Rain Storm

For those of you who like the Jack Reacher series by Lee Child, give Eisler's John Rain a try. Introduced in Eisler's first book in the series, Rain Fall, John Rain has left his beloved Japan and is now living as quietly as possible in Brazil. His background as a half Japanese half American in the US military black-ops and CIA with a speciality is assassination that looks like natural death, Rain as long lived in the gray after his supposed death years earlier. Staying off the CIA's radar is impossible and he's sucked back in for the classic 'one more job'. The carrot, much needed money. The stick, revealing he's alive to the Yakuza who want him dead. An old noir novel premise, but still viable here. What follows is a deft series of crosses and double-crosses and triple-crosses that leave a nail biting trail across the Macao, Hong Hong, Japan and back to the US as Rain unravels the real reasons for his former CIA controller's sudden interest in his existance Eisler handles the atmosphere of the Orient like Hillerman does the Southwest, breathing life into his locations and giving it the atmosphere to make his story more than just another spy/assassin story. Attentention to the little details of spycraft, martial arts and eight million ways to kill a person combined with surprisingly snappy dialogue and odd little details about everything from brewing the perfect cup of coffee to the proper etiquette for handling a bar hostess in a high priced scotch bar add that little extra that raises this book well above the level of the typical thriller. Anyone who loves the off-beat anti-heros like John Sanford's Kidd, Lawrence Block's Keller, even Andrew Vachss's Burke, will want to add all of Eisler's John Rain books to their 'must read' list.

John Rain is a hit man, and he's very good at what he does. In Rain Storm, the third book in Barry Eisler's terrific series of international thrillers, Rain is once again in the employ of the CIA. His assignment: Eliminate Achille Belghazi, a French-Arab arms dealer who is known for supplying several Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian terror groups. What was supposed to be a simple job, however, turns out to be much more complicated. Belghazi proves easy enough to get close to, but removing him without leaving any evidence behind is far tougher. One of the reasons Rain is the best at what he does is his mastery of the "natural causes" hit: When Rain kills you, nobody even suspects you were murdered. It is testimony to Eisler's skills that he has created a protagonist who might otherwise be repugnant and made him into a fascinating character with real depth, an intriguing, troubling man, made different from the rest of us by his unique and horrible skills. So much about Rain Storm recommends it: exotic settings, gripping suspense, thrilling fight scenes and a stellar supporting cast, along with one of the most compelling lead characters in the genre. They all combine to make this a book sure to please even the most discriminating reader. Reviewed by David Montgomery, USA Today

John Rain is the Japanese-American action hero of "Rain Storm," Barry Eisler's third installment in his series about a deadly killer for hire. This time around, the CIA has hired Rain to take out an arms dealer named Belghazi, who is supplying munitions to fundamentalist terrorists groups. If Rain wants to be paid, however, he must make the hit appear "natural" to the outside world. Since Belghazi is a suspicious man and a martial arts expert who is heavily guarded, Rain has his work cut out for him. "Rain Storm" is everything a spy novel should be. It takes place in exotic locales, such as Macau, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Brazil, and, using vivid descriptive writing, Eisler takes the time to describe each place in detail. Rain is a terrific protagonist. He is strong, cunning, schooled in exotic martial arts, and he trusts no one. Wherever he goes, Rain watches his back, and he has many weapons in his arsenal to deflect attacks from potential assailants. Rain, like so many other killers for hire, is at heart an isolated man who cannot sustain a relationship for long. He has to keep moving to protect himself from his enemies, and he is tormented by the many killings that he has committed over the years. What would an action novel be without beautiful women? There are several in this book, and one is a mysterious operative with impressive credentials, both in and out of the bedroom. There is also a dizzying plot, with twists and turns galore, complicated political machinations, and exciting fight sequences. It's fun to observe Rain conducting surveillance, tracking his prey, or adopting a clever disguise at the drop of a hat. John Rain is a tough man with a sharp mind, who practices his craft with uncommon skill. His exploits make "Rain Storm" a very entertaining and absorbing novel.

Having read all of Eisler's Rain series I can only say that the already entertaining and thrilling series is getting better. Eisler has really done himself proud with his last outing. The price Rain pays to live the life he does really shows and the inevitable circle a man like this will draw has shown itself (both for good and ill). Rain is a complex character and at times I find myself rooting for him while other times I feel the desire for him to fail and be punished. It is a rare work that makes me loath and admire the same character in the same work. On a more technical level Eisler really describes his scenes involving violence in a realistic manner. I have been a SOG member for the government for 10 years now and, while Eisler takes certain liberties for dramatic license sake, the violence he portrays and the price one pays to engage in said violence/lifestlye is very well portrayed and realistic. It is obvious he has both had some experience in the field and has done his homework. It seems to be a foregone conclusion that Eisler is a rising star and an up-and-comer. It will be interesting to see where he goes from here and where Rain's travels, both those without and within, will take Rain, Eisler and the rest of us. I for one look forward to the journey.