Path of the Assassin was published by Pocket Books in 2003. Scot Harvath, now working with the CIA, must prevent the assassination of the Pope during a historic Middle East peace summit. A legendary assassin — trained by multiple intelligence services and loyal to none — has been contracted for the hit. Harvath’s pursuit takes him from the Swiss Alps through the Mediterranean to the Holy Land, where the political stakes of failure are apocalyptic.
The novel expands Harvath’s operational scope from domestic security to international counterterrorism, establishing the global canvas on which the series would operate for the next two decades. The religious and geopolitical dimensions — the Pope, the peace summit, the Holy Land — add a gravity that distinguishes this from the domestic-conspiracy plot of the debut.
The Paperback Original
Path of the Assassin was originally published in mass-market paperback, reflecting Thor’s position as a rising but not yet established author. The shift to hardcover for subsequent novels came as the series built its audience. Collectors should note that the paperback original is the true first edition — later hardcover printings are reprints.
Collecting Path of the Assassin
First edition (Pocket Books, New York, 2003): Mass-market paperback original.
Approximate market values:
- Paperback original, fine: $20–$50
- Signed copies: $40–$100
Projected values (2026–2036): Modest appreciation.