Path of the Assassin

By: Brad Thor

Narrated by: Armand Schultz

Length: 12 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's Summary

The number one New York Times best-selling author of the Scot Harvath series and “heir to Tom Clancy and Robert Ludlum” (Chicago Tribune) returns with this unputdownable, white-knuckled thriller following the Secret Service agent as he’s on the trail of the world’s most ruthless terrorist. 

After rescuing the president from kidnappers in Thor’s roaring debut, The Lions of Lucerne, 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 dangerous terrorist. 

Only 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 the world is engulfed in flames. 

©2003 Brad Thor (P)2013 Simon & Schuster Audio

Critic Reviews

"...[A] blood-soaked sequel to the presidential-kidnapping debut that so arrested critics....Thor leaves little to the imagination when it comes to the cut and thrust of terrorist-busting; the action is relentless and gory, the pacing sublime, as is the authenticity of everything from weaponry to locales." ( Ottawa Citizen)

"If Thor's second international thriller had any more testosterone, it would grow hair....the well-choreographed action and thrills will keep readers engrossed." ( Publishers Weekly)

"If Thor's second international thriller had any more testosterone, it would grow hair....the well-choreographed action and thrills will keep readers engrossed." (Dan Brown, New York Times bestselling author of The Da Vinci Code)

Melodrama stereotypes - nothing good to say

Reader (who isn't my favorite) was masterful and had a full menu of voices, accents etc. He's pretty good. But book is really bad. I liked the Lions of Lucerne but hated this one. I don't know if it was the character of Meg or the plot or a large number of contrivances, or perhaps all of these - but I actually laughed at times, and said "oh yes, of course." Really bad.

Corny

What disappointed you about Path of the Assassin?

Thor is sadly no Vince Flynn. It may be that the author took a while to develop his craft but having purchased his first two, I am not keen to listen to any more.(I gave the benefit of the doubt and purchased this one after listening to his first in the series.) I did not finish this book. The corny dialogue and far-fetched story were just too much -- criticism others have voiced and I should have listened too. I wondered if the narrator was to blame for some of it as well as the story's inability to hold my interest, but concluded it was primarily the writing. It seemed amateurish to me, and I am no literary maven. Details seemed thrown in just to impress, the story was unrealistic, dialogue predictable and I didn't find myself caring one iota about any character. Perhaps I am just too spoiled by the Mitch Rapp series written the talented, late Vince Flynn.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Buyer's remorse

Does not measure up

The storyline is okay but the author uses so much corny language that you wonder what generation he is from.

THIS BOOK IS A JOKE

Would you try another book from Brad Thor and/or Armand Schultz?

I HAVE ALREADY READ SEVERAL BUT NO MORE.

Has Path of the Assassin turned you off from other books in this genre?

NO

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

WE HAVE THIS STONE COLD KILLER IN SCOTT HARVATH. HIGHLY TRAINED AND KNOWLEDGABLE IN TERRORISTS AND TERROSISM. HE TAKES A TWIT OF A
WOMAN WITH NO TRAINING WHATSOEVER ON A MISSION TO PAKISTAN AND SHE CONS HIM INTO SNEAKING INTO A TERRIORIST CAMP. SURPRISE,SURPRISE THEY ARE DISCOVERED. COME ON, I LOVE THIS GENRE BUT PLEASE MAKE IT SOMEWHAT BELIEVABLE.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT. I REALLY LIKED THE SCOTT HARVATH BOOKS.

Not terrible, but not great either.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

No, it just wasn't not for me. Character seems a little cookie cutter. Kind of standard fare, nothing memorable about character, female character very unlikeable, and the author's politics are apparent.

What do you think your next listen will be?

I'm not sure, but I will not continue with this series.

What aspect of Armand Schultz’s performance would you have changed?

He gave a good performance.

Did Path of the Assassin inspire you to do anything?

Inspired me to not continue with the rest of the series.

Any additional comments?

Read the first in this series as well. Felt the same about the first, gave the second a try. Now I'm done.

Not at the Top of the Game

What did you like best about Path of the Assassin? What did you like least?

The story actually did get my attention, however, the writing is mediocre at best. It is surprising that a big name publisher would endorse Thor with his often hackneyed style and unimaginative descriptions. I found the sum of it disappointing. The narrator mispronounced words throughout the book and sounded unprofessional in his presentation.

Would you recommend Path of the Assassin to your friends? Why or why not?

I would not recommend this book because it falls, perhaps, in the middle of the pack in this genre. Instead, I would suggest authors who have a higher level of writing intelligence.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The narrator's inflections, mispronunciations and overall poor acting ability made the flaws of the book more noticeable. The quality of the narration was, unfortunately, commensurate with the writer's skills.

Was Path of the Assassin worth the listening time?

The story was actually interesting, but I don't plan to buy any more Thor books.

Any additional comments?

Sorry to fans, author and narrator, but I will spend my time elsewhere.

Incredulous Fantasy

What disappointed you about Path of the Assassin?

The outrageous and totally unbelievable feats of valor performed by Meg, an advertising exec who had not fired a pistol since childhood. She disarmed a dangerous terrorist during the hijacking of a commercial airliner on which she was a passenger, picked up an AK47 then proceeded to kill several other hijackers stretched credulity beyond fantasy. This, however, paled compared to her taking a 2 week crash course in Black Ops then directing a CIA Black Ops raid against terrorists in Libya in an effort to get the main bad guy. Thor's novels typically contain a grain of reality but this missed the mark by a mile and was very disappointing.

Would you ever listen to anything by Brad Thor again?

Perhaps

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

Excellent rendition of terrible material

What character would you cut from Path of the Assassin?

Meg

Great espionage thriller - Scot Harvath

When Brad Thor burst onto the espionage thriller scene in 2002 with The Lions of Lucerne I suspected he was a one hit wonder. I was wrong as Thor has released Scot Harvath series thriller after thriller with each as good as the previous one. I still believe The Lions of Lucerne is the best first book in an espionage thriller series. With Scot Harvath #15 being released in a few weeks (I have pre-ordered) it) I'm looking forward to continued excellence. All of Thor's novels are in my Audible library, but this is only my fifth review.

Path of the Assassin is Thor's Scot Harvath #2. In the novel Thor continues to develop the characters, especially Harvath. In the novel Harvath leads a CIA team that goes after a team of terrorists. It is a great espionage thriller, but all of Brad Thor's novels are. Armand Schultz narrates this book and most of Thor's audiobooks. George Guidall narrates the rest. Both narrators do a fabulous job.

Exciting but not outstanding

I like Brad Thor. I've read to most of the books in this series. Some parts are real page turners and then things slow down and then pick up again. If you are into mysteries and thrillers, I would say spend a credit on this one. The narration is excellent!

Couldn't stop listening!

I have listened to the whole Scott Harvath series and even though this was officially the second book of the series, they finally made it in the unabridged format. This is right on par with the rest of the series as far as the action, intrigue and all around fun listening. I found myself cheering and laughing out loud throughout this book. It is good to get some of the back stories filled in and being made aware of characters that follow in the series. If you want to listen to a great story that will keep you riveted, GET THIS AUDIOBOOK!

Good follow on story from lions

Well worth a listen. Fast moving and fun. Very satisfying end. Read well easy to listen to

so so

narrator was good as usual but the story is again not very believeable. i really wanted to give the character another go after last 2 disappointing books but no more

A great story up to date in the world we all live

Loved this novel, the first 4 me by Brad Thor but not the last. Looking forward to the next in the series.

Scott does it again, good story and nice action

A good follow up to the Lions, well narrated with plenty of twists and turns.

Great read, up there with the best.

This is the second in the series and starting to find its stride...A little light on detail for me but fast paced and exciting. role on the next one.

Superb thriller!

Gripping story and very good narration. Thoroughly enjoyable. Harvath is a deadly, engaging, witty character.