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" This really is a clever and fun book. I don't know if I'd have seen the twist coming so clearly as I did had I not read it first decades ago and remembered enough to know what was coming, but the fact that I even remember such a detail speaks to the staying power of the book. Assassin Jonathan Hemlock is hired/coerced into carrying out a dangerous "sanction" or assassination only he can manage, since the target is a mountain climber, as Hemlock was in earlier pre-assassin days. This book includes all you'd expect in a spy/thriller kind of book--amoral protagonist, shadowy agencies, violence, lots of sex--but all twisted slightly sideways, not enough to turn the book into a parody of the form but just enough to make it something of a satire. You can take it straight, of course, as a solid thriller, but the spark of the book really lies in its cold humour and the way it tweaks the very conventions its exploiting. Great fun. "
- Dominick, 2/12/2014
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" This was a good spy novel with interesting and well-developed characters and an intriguing plot, enhanced with interesting and detailed descriptions of mountain climbing, but spoiled by excessive profanity, sex, and violence. I was very disappointed - this is just not my style. "
- David, 1/1/2014
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" The main character in these novels is just a badass. Really. Bourne has nothing on him. "
- Josh, 12/7/2013
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" The movie was better entertainment. I have always found Trevanian somewhat pompous, and fairly unrealistic, (e.g. Shibumi, apart from flashbacks). this book is a fun, though not necessarily good, read. "
- Manoj, 11/19/2013
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" Lots of fun. The Clint Eastwood movie plays very close to the book. "
- Simon, 11/19/2013
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" Read many years ago. I still think "Shibumi" is the better read. "
- Marzie, 11/5/2013
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" Interesting plot. This book definitely held my interest This was a good spy novel with interesting and well-developed characters,I had not realized that the movie followed the book so closely. "
- Lesley, 10/31/2013
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" In my memory I have never said this but skip the book and see the movie. This reads like a romance novel with spies. The only reason I didn't give it 1 star is that the plot at the end was engaging. Don't waste your time. "
- Morris, 9/26/2013
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" Better than the movie! I know that's hard to believe if you've seen the 70s Clint Eastwood flick(and you should) but just read this. "
- Moe, 9/24/2013
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" A very good book that engages the reader with a swift flowing narrative. "
- William, 9/9/2013
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" Hilarious. Good for fans of James Bond. "
- Jen, 7/21/2013
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" This was an enjoyable read. A hit man thriller combined with mountain climbing. I grew up climbing with my father and the climbing descriptions fit the climbing of the era the book was written. There was a movie made of the book which follows quite closely but as usual pales in comparison. "
- Chet, 5/13/2013
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" Excellent story. I had not realized that the movie followed the book so closely. The movie follows the book to the letter. "
- Lee, 12/10/2012
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" A great spy/mountain climbing read. "
- Terry, 11/29/2012
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" A fairly enjoyable thriller spoof that ended up being pretty exciting. "
- Jim, 11/28/2012
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" Fast paced, interesting and fun to read. I loved the twists and turns and surprises. A nice change of pace for me. "
- Debbie, 11/20/2012
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" Remember the scene in Jurassic Park where the guy says "clever girl" before the raptor pounces? The author is the raptor. You are the guy. It's a hell of an enjoyable time. Immaculately written. "
- Roger, 9/8/2012
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" I remember being quite impressed with this book in the early eighties. "
- Ladyjexie, 4/28/2012
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" Well, this was very enjoyable story, but the plot wasn't very special. I think the Clint Eastwood movie was better, but I really like this book! "
- Nutska, 4/18/2012
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" A suspenseful, page-turner of a novel from a very interesting author. Forget the movie. "
- Daryl, 3/6/2012
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" Better than the movie with Clint Eastwood, George Kennedy, et al. "
- Bob, 8/20/2011
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" I liked it enough to get the DVD. Espionage, action, high (literally) adventure. "
- John, 4/23/2011
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" Lots of fun. The Clint Eastwood movie plays very close to the book.
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- Simon, 2/23/2011
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" Hilarious. Good for fans of James Bond.
"
- Jen, 2/14/2011
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" Remember the scene in Jurassic Park where the guy says "clever girl" before the raptor pounces? The author is the raptor. You are the guy. It's a hell of an enjoyable time. Immaculately written.
"
- Roger, 1/28/2011
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" Better than the movie! I know that's hard to believe if you've seen the 70s Clint Eastwood flick(and you should) but just read this.
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- Joe, 1/25/2011
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" A climax on the climb; exciting to read.
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- Tammy, 1/16/2011
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" A great spy/mountain climbing read.
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- Terry, 1/12/2011
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" no one is more sarcastic and ironic than this guy...and the "I´m better than you you borgeoise pig" style doenst hurt either! eally entretaining!
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- Peter, 1/5/2011
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" Excellent story. I had not realized that the movie followed the book so closely. The movie follows the book to the letter.
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- Lee, 10/6/2010
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" A very good book that engages the reader with a swift flowing narrative.
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- William, 9/16/2010
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" A fairly enjoyable thriller spoof that ended up being pretty exciting.
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- Jim, 7/12/2010
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" It was entertaining, but I wouldn't necessarily say it was good. I read something else by Trevanian before, and found that one kind of misogynistic too.
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- Motorcycle, 2/12/2010
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" This was a good spy novel with interesting and well-developed characters and an intriguing plot, enhanced with interesting and detailed descriptions of mountain climbing, but spoiled by excessive profanity, sex, and violence. I was very disappointed - this is just not my style.
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- David, 9/14/2009
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" I liked it enough to get the DVD. Espionage, action, high (literally) adventure.
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- John, 9/4/2009
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" Fast paced, interesting and fun to read. I loved the twists and turns and surprises. A nice change of pace for me.
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- Debbie, 8/2/2009
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" In my memory I have never said this but skip the book and see the movie. This reads like a romance novel with spies. The only reason I didn't give it 1 star is that the plot at the end was engaging. Don't waste your time.
"
- Morris, 6/22/2009
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