The fifth book in the David Slaton series, and I think the best one so far. David is still trying to sail under the radar when a Russian oligarch is killed by a sniper at sea on his superyacht, and suspicion is "directed" towards David. An enterprising CIA agent comes asking for his help on how someone could have made such an amazing shot. David feels he needs to help to keep his family and the world safe as the Russians are smuggling substantial weapons into Saudi Arabia. When a second Russian is killed skiing at high speed, David knows he is tracking a formidable sniper. The Russians own an interest in a Moroccan-based aviation company running a stealthy operation out of an abandoned airfield; they are turning MIG-21s into drones. With all roads leading to Morocco, there is an exciting ending. Larsen's variety of locations and the understandable technology are bonuses for thriller readers, like me. ( )

In “Assassin’s Run”, the fifth book in Ward Larsen’s David Slaton series two Russian Oligarchs are murdered, and rumors surface that Slaton is not only alive, but that he is responsible for the assassination. CIA analyst Anna Sorenson requests Slaton’s help, but he declines, telling her he has retired. She counters by pointing out that she was able to locate him on his sailboat in Vieste, Italy in only two days. Convinced that his family is not safe so long as Russian authorities believe he murdered the Oligarchs, Slaton agrees to assist the CIA and Mossad.

“Assassin’s Run” is a workmanlike but not particularly strong tale. Larsen failed to distinguish what the reader needs to know from what the reader can assume or infer. As a consequence, he provides unnecessary detail, and indeed, in a couple of instances, unnecessary chapters. The result is a plodding tale that lacks excitement.

A leaner, more disciplined approach would have resulted in a superior tale. ( )