Winner Take All

A John Rain Novel

By: Barry Eisler

Narrated by: Barry Eisler

John Rain has disappeared to Brazil to escape the killing business and the enemies encircling him in Japan. But the CIA isn't willing to lose its premier "natural causes" contract killer, and they force Rain to take on a high-risk assignment: eliminate a ruthless arms dealer operating in Southeast Asia. The upside? Financial, of course, along with the ongoing chimera of moral redemption. But first, Rain will have to survive the downside: a second assassin zeroing in on the target; the target's consort, an alluring and dangerous woman with an agenda of her own; the possibility that the entire mission is nothing but an elaborate setup. From the gorgeous beaches of Rio to the glitzy casinos of Macau to the gritty back streets of Hong Kong and Kowloon, Rain becomes a reluctant player in an international game far deadlier and more insidious than any he has encountered before.

©2004, 2013 Barry Eisler (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved. Originally published as Rain Storm in 2004

Author reading is brilliant

Barry is talented at writing and equally good at reading his works. I love that the Japanese culture and language are brought forth clearly, rather than being obliterated by a narrator with less knowledge of the subject.

Intense!

John Rain is not a guy you’d have in your own life but from this cozy armchair, he’s very interesting. The qualities you think of a serial killer (thoughtless, unfeeling) don’t completely apply here. He’s complex and simple, he’s just 20 steps ahead of everyone around him. A mind like that if given different opportunities early in life would have made a completely different character. Who wants a serial dentist or librarian?!
It’s uncomfortable at times but you cannot stop reading or listening to Barry Eisler.

Another winner!

Exhilarating exciting story expertly narrated. Highly recommended. His characters are well developed and multi dimensional. Loved the addition of Delilah!

Awed and intimidated

“A good interrogation is more like seduction than torture.”
Complex, engaging plot, characters and culture. Book three is where the series really won me over. A big reason is the expansion to a larger cast of regulars, each lethal and fascinating in their own right. Here’s where the assassins’ meet-cutes take place.

“Bureaucrats are to killing as Victorians were to sex- they just can’t bring themselves to call it by name.”
The other reason why I love this (and the related) series is the author himself. I confess that I am quite intimidated by his knowledge and refinement. I love not being able to predict twists, not knowing for sure who the “good” guys are, and not being safe in the assumption that the major characters (outside of the series star) will make it out alive. Quirks like the detailed martial arts techniques, that normally would cause my mind to wander, are interesting (albeit at 1.5x). His thing about blending sex and violence in quotes, euphemisms, similes and metaphors has become something I look forward to as an
audible la petite mort. And, his narration is sublime!

Best yet in the John Rain series

I LOVE these books - they have it all - exciting, interesting, educating and beautifully written. I'm obsessed ! John Rain is the best "bad" guy I have ever met. This should be a movie ! All of them should !

Enjoying reading this series.

Barry Eisler has created an interesting series. I look forward to the next book.

This one is dazzling.

Among the best series I've read or listened to. Notice how inexpensive they are.

I wrote an enthusiastically positive and extended review for Book 1: "Clean Kill in Tokyo."

Eisler is a smart and accomplished guy. Checkout his website and his Wikipedia bio.

I loved the tip of my toes action

The John Rain novels are just getting better and better. I have them all, but have disciplined myself to slow down and savor them, like a seductive 35 year old single malt.

Barry Eisler, you are a genius as the narrator. I think I love you.

Excellent!

These books are absolutely incredible! The characters are complex and interesting. The plots are realistic as if they are torn from the headlines. Most importantly the fight scenes, tactics, and trade craft feel so real it just creates an amazing story and book.

Intense

Eisler is a great author, and a great narrator. Rain is a believable hero. He is ruthless as he needs to be but has a great deal of empathy for the innocents. I have read/listened to a lot of Eisler's books and will continue to. His characters are nuanced and believable. Very much enjoyed this effort.