The Blue Ring Assassin

"Go home Zoe. Get a life. If you want revenge, don’t think about it – do it."

When marine biologist Dr. Zoe Waringi-Quinn discovers her father has been killed in a hit-and-run accident by a drunk driver, she is devastated to learn just how brutal a death it was. The driver, a senator, is tried for murder but found not guilty. Zoe finds herself completely lost in overwhelming grief, which leads to reckless behavior and places her in danger. Suddenly rescued by a strange aboriginal man, she soon becomes aware that he is a mystic sent to watch over her. Using her knowledge of poisonous sea creatures, Zoe seeks revenge against the senator who killed her father. Once her father is avenged, she then feels compelled to rid the world of others who have evaded justice. How will this compulsion affect her life, and how does the strange mystic fit into the picture?

This fast-paced thriller will have readers eagerly turning pages as they follow Zoe's strange and mystical journey. She is a strong, female protagonist who loves those close to her as deeply as she hates those who use their power and money to subjugate and hurt others and then cover up their heinous crimes. Millheim's writing is crisp, fluent, and informative, especially concerning the traits of the marine life Zoe studies. The descriptions of death by poison are quite disconcerting in their intricate details, which could be unsettling for some readers. However, those who enjoy thrillers with plenty of intrigue will love the plot twists and detailed narrative. This novel grabs its audience from the beginning and never lets go.

- The US Review of Books

Get ready to enter a world of sex, espionage, and murder like you have never seen before. This book starts fast and never slows down, which is impressive by itself for a story that spans over 450 pages. The Blue Ring Assassin is long and graphic, and good! Let’s take a little more in-depth look at it.

The book starts with a tragic accident that sparks an unimaginable chain of events. One that sees our main character, Zoe, exacting revenge by any means necessary and setting herself down a path from which she may not be able to come back. Zoe quickly learns that she may have been born to be an assassin and takes up a role as a vigilante righting the wrongs that slip through the court system. While she can elude police, an organization of assassins discovers who this newcomer is and brings her into the fold. Zoe is faced with the dilemma of compromising her morals to please her new employers. In the end, she must decide if the money is worth it and if she’ll be able to protect those closest to her – if she says no.

Being an assassin is only one part of our character’s arc. An old relationship comes back into her life in a significant way, which brings her both turmoil and relief. She also finds a long-lost person close to her has a strange connection with her, and she has something of a dormant superpower waiting to be awakened. All of this culminates in a harrowing final act where Zoe uses every tool at her disposal to get out of a deadly situation. Dr. Keith K. Millheim is a talented author and clearly intelligent. He has created incredibly realistic characters with which you can easily identify while simultaneously placing them in implausible situations. You are always rooting for the protagonists, but at times you will find yourself uncomfortable with her motives and means.

These human flaws make characters more relatable and allow readers the opportunity to slip deeper into the story. The Blue Ring Assassin is definitely a book for the mature reader. There are some weighty topics discussed within these pages, and they are discussed in graphic detail. Readers should know there are what might be uncomfortable descriptions of intimate situations.

The Blue Ring Assassin is an action thriller in its purest form. Although it is not a short read, it is a thrilling story, and you will struggle to put it down. What’s perhaps the most exciting about this book is that it is only the beginning. The ending will leave you craving more from the characters, and Dr. Millheim has already promised that we will get what we want. I hope that this book, and its sequels, one day see a movie adaptation, but until then, we have The Blue Ring Assassin now, while building the anticipation of Dr. Millheim’s follow up books.

- Pacific Book Review