Agent G is an assassin with no name, just a letter; no past, just assignments. But he has dreams. One day when his ten years are served, he’s promised to get his memories and his former life back. That is if he can survive. Agent G works for a secret society that hires him out to kill high-profile targets. He lives a life of wealth and excitement, but questions haunt him. Who was he and could he have been something more than a hired killer.
G’s world is dangerous. Black technology has created super-beings with augmented strength, armor, and mental abilities. Just shooting a target is no longer enough. Carnavale, the brutal Italian crime family, wants to take over the assignation business. They have kidnapped the scientist who invented the mind-wipe technology. But they want more – the agents he has trained – including G.
The secret agent who loses his memory is not a new idea, but Phipps manages to put enough original ideas into his book to keep it fresh. G has a moral base which contradicts everything he does, yet does it anyway. The listener is ready to forgive his violence and blame the system and the corrupt institutions that have created it. The story is flippant, not taking itself too seriously, creating a mood of light satire behind the facade of violence. The technology is over-the-top versions of spy-craft, exploding pens, sub-vocal communications, super-strong androids and brain implants. It’s fun and irreverent.
The audiobook is performed by Jeffrey Kafer, whose voice is just right for the killer with a conscience. Sarcasm oozes through his voice and characterization of Agent G. If the listener can find any complaints, it would be that Mr. Kafer doesn’t differentiate the female voices enough to determine who is speaking at times. It is a minor issue and Kafer delivers an outstanding performance.
Agent G is a quick-paced spy novel full of gadgets and violence. It is lightly satirical and highly entertaining, short enough to listen in one go. The story mostly wraps up, but seems to leave the door open for a sequel. There is also a very nice twist at the end. Recommended.