The Killer Collective

Written by Barry Eisler

Narrated by Barry Eisler

An Amazon Charts, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal bestseller.

A fast-paced, page-turning novel of betrayal, vengeance, and depraved secrets in high places from the New York Times bestselling author of the John Rain and Livia Lone series.

When a joint FBI–Seattle Police investigation of an international child pornography ring gets too close to certain powerful people, sex-crimes detective Livia Lone becomes the target of a hit that barely goes awry—a hit that had been offered to John Rain, a retired specialist in “natural causes.”

Suspecting the FBI itself was behind the attack, Livia reaches out to former Marine sniper Dox. Together, they assemble an ad hoc group to identify and neutralize the threat. There’s Rain. Rain’s estranged lover, Mossad agent and honeytrap specialist Delilah. And black ops soldiers Ben Treven and Daniel Larison, along with their former commander, SpecOps legend Colonel Scot “Hort” Horton.

Moving from Japan to Seattle to DC to Paris, the group fights a series of interlocking conspiracies, each edging closer and closer to the highest levels of the US government.

With uncertain loyalties, conflicting agendas, and smoldering romantic entanglements, these operators will have a hard time forming a team. But in a match as uneven as this one, a collective of killers might be even better.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Feb 1, 2019
• ISBN: 9781978647657

Barry Eisler

Barry Eisler spent three years in a covert position with the CIA’s Directorate of Operations, then worked as a technology lawyer and startup executive in Silicon Valley and Japan, earning his black belt at the Kodokan Judo Institute along the way. Eisler’s bestselling thrillers have won the Barry Award and the Gumshoe Award for Best Thriller, have been included in numerous “Best of” lists, have been translated into nearly twenty languages, and include the #1 bestseller Livia Lone. Eisler lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and, when he’s not writing novels, blogs about torture, civil liberties, and the rule of law. Learn more at www.barryeisler.com.

Reviews for The Killer Collective

[Lorraine Becker · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Barry Eisler doesn't disappoint with this audiobook...think i am getting to know and like his characters like old friends.

[Winston Green · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I wondered if Eisler would ever wrap up the John Rain and friends series. He did. And its real good.

[jarratt_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was my first Barry Eisler book. It was good, but I felt at least half of the main characters were rather indiscernible. The main, main characters, however, were well fleshed out.The handful of action pieces were done well.

[crazybatcow · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another excellent book in the same vein as the Rain/Lone series. Brings all the fav characters together for one suspenseful storyline. Can't wait to read more Eisler.

[furrykidz · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A good read. I am not fond of changing viewpoints every chapter but this was NOT done from the first person perspective so it worked.

[breic-1 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I had an urge to read a thriller, so started this and David Baldacci's "The Hit." This has more interesting characters, and a (slightly) less over-the-top plot. But the writing was worse—more amateurish—and while I appreciated that Eisler was trying to make his characters interesting, he didn't succeed. Both books were bad, and I had a hard time finishing them, but this one took a week or two longer.

[ecw0647 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I've read a couple in the John Rain series and generally liked them. This one, ostensibly in that series, was told from the POV of several of Eisler's other characters. Oddly, even thought those chapters were told in the first person, they all seemed the same with very little differentiation. The idea that a group of mercenaries could band together, leaving havoc in their wake, is implausible at best. There was little subtlety in any of the characters and the attempts at love scenes were painful and unrevealing character-wise. I was disappointed.

[cathygeha · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Killer Collective by Barry EislerJohn Raine #10Livia Lone #3Ben Treven #4Powerful people conceal crimes, murder innocents and do dastardly deeds that sometimes seem unbelievable but sadly are based in fact. This fast-paced action-packed story kept my attention from beginning to end. The characters were well developed and likable, the story is dark and gritty and difficult but well worth having a spotlight focused on. Human trafficking is not right. Torture is not right. Hurtcore is not right. In this book a motley crew of people come together for a variety of reasons and in so doing solve a mystery, help bring down a group filming the abuse of children and come to grips with some of their own personal issues. A number of bad guys are killed and at one point I thought it seemed almost more like a computer game with so many being killed off and yet...it also seemed highly likely that this set of characters would act and react as they did. This is the first book I have read by this author and though it also has a variety of characters with series of their own I had no trouble following the story, relating to the characters, realizing what their motivations were or rooting for them as they did what they did to get the job done. I can say that I am eager to read more by this author and though one of the series may be finished with this book there are more characters with series that can still be written – and I do hope they will be. What I liked: * Livia’s strength and dedication to protecting those that cannot protect themselves* Dox’s appreciation of Livia’s strengths and limitations* Raine’s meticulous mind and eventual admission of love for someone he walked away from* Delilah – for more than one reaosn* Supporting characters on the op and those that provided intel and equipment* The believability of the story and how it unfolded* The flaws within the characters* That I felt I would like to know and befriend some of the people in the story* The way the story unfolded* And moreWhat I did not like: * Knowing that Child’s Play really existed and probably still does in one form or another* That people can be so very evil* That sometimes there is no answer no matter how much we might look for one.Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Mercer for the ARC – This is my honest review.5 Stars

[rowingrabbit · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I’ve read many of this author’s previous books & his Graveyard of Memories remains one of my favourites of the last few years. So when I heard there was a new John Rain, I got a tad excited. If you’re also a fan, you’ll be happy to know some other familiar faces tag along for the ride in this fast paced crossover with the Livia Lone series. John has been trying his hand at retirement but with mixed results. So he’s more than a little intrigued when a mysterious job offer comes his way. One million dollars to take out 3 people at different levels of law enforcement. But one of them is a female cop. John may be an assassin but he does have a few rules, one of which is no women. No deal.Meanwhile in Seattle, detective Livia Lone is spitting nails. Just when she was getting close to identifying those behind a child pornography ring, the investigation was shut down by the FBI. She’s pretty sure she knows why. And it would explain why someone just tried to kill her. She needs an ally, preferably one with a loose grip on that “law & order” thing. Hmm...wonder if Dox is busy?Dox worked with Livia on a previous case (The Night Trade) & lets just say she made quite an impression. When she calls for help he wastes no time catching the next flight to Seattle. The bad news is the situation is worse than he thought. The good news is he knows just who to call for back-up. And just like that an old team is reunited. John, Larison, Horton, Dox, Kanezaki, Treven….it’s like one of those all-star superhero movies but without capes. Or tights. Instead we get a who’s who of characters from all of Eisler’s series. When the action shifts to Paris they are joined by Delilah, Mossad agent & John’s old flame. Yikes, the band really is back together. If you’ve read this author before you know what to expect. Breath taking action sequences, interesting characters & meticulous research into the worlds of geopolitics & spy craft. What’s new here is a focus on the softer sides of these hard men. I mean they actually have conversations about *gulp* feelings. Yup, he’s thrown a little romance into the mix.There are multiple twists & turns that keep you guessing as to who is on the same side. The pace is relentless but try to conserve a little energy for the rollercoaster of a finale. Rain’s crew may be made up of hired killers but you’ll cheer them on as they come up against ethically challenged politicians & greedy businessmen. It can be enjoyed as rip roaring stand alone but these characters have complex back stories so you’ll definitely get more from it if you’ve bumped into them before.

[ibkennedy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good story....page turner

[jenniferrobb · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I struggled to read this. The blurb claims it is fast-paced. I disagree. I didn't find myself interested in any of the characters or in the conflict. It got two stars only because I agree there was a germ of an idea in the plot.

[edwardsgt · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fast-paced action thriller, which superficially seems far-fetched until you read the author's notes and links at the end to similar real-life incidents. John Rain, semi-retired hitman for black ops is contacted to take out three people from various law enforcement agencies, refuses and becomes a target himself when he tries to find out why the hit has been requested. Joining forces with previous partners he tracks the perpetrators across the US to Paris for the final showdown.