John Rain, the ultimate outsider, is the central character of Barry Eisler’s first novel, RAIN FALL. A Japanese-American based in Tokyo, he lives a life of meticulously planned anonymity, and there are few people who know who he is or what he does for a living. He is an assassin for hire. His specialty is eliminating people so that it appears they have died of natural causes. In the opening chapter of the novel, Rain concludes just such an assignment.

Rain has historical antecedents in Japan. He is a modern-day ronin, a samurai warrior who owes allegiance to no one lord.

In an unusual auction held in Tokyo in August and before any American or other editor had seen the manuscript, RAIN FALL was bid on by four Japanese publishers. The winning offer was a near six-figure bid by Sony Publishers. The book will be published there in early 2002.