The Abyss: A Max Austin Thriller, Book #5 (The Russian Assassin)

OK

I've read the entire series and I think this one is the best. Great characters as usual but with a lot of twists and turns this time. You can not put this down once you start.

I could not put The Abyss down! I loved the intrigue as well as how the story line developed! Now on to his next book in the series!

I have read all of the Max Austin series, and have liked each book. While the series takes place long after the Cold War has 'officially' ended, the Cold War lives on in the novels, as different intelligence (aka spy) agencies cooperate and clash with one another; at times seemingly cooperating when actually pursuing competing interests. In this fifth book of the series the spies compete to uncover an intelligence cache that, in the right hands, could be used to bring down a secret association of oligarchs, industrialists and senior militarists, who are positioned to manipulate access to vast Russian and Baltic oil resources. Were they successful? Read the book.Had I not like Jack Arbor's writing in the first book of the series I would never have moved on to the second. I am still enjoying Arbor's writing, and feel that we each novel it has become increasingly polished, with added intracacies. I found this novel in particular to be very well-written, and really enjoyed unexpected twists and turns; such as information that turns out to be disinformation, the hunt for the elusive snipe (or not), and not quite knowing who Max Austin can and cannot trust.I have added Arbor to the list of authors whose books I read as soon as they are available. If you enjoy books by W.E.B. Griffin, Jack Higgins, Ken Follet, and Martin Cruz Smith, then I think you will really enjoy this book, and the entire series.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this well-written series. I have been steadily reading all 5 over the past 6-8 months and now I'm ready for the next book! Jack, if you read these, I hope it's in process. Jack has done a great job of developing Max and the other characters, and takes us on a thrilling adventure throughout Eurasia and the US with detailed descriptions of each locale. The plot has been a blast to follow as well, with multiple twists woven through each story. How Jack keeps this all straight and stays true to the story with each subsequent novel is truly incredible. Highly recommend!

If you like well written spy novels, read this book. Each time I had to put it down, I still thought about the events that might happen next in the story….

This novel is the best written yet in the Russian Assassin series. The hallmark of a good series is when the reader does not have to read the preceding novels in order to understand the cast of characters and the enfolding plot to fully understand what is happening. The Abyss is a page turner and the best novel thus far in the Russian Assassin novels. What I appreciate most is that when technology is mentioned, it does not overwhelm the plot or become the dominant focus; it simply supports the narrative without overshadowing the plot itself. The quality of Jack Arbor's writing is impressive and I am looking forward to the next Max Austin novel.

The book gives you a real feeling of what Russia is and was like .the ending was so strong you felt his energy for life and honor so real.

We learn new information about Max's father and the consortium, but much remains in shadow. As the consortium turns on itself, Max meets an old nemesis. Treachery and deception remains a theme in this spy thriller about the dual history of brutality and secrecy in Russian government and the unofficial halls of power. Power that leads grasping souls to the precipice and beyond; into the abyss.Some good twists and turns, but in real life Max would have sustained one too many concussions.

Good action and detail. Being book number 5, was hard remembering characters from previous books between book releases. He is the man but also takes the hits. Looks like it's open for another novel to follow.