Robert's Blog

The Publishers Weekly review of HEART OF THE ASSASSIN came out today. It's a beauty. A starred review.

Heart of the Assassin Robert Ferrigno. Scribner, $25.95 (400p) ISBN 978-1-4165-3767-0
Set in a future American divided into two major regions, Edgar-finalist Ferrigno’s final entry in his Assassin trilogy (after Sins of the Assassin) nicely ties up the wildly diverse plot lines that have motivated his many characters. New York City; Washington, D.C.; and Mecca have all been nuked by the Old One, a 150-year-old Muslim fanatic trying to become the Muslim messiah who will lead a new caliphate. The only person who can stop him is Rakkim Epps, a fedayeen warrior whose historian wife, Sarah, is masterminding an effort to unite America by finding a piece of the true cross, buried somewhere in the D.C. nuclear hot zone. The Old One is aided by Baby, a brilliant blonde bombshell who’s married to the Colonel, a powerful warlord. One can read this volume as a stand-alone, but to enjoy the vast breadth of what is truly a remarkable achievement, one should start with book one, Prayers for the Assassin, and read the series in order. (Aug.)

(Thanks to John J. Miller for sending this to me early this morning. Better than a triple espresso for jumpstarting my heart)

Labels: Heart of the Assassin, Publisher's Weekly review

Labels: Thriller 2

Labels: Bad Dog, Vice magazine

Here's the jacket for the third volume of the Assassin trilogy, due out August, 2009. (Scribner)

In Heart of the Assassin, time is running out for both nations that once made up the USA --- the Islamic republic and the Bible Belt. Weakened by their division and their own intellectual and moral decay, they are threatened by the expansionist dreams of the Atzlan Empire (Mexico.) The only solution is to somehow reunite the two nations. Time is also running out for the Old One. Over 150 years old, long used to the idea of his own near immortality, he is dying and with him the idea of recreating a world-wide Caliphate. He is not happy.

In a couple months I'll post the first chapter of Heart, which features Lester Gravenholtz, one of my favorite badguys, skulking in a rundown Neuvo Florida themepark, Castroland!, waiting to kill the Atzlan oil minister. Fun ensues.

A note on the back cover of the ARC of Heart of the Assassin. An ARC is an advanced readers copy of the book in paperback, that is printed early and sent to reviewers. The short bio of me on the back cover contains an error. It says "Robert Ferrigno has been a full-time gambler, college student, pilot for the Blue Angels, punk-rock columnist and bestselling novelist." I plead guilty to all of these except I was never a pilot with the Blue Angels. As a reporter I once flew in a plane piloted by a member of the Blue Angels. I even took the stick for about a minute and technically piloted the jet for that brief period of time. It was one of the most intensely cool minutes of my life, but in no way was I a pilot, let alone a Blue Angel aviator.

Labels: Heart of the Assassin

Sins of the Assassin was just nominated for an Edgar by the Mystery Writers of America for Best Novel, 2009. I am really happy. Even though I have to wear formal attire to the ceremony where the winner is announced. (NYC, April 30.) I believe alcohol will be served.

Best of luck and congratulations to the other nominees:

BEST NOVEL
Missing by Karin Alvtegen (Felony & Mayhem Press)
Blue Heaven by C.J. Box (St. Martin's Minotaur)
Sins of the Assassin by Robert Ferrigno (Simon & Schuster - Scribner)
The Price of Blood by Declan Hughes (HarperCollins – William Morrow)
The Night Following by Morag Joss (Random House – Delacorte Press)
Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz (Simon & Schuster)

Labels: Edgars

I did another true-fiction piece for National Review Online that explains the secrets of a sucessful presidency. Hint: comfort food and goosing the one that brung ya.

Labels: Bush, obama, Oval Office

Just got word that Sins of the Assassin was tagged as one of the top ten mystery/thrillers by JANUARY magazine, along with books by Lawrence Block, Lee Child, and James Lee Burke. Very good company and a fine way to end the year.

The third volume of the trilogy, Heart of the Assassin, comes out Summer, 2009. I'll post the first chapter in a few months.

Labels: January magazine, Sins of the Assassin