The Russian Assassin: A Max Austin Thriller, Book #1 Kindle Edition

While browsing Amazon I stumbled on The Japanese Assassin, a good take on the highly trained and capable operative with amnesia. After finishing it I immediately looked for Book II but alas it’s not written yet so I tried The Russian Assassin and Im looking forward to the rest of the series. Highly recommend.

A pretty decent book. It's a little more action than story, just like most most books with a recurring action hero, but it does hold your attention to the end.The main characters are well described, although Max's employment history is not entirely clear. The action scenes are for the most part believable, unlike many books in this genre (though still slightly over the top compared to real life).Something that sets this book apart from the also-rans is the idea of having a Russian (or Belarusian) KGB guy as a hero. Although this book doesn't get very deep into KGB culture, it is a refreshing change from the Jack Reachers, Gray Men, and other familiar super action people. Further, the book spends most of its time in countries not frequently visited in thriller type books.This book is well written and different enough from the regular fare that I look forward to reading the next one in the series.

A great read, Max Austin will make a great addition to the CIA and I look forward to book #2. The ending leaves room for the imagination, what will Wing do, will the mule be identified, and so much more. I liked this book by author Jack Arbor ( I normally read Banner, Vogel and Archer) and look forward to his other novels. Great storyline and exciting characters, I highly recommend.

It's difficult to be totally objective about this book as it's not a genre I typically read; however, detailed violence aside, I enjoyed it. Mr. Arbor's character development is strong and dialogue and actions are in keeping with their character. He adroitly weaves mystery and suspense throughout the book making readers want to turn the page. If blood and guts spy thrillers are your read of choice you'll definitely enjoy the book. If you like your assassins more cerebral just skim over the gory bits and enjoy the chase.

The story is as per usual in this type of genre. Max is a character that still needs work. Of course, I buy the 1st book to know they're not standalones, no, u have to buy more to finish it, hate when this info is not disclose.

I was rereading my Lee Child collection in the few days before Lee Child's Past Tense was due out. I spotted a book on Amazon called “Russian Assassin.” Those are two of my hot button keywords. And the book wasn't in that eyebrow-raising price range of $14-15 for a Kindle ebook. So, okay, I thought. I'll risk it. And I did. And after being tangled up in yards and yards of fishing line (the very clever and unexpected plot lines), I was hooked, tangled, line and sinker.Usually, my leaps into unknown authors disappoint. I often don't even finish them. But then again, sometimes (as with Mark Dawson/John Milton) I am wonderfully surprised. Mr Arbor and Max definitely surprised me. I was in the middle of Max's series when the Reacher book came out. I stayed with Max.Jack Arbor is a relatively new writer, and for all that, I was instantly absorbed in the characters and story. Yes, his newbie status as a writer was sometimes apparent in the first book, The Russian Assassin. But. Don't be put off. Somewhere between Assassin and Cat, Mr Arbor hits a high-stepping stride as a skilled and engaging writer.In Assassin, and only in Assassin, his language sometimes lacked fluidity, structural rhythm and depth, could have used some onomatopoeia in word choices, especially in high action scenes, might have employed set-ups for new scenes to include the mundane and irrelevant before all heck breaks lose. He occasionally used well-worn similes (“muscles hard as a rock”), but by the subsequent books, the plotting, language style (“sharp as a pointed stick in the chest”), canny use of choppy sentences in fast action scenes, had me fully engaged and visualizing. Very quickly I was stumbling over the ruts where I had thought the plot was going, only to find that I had missed the turn, and he had taken the plot off in an entirely unexpected direction.One of Mr Arbor's best qualities is his ability to portray major and minor characters with a deft hand. When he introduces a new face, he describes it with just a few spare lines, like the best sketch artists. One of my frustrations with many authors is that I quickly forget who these smaller characters are, and when they reappear later in the book, I am often having to use the Kindle search function to remind myself who they are. Not so with Mr Arbor's minor characters. He makes them simple and he makes them memorable and he makes them stick. Once introduced, not forgotten.I think this is an author on his way up, and I sincerely hope you do too.

Based on Book #1, I am reading the entire series. Some repetition in character descriptions but understandable. Am enjoying Max!

When reading a novel from someone I’ve never read a work from before I’m “holding my breath” to see the pluses and minuses in the work. The more Pluses the better naturally and Jack Arbor hit a bullseye for me in the Plus Column. It only takes one Minus in one or two areas for me to drop a book right away. Jack had 0 minuses in those areas. I don’t tolerate gratuitous sex in a novel. Jack hit a nice balance here. His plot was good... very solid. I like the main character Max. He is an Assassin but his reasoning is solid. The twists and turns were like a good car chase! Kept me on the “edge of my seat”. So, I’m downloading Max’s next adventure and I’m looking forward to seeing some of the great characters I met here again!

Just finished the book and liked it a lot. Gonna read the next one soon. Very good story with an intriguing conspiracy that doesn't give too much away early (Wich is very good) and makes me want to read more. Great job on thinking outside the box with the unorthodox protagonist from the other side of the iron curtain, I want to learn more about him and see him develop even further.

I hope the rest of your books are this good and the action as exciting so keep it coming ??

I just loved this story...the characters, the plot, Belarus. I read the book in one session. It was too difficult to put down. It's a story that makes you sit at the edge of your seat. It is a riveting novel. I give it a well-deserved 5 stars and would recommend this book to anyone who loves to read.

Refreshing to read a spy book set in another country from the usual! Fast paced and characters well developed and credible.Good balance between family line and history and just enough intrigue to want to read the next and next in the series

Spies & lies with a haunting undercurrent. How can you beat a true hater who hides in the shadows? This new reality is a burden for Max as he reevaluates his family situation. But, why now? Some will mock the conspiracy theorists, but those are usually the ones conspiring dark plots. Men have been conspiring together since ancient times. Why stop now? Intelligence agencies know the modern world, but is the Old World truly dead & forgotten? Did Max's KGB Chief father discover a sinister syndicate? And what is the price for that trespass?Author Jack Arbor is smart enough to leave the most haunting questions unanswered. A good start for a noteworthy series. I will be purchasing the next three in the Max Austin series. I can only hope the author continues these tales with the same care well into the future.