The Last Assassin by Barry Eisler

From the Publisher

When freelance assassin John Rain learns that his former lover has been raising their child in New York, he senses a chance for reconciliation, perhaps even redemption. But Midori is being watched by Rain's enemies, and Rain's sudden appearance puts mother and child in mortal danger.

Publishers Weekly

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). (July) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Library Journal

Assassin John Rain is back-even if he's not in the title, as in Rain Fall, etc.-and this time his effort to reconcile with former lover Midori and their child puts them in harm's way. With a whopping 25-city tour. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

"Pffft. The man quivered and sank to the ground. . . . The other guy didn't see it. . . . Pffft. I dropped him, too, another head shot." When high-end assassin John Rain is working for personal rather than professional reasons, the bodies pile up fast. This fifth volume in Eisler's series (Killing Rain, 2005, etc.) finds Rain trying to reestablish contact with his former lover, Midori. Through friends, Rain has learned he is likely the father of Midori's baby son. The problem: Midori is the daughter of one of Rain's hits, and she knows it. Another problem: One of Rain's many enemies, the yakuza Yamaoto, is using Midori and the baby to lure Rain into his murderous sights. This will not stop Rain from meeting his son; he also harbors the hope that he can reunite with Midori. Even in his strange and emotionally messy world, that would be improbable-Midori, after all, loved her father. Still, their first meeting offers a glimmer of the prospect. More importantly, storywise, once Rain lays eyes on his son, he will not stand for anything threatening the child's wellbeing. A trail of bodies follows Rain as he tracks the root problem, Yamaoto, and the denouement is a nice piece of mayhem. Rain's friend Dox, a freelance sniper, returns to lend a hand. So does Delilah, a Mossad agent placed on leave for giving Rain too much help with his last caper, who wants her relationship with Rain to move beyond that of lover. This puts Rain in a quandary regarding Midori, and it highlights Eisler's special knack for bringing nuance to the implications of Rain's nihilism. Can love really conquer all? Is Rain's retirement from work possible? When, if ever, is it acceptable to kill? Is he, purely and simply,delusional? Wicked action sequences, smoothly delineated local color and moments of introspection capture Rain in fine, fraught form.

Product Details

• Table of Contents

Table of Contents