Graveyard of Memories
Overview: Fresh from the killing fields of Southeast Asia, Rain works as a bagman under the watchful eye of his CIA handler, delivering cash to corrupt elements of the Japanese government. But when a delivery goes violently wrong, Rain finds himself in the crosshairs of Japan’s most powerful yakuza clan. To survive, Rain strikes a desperate deal with his handler: take out a high-profile target in the Japanese government in exchange for the intel he needs to eliminate his would-be executioners.
As Rain plays cat and mouse with the yakuza and struggles to learn his new role as contract killer, he also becomes entangled with Sayaka, a tough, beautiful ethnic Korean woman confined to a wheelchair. But the demands of his dark work are at odds with the longings of his heart—and with Sayaka’s life in the balance, Rain will have to make a terrible choice.
Pages: 345 Pages
Writer: Barry Eisler
Recommendations:
I was thrilled to discover a new book detailing John Rain’s journey from Vietnam to becoming the legendary assassin we know and love. From finding love, to losing it, to navigating the treacherous world he would eventually conquer. However, compared to the other John Rain books, this one felt a bit sluggish and more mature in tone. It lacked the usual adrenaline-pumping action I’ve come to expect. I must admit, there were some dull moments that seemed to drag on longer than necessary. But hey, I’m a sucker for a good backstory! I enjoyed learning about the origins of John Rain, understanding why he is the way he is in later books. While it may not be the best John Rain novel, it’s still a captivating read that sheds light on our favorite enigmatic character. So, if you’re a fan of John Rain, this book is definitely worth a read!