the pace is fast and the resolution leaves more questions than answers.
Dox is a fairly new character to the list of Rain/Larison/Treven killers-for-hire.
I am convinced that Dox is Eisler's alter-ego. Same dry, dark humor. Questionable libido control. Distrust of power. Although the humor wasn't featured in Khmer Kill, Dox's strong honor of purpose shows through. His attachment to a lovely young Cambodian woman and his "paid and get laid" lifestyle are balanced carefully.
The Khmer Kill is a good, quick read for a Summer's afternoon. Enlarged and built upon it would be a great full novel.
The 'dangling participle' kept this from a full five stars. Well earned 4 stars.

[Russell Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first DOX story Eisler's written. Fans of Eisler's John Rain series would know Dox as a minor character who accompanies Rain. The story's short so I won't go into details except to mention that this is a political CIA thriller minus the martial arts that fans are accustomed to. Then again, Dox is a professional sniper and not an expert in hand-to-hand combat. There's a pretty good plot twist near the end--which left me guessing that this story will continue in either a series of short stories or a standalone novel.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best short stories I have ever read. Maybe the best. It makes me reallly, REALLY miss Rain. But more importantly, it is a must-read before taking on the new Livia Lone novel, The Night Trade. Even though The Khmer Kill was written years ago, Rain's friend, Dox, and his Khmer kill figure greatly in the new Livia Lone story. I'm already about 30% into that new novel, so believe me. You should read The Khmer Kill before The Night Trade. Barry Eisler writes like no other. I usually hate short stories, even by favorite authors, That's why I had never read this one before, even while devouring the John Rain series. This one takes about an hour to read. I wish it had been just the beginning of a new novel. But in a way, it actually is the beginning of The Night Trade. It does not end with a cliffhanger. It's a short story, after all. But WOW! It was great. Highly recommended....then go buy The Night Trade. Barry Eisler is a genius.

[M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reads Like a prologue to a novel. I’m guessing Livia Lone #2

Dox is an interesting character, so I read “Khmer Kill,”’my first Barry Eisler short story. This reads like a mixed-genre short story which includes romance. There is more angst and feels than I like in short mysteries or thrillers.

The denouement was unsatisfactory, because the primary thread isn’t tied off. This story seemed like a lead-in to another book or novella, or it could serve as a prologue to a novel featuring Dox. Then I recall reading a novel synopsis which mentioned Livia teaming up w Dox in Thailand. I skimmed through my TBR books, and yes, Livia and Dox team up to stop a human trafficker in “The Night Trade.” I’ll probably read that book next.

[L.G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full disclosure: I love Dox! A Texan gentleman assassin with a heart, a code, and a sense of humor. Not to mention, he's sexy as hell. Eisler has a way of drawing you in with likable characters (no small feat for a band of assassins when we include John Rain, Delilah, and the rest), credible details, and tight storytelling. This is a short story that ties in and precedes Night Trade (Livia Lone #2). Eisler does his own audiobooks and each character's voice has the intended nuance that only exists inside his head.

[Bryan Mcquirk · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short story that gives some more development to the Dox character from the John Rain and Livia Lone series of books. A quick and entertaining read that offers great background description of Phnom Penh and about the human trafficking problem that troubles Cambodia. A dark and sarcastic view of the dirty intermingling of politics and crime that nations engage in and what they turn a bling eye to in order to further their "goals". I give it 3.5 stars.

[L.G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3 stars

A 65-page story about a solo assassination assignment that Dox accepted...at first.

For former Marine sniper Dox, a long-range hit in Cambodia was supposed to be just business as usual. But when you find yourself mixed up with rogue intelligence operations, gorgeous bar girls, and the world's worst human-trafficking heart of darkness, business is anything but usual. And making it personal is the most dangerous business of all.

[Jonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of all of Eisler's short stories, this one is his best. If you like Dox, you will like this short story. Having just started the Livia Lone series, I'm wondering if Chantrea shows up in The Night Trade. Can't wait to find out.

Dox is by far my favorite character in the Rain universe and this short story did not disappoint. It's hard for me to give a short story 5 stars but this is definitely a 4.5 star short story.

[Dr. Pj Forrest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent

Ya gotta love Dox! Wish I had known to read this before starting the Livia Lone series or the Killer Collective. I’m just going to read the John Rain series until these characters appear. But you can’t go wrong no matter what you read of Barry Eisler’s. He’s a master wordsmith.

[Dan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

For former Marine sniper Dox, a long-range hit in Cambodia was supposed to be just business as usual. But when you find yourself mixed up with rogue intelligence operations, gorgeous bar girls, and the world's worst human-trafficking heart of darkness, business is anything but usual. And making it personal is the most dangerous business of all.

[Mary Rowe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice Dox Snippet of a Tale

How does Barry Eisler craft such discrete and unique personalities for his expanding stable of characters?

Pleasant (except for the deaths) short diversion of a story into Dox and how he thinks.

(And why aren’t ALL Eisler’s works available on Kindle Unlimited?)

[Bill Hooten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhere I read that I should read (listen) to this short story, before I listened to the other book ("Amok") that I have. Dox is one of my favorite characters, and this was short (and cheap), so I had to have it. It was a good story, and the characters were intriguing. If you are looking for a getting in place for Barry Eisler books, this might be a good one.

[William S. Flowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the kind of story I enjoy. Dox is a killer, but he's not a bad guy. I know this sounds preposterous; however, Barry Eisler, the master storyteller, narrates in such a way that it becomes completely believable!

[Myrna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a very good book for being a short story. Even though short, still time to learn some new things about Dox. He is a sweetheart and I'm so glad Barry included him in his little gang of assassins. This book gave us a closer look into what makes Dox tick. Great!

[Obj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

This is a complete story with insight into the Dox character.It grabs you and does not let go. B. E. has obviously been thinking in terms of the long run, for this, we should be grateful.

[Randall Lovejoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short story

I have really enjoyed Dox in the John Rain novels. I was fairly certain I have been reading these novels in the proper order, but maybe not. All are great. Dox is certainly the bad boy, but full of adventure and excitement.