The Last Assassin

THE LAST ASSASSIN is the latest John Rain thriller by former CIA agent turned author Barry Eisler. Generally fast paced, the story focuses on assassin Rain, a Japanese-American contract killer, albeit one with a conscience. The novel benefits from Michael McConnohie's well-paced reading style. McConnohie sounds as though he is a storyteller who gets so caught up in the story that he has to keep reading to find out what happens next. As with many similar books, this story features sex, spies, exotic locales, international intrigue, and some head-shaking plot twists. But with McConnohie's breathless reading style, the book never loses it focus or its ability to entertain. D.J.S. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine

April 17, 2006
Japanese-American assassin John Rain would like to get out of the killing business in his fifth action-filled outing (after 2005's Killing Rain
), see the son he's only just learned of and perhaps try to reconnect with Midori, the child's mother. But first there's the little matter of the Japanese gangster Yamaoto and Yamaoto's Chinese triad allies, who are watching over Rain's son in New York City, not to mention Delilah, the beautiful Mossad agent who shares Rain's occupation and his bed. Seizing the initiative, Rain enlists the aid of his super-sniper friend, Dox, in a campaign to remove Yamaoto. Rain and allies clash with their many powerful foes in combat scenes full of lovingly detailed descriptions of knives, guns and other martial paraphernalia. Amid the threats to life, limb and loved ones, Rain finds time to enjoy good food, better whiskey and even better sex. While most of the action takes place in Japan, Eisler handles all the story's locales, including Manhattan and Barcelona, with considerable aplomb. 30-city author tour.

October 2, 2006
Japanese-American assassin John Rain is growing tired of the killing game and wants to find a way out. When he tries to reconnect with Midori, the mother of the child he's just learned he had, he runs afoul of the Yakuza, who hope to use Rain's son as leverage against him. McConnohie narrates in a resonant, deep baritone using a plain American dialect, but when voicing foreign characters, he skillfully adds just enough of an accent to differentiate them. Throughout the book, Eisler keeps the action coming at a fast and furious pace, and McConnohie is up to the task; he brings the fighting sequences vividly to life with his measured and deliberate pacing, keeping the listener fully engaged and riveted. The novel works best when Eisler sticks with Rain's point of view, less so when he shifts to other characters. McConnohie, who does a fine job in every aspect of this recording, is also at his best when bringing Rain to life. Simultaneous release with the Putnam hardcover (Reviews, Apr. 17).