The Reluctant Assassin

The Reluctant Assassin by Eoin Colfer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Although the book was a little difficult to get into, it turned out to be another enjoyable read by Colfer (Artemis Fowl). The story begins with Riley, an orphaned boy in the late 1800’s in London.  He is apprenticed to Albert Garrick, a paid assassin, and is expected to make his first killing.  Fortunately, he is saved from this task because the victim turns out to be a scientist from the future, a member of FBI’s WARP (Witness Anonymous Relocation Program).  When he is about to commit the act, he finds himself instead transported through the “wormhole” to modern day London.  Unfortunately, Garrick follows him through the wormhole.  After arriving in London, Riley meets up with a seventeen-year-old FBI agent guarding the wormhole, Chevron Savano, assigned to the task after she botched a previous assignment.   Since Garrick is intent on finding Riley, Chevie and Riley end up together trying to escape the evil Garrick.  The story moves between modern London and historic London through the wormhole.  There is plenty of violence and vivid descriptions of a sordid London of the past as the story moves on at an exciting pace.  Sequel to come, but there is a nice resolution.  Middle School boys and girls should find this a favorite.  



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