Reluctantly taking an assignment by the CIA to take out a ruthless arms dealer who is supplying criminal groups in Southeast Asia, assassin-for-hire John Rain finds the job compromised by a rival assassin, the dealer's alluring girlfriend, and the fear that he is being set up. 40,000 first printing. John Rain, the Japanese American assassin for the U.S. government, is back. Currently living in Brazil in an attempt to retire from the business of killing, he is approached by his former masters, the CIA, who need him to do one more thing for them: take out an arms dealer who is equipping criminal organizations in Southeast Asia. As always, there's a fly (or two) in the ointment, namely, a second assassin gunning for Rain's target and the target's beautiful companion, who seems to have a program of her own. Can Rain navigate the labyrinth of deception and double-dealing and carry out his mission? This is the third Rain novel, after Rain Fall (2002) and Hard Rain (2003), and it nicely develops the character of John Rain, adding a few more layers of mystery and motivation. Eisler's storytelling skills, too, are developing as he becomes more familiar with his character and the world he lives in. The Rain series keeps on getting better. For espionage fans who favor adventure over ambiguity. David Pitt Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved Rain is a wholly original, cliché-free character operating in a world created only for him... -- Publishers Weekly , starred review, July 5, 2004 The Rain series keeps on getting better. For espionage fans who favor adventure over ambiguity. -- Booklist , July 2004 Barry Eisler is the author of Rain Fall and Hard Rain , the first two thrillers in the John Rain series, now sold in eleven countries. He is an American lawyer who has lived and worked extensively in Japan.