Phoenix

by Amos Aricha

The Assassin: Phoenix, code name for the best professional killer on the earth - a murderer as cold as the bullet that would stop the heart of the world. The Conspirators: Shadowy figures in the highest circles of Mideastern power, out to sabotage the Arab-Israeli peace treaty. The Contract: Three million dollars to kill Moshe Dayan, one of the world's most heavily guarded men. But the most brilliant intelligence agents of France, Israel, Egypt and the United States knew only one thing for sure. Time was running out for all of them as this artist of assassination moved along the trail of blood and money from Libya to Paris to the ultimate moment of monstrous violence in New York. And no one could be trusted.

Genres: Fiction

298 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1979

Reviews

[John Culuris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phoenix is a novel about an anonymous master assassin before such things became cliché. Written 1979 and taking place two years earlier, Libya under Mu’ammar Qaddafi [spelled as it is in the novel] decides the time is right to eliminate an incoming cabinet member of the Israeli government. Libya cast a net for professional killers that cannot be linked to their nation and in due course meet a man known only by his codename, the title of the book. But the search does not go unnoticed by Israel. Ari Cohen is tasked with confirming the seriousness of the plot, identifying the actual target, and locating an assassin with no known history. We follow each as they pursue their mission until their paths intersect at the conclusion.

Stripped of the details, if the basic plot reminds you of The Day of the Jackal, you would not be wrong. The publisher gladly admits as much, the cover proudly proclaiming, “The best espionage thriller since . . .” Clearly Aricha and and his co-writer Eli Landau were writing their version and, while acknowledging Frederick Forsyth as the master of the form, I prefer Phoenix. Granted, I read Phoenix first and that’s always a factor, but I’ve reread Phoenix and never have Jackal, and I think perhaps the reason is that the characters presented here are less like chess pieces being moved around a board, as sometimes seemed the case with early Forsyth. But, in all honesty, I can recommend both, in either order.

[Silvio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a very good book should be read for all

[Simon Cohen · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun and engaging spy thriller. quick read.

[Susan Wertheim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in high school. I just remember it being thrilling.

[Bent Andreassen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 to 4 minus. Quite good.

[Kshydog · Rating 2 out of 5]

Liked how the killer Phoenix could utilize so many character disguises and not forget how to do each one. Enjoyed that you knew what he was going to do but yet amazed at the way he accomplished it. Somewhat confusing with all the different government agencies people names but they are used later in the story.