The Assassins by Elia Kazan is a thriller set in the United States during the 1970s, a time of domestic and international turmoil. The novel follows Master Sergeant Cesario Flores, a disciplined career soldier whose structured life is shattered when his daughter, Juana, embraces the counterculture movement. As Flores struggles to cope, his world spirals into violence, culminating in murder.

The book explores themes of generational conflict, societal unrest, and the psychology of violence, making it more than just a crime storyit delves into a murderous way of life. Kazan, known for his work in theater and film, brings his storytelling expertise to this novel, crafting a tense and thought-provoking narrative.