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Ash McKenna #4
The Woman from Prague
Amateur private investigator Ash McKenna's time is about to expire—on his visa, that is. Having fled the demons that haunted him in the U.S., Ash has been laying low in Prague for nearly three months. Now, it's time to move on. But as he contemplates his next stop, a man named Roman appears, claiming to work for the U.S. government, and possessing intimate knowledge of Ash's many sins. Sins nobody should know. Roman offers to protect him...in exchange for a favor.
It sounds simple: a bank employee named Samantha Sobolik is set to receive a package containing covert information in a handoff on the Charles Bridge. Ash must intercept the package, and deliver the contents to Roman. Ash refuses—until Roman threatens to kill his mother. Out of options and too far away to protect her, Ash agrees.
But when Ash gets to the bridge, he discovers that the handoff is actually a hit. Ash ends up battling a mysterious and deadly assassin in a fight he barely survives. As it turns out, the job is far more complicated and dangerous than anyone thought. Ash finds himself in a strange city, outmatched, hunted, and trapped in a dangerous game where nobody is what they seem—including Samantha. The Woman From Prague is a riveting novel of international suspense from one of the very best crime writers working today.
It sounds simple: a bank employee named Samantha Sobolik is set to receive a package containing covert information in a handoff on the Charles Bridge. Ash must intercept the package, and deliver the contents to Roman. Ash refuses—until Roman threatens to kill his mother. Out of options and too far away to protect her, Ash agrees.
But when Ash gets to the bridge, he discovers that the handoff is actually a hit. Ash ends up battling a mysterious and deadly assassin in a fight he barely survives. As it turns out, the job is far more complicated and dangerous than anyone thought. Ash finds himself in a strange city, outmatched, hunted, and trapped in a dangerous game where nobody is what they seem—including Samantha. The Woman From Prague is a riveting novel of international suspense from one of the very best crime writers working today.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 11, 2017
48 people are currently reading
745 people want to read
About the author
Rob Hart
57 books1,033 followersRob Hart is the author of the USA TODAY bestseller ASSASSINS ANONYMOUS. He also wrote THE PARADOX HOTEL, which was nominated for. Lambda Literary Award, as well as THE WAREHOUSE, which has been sold in more than 20 countries. He also wrote the Ash McKenna crime series, the short story collection TAKE-OUT, the novella SCOTT FREE with James Patterson, and, with Alex Segura, the comic book BLOOD OATH and the novel DARK SPACE.
His short stories have been published widely, including “Due on Batuu,” set in the Star Wars universe, which appeared in FROM A CERTAIN POINT OF VIEW: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, and "Take-Out," which appeared in BEST AMERICAN MYSTERY STORIES 2018.
He’s worked as a political reporter, the communications director for a politician, and a commissioner for the city of New York. He is the former publisher at MysteriousPress.com and class director at LitReactor. He lives in Jersey City.
His short stories have been published widely, including “Due on Batuu,” set in the Star Wars universe, which appeared in FROM A CERTAIN POINT OF VIEW: THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, and "Take-Out," which appeared in BEST AMERICAN MYSTERY STORIES 2018.
He’s worked as a political reporter, the communications director for a politician, and a commissioner for the city of New York. He is the former publisher at MysteriousPress.com and class director at LitReactor. He lives in Jersey City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
December 3, 2017
"Killing someone. I'll tell you what: It's good that you suffered. Means you still have a soul."
And Ash McKenna is suffering under the weight of circumstances beyond his control. He finds himself in Old World Prague that is now lined with New World technology. The neighborhood menu may boast of delicious pig knuckles, but crime and misfortune are served up and overflowing. Indigestion and fear become twin sisters that just don't seem to go away.
Ash McKenna, amateur private investigator, travels abroad at will until his visa is about to expire in Prague. He's been floating on a job that caters to apartment rentals and he's been known to clean a toilet or two in order to have a few coins in his pocket.
Just when Ash is packing his bags for home in the U.S., he's confronted by a dastardly figure by the name of Roman who sings a litany of Ash's dark transgressions of the past. A little blackmail goes a long way and Roman throws in a high-stakes card to up the ante. Either Ash will do a job for them or they will kill his mother. They've got his attention now.
Job #1 is to meet up with a young woman by the name of Samantha Sobolik on the Charles Bridge under the cover of darkness. He's to receive a USB flash drive containing some heavy duty information that he must turn over to Roman. A simple transaction? Not hardly.....just ask Ash how his facial features have changed after this run-in episode.
Rob Hart presents his main character of Ash McKenna as the Every Man of mystery/thrillers. He shifts gears constantly adapting to the life-threatening situations that seem to tumble out as each new door is opened. His reactions are priceless and he's forced to think rapidly on his feet. Problem solving is a completely new ballgame in Prague. He's got just enough past experience to keep him on the run and just enough bumbling attitude to keep him behind the eight-ball.
Hart knows how to lace his dialogue with humor. In reference to his encounter with Samantha: "She doesn't smile, doesn't reach for his hand. "She bites," I tell him." And the intrigue runs rampant in this one. Whom do you trust? Who's telling the truth? And, most of all, how do you escape from the rising body count?
I recently grabbed this one up not knowing that it is part of a series. It most definitely reads as a standalone. Ash's fast-paced journey through Prague is worth the price of admission. But now I may go back and check out Ash's early-on story. Some good stuff here, folks.
And Ash McKenna is suffering under the weight of circumstances beyond his control. He finds himself in Old World Prague that is now lined with New World technology. The neighborhood menu may boast of delicious pig knuckles, but crime and misfortune are served up and overflowing. Indigestion and fear become twin sisters that just don't seem to go away.
Ash McKenna, amateur private investigator, travels abroad at will until his visa is about to expire in Prague. He's been floating on a job that caters to apartment rentals and he's been known to clean a toilet or two in order to have a few coins in his pocket.
Just when Ash is packing his bags for home in the U.S., he's confronted by a dastardly figure by the name of Roman who sings a litany of Ash's dark transgressions of the past. A little blackmail goes a long way and Roman throws in a high-stakes card to up the ante. Either Ash will do a job for them or they will kill his mother. They've got his attention now.
Job #1 is to meet up with a young woman by the name of Samantha Sobolik on the Charles Bridge under the cover of darkness. He's to receive a USB flash drive containing some heavy duty information that he must turn over to Roman. A simple transaction? Not hardly.....just ask Ash how his facial features have changed after this run-in episode.
Rob Hart presents his main character of Ash McKenna as the Every Man of mystery/thrillers. He shifts gears constantly adapting to the life-threatening situations that seem to tumble out as each new door is opened. His reactions are priceless and he's forced to think rapidly on his feet. Problem solving is a completely new ballgame in Prague. He's got just enough past experience to keep him on the run and just enough bumbling attitude to keep him behind the eight-ball.
Hart knows how to lace his dialogue with humor. In reference to his encounter with Samantha: "She doesn't smile, doesn't reach for his hand. "She bites," I tell him." And the intrigue runs rampant in this one. Whom do you trust? Who's telling the truth? And, most of all, how do you escape from the rising body count?
I recently grabbed this one up not knowing that it is part of a series. It most definitely reads as a standalone. Ash's fast-paced journey through Prague is worth the price of admission. But now I may go back and check out Ash's early-on story. Some good stuff here, folks.
November 4, 2019
Ash McKenna lives by one precep...always try to do the right thing. It's gotten him into trouble in the past. So right now, he's hanging out in Prague while some proverbial dust settles. Then he gets blackmailed by some men who claim to represent an unnamed clandestine government agency into doing a job for them. Things never turn out as planned and Ash finds himself under attack and without knowing who can be trusted.
May 11, 2017
WARNING: This book is word crack. Do not start late at night or if you have anything pressing to do, because once you start you will not stop until you're finished. Crack, I tell you. You have been warned.
June 11, 2017
Five star action! I could not stop reading this! Seriously! The quick wit, the action, the mesmerizing settings, and the ‘what could possibly happen next?’ factor, kept me turning pages! Ash McKenna, while on life’s sabbatical, is in Prague when he is approached by a man who offers him a job he can’t refuse. He can’t refuse because the man threatens to kill Ash's mother. And, the action begins. The man, Roman, orders Ash to recover something from a woman, Samantha. Ash and Samantha wind up joining forces and manage to stay half a step ahead of one bad ass female assassin and various goons, while trying to stay alive and recover something of value.
A great summer read! I received a PDF copy of the novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. I honestly dig it!
A great summer read! I received a PDF copy of the novel from the author in exchange for an honest review. I honestly dig it!
September 14, 2017
The best is saved for last. I’m a huge fan of the Ash McKenna series and didn’t think I could love anything more than CITY OF ROSE, but this is hands down the best in the series. It’s much different than the others for various reasons that are all good. First of all, it’s an international spy thriller but not really. It’s so much better. I’m not a big fan of spy thrillers but this is totally Ash McKenna. Ash doesn’t pretend to be something he’s not and feels out of his element alongside Samantha, the badass Czech superspy, which I appreciate. The cool spy gadgetry and “everyone is your enemy" mindset is just as overwhelming and dazzling for him as it is for the reader. This ties in to the second reason why I love this book. Ash isn’t just the surly do-gooder we know and love. He’s almost a “regular” person as he’s struggling to make sense of his predicament in this James Bond-like world (although still delightfully surly.) I had no problem with Ash kind of taking a backseat to the enigmatic and deadly Sam while he scoped out the situation and did what he thought was best to protect his mother. The third reason I love this book was the setting. All of the Ash books have a unique location that shape the story but Prague is a whole different animal. It elevates the story into another stratosphere and no way could this have taken place anywhere else. I’m not sure if this is the final chapter in a fantastic addictive series, but if it is, Ash definitely went out with a bang.
June 7, 2017
Rob Hart is at the top of his game here, and it's really a sight to see. One of my favorite books of the year. With PRAGUE, Hart elevates his already-great Ash McKenna series and shows the world why he's one of the crime writers to watch in the coming years. It's a bravura performance, really. Preorder this book immediately. You will not be let down. While I'd suggest reading the first three Ash books because I love them, this novel can stand on its own, so don't hesitate to dive in because it's the fourth in the series.
February 9, 2021
Ash McKenna an expat living in Prague working as a general caretaker for rental apartments scattered around the city and thinking that its time to move on is approached by a supposed US government agent to carry out an operation which he agrees to do when his mother back in the states is threatened when he tries to refuse. He is to intercept a package being passed to bank employee at night on a bridge, but the job goes wrong when a Russian agent interferes and Ash ends up in the river. He is now hunted by the agent, the Russian and some unknowns and end up teaming up with the girl from the bank who is more then what she seems. A wild chase around Prague and beyond with danger and humor.
February 18, 2024
Real fun idea here, tossing Ash into the middle of a European spy thriller. Enjoyed this a lot.
March 22, 2020
This one is bittersweet, folks. I mean, really, it's a GREAT installment in the Ash McKenna series. Aside from book 1, with just one for me left after this book for finishing the series, The Woman from Prague could be the BEST in the series. Maybe? Kinda sorta?
I admit it took me a while to get to this book after Rob Hart used and abused my wilting yet devoted hart (teehee...and my last name is Valentine) with book 3, South Village. Ladies and gents, those in-between, that book suuuuuuuuuuucked. If you read my reviews then you know I at least profess to really disliking work. The reason being -- I SPENT WAY TOO MUCH OF LIFE TO THIS STUFF TO NOT GET ANYTHING FROM IT. I WANT to like things. I love books. I love art. I love the art of books and movies and stories. I hate when I get the feeling some people prefer to dislike things because it's more entertaining. I'm loyal, so when I've bonded with a writer's work, it's a big deal for me to crap on it. Look, I have to be honest because THAT is being loyal, right? Art isn't about the work. It's about the artist. It's about the evolution of the artist through technique and theme. Most of all, if you're not frank about a failure, it makes tepid the rush and praise for when that person f'n NAILS IT all over again, like Rob Hart did with this bad mf'er of a book.
It's even more impressive when you realize there's not a lot going into an Ash McKenna book, haha. He's not bringing a whole lot of lore for the writer to dig into and make a meal of book after book. We met all these characters in book 1 who so far we get reminded that they exist but precious little of anything beyond that. It's to the point where I wonder, as a wanna-be novelist myself, I ask myself if I'd bother bringing those people up again and again and again before dismissing the rundown. And the answer is heck no! (For those who appreciate a good potty mouth, like me, it's more fun to say things like "heck" and "darn" than what we'd normally go with...it's just a f/cking phase, no worries, haha.)
NOTE: I'm not quite done reading this book, so I'll complete the review then. Sorry, I got excited.
NOTE 2: OK, I'm done. Not much to add.
My rating for this Ash installment remains unchanged. However, my enthusiasm has dimmed only somewhat. Before I explain, please bear with me as I identify politically. I'm doing this as self defense more than out of fairness for reasons that will become apparent, I feel. I used to identify as a liberal growing up. I'm an artist. Growing up, free speech was a BIG issue and something that required championing.
Politically, I remain the same. I'm still a 1990s liberal to this day. Problem being that it's 2020! haha. I am not a conservative. However, a lot of people in my family are conservative. I admire people from the whole political spectrum because, for me, it's ALL ABOUT THE IDEA. I dislike how politically are handled almost like a cell phone package. You subscribe as being one or the other and there is all this fine print. You defer to taking sides in things you've never even thought of before, let alone educated yourself about, because somebody famous said something or vote a certain way depending on the letter after the candidate's name.
That's not me. So please disagree with you all you like. Just please refrain from "libtard" or "Trump lover" or whatever. Or don't refrain from it. Whatever.
::END OF NOTE 2
The Woman from Prague more or less sticks the landing. No surprises. That's better than blowing it, but it's also...I feel like Rob Hart could have done a little better. The rest of it was so fun.
I feel like Hart misunderstands Ash in some ways and it's due to Hart's social politics. Look, I hate to be a hypocrite and bring up the guy's politics just after I requested others not to name call me, haha. The difference is that Hart isn't making any bones about where he's coming from. The dude is a major liberal. Good for him.
My only problem is Ash's "no guns" position (we hear "because it ruins lives and tears apart families" each time the issue comes up) is ridiculous given his chosen lifestyle. I could buy in the first book maybe Ash couldn't afford a gun and wound up with an umbrella. But it has gotten beyond ridiculous. I've started reading the next Ash book, and this whole "no guns" thing is on the FIRST PAGE. Ash is a STREET TOUGH who makes a habit of brining a knife to a gun fight. He's not a trained super spy. He's not the Burn Notice guy. He doesn't even use guns reluctantly, which would be the better choice.
Without spoiling the end, Ash BY CHOICE (he turns down his choice of firepower and faces an army of gunfighters with an UMBRELLA and, uh, brass knuckles connected to tasers -- which seems like it would hurt him worse than anyone, rights?).
Frankly this will keep Ash McKenna books from being all time greats. Even Batman cannot get around the fact that in America, you cannot escape the fact that guns are everywhere. For better or worse.
My other problem with the Ash McKenna books, and in this novel especially, is how patronizing Hart is towards women.
Yes, you read that correctly. It's standard operating procedure today to spin around the old ideals of gender dynamics. Meaning there hasn't been a book or movie in years where you have the serious minded Cary Grant or James Stewart type paired with a delightfully flighty or over domesticated leading lady. I can only think back to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom as an example to clarify what I mean.
Much more common today is the goofy leading man paired with with 5ft 5 woman who turns out to be a Navy Seal and a real ass kicker. Movies still treat this archetype as a hoot, like it's fresh, despite it having been neither since Rene Russo first gave me my "cool! but it'd never happen in real life" reaction in Lethal Weapon 3 (1992).
Don't misunderstand. I LOVE many of these characters. Black Widow is my favorite Avenger after Steve Rogers.
But I knew Ash McKenna was never going to kill a woman in the book. The tiny woman, Sam, was long established as the ass kicker, so I suspected that would come to play again.
I'm trying to not spoil anything. I'll just say there was no tension for me in the end just because I knew Hart was your basic liberal and that there are certain places he's not willing to go. Women will never get hurt in his books, which for a thriller series is a problem. And guns will never prevail. Again, given where his books take place, it's hard to suspend disbelief.
I think writers should take stories where they're logically leading. It's not their place to tell you, us, the readers what we can handle.
I'll talk about this more later. This sounds inconsequential, but it isn't.
I admit it took me a while to get to this book after Rob Hart used and abused my wilting yet devoted hart (teehee...and my last name is Valentine) with book 3, South Village. Ladies and gents, those in-between, that book suuuuuuuuuuucked. If you read my reviews then you know I at least profess to really disliking work. The reason being -- I SPENT WAY TOO MUCH OF LIFE TO THIS STUFF TO NOT GET ANYTHING FROM IT. I WANT to like things. I love books. I love art. I love the art of books and movies and stories. I hate when I get the feeling some people prefer to dislike things because it's more entertaining. I'm loyal, so when I've bonded with a writer's work, it's a big deal for me to crap on it. Look, I have to be honest because THAT is being loyal, right? Art isn't about the work. It's about the artist. It's about the evolution of the artist through technique and theme. Most of all, if you're not frank about a failure, it makes tepid the rush and praise for when that person f'n NAILS IT all over again, like Rob Hart did with this bad mf'er of a book.
It's even more impressive when you realize there's not a lot going into an Ash McKenna book, haha. He's not bringing a whole lot of lore for the writer to dig into and make a meal of book after book. We met all these characters in book 1 who so far we get reminded that they exist but precious little of anything beyond that. It's to the point where I wonder, as a wanna-be novelist myself, I ask myself if I'd bother bringing those people up again and again and again before dismissing the rundown. And the answer is heck no! (For those who appreciate a good potty mouth, like me, it's more fun to say things like "heck" and "darn" than what we'd normally go with...it's just a f/cking phase, no worries, haha.)
NOTE: I'm not quite done reading this book, so I'll complete the review then. Sorry, I got excited.
NOTE 2: OK, I'm done. Not much to add.
My rating for this Ash installment remains unchanged. However, my enthusiasm has dimmed only somewhat. Before I explain, please bear with me as I identify politically. I'm doing this as self defense more than out of fairness for reasons that will become apparent, I feel. I used to identify as a liberal growing up. I'm an artist. Growing up, free speech was a BIG issue and something that required championing.
Politically, I remain the same. I'm still a 1990s liberal to this day. Problem being that it's 2020! haha. I am not a conservative. However, a lot of people in my family are conservative. I admire people from the whole political spectrum because, for me, it's ALL ABOUT THE IDEA. I dislike how politically are handled almost like a cell phone package. You subscribe as being one or the other and there is all this fine print. You defer to taking sides in things you've never even thought of before, let alone educated yourself about, because somebody famous said something or vote a certain way depending on the letter after the candidate's name.
That's not me. So please disagree with you all you like. Just please refrain from "libtard" or "Trump lover" or whatever. Or don't refrain from it. Whatever.
::END OF NOTE 2
The Woman from Prague more or less sticks the landing. No surprises. That's better than blowing it, but it's also...I feel like Rob Hart could have done a little better. The rest of it was so fun.
I feel like Hart misunderstands Ash in some ways and it's due to Hart's social politics. Look, I hate to be a hypocrite and bring up the guy's politics just after I requested others not to name call me, haha. The difference is that Hart isn't making any bones about where he's coming from. The dude is a major liberal. Good for him.
My only problem is Ash's "no guns" position (we hear "because it ruins lives and tears apart families" each time the issue comes up) is ridiculous given his chosen lifestyle. I could buy in the first book maybe Ash couldn't afford a gun and wound up with an umbrella. But it has gotten beyond ridiculous. I've started reading the next Ash book, and this whole "no guns" thing is on the FIRST PAGE. Ash is a STREET TOUGH who makes a habit of brining a knife to a gun fight. He's not a trained super spy. He's not the Burn Notice guy. He doesn't even use guns reluctantly, which would be the better choice.
Without spoiling the end, Ash BY CHOICE (he turns down his choice of firepower and faces an army of gunfighters with an UMBRELLA and, uh, brass knuckles connected to tasers -- which seems like it would hurt him worse than anyone, rights?).
Frankly this will keep Ash McKenna books from being all time greats. Even Batman cannot get around the fact that in America, you cannot escape the fact that guns are everywhere. For better or worse.
My other problem with the Ash McKenna books, and in this novel especially, is how patronizing Hart is towards women.
Yes, you read that correctly. It's standard operating procedure today to spin around the old ideals of gender dynamics. Meaning there hasn't been a book or movie in years where you have the serious minded Cary Grant or James Stewart type paired with a delightfully flighty or over domesticated leading lady. I can only think back to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom as an example to clarify what I mean.
Much more common today is the goofy leading man paired with with 5ft 5 woman who turns out to be a Navy Seal and a real ass kicker. Movies still treat this archetype as a hoot, like it's fresh, despite it having been neither since Rene Russo first gave me my "cool! but it'd never happen in real life" reaction in Lethal Weapon 3 (1992).
Don't misunderstand. I LOVE many of these characters. Black Widow is my favorite Avenger after Steve Rogers.
But I knew Ash McKenna was never going to kill a woman in the book. The tiny woman, Sam, was long established as the ass kicker, so I suspected that would come to play again.
I'm trying to not spoil anything. I'll just say there was no tension for me in the end just because I knew Hart was your basic liberal and that there are certain places he's not willing to go. Women will never get hurt in his books, which for a thriller series is a problem. And guns will never prevail. Again, given where his books take place, it's hard to suspend disbelief.
I think writers should take stories where they're logically leading. It's not their place to tell you, us, the readers what we can handle.
I'll talk about this more later. This sounds inconsequential, but it isn't.
April 30, 2017
I loved New Yorked, so I was excited to read The Woman From Prague, especially with its international setting, something I always enjoy in a novel. This novel did not disappoint.
It is fast-paced, yet still allows the main character, Ashley McKenna, moments of introspection about his goals and the status of his life. When he teams up with Samantha, the woman he was supposed to take something of value from during a mysterious exchange, there is sizzling chemistry, full of potential violence, excitement, and/or romance.
With the help of Samantha and his best friend in Prague, Kaz, and with the threat of his mother's life in the balance, Ash works toward tying up all the threads that make up an entertaining tale.
I laughed at some of the situations Ashley finds himself in, worried over others, and kept my nails bitten to the quick until the resolution.
Lots to love in this novel, including great characterization, an intriguing setting, and a fast-moving plot.
I received an ARC copy of the novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.
It is fast-paced, yet still allows the main character, Ashley McKenna, moments of introspection about his goals and the status of his life. When he teams up with Samantha, the woman he was supposed to take something of value from during a mysterious exchange, there is sizzling chemistry, full of potential violence, excitement, and/or romance.
With the help of Samantha and his best friend in Prague, Kaz, and with the threat of his mother's life in the balance, Ash works toward tying up all the threads that make up an entertaining tale.
I laughed at some of the situations Ashley finds himself in, worried over others, and kept my nails bitten to the quick until the resolution.
Lots to love in this novel, including great characterization, an intriguing setting, and a fast-moving plot.
I received an ARC copy of the novel from the author in exchange for an honest review.
July 1, 2023
💬”That’s the thing about scars. People like to say time heals all wounds. Wounds do heal, but the scars they leave behind are tight and they tug when you move. You never forget about them. Not entirely.”
🕵️
Summary: it’s time for Ash McKenna to stop hiding from his past. His visa is about to expire and just as he’s trying to determine where to go next or if he wants to go home to NY, the decision is taken from him by the mysterious Roman and his two thugs who force Ash to do a job for them by threatening his mother’s life. What seems like straightforward mission - follow Sam, a woman who works for a bank and steal a thumb drive from her - unravels and spins out of control, sending Ash on a wildly dangerous adventure across the city of Prague where he is left wondering who is the real villain in this mission.
🕵️
Thoughts: I know, I know, you must be wondering why I selected this book as my destination read for visiting Prague when there are so many more famous books about this city by fabulous Czech authors such as Kafka, Kundera, and Hrabal. I honestly needed a short break from classics and was seeking out mysteries and spy thrillers when I found this book that is not only an action-packed adventure but also a heartwarming story of redemption and choosing to do the right thing no matter the risk or sacrifice, and it’s described by one critic as “Kafka-esq” for whatever that is worth. Ash is not just some amateur PI or tough guy. He’s a vulnerable and empathetic human, loyal to a fault, searching for his purpose in life, how to be useful, and what his legacy will be.
🇨🇿This story is also a love letter to Prague - its language, food and gorgeous locales are all the perfect accompaniment to the intrigue and provide a well-curated list of where to go and what to eat. 🇨🇿
🕵️
“…the world is a scary place, . . .And sometimes we need reassurance that monsters can be defeated.”
“Assume nothing. Never go against your gut.“
“No one ever swaps out their shoes. If you suspect you’re being followed, pay attention to shoes.”
🕵️
Summary: it’s time for Ash McKenna to stop hiding from his past. His visa is about to expire and just as he’s trying to determine where to go next or if he wants to go home to NY, the decision is taken from him by the mysterious Roman and his two thugs who force Ash to do a job for them by threatening his mother’s life. What seems like straightforward mission - follow Sam, a woman who works for a bank and steal a thumb drive from her - unravels and spins out of control, sending Ash on a wildly dangerous adventure across the city of Prague where he is left wondering who is the real villain in this mission.
🕵️
Thoughts: I know, I know, you must be wondering why I selected this book as my destination read for visiting Prague when there are so many more famous books about this city by fabulous Czech authors such as Kafka, Kundera, and Hrabal. I honestly needed a short break from classics and was seeking out mysteries and spy thrillers when I found this book that is not only an action-packed adventure but also a heartwarming story of redemption and choosing to do the right thing no matter the risk or sacrifice, and it’s described by one critic as “Kafka-esq” for whatever that is worth. Ash is not just some amateur PI or tough guy. He’s a vulnerable and empathetic human, loyal to a fault, searching for his purpose in life, how to be useful, and what his legacy will be.
🇨🇿This story is also a love letter to Prague - its language, food and gorgeous locales are all the perfect accompaniment to the intrigue and provide a well-curated list of where to go and what to eat. 🇨🇿
🕵️
“…the world is a scary place, . . .And sometimes we need reassurance that monsters can be defeated.”
“Assume nothing. Never go against your gut.“
“No one ever swaps out their shoes. If you suspect you’re being followed, pay attention to shoes.”
June 21, 2021
I'm somewhere between a 3 and a 4 but I gave it 4 because espionage (not spy imo) is not something I usually read or enjoy. I'm not even sure why I took this out of the library - maybe looking for something different?
Anyways, the pacing was perfect for me. I don't need books to add to my anxiety and very tense books tend to rachet it up for me (which may just mean I'm invested and it's good writing - but I do stay away from that). I thought the story was well thought through, violent (but let's face it, these types of stories do tend toward violence). I likes Ash, the protagonist, and the cast of characters around him. Well, "liked" might not fit for some of them but they were well drawn.
Descriptions of the area (Prague and surrounds) was enjoyable and very visual for me, especially the churches.
This is the 3rd (or 4th) in a series. You do not need to have read them to enjoy this (I haven't). Will I go back and read them? Maybe but I have a lot of other books to read first.
excerpts:
"That's the thing about scars. People like to say time heals all wounds. Wounds do heal, but the scars they leave behind are tight and they tug when you move. You never forget about them. Not entirely."
"I've never been in a fight where I've gotten to pick a playlist.
"It raises the question of what I should pick.
"I could go old-school. AC/DC or Metallica....
"Then I find it.....
[nope, you'll have to read it to discover what song he picks....that's the kind of writing I really enjoy]
Anyways, the pacing was perfect for me. I don't need books to add to my anxiety and very tense books tend to rachet it up for me (which may just mean I'm invested and it's good writing - but I do stay away from that). I thought the story was well thought through, violent (but let's face it, these types of stories do tend toward violence). I likes Ash, the protagonist, and the cast of characters around him. Well, "liked" might not fit for some of them but they were well drawn.
Descriptions of the area (Prague and surrounds) was enjoyable and very visual for me, especially the churches.
This is the 3rd (or 4th) in a series. You do not need to have read them to enjoy this (I haven't). Will I go back and read them? Maybe but I have a lot of other books to read first.
excerpts:
"That's the thing about scars. People like to say time heals all wounds. Wounds do heal, but the scars they leave behind are tight and they tug when you move. You never forget about them. Not entirely."
"I've never been in a fight where I've gotten to pick a playlist.
"It raises the question of what I should pick.
"I could go old-school. AC/DC or Metallica....
"Then I find it.....
[nope, you'll have to read it to discover what song he picks....that's the kind of writing I really enjoy]
May 7, 2017
Ash McKenna is hiding from his past, but it just...keeps coming after him, in weird and unexpected ways.
He's doing better than when we last saw him in South Village. He's kicked his boozy ways to the curb, and he's working an oddball job in Prague, surviving and soaking in the beauty of an ancient city. Maybe he's starting to heal, after months of chaos and despair?
When a man claiming to work for a "secret government agency" shows up and threatens Ash's mom if Ash doesn't take a random spy-ish job for him, of course that all goes out the window. Ash finds himself teamed up with Sam, a bad-ass spy who you're never quite sure you can trust, and one of the best female characters I've read in a long time.
Together, can they navigate a world of European subterfuge? Or will Ash fall victim to the most terrifying assassin he's ever imagined?
As per usual, Rob Hart's prose is tight. It's exciting. The Woman from Prague will suck you in, chew you up, and spit you out, all while leaving you wanting more. This is Hart's best work, which is saying a lot, and you'd be remiss to leave this book off your summer reading list.
He's doing better than when we last saw him in South Village. He's kicked his boozy ways to the curb, and he's working an oddball job in Prague, surviving and soaking in the beauty of an ancient city. Maybe he's starting to heal, after months of chaos and despair?
When a man claiming to work for a "secret government agency" shows up and threatens Ash's mom if Ash doesn't take a random spy-ish job for him, of course that all goes out the window. Ash finds himself teamed up with Sam, a bad-ass spy who you're never quite sure you can trust, and one of the best female characters I've read in a long time.
Together, can they navigate a world of European subterfuge? Or will Ash fall victim to the most terrifying assassin he's ever imagined?
As per usual, Rob Hart's prose is tight. It's exciting. The Woman from Prague will suck you in, chew you up, and spit you out, all while leaving you wanting more. This is Hart's best work, which is saying a lot, and you'd be remiss to leave this book off your summer reading list.
June 17, 2017
Ash McKenna is laying low in Prague where a sinister American and his two Czech thugs bust into his apartment with an offer Ash cannot refuse. Either Ash follows a certain blonde to a meeting where someone will give her something and he must rob her of that something, or bad things will happen to Ash’s mother back in New York.
Ash had hoped he was done with criminal activity, even doing bad things for good reasons, but it is his mother, after all. So he follows the blonde to a 4 AM meeting on a deserted bridge. Before he has a chance to rob her, he is attacked by a stranger cloaked in black and narrowly escapes with his life but without the something.
Thus begins the adventure. Ash and Sam, the blonde, go on the run, and he quickly learns she isn’t what she seems. She’s tough and resourceful. Together, they try to find the something before Roman carries out his threat or the stranger in black finds them.
It’s a cloak and dagger thriller. It’s noir. Best of all, as Ash and Sam race from warrens to rooftops, it’s a story that flows seamlessly told in a strong voice all its own.
The author provided an ARC of this book conditioned upon a honest review.
Ash had hoped he was done with criminal activity, even doing bad things for good reasons, but it is his mother, after all. So he follows the blonde to a 4 AM meeting on a deserted bridge. Before he has a chance to rob her, he is attacked by a stranger cloaked in black and narrowly escapes with his life but without the something.
Thus begins the adventure. Ash and Sam, the blonde, go on the run, and he quickly learns she isn’t what she seems. She’s tough and resourceful. Together, they try to find the something before Roman carries out his threat or the stranger in black finds them.
It’s a cloak and dagger thriller. It’s noir. Best of all, as Ash and Sam race from warrens to rooftops, it’s a story that flows seamlessly told in a strong voice all its own.
The author provided an ARC of this book conditioned upon a honest review.
September 7, 2017
This book is hard to put down. Ashley McKenna takes part is some shady deals in Prague and elsewhere, and he also thinks of himself as an amateur detective. He gets in over his head when someone blackmails him into meeting someone from whom he must obtain a document. Naturally, the meeting on the bridge does not go as planned and the story moves on from there with a helpful but very untrustworthy woman who is possibly an international spy or may even work for the US government. Ash is led into violent confrontations and a close call with a Russian agent who uses a shovel for a weapon. He trusts an associate to help him as much as he can... but he and the woman are living on the edge of incredible danger from the Russian agent... how can they get the document and the password? Do they have the nerve to go after the Russian spy and very possibly fail. And during all this, Ashley's mother will be murdered if the caper fails!
August 8, 2018
I've read the first four books in this series now, and it's consistently intriguing. I know I'll be on board at some point for the fifth and concluding outing with Ash McKenna.
The markedly different settings of each adventure are a big plus, especially the way Rob Hart brings them to life so skillfully. What's more, the adventures themselves are just good entertainment. The fight scenes are terrific, and the dialogue between Sam and Ash is a lot of fun. Her putdowns would be withering for most characters, but Ash McKenna is nothing if not resilient -- both mentally and physically.
Yet Ash remains rooted in reality. I can think of series that have gone off the rails because the lead character becomes too much of an indestructible superhero. It becomes impossible to suspend disbelief. You don't get that here.
The markedly different settings of each adventure are a big plus, especially the way Rob Hart brings them to life so skillfully. What's more, the adventures themselves are just good entertainment. The fight scenes are terrific, and the dialogue between Sam and Ash is a lot of fun. Her putdowns would be withering for most characters, but Ash McKenna is nothing if not resilient -- both mentally and physically.
Yet Ash remains rooted in reality. I can think of series that have gone off the rails because the lead character becomes too much of an indestructible superhero. It becomes impossible to suspend disbelief. You don't get that here.
June 4, 2019
The story zips along, but somehow, having read the three previous Ask McKenna books, this one somehow disappointed me.
I admire Hart's significantly shifting the location of each story, but Prague is less vivid that the other books to date (New York City, Portland, OR, and Georgia, in order). This is also more of a spy story and thriller than a mystery, and I liked better what Hart did with the previous mysteries.
Ash comes through as pretty bland, for the first time in the series. He is here just a rough guy who wants to do the right thing, but otherwise he does not show much personality. Samantha Sobolik seems a pretty stock character as well. And the plot is unnecessarily complicated.
I will keep reading Hart, but hope he returns to what he does best in McKenna's future outings.
I admire Hart's significantly shifting the location of each story, but Prague is less vivid that the other books to date (New York City, Portland, OR, and Georgia, in order). This is also more of a spy story and thriller than a mystery, and I liked better what Hart did with the previous mysteries.
Ash comes through as pretty bland, for the first time in the series. He is here just a rough guy who wants to do the right thing, but otherwise he does not show much personality. Samantha Sobolik seems a pretty stock character as well. And the plot is unnecessarily complicated.
I will keep reading Hart, but hope he returns to what he does best in McKenna's future outings.
December 15, 2017
A good action adventure thriller. I can't quite give it 5 stars because it's an overdone genre, some plot holes, and not all mysteries are explained. Ash is a semi-bad guy who's done some good too. He escapes to Prague and tries to reform. A mysterious group forces him to steal something from a spy by using the "I'll kill your mother if you don't" threat. I don't know why they think he can take on a highly trained operative. The mission is aborted when an assassin from a third party shows up. The superspy woman protects Ash, uses him for info and belittles him. Nobody will tell him what is really going on and he doesn't know whose side to be on so he just lets it play out. The ending is satisfying if not preposterous.
May 24, 2025
It was so much fun reading this book while on vacation in Prague. I was traveling with a newly broken foot, and so I spent many hours sitting in cafes and restaurants reading my book. Although I couldn't picture Ash McKenna in the touristy spots I visited, I did spot some alleys where he might be skulking around. I enjoyed the pace of the novel, with trouble around every corner, but questioned Ash's ability to "take a licking and keeep on ticking" to paraphrase an old wristwatch commercial. Who gets beaten up like that without spending weeks in the hospital? Anyway, I liked the moral ambiguity of the book. Ash's mantra, "Do the Right Thing," conflicted with his violent past, and it weighed on him. Our Book Club enjoyed this change of pace from our more women-centric picks.
May 17, 2017
Ash McKenna is killing time in Prague when a man approaches and asks Ash to do a job for him. When Ash refuses, the man threatens Ash's mother. He soon finds himself up to his ears in deadly assassins, attractive spies and not-so-attractive henchmen. Author Rob Hart has a wonderful sense of pacing and an ear for dialogue. It's a cliche to say, "I couldn't stop reading." The truth is, I didn't want to stop reading. Whether your familiar with Ash's exploits or a newcomer to this modern anti-hero, you will be delighted with the clever plotting and the equally sharp dialogue. If this isn't on your summer reading list, it should be.
September 3, 2018
I hate to say I agree with Roman (one of the characters), but I did get tired of the coarse language. I realize we're dealing with Eastern European thugs here, but I grew weary of the vulgarity. On the other hand, the plot line was engaging, and it was fun to escape to Prague and Krakow for a while. In fact, the second half of the book was so engaging, that I read it in one sitting. So, be forewarned.
The character development was good, too. The relationship between Ash and Kaz was very well developed. I'll try another Rob Hart book and see how that goes. I'm going to read New Yorked next.
The character development was good, too. The relationship between Ash and Kaz was very well developed. I'll try another Rob Hart book and see how that goes. I'm going to read New Yorked next.
July 24, 2017
I was drawn to this thriller because it's set in Prague, and the environment did not disappoint! It was fun to read about the streets I walk on every day and know the buildings that the trying-to-do-the-right-thing sorta-detective describes. It's a fun romp with double-crosses and a satisfying wrap-up.
Love the theme of returning to the "Moscow Rules" and the bits of history and lore sprinkled throughout.
Love the theme of returning to the "Moscow Rules" and the bits of history and lore sprinkled throughout.
August 21, 2017
My only complaint about this book is that I brought it on a plane (Newark to O'Hare) thinking I'd have something read for my flight out and my flight back home, but once I started it I couldn't put it down. I ended up reading the whole thing in one day and needed to find a new book for the flight home. Probably the best installment yet of the Ash McKenna series, can't wait for more from Rob Hart.
March 17, 2019
Good Book and Series
I enjoyed most of the story. The end was not great for me but then that maybe so I read the next one. There were a few grammatical errors in the Kindle version. Not sure if the same errors are in the book. I
I enjoyed most of the story. The end was not great for me but then that maybe so I read the next one. There were a few grammatical errors in the Kindle version. Not sure if the same errors are in the book. I
November 18, 2020
Reading these is a little like reading a low-rent superhero series. There's just no way Ash could do all these things, yet I'm willing to go along for the ride. I was SO GLAD there was almost no agonizing over his father or Chell. Storyline was okay, the characters were great.
October 28, 2022
I read this on a trip to Prague and enjoyed some of the city references but that was about it. The story is weak and the main character bland. It wasn't as action packed and exciting a crime thriller as I had hoped.
July 24, 2017
Ash Mckenna does it again! Great read!
March 20, 2018
Fast-paced right from the first page. A great, quick read.
August 17, 2018
My four star rating is partially due to the descriptions of Prague and Poland. I was there in April and much of the descriptions were spot on.
September 6, 2018
Good action, good mystery, good page turner. I would read this author again.
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