The Fifth Assassin

By: Brad Meltzer

Narrated by: Scott Brick

From John Wilkes Booth to Lee Harvey Oswald, there have been more than two dozen assassination attempts on the president of the United States. Four have been successful. But now, Beecher White - the hero of the number one New York Times best seller The Inner Circle - discovers a killer in Washington, D.C., who's meticulously re-creating the crimes of these four men. Historians have branded them as four lone wolves. But what if they were wrong?

Beecher is about to discover the truth: that during the course of a hundred years, all four assassins were secretly working together. What was their purpose? For whom do they really work? And why are they planning to kill the current president? Beecher's about to find out. And most terrifyingly, he's about to come face-to-face with the fifth assassin.

©2012 Brad Meltzer (P)2012 Hachette Audio

My First Meltzer!

Would you listen to The Fifth Assassin again? Why?

No, I usually don't repeat books.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It did keep me going, and I had to wait until a slower part came around to shut it off.

Enlightening! Intriguing! Educational!

Wow! Very good book! I appreciate all the research Brad Meltzer and his team did to compile all the information to make this book seem so believable! I relish all the knowledge out there that makes this book such a good story, good plot, good ending. Narrator Scott Brick is fantastic! Thanks, I really enjoyed this book!

Good, Bad not sure

What did you like best about The Fifth Assassin? What did you like least?

The book picks up where the last one left off and does not waste a lot of time on pre-established character development which is nice. familiar characters with familiar idiosyncrasies I think slows interest into the story. New characters were nice to see but the overall plot is so un-engaging you find yourself having to repeatedly rewind to try and figure out what happened while your mind wandered for the last ten minutes. the sub plots are more intriguing than the main story line and the slight twists thrown in at the end are fun but definitely not a Kaiser Soze I didn't see that coming kind of moment. not the best... not the worst...

Would you ever listen to anything by Brad Meltzer again?

Of course! he is a smart and witty author capable some great work.

Have you listened to any of Scott Brick’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

they are all the same.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Maybe, if they added some humor to it and kept it fun and engaging, Sure. If they went the mystery for idiots route of Da Vinci code, Definitely not.

Any additional comments?

I am Kaiser Soze!!!

This is NOT Shakespeare.

The story is great. I've read many books by Meltzer and they always keep me wondering. But, I do not think I will get another audiobook if it is read by Scott Brick. His dramatic reading grated on my nerves. He read everything as if it were the soliloquy of Hamlet. I thought I would get used to it eventually but I didn't. It irritated right to the very end. Scott - Listen to me - You are reading modern fiction, not Shakespeare. Cut the drama-queen act!

Brad Meltzer at his Best

I personally feel that this is his best novel, followed closely by The Book of Fate. so there you have it folks; a review and a recommendation! this 2nd book if a trilogy, could stand alone, it really is a great book.

Great blend of history & fantasy

I loved the plot and story line overall. The characters were engaging. There was great build up to the end and ultimate delivery of a dramatic ending. The story was complex and keeps you guessing. I loved it! The narration is very stylized in what reminds me of an old detective novel.

Not As Good As The First

What did you like best about The Fifth Assassin? What did you like least?

Meltzer is trying to create a memorable character in Beacher White and for me it just isn't happening. If you LOVE history and really into politics you would enjoy this book far more than me. I got sick and tired of all the historical detail and wanted a bit more action. Throw in the fact that the conspiracy part (all of which is continued from book 1 - the inner circle) was getting pretty thin. In the end I was just sick and tired of the book and wanted it to end - the actual ending was incredibly disappointing as I really wanted the bad buy (the President in this case) to die.

If you’ve listened to books by Brad Meltzer before, how does this one compare?

This is not one of his better books or series. I have enjoyed others far more.

What about Scott Brick’s performance did you like?

Love Scott Brick

Do you think The Fifth Assassin needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

It needs and the story was left at a place for a third book. Sadly it is not a series I will likely continue due to my complete lack of interest in history and politics. If there was more action and more enticing twists and turns then I would be more interested in a third book.

Time Wellspent

What made the experience of listening to The Fifth Assassin the most enjoyable?

Good story with expressive delivery. I loved the historical connection to the four Presidents that have been killed.

What did you like best about this story?

Story with a good "who done it" plot.

What does Scott Brick bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Scott Brick is very expressive in his presentation. Well done!

The story is a bit 'silly', with the usual Brick

Better than nothing if you're stuck in the cabin with old paperbacks. I still have trouble not picturing Seinfeld as Brick reads.

Engrossing, but lacks character depth.

I did enjoy a glimpse of a secret government world, and feeling a part of the inner workings of Washington D.C. That being said, I expected more; I'm still wondering why I should care about the characters. Although I met some of them in an earlier Meltzer novel, they are still underdeveloped.

I was engaged in the story, certainly, but disappointed that there wasn't more depth. Consider this a good vacation read; entertaining, slightly informative regarding government history, and an escape from our non-espionage lives.

Narrator Scott Brick comes through, as always, with a stellar performance.