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Scot Harvath #2
Path of the Assassin
Navy SEAL turned Secret Service agent Scot Harvath follows bloody clues to silver-eyed elusive ruthless terrorist Hashim Nidal, who intends to topple Israel and America, and can be identified by only one person - Meg Cassidy. Across four continents, from Macau, Jerusalem, Chicago, Libya, Capri, and Rome, the deadly puzzle tests their limits and growing bond.
367 pages, Paperback
First published January 7, 2003
About the author
Brad Thor
62 books6,036 followersBRAD THOR is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-two thrillers, including RISING TIGER, BLACK ICE (ThrillerFix Best Thriller of the Year), NEAR DARK (one of Suspense Magazine’s Best Books of the Year), BACKLASH (nominated for the Barry Award for Best Thriller of the Year), SPYMASTER (“One of the all-time best thriller novels” —The Washington Times), THE LAST PATRIOT (nominated Best Thriller of the Year by the International Thriller Writers Association), and BLOWBACK (one of the “Top 100 Killer Thrillers of All Time” —NPR).
RISING TIGER is on sale now. For more information, visit BradThor.com.
RISING TIGER is on sale now. For more information, visit BradThor.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 827 reviews
November 9, 2011
I thought the first book was a bit of a stretch for my ability to accept the author's premises. But right at the start of this book the author has the main character outside at night, in a hurricane, on the ground after having tackled someone and there is a sports car with its headlights on racing toward him and the hero notes the mercury like gray of the drivers eyes and he'll be able to identify them if he sees them again. REALLY?!?!? Are you &^%@$# kidding me? I read just about all kinds of books, but if the protagonist is going to do something like that, he had better be an elf or a superhero. I put the book down before Scott had a chance to read the dates on the coins in an adversary's pockets by closely observing the bulges in his pants.
I read the first book in the series, and it has a good plot with interesting characters, but the author kept jarring me out of the story line by having all the characters dance on the head of a pin to no plot advantage. I think the guy needs a better editor. I'm off to find a better author. Too bad I'm all done the Vince Flynn books.
I read the first book in the series, and it has a good plot with interesting characters, but the author kept jarring me out of the story line by having all the characters dance on the head of a pin to no plot advantage. I think the guy needs a better editor. I'm off to find a better author. Too bad I'm all done the Vince Flynn books.
May 17, 2017
My type of book, and another author to add to my favourites...
Obviously I like a book with lots of action, international plot, a great main character, and as usual some great villains.. sounds easy...It's not, I have read through some rubbish books.
After rescuing the President from kidnappers in Brad Thor’s roaring national bestselling debut, Navy SEAL turned Secret Service Agent Scot Harvath shifts his attentions to rooting out, capturing, or killing all those responsible for the plot. As he prepares to close out his list, a bloody and twisted trail of clues points toward one man—the world’s most ruthless terrorist. One problem remains: Harvath and his CIA-led team have no idea what the man looks like. With no alternative, they are forced to recruit a civilian—a woman who has survived a brutal hijacking and is now the only person who can positively identify their quarry. From the burning deserts of North Africa to the winding streets of Rome, Harvath must brave a maelstrom of bloodshed and deception before a madman’s twisted vision engulfs the world in the fires of all-out war.
The Hand of God, an apparent Israeli terrorist group, is blowing up mosques in Saudi Arabia, assassinating Arab leaders and hijacking airplanes, all in an effort to provoke the Arab world into war with Israel. Harvath tries to derail the terrorist plot and avenge the deaths of buddies killed in the first book. Aided by Meg Cassidy, a beautiful Chicago public relations expert, Harvath chases the terrorist leader and a silver-eyed assassin from Hong Kong through Europe to North Africa. However, since Cassidy is the only one alive who has seen the face of the terrorist leader, the assassin chases them, too, trying to kill Cassidy before she can point him out. The story is one bloody episode after another, with a touch of romance and colourful turf battles between the CIA, FBI, Delta Force and Harvath himself. Thor stacks the deck in favour of his hero-Harvath never makes a mistake, and his view of how counterterrorism operations should be conducted is invariably proven correct. To top it off, he boasts about his remarkable talents. With its infallible hero, fetching sidekick and wicked bad guys, this international shoot 'em up sticks close to formula, but the well-choreographed action and thrills will keep readers engrossed.
Brad Thor has added some great touches of humour, that do make you grin, a great main character but did enjoy Meg Cassidy, and also Morell. Great pace, some really good twists, fast paced and action packed.
Highly recommended. Five Stars
Just one question, what do I read next?
As my list of favourite authors becomes bigger, my collection of books to read is ever growing.
Some are some great action authors to read and Brad Thor is one of them, alongside Ben Coes, Tom Wood, Mark Dawson, Mark Greaney, Lee Child, Simon Kernick, Vince Flynn, Joshua Hood, Brad Taylor, Victor Methos, J.B Turner, Will Jordan, still to read Dalton Fury, I could add many more favourites thriller/mystery authors as well !
Obviously I like a book with lots of action, international plot, a great main character, and as usual some great villains.. sounds easy...It's not, I have read through some rubbish books.
After rescuing the President from kidnappers in Brad Thor’s roaring national bestselling debut, Navy SEAL turned Secret Service Agent Scot Harvath shifts his attentions to rooting out, capturing, or killing all those responsible for the plot. As he prepares to close out his list, a bloody and twisted trail of clues points toward one man—the world’s most ruthless terrorist. One problem remains: Harvath and his CIA-led team have no idea what the man looks like. With no alternative, they are forced to recruit a civilian—a woman who has survived a brutal hijacking and is now the only person who can positively identify their quarry. From the burning deserts of North Africa to the winding streets of Rome, Harvath must brave a maelstrom of bloodshed and deception before a madman’s twisted vision engulfs the world in the fires of all-out war.
The Hand of God, an apparent Israeli terrorist group, is blowing up mosques in Saudi Arabia, assassinating Arab leaders and hijacking airplanes, all in an effort to provoke the Arab world into war with Israel. Harvath tries to derail the terrorist plot and avenge the deaths of buddies killed in the first book. Aided by Meg Cassidy, a beautiful Chicago public relations expert, Harvath chases the terrorist leader and a silver-eyed assassin from Hong Kong through Europe to North Africa. However, since Cassidy is the only one alive who has seen the face of the terrorist leader, the assassin chases them, too, trying to kill Cassidy before she can point him out. The story is one bloody episode after another, with a touch of romance and colourful turf battles between the CIA, FBI, Delta Force and Harvath himself. Thor stacks the deck in favour of his hero-Harvath never makes a mistake, and his view of how counterterrorism operations should be conducted is invariably proven correct. To top it off, he boasts about his remarkable talents. With its infallible hero, fetching sidekick and wicked bad guys, this international shoot 'em up sticks close to formula, but the well-choreographed action and thrills will keep readers engrossed.
Brad Thor has added some great touches of humour, that do make you grin, a great main character but did enjoy Meg Cassidy, and also Morell. Great pace, some really good twists, fast paced and action packed.
Highly recommended. Five Stars
Just one question, what do I read next?
As my list of favourite authors becomes bigger, my collection of books to read is ever growing.
Some are some great action authors to read and Brad Thor is one of them, alongside Ben Coes, Tom Wood, Mark Dawson, Mark Greaney, Lee Child, Simon Kernick, Vince Flynn, Joshua Hood, Brad Taylor, Victor Methos, J.B Turner, Will Jordan, still to read Dalton Fury, I could add many more favourites thriller/mystery authors as well !
April 8, 2013
Brad Thor is creating a story line that is identical to Vince Flynn's Mitch Rapp series. One problem: While I fully admit Mitch Rapp is the ultimate male "ultra-masculine, ultra-heroic fantasy".....not believable but great entertainment. The Path of the Assassin is not only unbelievable....it makes the crossing to the patently absurd. The heroine in this story swings in near manic-depressive cycles between frightened grief and incredible female bravado; from tears of fear to a machine gun toting anti-terrorist agent. I am not sure why I finished such a ridiculous book. I think I will stick to the just unbelievable Mitch Rapp and totally enjoy the experience.....leaving the ridiculous, amateurish plot lines to Brad Thor.
June 20, 2018
Scot, fresh off the recovery of the President, is on the trail of those who kidnapped him and killed his fellow Secret Service agents.
He travels from the Middle East to Europe and the U.S.
He travels from the Middle East to Europe and the U.S.
January 9, 2018
This series is getting better. Scot Harvarth is back again and is the central character. The story features a strong female character in Meg. Harvarth begins tracking an international assassin and travels from locale to locale. The author clearly understands modern politics, military technology and the locations he is describing. The action moves quickly, but my favorite part of the story is when the plot unfolds. The author has intricate storyline and allows it to evolve, often leaving me guessing as to what the next step in the process will be. I definitely was caught by surprise at least a couple of times.
For me, having likable characters to return to is an important part of staying with a series. This has the political thriller vibe that is tuned into the holy way scene we have seen played out on our television screens for years, yet with fresh twists and insights into human nature. This book made me feel like reading it when I first woke up in the morning, which is an infrequent and a good sign for me.
4.5 stars.
For me, having likable characters to return to is an important part of staying with a series. This has the political thriller vibe that is tuned into the holy way scene we have seen played out on our television screens for years, yet with fresh twists and insights into human nature. This book made me feel like reading it when I first woke up in the morning, which is an infrequent and a good sign for me.
4.5 stars.
December 24, 2021
I miss traveling so much that I figured I’d go on a virtual trip instead. Lucky for me Scot Harvath logged in some serious miles traveling to far-flung locations such as Israel, Hong Kong, Italy and Tunisia while hunting down an elusive assassin. Whew! Loved every minute of it.
August 19, 2011
I wish there was an 'Eh' rating as that what I thought of 'Path of the Assassin' It kept me entertained for the few days it took to read but it hasn't made me anxious to read the next book in the Scot Havorth series.
Several times while reading I felt like I was reading something from Hollywood. I like action suspense but sometimes it is over done not really creating the suspense but more of a ho hum lets get to a new scene.
The book was way longer, like one other reviewer to many cities and for very little purpose. The Meg character was way too much Hollywood. I got tired of reading how beautiful she was.
The conflict between Harvath and Morrell was more like a couple of high school boys rather then two top highly trained special mission agents.
I'll read the next book in the series 'State of the Union' but not with an expectation as high nor as eager as I had for 'Path of the Assassin' to only be disappointed
Several times while reading I felt like I was reading something from Hollywood. I like action suspense but sometimes it is over done not really creating the suspense but more of a ho hum lets get to a new scene.
The book was way longer, like one other reviewer to many cities and for very little purpose. The Meg character was way too much Hollywood. I got tired of reading how beautiful she was.
The conflict between Harvath and Morrell was more like a couple of high school boys rather then two top highly trained special mission agents.
I'll read the next book in the series 'State of the Union' but not with an expectation as high nor as eager as I had for 'Path of the Assassin' to only be disappointed
July 12, 2015
This was a good follow-up to the first Harvath novel. While some of the twists and turns are far from believable, it is a fun get away from reality. If you like military action and suspense (with a little bit of humor), this is turning out to be a series worth giving a try.
March 12, 2017
Another good book by Brad Thor.
March 13, 2013
The plot of the novel was acceptable, if unspectacular, but seemed like a series of discarded Bond plot ideas more than anything else -- specifically, having to repeatedly read about the antagonist's silver eyes that turn black hammered home that bad Bond villain feel. There is also a good amount of jet setting, with most of the locations already forgotten.
As for the protagonist, Secret Service agent Scot Harvath is tasked down with hunting down terrorists, but without the sense of urgency from the kidnapping in the first book, The Lions Of Lucerne, Harvath's behavior comes off as an arrogant and boorish. To every other character in the book except the president, he acts like a prima-donna, and he flat out refuses to play nice with any other government agencies or their agents. While he is naturally always right, it did not make him any more endearing, and his habit of making snide remarks to everyone that questions him gets old fast. Also, it is mentioned multiple times how magnetic Harvath's personality is, especially to women, but it is not really shown, at least not believably.
The most thrilling segment of this thriller was the plane hijacking scenes. It seemed to be written as a form of 9/11 therapy for Thor -- which makes sense, giving that the book was published in late 2002 -- and, for that supposed reason, it is not surprising that this segment rises a level above the rest of the book. Although, of course, Harvath does get his girl-of-the-week from the survivors of the hijacking, checking off another Bond trope check-box.
Hopefully, this book was only a let-down because Brad Thor struggled to transition his first Scot Harvath book into a series, or with the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and the next book in the series, State Of The Union, is an improvement.
As for the protagonist, Secret Service agent Scot Harvath is tasked down with hunting down terrorists, but without the sense of urgency from the kidnapping in the first book, The Lions Of Lucerne, Harvath's behavior comes off as an arrogant and boorish. To every other character in the book except the president, he acts like a prima-donna, and he flat out refuses to play nice with any other government agencies or their agents. While he is naturally always right, it did not make him any more endearing, and his habit of making snide remarks to everyone that questions him gets old fast. Also, it is mentioned multiple times how magnetic Harvath's personality is, especially to women, but it is not really shown, at least not believably.
The most thrilling segment of this thriller was the plane hijacking scenes. It seemed to be written as a form of 9/11 therapy for Thor -- which makes sense, giving that the book was published in late 2002 -- and, for that supposed reason, it is not surprising that this segment rises a level above the rest of the book. Although, of course, Harvath does get his girl-of-the-week from the survivors of the hijacking, checking off another Bond trope check-box.
Hopefully, this book was only a let-down because Brad Thor struggled to transition his first Scot Harvath book into a series, or with the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and the next book in the series, State Of The Union, is an improvement.
December 1, 2019
Found an author and spy thriller that I love, now I can enjoy the rest of the series. A page turner!
January 31, 2023
Book Review - “Path of the Assassin” is Brad Thor's #2 Scot Harvath novel and it is really good! Thor continues to develop the characters, especially Harvath from the first book, “Lions of Lucerne.” In this espionage novel, Harvath leads a CIA paramilitary team that goes after a team of terrorists. It’s a great espionage thriller, but all of Brad Thor's novels are. I have read the entire Scott Harvath series and even though this was only the second book in the series, it’s one of the better action-packed of the now twenty plus Scot Harvath books. It’s right on par with the rest of the series with unrelenting action, ‘what next’ intrigue and all around enjoyable reading! I found myself cheering and laughing out loud throughout this entire book. It is also good to get some of the back stories filled in and being made aware of new characters that follow in the series. I loved the intertwining, the give-and-take of the storyline and the suspenseful conclusion. Thor’s storytelling seems to take the reader into the plot as if you were actually ‘watching’ it before your very own eyes. This is a fast and fun story with heavy emphasis on ‘intriguing espionage.’ It’s everything you expect from Brad Thor and well worth a read.
September 21, 2014
Not a bad series at all.. good reading!
September 25, 2020
Exciting and fast paced but over the top like the first in the series.
March 13, 2021
You know that annoying work colleague that drives you nuts with endlessly tedious joking around? Ever worked with the sort of guy who would say "Can you get HBO on this thing?" when passing through an airport scanner or introduces himself as "The tooth fairy" in an attempt to look sardonically debonair? Ever wanted to read their adventures as an action hero? No. Neither have I. Why would you want to? They're the sort of people you go out of your way to avoid at all costs.
Scott Horvarth is that guy. He spends the novel rattling off a series of painfully unfunny quips which never inspire anything more jovial than a mirthless groan. Thor clearly wants us to find Horvarth hilarious but I was definitely empathizing with the other characters who weren't laughing (because they had "no sense of humour" apparently).
When he's not pumping out witless tedium (or dumping the cartoon woman he hooked up in the last novel to replace her with this version's cartoon love interest) Horvarth is on the trail of the world's least competent assassin, a vicious killer with "silver, almost black eyes" that he never thinks to cover with sunglasses or tinted contacts. Despite the fact that his eyes can easily be glimpsed while driving a speeding car in a typhoon, or from a distance in a smoke filled corridor, it never occurs to him to spend a few dollars hiding his most defining feature.
"The cliched adventures of the smug humour vacuum and the world's dumbest assassin" started to get irritating early on and fell away from there as Horvarth roamed the world annoying everyone he met, including the reader.
Scott Horvarth is that guy. He spends the novel rattling off a series of painfully unfunny quips which never inspire anything more jovial than a mirthless groan. Thor clearly wants us to find Horvarth hilarious but I was definitely empathizing with the other characters who weren't laughing (because they had "no sense of humour" apparently).
When he's not pumping out witless tedium (or dumping the cartoon woman he hooked up in the last novel to replace her with this version's cartoon love interest) Horvarth is on the trail of the world's least competent assassin, a vicious killer with "silver, almost black eyes" that he never thinks to cover with sunglasses or tinted contacts. Despite the fact that his eyes can easily be glimpsed while driving a speeding car in a typhoon, or from a distance in a smoke filled corridor, it never occurs to him to spend a few dollars hiding his most defining feature.
"The cliched adventures of the smug humour vacuum and the world's dumbest assassin" started to get irritating early on and fell away from there as Horvarth roamed the world annoying everyone he met, including the reader.
December 12, 2016
After reading this book I though that it was 'just okay' - not a total waste of time, but a bit to demanding of my suspension of disbelief, and the plot twists a bit (I'm being polite) unlikely. However, I was willing to continue with this series on the basis of this being only book 2, and Brad Thor would improve with time - more believable plots, more believable (and consistent) characters, better writing. To test that theory I read reviews of future books in the series (all rated over 4! Must be good).
Well, the 4+ stars are explained: LOTS of true believers. But the one and two star reviews gave me my answer: the books are all the same, with the same flaws (it bears saying 'to me' - tastes vary, and those who love the series don't see these things as flaws).
So, sadly, so much for this series, and on with the hunt for someone who is a better thriller writer and less one dimensional.
Well, the 4+ stars are explained: LOTS of true believers. But the one and two star reviews gave me my answer: the books are all the same, with the same flaws (it bears saying 'to me' - tastes vary, and those who love the series don't see these things as flaws).
So, sadly, so much for this series, and on with the hunt for someone who is a better thriller writer and less one dimensional.
October 1, 2016
A great fast paced thrill ride.
November 20, 2020
A not bad second book in a series. I think Scot has found his niche :) I really like Meg and I am hoping she is not dumped in the 3rd book as Claudia was in this one (or will there be a new "James Bond" girl in each book???). Some of the action is so extreme is seems to be glossed over.
"To tell the truth, Father, I don't think God has a favorite football team, or a favorite religion."
Something to think about...
"To tell the truth, Father, I don't think God has a favorite football team, or a favorite religion."
Something to think about...
March 14, 2018
Scot Harvath is a rather bizarre character.
-He enjoys his job and is very good at it.
-He always finds a pretty, badass lady to tag along on his missions.
-He doesn't take authority well (unless it is from the president himself).
-He always has time for a prank and a joke, no matter what the circumstances.
-He is very proud and confident of himself and his capabilities.
Would that make him a great spy? Probably not.
But does that make him a fun character to read? Absolutely!
Brad Thor has pumped his sequel to Lions of Lucerne with so much adrenaline that (if consumed all at once) it could give a horse a heart attack. Pretty much every chapter is full of action.
I loved that.
I really enjoyed reading about Meg Cassidy, even though I doubt I'd be seeing her in the next installment. I also quite liked the plot-twist and the way Brad led the story to it.
A few things, however, didn't quite sit well with me in Path of the Assassin.
One such thing involved a scene with two bullets to the head and a talk about ensuring no blood was spilt, like the walls weren't already splattered with brain matter.
Another was the excessive information, which may show how well Brad had researched his book, but felt like just random words flung onto a common reader. There was so much "it is known as..." in the book, I almost felt like making a drinking game out of it. Lol.
3.75 stars.
-He enjoys his job and is very good at it.
-He always finds a pretty, badass lady to tag along on his missions.
-He doesn't take authority well (unless it is from the president himself).
-He always has time for a prank and a joke, no matter what the circumstances.
-He is very proud and confident of himself and his capabilities.
Would that make him a great spy? Probably not.
But does that make him a fun character to read? Absolutely!
Brad Thor has pumped his sequel to Lions of Lucerne with so much adrenaline that (if consumed all at once) it could give a horse a heart attack. Pretty much every chapter is full of action.
I loved that.
I really enjoyed reading about Meg Cassidy, even though I doubt I'd be seeing her in the next installment. I also quite liked the plot-twist and the way Brad led the story to it.
A few things, however, didn't quite sit well with me in Path of the Assassin.
One such thing involved a scene with two bullets to the head and a talk about ensuring no blood was spilt, like the walls weren't already splattered with brain matter.
Another was the excessive information, which may show how well Brad had researched his book, but felt like just random words flung onto a common reader. There was so much "it is known as..." in the book, I almost felt like making a drinking game out of it. Lol.
3.75 stars.
March 9, 2016
This is the 2nd in the Scot Harvath series and I can tell where BT was still developing the character. An Israeli faction calling themselves the Hand of God suddenly starts blowing up key Islamic Holy places and killing thousands of people. These horrific terrorist incidents threatens entire world peace, as the Islamic people vow to return the favor. As the US tries to get intel on the entire situation Scot is sent in to help gather that data. The action sequences are very well crafted. They don't have the frantic absolute over the top feel to them that Matthew Reilly's do.
I had problems with Scot himself, at times his sarcasm and immaturity about some things got on my nerves, but I let it go, because I know in later books this isn't as obvious. As Scot and team race around the world to stop The Hand of God from pulling the entire world into a war no one wants, he manages to stay one step behind. The suspense and timing was good and the book moved at a fast pace. I had trouble getting into it, but I think that was more to the fact is I wasn't in the mood. I don't hold that against the book. There was a huge surprising twist at the end that I didn't see coming at all. While not one of my favorites of the series, this was still an entertaining and timely read.
I had problems with Scot himself, at times his sarcasm and immaturity about some things got on my nerves, but I let it go, because I know in later books this isn't as obvious. As Scot and team race around the world to stop The Hand of God from pulling the entire world into a war no one wants, he manages to stay one step behind. The suspense and timing was good and the book moved at a fast pace. I had trouble getting into it, but I think that was more to the fact is I wasn't in the mood. I don't hold that against the book. There was a huge surprising twist at the end that I didn't see coming at all. While not one of my favorites of the series, this was still an entertaining and timely read.
January 6, 2022
I gave another brad thor/scot harvath books a chance and made sure this time it was Unabridged. It did not help.. maybe made it worse because then it was longer. The narrator does an ok job not great but doesn't help the book. The writing is just ... juvenile would be the best way to describe. The premise is fine and the villain is fine and does what you'd expect. The government agencies are very political and don't help the hero. But the decisions he makes and the actions leave me dumbfounded. It constantly had me saying out loud WTF as he said or did something that should be completely out of character for a Secret Service ex Navy Seal operator. I was cleaning up around the house over the holidays and had the audio book in my airpods and thought "this isn't that bad, I wonder why I've been so critical of it to this point?" and then I realized I had been over indulging in the eggnog and it made sense. I went back to it later when sober and yeah still hated it. And that should tell you everything you need. If you're busy and only half listening and drinking then you'll enjoy it. But if you want to get into the narrative and really immerse yourself in this book then it'll just piss you off.
July 26, 2019
Better than the first one. While some of the action was far fetched and impossible to believe, Thor made it exciting and fun. The story was a scary one for the world. Makes you happy there are people like Scot Harvath working for the good guys. Looking forward to the next one. I hope Meg remains a part of this series. She’s a great character and keeping Chicago in further books would be nice.
January 22, 2015
For a man who prefers offense, there's a lot of chasing, just missing and defense in Path of the Assassin. In fact, one major "Harvath" type scene doesn't involve Scot at all as he is afforded only a couple blips of true execution. I find this disappointing for a "man of action." 5 of 10 stars
August 31, 2022
"People who took themselves too seriously not only were no fun, but could also be very dangerous."—Brad Thor, Path of the Assassin.
I read Brad Thor’s debut, The Lions of Lucerne last year (originally published in 2002). I was obviously late to the party, but I was excited to find a new political thriller author. In Path of the Assassin, Navy Seal turned Secret Service agent Scot Harvath is taking on one of the world’s deadliest terrorist organizations. After rescuing the President from kidnappers, Harvath vows to capture or kill those responsible for the plot. A trail of clues points to Hashim Nidal, the planet’s most ruthless terrorist, who has assembled an international league of Islamic terrorist networks to topple both Israel and America.
Only one person can positively identify Nidal—a public relations expert and hijacking survivor. Together, Meg and Scot must untangle a web of global intrigue stretching across four continents—from Macau, Jerusalem, and Chicago, to Libya, Capri, and Rome—to prevent the Arab world from going to war with Israel.
Path of the Assassin is action-packed, engrossing, and suspenseful, but much of the plot is implausible. Harvath’s civilian sidekick would have never been brought into the CIA to identify a terrorist. She certainly wouldn’t have been put through the rigors of training and then put in harm’s way. I guess we don’t read thrillers for their realism. Farfetched as it is, the book is highly entertaining, and I look forward to reading the next installment. 4 stars.
** If graphic violence troubles you, take a pass on this novel.
I read Brad Thor’s debut, The Lions of Lucerne last year (originally published in 2002). I was obviously late to the party, but I was excited to find a new political thriller author. In Path of the Assassin, Navy Seal turned Secret Service agent Scot Harvath is taking on one of the world’s deadliest terrorist organizations. After rescuing the President from kidnappers, Harvath vows to capture or kill those responsible for the plot. A trail of clues points to Hashim Nidal, the planet’s most ruthless terrorist, who has assembled an international league of Islamic terrorist networks to topple both Israel and America.
Only one person can positively identify Nidal—a public relations expert and hijacking survivor. Together, Meg and Scot must untangle a web of global intrigue stretching across four continents—from Macau, Jerusalem, and Chicago, to Libya, Capri, and Rome—to prevent the Arab world from going to war with Israel.
Path of the Assassin is action-packed, engrossing, and suspenseful, but much of the plot is implausible. Harvath’s civilian sidekick would have never been brought into the CIA to identify a terrorist. She certainly wouldn’t have been put through the rigors of training and then put in harm’s way. I guess we don’t read thrillers for their realism. Farfetched as it is, the book is highly entertaining, and I look forward to reading the next installment. 4 stars.
** If graphic violence troubles you, take a pass on this novel.
February 26, 2018
James Bond meets Mission Impossible!! A great edge-of-your-seat action packed thriller!
Path of the Assassin is the sequel and follow-up to Thor's debut novel, The Lions of Lucerne. Former SEAL and Secret Service operative Scot Harvath is on the trail of the culprits who were involved in the kidnapping of the President. While he is hot on their trail, it points to a large Terrorist Organization known as The Hand of God, who are unleashing attacks across the globe. With the assistance of a CIA hit-team, Harvath has no idea who what their man looks like, so they recruit a young civilian Meg Cassidy, who has survived one of the many terrorist attacks, and has seen the face of their leader. Harvath and Meg team up, travelling across the globe, from North Africa, Libya, to Rome, Italy, to stop a madman bent on world domination.
An entertaining thriller, the action sequences were pretty far-fetched but it made the book more enjoyable! And I found Harvath's dry sense of humor, and no-nonsense attitude entertaining as well!
Path of the Assassin is the sequel and follow-up to Thor's debut novel, The Lions of Lucerne. Former SEAL and Secret Service operative Scot Harvath is on the trail of the culprits who were involved in the kidnapping of the President. While he is hot on their trail, it points to a large Terrorist Organization known as The Hand of God, who are unleashing attacks across the globe. With the assistance of a CIA hit-team, Harvath has no idea who what their man looks like, so they recruit a young civilian Meg Cassidy, who has survived one of the many terrorist attacks, and has seen the face of their leader. Harvath and Meg team up, travelling across the globe, from North Africa, Libya, to Rome, Italy, to stop a madman bent on world domination.
An entertaining thriller, the action sequences were pretty far-fetched but it made the book more enjoyable! And I found Harvath's dry sense of humor, and no-nonsense attitude entertaining as well!
December 4, 2019
I'm betting if author Brad Thor was asked, if he could do over one of his books, it would be "Path of the Assassin". You have some real good elements in this one, that's intertwined with fluff, needless characters and total BS from the author.
It wouldn't start with the same opening of Scot Harvath involved in a chase during a hurricane and being able to identify the mercury like gray eyes of a driver racing towards him. Having lived through enough hurricanes to know that it's impossible to do, let alone would you have the amount of people out acting like nothing was happening and especially with a category 5 baring down on them.
You also have a character being Morrell, along with his team that easily could be eliminated, been better that Harvath had a team of four guys, kept much of the story, just tweak it to add a Mossad agent or two to the mix and have Meg's character be an Egyptian El Amn El Watani agent.
His own writing of the main character Harvath makes the reader realize you have an enormous amount of needless writing being done, easily could have pared it down and he isn't clever enough too make you realize by the eye color that it's a women they are tracking.
It wouldn't start with the same opening of Scot Harvath involved in a chase during a hurricane and being able to identify the mercury like gray eyes of a driver racing towards him. Having lived through enough hurricanes to know that it's impossible to do, let alone would you have the amount of people out acting like nothing was happening and especially with a category 5 baring down on them.
You also have a character being Morrell, along with his team that easily could be eliminated, been better that Harvath had a team of four guys, kept much of the story, just tweak it to add a Mossad agent or two to the mix and have Meg's character be an Egyptian El Amn El Watani agent.
His own writing of the main character Harvath makes the reader realize you have an enormous amount of needless writing being done, easily could have pared it down and he isn't clever enough too make you realize by the eye color that it's a women they are tracking.
January 15, 2021
I listened to the audio version of this book. I enjoyed the second book in the Scott Harvath series, but it was not quite as much as the first book, the Lions of Lucerne. There is a new terrorist group called the hand of God with ties to Israel, and they are taking out Palestinians. Tensions in the Middle East are high. Meanwhile, Scott Harvath is tracking down the last member of the Lions of Lucerne, but he is killed by an anonymous assassin with silver eyes. Scott now is after the assassin and ends up chasing a whole lot more.
There was a good amount of action in this book as well as numerous locals around the world. It was interesting to see how Scott worked with the CIA on this mission as well as how his feelings about the CIA change slightly as the book went on.
Overall an above average thriller that is action packed. If you are a fan of thrillers you will enjoy this novel.
There was a good amount of action in this book as well as numerous locals around the world. It was interesting to see how Scott worked with the CIA on this mission as well as how his feelings about the CIA change slightly as the book went on.
Overall an above average thriller that is action packed. If you are a fan of thrillers you will enjoy this novel.
July 24, 2022
As a big fan of Vince Flynn, a friend recommended Brad Thor to me. This is the second book about Scot Harvath, former Navy SEAL, currently Secret Service Agent. After having rescued the President in the first book, he is now tracking down the last of the members of the group responsible, an assassin beats him to his target. A new chase is on to find this assassin, only recognizable by then strange color of his eyes. This son of a dead terrorist is trying to light the Middle East on fire and Scott is forced to work with a nemesis at the CIA and a beautiful civilian who has been pulled into the chase. Chasing the silver eyed assassin around the globe, Scott must stop him. The book is a non stop page turner. However, I did not like that the author propagated the lie that there was ever a Arab Palestinian nation.
March 28, 2019
I thought this book was an improvement on the first, and the first was perfectly OK as a holiday read thriller. There is a little more humour from the Super Agent protagonist, and the tone, in spite of the subject matter, is lighter overall.
Much of the plot stretches credulity to breaking point,but that's pretty much what these books are for, right? I haven't read the third yet, but the addition of a 'woman of the book' already feels a bit formulaic, and the presence of the civilain heroine on a dangerous overseas secret mission (because she's supposedly the only one who can identify the bad guy) really feels horribly contrived.
For all that the book rattles along and is a decent read.
Much of the plot stretches credulity to breaking point,but that's pretty much what these books are for, right? I haven't read the third yet, but the addition of a 'woman of the book' already feels a bit formulaic, and the presence of the civilain heroine on a dangerous overseas secret mission (because she's supposedly the only one who can identify the bad guy) really feels horribly contrived.
For all that the book rattles along and is a decent read.
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