What do you think?
Rate this book
Harry Bauer Thriller #3
The Einstaat Brief
One thing Harry Bauer knew for certain: He was not a man who could ever fall in love and make a home.
Until it happened. And then he knew something else. He had to give up his job as an assassin for Cobra. He could not lie to that woman, he could not bring danger into her life.
But then a hit squad came after him, and Cobra made him an offer he could not refuse. One last job, the Einstaat Brief, and they would keep her safe.
One last job:
A job that would take him to Andorra, high in the Pyrenees, to a secret conference of 130 of the world’s most powerful men and women, cloistered in a luxury hotel to discuss the future of the world. Among them, Stephen Plant, Andrew Ashkenazi and William Hughes; IT billionaires, believers in ‘strong Ai’. Each one of them must die. Because their plans for humanity cannot be allowed to succeed.
There was just one problem. It had to be done then, right then, with no planning and no intel.
And only Harry Bauer could do that…
Until it happened. And then he knew something else. He had to give up his job as an assassin for Cobra. He could not lie to that woman, he could not bring danger into her life.
But then a hit squad came after him, and Cobra made him an offer he could not refuse. One last job, the Einstaat Brief, and they would keep her safe.
One last job:
A job that would take him to Andorra, high in the Pyrenees, to a secret conference of 130 of the world’s most powerful men and women, cloistered in a luxury hotel to discuss the future of the world. Among them, Stephen Plant, Andrew Ashkenazi and William Hughes; IT billionaires, believers in ‘strong Ai’. Each one of them must die. Because their plans for humanity cannot be allowed to succeed.
There was just one problem. It had to be done then, right then, with no planning and no intel.
And only Harry Bauer could do that…
165 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 21, 2020
3531 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
Blake Banner
151 books394 followersUSA TODAY and Amazon #1 bestselling author of the OMEGA and DEAD COLD MYSTERY series. Learn more about Blake Banner at his website: www.blakebanner.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
March 1, 2022
Not as good as the first two but it was still a good read.
December 24, 2020
What's Love Got to Do With It??
Bauer is in love. Having met Kate after returning from his last job, Harry has fallen head over heals and is ready to settle down. As you would imagine, dear reader, he sees a ranch in TBE Midwest in his future. Needless to say, Cobra is not one too happy about this.
Buddy convinces Harry to take on one last job - a last minute assignment to take out the principals at an artificial intelligence conference. The group, known as Odin, ha a plan to control population growth and keep the environment clean for future generations. That plan may include selective elimination of certain undesirable subcultures.
As expected, Harry agrees to one last plan. Of course, Bauer has TBE ability to adapt and change plan direction midstream to accommodate his somewhat unorthodox code of ethics.
How will the adventure end? What will retirement be like for Harry Bauer? And how will the Colonel ever get through a mission without him? No spoilers here - read Cobra Book 3 for the answers
Bauer is in love. Having met Kate after returning from his last job, Harry has fallen head over heals and is ready to settle down. As you would imagine, dear reader, he sees a ranch in TBE Midwest in his future. Needless to say, Cobra is not one too happy about this.
Buddy convinces Harry to take on one last job - a last minute assignment to take out the principals at an artificial intelligence conference. The group, known as Odin, ha a plan to control population growth and keep the environment clean for future generations. That plan may include selective elimination of certain undesirable subcultures.
As expected, Harry agrees to one last plan. Of course, Bauer has TBE ability to adapt and change plan direction midstream to accommodate his somewhat unorthodox code of ethics.
How will the adventure end? What will retirement be like for Harry Bauer? And how will the Colonel ever get through a mission without him? No spoilers here - read Cobra Book 3 for the answers
January 18, 2021
All I want from books like this is pulp fiction action and adventure. And this book provided that in spades. With all due respect to the writer I just wanted something pretty brainless to read on the bus, in the taxi, in bed, while Im having coffee between the lessons I give at university. I really don't want to be overthinking some convoluted plot. And this sort of stuff does it for me - just like cowboy (Louis Lamour) and detective novels by Micky Spillane got me through my university years. I've gone through these like a knife through the ribs...
July 29, 2022
A few twist
I like Blake Banner but he needs someone to better proof read his books to many glaring mistakes the first time someone comes to kill Harry he crushed the head of the bad guy with his bare foot the 2 sentences later he has on boots. Said something about the Lords Prayer and in fact it is he 23rd psalms. Just saying!
I like Blake Banner but he needs someone to better proof read his books to many glaring mistakes the first time someone comes to kill Harry he crushed the head of the bad guy with his bare foot the 2 sentences later he has on boots. Said something about the Lords Prayer and in fact it is he 23rd psalms. Just saying!
November 24, 2021
Strange book. Another strange woman, aka Harry Bauer’s girlfriend, Kate. She is like no Texas chick I know (being one myself, ahem). And she sleeps a lot. He drugs her and she sleeps through a massacre. The drug seems to have quite an affect on her and she keeps on sleeping through further massacres.
Harry Bauer is an elite assassin and, man, does he ever wrack up the body count. If you read a book about carnage, expect…well…carnage. And don’t complain. For a man who keeps stating he doesn’t hit or shoot women or children, he has killed some spectacularly (remember Rashida from the previous book?)…and it continues.
Each of the three (so far) Harry Bauer books has had a fascinating plot in exotic settings and each is quite different from the others. In this story, there is a reference to the previous book’s antagonists and a deeper theme seems to be playing out somewhere in the background; we’ll see as the books progress.
In this book, Bauer is set to retire but must take on one more job, which he does reluctantly. It takes him to Andorra, in the mountains between Spain and France. Two topics that will satisfy conspiracy fans are arranged in this story: the existence of an illuminati that control the world of finance and thereby the entire real world, and artificial intelligence (AI), both strong AI and hard AI and yep, there is a difference between them. They dredge up all sorts of concepts regarding intellect vs. emotion, the brain vs. the heart.
Sidebar: why have no characters realized that power will come to whomever can combine the two? A difficult concept to be sure, for both computer and social scientists.
Readers will have raised their eyebrows in surprise to hear Harry Bauer talk with longing about getting married, having a house with a picket fence and children. That’s quite a stretch and appears to be the reason behind his resignation notice. Astute readers all will withhold belief because it sure does seem far-fetched. As we have come to expect there is a nice twist at the end and we breathe a collective sigh of relief…or can we…?
Sometimes there is a disconnect, something that makes the reader go, “huh…?” In the previous two books it was the EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse) device. Here it’s a concept: Bauer spends a good deal of time telling the reader how little time it takes to kill someone, even gives us a to-the-second account of the timing. Yet when it comes time to kill Ashkenazi, he doesn’t have time. As readers who were there with Bauer, there was time. This feels like an intrusion by the writer cum puppet-master. It appears to have been necessary to leave Ashkenazi alive to move the plot along, although Bauer really did have the time to off him…he just didn’t. It was odd.
Colonel Jane Harris is back and we learn she is the Head of Operations at Cobra. She has not been impressive so far; she’s simply been a foil against which Bauer applies his knowledge and wit. Still unsure of her actual purpose…she must be good at something. But I say again, as in previous reviews, this writer does not create living, breathing three-dimensional women the way he does men. Perhaps that is the actual problem. She may be good at her role within Cobra; she just isn’t written that way.
There are a few errors, nothing harsh and glaring, but one in particular made me laugh:
“…owned by J. P. Morgan, Rockefeller and their palls….” I’m pretty sure that should be “…and their pals…” but “palls” almost works.
The Harry Bauer books have all been action-packed thrillers with impressive prowess on the part of Harry Bauer and with striking antagonists to serve as his worthy opponents. This book does not disappoint and keeps the reader on her/his toes right up to the end. Definitely an enjoyable read…!
Harry Bauer is an elite assassin and, man, does he ever wrack up the body count. If you read a book about carnage, expect…well…carnage. And don’t complain. For a man who keeps stating he doesn’t hit or shoot women or children, he has killed some spectacularly (remember Rashida from the previous book?)…and it continues.
Each of the three (so far) Harry Bauer books has had a fascinating plot in exotic settings and each is quite different from the others. In this story, there is a reference to the previous book’s antagonists and a deeper theme seems to be playing out somewhere in the background; we’ll see as the books progress.
In this book, Bauer is set to retire but must take on one more job, which he does reluctantly. It takes him to Andorra, in the mountains between Spain and France. Two topics that will satisfy conspiracy fans are arranged in this story: the existence of an illuminati that control the world of finance and thereby the entire real world, and artificial intelligence (AI), both strong AI and hard AI and yep, there is a difference between them. They dredge up all sorts of concepts regarding intellect vs. emotion, the brain vs. the heart.
Sidebar: why have no characters realized that power will come to whomever can combine the two? A difficult concept to be sure, for both computer and social scientists.
Readers will have raised their eyebrows in surprise to hear Harry Bauer talk with longing about getting married, having a house with a picket fence and children. That’s quite a stretch and appears to be the reason behind his resignation notice. Astute readers all will withhold belief because it sure does seem far-fetched. As we have come to expect there is a nice twist at the end and we breathe a collective sigh of relief…or can we…?
Sometimes there is a disconnect, something that makes the reader go, “huh…?” In the previous two books it was the EMP (Electromagnetic Pulse) device. Here it’s a concept: Bauer spends a good deal of time telling the reader how little time it takes to kill someone, even gives us a to-the-second account of the timing. Yet when it comes time to kill Ashkenazi, he doesn’t have time. As readers who were there with Bauer, there was time. This feels like an intrusion by the writer cum puppet-master. It appears to have been necessary to leave Ashkenazi alive to move the plot along, although Bauer really did have the time to off him…he just didn’t. It was odd.
Colonel Jane Harris is back and we learn she is the Head of Operations at Cobra. She has not been impressive so far; she’s simply been a foil against which Bauer applies his knowledge and wit. Still unsure of her actual purpose…she must be good at something. But I say again, as in previous reviews, this writer does not create living, breathing three-dimensional women the way he does men. Perhaps that is the actual problem. She may be good at her role within Cobra; she just isn’t written that way.
There are a few errors, nothing harsh and glaring, but one in particular made me laugh:
“…owned by J. P. Morgan, Rockefeller and their palls….” I’m pretty sure that should be “…and their pals…” but “palls” almost works.
The Harry Bauer books have all been action-packed thrillers with impressive prowess on the part of Harry Bauer and with striking antagonists to serve as his worthy opponents. This book does not disappoint and keeps the reader on her/his toes right up to the end. Definitely an enjoyable read…!
November 29, 2022
The Einstaat Brief is the third offering from Blake Banner of the life and adventures of Harry Bauer, awesome assassin. If you like your thrillers thrilling, with the more death and mayhem the better, this story is for you. If possible, Harry Bauer has gotten even better at killing people than he used to be.
Still, it's a great ride, with lots of action that keeps the reader turning the pages. Banner is very good at narrative, and pulls us along with our protagonist--hero is too strong a word for what Bauer is.
Harry Bauer is a little bit of James Bond, and a little bit of Jason Bourne, but this time he's ready to quit. In fact, he's trying to quit. Fate steps in, of course, and there's a seriously unexpected twist. I can't wait to see where Harry's next adventure takes me.
Still, it's a great ride, with lots of action that keeps the reader turning the pages. Banner is very good at narrative, and pulls us along with our protagonist--hero is too strong a word for what Bauer is.
Harry Bauer is a little bit of James Bond, and a little bit of Jason Bourne, but this time he's ready to quit. In fact, he's trying to quit. Fate steps in, of course, and there's a seriously unexpected twist. I can't wait to see where Harry's next adventure takes me.
April 25, 2021
Cobra series follows the same template in all books. Harry Bauer is tasked to take out someone and in doing so Bauer uncovers a conspiracy. This book surpasses the previous two because it's the first time we saw Harry as a human. The central theme of this book is about hard AI, which is designed by a group of billionaires to ignite war in third world countries to keep a check on rising population. The arguments from both sides make you think about the issue and you'll find yourself sometimes agreeing with the good guys and sometimes with the bad guys. The story, as always, runs at a break neck speed, full of action that keeps your adrenaline pumping throughout.
July 31, 2022
Our hero is under attack. " I felt the crunch of his skull cracking under my bare feet " very good I thought . Our hero then decided against returning fire on another attacker as he did not want the neighbors to call the cops so putting the sig in his waistband pulled out the hard steel blade from his boot ..Wait a minute I thought this does not make sense as a few seconds ago he was bare footed and not wearing boots. . Or is he still bare footed but found a blade in a boot just laying around . Or maybe the author is not bothered about the finer detail but I am ,so that's why I stopped reading this book at page 24.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2023
And, This Time I Thought Harry Was Going To "Retire"---Not!!
I have read 3 of these series, and they have yet to disappoint me! I love that Blake Banner is so up with our political problems, and that he doesn't mince words with his description of our politicians, who are mostly interested in making deals, which are usually to their advantage, Not Ours! Again, I'll add that he doesn't confuse the reader by having a lot of characters in his books. Harry Bauer is a very believable individual, easy to follow, and he keeps you wondering how he's going to use his skills to get out of whatever deadly situation he's supposed to solve.
I have read 3 of these series, and they have yet to disappoint me! I love that Blake Banner is so up with our political problems, and that he doesn't mince words with his description of our politicians, who are mostly interested in making deals, which are usually to their advantage, Not Ours! Again, I'll add that he doesn't confuse the reader by having a lot of characters in his books. Harry Bauer is a very believable individual, easy to follow, and he keeps you wondering how he's going to use his skills to get out of whatever deadly situation he's supposed to solve.
October 7, 2020
The Einstaat Brief Blake Banner
Harry Bauer, ex SAS, sanctioned assassin for an organization called Cobra. He has a job to do. A group of very powerful people, extremely influential, respected in their areas of expertise and mega wealthy. They are attending a very important meeting to determine the demise of mankind. Literally mil!ions of people will die to satisfy the world's dilemma as they are it. Population control, by any means available. Non stop action, intrigue and betrayal. An excellent read!!
Harry Bauer, ex SAS, sanctioned assassin for an organization called Cobra. He has a job to do. A group of very powerful people, extremely influential, respected in their areas of expertise and mega wealthy. They are attending a very important meeting to determine the demise of mankind. Literally mil!ions of people will die to satisfy the world's dilemma as they are it. Population control, by any means available. Non stop action, intrigue and betrayal. An excellent read!!
February 9, 2021
Harry Bauer assassin supreme
Yet again Harry has to eliminate some people that Cobra deem to be dangerous and need to be killed,so in true Harry fashion he finds out where they are staying and goes to kill them whilst also killing the people who are supposed to be guarding them. There are 3targets and he kills one shoots another in both kneecaps and then takes the other one prisoner.
This is yet again another storyline that grabs your attention from start to finish.
Yet again Harry has to eliminate some people that Cobra deem to be dangerous and need to be killed,so in true Harry fashion he finds out where they are staying and goes to kill them whilst also killing the people who are supposed to be guarding them. There are 3targets and he kills one shoots another in both kneecaps and then takes the other one prisoner.
This is yet again another storyline that grabs your attention from start to finish.
September 21, 2021
Just Make Believe
Does everyone go around killing each other outside of my world? I thought about going back and counting the bodies in this story but gave it up. So, if killing people makes you sqeemish then this story is not for you. Then there are the lies. A whole tangled web of lies and deceipt. A totally different world from mine. But then I realized that its just make believe, I think....
Does everyone go around killing each other outside of my world? I thought about going back and counting the bodies in this story but gave it up. So, if killing people makes you sqeemish then this story is not for you. Then there are the lies. A whole tangled web of lies and deceipt. A totally different world from mine. But then I realized that its just make believe, I think....
May 29, 2023
The prose does not outweigh the cons
I tried the first three books in this series. They weren’t enough to make me stick with it. The problem with a formulaic approach to writing is that it, by definition, does not allow for diverse plots and characters. The super-hero main character just keeps conquering the same evil people, time after time, in the same old ways. He is awesomely skilled and omniscient; they are incompetent and stupid. It’s boringly repetitious. Adios.
I tried the first three books in this series. They weren’t enough to make me stick with it. The problem with a formulaic approach to writing is that it, by definition, does not allow for diverse plots and characters. The super-hero main character just keeps conquering the same evil people, time after time, in the same old ways. He is awesomely skilled and omniscient; they are incompetent and stupid. It’s boringly repetitious. Adios.
April 1, 2024
Twists & Turns
Oh my, so many different directions…I believe I was dizzy for a moment. Interesting details makes everything plausible.
International settings, stateside settings…we’re all over the place. I can create in my mind the imagery of these destinations, which of course makes the read even more genuine.
I also enjoy the flirtatious conversations between Harry and the Colonel. A little fun amidst assassinations and mayhem !
Oh my, so many different directions…I believe I was dizzy for a moment. Interesting details makes everything plausible.
International settings, stateside settings…we’re all over the place. I can create in my mind the imagery of these destinations, which of course makes the read even more genuine.
I also enjoy the flirtatious conversations between Harry and the Colonel. A little fun amidst assassinations and mayhem !
October 5, 2020
Bauer doesn’t disappoint. Making the Brigadier’s and Colonel’s association with him one where they eventually have to take on active roles in the assignments they’ve given him. Giving the story an intrigue in the reality of what he is asked to do. Forcing his handlers into grudgingly come around to his way of completing the mission.
June 17, 2021
Another wild Harry Bauer ride.
Given the world today, the premise of The Einstaat Brief is totally believable and gives pause for thought.
Harry Bauer as a character is tough and ruthless but typically male (if only he could keep it in his pants!).
Thoroughly enjoyable read, well written and read in one sitting. Couldn't tear myself away.
Given the world today, the premise of The Einstaat Brief is totally believable and gives pause for thought.
Harry Bauer as a character is tough and ruthless but typically male (if only he could keep it in his pants!).
Thoroughly enjoyable read, well written and read in one sitting. Couldn't tear myself away.
September 21, 2021
A good, quick read with lots of quick action, with an emphasis on "quick". The story involved several wealthy software geniuses who hoped to solve the population problem via AI means. While the Malthusian Theory was hinted in the discussion, Dan Brown's book, "Inferno", covered the population concerns more thoroughly. All in all, it was a fun read.
October 22, 2021
Bauer Or Bond?
This a a single high speed chase in which both sides believe they're the hunter and there's at least three sides. I am enjoying the ride but the hero is becoming rather more improbable than Commander Bond on steroids. I hope he hangs on to the possible a while longer.
This a a single high speed chase in which both sides believe they're the hunter and there's at least three sides. I am enjoying the ride but the hero is becoming rather more improbable than Commander Bond on steroids. I hope he hangs on to the possible a while longer.
May 12, 2022
Reinstate Brief
Interesting story, hope it never really happens though. Each of these characters are skilled killers. They make taking someone's life seem like a piece of cake. I really hate that the girlfriend was involved but had already decided she had to be. Great reading!
Interesting story, hope it never really happens though. Each of these characters are skilled killers. They make taking someone's life seem like a piece of cake. I really hate that the girlfriend was involved but had already decided she had to be. Great reading!
July 5, 2022
CC1
Well chapter 3 went really well. First of all the set-up of Kate was extraordinary . Then the real component of story was the execution of the 2 IT billionaires and the turning of the third. But in the end Harry figured out Kate's operation at end. 10 Stars plus !!! Thanks, Carl Clause
Well chapter 3 went really well. First of all the set-up of Kate was extraordinary . Then the real component of story was the execution of the 2 IT billionaires and the turning of the third. But in the end Harry figured out Kate's operation at end. 10 Stars plus !!! Thanks, Carl Clause
May 8, 2024
This is the third book of the long series I have read and have downloaded all the others. He is good read - so much impossible action from a one man army!! Probably too much blood and gore and don't read just before bed !
Books are rather short for a fast reader but entertaining.
Jim Thomas, North Turramurra NSW. Australia
Books are rather short for a fast reader but entertaining.
Jim Thomas, North Turramurra NSW. Australia
August 27, 2025
Wow!
Read it in a day. As the action grew I started reading faster, with my heart beating fast. Harry is a one man army of killers. I love how the story evolves, and he knows before anything happens. Great storytelling and vast knowledge of weapons and war tactics. I highly recommend this series.
Read it in a day. As the action grew I started reading faster, with my heart beating fast. Harry is a one man army of killers. I love how the story evolves, and he knows before anything happens. Great storytelling and vast knowledge of weapons and war tactics. I highly recommend this series.
September 5, 2025
Intregining conversations provide realism to a very complex cast of Characters.
My rating is based on some dragging out of information between the action scenes.
Bauer struggles with others on his team for his Assassination skills are honed by his experience and skill from years of doing this sort of livelihood that others have trouble relating to him.
My rating is based on some dragging out of information between the action scenes.
Bauer struggles with others on his team for his Assassination skills are honed by his experience and skill from years of doing this sort of livelihood that others have trouble relating to him.
September 25, 2020
Another 5 Star read
Non stop action from beginning to end - a great read. Looking forward to the next book which will be available early December 2020, Quantum Kill. Keep up the good work Blake 👍. And from me another well deserved 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Non stop action from beginning to end - a great read. Looking forward to the next book which will be available early December 2020, Quantum Kill. Keep up the good work Blake 👍. And from me another well deserved 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 5, 2020
Another excellent story!
The honey trap, one of the oldest tricks in the books. It keeps being used because it works, to often, a man thinks with his small head, and trouble ensues. On the other hand, maybe men are hardwired to act this way around women and we don't have a choice.
The honey trap, one of the oldest tricks in the books. It keeps being used because it works, to often, a man thinks with his small head, and trouble ensues. On the other hand, maybe men are hardwired to act this way around women and we don't have a choice.
Read
March 9, 2021Not bad, but not great
This was a good book, it took alot of twists I didn't expect it to take throughoht the story. Some of the plot you could see coming though which tells me the author needs to get a little more creative.
This was a good book, it took alot of twists I didn't expect it to take throughoht the story. Some of the plot you could see coming though which tells me the author needs to get a little more creative.
May 2, 2021
Better and Better
This series gets better with each new title. Intense, complex, witty, international. I’ve read three in three days and am now worried that I’ll run out! All thumbs up. Bravo!
This series gets better with each new title. Intense, complex, witty, international. I’ve read three in three days and am now worried that I’ll run out! All thumbs up. Bravo!
September 21, 2021
Blood bath
Well written. But don’t read if loads of deaths bother you. I swear each one keeps getting messier. More people dying. On the other hand, Harry making the world safer for humanity.
(But Andy had some points I couldn’t counter)
Well written. But don’t read if loads of deaths bother you. I swear each one keeps getting messier. More people dying. On the other hand, Harry making the world safer for humanity.
(But Andy had some points I couldn’t counter)
October 12, 2021
Best one yet…
I’m working my way though this series. This story had a better plot. I enjoyed the more intellectual asides about over population and war as a driving force for humans.
I’m still hoping for a woman in the field of Cobra, who is close to Harry’s equal.
I’m working my way though this series. This story had a better plot. I enjoyed the more intellectual asides about over population and war as a driving force for humans.
I’m still hoping for a woman in the field of Cobra, who is close to Harry’s equal.
November 9, 2021
Plot twists within twisted plots.
When I wrote my last review I said book two was not as good as book one. But I was hoping book three would be surpass the others combined.
NUMBER THREE WAS SIMPLY SUPERIOR.
When I wrote my last review I said book two was not as good as book one. But I was hoping book three would be surpass the others combined.
NUMBER THREE WAS SIMPLY SUPERIOR.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews