Critics' Opinion:
Readers' rating:
Published Nov 2015
272 pages
Genre: Literary Fiction
Publication Information
From acclaimed author and screenwriter Derek Haas comes a unique and thrilling twist on a family story - what happens when an elite assassin becomes a father?
Now a new dad, the infamous Silver Bear finds himself staying up late for feedings and changing diapers - all while leading the double life of a contract killer.
The struggle is not with his conscience. He enjoys his gig. But a child forces him to weigh selfishness versus safety. Continue his line of work, and he'll always wonder if he's putting his child's life at risk. His partner, Risina, serves as his fence. Like Columbus, she's good at her job and likes doing it.
When the next assignment comes in, both Columbus and Risina are surprised to find that the mark is another assassin: a brash, young killer named Castillo. Castillo is an assassin on the rise. Even Columbus is impressed by his tenacity and talent - and as he closes in on his target, he realizes that Castillo is a younger version of himself. It's almost like looking in a mirror. Castillo has even studied Columbus's work.
But Columbus's assignment is clear: kill the young man. However, Castillo learns that his hero and unwitting mentor has a family - a revelation with enormous ramifications.
"Starred Review. An unflinching little gem of a story: violent, dark, and unrelentingly entertaining." - Kirkus
"The well-constructed conclusion packs a powerful punch." - Publishers Weekly
"Columbus' charm and dark humor offer a refreshing break from the sociopathic-assassin mold, and Haas' gutwrenching tale moves at breakneck speed." - Booklist
This information about A Different Lie was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Derek Haas is the author of the novels The Silver Bear, Columbus, and Dark Men, which make up The Assassin Trilogy. Derek co-created "Chicago Fire" and executive produces "Chicago P.D." for NBC. He also co-wrote the screenplays for 3:10 to Yuma, Wanted, and The Double. He lives in Los Angeles with his family.
The Stone Home
by Crystal Hana Kim
A moving family drama and coming-of-age story revealing a dark corner of South Korean history.
The Flower Sisters
by Michelle Collins Anderson
From the new Fannie Flagg of the Ozarks, a richly-woven story of family, forgiveness, and reinvention.
The Funeral Cryer by Wenyan Lu
Debut novelist Wenyan Lu brings us this witty yet profound story about one woman's midlife reawakening in contemporary rural China.
Your guide toexceptional books
BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction—books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
