The hunt that began in the debut novel “The Lions of Lucerne” for the terrorists who attacked the President and his family continues in this sequel. With the President and his family safe once again, Secret Service Agent Scot Harvath's mission is to find all those responsible for the plot. The final suspect of the Swiss mercenary team known as the Lions of Lucerne is expected to appear at the Macua Place Casino, a very old and still floating double-decker ferry casino, currently anchored at sea 60 kilometers west of Hong Kong.
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The suspect appears across the gaming floor and before they can grab him he leaves. The chase is on as they follow the suspect back across to Macua and before long as a typhoon bears down on the area, they are engaged in a fierce running gun battle with the suspect. But the suspect isn't just shooting at them. He is also shooting at someone else, a figure that has silver eyes. When the suspect is killed by the figure with silver eyes, Scott begins chasing that suspect and despite the resulting harrowing car chase, the suspect gets away.
At the same time, a group billing itself as The Hand Of God begins to unleash a series of coordinated attacks across the Arab world. Thanks to evidence left at the scenes and public press releases, it appears that the Israeli Government is sponsoring and supporting the group that aims to bring terror to the Arab world. Scot, temporarily back home, believes that instead, it might be the work of Hashim Nidal, the son of the famous terrorist, Abu Nidal. Scot further suspects that Hashim might very well be the suspect with the silver eyes that got away. Despite political infighting and conflicting orders, he begins a worldwide manhunt for both suspects while remaining convinced that they are the same person.
Unlike the debut novel “The Lions of Lucerne” which was full of complex characters and numerous plot twists, this thriller is a straightforward action adventure read that is simplistic in style and tone. The novel seems written entirely for depiction as a movie in an attempt to replace the cinematic James Bond series. No additional depth is given to his character, every decision he makes is right despite working for always idiotic bosses, and no matter the circumstances, he pulls all the other cardboard characters out of danger almost single handily each and every single time. Other than his love interest and one or two associates, almost everyone else is this novel is a fool.
Taken for what it actually is, a fast simplistic adventure read, this is not a bad book. But as compared to The Lions of Lucerne, the contrast is striking and disappointing. It suffers mightily in comparison.
The review of this Book prepared by Kevin R. Ttipple
Atria, Jan 2003, 25.00, 373 pp.
ISBN: 074343675X
Secret Service Agent Scott Harvath is doing his job when he risks his life to keep President Rutledge safe. With an increase in terrorism at alarming levels from multiple sides in the Mideast confrontation and a recent kidnapping attempt of Rutledge, Scott has job security. His current assignment is to eliminate those who assaulted the president but escaped, though Scott insured their mission failed.
With synagogues and mosques exploding, the CIA believes the trademark evidence points to the 1980s deadliest assassin Abdul Nidal who supposedly died during that decade. Scott assumes the report of Abdul's expiration is true especially when the CIA points towards the son of the terrorist, Hashim. However, the Agency claims no pictures or description exists. One American Meg Cassidy has seen and survived Hashim's deadly destruction. Desperate Scott drafts the civilian to help him bring down the world's deadliest terrorist, but will soon learn there is more to this dangerous mess than the CIA, Mossad, and the American Home security agency has told him. That lack of information could cost Scott, Meg, and their allies their lives.
No description seems strange with a survivor witness, but fans of adrenaline highs will not notice. Action, action, action, and more action as that fails to describe fractionally the global events of this non stop thriller that seems so pertinent with recent events starting with 9/11 and still current with the precedent setting Saddam scenario. Scott retains his hero mantle first earned in the exciting LIONS OF LUCERNE, but the tale of the tape is ACTION as PATH OF THE ASSASSIN is a one sitting thriller.
Harriet Klausner
The review of this Book prepared by Harriet Klausner
