Killers of a Certain Age

Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn is the story of a group of four female assassins who have made it to retirement - no easy feat in their field. Now someone is trying to kill them.

Recruited and trained to be assassins in the 1970s, Billie, Mary Alice, Helen and Natalie are now retiring. They are the first female team since the one in the OSS during World War II. Forty years of taking out very bad people and surviving. 

For their retirement gift, they are sent on an ocean cruise. But on the very first day at sea, Billie notices someone she worked with on a job. When they search his room, they are sure - he is here to kill them.

These are not easy women to kill. Not only do they need to escape a ship at sea, but they also need to find out who gave the order and have it rescinded. 

Raybourn has written a thoroughly enjoyable story. I highly recommend this for anyone who enjoys mystery, thrillers, or just badass women who will not let others dictate their lives. 

Raybourn, Deanna. (2022). Killers of a Certain Age. New York: Berkeley Press. 

Japantown (Jim Brodie #1)

Japantown by Barry Lancet is the first book in his mystery series featuring Jim Brodie. Brodie grew up in Japan until the age of seventeen when his mother returned to California and his father stayed. He now lives in San Francisco where he runs an antiques business. He inherited half of his father's P.I. business - the main office is in Tokyo with a satellite in his antique shop in S.F.

When a family is murdered in the Japanese part of the city, SFPD Detective Renna calls Brodie in to consult. Brodie is an expert in the language and culture. At the scene, the kill has left a kanji, or Japanese character. Renna hopes that Brodie can read it. Unfortunately, Brodie has seen it before but could find no trace of it's origin or meaning.

As Brodie starts investigating, he gets the attention of a couple of people. A famous Japanese business man wants to hire him to do what the police have already hired him to do - but in exchange for a lot of money he wants the killer dead when found. And someone who was left behind to make sure the police investigation goes nowhere is wary of Brodie's involvement.

Lancet has created a great character in Jim Brodie. He has some Veronica Mars qualities, as he was trained by his father from an early age to be an investigator. His background and knowledge of two cultures makes his moves between the two seamless. I will be devouring the next two books right away and then impatiently awaiting the next.

Lancet, Barry. (2013). Japantown. New York: Simon and Schuester.

The Guilty (Will Robie #4)

The Guilty by David Baldacci is the fourth book in his Will Robie series about a CIA assassin.

Will Robie is one of the best snipers the CIA has in its secret black book. He has been on numerous assignments and has pulled them off professionally. But on his latest mission something goes wrong and an innocent is killed along with his target.

When Robie gets word that his father is on trial for murder, his first response is to try to re-bury the past. But after a fail attempt at work, he decides to head to the Gulf Coast of Mississippi to the town of Cantrell - a town he left 22 years ago with no intention of ever returning.

After some information hunting - like pulling teeth to get the locals to talk to someone who left - he puts together that his dad is accused of killing a man who was acquitted of murder himself. Robie will get to the bottom of what happened, but unlike his day job, the target is undefined.

Baldacci is a great writer of suspense and mystery novels. Will Robie is a great character who can take care of himself even within the twists and turns of this plot. Great series for fans of good books!

Baldacci, David. (2015). The Guilty. New York: Grand Central Publishing.

Deathsworn (Deathsworn #1)

Deathsworn by Leah Cypress is the first book in her Deathsworn series featuring a sorceress who is losing her powers and is sent to be the new magic teacher for the assassins.

Ileni is a Renegai sorceress. She was thought to be one of the strongest magicians ever, but her magic is starting to fade. With all of the skill in the world, no magic means no spells. The Elders have decided to send her to the Assassin's Caves to teach magic. The last two Renegai sorcerers who were sent were killed.

While Ileni is scared to meet the Assassins - her people are taught to fear the young men who only leave their mountain cave to murder - she is resigned to her fate and doesn't really want to face a life without magic.

Sorin is one of the best Assassins. He is still young, but the life expectancy for an assassin is low. He has been assigned by the Master of Assassins to keep Ileni safe while she is in the caves. Sorin does not question the master, he just obeys. He knows that the master has a plan. It is the goal of the Assassins to take down the Empire with strategic assassinations.

The world in Deathsworn reminds me of the world in Trudi Canavan's Black Magician trilogy. In both the world is divided between two groups of people - those who steal magic from others and those who would never do black magic. This book also has the group of assassin, but the worlds are complementary I recommend reading bot series.

Cypess, Leah. (2014). Deathsworn. New York: Greenwillow Books.

The Pirate's Wish (Assassin's Curse #2)

The Pirate's Wish by Cassandra Rose Clarke is the second book in her Assassin's Curse series - a curse that was sent in motion when a pirate saved the life of the assassin who was sent to kill her.

Ananna and Naji are linked by a curse, an impossible curse. In order to break it, he has to do three things: he must have the kiss of the woman who loves him; he must hold a princess's starstones, and he must create life out of violence.

Before he can accomplish any of those tasks, he and Ananna must get off of the island they are trapped upon. Their friend Marjani has promised to come back for them, but sailors are superstitious about the island, so it may take some time.

Clarke's second volume of the series features mythical creatures, pirate battles, magic, assassins, friendship and more. It is an adventurous tale of fun!

Clarke, Cassandra Rose. (2013). The Pirate's Wish. New York: Strange Chemistry.

The Assassin's Curse (Assassin's Curse #1)

The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke is the first book in her Assassin's Curse series.

Ananna of the Tanarau is a pirate. And now that she has come of age, she is to be married into another pirate family, the Hariri Clan. But when Ananna meets the young man she is to marry, she is less than impressed. His family spends more time on land than on the sea and he has some strange idea that she would have to listen to him instead of making her own decisions. When she escapes into the city instead of marrying him, he warns her that his family will retaliate. They will hire assassin to kill her.

Ananna has heard of the Assassins. Legend has it that no one has ever lived once targeted by them. And she is stuck in the land of Lisirra as she cannot go back to the harbor where two families search for her. A woman in the market tells her she must fight the assassin. The woman gives her words to say and a potion that will help. But Ananna has always been terrible at magic, not matter how much her mother tried to teach her.

When Ananna saves the assassin out of reflex, she sets off a curse that will change the course of her and the assassin's lives forever. Now they must try to find a cure for what is known as an impossible curse.

Clarke has created a fantastic world of pirates, magic, and legend. Readers will devour this book and head straight to the library for the next volume.

Clarke, Cassandra Rose. (2012). The Assassin's Curse. New York: Strange Chemistry.

Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2)

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas is the second book in her Throne of Glass series - a great fantasy series about a female assassin in a medieval setting where magic has been forbidden.

The King's Champion, aka Adarlan's Assassin, Calaena Sardothien is not your average champion. She hates the king she works for and would love to overthrown the crown. But her role as champion is a trade - four years of service for her freedom.

Princess Nehemia, from the land of Eyllwe, that the king recently conquered is staying at the castle and has become Calaena's best friend. Together they are trying to defy the king without getting caught. Nehemia wants her land to be freed and knows that the king is using some ancient power to keep the people in line.

Though magic has been outlawed, Calaena is finding evidence of it under the castle in the ancient catacombs. She will continue to explore and study the wyrdmarks to find out how the king came to power so quickly and how to free those he has enslaved.

Maas has created a great fantasy series. Fans of Kristin Cashore will love this series!

Maas, Sarah. (2013). Crown of Midnight. New York: Bloomsbury.

The Hit (Will Robie #2)

The Hit by David Baldacci is the second book in his Will Robie series. Robie is a CIA assassin and sniper. He, and others in his division, are tasked with taking out the most notorious criminals in the world.

The only other agent equal to his skill is Jessica Reel. They trained together at one point, but the life of an assassin is a solitary one. Now Robie has been told to bring Jessica Reel in - dead or alive.

Reel has killed one of their own - an analyst at the CIA. Though analyst covers many job descriptions, his was to coordinate hits via satellite the shooter risked his or her life to pull it off and then escape. This killing makes the higher ups think that Reel has gone rogue.

And Reel knows that Robie will be sent to track her down. While he is studying her file, she is learning everything she can about him. The result is the two most skilled killers chasing each other around the East coast.

Baldacci created a great character with Will Robie. Now he has added a second character to bring things to an all new and stress-producing level for readers. Great series!

Baldacci, David. (2013). The Hit. New York: Grand Central Publishing.

Bloodline (Sigma Force #8)

Bloodline by James Rollins is the eighth book in his Sigma Force series that began with Sandstorm. Sigma Force is a group with in DARPA made up of elite soldiers with advanced science or technology degrees - the idea being that a small team can go into any situation with knowledge than any other. One of Sigma's main goals is to stop a shadow organization that seems to be behind most major power grabs around the world, known only as the Guild.

The latest mission for Grey Pierce and his team involves the daughter of the President of the United States. Amanda and her husband were sent a letter warning them that their unborn child was in danger. They reacted by traveling halfway around the world on false papers and renting a yacht in the Seychelles. Unfortunately, they are found by Somali pirates.

Sigma must track Amanda into Somalia - a country almost entirely run by bands of pirates - and find her in the jungle. For this special mission, they need to recruit two new team members. Retired Captain Tucker Wayne and his war dog, Kane, are the perfect team to track anything with a scent.

Rollins is a master of the genre that Dan Brown got famous for with the DaVinci Code - but James Rollins is the best in the genre. His books will keep readers on their toes, staying up late due to adrenalin and a need to know what happens next!

Rollins, James. (2012). Bloodline. New York: William Morrow.

The Innocent (Will Robie #1)

The Innocent by David Baldacci is high energy thrill ride about a US sanctioned assassin.

Will Robie undertakes the missions that the US needs to carry out but cannot be seen as executing. If caught, it will look like he was working on his own and no US agency will claim him.

Though he does not always know the reason people are picked to be eliminated, but is sure that the people pose a treat to the US. Then he gets an assignment that is unusual - the target is a US citizen. And when he gets there, she is the mother of two children who are sleeping in her room.

When Robie does not pull the trigger, a chain of events is set in motion. Plus, on during his escape route he encounters a fourteen year old girl who looks to need his help. Now Robie must keep her safe while trying to find out who is after them both.

Baldacci has created another thriller that will keep readers on edge. The action is heart-stopping and the characters will make you hope there is a sequel. Great read!

Baldacci, David. (2012). The Innocent. New York: Grand Central Publishing.

Gideon's Sword (Gideon Crew #1)

Gideon's Sword by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child is the first book in their new Gideon Crew series. Along with their individual books (Child & Preston) they co-write the Pengergast series.

Gideon Crew has grown up in the shadow of people thinking his father was a traitor. He was killed by a SWAT team after an incident involving a hostage and an encryption code. A few years later, as Gideon's mother was dying, she told him that his father was made a scapegoat and warned the government of the faulty code that lead to the death of 26 undercover agents. She wants Gideon to avenge his father's death and clear their family's name.

Now, after years of searching, Gideon may have found a link to prove his father's innocence. And with the new information he can finally take care of the man who had his father killed.

But someone else is watching Gideon. Someone who sees the skills he has used to track down his father's evidence and the man who hid it. And that someone wants to hire Gideon to get information from someone else.

Preston and Child have created a character with the skills to find his way out of almost any situation. He is not a trained operative, but he is smart and determined. Readers of suspense thrillers have a great new series to follow.

Preston, Douglas and Lincoln Child. (2011). Gideon's Sword. New York: Grand Central Publishing.

Vampirates: Empire of Night (Vampirates #5)

Empire of Night is the fifth Vampirates book by Justin Somper.

It has been a while since twins Connor and Grace have been living on the sea. Connor is assigned to a pirate ship under Captain Li - a ship that is made up of a crew created especially to fight Vampirates.

Grace is on The Nocturne, the original Vampirate ship - made up of peaceful Vampirates who do not kill humans in their search for blood. They live in relationships with donors who exchange blood weekly in return for eternal life.

But there are now other ships of Vampirates - those who craved human sacrifice for their meals, and those they have since turned into vampires. They roam the seas preying on seaside villages. Now they are turning their attention on pirate ships- both to feast and to build an armada of Vampirates.

In this volume of the series, Connor and Grace play an important role in how things in the coming war will play out as Somper's vision continues to trill readers and leave them wanting more.

Somper, Justin. (2010). Vampirates: Empire of Night. New York: Little, Brown and Company.

The Overlord Protocol (HIVE #2)

The Overlord Protocol by Mark Walden is the second book in the H.I.V.E. series - The Higher Institute of Villainous Education, a school for the villains of the future.

Otto and his friends have basically gotten used to the fact that they are trapped at the HIVE. They are on an island somewhere with no contact to the outside world.

But when his best friend, Wing, is informed that his father has died, they are granted a two-day pass to go to the funeral. Although tempted to make the trip into his escape, Otto has promised Wing that he would return to the school. Just in case, the headmaster is sending his top ninja assassin to watch over them.

When they get to the safe house in Tokyo they are attacked. It seems that the funeral was a trap. The ruthless super villain Cypher and his army of almost unstoppable ninjas have other plans for Otto, Wing and the HIVE.

Walden has created a great adventure series with HIVE. The characters are smart and clever, the plots race along at breakneck speed, and readers will want to have the next book on hand for continuous reading. (FYI - only the first 3 books are available in the US, but two more come out this year.)

Walden, Mark. (2007). The Overlord Protocol. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks.

H.I.V.E (HIVE #1)

H.I.V.E. The Higher Institute of Villainous Education by Mark Walden is an exciting beginning to a great series.

Otto Malpense is a thirteen year-old orphan living in an orphanage in England. He was dropped off at the orphanage as a baby so it is the only home he has ever known. Now the Prime Minister's new policy is threatening to close his home.

Luckily Otto is a very smart orphan. He concocts a plan to keep his home open. But the next thing he knows he is coming out of unconsciousness inside of a helicopter over the ocean. He has been "recruited" to be a student at HIVE - where they train the next world's future criminal masterminds.

Walden has created a fascinating school with classes that no regular high school would ever offer. This series promises to be fun and entertaining for readers from age 12 and up.

Walden, Mark. (2006). H.I.V.E. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks.

Bad Luck and Trouble (Jack Reacher #11)

Bad Luck and Trouble is the eleventh book in the Jack Reacher series by Lee Child.

Reacher is in Portland, Oregon when he checks his bank account and finds too much money. Someone has deposited 1,030 dollars into his account.

Reacher was the head of a special investigations unit in the Army - made up of eight MPs. One of them, Frances Neagly, has sent a ten-thirty code - urgent assistance required.

Now Reacher is using some of that $1030 to fly to Los Angeles to meet Neagly. One of their old team has been killed. Neagly has been trying to contact the rest to bring them together to find out why.

This new element of bringing Reacher's old friends into the story will be a treat for fans. Child's series a great place for mystery and suspense fans to lose themselves.

Child, Lee. (2007). Bad Luck and Trouble. New York: Dell Books.

Scorpia Rising (Alex Rider #9)

Scorpia Rising by Anthony Horowitz is the final book in the Alex Rider series. Alex (now 15) is a reluctant spy for MI6.

After not hearing from MI6 for months, Alex and his guardian Jack Starbright are hopeful that his time working for them is at an end. Alex is happy to be just an ordinary boy - going to school and playing soccer.

But one day in class, his instincts have him looking across the school yard to the roof of a construction site, where he sees a man with what can only be a sniper rifle. And once again, Alex is pulled into the world of espionage.

The evil organization Scorpia, that Alex has defeated twice already, has a plan in mind to rebuild their reputation and get rid of Alex at the same time. They are going to use him to blackmail the English government.

This last novel is a fight to the finish. Horowitz packs so much action into so few pages that readers' heads will spin. Don't start this book (or the series) on a school night - you will be staying up late to finish it.

Horowitz, Anthony. (2010). Scorpia Rising. New York: Philomel Books.

Without Fail (Jack Reacher #6)

Without Fail is the sixth Jack Reacher book by Lee Child.

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Reacher has no address, carries no identification, and rarely stays in the same place two nights in a row. It has been this way since he got out of the Army. But now someone is trying to find him.

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Secret Service agent M.E. Frolich is in charge of the safety of Vice President elect Armstrong. She is newly in her position and would like to run a test against their protocols. She wants to hire Jack based on something his brother said about him six years ago. And if anyone can illuminate hole in the Secret Service detail it is Jack Reacher.

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In my favorite Reacher book yet, Child spins a web of politics, law enforcement, assassins, and more to create a great book. If you are not up for starting at the beginning of this (now 15 book long) series, read this one first!

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Child, Lee. (2002). Without Fail. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons.

Echo Burning (Jack Reacher #5)

Echo Burning is the fifth book in Lee Child's Jack Reacher series - about an ex-military cop who is wandering the US since his discharge and getting into situations where his detective (and shooting) skills are put to use.

Echo county Texas has more oil rigs than people. It is as sparsely populated now as it was during the time of the Wild West. And the so called justice is about the same, too.

Reacher is leaving Lubbock when he is picked up by a woman who lives in Echo. She has been looking for a rough looking man to take home with her for protection. Or to kill her husband.

Though Reacher has killed a few people in his day, he is not a cold blooded killer. But he goes with her and becomes a ranch hand to check out the situation. Of course the situation is much more complicated than a woman stuck in an abusive marriage.

Child has created a compelling character in Jack Reacher. He a man you would want on your side in a fight and his adventures are a pleasure for readers.

Child, Lee. (2001). Echo Burning. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons.

American Assassin (Mitch Rapp #11 - Prequel)

American Assassin by Vince Flynn is his eleventh book about Mitch Rapp - a CIA covert operative / assassin. This book is a prequel and tells of Rapp's initiation to the world of black ops.

Since the hijacking of the Pan Am Lockerbie flight, Mitch Rapp has been a cauldron of seething revenge. Though his exterior looks relaxed and in control, he is plotting how to get back at the terrorist who blew up a passenger plane and killed his girlfriend.

Irene Kennedy, a member of the CIA's black ops management finds Rapp and thinks he would be a great addition to the program they are creating - program that will be super secret and fight back covertly against some of the US's most dangerous enemies.

When Rapp arrives at the training facility, he is some what an anomaly in that he is the only person to get there without being in the military in some branch of special forces.

Fans of Flynn's previous books will enjoy learning about the spy's initiation into the CIA, and his journey to becoming the top assassin in the United States arsenal against terrorism.

Flynn, Vince. (2010). American Assassin. New York: Atria Books.

Diamondhead (Mack Bedford #1)

Diamondhead by Patrick Robinson is a fast-paced military / political thrill ride.

U.S. Navy SEAL Lieutenant Commander "Mack" Mackenzie Bedford is stationed in central Iraq with his team. When they are called on to rescue another team that has come under enemy fire, two of their armored vehicles are hit by the new French-made weapon the Diamondhead.

The Diamondhead, banned by the UN as inhumane, is a high-speed, armour piercing rocket that has a napalm-like chemical that causes everything in the area to burst into flame - including the soldiers in the vehicles. When most of Mack's team is killed and then the terrorists he just watched sent the rocket across the river try to surrender, Mac guns them all down.

Now Mack is in a military court defending his position that after seeing other false surrenders where US troops were killed by suicide bombs strapped to those surrendering, he could not let more of his people be hurt by the men he watched kill his friends. But since the story was leaked (somewhat inaccurately) to the press, the political pressure to rule against Mack in some way is too strong to resist. Mack is given a reprimand that will strip him of his rank.

Suddenly Mack, whose whole identity is tied to being a Navy SEAL, finds himself unable to stomach being in the Navy. And the problems facing his family become his main focus. His seven year-old son has been diagnosed with a rare disease. The only known effective treatment is at a clinic in Switzerland - and costs one million dollars. Also facing the family, the town they live in and love on the Maine coast, is facing a total economic meltdown. Remson's Shipbuilding has been the main employer of the town for over 100 years. But the only thing keeping the factory open is a standing order from France for one frigate every three years. And now, the man sure to be the next president of France, Henri Foche is calling for an end to outside military contracts.


As these factors come together to decide the fate of Mack and his family, Robinson weaves a great story with political intrigue and desperate plots to create a novel that will pull readers into the book and have them calling in sick to work to finish it.

Robinson, Patrick. (2009). Diamondhead. New York: Vanguard Press.