“So at the end of the day, revenge is the game of a lazy man who has no control. There is no rational reason to fear a man lusting for revenge. Revenge is the purview of an idiot, and idiots are only to be feared as an electorate.”
‘Matter of Honour’ by Dick Denny is an unusual, dark and reflective thriller that combines the tension of an assassin story with philosophical reflections on morality, emotion, and personal identity. Its protagonists are not glamorous action heroes, rather they are presented as two emotionally detached people whose lives revolve around violence, secrecy, and survival. The main plot alongwith focusing on the themes of espionage and contract killing also explores the psychology of two professional killers who slowly begin to see each other as more than partners in a mission.
The book begins with Jim Longabaugh, a professional assassin, carrying out an assignment. After eliminating his target, he notices another assassin nearby, Tatyana Parker. They both are there for the same reason. Soon, they discover something even stranger: they possess identical hit lists. From there, the novel follows Jim and Tatiana as they move from city to city tracking down the remaining names on the list. As they travel together, stay in motels, share meals, and execute assignments, a relationship gradually forms between them.
Yet beneath the growing intimacy and vulnerable moments these two share, lies suspicion, secrecy, and the constant awareness that neither truly knows the other’s real identity. As the assignments grow more dangerous, the two assassins must prepare themselves for the ordeal that lies ahead, one that tests not only their survival, but also the fragile bond they have formed along the way.
The most interesting part about the novel is its two main characters. Jim, especially, sees his profession not simply as work but as a “matter of honour,” a phrase that gives the novel its title and philosophical center. Although the novel never fully defines what “honour” means in this context, it seems tied to professionalism, personal codes, and the belief that even morally questionable people try to justify their actions through principles of their own making. He also considers emotions to be useless.
“What good has getting mad ever done? Or feeling jealous? Or feeling anything, really?”
Tatyana, on the other hand, does not appear as sure as Jim. As their relationship develops, she begins questioning whether Jim genuinely believes in the rigid philosophy he presents to the world. And if he does, what is she supposed to do then?
These reflections give the novel a mood that is colder and more introspective than a conventional thriller. Since the novel alternates between both Jim and Tatyana’s points of view, it helps the reader understand how differently the two characters approach morality, danger, and intimacy.
Dick Denny pays attention to routine and detail, which makes the characters feel grounded despite the extraordinary nature of their profession. Some of the most memorable sections in the book are actually about their targets’ lives and not themselves as they add a sense of moral discomfort to the narrative by reminding the reader that every assassination affects a larger human story.
One particularly memorable section involving Camila Martinez highlights this technique. The reader learns about her family life and personal world in surprising detail, which makes the violence feel more unsettling. What is striking is that the assassins themselves remain emotionally unaffected even when innocent people become collateral damage.
However, the novel is not without its flaws. Jim and Tatyana’s coming together while on assignment feels a bit abrupt. Although their bond becomes more believable over time, the transition from strangers to close companions happens very quickly. The details about them feel more observational than adding depth.
In my view, the book succeeds less as a traditional suspense novel and more as a study of two isolated people trying to find meaning and connection in a life built around death. The novel’s greatest success lies in the tension between emotional vulnerability and professional ruthlessness.
Another enjoyable detail in ‘Matter of Honour’ is that every chapter is named after a song. It gives the reading experience an added charm, and readers might even come away with a brand-new playlist by the end of the novel.
So go check out the book on Amazon. It is also available for free on Kindle Unlimited and let us know what you think. You can find the author of this thrilling tale on Facebook , Goodreads , and X .
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