The Detachment brings together characters from some of Eisler's prior novels. Foremost is John Rain who is tracked to Tokyo by Colonel Scott Horton through his minions Ben Treven , Daniel Larison and two others. Rain disposes of the two others and learns from Treven and Larison that Horton wants to see him.

Horton offers him $50,000 to show up in LA to listen to his proposal. Rain, not trusting others as usual, talks his old friend Dox into covering his back. The meet is on, the deal is offered to Rain. Lots of money to take out by “natural causes” the Director of National Counter-Terrorism, because Horton says he is planning a series of false flag attacks on the US. The plan apparently is to terrorize the American people to such a point that emergency powers will be given to the President which would supersede constitutional protections. Horton wants the job to be done by the four of them- Rain, Dox, Treven and Larison, but insists it must be made to look like an accident and gives Rain a cyanide spray that will dissipate before it is discovered.

Rain accepts finally, lured by the money, knowing this is the first of three hits. As expected, Rain and his group accomplish the feat with skill and cunning. However even Rain is surprised when Horton seems to have gotten the news far faster than he had thought possible. Horton offers him hit #2 on the President's counter-terrorism advisor for the same reasons but this time for much more money. Again Rain and his crew succeed, and they are offered the third and final hit for even lots more money. The target is a female justice of the Supreme Court and Rain draws the line. Not wanting to take on this job he and his cronies are discussing it when the false flag attacks start in Washington DC.

Rain soon realizes that it is he who is responsible for starting the alleged coup, and an old friend advises him that the four of them are blamed and on the Presidential kill on sight list. Since the four of them are in Washington DC,it is necessary to immediately get out of town before the authorities shut it down.

It is clear to Rain that he needs negotiating strength with Horton since he can see Horton is vaulting into a position of great  power. So, the four of them come up with a plan to bring Horton to the negotiating table. And not to be overlooked is the $100 million dollars Horton allegedly stole from one of the four. The rest of the novel proceeds in quickly changing scenes in an exciting trip to the finish.

Barry Eisler has delivered another action packed thriller, a little short on character development, but fans will know some of these characters anyway.

--Thea Davis