Easily the weakest book in this six-book series. There are two parallel plots: one involves a group of bad guys putting together a WMD, and the other is David Slaton trying to find out why his wife and son have disappeared. The first story is incredibly dull, while Slaton's story is better, but not very good until the last 50 pages or so. If the ending hadn't been as good as it was, this book would be a one star for me. ( )

This is the sixth book in Ward Larsen’s series about David Slaton, a former Mossad kidon (assassin) who left the clandestine service and is attempting to drop off the grid and leave a peaceful life. Unfortunately, developments beyond his control frequently pull him back into the world of espionage. Typically, Slaton’s efforts to hide out on his sailboat prove to be inadequate and he concludes that his wife and young son, Christine and Davy, are threatened are in danger. In some instances the danger comes in the form of a direct threat and in other instances he concludes that hostile elements now know how to find him and will soon threaten his family. Slaton then decides to team with Mossad or the CIA to thwart an impending terrorist act.

In “Assassin’s Revenge” Slaton returns from a shopping trip to find his sailboat missing. He quickly locates the boat, but his wife and son are missing. While he is trying to decide what to do a text arrives directing him to appear at a specified time and location in Vienna. Information about the safe return of his wife and son is promised.

This is a workmanlike tale but not on a par with “Assassin’s Silence” or “Assassin’s Code,” the third and fourth entries in the series. The threat to family as a reason for Slaton’s involvement is becoming old as are elements of the plot. For example, halfway through chapter one I knew what would happen at the end of the chapter. The rest of the book is not as predictable, but throughout I felt a faint sense of “staleness.” Larsen needs to find a way to freshen up his approach. ( )