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The Rescue A Ghost Assassin Affair

John J. Higgins (Goodreads Author)

4.14 · Rating details · 29 ratings · 27 reviews

Ghost Assassin Chet Benning, a fallen half monk-half hitman, finds himself combatting the kidnapping of the twin daughters of a Russian paid scientist. In the process he discovers a plot to change warfare as we know it, the forbidden fruit of the beautiful wife of a Russian mob boss, and the constant threat of being captured or killed.
The twins’ mother’s attempts to barte ...more

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Kindle Edition, 427 pages

Published July 31st 2018

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Oct 12, 2019 Divya Mahajan rated it really liked it

The Rescue - story is what it says in the title. The story starts with a mission to rescue twins kidnapped in the beginning by a secret spy , and fastly escalates into the rescue of others too and also world in general as it also involves a chip that could change the face of warfare and ultimately the rescue of one's almost forgotten emotions and soul.
The story is fast paced , never a slow moment something or other goes on happening and the story transforms from a simple rescue mission to a comp ...more

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Jun 08, 2020 Jonathan Hernandez rated it liked it

For disclosure - I was provided a copy of this novel for reviewing purposes by the author and BookTasters.

The Rescue is like a tasty mix of James Bond, The Da Vinci Code, Jack Ryan, Assassins' Creed, John Wick, The Executioner, The Saint, and maybe even a bit of Romancing the Stone. It sort of reminded me of alot of things, which is one of its draws. One thing that I can say about this novel is that it knows which genre it belongs in and plays to its strengths.

For its positives, this novel was ...more

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Jun 10, 2019 Joyce rated it it was amazing

Coming into this book, I did not have a clue what a ghost assassin was and to be honest, assassin is never thought of it a positive light. However, once I started, not only do you root for Benning but respect him for sacrificing so much in the race to save humanity and finally getting his happily ever after or as close to it considering the situation.

Note: I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review

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Dec 17, 2018 Munie Moe rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Aug 23, 2019 Kathryn rated it it was amazing

I was given a copy of this book courtesy of Booktasters and John J. Higgins for an honest review. The Rescue A Ghost Assassin Affair is an intense, action-packed, nailbiter from the first chapter to the final chapter. We begin with Chet Benning, an agent haunted by the death of his first love, on a mission to rescue twins kidnapped in a plot to obtain a chip that would militarize robots to be efficient killing machines in warfare. The plot takes you from Poland to New York as Sophia, the ex-wife ...more

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Jan 16, 2019 Christine Rose rated it it was amazing

I have to say that during the time I was reading this book, there were many moments I just had to see where the story was going, I couldn’t put it down. The world of the Assassins is filled with action and the story of both the main character and the mission he is on is intriguing.

Benning is an orphan and had lost the only person he ever cared about. He joined the Assassins at a young age and his past has characteristics that people can easily sympathize with. He seems cold at the beginning, b ...more

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Aug 21, 2019 Jai rated it it was amazing

The opening sentence hooked me right in. I love it when a foreign language is incorporated in a story because that's usually an indication that extensive research was done and the fact that the author used as practically dead a language as Latin is just downright impressive.

The story jumps right into the rescue mission without much a background as to its context whatsoever but every minute detail was perfectly executed so there was never a dull moment. Despite the fast pacing, there were flashes ...more

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Oct 09, 2019 Hafsa rated it it was amazing

This book is brilliant! I have to say it was an attention-grabbing and compelling read, I was not disappointed. It is well-written with multifaceted characters, and a plot that keeps you constantly guessing what is going to happen next. I actually did not have a clue what a ghost assassin was all about to be honest, nonetheless, once I started I was fascinated, I could not put the book down because there was never a dull moment and I also wanted to see how the story will unfold. I would totally ...more

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Jul 19, 2019 Tiffany Abbott rated it it was amazing

The Rescue: A Ghost Assassin Affair is a well-written, hard-to-put-down book with complex characters, and a plot that keeps you constantly guessing what's going to happen. The main character takes a risk going against instructions from his faceless mentor. Going with his instinct, he uncovers far more than he originally anticipated in his search for answers. ...more

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Feb 15, 2021 C.L. Spillard rated it liked it

‘The Rescue’ has a great opener: for one scene at least, we are rooting for Chet even though he’s an assassin/hired gun. We also get an intriguing glimpse of his origins, and the history of the organisation he works for.

But we get ALL THE CLICHES - ‘instant’ romantic interest for the hero, ‘sacrificed’ past love as his motivation, and Russian villains (one of whom even uses the title ‘Comrade’). As if that’s not enough, all the women are stunning-looking - and described in great detail, unlike ...more

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Oct 26, 2020 Joni Martins rated it it was amazing

Book Review

Basic Details:
Book Title: The Rescue
Subtitle: A Ghost Assassin Affair
Author: John J. Higgins
Genre: Spy/Mystery
Part of a series?
Order in series:
Best read after earlier books in series? N/A
Available: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...

Overall score:
I scored this book 5/5
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Short Summary of the book:
Chet Benning is an orphan, taken in and trained by the GHOST assassins. Chet is very good at his job and tries to save the twin girls of a Polish scientist. The abductor’s ...more

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Mar 29, 2019 Carmen DaVinleam rated it it was ok

I’m never sure where to start when I review novels. I love reading, and I enjoy providing feedback. It’s a struggle though because I know the feedback won’t always be five stars, but I believe the stories and the authors deserve honest feedback.
There is a lot of work that goes into the writing of a book. If the novel is sixty thousand words, you can almost guarantee that the author really wrote over a hundred thousand in the process. After the writing is done, the editing must begin. There’s a c I’m never sure where to start when I review novels. I love reading, and I enjoy providing feedback. It’s a struggle though because I know the feedback won’t always be five stars, but I believe the stories and the authors deserve honest feedback.
There is a lot of work that goes into the writing of a book. If the novel is sixty thousand words, you can almost guarantee that the author really wrote over a hundred thousand in the process. After the writing is done, the editing must begin. There’s a critical point during that process where at some point before publication the author should read their novel aloud to catch the mistakes their brain skimmed over during the edit.

First I’ll review the reasons I liked the book.

Any good rescue story is always a good read. I personally like the secret spy aspect and the different types of guns and weapons that come into this type of story.
I liked how it was apparent at the beginning of each chapter which character’s perspective you would be reading.
I also enjoyed getting the full story of the good guys and the bad guys by reading each of those perspectives.

Now for the hard-hitting honesty portion of the review.

Errors in published novels drive me mad. If you’re going to go through the expense of having a book published at least do the story a favor and read it before you send it in for publishing. I understand that there will always be a few errors. No one can find every single mistake, it’s impossible and no one’s perfect. It’s difficult for the human brain to catch -for example- an “and and” in a sentence because the brain basically does an autocorrect for you, so it’s missed. I know that these can happen from time to time and I forgive them to a point. However, when they come up over and over again, I can’t help but think that either the author did not use an editor or they need a new editor.
The second point—that is only second because grammar in a novel is so important—the author's depiction of female love interests is laughable. He writes women as if they have no opinion of themselves and must drop their panties in exchange for savior efforts because they just can’t help themselves. I personally have never met a woman that has just been kidnapped and tortured or a woman that is being chased or is an abused wife that when introduced to a new man must instantly have him inside her. It’s not realistic at all, and as a woman, I was offended and wanted to skip past those parts as they do not in any way respectfully represent women or their sexuality. It made me wonder what kind of women the author has been exposed to that made him write them this way.

I will read any novel that catches my interest. If the writing is terrible, if the grammar is awful, if the story is lacking, I will read it. I will finish the story and give it my honest opinion because doing otherwise does not provide any assistance to the novel or the author. Every story deserves its light in the sun even if it’s an example of what not to do. As a reader, I will always strive to do what is best for the story.

My final point.
In my personal opinion which should only be seen as that—my opinion. This story was good, but it could be great. The women/love interests need a re-write, and all the grammatical errors need to be addressed. If those things happen, I would re-read it and possibly read any others—if this novel is a series. In the absence of those things, I wouldn’t be interested in anything else from this story.

...more

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Aug 01, 2020 Agnese rated it really liked it

It is always difficult for me to plunge into a new book. The Rescue, A Ghost Assassin Affair, by John J. Higgins was no exception. It took me a number of pages to get acquainted with the main characters and the international setting, but once I did, I thoroughly enjoyed my reading.
There is no time to relax in this fast-paced thriller. The action spins around a robot chip, created by a Polish scientist, that would turn its owner into an invincible warfare power. Both the KGB and Russian mobs on t It is always difficult for me to plunge into a new book. The Rescue, A Ghost Assassin Affair, by John J. Higgins was no exception. It took me a number of pages to get acquainted with the main characters and the international setting, but once I did, I thoroughly enjoyed my reading.
There is no time to relax in this fast-paced thriller. The action spins around a robot chip, created by a Polish scientist, that would turn its owner into an invincible warfare power. Both the KGB and Russian mobs on the one side, and the US on the other, are interested but, luckily enough, a higher power, the masonic lodge “GHOSTS”, makes sure that the world is preserved from destruction. The GHOSTS super hero, Chet Benning, fights on many fronts, faces all sorts of enemies and dangers in his enterprise to protect the scientist and free his two kidnapped daughters, but we also become aware that he is human, after all, and not just a killing machine, when he falls in love with his enemy’s sexy wife, Cleo, his second chance to live a full emotional life. Cleo’s involvement in the plot is ambiguous, her role swinging between heroism and betrayal until the very last page.
The most exciting part, in my opinion though, is when Jack, a mysterious and unfathomable homeless, comes into the story and, together with the FBI, gets in charge eventually rescuing Sophia, the scientist’s ex-wife. A parallel development of the action is created in this way, a kind of subplot with Jack and Sophia at its centre. The remaining a hundred pages are packed with increasingly treacherous incidents preparing for the James Bond-like finale with Chet and Cleo as protagonists.
When you move along the 66 short chapters, it is not always easy to keep track of the scene as it is repeatedly moving from Europe (Poland and Russia) to the US (Colorado and New York City) and back, but the characters’ entrances and exits take place in well-defined locations: a house, a secret laboratory, a hotel and, in one of the most climatic moments, at Grand Central Station. The whirl of activity is accompanied by the snap of dialogues which emphasise the book’s cinematic quality, certainly the writer’s best achievement together with the expertise needed to accurately and sensibly reproduce the technology involved in the mystery. The description of the characters and, especially, of their emotions, is, on the contrary, left to the reader’s imagination. In the same way, the shift from one point of view to the other challenges the reader to put the pieces of the mystery together, like in a puzzle. The whole picture is achieved only at the end, when we finally discover who Jack really is and why, despite being a secondary character, he is so much more interesting and has greater psychological depth than Chet Benning himself.
The Rescue is definitely a well-balanced combination of suspense and romance, its main function that of entertaining rather than instructing the reader on the threats of a deadly technology produced by a novel doctor Frankenstein. Its complexity is inevitably achieved at the expense of psychological introspection, but that’s not what one would be looking for in this kind of story which I warmly recommend to the lovers of the genre.

...more

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Apr 23, 2020 Shwetasri rated it really liked it

If you want a summary, then kindly read the book description. What I've written, is what I felt about it.

One word review - Brilliant!
(It's unfair to review this book with just one word, because it's simply amazing!)

Short Review -
I would be honest, when I started reading it, I found myself in chaos. I wished I could understand what was happening and imagine it properly.
You see, that's the beauty of this book, it'll take you slowly through chaos to clarity. And this journey is worth every penny ...more

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Apr 25, 2020 Homers Journal rated it really liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The book is action packed with drama and scandalous love affair. A whirlwind of events unfolding that keeps a reader glued to the pages, never wanting to be distracted from the high intensity spectacle.

The characters Chat Benning, Cleo and Stanley Penn, Vadim, the Hodes family members (Sophia, Wyctoria, zuzzana, and Jann) and Jack among others have a way to sticking with the reader.
I must say though, out of all of them the one character that has made an irreversible impression on me is Jack. I h The book is action packed with drama and scandalous love affair. A whirlwind of events unfolding that keeps a reader glued to the pages, never wanting to be distracted from the high intensity spectacle.

The characters Chat Benning, Cleo and Stanley Penn, Vadim, the Hodes family members (Sophia, Wyctoria, zuzzana, and Jann) and Jack among others have a way to sticking with the reader.
I must say though, out of all of them the one character that has made an irreversible impression on me is Jack. I have never ‘seen’ any character in any book that i have read quite like Jack. He was the key character to making the whole story so interesting. His character development was absolutely brilliant. From Hobo, to friendly Hobo, to Super hobo. It was just perfect. They way the writer made him Sophia’s guardian angel was beautiful and touching.
Along the way as the book was unfolding, I began suspecting Jack was some sort of CIA agent, imagine my surprise when I found out he wasn’t just a GHOST but the well talked about Magister Gamma. It was a shame Chet never got to meet Jack aka Magister Gamma in the field.
Chet Benning was a very likable character as well, fun, thoughtful, playful in fact, and extremely skillful. One just can’t dislike his way of doing things. His love affair with the main antagonist’s wife, Cleo penn, the reader while entrapped in their world of scandalous romance can feel the electricity between them, intense and primal.
My favorite chapters were those involving Sophia and jack, their adventure was so enthralling. Their first encounter when they bumped into each—so to speak. Who would have thought hobo jack would come in to save the damsel in distress. “You mean to tell me that after asking all these other professionals that did not know where Napoleon’s graffiti was in New York City, that you, a homeless man, know what these other experts did not?”
“Yes. Maybe if you thought through it you would realize there is no one better to ask about a graffiti . You realize that drawings and artwork on walls throughout the city would be best known by those who often sleep in the shadow of such things? We homeless are the experts in the lost and obscure madam.”
The spark and gradual romantic tension between Jack and Sophia was a wonderful touch.
The Ghosts organization (Gladiators & Heralds opposing tyrant states) just gives the book a ‘clandestine’ feel to it. They’re like shadow superhero but without the accidental chemical explosions that lead to superhuman abilities . I loved it

The book is one filled with a barrage of plot twists. So many things happening all at once and the way the writer connected all these seemingly parallel stories was effortless to say the least. I am a huge fan of James Bond—the 007. I think anyone that loves a good spy-assassin drama would absolutely love this book.
It was a good read, totally worth it.
...more

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Jul 14, 2019 Desiree reilly rated it it was amazing

Hello i received this book as a e book to review if you do not like to read long book over 60 chapter this one not for you it took me 2 and half day to read.

The book goes i a m ghost and no one now my real name i am many people i take care of the bad guys i do jobs were no one can do or are afraid to do i am a bum on the street and you walk past me and do not know i can kill you and not think about it

. Well there was a kidnapping of twin in Poland i was there and i try to save them but i am fol Hello i received this book as a e book to review if you do not like to read long book over 60 chapter this one not for you it took me 2 and half day to read.

The book goes i a m ghost and no one now my real name i am many people i take care of the bad guys i do jobs were no one can do or are afraid to do i am a bum on the street and you walk past me and do not know i can kill you and not think about it

. Well there was a kidnapping of twin in Poland i was there and i try to save them but i am following were they are going and it to the USA to Colorado .Who did it was the Russian they want there dads new chip size of a one you put in the computer. Well mom is a writer and she in state she doing conventions, Well thing are going worse now they told her that they will not let the girls go until her husband give them the chip.

Well the story go one and Sophia is being target now buy the Russians i have to take her to the as not the one they need. Sophia is going around in circle for clue for the chip were about they send her to find graffiti and then they give her direction to go to the arch but before she does i put a tracking device on it and i can keep up with it but then the kidnapped her but i am ghost they did not see me so i followed them when they stop i did something quick i end up killing the /Russian driver and got Sophia to the Hospital here i pushed her 2 blocks and got to the hospital and now the FBI come in and talk to me and how i now her and told them i was helping and that all they need to now. now the FBI put us in protective custody or we thought you see they found the girls and they are bringing to Sophia,

The story goes on and then now the other couple come in and want to get rid of Russians you see they now the hide out in fact the women is a some what spy between the 3 of them they will get to the bottom of it

You will in joy the book a lot it does have murdered blood sex and a 12 robot that what they wanted, Will the Russian or Americans come out on top you have to read it
...more

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Nov 12, 2020 Solo rated it liked it

I was provided a free copy of this book by BookTasters in exchange for a review.
This was my first time reading a John Higgins book. It was decent.
I like action, so I gravitated towards the scenes where battles were fought, and where weapons and firearms were used. And I like spy-ish stories. It makes for a really good read if you enjoy them too.
However there are a few things that didn't quite resonate with me. First being the sexual/adult scenes. I felt like it was too much. It is almost like ...more

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Aug 27, 2019 Marsha rated it liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 16, 2019 Yolisa rated it it was amazing

This is my first time reading a book by Mr Higgins,I must say I wasn't disappointed. I'm an action junky.From the first page,it keeps you glued.I love how everything comes together and then when you start to think,all is well....Something else happens that is different from the way things had 'seemed to be unfolding'.
I didn't know who to trust,Jack,Cleo,Mr Benning.And then there's the other side of ruthless criminals who will go to any lengths as long as they get What they want,Stanley and Sasha ...more

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Jun 25, 2020 Shayla rated it really liked it

At first I was not sure of what I would be expecting I came Into it with very high hopes, I’m not saying that my hopes was shatter but it was quite intriguing on how there were so many twists and turns it slowly starts off with the two boys and as I can it is a very fast and attention grabber. It made me want to read it the more I moved on turning page after page. It gave me this sense that it was more than it appear to be and with the title grabbing your little eyes it shall be as good as how i ...more

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Sep 18, 2019 Vedona rated it it was amazing

What amazing book I loved every minute of it .. I don't want to spoil this great book I thought Benning was amazing person and Benning was looking for he Russians who kidnapping the twins.Vadium abducted their mother Cleo he taped her mouth.Cloe is a writer. Hades is the ex husband to cloe. Benning found were Cloe and her daughter was been held and he saved them anyway the author is amazing I am glad that I have read this book and I recommend this book to anyone. ...more

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Dec 27, 2020 Ilga rated it really liked it

An exciting thriller with an amazing intro...
Chet Banning goes on to be the hero in this book. With plenty of kidnappings and rescues, he becomes the one they depend on for their safety. His motivation is his wife, Maggie whom he is reminded of almost at every rescue...
I would definitely recommend it for lovers of thrillers...

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Nov 16, 2020 Terrytracy Watts rated it really liked it

I started reading this book a month ago, and was quickly drawn into it. Starting with the first mission. It is a action packed story that takes you on global trip on the mission to find the people who are holding a family. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Mitch Rapp series. It is worth the reading time.

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Dec 28, 2020 Nirakar Pokhrel rated it liked it

Starts of in a simple manner to rescue the twins. Soon shifts gears to others rescue. No spoilers here but it's a nice fast paced thriller.
This book is like the equivalent of a fast food. You enjoy it at the moment and take it for granted at times. But eventually it satisfies you. Do read. ...more

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May 06, 2020 Lanlehin Habeeb rated it it was amazing

A masterpiece by from the author. An interesting read

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Jul 18, 2020 Team rated it it was amazing

best book to read in lockdown ,too much fun as characters are well defined :-)

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Ejiro Raymond rated it it was ok
Apr 28, 2020

Jan 22, 2019 Fhey rated it really liked it

The story has so much twist and turns which make me more interested in reading. The writing is easy to read and suitable for matured adults. This book is excellent.

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Betty C. Williams rated it really liked it
Sep 26, 2018

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About John J. Higgins

John J. Higgins

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About the Author
John J. Higgins is an attorney and former statewide prosecutor who has had a multi-faceted career and life. He has worked on farms, performed firearm repairs, and refinished and sold antiques, all before he finished high school. In between pursuing his college studies, he supervised industrial finishing operations and assisted in developing a powder coating system. After college, h ...more