Mark of the Assassin

Silva, Daniel

4.12

13,431 ratings by Goodreads

ISBN 10: 0553479377 ISBN 13: 9780553479379

Publisher: Random House Audio, 1998

Daniel Silva's first novel, The Unlikely Spy, proved itself to be one of the most auspicious debuts in years, was translated into over a dozen languages and went on to be a major international bestseller. Now, with The Mark of the Assassin, he firmly takes his place among the most compelling writers of his generation with an incredible tale of power, politics and intrigue.
When Michael Osborne of the CIA is called in to investigate the terrorist bombing of an airliner off the coast of Long Island, there is one relevant clue that drives him: a body found in the water, near the crash site, with three bullet holes to its face. Osborne recognizes the deadly markings as the work of a world-class assassin--a man whose very existence has never been proven because the only people ever to have seen him became his victims. Among those victims: a young woman Osborne loved years before.

As Osborne gets closer and closer to solving the puzzle of the airline crash, his personal obsessions threaten to consume not only the investigation, but his marriage and family life as well. And when the frightening identity of the assassin's employers becomes clear, Osborne puts himself--and his loved ones--into the sights of the most fearsome man on earth.

With breathtaking plot twists, complex characters, and a villain who is among the most ruthlessly diabolical creations in modern thriller fiction, The Mark of the Assassin is a razor-sharp suspense masterpiece from one of the more exciting new authors at work today.

Frank Runyeon, a versatile actor and comedian, has appeared in such popular shows as Melrose Place and L.A. Law, and has appeared in the feature films Sudden Death and Bolero.

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Review:

Bestselling novelist Daniel Silva (author of The Unlikely Spy) draws upon his experience as a foreign correspondent and a Washington journalist in The Mark of the Assassin. Set in London, Cairo, Amsterdam, and Washington, the story line follows CIA case agent Michael Osbourne as he attempts to locate the terrorists who shot down an airliner off the coast of Long Island. Osbourne has two main antagonists: Delaroche, a KGB-trained expert assassin ordered to kill the handful of people who know the truth, including Osbourne, and the corrupt political culture of Washington, which ominously stymies him at every turn. There's a love story at the core of this book, as well as a brave attempt by Osbourne to reconcile a mystery in his past with a present he has not fully accepted. The prose is slick, and readers will find themselves racing through these pages as the body count grows and the conclusion nears. The Mark of the Assassin is a worthy effort from a rising star.

From the Back Cover:

"Filled with the kind of dark passages that keep fans of spy thrillers guessing as they eagerly turn the pages . . . briskly suspenseful, tightly constructed, and full of well-rounded, believable characters . . . reminiscent of John le Carr�'s classic The Spy Who Came In from the Cold."
--Richard Bernstein, The New York Times

"A first novel of remarkable ingenuity and daring that reignites our enthusiasm for World War II skullduggery. A book that will stick in your imagination long after you have figured out where all the pieces fit."

--Digby Diehl, Playboy

"In the mold of Robert Harris's Enigma, and every bit as good: a tense, well-crafted piece of storytelling. . . . Silva brings to life a tale of suspense that spirals its way to an evocative climax."
--Peter Millar, The Times (London)

"Silva has clearly done his homework, mixing fact and fiction to delicious effect and building tension--with breathtaking double and triple turns of the plot."

--J. D. Reed, People

"The World at War comes vividly alive. . . . A dandy tale."
--John Katzenbach, The Washington Post Book World

"The best thriller of the new year. . . . Convoluted, engrossing, and full of deception, this one will keep you nailed throughout."

--Peter Mergendahl, Rocky Mountain News

"A well-crafted World War II thriller that educates and entertains."
--Steve Weinberg, Chicago Tribune

"A literate thriller, well researched and fast-moving." --Alix Madrigal, San Francisco Chronicle

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