Review of Birth Of An Assassin by Rik Stone

Set against the backdrop of Soviet, post-war Russia, Birth of an Assassin follows the transformation of Jez Kornfeld from wide-eyed recruit to avenging outlaw. Amidst a murky underworld of flesh-trafficking, prostitution and institutionalized corruption, the elite Jewish soldier is thrown into a world where nothing is what it seems, nobody can be trusted, and everything can be violently torn from him.

Given the order to disperse and arrest a crowd of Jewish demonstrators, Jez breaks up the rally but finds his sisters in their ranks. Rushed for a solution, he sneaks the girls from under the noses of secret police and hides them in downtown Moscow. But he knows they will no longer be safe in Russia and that his own security has been compromised. His plan to cross into the Ukraine to a port on the Black Sea where he can bribe passage from Soviet soil for his sisters seems sound, but he is unaware that his every move is being observed and that he is setting in motion a chain of events that will plunge his life into a headlong battle just to stay alive.

Rik Stone has worked in the shipyards on the River Tyne, chanced his arm with a stint in the merchant navy and worked in a quarry in Essex. After giving up looking at the world through the bottom of a pint glass, he completed a bachelor’s degree in computing and mathematics and turned to red wine – progress. He lives in Essex with his wife, Susie and his Staffie, Wilson.

Carla’s Review:

*I was given a copy of this book as a gift in exchange for an honest review.

5 stars for Birth of an Assassin by Rik Stone!!

This is a suspense filled read that takes place in Russia 1947.  Jez, the main character, is a 15 yr old boy who is on a mission to join the Red army.  He travels to the army’s headquarters where he is taken under the wing of General Micheal Petrovich.  One would think this is a good development, but Petrovich only wants to use Jez for his own selfish reasons.  It isn’t long before Jez realizes this and wants out.  However, the only way out is to kill or be killed.  When his loyalty is proven to be stronger for his family than the army, he ends up being hunted by the KGB.

If you are looking for a captivating and original read then this is the book for you.  It is so unlike the majority of the books being published today, and it is truly a breath of fresh air.  Through his words, Stone draws the reader into the evil world of human trafficking.  There are many twists and turns that will leave the reader sitting on the edge of his or her seat anticipating what will happen next.  I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is searching for an exciting and unique read!