After six months away in Detroit, Recker and Jones return their operation to Philadelphia. They're almost immediately thrown into trying to prevent a cop killing. They also come back to find things aren't quite the way they left them. One of the city's crime leaders tries to force Recker's hand, by using Mia as bait, in helping them take control of the city. Despite getting the cold shoulder from Mia initially upon his return, Recker works hard at freeing her from danger, taking her to the only place he knows she'll be safe. It leads to a violent conclusion, one that finds Recker working with the police by his side.
Mike Ryan is a writer living in Bucks County, PA. He's married, has three kids, and three dogs. He's used to a hectic and busy household. During his free time, he enjoys watching sports, movies, and music.
Mike's a huge Star Wars fan and loves just about anything with superheroes in it (both Marvel and DC). He also loves to interact with his readers via his blog, Twitter, or email. Follow him on Twitter @Mike_Ryan36 or email at mikeryan36@verizon.net.
Mike also offers a few readers on his mailing list the chance to be beta readers for all books before they're published.
Note: Books 5-8 have been combined into a box set in both ebook & audio.
This is book 5 in Mike Ryan’s The Silencer series. These are best read/listened to in order, events in this book build off of what happened in earlier books, and this won’t stand on its own. As such this review may contain spoilers to books 1-4.
I felt this one had a little less action/suspense and was more focused on the personal aspect (not a complaint). This is set a little bit after Blowback and Recker is obviously frustrated by feeling like he doesn’t have control over his life, always hiding. Jones wants to keep things discreet and that just not Recker’s style.
Big changes happen and the duo finds themselves back in familiar territory and reengaging with past acquaintances that may or may not be allies. A close friend is threatened and unlikely alliances are formed.
This feels like a bit of a wrap up and potentially launching a new direction for Recker & Jones. I’m looking forward to seeing where Ryan takes them.
I like that while these are easy to listen to, they aren’t overly predictable.
Narration: Brian Hutchison continues to be a nice choice for the series. He does a good job with the various characters’ personalities and voices and I enjoy how he bring the banter between Jones & Recker to life.
In "Point Blank," protagonist and black ops assassin Mike Wrecker and partner David Jones go to Detroit. They leave everything behind. The CIA's discovery of their operation in Philly blew their cover. And the cops were onto them, with the commissioner naming them public enemy No. I. Of course, the Silencer had his fans. The regular people of the city of brotherly love like the guy who takes care of crime decisively. They like the dude in the trench coat who comes in and quietly takes out the trash. They don't mind when killers wind up with three bullets in the chest. And Jones and Wrecker decide they liked it in Philadelphia. They enjoyed those they met, even the not so nice guys. Tyrell returns in substantive form as a key piece of the story when the pair re-emerge six months later. But not all is the same. More danger awaits, and Wrecker must decide what to do to guarantee the safety of his friends. And nothing about it is easy.
Keeping Score When You Are The Silencer Needs a Big Book!
Michael, Mia and David find themselves deep in it when a gang leader tries to force Michael to side with him by threatening to kidnap and kill Mia. This is troublesome since Michael and company has returned to Philly and he has reconnected with Mia in a more personal way than before. There's also that case that involves an ex-con who has expressed a threat against the cop who sent him away. And they are both big threats at the same time. Michael's decision to ask Vincent, the mob boss, for help futher muddies the water since Michael can't determine what Vincent's long game will be. But Michael is still pursuing his task of stopping senseless murder and mayhem on innocents. Even though his business is stopping said m & m, Michael is discovering that not every answer is at the end of a gun barrel.
Plot moves smoothly and quickly and it is enjoyable, even fun, to read.
I was a bit disappointed with this episode, given how the last one (Blowback) showed progress in the series, this one seemed like a step back. That may be because the central theme of this episode was around Mia, the nurse, who I really don’t like.
I don’t like including spoilers in a review, so I won’t, but I feel that the whole premise of the story, the plot, the outcomes, seem a bit unnecessary. So it feels a bit like a non-story...
I admit that this is an unusual ‘novel’. It’s essentially a TV episode in book form. I’m slowly getting used to it. It would be better transferred to screen, as I find this a bit unsettling when approached as a book.
I listened to the audiobook version of this title. Brian Hutchison is an able narrator.
I have submitted this review after listening to the audio book of this title from within the series set box. (Audible.com.au)
After departing their original home-based, Recker and David (The Professor) spent sometime in another location. Eventually, word was passed from their FBI contact that they were no longer on the FBi hit list. Both men agreed that they missed their original home-based and those they had left behind. So another move occurred.
This story dives deeper into one of Silencer's new cases in which it explores the complications of allies of the criminal element who are capable of double crossing him to protect their interests. Double crossing the Silencer is never smart and learning the hard way is a very high price to pay. Great thriller and story.
This is another suspenseful books with Mike Recker. Mike Recker is tasked with finding a man who wants to kill a cop and needs the help of one of Philly's biggest crime bosses to carry out the job. He also gets some unlikely help from the police department.