This book will shortly be on its way to a BookCrosser who has been wishing for it for a while. I am her Not So Secret Father Christmas this year!

Hi Jalna, here we are, BookCrosser Flutterbies9 and I, at last having a post-Christmas moment in the Costa Coffee Shop in Cults so internet access assured I am able to journal my thanks for this book The Last Assassin by Barry Eisler a book off my wish-list – woo hoo – that along with The Paper Moon by Andrea Camilleri came in a fun filled parcel from my Not-So-Secret-Father-Christmas partner from the BookCrossing UK Yahoo Group. Thanks are then also due for: a light-up Santa pen; 2 wee Red glittery, flickering LED Candles; a filigree glass, colour changing, Christmas Bauble; a Spa Therapy Mini Gift Set; a Rose Soap; a 6 pk of Glittery Glue pens; a pk of Glittery Foam Stickers and last but not least a bar of Galaxy chocolate – YUM!

Two books off my wish-list above and beyond Jalna, above and beyond!!! THANKS HEAPS I've already got the next reader for this lined up! Yeah, for BookCrossing.

I passed this onto Flutterbies9 in April 2015 and some review thoughts from me are ---long--- due. My notes are hidden away for the moment, now wishing to tidy up my records I offer the following scribbles. Also I’m including the book details here in my journal entry as I use BookCrossing as a book-log.

THE LAST ASSASSIN by BARRY EISLER (2006)
ISBN: 978-0-141-02594-0 (UK PB)
Publisher: Penguin

From Fantastic Fiction: [Extremis] Previously published as The Last Assassin. Even for an average citizen, a love triangle is dangerous business. For assassin John Rain "one of the most compelling lead characters in the genre" USA Today " it's going to be downright deadly.

When Rain learns that his former lover, Midori, has been raising their child in New York, Rain senses a chance for reconciliation, perhaps even for redemption. But Midori and the child are being watched by Rain's enemies, and Rain's sudden appearance puts them in terrible danger. To save them, Rain is forced to use the same deadly talents he had been hoping to leave behind. With the help of Tatsu, his one-time nemesis in the Japanese FBI; and Dox, the former Marine sniper whose good ol' boy persona masks a killer as deadly as Rain himself, Rain races against time to bring his enemies into the open and eliminate them forever.

But to finish the job, he'll need one more ally: Mossad operative Delilah, a woman for whom Rain's hopes with Midori represent an altogether different kind of threat...

"...a terrific, fun read, full of modern spy craft (Eisler worked for the CIA for a while), exotic locales, hot sex and violence. Not to mention an extremely well-defined character in John Rain, who seems like a pretty good guy, given his career." San Jose Mercury News
---------------------

An exciting read, tense conundrums, whip-fast action and decisive exploits, and – mystery. A, cannot-put-it-down novel, always good to have on hand when reading a profound, and pains-taking, tome is knotting up your head and you need a break. The Last Assassin is an adsorbing and relaxing treat PLUS it adds to what we have already read about John Rains adventures.

Please note THE LAST ASSASSIN is in the hands of Flutterbies9, who has been kindly waiting for me to release this before making her own ‘caught’ journal entry.

Rainbow3 sent me this in late April but I've been awaiting her entry before journaling it as here. This has been sitting beside the computer for so long it has become a familiar cover and begun to intrigue me so it may not be too long on tbr! However, I've ten days in which to read my book club book and I'm so far through 'The Suitable Boy' by Vikram Seth now that I really feel I should finish it before indulging myself.

Aha, well it did not wait long after all! I have a 'cunning plan' for this book thought up in a telcon with rainbow3 when talking holiday details.

This is a page turner of large proportions. The story is told from two viewpoints, one being that of John Rain and the other 'the author'. The switch between the two viewpoints was easily fitted into chapters and gave a break in pace at times which was much needed. This plot travelled express train like through the various locations, characters (with the exceptions of John Rain, Dox, Delilah, Tatsu and Midori), twists and turns to a rather quieter 'ending' (which felt almost like a lead in to another book). Belief had to be suspended in sections as one after another various situations were 'handled' and the violence, though constant, was not as gory as I had expected from this author (thankfully for my taste!). Despite these minor criticisms, I did enjoy the book and think that it was a good thriller - not my usual fare but a required change from my last read.

As I stated, I have a plan for this book so I'll put it on reserved for now.

This is a rollercoaster read, albeit unrealistic when thought is applied to the situations, and I can't believe anyone could keep up this pace for any length of time! However, an engaging pacy read with some interesting dilemas within its pages. Worth the effort despite the violence.

Enjoy. Happy travels little book.