Assassin's Dawn

David Slaton #0.5

by Ward Larsen

In this prequel novella from Ward Larsen, Assassin's Dawn, we go where it all began . . . the origin of the perfect assassin!

Recruited out of university, Slaton has excelled in training, and is proving highly effective in the operational world. The motivation behind his success is clear to those who know the truth: three years earlier, the two people he held dearest fell victim to a terror attack. The killer responsible, Ramzi Tayeb, has proved maddeningly elusive.

Then a chance: a Mossad operation in Central Europe aims to steal information from Ramzi’s brother, a terrorist financier who could lead to the shadowed extremist. Slaton takes the lead, but a mission to hack the man’s laptop goes horribly wrong, and soon the police are investigating a murder.

Slaton is withdrawing his team to safety when new information arises. Ramzi himself may soon appear—a rare moment of vulnerability. And so a new mission is born, one that is run not by Mossad, but by the most lethal operative it has ever created—an assassin destined to become a legend.

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Action

120 pages, ebook

First published August 2, 2021

About the author

Ward Larsen is the USA Today bestselling author of espionage thrillers. A seven-time winner of the Florida Book Award, his first novel, The Perfect Assassin, has been optioned for film by Amber Entertainment.
A former Air Force fighter pilot, he has also served as an airline captain, and is a trained aircraft accident investigator.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[ij · Rating 5 out of 5]

Assassin’s Dawn: A David Slaton Adventure is the eighth book in the David Slaton series. I have read and enjoyed the first six (6) of the seven (7) books previously published in the series. I am looking forward to reading the 7th book soon. This book is a novella and a prequel to the series.

Slaton is a Mossad operative. He will later become one of their most successful assassins or kidon. The author Ward Larsen is a former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and a former law enforcement officer. He is also the author of the Jammer Davis series and a couple other novels.

This review contains spoilers.

The story starts out at The Israeli Defense Forces sniper course, at Camp Adams with a dialogue between its director Major Avram Berkovic and the Mossad director Anton Bloch. Mossad occasionally sends one of their candidates to the IDF for sniper training. David Slaton was one of those candidates sent here and Bloch wanted Berkovic’s opinion of Stanton’s mindset. Bloch wanted to gauge Slaton’s propensity for following orders. Slaton had been on several missions without a problem, but Bloch wanted to gauge whether he could stay focused. Berkovic gave a glowing report on Slaton’s performance in sniper training and thought that he could be depended on to follow orders.

Slaton is leader of a mission in Luxembourg. He has to get into the hotel room of an accountant and attach an electronic device to his computer to download its contents and to place a Trojan horse to provide continuous information to Mossad. It appears to be a very simple mission if it can be accomplished without the target finding out his computer was tampered with. The target Moussa Tayeb is the financial brain for al-Qassam, a terrorist organization in the Middle East. His brother Ramzi Tayeb is the operations chief of this vicious group.

Slaton successfully gets into Moussa’s room while another Mossad operative, Anna Altman, is charged with keeping him entertained in the hotel bar. She is dressed provocatively as any high class prostitute would be. She keeps Moussa drinking until he finally wants to get her up to his room. Yosy Meire, another Mossad operative, has the job of letting Slaton know when they are on their way up to the room, which is on the fifth floor. Unfortunately the program has not finished on the computer. The program finally finishes and he removes the device but has to hide in the closet because they are already at the door. Having really completed her mission Anna tells Moussa she has changed her mind. He tries to manhandle her and ends up getting a good beat down. After Moussa falls asleep Slaton makes his way back to their safe house. Mission completed.

Back at the safe house they talk about the operation. Slaton tells Anna that he thinks she broke Moussa’s nose. It turns out that Anna has a black belt in Jiu Jitsu and is a Krav Maga instructor. Krav Maga is a fighting technique developed by the Isreali defense forces. The technicians say that the program appears to be working fine. Everything seems to have worked out. Anna asks Slaton if there is a place open where they can get a drink. The two leave to find a place. They walk and talk. Anna senses that the operation meant more to Slaton than the other operatives. Slaton tells her that he was being recruited by Massod while at his university and that al-Qassam attacked outside Natanya, Israel his wife and young daughter were killed along with twenty other people. So he was also motivated by wanting revenge. They never got that drink and walked back to the safe house.

The next morning Moussa was found dead by the maid. The police are called and they suspect murder. They go about their job finding out what Moussa was doing last night. Slaton and his team learn about the murder and are instructed to leave Luxenbourg. They split up the technicians together, Yosy in one car, and Slaton and Anna in another car. The police find pictures of Anna and her car. A lookout is issued for Anna and her car. They stopped for gas and coffee just before getting to the border of Belgian. Police spotted the car and Anna is arrested. Slaton was inside getting coffee and was able to get away and to Belgian. He called headquarters to let them know that Anna had been arrested. Bloch wanted Slaton to get far away. Later, in a follow-up call with Bloch he told Slaton that Ramzi was rumored to be in Luxembourg. Bloch had made arrangements for Slaton to get to Tel Aviv. Slaton ended the call.

Slaton has a new mission first, see if Anna is okay and second to track down and kill Ramzi. He heads back to the city he had just escaped from. The balance of the story is on getting Anna off the murder charge and tracking down Ramzi. Lots of action and lots of twists and turns. Mossad is a red herring because they are the suspects and both Anna and Slaton are innocent.

A big punch was packed into this novella. Two missions for the price of one. I think the novella is a worthwhile addition to the series. Great characters and character descriptions. Anna is a touch and great character. I hope to read more of her in the future. Slaton is always on point.

In the end we do find out who killed Moussa, but do we really care?

I was provided this book by the publisher via NetGalley.

[Kathi Defranc · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introduction to David Slaton, a Mossad operator who is dealing with great personal pain. This prequel has action, fab characters and intense surprises that keep you reading and leave you wanting More!! Slaton lucks into a chance to take on the person responsible for taking his loved ones away. And soon takes on this new mission himself, no worries about remarks or orders from Mossad, this is His mission!
Now I definitely need to get to other books in this series! I highly recommend for all thriller lovers!!

[Andreas Tornberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book by Ward Larsen but definitely not my last. The David Slaton series has been on my radar for a long time and I absolutely loved this novella. It’s fast paced, action packed and entertaining. The characters are so well developed and likeable and the atmosphere of the book was great, it reminded me a lot of the Gabriel Allon series. I can’t wait to read the other books in the series. I highly recommend this book.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for this copy.

[Abibliofob · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first Ward Larsen book I have ever read and certainly not the last. I won this book in a giveaway by Best Thriller Books. This is the first time I read book 8 in a series as the first and it doesn't matter since it's a prequel. In this book we get to know a little about the beginnings of David Slaton and his work as an government assassin for Israel. I found the book to my liking and has already begun collecting the earlier ones. I must thank @netgalley @BestThrillBooks @forgereads for giving me this advance copy

[Todd Wilkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books

This is the origin story that David Slaton deserved and fans of the series will absolutely love. In Slaton, Ward Larsen has developed one of the most interesting and enjoyable characters in the thriller genre today. To have a glimpse into his beginning is simply a treat to all thriller fans. Ward and the Slaton series should be a priority on anyone’s reading list.

For those of us who anxiously await Ward’s work each year, this novella is a perfect supplement to the series and gives you an even better understanding of what makes Mossad’s most lethal assassin tick. If you’ve never read any of the Slaton series this is a brilliant place to start and will set you up nicely for the rest of the series… which you will binge on shortly after reading Assassin’s Dawn (don’t say I didn’t warn you).

Make sure to check out the full review

[Jeremy Peers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Assassin's Dawn, written by Ward Larsen, is the origin story of David Slaton, Mossad's deadliest assassin. I've always thought Larsen was criminally underrated and with Assassin's Dawn, Larsen has crafted the perfect origin story. Larsen was able to provide some answers to what drives Slaton and why. In previous books Slaton has worked alone so it was interesting to see Slaton as part of a team. Assassin's Dawn feels more nuanced than previous Slaton books with espionage taking a more prominent role. It feels like Larsen tried to branch out with Assassin's Dawn and the result was a very Daniel Silva-esque thriller.

If you've never read a David Slaton book, Assassin's Dawn is the perfect opening to the series.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review Assassin's Dawn.

[Todd Simpson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant, I loved it. This really was a great book from start to finish. Ward Larsen has once again done a splendid job with the assassin David Slaton. He’s definitely one man you don’t want coming after you. I love the way there is always something happening in the story to keep you interested, it really was entertaining.
David Slaton was Mossad’s most lethal assassin. His focus and commitment couldn’t be faulted, every waking moment he was on alert. Deep sadness and revenge drove Slaton to be the very best at what he did. One day someone was going to pay for what they had done to him, and he wasn’t going to stop until that man was in the ground. The latest assignment in Luxemburg seemed easy enough, breaking into a hotel room and secure some intelligence. What could possibly go wrong with that? If you enjoy Action Thrillers, then you will love this book. Well worth the 5/5 Star Rating.
I received an advanced copy of this book for an honest review.

[Steven Netter · Rating 5 out of 5]

READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books

Explosive, riveting and packs a powerful punch! Ward Larsen crushes it with Assassin’s Dawn, a killer prequel novella that provides a window into the beginning of Israeli covert operative David Slaton’s Mossad career.

Make sure to check out the full review

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars 🌟

First of all let me say that I am a HUGE fan of the David Slanton series. This book is actually a prequel. We get to go back to the beginning and get a peak at David during the early years with Mossad. This story is actually fairly short. I would personally label it as more of a novella. It deals with basically one situation and how the team - specifically David - deals with the events and ramifications of that event.

As a novella, I enjoyed the story. Would I have liked there to be more? Absolutely. I personally think that Mr. Larsen has done such a great job of developing the character of David Slaton that he was able to slip right back into his role. If someone is just reading this as a stand alone, I think it could work. Unfortunately though, you would miss all the nuances that are there with his history and experiences.

I did like that we got a bit of back story on his early days of training. I found it interesting. It was also fun to see his early dealings with Bloch. All in all I liked it. A bit short, but it left me wanting more. All good.

Thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this ARC. The opinions above are mine and mine alone.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a full fledged novel but it has all the ingredients that make it one of my favorite series. All the action and adventure I have come to expect plus the insight into how David was molded into the assassin he becomes.

Recommended!

[Julie Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was privileged to receive ARCs for review purposes over the past couple of years of Ward Larsen’s outstanding David Slaton series. They were at a time when Slaton had retired from the Israeli Mossad, had begun a family and was sailing the world only to find himself drawn back into the underside of the intelligence world. One book involved the tracking of nuclear materials to prevent a nuclear weapon being used against a US Pacific military base. The “bait” was his family.

The second novel involved smuggling a Russian translator out of the Middle East who unwittingly overheard conversation to instigate a bioweapons attack against Western Allies. Slaton was called in to assist in the exfil. They were two engrossing novels that made me a fan of Ward Larsen novels for life. He writes a detailed plot with well developed characters not only of protagonists but the secondary characters also.

Larsen’s plots carry twists and turns but what will capture your attention is the “Oh My God” aerial feats he has being performed in his novels. Things like doing an infil using a pilot’s ejector seat a couple of hundred feet above ground level at several hundred mph. In another novel it was doing exfil via a drone, ones that look like miniature planes, where you are snagged off the ground via hook. I think I read once they are called a SkII pickup. His aerial feats are jaw dropping events and knowing he has at least one in every one of his novels thus far peaks your interest.

Once the main plot is introduced and the main players’ characters or roles are established you are sucked into rapid reading to figure out how the story ends and where, when, and how these aerial events will be inserted. It also has you wondering at what formulated the mindset of this operative, the determination to succeed in the assignment no matter what. What happened in this man’s past to make him so focused, with nerves of steel to see a mission to the end.

When I caught wind of Ward Larsen creating a prequel to all the David Slaton novels, I immediately contacted him to request an ARC. ASSASSIN’S DAWN was born and with it, the early career of David Slaton with the Mossad. It does not disappoint. It is a novella, placed in a limited timeframe, but it covers the development of Slaton’s unique qualities of craftsmanship in the spy trade and just how good he was as a beginner and how his skills played out. The book focuses on a specific event in this spy’s life, and how it came to be he took down a deadly terrorist team of brothers that Mossad and western intelligence had been hunting for years. Whether serving as a field medic or an assassin, the versatility of skills are on display and why execution of the mission to the bitter end is so important to David Slaton.

ASSASSIN’S DAWN defines who David Slaton is,the skills he has acquired and what he will do for his team,and vice versa.And,oh yes,Ward Larsen sets the stage for those fantastic aerial feats in this book too. He gives new meaning to the phrase “burial at sea” from a LearJet 45 at 5,000 feet up. Thriller fans will love this novella which definitely sets the stage for David Slaton’s career. When you finish,don’t forget to read the other 7adventures of Slaton’s Mossad career. Larsen gets a big 5* or this one. Well done!

[SteVen Hendricks · Rating 5 out of 5]

ebook Review – Assassin’s Dawn – Ward Larsen
“Assassin’s Dawn,” a David Slaton Adventure is the origin story of one of the most ideal covert espionage operators in the spy thriller genre. It is a riveting prequel novella – 122 pages – by author and aviator Ward Larsen. I’m a big fan of the David Slaton character and appreciate Larsen’s thoughtfulness in crafting a stunning and exciting origin story for a stark and pure action thriller protagonist. Slaton’s development and his unique craftsmanship in the spy trade are articulated in this quickly told narrative. The story focuses on Slaton’s life, who he is, and how he became a deadly Israeli Mossad assassin. Ward nails this action novella and propels me to continue the series with great anticipation and keen expectancy of wonderful storytelling. I thoroughly enjoyed Assassin’s Dawn and recommend the entire David Slaton series by Ward Larsen.

[Skip · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Slaton is part of a team sent to copy the hard drive of a terrorist financier, using a female operative as a lure. They narrowly escape with the goods, but the terrorist is found murdered in his hotel room, unleashing a hunt for his attractive accomplice, who is arrested while fleeing the country. Slaton ignores orders to return to Israel to make sure she is safe and because of the chance to eliminate the financier's reclusive brother, Ramzi Tayeb, who was responsible for a bus bombing which took the lives of Slaton's wife and daughter. I did not realize this was a prequel so I was confused by his family situation, which is now much different, but still very much at the forefront of his concerns. Also, I would have preferred if author Larsen had expanded the story into a full novel by making the chase more complex.

[Mark Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Assassin's Dawn by Ward Larsen is my first book to read in the David Slaton universe and I enjoyed it so much that I will definitely be adding Ward Larsen to my TBR list of authors. The action, intrigue, and dialog was more than enough to keep me coming back to read every free minute that I could find. After reading Assassin's Dawn, I now want to read all of the David Slaton books by Ward Larsen and keep this story going. I highly recommend this book for those that have or have not been reading the David Slaton books. It is the perfect book to get started on and I am sure that those that have been reading will enjoy this quick hitting, action filled novella that takes David back to his origins.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Assassin's Dawn is a prequel novella to the David Slaton series by Ward Larsen. For those that are not familiar with the character and the series, this is the perfect introduction to one of the most exciting characters in the genre today. Fans of the series will enjoy the view into Slaton's beginnings with the Mossad.

David Slaton is THE tip of the spear for Israel. He is both patient and lethal, the perfect traits for a sniper. In this novella Slaton is part of a Mossad team that is monitoring an accountant that moves money for funding terrorist activities. The hope is that monitoring this accountant will lead up the chain to bigger targets within the organization. Join Slaton as he has to improvise and adapt as the situation on the ground rapidly changes.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Assassin’s Dawn is the eight book in the David Slaton series by Ward Larsen. While this book was a novelette, short novel, it provides insight into who David Slaton is and how he came to work for Mossad as an assassin. This novelette is just as exiting as the other David Slaton novels and is packed full of detail, planning, and execution of the spy trade. Ward Larsen has written another great story that is realistic, believable, and intriguing. If you have never read any of Ward Larsen’s David Slaton series, I would highly recommend that you start with Book 8 then follow up with Book 1 and the others in numerical order.

[Joel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a prequel from the first book of the series of a Mossad assassin and gives some before missing information that informs what caused him to be what he became. Its well done for a novella, which due to brevity cannot support a detailed plot with multiple twists. However, what it can do is allow an author to go back and give some vital information that helps us readers better understand a protagonist to which we have become fans.

It involves what becomes a revenge mission for David Slaton and is well put together and long enough to provide some build up to the ultimate climax of the story. All in all, a good addition to the series.

[Steven G G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ward Larsen presents his protagonist David Slaton in both a nuanced intelligence and visceral depiction of his origin story which leaves you wanting more. Brand new to the Assassin's world of thrillers I could not put it down. His writing is not caught in a lot of technical jargon nor does it drag on with just the right pacing for the right situations David and his friends from Mossad find themselves in. Much of it directed by David or someone hunting David. FIVE STARS for Assassins Dawn. I am a new fan of Ward Larsen!

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

An origin story! Fans of the series and those looking for a new thriller will find this fast paced novella a worthy introduction to David Slaton. Slaton is a Mossad officer who is selected for training as an assassin. He's almost immediately sent on an operation in Luxembourg which goes sideways and forces him to change tactics. You'll learn his motivation and see his commitment to his colleague Anna grow. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. It's an action packed and entertaining read.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another terrific David Slaton story but much too short for my liking. Novellas are definitely not my thing nor are "back stories" but I simply had to read this one because of the subject. David Slaton is the one of most intriguing characters I have come across since Jason Bourne and Jack Reacher. Very different characters, for sure, but each very, very addictive.
Bring on the next one....full length please👍

[Patricia Gussin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a novella-length prequel into Ward Larsen's "Assassin Series" with David Slaton. Something that I'd been hoping for ever since I read the first in the series "The Perfect Assassin" and every one since. I think that Ward Larsen is among the best espionage thriller writers of all time and to have a glimpse into what makes him tick was an unexspected treat. If you've read any of the "Assassin" novels, you'll know what I mean. If you haven't, I highly recommend all the books in this series.

[Damon Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

First a big Thanks to Ward Larsen and the entire team at Best Thriller Books. I won this book in a giveaway.

This novella is such a quick read. Ward does a tremendous job of hooking you in the beginning bringing Anton Loch and David Slaton's beginning with Missed into play.

I have now read 3 out of the 9 books currently in the series and cannot wait to catch up on the rest.

[Kyla Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Ward Larsen is a masterful story teller. An exciting, smooth, action filled story. So well written that it feels like reality. His use of the perfect simile and his descriptive way of writing is totally engaging. A superb beginning to the David Slaton Adventure Series. A definite Good Read!

[Wes Weiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding finished this delightful read in less than a day. Bravo War Larson, can’t wait for you next David Slaton novel!

Outstanding finished this delightful read in less than a day. Bravo War Larson, can’t wait for you next David Slaton novel!

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great backstory that shows some of the early works of Slaton. Great story line along with character interactions...and great action too of course. Perfect story fitting into this fun and awesome series. Cannot wait for next book (April 2022)!

[Diogenes · Rating 3 out of 5]

An entertaining Israeli spy/revenge novella with series character Slaton, who breaks protocol, disobeys orders and gets the job done. The plot,if not original, is interesting and the characters not quite three-dimensional.

[Ana Maria Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read

I have read all the books in this series and my only comment is that maybe in this one the author should have given us a bit more into Anton. A side that still one of the best assassins series I have read.

[ron mann · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing

Larsen writes some excellent novels, this isn't one of them. Too simple, too brief, too predictable. Villain really dumb and walks into trap without bodyguards. Guess you get what you pay for. Shame on you, Ward.

[Bruce Raterink · Rating 5 out of 5]

This prequel novella is every bit as good as the rest of the series. Great characters, fast paced action, and some unique twists to keep the reader engaged. I strongly recommend reading the entire series from the beginning, starting with "Perfect Assassin." Highly recommended

[David A. Rosow · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not his best

Somewhat trivial and overwritten. I preferred False Assurances, Threat Bias and Subversive Addiction with the hero Ben Porter. More to my taste.