6 replies to this topic

[manfromjapan]

A Japanese friend introduced me to the series of books featuring half-Japanese/ half-American assassin John Rain, and I was immediately hooked. Penned by Barry Eisler, they are fantastic novels. Written with an eye for detail, full of gadgets, weaponry, sex, drama, action and intrigue. I strongly recommend these books to any Bond fan, and it's obvious Eisler is a Fleming fan from his writing style.

There are six books so far, and I just finished the fourth one.

Rain Fall
Hard Rain (UK: Blood from Blood)
Rain Storm (UK: Choke Point)
Killing Rain (UK: One Last Kill)
The Last Assassin
Requiem for an Assassin

[Qwerty]

I picked up Rain Fall at a Borders just to try it out after I saw Eisler had been chosen as one of the authors to provide an introduction to the 2006 Fleming UK paperback reprints.

Still haven't gotten a chance to read it, but it sounds like I'll need to give it a go soon.

[Eurospy]

I have them, but I still have to read them.

Only heard a great deal of good things so far.

I was wondering if it would be wise to read them in a row. Many fans of Modesty Blaise have advised against doing such thing with the Modesty novels (by running the risk of having many repetitve elements jump out), but I think that's exactly what I'm going to do with John Rain.

An expert on "accidental" deaths with the Japan being the scenario seems rather interesting.

Edited by Eurospy, 17 January 2009 - 03:41 PM.

[Blofeld's Cat]

I have all his books so far, but I'll probably get to see the HARD RAIN movie before I read any of them.

[manfromjapan]

I was initially attracted to the first novel because it was set in Tokyo (and involved an assassin!). I live in Japan (as you can probably guess!). I was reading scenes set around Shibuya station whilst I was lying on a hotel bed in Shibuya, having just departed the station!

The books should definitely be read in order as the main character has an arc. The books, I forgot to add, also have some fantastic locations, all evocatively described.

I didn't know Eisler added a foreword to the Ritchie Fahey Fleming re-issues. I have the reissued set in England, but only the original issues here in Japan. Which novel was it? Goldfinger? He quotes from GF in the third book Rain Storm.

Qwerty - enjoy the book. A film version is on the way.

[Blofeld's Cat]

I didn't know Eisler added a foreword to the Ritchie Fahey Fleming re-issues. I have the reissued set in England, but only the original issues here in Japan. Which novel was it? Goldfinger? He quotes from GF in the third book Rain Storm.

His intro to For Your Eyes Only can be read on his web site here.

[manfromjapan]

I just finished The Last Assassin. Another fantastic read. Eisler keeps the quality to the same standard throughout the series, so that they really can be read as one continuous story. Going to start reading the final book right now!!