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Creasy #2
The Perfect Kill
Three days before Christmas in 1988,a bomb blew Pan Am 103 out of the sky over the small Scottish town of Lockerbie, killing all passengers and crew. The wife and four year old daughter of Creasy were amongst the passengers. Seeking his personal vengeance, Creasy finds the backup of power-a US Senator, whose wife also died on Pan Am 103: and of youth-an eighteen year old orphan called Michael. Ruthlessly and relentlessly, Creasy trains Michael into becoming a man in his own image. Trains him...for the perfect kill.
296 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
127 people are currently reading
685 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Quinnell
30 books146 followersA. J. Quinnell was the pen name of Philip Nicholson, a mystery and thriller writer. He is best known for his novel "Man on Fire", which has been adapted to film twice, most recently in 2004 featuring Denzel Washington.
When the author was preparing to publish his first book, "Man on Fire", he wanted to keep his real identity a secret. During a conversation in a bar, his agent, Chris Little, told him he could use a pseudonym. The author chose "Quinnell", after the rugby union player Derek Quinnell and "A. J." from the initials of the bartender's son.
Nicholson frequented Gleneagles bar in Mġarr, Gozo, the town where the Malta ferry disembarks. He could often be found drinking vodkas with soda. He wrote late at night and through until the morning, always standing up.
The author's best-known creation was the character of Marcus Creasy, an American-born former member of the French Foreign Legion.
When the author was preparing to publish his first book, "Man on Fire", he wanted to keep his real identity a secret. During a conversation in a bar, his agent, Chris Little, told him he could use a pseudonym. The author chose "Quinnell", after the rugby union player Derek Quinnell and "A. J." from the initials of the bartender's son.
Nicholson frequented Gleneagles bar in Mġarr, Gozo, the town where the Malta ferry disembarks. He could often be found drinking vodkas with soda. He wrote late at night and through until the morning, always standing up.
The author's best-known creation was the character of Marcus Creasy, an American-born former member of the French Foreign Legion.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
June 23, 2025
Може би малко предвидимо за моя вкус продължение на първия роман от серията за Крийси.
Но пък върви бързо и е достатъчно интересно до края си.
Моята оценка - 3,5*.
Цитат:
"Никога не удряй човек, ако не си уверен, че можеш да спечелиш битката. Никога не влизай в сражение, ако не си достатъчно сигурен, че ще спечелиш войната. Никога не преследвай жена, ако не си убеден, че ще я получиш."
Но пък върви бързо и е достатъчно интересно до края си.
Моята оценка - 3,5*.
Цитат:
"Никога не удряй човек, ако не си уверен, че можеш да спечелиш битката. Никога не влизай в сражение, ако не си достатъчно сигурен, че ще спечелиш войната. Никога не преследвай жена, ако не си убеден, че ще я получиш."
November 12, 2014
I was impressed. I loved the movie version of "Man on Fire" and when I found out it was based on a book, I had to read it. Loved both the movie and the book, even though they are very different. The movie captured the spirit of a worn-out, end of the line mercenary named Creasy. The Perfect Kill carries on this spirit and does it very well. A revenge book for sure, and trust me, you DO NOT want Creasy coming after you. Creasy is a very patient man.....he wants his revenge, but he takes his time, plots it out, and gets his guy when he is good and ready. A little bit Jason Bourne (more so the books) and a little bit of the characters from the movie "The Mechanic" (either version). There are five Creasy books and I plan to read them all, especially since all 5 are available from the Kindle Unlimited program. Each book sells for about $7.49.
July 24, 2024
Kas skaitė knygą ar žiūrėjo filmą "Man on Fire" (abu dalykus rekomenduoju padaryti bet kokia eilės tvarka), tas niekada nepamirš pagrindinio herojaus - Creasy. Negailestingas lygiai tiek, kiek reikia, geras ir teisingas tiems, kas to nusipelnė. Tobula keršto mašina. Šiame romane jis vėl sugrįžta ir tai vėl labai asmeniška. Autorius nusprendė atimti iš Creasy mažytę laimę, kurią buvo jam padovanojęs "Man on Fire" pabaigoje. Virš Lockerby sprogusiame lėktuve (toks garsus XX a. pabaigos teroro aktas) žūsta Creasy žmona ir dukra. Aišku, kad jis keršys. Be to, labai apgalvotai ir sistemingai. Kas sugebės prisiminti "Man on Fire" pabaigą, kur visi nužudo visus, tam turėtų padaryti įspūdį "Perfect Kill" kontrastas. Sakyti daugiau būtų spoileris, bet Quinnell tikrai yra trilerio meistras ir daro ką nori. Jei nesuklydau, tai kažkur antroje knygos pusėje įdėtas net savotiškas "mirktelėjimas" Forsythui: aliuzija į "Karo šunų" siužetą. Žodžiu, romanas tikriems trilerio gurmanams. Tiems, kurie jaučiasi viską skaitę ir dėl to tapę išrankūs.
February 3, 2024
This is Jack Carr's Reese, before he had written his master series. The detail that is used in incredible although not comparable the aforementioned series it's been entertaining to say the least. I can't image where it goes next, but there has been so much pain and loss with being only two books into the series. I am not sure that I would want to see anymore. I am so invested in the characters now though I have to see where they end up. In this series you cannot get attached to anyone. It's almost like Game of Thrones, besides the main character Creasy, no one is safe.
December 31, 2022
great action
Iam determined to finish the Creasy series and so far I love them - the knowledge cleaned from the intricacies of firearms and action
Iam determined to finish the Creasy series and so far I love them - the knowledge cleaned from the intricacies of firearms and action
January 3, 2013
I was introduced to AJ Quinnell books after reading Man on Fire when it was re-released at the same time the movie featuring Denzel Washington was. As usual, the book was 100 times better than the movie, and I searched for more from Quinnell. I was disappointed to see that all his other books, four FD featuring mercenary Creasy, were out of print. Last week I was happy to discover that all of Quinnell's books are now available for Amazon Kindle.
The Perfect Kill is the second of the four Creasy novels. It jumps ahead several years to the bombing of Pan Am flight in Lockerbie. On board were Creasy's wife and four year old daughter, with whom he has lived in peace and contentment on the Mediterranean island of Gozo after his last act of vengeance years earlier. Of course, their death awakened the call for revenge and justice that he thought had died many years earlier. Plans for the Perfect Kill are set in motion, and Creasy works methodically and coldly to accomplish his task.
Like Man on Fire, I enjoyed The Perfect Kill. It was well balanced between action and story and the character of Creasy. A reader could tire of the coldness of him, or at least of the emphasis of it, only to find that he's not so cold after all, but it was only a minor detraction from a well told and action packed story.
Creasy, noting his advancing years, also begins work on a protégé who can not only help with this mission but carry on after Creasy can not. In doing so Creasy learns, in part as a result of what he has caused, that he does not have a, "monopoly on vengeance."
The Perfect Kill is the second of the four Creasy novels. It jumps ahead several years to the bombing of Pan Am flight in Lockerbie. On board were Creasy's wife and four year old daughter, with whom he has lived in peace and contentment on the Mediterranean island of Gozo after his last act of vengeance years earlier. Of course, their death awakened the call for revenge and justice that he thought had died many years earlier. Plans for the Perfect Kill are set in motion, and Creasy works methodically and coldly to accomplish his task.
Like Man on Fire, I enjoyed The Perfect Kill. It was well balanced between action and story and the character of Creasy. A reader could tire of the coldness of him, or at least of the emphasis of it, only to find that he's not so cold after all, but it was only a minor detraction from a well told and action packed story.
Creasy, noting his advancing years, also begins work on a protégé who can not only help with this mission but carry on after Creasy can not. In doing so Creasy learns, in part as a result of what he has caused, that he does not have a, "monopoly on vengeance."
May 1, 2016
While not quite as good as the first book featuring Creasy, Man On Fire, this was still a well written thriller with lots of action.
September 7, 2020
I am ambivalent about this novel. The writing as usual is excellent and the action fast paced. I just don't get Creasy's mental state in this novel. I can't decide whether he is a caring person that you can root for or he is just a routine, mechanical killing machine. The book was great till towards the end when a major character suddenly died violently and it feels like the author simply wanted the book to end and for Creasy to get on with the job. Creasy's mental state transition is so out of character based on Book #1 and I am just disappointed that he didn't care enough about the person and simply brushed off the event.
That made Creasy less desirable as a hero. A flawed hero to be sure but not someone you can warm up too... Not sure what the real motivation of the author was but it feels half-assed done and the author simply wanted to end that character and continue the Creasy killing spree.
So I gave this book 3 stars because I was disappointed with the writing towards the end after all the emotional investment in the earlier pages in the book.
Creasy is starting to suck as a human being...
That made Creasy less desirable as a hero. A flawed hero to be sure but not someone you can warm up too... Not sure what the real motivation of the author was but it feels half-assed done and the author simply wanted to end that character and continue the Creasy killing spree.
So I gave this book 3 stars because I was disappointed with the writing towards the end after all the emotional investment in the earlier pages in the book.
Creasy is starting to suck as a human being...
April 5, 2023
Book 2 of the Creasy series that once again focuses on an ex-mercenary out for revenge. Like the first book the action is minimal and there is a lot of planning and training. One thing that makes this series feels different from other thrillers of this type is how the protagonist really takes his time in terms of planning and also heavily relies on a network of friends to feed him information. This time Creasy is training a young protege as well and that storyline feels reminiscent of the movie "The Mechanic". The way the author treats female characters feels a little dated to me. The ending was a little too abrupt. Overall it was decent and kept me reading. I will keep reading this series for now.
January 18, 2020
This was really excellent. Despite the somewhat unlikely plots it was carried off with some fine writing and good characterisation. I'll now be going back to the beginning of the series and try not to remember too many of the spoilers !
Having now paid for and read the whole series in just a few days, I am revising my rating to 5*. The whole series is excellent and there are tiny things that happen in earlier books that have a big impact in later ones. Very clever. Perfect Kill becomes even more perfect (sorry) when you know the whole backstory of Luc, Ava and the outstanding suppoorting cast.
Having now paid for and read the whole series in just a few days, I am revising my rating to 5*. The whole series is excellent and there are tiny things that happen in earlier books that have a big impact in later ones. Very clever. Perfect Kill becomes even more perfect (sorry) when you know the whole backstory of Luc, Ava and the outstanding suppoorting cast.
July 23, 2020
This is the second book in the Creasy series. In Man on Fire, we were introduced Creasy, a veteran and mercenary who was portrayed by Denzel Washington in the movie by the same name. In The Perfect Kill, Creasy returns to hunt down and bring to justice the people responsible for the bombing of Pan Am 103 over the small Scottish town of Lockerbie, killing all passengers and crew, including Creasy’s wife and four-year-old daughter. -
Just like Man On Fire, this book was very hard to put down. Creasy reminds me a lot of John Clark from the Tom Clancy books. Highly recommend, but read Man On Fire first.
Just like Man On Fire, this book was very hard to put down. Creasy reminds me a lot of John Clark from the Tom Clancy books. Highly recommend, but read Man On Fire first.
November 18, 2023
Really enjoyed "Man on Fire". It was a beautifully told fable of a man, Creasy, who didn't know how to love being taught a perfect platonic love and the murderous rage he feels when that love is brutally snuffed out.
So, kind of weird to find our man Creasy practically tripping over old friends and lovers in the sequel. What happened to the taciturn alcoholic of the first book? Sure, we understand that by the end of "Man on Fire" he was revenged and ready to settle down with a wife and daughter, seemingly a stunning change of life, but then not only does it happen again in this book but we discover his past is littered with people who would die for him and he for them. Creasy is actually a mercenary with a heart of gold... and I don't like it.
So, kind of weird to find our man Creasy practically tripping over old friends and lovers in the sequel. What happened to the taciturn alcoholic of the first book? Sure, we understand that by the end of "Man on Fire" he was revenged and ready to settle down with a wife and daughter, seemingly a stunning change of life, but then not only does it happen again in this book but we discover his past is littered with people who would die for him and he for them. Creasy is actually a mercenary with a heart of gold... and I don't like it.
August 10, 2018
“Vengeance is not justice.”
The man’s voice was grim. “It is in my book.”
That man, “Uomo”, is Creasy. And the vengeance he seeks is for his wife and daughter who were killed when their airplane was blown up over Lockerbie, Scotland. And Creasy will collect his vengeance. As the FBI man said about him , “...that man is death on a cold night.” Or as Geraldine described him, “He’s just a machine created by hate.”
This is a very good book, and in some ways, better than its predecessor! Creasy does go after those who blew up his family, and he trains a young man, Michael, to be his assistant. They train, they prepare, and then they act! My kind of thing - for sure! The only thing I didn't like about this story was the character, Geraldine. She felt unnecessary to me, much like all of the background information about Guido in the first book. But her part was much, much shorter, and therefore, less "annoying". But I am super happy that I have found these books, and I really love Creasy Bear!
The man’s voice was grim. “It is in my book.”
That man, “Uomo”, is Creasy. And the vengeance he seeks is for his wife and daughter who were killed when their airplane was blown up over Lockerbie, Scotland. And Creasy will collect his vengeance. As the FBI man said about him , “...that man is death on a cold night.” Or as Geraldine described him, “He’s just a machine created by hate.”
This is a very good book, and in some ways, better than its predecessor! Creasy does go after those who blew up his family, and he trains a young man, Michael, to be his assistant. They train, they prepare, and then they act! My kind of thing - for sure! The only thing I didn't like about this story was the character, Geraldine. She felt unnecessary to me, much like all of the background information about Guido in the first book. But her part was much, much shorter, and therefore, less "annoying". But I am super happy that I have found these books, and I really love Creasy Bear!
July 30, 2021
Even better than the first.
I thought book one was good, but this one was even better. Too bad that when the first book was made into a movie they changed the ending and killed the hero. Hollywood missed their chance on making millions. Maybe John Wick is the series that Man On Fire was supposed to be.
I thought book one was good, but this one was even better. Too bad that when the first book was made into a movie they changed the ending and killed the hero. Hollywood missed their chance on making millions. Maybe John Wick is the series that Man On Fire was supposed to be.
September 21, 2018
A gripping story
An Unputdownable book. A fascinating story. You have to know what happens but you don't want it to end! Well written and characterised. I have to continue the series
An Unputdownable book. A fascinating story. You have to know what happens but you don't want it to end! Well written and characterised. I have to continue the series
February 21, 2020
Brilliant
I enjoyed this book very much and would highly recommend it. It was a rollercoaster read. Being Scottish the story was of great interest to me. A small village in Scotland will never forget the atrocities.
I enjoyed this book very much and would highly recommend it. It was a rollercoaster read. Being Scottish the story was of great interest to me. A small village in Scotland will never forget the atrocities.
July 2, 2020
Mildly Entertaining Revenge Story
This is light reading and useful for nights of insomnia. There are numerous typos and punctuation errors that I find inexcusable in a book I had to pay money for.
This is light reading and useful for nights of insomnia. There are numerous typos and punctuation errors that I find inexcusable in a book I had to pay money for.
July 21, 2020
This is the second in the series and Creasy is again an avenging angel. Highly readable and enormously entertaining. More of Creasy is exposed and nice to see his humanity. A really entertaining read.
December 14, 2020
Action Galore
A.J Quinnell, still one of the best action writer of all times.
I so enjoy how he writes and the details he shares are just phenomenal and makes you feel like you are part of the story.
A.J Quinnell, still one of the best action writer of all times.
I so enjoy how he writes and the details he shares are just phenomenal and makes you feel like you are part of the story.
May 4, 2024
Professional
The plots wee well thought out and aligned with history. As a Vietnam combat Veteran, I can say ie was good but did not cause me any nightmares or daymares , no any adrenaline rushes. That’s a good thing.
The plots wee well thought out and aligned with history. As a Vietnam combat Veteran, I can say ie was good but did not cause me any nightmares or daymares , no any adrenaline rushes. That’s a good thing.
January 14, 2018
Overall, this book is just as good as the first. The third book, way slower to develop and not as good as first two. I am starting book #4 now.
May 17, 2018
Full of action from beginning to end. As good as the first one.
June 1, 2018
No b.s.: Read this book.
Better than the first one. Fantastic. This is how its
done. Nine more words are completely unnecessary and yet... Here.
Better than the first one. Fantastic. This is how its
done. Nine more words are completely unnecessary and yet... Here.
July 9, 2018
I knocked off a star for originality, because it is basically the first book over again. Sure, there are some differences and I did enjoy it quite a bit, it it isn’t very original.
July 9, 2018
Read it twice.
A great spy story of revenge and dedication. I read it twice, 20 years apart. Enjoyed the second one just as much asthe first one. Give it a go.
A great spy story of revenge and dedication. I read it twice, 20 years apart. Enjoyed the second one just as much asthe first one. Give it a go.
January 18, 2019
Loved this book when I first read it.....still love it.
August 25, 2019
Great series. Quinnell really makes the characters come alive
October 8, 2019
Once again an enjoyable read
It's the details I like and the other characters not just Creasy. Good novel almost as good as the first.
It's the details I like and the other characters not just Creasy. Good novel almost as good as the first.
June 18, 2020
Increíble libro.
October 16, 2020
Good read
500 yard shot with a dum dum bullet would be a feat.
Other than that all seems possible.
Interesting characters.
500 yard shot with a dum dum bullet would be a feat.
Other than that all seems possible.
Interesting characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews