CIA Chief Helen Dexter independently decides to order the assassination of political figures from other nations based on their views toward the United States. The book begins with the assassination of a Colombian presidential candidate.
During this time, Helen discovers that she would be fired if it is discovered that she is ordering assassinations in several countries. To cover up her work she plans to have her chief assassin, Connor Fitzgerald, eliminated. The CIA rejects Connor’s resignation and asks him to go on a final mission to assassinate a candidate for the Russian presidency. While attending a speech, Connor is arrested and placed in a Russian jail to be executed.
A friend of his arrives in time and tries to rescue him by making a bargain with the Russian Mafia. In exchange for Fitzgerald to be replaced with his friend, Fitzgerald will have to assassinate the Russian president. Fitzgerald fails in the attempt and “dies.” Later on he returns home with the name of a professor and he has lost his arm.
This book reminded me so much of Day of the Jackal. It starts off slow, explains the early life of Connor, Maggie and their growth from gangly teenagers to political figures.
It’s a very typical American spy novel, with assassinations and cover ups. Even the secretary of Fitzerald is killed in what is made to look like a road accident.There were times it was a bit hard to follow – a lot of characters, swapping places, and jumping from high stakes scene to high stakes scene. That took away from my enjoyment as well. I wanted to be able to follow this from the first sentence to the last one to make sure I could understand all the motivations behind each.
