Stephen Coonts made his splash in 1986 as one of the early techno-thriller writers with “Flight of the Intruder.” Tom Clancy, of course, arguably launched, or at least perfected, the genre with “The Hunt for Red October” and then the 1986 “Red Storm Rising.” Dale Brown’s “Flight of the Old Dog” (1987) was excellent. Other writers emerged, and the techno-thriller took off.

“Flight of the Intruder” was a pretty good book. I think I probably read another Stephen Coonts book, but can’t remember which one. Anyway, after a 20-year layoff, I thought I’d give him another try with “The Assassin” (2008).

As it turns out, one hero of “The Assassin” is Jake Grafton, the hero of “Flight of the Intruder.” He’s now a CIA honcho. “The Assassin” involves going after Jihadist bad guys, primarily the title character, a terrorist named Abu Qasim. 

The book is predictable all the way through. Nothing happens that surprises me. A few minor questions weren’t answered to the end, but again, nothing earth-shaking. Never did something happen that made me think, “I wonder how they’ll get out of that one?” or, “Wow, I didn’t see that coming.” No plot twists, no unexpected turns.

The book ends up with a Hollywood-style ending reminiscent of “In the Line of Fire,” “Patriot Games,” and “The Bodyguard.” In other words, a big event which the assassin crashes. Ho hum.