I enjoyed this book. I had no idea when I picked it up that was part of a series, but that really didn't matter. The author filled in the connections among the characters and their backstories enough for this story to make sense. I would venture to say it wasn't too much explanation for someone who had read the previous books, but that's just supposition on my part. The plot held my attention and the violence wasn't overly graphic. All in all, I thought it was a good read. ( )

Yet another excellent thriller from Barry Eisler that brings his entire team of characters together under fire.

If you are a badass bad guy there are two offenses that you cannot do no matter what [if you want to live happily ever after]. You must not try to kill John Rain when he says no to your request to kill someone, if he rejects it leave it at that. Second, when deciding to move against him then do not try moving against his friends too since they all have extensive combat training and experience in chasing shadows because you are just getting over the head and there is no win situation here.

When unknown parties attempt to attack Livia and Rain they will start a coalition aiming first to eliminate those that aim for them but after details are leaked on the horrendous child-molesting ring within the US government itself everything moves up one level - bad guys just do not know what they got themselves into.

Loss of Ben Treven was unexpected but I guess this character was second only to Livia when it comes to mental health and ability to live normal life.

Excellent action, characters are as always great (although you might want to read some of the Rain books before this one just to be more acquainted with all of the characters).
Author always tries to talk about things that happen in real world and again he succeeds - from terrible child-molesting and slavery to high-level rich men and politicians and their goons you will find everything in this book (with very interesting links at the end for those interested in real-life events that were inspiration to the author).

Highly recommended to all Rain's, Livia's, Barry Eisler's and in general thriller fans. ( )

Having read all the Rain, Treven, and Livia books in order, this was a most satisfying read. All the characters together was fantastic! Eisler has done a masterful job and I look forward to future books. ( )

Another winner from Barry - he weaves his whole crew of characters seamlessly together, and turns them into the best team of operatives in the whole thriller canon... ( )

Livia Lone is working jointly with the FBI on breaking up a child violence/pornography ring, when their tech guy sees his own program being used to cloak identities. It's a program he sold to the Secret Service, and before they can find the culprits, their operation is closed down. Meanwhile, assassin John Rain is contacted via a former adversary, Colonel Horton, to eliminate three people via his signature kills (to look like suicides.) Rain declines when he learns one is a woman, breaking one of his cardinal rules. Instead, a female/male team tries to kill Livia as she is leaving one of the women self-defense classes she teaches, and Livia turns the tables. Her two former FBI teammates are not so lucky as their flight home explodes. John gets a bad feeling about the contract so he and Larison visit Horton, when they are attacked by a team of mercenaries and a helicopter gunship. Meanwhile, Livia calls her buddy Dox in Costa Rica, who comes to her aid. Turns out the contract came from the head of a shady U.S. government military contractor, where Ben Treven now works. When the well-protected head goes to Paris, the united band needs to enlist the help of Delilah, the Mossad-employed, honeytrap specialist, Rain's estranged girlfriend. Besides the almost non-stop action, there is a great deal of friendship, trust, and love advice flowing. The only reason for 4 stars, instead of 5, is the three POVs, which should have been only two. ( )