Hitman/Assassin fiction

Waylander · 09-19-2015, 10:40 AM

I really liked the books published so far in the Victor the Assassin series, and have just seen the film John Wick with Keanu (I think that's how it's spelled) Reeves, about an ex-gangster hitman on a revenge mission. Both those were really enjoyable, and I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations in a similar vein?

BenG · 09-19-2015, 11:24 AM

The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth
The Manchurian Candidate by Richard Condon
The Eiger Sanction by Trevanian
The Brotherhood of the Rose by David Morrell
1Q84 by Haruki Murakami

pwalker8 · 09-19-2015, 12:00 PM

There is the Rain series by Barry Eisler. The first couple were quite good, I thought.

Day of the Jackal was the classic of the genre. The Eiger Sanction was very good as well. Trevanian wrote a sequel called the Loo Sanction.

Dazrin · 09-19-2015, 12:00 PM

I haven't read those but Barry Eisler's John Rain series is pretty good. The first three Bourne books by Robert Ludlum are good too; they are nothing like the movies though. The rest of the series, written by Eric Von Lustbader, might be good too but I haven't read them.

victauria · 09-19-2015, 01:33 PM

I really liked the Gray Man series by Mark Greaney. The audiobooks were great and a co-worker gave two thumbs up when he read the books.

http://markgreaneybooks.com

Waylander · 09-19-2015, 02:23 PM

I've been meaning to read Day of the Jackal. I've got the Gray Man series already but haven't read it, but it's nice to know other people have liked it. I've also got the John Rain series by Barry Eisler, which looks cool. I did not know that 1Q84 fitted the criteria, so that's cool too. Thanks for the suggestions and keep them coming.

pwalker8 · 09-19-2015, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waylander

I've been meaning to read Day of the Jackal. I've got the Gray Man series already but haven't read it, but it's nice to know other people have liked it. I've also got the John Rain series by Barry Eisler, which looks cool. I did not know that 1Q84 fitted the criteria, so that's cool too. Thanks for the suggestions and keep them coming.

Forsyth is known for the accuracy in his books. Day of the Jackal was great. Dogs of War was so accurate as far as details on how you do various things, that Forsyth was accused of being involved in a coup attempt as part of his research for the book.

bfisher · 09-19-2015, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pwalker8

Forsyth is known for the accuracy in his books. Day of the Jackal was great. Dogs of War was so accurate as far as details on how you do various things, that Forsyth was accused of being involved in a coup attempt as part of his research for the book.

He disclosed this year that he worked for MI6 for a long time.
http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-34101822

Freeshadow · 09-19-2015, 03:20 PM

Shibumi by trevanian

GeoffR · 09-19-2015, 03:50 PM

I don't know if this is the sort of thing you are after as it is crime fiction with a touch of black comedy rather than a straight thriller, but I thought Leif G.W. Persson's Story of a Crime series starting with Between Summer's Longing and Winter's End, which turns about the assassination of Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme, was brilliant.

Penforhire · 09-21-2015, 05:02 PM

I see we already mentioned the John Rain series, one of my favorites.

I think I read everything Forsyth ever published. While I obviously like his work, his older books like DotJ has the pacing of its era. That can feel painfully slow to a modern reader.

Also a little slow, and a pure fantasy, but has a lot of fans -- Robin Hobbs' Farseer trilogy (starting with Assassin's Apprentice).

Apache · 09-21-2015, 05:30 PM

The Matt Helm Series by Donald Hamilton. Please do not compare the books to the movies.
Apache

John K · 09-22-2015, 10:02 AM

I think you'll like the John Rain and Gray Man that you already have.

Daniel Silva's Gabriel Allon series is very well written.

Roger Hobbs' Ghostman series seems to be just getting started; two so far.

If you get tired of the thriller aspects and would like something gritty, Andrew Vachss' Burke series features a criminal assassin with a grudge against child abusers.

Rizla · 09-22-2015, 10:50 AM

Andrew Vachss. Shella and That's How I Roll. He's also done a recent series with a hit-man type figure. I forget the name. His stuff is not your average shoot 'em up. I couldn't put it down. The author is active in the legal protection of abused children.

crossi · 09-23-2015, 07:39 AM

Moonrise by anne stuart

09-19-2015, 10:40 AM	#1
Waylander Fanatic Posts: 594 Karma: 2905052 Join Date: Oct 2013 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 5 SE, Onyx Boox Poke 3	Hitman/Assassin fiction I really liked the books published so far in the Victor the Assassin series, and have just seen the film John Wick with Keanu (I think that's how it's spelled) Reeves, about an ex-gangster hitman on a revenge mission. Both those were really enjoyable, and I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations in a similar vein?

09-19-2015, 03:50 PM	#10
GeoffR Wizard Posts: 3,821 Karma: 19162882 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Te Riu-a-Māui Device: Kobo Glo	I don't know if this is the sort of thing you are after as it is crime fiction with a touch of black comedy rather than a straight thriller, but I thought Leif G.W. Persson's Story of a Crime series starting with Between Summer's Longing and Winter's End, which turns about the assassination of Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme, was brilliant. Last edited by GeoffR; 09-19-2015 at 03:53 PM. Reason: ... black comedy ...

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Assassin Without a Name #1	scottmarlowe	Self-Promotions by Authors and Publishers	1	10-18-2013 10:48 AM
WOLFKIND, the invisible assassin.	Stephen_Melling	Self-Promotions by Authors and Publishers	20	05-04-2013 04:54 PM
I looking looking for ebook on Assassin's	terminator1983	Reading Recommendations	2	03-24-2013 10:45 AM
The Hitman's Guide to Housecleaning	Apache	Reading Recommendations	12	01-28-2013 12:26 PM
The Assassin--$1.99	Rye James	Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links)	2	01-09-2010 06:24 PM

09-19-2015, 11:24 AM	#2
BenG Home Guard Posts: 4,729 Karma: 86721650 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Alpha Ralpha Boulevard Device: Kindle Oasis 3G, iPhone 6	The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth The Manchurian Candidate by Richard Condon The Eiger Sanction by Trevanian The Brotherhood of the Rose by David Morrell 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami

09-19-2015, 12:00 PM	#3
pwalker8 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,195 Karma: 70314280 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Atlanta, GA Device: iPad Pro, iPad mini, Kobo Aura, Amazon paperwhite, Sony PRS-T2	There is the Rain series by Barry Eisler. The first couple were quite good, I thought. Day of the Jackal was the classic of the genre. The Eiger Sanction was very good as well. Trevanian wrote a sequel called the Loo Sanction.

09-19-2015, 12:00 PM	#4
Dazrin Wizard Posts: 2,631 Karma: 73864785 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: PDXish Device: Kindle Voyage, various Android devices	I haven't read those but Barry Eisler's John Rain series is pretty good. The first three Bourne books by Robert Ludlum are good too; they are nothing like the movies though. The rest of the series, written by Eric Von Lustbader, might be good too but I haven't read them.

09-19-2015, 01:33 PM	#5
victauria Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,990 Karma: 17560944 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Florida, USA Device: Kindle Voyage, Kindle Fire HD	I really liked the Gray Man series by Mark Greaney. The audiobooks were great and a co-worker gave two thumbs up when he read the books. http://markgreaneybooks.com

09-19-2015, 02:23 PM	#6
Waylander Fanatic Posts: 594 Karma: 2905052 Join Date: Oct 2013 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 5 SE, Onyx Boox Poke 3	I've been meaning to read Day of the Jackal. I've got the Gray Man series already but haven't read it, but it's nice to know other people have liked it. I've also got the John Rain series by Barry Eisler, which looks cool. I did not know that 1Q84 fitted the criteria, so that's cool too. Thanks for the suggestions and keep them coming.

09-19-2015, 03:20 PM	#9
Freeshadow temp. out of service Posts: 2,791 Karma: 24285242 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Duisburg (DE) Device: PB 623	Shibumi by trevanian

09-21-2015, 05:02 PM	#11
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	I see we already mentioned the John Rain series, one of my favorites. I think I read everything Forsyth ever published. While I obviously like his work, his older books like DotJ has the pacing of its era. That can feel painfully slow to a modern reader. Also a little slow, and a pure fantasy, but has a lot of fans -- Robin Hobbs' Farseer trilogy (starting with Assassin's Apprentice).

09-21-2015, 05:30 PM	#12
Apache Readaholic Posts: 5,137 Karma: 89858112 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: South Georgia Device: Surface Pro 6 / Galaxy Tab A 8"	The Matt Helm Series by Donald Hamilton. Please do not compare the books to the movies. Apache

09-22-2015, 10:02 AM	#13
John K Reader Posts: 266 Karma: 13465550 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: USA Device: Kindle DXG, Kobo Forma	I think you'll like the John Rain and Gray Man that you already have. Daniel Silva's Gabriel Allon series is very well written. Roger Hobbs' Ghostman series seems to be just getting started; two so far. If you get tired of the thriller aspects and would like something gritty, Andrew Vachss' Burke series features a criminal assassin with a grudge against child abusers.

09-22-2015, 10:50 AM	#14
Rizla Member Retired Posts: 3,183 Karma: 11721895 Join Date: Nov 2010 Device: Nook STR (rooted) & Sony T2	Andrew Vachss. Shella and That's How I Roll. He's also done a recent series with a hit-man type figure. I forget the name. His stuff is not your average shoot 'em up. I couldn't put it down. The author is active in the legal protection of abused children.

Advert

Advert

09-23-2015, 07:39 AM	#15
crossi Guru Posts: 992 Karma: 12000001 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Seattle Wahington U.S. Device: kindle	Moonrise by anne stuart