The Assassination Option
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Author | W.E.B. Griffin and William E. Butterworth IV |
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Language | English |
Series | Clandestine Operations Series |
Genre | Spy novel |
Publisher | G. P. Putnam's Sons |
Publication date | December 30, 2014[1] |
Publication place | United States |
Media type | Print (hardcover)[2] |
Pages | 496 pp (first edition, hardcover) |
ISBN | 978-0399171246 |
Preceded by | Top Secret (2014) |
The Assassination Option is the second novel in the Clandestine Operations Series by W.E.B. Griffin and William E. Butterworth IV.[3]
Plot
This novel centers around Capt. James Cronley, the central character of the first novel of the series. Cronley has been promoted to be commander of a new unit in the new Central Intelligence Agency. As the chief of DCI Europe, Cronley has to deal with all sorts of intrigue, much of it involving U.S. government and military personnel unhappy with the creation and power of the new CIA. Cronley and the people working with and for him, have a new mission to bring the family of a Soviet informant out of East Germany and to freedom. In the process Cronley must fend off attempts to undermine his authority. Cronley's mother was a German national and he runs across German relatives and he finds all with them is not what it seems.
Reviews
Kirkus Reviews seemed to like this book, in spite of pointing out a few historical errors.[4] Book Reporter, as well, liked this book, saying, "It reads well and reminds us of the difficulty posed in intelligence work, especially at the beginning of the Cold War with Russia."[5]
Publishers Weekly has a positive view of this book, saying, "It's a testament to the authors' skill and wide experience that the pages seem to turn themselves."[6] American Thinker has a story about W. E. B. Griffin and his books. Of The Assassination Option this publication says, "Anyone who enjoys historical fiction and a military thriller will not want to pass this book up."[7]
If it's excitement you are looking for, this book is the wrong venue for you. The most exciting dialog in the book: Captain Cronley: "Soldier, salute when you enter the office of a superior officer!". Soldier: "Yes, sir. Sorry sir. No excuse sir.". On the other hand, if you crave reading about bureaucratic minutia, you will love it.
References
- ^ This is the release date for the hardcover edition. Other editions were released on other dates.
- ^ Also released as Amazon Kindle edition and as a paperback.
- ^ Amazon.com website, at https://www.amazon.com/Assassination-Option-Clandestine-Operations-Novel/dp/039917124X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr= .
- ^ "THE ASSASSINATION OPTION," Kirkus Reviews, Oct. 20, 2014, at https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/web-griffin/assassination-option/ .
- ^ Judy Gigstad, "The Assassination Option: A Clandestine Operations Novel," Book Reporter online, Feb. 6, 2015, at http://www.bookreporter.com/reviews/the-assassination-option-a-clandestine-operations-novel .
- ^ "The Assassination Option," Publishers Weekly online, at http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-399-17124-6 .
- ^ Elise Cooper, "W.E.B. Griffin's America," American Thinker online, January 3, 2015, at http://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2015/01/web_griffins_america.html .