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ASSASSIN
The ultimate thriller—with a twist. Forty-five years ago, a set of twins was separated at birth when their South African parents were caught in the crossfire between police and robbers. Flash forward to the present. Five billionaires plot to assassinate Iran’s Supreme Leader, the Ayatollah Khamenei, by hiring the most expensive killer in the world. Iran learns of the plot through a web of sex, lies, and betrayal, but they know they are hopelessly outclassed in counterterrorism. Only one service in the world has the wherewithal to bring down the assassin—Israel, a country Iran refuses to recognize. Nevertheless, Iran manages to borrow Israel’s best counterterrorist. Unknown to one another, the assassin is one twin and the Israeli counterterrorist is the other. Let the chase begin!
ASSASSIN-AMAZON COMMENTS
These are genuine reviews from Amazon.com. Names and email addresses have been deleted to protect the privacy rights of those who were kind enough to write in, but feel free to visit Amazon.com to see the originals of these reviews. Thank you. – Hugh
***** Unforgettable and Gripping. Hugo Gerstl’s latest book, Assassin - the Ultimate Thriller- is an impressive and magnificent adventure filled with intricately layered and remarkable research. His details encompass alluring and captivating information about Middle Eastern politics and culture in present-day times. This saga is an authentic, literate and a true thriller based on a plot to kill Iran’s Ayatollah Khamenei. With its good plot development and believable in depth characters, it keeps you turning the pages. Hugo N. Gerstl is a marvelous storyteller who works readers the way a good trial lawyer works a jury; likewise, he is a well-recognized trial lawyer himself. He magically transfers his magnificent storytelling skills to create this novel; another of what is becoming a long line of his outstanding books. Fantastic read. This book is a great thriller and page turner, with twists and turns that you don't see coming. It is full of intrigue, conspiracy, suspense, drama and plot twists; a thriller which is not to be missed. – February 2014
*** Far-fetched plot. A mildly entertaining political thriller. The basic premise does not seem realistic and motives are either simplistic or poorly explained. Character development was crude and none of the characters were not particularly likeable or admirable. A decent and quick but forgettable read best suited for a cross country airplane flight. – June 2016
***** Great Character Development with Complex Relationships that continue to evolve. This book was a delightful read. Very current political backdrop provides solid context for the plot. Great character development with complex inter-relationships that continue to evolve and make you want to keep turning the page. Suspenseful and difficult to predict up until the very end. Hugo Gerstl is a great story teller that always entertains. I'm ready to start reading his latest, "Arcade". – December 2015
***** You Won’t Be Able to Put this Book down. Here is another spellbinding story from a writer whose imagination has no limits. Assassin is a riveting adventure in high level espionage, set in the present, and involving an international cast of characters who are plotting, counter plotting and using every tool of their trade, from sex to torture, with an assassination plan at stake that could change the balance of power in the Middle East and perhaps the entire world. Could it happen? You may conclude that in the world as it is today it just might. – February 2014
***** Clever and fast-paced. Gerstl is known for his exhaustive research and attention to detail. This time out, instead of a sweeping historical, he proves his versatility shifting into thriller mode. This story starts out with a bang and doesn't stop. When you pit brother and sister against each other, you have an exciting story. When you add in all the back story, political landscape, high-stakes international terror and intrigue on top of that -- you have a top thriller. Grab your copy! – February 2014
***** Assassin is an excellent spy novel. "Assassin" is an exceptionally engrossing thriller that keeps one wanting more. I was unable to put the book down. The characters were alive with descriptive human flaws and endearing qualities. The story line was fascinating as was the information about the Middle East. Hugo is a truly gifted writer with a unique style. Am looking forward to his next thriller with much anticipation. – March 2014
***** Absolutely Delivers on the Title. One of the best thrillers I have read. Extremely well written and delivers on it promise. If you like Le Carre you will love this. Can't wait for more from the author. – May 2014
** Boring. I have great expectations about this book but was just expectations. Weak. – December 2016.
***** Great Thriller by Hugo Gerstl. Exciting thriller keeps you riveted until the very end. The story puts the reader right in the middle of the scenes, thanks, in part, to Mr. Gerstl's knowledge of his settings. Has all the elements of a 5-Star read. Will there be a sequel? – April 2014
***** Super Fast. A fast moving book with fact and fiction intertwined, makes this thriller a terrific spellbinding read. Once you start it is almost impossible to put down. Great fun. – March 2014***** I’ll pay for the movie ticket now. This book brought back memories about another novel I couldn't put down, "Jurassic Park". A spellbinding story with believable scenarios, descriptive scenes, and just the right amount of suspicion to keep reading! – May 2014
***** What a page-turner. Hit the ground running from page one. Unique plot with an unlikely hero. Couldn't put it down. Hope to see more of this guy. – March 2014
***** Great Ultimate Thriller. Once again a great story from Hugo Gerstl. I love this author and look forward to his next book. His research is always detailed. – February 2014
***** Couldn’t put it down. Every now and then I come across a book that I just don't want to put down... This was one of them! I must admit, there are times when I "binge read" a book only to feel disappointed when I get to the last page wondering what happened with story line "X" or "Y"; that was not the case with Assassin. The author's vivid imagery is what hooked me at first, but in the end, I was more grateful for his attention to detail than anything else as every loose end was tied up such that the culmination had roots and meaning. A truly great read that I would whole-heartedly recommend. I saw another user had said that perhaps this book would be made into a movie and I sincerely hope that is true... Bravo, Mr. Gerstl, bravo! – March 2014
***** Review for Assassin. For the reader who wants a fast-paced action-packed spy thriller, Assassin is their book. Written by Hugo Gerstl (who is also a wonderful historical novelist) this book has it all: the Iranian-Israeli conflict, Middle East and United States polities, and a plot so rich, interesting and multilayered that you cannot put the book down. Mr. Gerstl’s characters leap off the page. Ironically, the reader soon acquires sympathy and understanding for the assassin in the process. The nail-biting climax will keep the reader awake for hours. This is the book for readers who want it all: action, adventure, drama and history. – March 2014
***** Don’t Watch the News, Read This. The details Hugo Gerstl puts in his novels is quite stunning. Reading Assassin provides you not only great reading pleasure (because yes - the man definitely can write a good story), but also with an insight in political scheming and dealing that goes beyond what even CNN is able to offer. And: Gerstl is always contemporary and talking about stuff that matters now. Assassin is about Iran, Israel, South-Africa, terrorism and much more. The novel gives backgrounds about how and why the world is as it is, interwoven in a great story, written with a compelling force and drive. – March 2014
***** Very clever. Gerstl has written several books and seems to be an undiscovered secret as of yet. I feel like I have been given a sneak preview of his world. Assassin is very clever and has surprise twist and turns that I did not anticipate. I really good read. I had just finished his book, “Billy Jenkins” and I feel I am in a select group that have discovered an author before anyone else. I am sure these books will soon appear on airplanes everywhere. Then I can say, 'I knew him first’. – February 2014
***** Gerstl dazzles! Gerstl is blessed with an imagination and descriptive talent that gives us characters to care about. Each of them move through their parts flawlessly. I like the good guys, have a visceral gut wrench with his baddies. I find myself deep in what happens to each of them, be it escape from peril or well deserved comeuppance. There's more than a little heart pounding in this one. It really is well subtitled - "the Ultimate Thriller". It is! I can't wait until the movie and hope Gerstl writes the screenplay. – February 2014
***** Assassin is a Killer of a Read. Hugo Gerstl has written a real page-turner in “Assassin” which has enough twists and turns that you think of reaching for some Dramamine. But you won’t because you don’t want to stop reading his book. This thriller is about the Middle East, and the power brokers behind the wizard’s curtain who seek to change the players on the world’s most volatile stage. Don’t pick up this book unless you have the time to finish it, or you will find yourself canceling some appointments. – April 2014
***** Interesting and thrilling. This is my second Hugo Gerstl book. The best yet. I like his detailed knowledge of the geographical and historical setting and his weaving of fiction with reality. A story and setting made for a prospective fascinating movie. Nothing is missing - Intrigue, at times gruesome detail, thrilling anticipation, sex, mystery, and sadness. Hugo has a great imagination and a real talent to put his thoughts and considerable research into print. A good book for a book group discussion. – March 2014
***** Outstanding and Thrilling. Assassin is the most interesting and thrilling book I have read in quite some time. It is one of those books that you don't want to put down. Gerstl writes in an intelligent and clear manner that gives the reader the opportunity to really know the characters. I can easily picture this book being made into a movie and I only hope that this is the case! I will now seek out other titles by this talented author. – February 2014
***** Gerstl does it again! A page-turner of an international political thriller in the style of Jeffrey Archer, Robert Ludlum and John LeCarre. Hugo's research is top-notch and he's crafted a story with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing until the very last page. Another winner from a talented writer at the top of his game! – February 2014.
*****We’re lucky to have Hugo Gerstl. Once again Hugo Gerstl has come up with a unique thriller that the reader can't put down. You don't have to be a mystery/thriller reader to get pulled into one of the most clever plots ever conceived. The characters are unforgettable! I can't wait for the movie! – February 2014
***** Gripping well-written mystery. This book grabs you from the beginning and keeps you reading regardless of other tasks. I could not put it down until I finished it. Remarkable story and flawless writing. – April 2014
If you like a great thriller, such as The DaVinci Code or The Day of the Jackal, you will certainly love ASSASSIN. It stands apart from other thrillers because it is truly original and goes outside the box to run circles around other books in this genre.
ASSASSIN – HOW THIS BOOK CAME TO BE
Suddenly, in 2015, with a number of historical novels under my belt, I want to try a thriller. But I wanted it to be “different” – original, intelligent, and challenging. I wanted to put everything I’d learned in writing historical novels – primarily deep, accurate research – into a fast-moving, thin (for me), fun book.
I hope Assassin achieved those goals. I think it has – certainly it has been very steady and successful as far as sales are concerned. And I truly hope that you will find it a rewarding read as well.
