Assassination of a Dignitary by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

Link to buy Assassination of a Dignitary: Amazon

Description:
Raymond Hunter’s dark past has returned and demands one final favor. Now fifteen years later, settled as an accountant and family man, he assumed life would be calm. He thought wrong. The Italian Mafia wants him back.

The directions were simple: Kill Governor Behler and be out for good.

Despite the odd request since the Mafia typically respects dignitaries, in order to protect his family, Raymond has no choice but to accept the job. He picks the date and location—Niagara Falls, New York—two hundred and forty miles away. But by the time he returns home, he finds out the assassination attempt failed, his family has been kidnapped, and he has twenty-four hours to set things right if he wants to see them again.

With time running out, Raymond discovers the real reason they wanted Behler dead and finds out he’s placed himself and his family right in the middle of a mafia power struggle. What he doesn’t realize is that law enforcement is also closing in.

Review:

Assassination of a Dignitary by Carolyn Arnold is a suspense thriller.  The story revolves around the mafia, and a man who got away, only to be pulled back in years later.  Raymond Hunter is a family man, married with a wife and children that he loves .  He used to be a hit man for the Russo family, and when he saved the Don’s son, he was allowed to leave the family, as he wished to live a normal life.

Fifteen years later, he is forced to by the Don’s son, Christian to perform a final job.  Raymond must kill a Governor, under the order from the Don.  Raymond finds that hard to believe, since the mafia usually will never touch dignitaries.  But Christian Russo threatens Raymond, and promises to pay him an exorbitant amount to do the job, and then he will leave him and his family alone.  Raymond has no choice, he must do the job, and is shocked to find out that the target is someone he knows. 

What follows is an exciting adventure of Raymond trying to perform his task, saving his family from the mob, and trying to be one step ahead of the law, as well as Christian’s men.  There were many twists and turns, and Raymond has no one to trust, and he is faced with a deadline to finish the job, or those he loves will suffer the consequences.

The story is done mostly in two pov’s, following Raymond each step of the way, and the Detective on the case, Clinton.  Carolyn Arnold weaves an exciting thriller, with so many different elements and twists, as well as key players who have ties with the mob.  Much of the book is tense, as the Mafia cares nothing about who they hurt.  The key points…Did Raymond perform his final job?  Is his family safe? Will Raymond survive, and will he ever be free?

I found this to be an exciting and interesting story, with not a dull moment, as there was action the entire way.  There were some moments during the course of the book I did not enjoy, mainly some deaths or torture, but in this type of story, it did fit. Carolyn Arnold is an excellent writer, and knows how to tell a story that flows so perfectly.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Author