Assassination of a Dignitary

by Carolyn Arnold

“An exciting thriller …action the entire way.”
–The Reading Cafe

Everything is on the line…

Raymond Hunter’s dark past has returned and demands one final favor. Now fifteen years later, settled as an accountant and family man, he assumed life would be calm. He thought wrong. The Italian mafia wants him back.

The directions were simple: Kill Governor Behler and be out for good.

Despite the odd request since the mafia typically respects dignitaries, in order to protect his family, he has no choice but to accept the job. He picks the date and location Niagara Falls, New York two hundred and forty miles away. But by the time he returns home, he finds out the assassination attempt failed, his family has been kidnapped, and he has twenty-four hours to set things right if he wants to see them again.

With time running out, Raymond discovers the real reason they wanted Behler dead and finds out he’s placed himself and his family right in the middle of a mafia power struggle. What he doesn’t realize is that law enforcement is also closing in.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Action

402 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 2, 2013

About the author

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has nearly thirty published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy to hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.

Reviews

[Zach Fortier · Rating 5 out of 5]

One word comes to mind when I read Carolyn Arnold’s latest novel Assassination of a Dignitary…… Craftsmanship. Arnold has crafted a Novel that will take you inside of of the Mob and the mind of a paid Assassin. As the story starts to develop I found myself able to mentally picture every scene, every room and person Arnold describes. I have not read all of Arnold’s books but I believe that she has truly hit her stride with this novel. It is outstanding in everyway. Like her previous novels the attention to detail is without equal. Minor details are fleshed out in a way that captures your attention and draws the reader into the story. I caught myself smiling at the way she details the relationships between investigative agencies involved in the book. They are always confrontational in the real world and she captures that expertly. It is almost as if she has actually worked the cases she writes about. I would highly recommend picking up a copy of Assassination of a Dignitary but be warned you will not be able to put it down. It is intense in the way a Tsunami is wet… you will be overwhelmed with Arnold’s ability to pull you into the story and make you understand and visualize the characters. I found myself experiencing an array of emotions as the story developed that I did not expect from reading a novel about a mob hit. This novel is extremely entertaining to say the least. I have not read anything this intriguing since Caleb Carr’s award winning novel “The Alienist”. To rate this novel with a star rating is pointless, no amount of stars can capture the experience the reader will endure. It is in a word- Excellent.

[Alana Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raymond Hunter, a retired Mafia assassin, has been living a quiet life for fifteen years with his adored wife Brenda, daughter and son, when the son of his old boss comes calling, wanting one last job done. Ray’s in no position to refuse when his family is threatened.

What ensues is gripping, gritty and compelling suspense. The police are on Ray’s trail almost from the start, the FBI becomes involved and a Mafia internal power play draws them all in.

I can’t remember the last time I read a story in which I found myself rooting for the assassin, but in this one I did.

The author’s knowledge of crime and weaponry adds to the atmospherics as does the writing style. I’ll say it again: gritty.

The reason I’ve given it a four star rating rather than a five is because Ray’s wife and daughter get a minimal point of view airing. I think the story would have benefitted from either staying exclusively with the main characters or giving the women in his life more page space.

There was just one more deficiency for me. Towards the end of the story Brenda’s past and a possible part in the crime is alluded to without being explained. It left me wondering. If there is to be a sequel, then I understand, because it may be explained at some point. If there isn’t a sequel, then it’s left me hanging.

[Uwe · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a very good story about organized crime, politicians and Detectives trying to solve a case. Enough action, good characters, but also some really bad flaws. A professional killer would not do the things Hunter did and some of it was actually pretty lame ....... like not to mute the phone while trying to get close to his enemy, in the night, in the country ....... hmmm.
All together a very good read, a bit to long, could have a few pages less and a bit less of the family rescue effort, but who is perfect anyway ?

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Assassination of A Dignitary by Carolyn Arnold kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to read more. So I could try to figure out what was really going on. I really liked the author's style. I plan on reading more of her books. I recommend this book to all who like a fantastic fast moving suspense mystery.

[Bob Ely · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book, in that you saw the killer early on, and the bad guy who was behind the killing, and as a reader, you wanted the killer to kill the bad guy. This was in the first few chapters. The rest of the book took twists and turns until toward the end, where you did not want to put it down. Prior to this, it was like is it ever going to end and putting it down was easy.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Assassination of a Dignitary - a review by Rosemary Kenny

How much would you sacrifice for your family's lives and happiness? That's the question ex- Mafia hitman Ray Hunter must answer as he's forced out of retirement by the son of the man he called 'Pops' out of love and respect.
His unsuspecting family are taken hostage by his jealously unforgiving 'blood-brother' and would-be nemesis Christian Silvero - and Ray's only hope of saving them is to take on one last 'hit' by executing Governor Marian Behler, which has to be 'up close and personal' - or else!
What will Ray decide to do? Can his family survive the nightmare they've been plunged into without knowing why? Who is FBI Special Agent Leone working for? Where does the truth lie about corruption at the highest levels of power - and how can it be exposed when trust and integrity seem totally absent?

Queen of police/fbi/political thrillers Carolyn Arnold writes with slick and accomplished assurance, of political maneuverings and less-than-legal behaviour on all levels.
Coupled with violence, betrayal and greed in the shady Underworld beneath the corridors of power, this excellent novel is one readers everywhere will thrill and delight in - a sure winner, that's not to be missed!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had a completely plot than the other stories that she has written. This one refers to an individual who used to be an assisin for the mob over 15 years ago. At that time he thought that has association with them was complete. It appears that the son of the Don feels the necessity of having him do another job for them.

With threats that have been made he agrees to perform this assignment, but there are complications that arise and while he completes the assignment, the son does not want to release him and has kidnapped his family.

While the police are trying to find the murderer, clues come up and there is an indirect association with a prior unsolved murder.

The ending was well done and in order to find out what all occurred, then you will need to read the book, which I highly recommend.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the past I thought men authors wrote with more intense graphic details. Women were softer in descriptions. Carolyn Arnold has proven me wrong. The title of this book gives no suggestion to the intense actions that take place. The Italian Mafia is intertwined in the workings of American Government officials and Law Enforcement officers. Who do you trust or believe? This is a stand alone by Carolyn Arnold who has also written several series characters. It is so intense you won't be able to stop reading.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crime readers

If you like crime novels you will enjoy reading this book.
You gave good characters and some not so good.
Hunter had left the Mafia family to lead a different life.
He was called back in when a man, Christian, decided he wanted to rule over his father.
A page turner. A crooked FBI man. Two good detectives stay on point.

[Florence Primrose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Raymond Hunter is contacted by a voice from the past—the Mafia. But, after a time he had left “the family”. But now he is to kill the governor of Michigan while she is in Niagara Falls. But Hunter now has a wife and family and wants no part.

Suddenly he is in the middle of two families feud.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an exceptional book. I love this author's style of writing. I was kept so entertained and read it in one sitting. The mystery was wonderful and the characters were great. I will read more of this author's books for sure!

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good book

You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA

[Patricia Mccammon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Forced back into the life of a hitman, his family kidnapped, Raymond struggles to complete his mission and save his family.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent!

An exciting novel with the hitman as the hero. Who says hitmen can't ha e string family ties, other than the mafia?

[Marty Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Read!

I love mysteries and this one was great! I may have discovered a favorite new author! it has a twist at the end !

[Conrad Samayoa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twisty

Got me hooked from the get go. The plot is fascinating and fast paced. Believable characters. Secrets family keep. Conrad SAMAYOA.

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, a great thriller and a real page turner - highly recommended.

[Barb Lie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Assassination of a Dignitary by Carolyn Arnold is a suspense thriller. The story revolves around the mafia, and a man who got away, only to be pulled back in years later. Raymond Hunter is a family man, married with a wife he loves, and children. He used to be a hit man for the Russo family, and when he saved the Don’s son, he was allowed to leave the family, as he wished to live a normal life.

Fifteen years later, he is forced to by the Don’s son, Christian to perform a final job. Raymond must kill a Governor, under the order from the Don. Raymond finds that hard to believe, since the mafia usually will never touch dignitaries. But Christian Russo threatens Raymond, and promises to pay him an exorbitant amount to do the job, and then he will leave him and his family alone. Raymond has no choice, he must do the job, and is shocked to find out that the target is someone he knows.

What follows is an exciting adventure of Raymond trying to perform his task, saving his family from the mob, and trying to be one step ahead of the law, as well as Christian’s men. There were many twists and turns, and Raymond has no one to trust, and he is faced with a deadline to finish the job, or those he loves will suffer the consequences.

The story is done mostly in two pov’s, following Raymond each step of the way, and the Detective on the case, Clinton. Carolyn Arnold weaves an exciting thriller, with so many different elements and twists, as well as key players who have ties with the mob. Much of the book is tense, as the Mafia cares nothing about who they hurt. The key points…Did Raymond perform his final job? Is his family safe? Will Raymond survive, and will he ever be free?
I found this to be an exciting and interesting story, with not a dull moment, as there was action the entire way. There were some moments during the course of the book I did not enjoy, mainly some deaths or torture, but in this type of story, it did fit. Carolyn Arnold is an excellent writer, and knows how to tell a story that flows so perfectly.

Barb
The Reading Cafe

[Nancy Silk · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Astoundingly Written Suspense Novel"

Author Carolyn Arnold has certainly shared her outstanding talents as an author. In this very lengthy story, Ray Hunter was a previous hitman for the Mafia. Now he has a family and a thriving accounting business. He is now married to Brenda, and they had two children, Yvonne, 14 years old, and Max, their son, age 10. Christian Russo, son of Italian Mafia Don Pietro Russo shows up in Ray's home while Ray is alone. He wants Ray to do a job for him, even though Ray has been living an ordinary, good life for 15 years. Governor of Michigan, Marian Behler, is a client of Ray's firm for many years. They had grown close. But this is the person Christian wants killed, and he's willing to pay big bucks to Ray to do the job. If not, there would be a huge price Ray would have to face. Can Hunter really risk his family? His history of years being an assassin for the Don was not known to anyone except the Don and his son. Ray must decide by 9:00 a.m. the next morning; and the job must be accomplished within the week. Why would a man with over 10 million dollars tucked away, risk his family to kill a known friend? Is it that obvious that he enjoyed the kill vs the money he will be paid? What happens when his wife becomes aware of just what her husband is? He's an assassin, and enjoys the kill. Author Carolyn Arnold has a superb writing style, at times vigorous, at times not so in this extremely long novel. I found too many chapters going back to the same thoughts of all the characters which really strung the novel out too long for me. I found myself skimming through these repetitive segments, wishing that the author had written this novel as two. Perhaps I'd find the second novel just as enthralling as the first half, one I'd look forward to. Her plot development is fantastic, and I'm disappointed in myself for wanting to rush to the ending just too quickly. Hang in there till the end; don't miss a word!

[Richard Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carolyn Arnold's best work to date! As a fan of her Madison Knight series, I was excited to see how Ms. Arnold handled another protagonist and I was not disappointed. When I realized the story was going to be told from the point of view of a cold blooded killer, I had some reservations, but was pleasantly surprised when she was able to invoke feelings of sympathy and honor toward such a character. I found myself rooting for the assassin!

As usual, Carolyn Arnold's research and understanding of the inner workings of police work, give the novel an air of authenticity and accuracy, rivaled only by those whose job it is to protect society. Taut and suspenseful, the story of Hunter and his forced return to his bloody past, kept the tension ratcheted up throughout, and the pages turning. His family threatened, his life in danger, and the law nipping at his heels, Hunter must bow to the Mafia's whim and perform one last job. Only things aren't always as they seem. I don't want to give anything away. I found myself enthralled by the storyline and carried away with the pacing, moving from page to page with ease.

If you love to go to bed with a good cop story, even one with a little bit of a twist, then Carolyn Arnold's tale is a worthy companion. Be warned though, you may find it hard to put down and sleep. Well done! I can't wait for the next one from her creative mind.

[Katie Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Assassination of a Dignitary is not my first Carolyn Arnold novel, though I think it says a lot about the quality of her storytelling that I came back eagerly for more. She is excellent at telling a fantastic cop tale, so much so that even real police officers have commended her on her attention to detail.

In Assassination of a Dignitary, the detectives may be secondary characters, but Arnold has proven she can take on an expansive and intricate cast and still weave a splendidly tricky web around them. There’s the great deception embodied in the character Ray, the assassin, and shown in his secret life with the Italian Mafia that his perfect suburban family is unaware of. Then there’s the twisted and disturbed Mafia Don’s son, and his insatiable lust for power…which he’ll kill, torture, and taunt to achieve. Throw in a kidnapped family, corrupt politicians, hidden agendas, dirty bribes, and a lot of spilled blood, and you have an ex-assassin’s worst nightmare.

It’s a spectacular blend of The Godfather meets Léon: The Professional, with a good dose of gritty detective work thrown in. If you love a nail-biting thriller that’ll keep you on your toes all the way to the end, then I highly suggest you get this book. At the very least, it’ll have you breaking out your mafia movies!

[Jim Fromm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Losing choices.

The writing was good, the plot, and the details of the assassination, were sketchy, but the justification for the crime had basketball sized holes in it. A man is coerced into committing a heinous act because his family is threatened, ok, I get it. But then, he kills a friend of 15 years, who happens to be governor of a state, without remorse? There was no consideration of taking his family and relocating, or better yet; using his considerable skills to kill the low life who threatened him. The choice presented him was lose, lose. He never sought to change the choices. I couldn't buy it.

[Java Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I agree with other reviewers that there were way too many short chapters that were redundant and didn't add anything to either plot or character. However, the outline of the story was masterfully crafted and at times kept me guessing. Even skipping redundant chapters did not diminish the thrill I had reading this wonderful book.

A family gets entangled in a mob war and several murders because Dad was a hit man 14 years earlier. A boss wannabe extorts him into returning to active duty. It's a wild ride after that.

If you enjoy murder mysteries and thrillers, I highly recommend this one.

[Shawn Powell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two books in a row that I just couldn't bear to keep reading! I was on the verge with this one for a while, but when the top secret expert assassin trying to avert suspicion and maintain a low profile started walking around wearing a .44 in plain sight on his waist and then worrying about attracting too much attention (ummm, maybe you should HIDE the f'ing gun!!!!!), well that pushed me over the edge. Life is too short to waste my time on this one.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

NOT a page burner. In fact I reread several pages and even one chapter over again so caught the nuances. This was on a Kindle so easy enough. I read this off and on over the course of a month or so. Good read, good twist on a story line. Learned some things.

[Bettie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started out with a high 4 stars. Halfway through began downhill...slow...seemed to just be wanting to get in as many pages as possible. Became much too farfetched. I really wanted to quit, but kept on reading. Overall 2.4 stars. Don't think I'll read others by author.

[5ngela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the style. It's been a long time since I read this narrative stye and I really really like it. It likes cat and mouse game. Very thrilling. Hope you make another great stories like this. Thank you

[Carole D Hutchison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely riveting story

Drama surrounding the mafia always contains a lot of suspense violence and intrigue . How someone could get involved in all of this is always amazing author did a fantastic job of portraying each character to the best of their jobs

[David Chittenden · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast-paced book for those who enjoy lots of action. That said, I found it started out somewhat slow.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story line dragged, and I fund the ending unbelievable and illogical. And what's up with the wife? I want a sequel to find out more about her.