📖 Overview
Ward Larsen is an American author known for writing action-packed thriller novels, particularly his David Slaton series about a former Israeli assassin. Before becoming a novelist, he served as a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and later worked as an airline captain.
His debut novel The Perfect Assassin was published in 2006 and won the Royal Palm Literary Award for Best Thriller. The book introduced his signature character David Slaton and launched what would become his most successful series.
Larsen draws heavily on his military and aviation background in his writing, incorporating detailed technical elements into his spy thrillers and action sequences. Beyond the Slaton series, he has written standalone novels including Fly By Wire and Passenger 19, which feature airline pilots as protagonists.
As of 2023, Larsen continues to write and publish regularly, with over ten novels to his name across multiple series. His work frequently appears on bestseller lists and has been translated into several languages.
👀 Reviews
Readers praise Larsen's technical accuracy and authentic details about aviation and military operations, drawn from his background as a fighter pilot. Many note his fast-paced plotting and complex international scenarios in the David Slaton series.
Liked:
- Detailed weapon and aircraft descriptions that feel realistic
- Quick-moving action sequences
- Complex geopolitical storylines
- Character development of David Slaton across the series
- Lack of unnecessary romantic subplots
Disliked:
- Technical details sometimes slow the pacing
- Later books in series become formulaic according to some readers
- Some find the writing style plain/functional
- Political viewpoints can be heavy-handed
Ratings:
- Goodreads: 4.1/5 average across all books (22,000+ ratings)
- Amazon: 4.4/5 average (15,000+ reviews)
- The Perfect Assassin: 4.3/5 (3,800+ ratings)
- Assassin's Game: 4.2/5 (2,100+ ratings)
One reader noted: "Larsen writes like Tom Clancy but with better pacing." Another commented: "The aviation scenes feel like you're in the cockpit."
📚 Books by Ward Larsen
David Slaton Series
The Perfect Assassin - A Mossad assassin investigates a plane crash in the African desert while discovering dark secrets about his own past.
Assassin's Game - Former Mossad agent David Slaton becomes entangled in a plot involving Iran's nuclear program.
Assassin's Code - David Slaton pursues a mysterious assassin across Europe while uncovering a conspiracy involving Russia's oil industry.
Assassin's Run - David Slaton races to prevent a catastrophic attack while being hunted by multiple intelligence agencies.
Assassin's Legacy - David Slaton confronts a new generation of killers while dealing with threats to his family.
Other Novels The Perfect Assassin: A Novel - An airline company investigator searches for answers after a mysterious crash near the African coast.
Stealing Trinity - A German spy attempts to steal atomic bomb secrets during the final days of World War II.
Fly by Night - An aircraft accident investigator becomes involved in international intrigue while examining a suspicious crash.
Fly by Wire - A test pilot and aircraft investigator work to uncover the truth behind a series of crashes involving autonomous aircraft systems.
Assassin's Game - Former Mossad agent David Slaton becomes entangled in a plot involving Iran's nuclear program.
Assassin's Code - David Slaton pursues a mysterious assassin across Europe while uncovering a conspiracy involving Russia's oil industry.
Assassin's Run - David Slaton races to prevent a catastrophic attack while being hunted by multiple intelligence agencies.
Assassin's Legacy - David Slaton confronts a new generation of killers while dealing with threats to his family.
Other Novels The Perfect Assassin: A Novel - An airline company investigator searches for answers after a mysterious crash near the African coast.
Stealing Trinity - A German spy attempts to steal atomic bomb secrets during the final days of World War II.
Fly by Night - An aircraft accident investigator becomes involved in international intrigue while examining a suspicious crash.
Fly by Wire - A test pilot and aircraft investigator work to uncover the truth behind a series of crashes involving autonomous aircraft systems.
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Vince Flynn created the Mitch Rapp series about a CIA operative fighting terrorist threats. The books feature detailed research on intelligence operations and military tactics.
Daniel Silva focuses on Israeli intelligence officer Gabriel Allon in a long-running spy series. His narratives blend art restoration, international intrigue, and historical elements.
Alex Berenson writes about CIA agent John Wells in stories spanning global locations and conflicts. His background as a journalist informs the political and intelligence aspects of his plots.
Brad Taylor draws from his Delta Force experience to write the Pike Logan thriller series. His books emphasize special operations procedures and team dynamics in counter-terrorism missions.