Hour of the Assassin

by Matthew Quirk, Will Damron (Read by)

Overview

Framed and on the run for his life, a former Secret Service agent discovers how far some men will go to grasp the highest office in the land in this electrifying tale from the author of The Night Agent—a propulsive political thriller reminiscent of the best early Baldacci and Grisham novels.

As a Secret Service agent, Nick Averose spent a decade protecting the most powerful men and women in America and developed a unique gift: the ability to think like an assassin. Now, he uses that skill in a little-known but crucial job. As a "red teamer," he poses as a threat, testing the security around our highest officials to find vulnerabilities—before our enemies can. He is a mock killer, capable of slipping past even the best defenses.

His latest assignment is to assess the security surrounding the former CIA director at his DC area home. When Nick enters the man’s study, the home’s inner sanctum, he finds the man alone and unconscious. Someone else has been here—someone who attacked the chief and left him for dead, just moments before. Desperately attempting to save the man’s life, he contaminates the crime scene. Now, investigators believe Nick is somehow involved.

Nick knows he’s the perfect scapegoat. But who is framing him, and why? To clear his name, he must find the truth—a search that leads to a nefarious conspiracy whose roots stretch back decades. The prize is the most powerful position in the world: the Oval Office.

To save himself and the people he loves, Nick must stop the men who rule Washington before they bury him along with their secrets.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781094117980
Publisher:	HarperCollins Publishers
Publication date:	03/31/2020
Edition description:	Unabridged
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 6.70(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Matthew Quirk studied history and literature at Harvard College. His book The 500 has been translated into twenty languages. He spent five years writing and reporting for the Atlantic and now lives outside Washington, DC.

Will Damron has won several Earphones Awards and been a finalist for the prestigious Audie Award for best narration. He has had acting roles off-Broadway and on stage and screen throughout the country.

Editorial Reviews

01/06/2020

Nick Averose, the star of this nonstop whirlwind from Quirk (The Night Agent), works as a so-called red teamer, testing the security surrounding government VIPs. While on the job one night checking out the protection level at the home of former CIA director Malcolm Widener, Averose is shocked to discover Widener stabbed to death on the floor of his study. Quickly realizing he’s likely been framed, Averose escapes into the Washington, D.C., night. So starts a mad scramble through the nation’s capital and its suburbs with Averose dodging pursuers while trying to figure out why somebody would want to set him up. Though frantically on the move, Averose eventually connects enough dots to determine that what’s going on somehow involves the presidential campaign of Sen. Sam MacDonough. Quirk again displays the infectious pacing he’s known for, but Averose leaves little lasting impression. There’s plenty of action, but readers will be disappointed in how closely this sticks to the contours of a typical chase story. Author tour. Agent: Dan Conaway, Writers House. (Mar.)

Publishers Weekly

Quirk has earned his spot in the front ranks of thriller writers. Opens with a bang and keeps exploding for three hundred pages." — David Baldacci New York Times bestselling author of A Minute to Midnight

“[A] gritty, intense political thriller, filled with nuance and dire exploits. Totally entertaining. A treat from start to finish."  — Steve Berry, author of The Malta Exchange  

“Hour of the Assassin is written in terse, swift prose as it sketches a panorama of 'Washington at its worst,' a place ruled by 'the corruption and blood sport of high politics.'” — Wall Street Journal

“[A] nonstop whirlwind… Quirk again displays the infectious pacing he’s known for.” — Publishers Weekly

“Quirk crafts intense plots that crackle with a barely restrained energy... Damn hard to put down, and [I] blazed my way through it in less than a day… Quirk has once again written a story that stands out as one of the best thrillers you will read this year.” — Mystery Scene Magazine

“A cracking-good suspenser carried by some fine writing… and leading up to a sweaty-palms finale that goes on for 100 quickly turned pages.” — Library Journal

“Of all the literary genres, a suspense novel is highly dependent on a good hook. Matthew Quirk knows this better than anyone… His books do not begin with subtle language or mysterious foreshadowing. They begin with a bang, sometimes quite literally.”  — San Diego Union-Tribune

"The action never ceases in Quirk’s story, and you’ll find yourself reading way past your bedtime." — Newark Star-Ledger

"Quirk’s Hour of the Assassin…reads like a blockbuster from beginning to end. Trust me, if you’re looking for a great thriller to sink your teeth into, this is it. Quirk brings his very best here, delivering a stunning, page-turning reading experience that’s not to be missed." — TheRealBookSpy.com

A pitch-perfect and high-octane conspiracy action-adventure novel by an author with an impressive flair for original and narrative driven storytelling, "Hour of the Assassin" is a compelling read from start to finish — and will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library collections.” — Midwest Book Review

“One of our great action thriller writers, so smart you barely notice him being smart—sophisticated in international politics as well as weaponry… Here, [the subject is] domestic political evil, probably too wicked and ingenious to be entirely true (we fervently hope), but hellishly convincing.” — Sullivan County Democrat

“This story is impossible to put out of mind.... Relevant and revealing, this is one of the best thrillers to come along in years.” — Michael Connelly on The Night Agent

“Baldacci’s debut [Absolute Power] kept me awake half the night. I’m still a fan… I had the same reaction when I picked up The Night Agent… Best to start this at the beginning of a weekend, as you’ll be burning the midnight oil ‘til you’re finished.” — Newark Star Ledger on The Night Agent

“Plenty of breathless one-more-chapter, stay-up-late suspense wrapped around a meaty and timely story ... irresistible.” — Lee Child on The Night Agent

“Quirk returns to the thriller scene with a thundering bang… Quirk’s latest feels like he’s been churning out political thrillers for decades, hitting on a timely plot that starts out fast and only speeds up as the story unfolds… [A] high-stakes, nail-biting political thriller.” — TheRealBookSpy.com on The Night Agent

“Lots of good, tense plotting… A real pleasure of espionage fiction is tradecraft secrets, and Quirk doesn’t disappoint.” — Booklist on The Night Agent

“The Night Agent is a whirlwind of a book, a captivating narrative that takes us inside the White House’s inner sanctum and the shadowy machinations surrounding it. A powerful and taut thriller.” —  Mark Greaney #1 bestselling author of Mission Critical, on The Night Agent

“Strap in for one hell of a ride. The Night Agent is full of twists and surprises you’ll never see coming.” —  Ben Coes, New York Times bestselling author of Bloody Sunday, on The Night Agent

“Matthew Quirk moves into David Baldacci and John Grisham territory with The Night Agent, a paranoid, pulse-pounding thriller that could not be more prescient. If you’re wondering where the best of the next generation of suspense talent is headed, look no further.” —  Joseph Finder

“Matthew Quirk is rapidly proving himself to be among our finest thriller writers, and The Night Agent is the latest undeniable evidence. Quirk writes rapid-fire, page-turning action with unusual grace and intelligence, and his latest American nightmare is guaranteed to keep readers up late.” — Michael Koryta, New York Times bestselling author of How It Happened

“Quirk’s chilling and modern scenario of foreign influence reaching into the highest reaches of government will be thoroughly enjoyed by political thriller junkies.” — Library Journal (starred review)

“The Night Agent is a compelling high-stakes thriller, lightning fast, relentlessly suspenseful and unsettlingly realistic.” — Hank Phillippi Ryan, bestselling author of Trust Me

From the Publisher

Hour of the Assassin is written in terse, swift prose as it sketches a panorama of 'Washington at its worst,' a place ruled by 'the corruption and blood sport of high politics.'

Wall Street Journal

"The action never ceases in Quirk’s story, and you’ll find yourself reading way past your bedtime."

Newark Star-Ledger

Quirk has earned his spot in the front ranks of thriller writers. Opens with a bang and keeps exploding for three hundred pages."

David Baldacci New York Times bestselling author of A Minute to Midnight

"Quirk’s Hour of the Assassin…reads like a blockbuster from beginning to end. Trust me, if you’re looking for a great thriller to sink your teeth into, this is it. Quirk brings his very best here, delivering a stunning, page-turning reading experience that’s not to be missed."

TheRealBookSpy.com

[A] gritty, intense political thriller, filled with nuance and dire exploits. Totally entertaining. A treat from start to finish." 

Steve Berry

Quirk crafts intense plots that crackle with a barely restrained energy... Damn hard to put down, and [I] blazed my way through it in less than a day… Quirk has once again written a story that stands out as one of the best thrillers you will read this year.

Mystery Scene Magazine

A pitch-perfect and high-octane conspiracy action-adventure novel by an author with an impressive flair for original and narrative driven storytelling, "Hour of the Assassin" is a compelling read from start to finish — and will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library collections.

Midwest Book Review

Of all the literary genres, a suspense novel is highly dependent on a good hook. Matthew Quirk knows this better than anyone… His books do not begin with subtle language or mysterious foreshadowing. They begin with a bang, sometimes quite literally.” 

San Diego Union-Tribune

Baldacci’s debut [Absolute Power] kept me awake half the night. I’m still a fan… I had the same reaction when I picked up The Night Agent… Best to start this at the beginning of a weekend, as you’ll be burning the midnight oil ‘til you’re finished.

Newark Star Ledger on The Night Agent

Strap in for one hell of a ride. The Night Agent is full of twists and surprises you’ll never see coming.

Ben Coes

Matthew Quirk moves into David Baldacci and John Grisham territory with The Night Agent, a paranoid, pulse-pounding thriller that could not be more prescient. If you’re wondering where the best of the next generation of suspense talent is headed, look no further.

Joseph Finder

Lots of good, tense plotting… A real pleasure of espionage fiction is tradecraft secrets, and Quirk doesn’t disappoint.

Booklist on The Night Agent

One of our great action thriller writers, so smart you barely notice him being smart—sophisticated in international politics as well as weaponry… Here, [the subject is] domestic political evil, probably too wicked and ingenious to be entirely true (we fervently hope), but hellishly convincing.

Sullivan County Democrat

Quirk returns to the thriller scene with a thundering bang… Quirk’s latest feels like he’s been churning out political thrillers for decades, hitting on a timely plot that starts out fast and only speeds up as the story unfolds… [A] high-stakes, nail-biting political thriller.

TheRealBookSpy.com on The Night Agent

The Night Agent is a compelling high-stakes thriller, lightning fast, relentlessly suspenseful and unsettlingly realistic.

Hank Phillippi Ryan

Plenty of breathless one-more-chapter, stay-up-late suspense wrapped around a meaty and timely story ... irresistible.

Lee Child on The Night Agent

Matthew Quirk is rapidly proving himself to be among our finest thriller writers, and The Night Agent is the latest undeniable evidence. Quirk writes rapid-fire, page-turning action with unusual grace and intelligence, and his latest American nightmare is guaranteed to keep readers up late.

Michael Koryta

This story is impossible to put out of mind.... Relevant and revealing, this is one of the best thrillers to come along in years.

Michael Connelly on The Night Agent

Matthew Quirk moves into David Baldacci and John Grisham territory with The Night Agent, a paranoid, pulse-pounding thriller that could not be more prescient. If you’re wondering where the best of the next generation of suspense talent is headed, look no further.

 Joseph Finder

Strap in for one hell of a ride. The Night Agent is full of twists and surprises you’ll never see coming.

 Ben Coes

Hour of the Assassin is written in terse, swift prose as it sketches a panorama of 'Washington at its worst,' a place ruled by 'the corruption and blood sport of high politics.'

Wall Street Journal

Quirk has earned his spot in the front ranks of thriller writers. Opens with a bang and keeps exploding for three hundred pages."

David Baldacci New York Times bestselling author of A Minute to Midnight

Matthew Quirk moves into David Baldacci and John Grisham territory with The Night Agent, a paranoid, pulse-pounding thriller that could not be more prescient. If you’re wondering where the best of the next generation of suspense talent is headed, look no further.

 Joseph Finder

Baldacci’s debut [Absolute Power] kept me awake half the night. I’m still a fan… I had the same reaction when I picked up The Night Agent… Best to start this at the beginning of a weekend, as you’ll be burning the midnight oil ‘til you’re finished.

Newark Star Ledger on The Night Agent

This story is impossible to put out of mind.... Relevant and revealing, this is one of the best thrillers to come along in years.

Michael Connelly on The Night Agent

Quirk returns to the thriller scene with a thundering bang… Quirk’s latest feels like he’s been churning out political thrillers for decades, hitting on a timely plot that starts out fast and only speeds up as the story unfolds… [A] high-stakes, nail-biting political thriller.

TheRealBookSpy.com on The Night Agent

Lots of good, tense plotting… A real pleasure of espionage fiction is tradecraft secrets, and Quirk doesn’t disappoint.

Booklist on The Night Agent

Plenty of breathless one-more-chapter, stay-up-late suspense wrapped around a meaty and timely story ... irresistible.

Lee Child on The Night Agent

Baldacci’s debut [Absolute Power] kept me awake half the night. I’m still a fan… I had the same reaction when I picked up The Night Agent… Best to start this at the beginning of a weekend, as you’ll be burning the midnight oil ‘til you’re finished.

Newark Star Ledger-on The Night AGent

Baldacci’s debut [Absolute Power] kept me awake half the night. I’m still a fan… I had the same reaction when I picked up The Night Agent… Best to start this at the beginning of a weekend, as you’ll be burning the midnight oil ‘til you’re finished.

Newark Star Ledger on The Night AGent

2019-12-23
Former Secret Service man Nick Averose becomes a pawn in a deadly political conspiracy in the nation's capital when he is framed for the murder of a former CIA director.

Twenty-five years ago, a young woman was found dead at a summer gathering attended by future senator and current presidential hopeful Sam MacDonough. The wealthy power broker looking to plant him in the White House will do anything to keep secret what happened that night. A month before the killing of the CIA director, a one-time flame of Nick's who had been at that summer party came to him seeking protection and then disappeared with her secrets. Nick, who, as part of his two-person security business, stages mock home invasions for potential targets to identify potential security weaknesses, escapes the scene of the CIA director's killing but not the crosshairs of the killers. Nick holds them off with the help of his trusty female tech assistant and a one-time Marine buddy who is now a successful contractor in Washington. Quirk is good at describing fancy trappings. A rich man's suit boasts "Milanese stitches and a silk latch hidden behind the lapel." Another fat cat drinks Dujac premier cru, a French pinot noir. But the characters themselves are lacking in the details and dimensions that would make them interesting. And the plot, usually the strong point for the author of The Night Agent (2019), is predictable.

A formulaic thriller that ranks with Quirk's lesser efforts.

Kirkus Reviews