The Fifth Assassin

By: Brad Meltzer

Narrated by: Scott Brick

Length: 14 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

From John Wilkes Booth to Lee Harvey Oswald, there have been more than two dozen assassination attempts on the president of the United States. Four have been successful. But now, Beecher White - the hero of the number one New York Times best seller The Inner Circle - discovers a killer in Washington, D.C., who's meticulously re-creating the crimes of these four men. Historians have branded them as four lone wolves. But what if they were wrong?

Beecher is about to discover the truth: that during the course of a hundred years, all four assassins were secretly working together. What was their purpose? For whom do they really work? And why are they planning to kill the current president? Beecher's about to find out. And most terrifyingly, he's about to come face-to-face with the fifth assassin.

©2012 Brad Meltzer (P)2012 Hachette Audio

The Meltzer/Brick connection continues

What made the experience of listening to The Fifth Assassin the most enjoyable?

Actually, the entire thing. They plot twists, and revisiting long time Meltzer characters, was compelling.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Occasionally Scott B is overwrought. Additionally, Beecher can get annoying in his niaviety. Nico continues to be one of the more interesting. complex characters in this genre.

Have you listened to any of Scott Brick’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes, many of them. Not his best work, but certainly done with passion and quality.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

They really ARE connected!

Any additional comments?

Enjoy this book!

Good story, great performance

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I think I could listen to even a mediocre story read by Scott Brick

Would you recommend The Fifth Assassin to your friends? Why or why not?

Reminded me of the enjoyable complexity of Dan Brown's books

Have you listened to any of Scott Brick’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

After Nelson DeMille's books performed by Scott Brick, I'm a big fan and look for books read by him.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Action, illusion, and double-cross

Meltzer never disappoints!

Brad Meltzer always delivers on story and intrigue. I've met him a few times and just find him to be such a genuine person that I look forward to his book releases, but his performance with these novels always exceed my expectations.

Great listen

Great listen especially when traveling or ironing... I actually finished the whole stack of clothes to be ironed because the story was so interesting!

Good, but too long

I skipped a lot about Wisconsin. He would get a suspenseful storyline and poof! goes back in time that was boring. I didn't get the connection until the end. when I did, my thought was "so what?"
Scott Brick again saved the book. He could narrate the dictionary and I'd buy it.

Very Good Book Ruined by Ridiculous Twists

This was a great story with a lot of very fascinating historical information. The details about presidential assassinations, playing cards, church/state conflict were awesome. The story had some back and forth timing that worked very well to add suspense, though some may find it off-putting. The narration was impeccable.

So, given that, why just 3 stars? Two main reasons. First, none of the characters were particularly likable. Second, but most important, was the winding down of the tale. A realistic series of final events would have easily made this book 5 stars, given the research and suspense. Without spoiling the story, I'll just say that the detention of the hero was weak, the interaction between Nico and the knight was odd and convoluted...but the main let down was the explanation of the mystery of who murdered the priests, and how. It was totally ridiculous and really bummed me out, as I love mystery/suspense that is believable, and this was not. This book had a lot of promise, but stumbled badly at the end.

Great plot

As usual, I enjoy this series every time I listen. I would give 5 stars, but those are reserved for the extremely great books.

A Good Sequel

Good continuity with first book, somewhat ponderous, but a good and interesting listen. I question the need for so much to be made of the "COPPA RING" Look 4 ward to the next follow on.

Great story, very insightful, very engaging!

in addition to being a great work of fiction, this book engages your mind and thrills at the same time.

loved it

great story that drags you into it. It's a great follow up to the first one.