"The Medusa Protocol" by Rob Hart is the second book in the Assassins Anonymous series. The premise is "What is the outcome if highly successful assassins feel deep enough remorse that they form "Assassins Anonymous" groups complete with a 12 step program?" Just because individuals may have left the "business" it is easy to that many of the people they worked for/with/against/etc may not be so quick to let these assassins simply walk off into the sunset. For example, imagine what would happen if James Bond decided one day he didn't want to do anymore killing and wanted to retire. I expect Blofeld and his cat would have something to say/do about that. And, I am confident that a top author such as Rob Hart can keep us entertained with many more stories in this series.

Although "The Medusa Protocol" can be described as a stand alone book, I would suggest reading "Assassins Anonymous #1" first if possible. The first book is an excellent introduction to the challenges and characters one might expect when the world's top assassin has a (fully justified) change of heart. The second book ("The Medusa Protocol") is a rather more involved and perhaps more suspenseful (and violent) story of the consequences of trying to leave the assassin business. Together the books make for some excellent reading.

I thank Rob Hart and Penguin Random House for kindly providing an electronic advanced reading copy of this excellent work.

Hart delivers a fun and insightful mystery about complex and sympathetic assassins in this second installment in his series about people trying their darndest not to murder anyone. This time, we get a lot from the perspective of Astrid, Mark's mentee to the program who had been an assassin in response to incredibly difficult life circumstances. She is kidnapped to a dark prison site, and her loss is felt strongly by all the program participants. She is finally able to send them a clue to their whereabouts and the book explodes into action. Darkly humorous but with heart and tragic elements, this is a great book for cozy readers who are looking for something with a little more bite.

This high-stakes thriller blends dark humor, redemption arcs, and pulse-pounding action, picking up where its predecessor left off with a fresh twist that’s as inventive as it is brutal.

This is the second book in the series, and it is definitely a unique twist to the thriller genre. Rob Hart adds quips and humor into a suspense novel, and he makes the novel work. I am looking forward to reading what he writes next.

This is the second installment in the Assassins Anonymous series and it's just as delightful as the first one!

This book focuses on Astrid, who we met in the first book, and would definitely recommend reading it before this one. I really enjoyed learning a lot more about her assassin origin story through the flashback snippets.

Of course we got to spend time with the other great people in the recovery group. The rescue mission was so great, especially with our guys doing everything they can to avoid employing lethal methods.

Mark is such an awesome well-rounded character. I love his snark and wit and how he really cares for his found family.

This series is great for a fun, quick action-packed read and I highly recommend it!

Ebook received for free through NetGalley

I loved the first book in the series so I jumped at the chance to read this one. It did not disappoint! Thanks for the read.

The Medusa Protocol is the second book in Rob Hart's Assassins Anonymous series. This series explores what happens when an assassin decides to quit and treats assassinations as symptoms of an addiction. While it is the second book, you do not need to read the first one - it can stand alone. I enjoyed this book so I decided to read the first one (which I also enjoyed).

When a fairly new member of the Assassins Anonymous chapter disappears, the other members must make a choice. Do they try to find her and jeopardize their own recovery if she's in trouble or do they think she's resumed her old ways?

Assassins Anonymous is exactly what you are thinking. AA for those who want to stop killing, live by a code with steps to complete, in order to manage the addition of being an assassin. When a member of this group, Astrid, stops showing up to meetings, other members assume she is dead except for her sponsor, Mark. During a meeting, a pizza delivery is made, a pizza made with olives, this is exactly what Astrid would order. Immediately afterwards, the alarms start going off, the group knows their meeting is about to be disrupted and not in a good way. What has happened to Astrid? Who is attacking the AA group? Will the group defend themselves without killing anyone or has the past caught up to them all?
I read this book in one sitting, it was a whirlwind of action, great story telling and had ways to injure a person I’ve never even thought of. Told with humor, in a bit of a smart alecky way but very well written. I really enjoyed reading this book. This would not be my normal cup of tea, black site prisons, people attacking one another, revenge, and yet introspective and reflective which was surprising. Well written, the characters and their interactions are entertaining, overall a very gratifying read. Bravo, Mr. Hart, Bravo.

The erstwhile assassins from Assassins Anonymous are back for another adventure and trying not to kill anyone. In The Medusa Protocol, Astrid stops showing up to the group’s support meetings. Turns out, Astrid has been kidnapped and is being held in a prison on a remote island. Mark, Astrid’s sponsor and formerly the world’s deadliest killer, mounts a rescue operation. But can they succeed without killing anyone?

Author Rob Hart once again delivers a fast paced, action filled, and humorous thriller. This time around, we learn more about Astrid’s background along with the why and how she became an assassin. This can be read as a stand alone book, but I think reading this series in order is a better option if possible. There’s enough information in this one to get the gist of the first book, but the added context of knowing the plot of the previous book would definitely provide better understanding. This is a fun and entertaining read. I’m already looking to the next installment.

Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for the early read. Rob Hart drew me in with Assassin's Anonymous and nailed it with The Medusa Protocol! Check both books out.

Astrid is a new member of the 12-step program known as AA: Assassins Anonymous. These are people who have killed for a living, but want to leave that life and stop killing. She makes it partway through the steps before disappearing. Her sponsor, Mark, isn't sure if she left voluntarily to accept another hit job or had some other reason for leaving. When a pizza with her favorite toppings arrives at the AA meeting, Mark is sure that it is a message that she is alive and possibly needs help.

Astrid wakes up in a cell of a 'black site prison' (privately owned and unregulated) and finds that the on-site doctor is using various methods to try and retrieve information from Astrid's memory. She is desperate to escape, yet maintain her vow of no more killing. Mark investigates her disappearance until he finds the spot where she is being held. Can they free her from the prison without anyone dying?

This is one of the most bizarre books I have ever read (not being familiar with black site prisons and all that), but I loved it. The quirky group of AA members use all the means at their disposal, short of killing, and all the things that they have learned in their careers in order to free Astrid from a seemingly impossible situation. A high level of suspense is maintained throughout the book and the reader will turn pages well into the wee hours to learn Astrid's fate.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This book was so fun and entertaining to read. I love switching between perspectives and time traveling, which reveals more about Astrid's character and past. I wish Astrid's character and backstory contained more detail. It almost felt like her story was not fully told. I like her struggle with her sobriety at the end. Her emotions while saving the doctor and then almost immediately going into a bloodthirsty blackout are indicative of that internal struggle. Overall, a really great book,

Medusa Protocol (and its predecessor, Assassins Anonymous) are quintessential action-movie-junkie catnip. The action is top-notch, the stakes just high enough and the characters just loveable enough that this was a 2-day read for me. I could easily picture Jason Statham in the role of Mark, a little bit brooding, but a leader prepared to do anything to keep his friends (and sponsor) safe.

SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!

My only gripe was with the Chea storyline. For the majority for the second half, I was convinced this was going to go OLD GUARD, with the former protege/friend becoming the enemy. Hart made an intentional choice to not have Astrid find or go looking for Chea's body after the boat accident, so perhaps this will come into play in the next installment? (Please, please).

Overall, a fantastic read and I'm so glad I was able to get my hands on this early copy. I'm already chomping at the bit for more.

Hart is a master storyteller. His MEDUSA PROTOCOL picks up where ASSASSIN'S ANONYMOUS left off. I love the concept of assassins joining up and attending AA-like meetings to stop themselves from killing - it's a unique way to explore the role of violence in the world. The philosophical adventure is wrapped in a well-written thriller package that is both entertaining and emotionally satisfying. I recommend it!

This is a fun little series. I really enjoy Hart’s genre hopping across his novels. This gives me A-Team vibes which is a fun throwback!

I read the first book in Hart's new series with great interest, and I'm happy to say this follow-up book snapped me right back into place with the characters, and brought new dimensions to our protagonist and his sponsee. This book is well-paced, with snappy dialogue and a great premise. It also takes good care with the female characterization, never falling into stereotypes even with possibly delicate topics like sex trafficking and sex work. Well done!

I love this series! Mark is a retired assassin leading an AA-style twelve-step program for other assassins ready to leave that life behind. But their pasts keep catching up with them, and their commitment to the program is tested when have to save one of their own without leaving any bodies in their wake.

Smart, funny, and well-plotted, with a great cast of characters! Definitely read Assassins Anonymous before diving into the Medusa Protocol — and definitely read them both!

📖 The Medusa Protocol by Rob Hart

I really liked this one in general! After getting the ARC, I went back and read the first book to catch up, and I’m so glad I did—it definitely made the experience better.

This had a sharp, fast-paced energy with a great balance of action, humor, and intrigue. The Assassins Anonymous concept remains such a fun twist on the thriller genre, and Astrid’s storyline kept me hooked. The black site prison, the experiments, the no-kill escape plan—it all added up to a wild, high-stakes ride.

It’s not quite Richard Osman, but it’s close. The wit and character dynamics make it feel in the same ballpark, but with a grittier, more action-packed edge. If you like thrillers with a clever premise and strong, memorable characters, this one delivers.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

This just might be my favorite book of the year and as a librarian I read a lot of books. If you want an original storyline that hasn't been written before, this is it! Non-stop, action packed thriller with dry humor and a heartfelt storyline. I could not put the book down! Rob Hart, I hope Netflix picks this up!

Mark and the other members of his twelve-step support group, Assassins Anonymous, return in The Medusa Protocol. Once again, Mark travels the world, meets interesting people, and beats most of them to a pulp (all without killing them). But we get more of Astrid and more introspection about wrestling with addiction and making amends while still primarily focused on bringing the action.

A 12-step program for assassins? That's what you get in Rob Hart's novel The Medusa Protocol. Various assassins come together the same as in AA, and they face temptation to return to killing. Now that one of their members has gone missing, the temptation to save her by killing others is even stronger.
The novel has various action scenes, lead characters who were prime killers, and a lot of AA. I found it mildly interesting.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.