Just finished listening to the audiobook of this novel. Pretty exciting in parts, especially the firefight with Qadir at the estate in Connecticut.
One question-why did you make Abu Qasim so easy to kill at the end? I expected him to be wilier and a harder target. Also, I thought you were going to make Isolde Petreu Marisa's mother and Abu Qasim's estranged wife - that would have been one hell of a twist. There seemed to be some hingts in this direction in things you had Isolde say - I guess they were red herrings or misdirection.
Over enjoyed the book. You've come a long way from The Flight of the Intruder.
Joe Spivack, December 1, 2009
Just finished The Assassin, the first Coonts book I ever read. Gotta tell you, I fell in love with Tommy. Guess you must have something if you can get a 75 year old mama's heart skip a beat or too. What will my cardiologist say?
Teresa Davidson,
October 4, 2009
Hey Mr. Coonts,
Last weekend I walked by a display and saw your book "The Assassin" and purchased it. I read it in less than 72 hours and loved it. For some reason I had never read one of your books before, but I guess I am hooked. I've just finished "Cuba" and "Hong Kong" and started "America" today. I only read in spells, but plan to read all of your books over the next few weeks. Just wanted to drop you a note and let you know how much I've enjoyed your works so far.
Bobby Melville,
September 21, 2009
Ok, i just finished "The Assassin". Don't change anything about Jake Grafton, you've got it perfect. Now if he'd discover Islay whisky and be haunted by bagpipe music...
Thanks for several evenings' entertainment.
Kevin MacDonald, September 17, 2009
Don't know if you have a lot of women who read and buy your books but one of them lives in Oregon!!! Can't put them down and I have most of them on my bookshelves. The fun thing is to read them more than once. I am now in my second go round. Thanks for the great read and keep it up!
Jo Hesseldahl, September 15, 2009
My congratulations on "The Assassin" - it was an excellent read - i'm soft-hearted enough to be happy that Carmellini got the girl. but i've often wondered what ever happened to "Toad" Tarkington , Jake's wingman. Did he command a squadron of fighters in the Persian Gulf? Unfortunately, I am a retired "Civil Servant", who according to my wife, is seldom civil and most definitely not a servant. As a result, due to my tremendous appetite for the printed word (i read 60 -75 books a year) cannot afford the hardcover editions, so I am always anxiously awaiting your latest "paperback" opus. Now I'm waiting again.
Keep up the good work.
Gonzo Gonzales August 19, 2009
Dear Mr. Coonts,
Having read all the Jake Grafton books, the latest, The Assassin, is a bitter disappointment. I couldn't believe that you had written it. The characters are lame. The plot is uninteresting. The events are hardly realistic even by fictional standards. Was the book edited? If so, get another.
Willie Varner is the only engaging character in the entire book!
Please bring back the style and substance of Under Siege and Fortunes of War.
Peter Gay August 14, 2009
Mr. Coonts,
I just finished reading the entire Jake Grafton series and it was gripping to say the least. My wife has been an avid reader all her life and I would have rather do anything but sit down and read a book. All that changed quickly when she told me to try an audio book (The Assassin) just see what I thought. So I did, and I was immediately enthralled. To make a long story short I did the research and found the website, and the suggested reading order and bought all the books at once and proceeded to read them with much anticipation. It took me about a month to read them all and to be honest it was worth every second. To your credit each and every book was as equally gripping as the last. For a little background on myself, I have been in Pensacola, Fl. for as long as I can remember. My Dad is a retired Senior Chief of the Navy. I am definately a fan of Naval Avaition, as you know I live in the very cradle of it's birth. I had a guy I met while he was here in flight training here at N.A.S. Pensacola, Fl. we became close friends, and when he graduated he was promptly stationed at Whidbey Island to undergo training with the EA-6B Intruder as an ECMO. I was fortunate enough to visit him during his stint there. So we seen some of the same dirt. Your writing has introduced me to a whole new world, which I am glad to know.
Keep up the good work and I hope Admiral has one more adventure!!
Thanks,
Mike Faulkner May 26, 2009
Dear Steve,
I am late to your fan club, but would readily volunteer to be its president. Your novels are a joy, and I am hard-pressed to cite which aspect of them impresses me most: The dialogue is pitch-perfect; the pace of the action is superb; the characters are interesting, entertaining, and exceptionally realistic; the plots are well-conceived and executed, and the climax unpredictable; the level of detail is spot-on, with enough to illuminate story but not so much that the reader loses sight of the story.
I noticed a quote on the back of "The Assassin" stating that you "rival...Clancy and Cussler." HUGE misstatement - you leave both of them in the dust...
I find myself rushing to clear the responsibilities of my day in order to get back to your books. It will be a sad event when I've read the last of them.
Thank you so much for brightening my world.
Barbara Armour April 23, 2009
I miss Toad Tarkington! I just finished your recent novel 'The Assasin." It was awesome! But I miss our buddy Toad.
From Toad Hollow.
Todd Haines February 5, 2009
Thanks for the hours of entertainment. How you come up with all the great characters, plots and tie them altogether is beyond me. You, W.E.B. Griffin, Dale Brown, Tom Clancy, Clive Cussler, to name a few, keep me going to the library where they allow me 20 books at checkout. Thanks!!
Tim Giantvalley December 31, 2008
Hi Steve,
Just finished the Assassin last night, well this morning actually at 3 am. Once again a great book! I have had the book for a while but held off reading it because I knew that I would be disappointed when I finished it. You see I have one problem, you can't write them as fast as I want to read them. Thanks again for another great read.
Dave Henderson December 27, 2008
Mr. Coonts:
My husband has only read about three books in his complete adult life, and he is 67). He started to read a few nonfiction military books this year and when Assassin came out, I bought it, thinking he might like it. It took a while for him to pick it up as he said he didn't want to read fiction. Well now he is hooked with your books. He is a great fan of Jake and talks about him as if he is real. I can't thank you enough for your helping him discover the joy of reading...
Your admiring fan,
Linda Boles December 19, 2008
Just finished and enjoyed the Assassin. I think a tale about the Somali pirates would fit Jake Grafton and company.
Samuel J. Knox, Jr., November 30, 2008
Having just read "The Assassin" my belief in your change of values has been confirmed. My husband and I used to enjoy your tales but of late you seem to have become far more boastful of the USA. America is not the center of the universe for anyone other than over-the-top American nationalists. Recent history has shown and your latest books confirmed, that this new bullishness makes your country appear to outsiders little different from the old USSR, and prior to that, Hitlers Germany.
Be aware that your culture is very young and anyone having a history degree can only compare this aggressive, confrontive, and combative attitude to the scrabble for power exhibited by the monarchs of a Europe of the middle ages.
Your books do depend to an extent upon European readership, it might be unwise to put up European, or British, hackles with this constant boasting of American power. Look back at other empires, including our own. America also will wilt to nothingness in due time, and at that point unity with other nations will be your salvation as it has been ours. So please pull back from this constant harping on about America's power. Britain controlled far more land and peoples than you will ever do, either culturally or politically, and we were brought low because of it, and the burden upon our wealth thus created.
In gratitude at what you have written, and in hope of what you may write in the future.
Sue Bowen, U.K., November 29, 2008
Dear Mr. Coonts,
Several weeks ago, you were at a book signing in Colorado Springs. My son, Brad, was there looking for a birthday present for me. He bought The Assassin and you
signed it with a note that "Brad thought you might like this tale." I certainly did enjoy it as I have nearly all of your books. I have followed Jake Grafton since Flight of The Intruders and now the Deep Black series. Thank you for many hours of reading pleasure and keep them coming!!
Ernie Edwards October 31, 2008
I read your book The Assassin. It brought back memories. I was attached to the Man. D.A. Squad in 1960 and was involved in "electronic surveillance" Our pick man was dam good but not aas good as Carmellini. The equipment used today is unbelievable as to what we thought was great, The dial was a little small wooden box that had two spools for paper and printed out the dialed and incoming calls. This box had to be wound up every day and a small felt disk had to be inked every day. A car "bug" was good for a good three blocks. I had the best time of my life for that 15 year period. Without "electronic surveillance" you will never be able see the overall picture of an investigation etc,.
Tom Huller (retired Lieut. NYPD 37 years) October 13, 2008
Loved The Assassin so much that I went back and read Liars and Thieves and now am reading the Traitor. It is truly amamzing how you keep the reader hooked page after page. When can we expect the next installment of Grafton and Carmellini together? It as the saying goes "It doesn't gat any better than this".
Steven Thurn October 8, 2008
Stephen,
I am just coming down from my Stephen Coonts high. In the space of ten days, I reread Liars and Thieves and The Traitor and read The Assassin. Wow! Your books still are exciting the second time around. It has been a long time since I first met Jake Grafton in Flight of the Intruder, and I have read every Jake Grafton story since. I enjoyed the interplay between Jake and Callie in The Traitor; I missed that interplay in The Assassin. Callie has been a trouper from the very beginning. We are all lucky if we have a “Callie” in our lives. I do like Tommy Carmellini. I did miss not having Sarah in The Assassin, but there was no room for her. Was Tommy’s life saved twice by the night vision goggles?
Keep writing. I now must wait a while for the next adventure.
Bill Voss, October 7, 2008
I loved it! Tommy is VERY real and very believable. The situations and "bad guys" are believable, as well. As I understand human psychology and the religion of Islam, you have "nailed" it and the desperate sense of futility the radical Islamists feel for this physical life on earth. You seem to have also nailed the arrogance and naivete of many of the free world's pampered and protected elite. While I am a devote Catholic, I am also a good American who, like you, served in Vietnam and Central America as an Army Helicopter pilot.
You not only give us real characters but the real world and its real issues, as well. And, to top it all off, you give us GREAT stories. Thank You!
Jeff Bell, September 18, 2008
At the age of 76, I hv just discovered Stephen Coonts. I put you in the same league with Ludlum, Clancy, Forsyth, Higgins and Dan Brown. You are in good company. Keep up the great work.
Alex Finkelstein September 11, 2008
What a great book Assassin is. My birthday was August 5th so I bought it for myself !! Read it in about a week (Some of us have to work) Just to say "Thanks" for another suberb part in the series - twists you around and leaves you guessing until the VERY end !!
Take Care,
Bob Salter, New Hampshire September 6, 2008
"Blingsheviks"....I laughed out loud for 30 seconds. I bought "The Assassin" yesterday and could not wait to get home and start.You made my whole evening with that line!
Glen Gates September 1, 2008
I enjoyed reading the ASSASSIN. I have worked the operational medicine arena for a long time in the 101st, 82d and 160th SOAR. I have had the pleasure of teaching, working with and learning from medics of the same stripe as PO Winchester in all the services. They are great kids with a genuine care for people. They are great Americans and it has been part of the reason that keeps me in uniform. Thanks again for the entertainment.
Col John A. Powell, MD, PhD, USA
Hi Steve:
Just had to tell you what a thriller you put together with the Assassin - it was a definite CPD {Couldn't/can't put down] book and hope like heck that you are putting together your next masterpiece - keep up the great writings.
Ron McDonald August 25, 2008
Just finished "The Assassin". I am a fallen fan, only read three others. Now I have to go find the rest. Military would not let me fly because I wore glasses. Said I wasn't qualified. So I spent my RVN time with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Got my tickets thanks to the VA. Flew for 35 years. Some 20,000 hours later I guess I am still not qualified. Just turned 60 and still want to be an Army Helicopter pilot. Go figure.
John Laird, Buverde, Texas, August 25, 2008
Mr. Coonts
I would just like to say your new book, The Assassin, is hands down the best novel ive ever read. Its a great story with an interesting plot that rambles your mind since the first chapter.
Andrew Claeys August 24, 2008
Hi Mr. Coonts,
I wanted to say congratulations on THE ASSASSIN. I finished reading it a couple of days ago and it was certainly well worth the wait. As usual, you have given us another well thought out story that fits right in with current events. Our two favorite characters are in fine form as well. Jake seems so real. How much of you would you say is in him? I suspect a lot and not just because of your military service. Tommy is simply a hoot. Poor guy gets all the punishment. As they say, its a dirty job but somebody has got to do it! Don't change a thing!!
Mr. Coonts, when are our fellow citizens gonna wake up to the threat our country is facing from radical Islam? Unfortunately most folks seem to have forgotten what happened on 9-11-01. The sad part is, I'm not convinced another such event would make any difference anymore. Anyway, thanks again for a great read.
Take care and best wishes.
Shawn Reynolds August 23, 2008
Dear Mr. Coonts:
I just finished reading The Assassin and as usual you wrote another griping book. As always Carmellini was up to form, you certainly have a wonderful character in him. It was good to have old friends, Jake and Callie and Amy back but what about Toad and Rita? Miss them!!!! My husband just finished rereading The Traitor and has started the Assassin. Thank you very much for providing us with interesting and exciting books. We have every one of your books--first editions. Perhaps in years to come you will be so famous that they will be worth a fortune <G>
Sincerely
Shelah G. Morgan August 18, 2008
I have all of your books except the 2nd Saucer ( I thought the 1st Saucer was a dud). The Assassin is not that hot either. However I enjoy all the rest and reread them at least once a year. Each time they are reread I catch something I missed before.
I look forward to your next book or books.
Scott Orten August 17, 2008
I have been a fan since "Flight of the Intruder". It's, in my opinion, your best work except for "Cannibal Queen". I'm currently at chapter 15 of "The Assassin" and so far it's crap. "Liars and Thieves" wasn't that good either. Your "Deep Black" series with Jim Defelice are junk. You need to ditch him. You need to get back to Jake Grafton, Toad Tarkington, and Rita Moravia. They are your best characters. Tommy Carmellini, as thus far portrayed, is not very believeable. Besides, he's a wimp.Sorry to tell you the bad news, but someone needs to so that you can get back to something worth writing.
Jerry Estes August 17, 2008
Steve-
I just finished Assassin. I couldn't get it right away as life got in the way, but it was well worth the wait. Just like every tale you have spun in front of my eyes, this one had me not being able to put it down. I have mentioned to you before that I wasn't a reader until my dad made me read The Minotaur, and I have anxiously read every sentence you have put out since then. Thanks for the enjoyable escape into Jake and Tommy's world. And thanks for the interview on Glen Beck's show as well.
Your Life Long Fan,
Scott Whitesell August 14, 2008
I normally don't write authors about their work, but in your case, I make an exception. Over the last week, I have read both The Assassin and Deep Black: Conspiracy. Both were engrossing with very likeable and familiar characters, and intriguing plot twists. I admire your talent and always look forward to your new books. Very nicely done, sir. Thank you.
Tim Adams August 13, 2008
Just finished "The Assassin"...Shit Hot! Thanks, Stephen!
Byron Audler August 10, 2008
Just finished The Assassin a few minutes ago. Enjoyed the firefight in the stairwell as a very actionable piece of writing. Have read many of your books but wasn't really aware of who you are until your appearance on Glenn Beck. Welcome Home. Appreciate your service.
Jerry Hassler, RTO Recon, 2/503, 173rd Abn Bde RVN 3/66-3/67 August 10, 2008
Just finished The Assassin. Picked it up at the Public Library where I do volunteer work each week day morning. It was a great read, could not put it down and see you have the opportunity to have another opportunity for Tommy and his new love along with Jake Grafton. Looking forward to it and have enjoyed your other works. You live in a beautiful state, have good football team except when you have to play the Steeler Nation.
J. R. Jamieson August 8, 2008
Steve, it was a pleasure listening to you speak about your books at the Borders in Dallas on 8/6/8 and it was truly a pleasure to shake your hand. I was the guy who had you sign the book for my dad and named my 2nd son after Jake Grafton. Your works are truly remarkable and I enjoy flying through the skies with Jake, Toad and Rita as well as picking locks with Tommy. Your characters come alive with each turn of the page and they never get old.
I wish you nothing but the best. Thank you for writing and for your service in the Navy.
Sincerely,
Jeff Taylor August 6, 2008
Keep the Carmellini books coming Steve! I picked up the Traitor on guess last summer, and couldn't put it down, then picked up Liars and Thieves a week ago, simply because Tommy's name was on the back, and yours on the front. Read it practically over night, couldn't put it down. I just found out the Assassin is being released in a couple weeks, and I can't wait. Tommy's by far the best character in any book I've ever read. Great stuff. Keep it up!
Ross Mickel July 22, 2008
Stephen;
Welcome home, bro.
Just finished "Deep Black: Conspiracy," and loved it. Also looking forward to "The Assassin," and particularly enjoyed this line: "...rats with guns who wanted to rule the dungheap in the name of a vengeful, merciless god, one who demanded human sacrifice as a ticket to Paradise." That pretty much describes my wife's young Ranger cousin's experiences in Afghanistan this past year. Will be hunting down all your titles, including what looks to be very interesting nonfiction.
Stay well.
Dave Hardy Sgt., U.S.A.F. (1971-77) RVN 1972 TLC 1974-75 June 26, 2008
Mr.Coonts,
You are my favorite writer, It all began with "Flight of the Intruder", which I read as a teenager, and I was hooked. Just wanted to let you know that I am counting down the days until the new Jake Grafton book, and of course June 3 for the Deep Black. I love them all, which is a little surprising for my family since I am probably what you would consider very liberal, and Canadian. I just tell them all to read your books and they'll understand. At least my nephews get it; you're a gifted story teller.
Please keep writing.
Ramona Marks May 16, 2008
