Hollow Point

The Silencer #7

by Mike Ryan

Somebody is shooting police officers. After several killings, and no progress on finding the shooter by the police department, Recker is asked to lend a hand. One of Vincent's men inside the department, a homicide detective, reaches out to The Silencer, setting up a meeting through Vincent. As Recker, Haley, and Jones investigate the killings, they start to find more questions than answers, and realize that everything is not as cut and dried as it seems.

Once the supposed killer is finally found, Recker thinks he may have been played. He's not so sure that it wasn't a plant and the man was framed. All of which leads him to question, if it's someone else behind the shootings, who has the power and motivation to pull it off? And why?

Genres: Audiobook, Suspense, Action, Fiction

202 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 2, 2018

About the author

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.

Sign up for Mike's mailing list or visit his blog at www.mikeryan36.blogspot.com

Reviews

[Pierre Tassé (Enjoying Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying this series. Now on to the next in the series...High Velocity!

[Rellim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 7 of Mike Ryan's The Silencer Series (Mike Recker thrillers). Even more than before enjoying this hinges on being familiar with the series and the characters. Embrace this like an episodic TV show where some things are solved but there are also numerous storylines carried throughout several books. As such there *will* be spoilers to previous books in my review.

Hollow Point begins about 3 months after the end of Double Tap. Haley has found more solid ground as another Silencer which gives Recker more time with Mia... or to take on even more cases. Running concurrently the team investigates the potential kidnapping of a Judge's baby and string of murders that are apparently connected.

I'm mixed on Mia's involvement in the latest case - it makes sense, but she's definitely not an agent so I'm hoping it's a one-off. Really it made for some fun banter between Recker & Mia along with snarky comments by Jones & Haley.

While the details surrounding the kidnapping are resolved, Ryan definitely left some big questions unanswered. I'm looking forward to High Velocity.

Narration:
Brian Hutchison is great again as Recker, Jones, Haley, & Mia. He also does a good job with all the secondary - keeping everyone consistent from previous books. Makes these so easy to binge.

[Mike Nemeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Mike Ryan clearly loves his characters and infuses his novels with a sense of purpose, creating a world where the protagonist is allowed to pursue his passion for ridding the world of bad guys. For the first six novels, this worked relatively seamlessly. Ryan often peppers his work with some random errors and stilted language. But his characters move the plot forward. Mike Wrecker, former special ops wet-work guy, takes on tough situations routinely and barely skips out intact. His partner Jones does the online research and finds the people to rescue. The pair added another tough guy to help on bigger jobs. Every book in the Silencer series culminated with a major resolution that left me satisfied and wanting more. Ryan must have written like a madman, and his enthusiasm came out in his storytelling. With this latest effort, however, Ryan appears to have taken a detour. He worked to develop his characters, including a lot of dialogue and camaraderie. But "Hollow Point," the seventh in the series, tackles an odd subject, at least for Wrecker. He's asked to help the cops after members of the force begin to die, murdered inexplicably. And it's almost as if Wrecker doesn't know how to approach the subject. He set himself up. His typical methods fail him. At least at first. And while the book includes mysterious underworld character Vincent, Ryan doesn't really use him. Where initially I thought he'd delve into a backstory of the character, he skirts the issue, shoving Vincent essentially aside. There is resolution. But it's not like the others. Wrecker and his partners eventually get the bad guy, but we readers don't really know the stakes. Maybe Ryan edited himself down. Maybe he's setting up the next installment. Maybe Wrecker's thinking about retirement. I don't know. And as for myself, I'm still pondering Ryan's prose even though I read this about two months ago and have pounded through a bunch of other novels of similar genre. I get on a roll.

[Carôle Ceres · Rating 3 out of 5]

Episode 7 is more of a story. Interesting yet unresolved (I don’t know if it gets resolved in a future episode). As I’ve stated in practically all of my previous reviews, this is not a series of novels, it’s a series of ‘expanded screenplays’ of a TV series. It’s perfect to transfer from book to small screen as is, and I can only think that the reason that it hasn’t happened already, is because the TV series ’Person Of Interest’ beat him to it (& in my opinion was a much better storyline).

I’m giving it 3½ stars because it’s not a fully fledged story - I’m guessing that it’s not supposed to be - it’s the backdrop of a couple of the cases that Mike and Chris work on together. In one of them, the tedious Mia assists. (I’m hoping that at some point, Mike Ryan writes a storyline around her that makes her more endearing on paper). Also I look forward to seeing a storyline in which Chris is the focus - on his own - that might change the dynamic a little.

I listened to the audiobook version of this title, read by Brian Hutchison. He’s a very able narrator and makes this series a very easy ‘read’.

[Cassandra Robbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a new Mike Ryan reader......

All in all, I have to say I liked the book. It had enough plot twists and turns to keep me interested. The reason I rated it as a four is simply that I didn't like the ending. I like a good, solid ending, not something that is waffling in the air. I would have liked the story to continue till the actual killer was found. You know that it wasn't the "mob leader" who did the shooting. His right-hand man? Quite possibly, but one never knows. Perhaps the right-hand man's right-hand man? I dunno. I just know I don't like "The Never-Ending Story" applied to a detective novel!

[Ralph Phares · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kind Of a Letdown Ending.

Vincent says he doesn't know who is killing cops. But his support for Mike, Chris and David is not quite passing the smell test.

And Mia's inclusion in a Team Recker mission breaks new ground, both for her and the team. This is a wrinkle that Mike is not too keen on. But her insight provided the insight that stopped a baby's kidnapping. Things are changing rapidly, and not necessarily for the best.

We have the usually excellent writing from Author Ryan that excites, chills and provokes surprise for the reader. There's never a dull moment when you are reading a Mike Ryan book!

[Darryle B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was indeed a great mystery that reached a conclusion the Recker was not satisfied with, but the grey area in the case was something he had to live with. The situation was such that could at some point put him and his Silencer team in the crosshairs of mob boss Vincent and Recker does not like walking that kind of complicated tightrope. It remains to be seen how it will inevitably play out, but as long as Recker comes out on top and survives, that's all one could ask. I have grown fond of the characters, which makes these novels an easy and fast read.

[William M. Sunde · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it was a great story. The one thing I like about this author is that he doesn't write a bunch of unnecessary garbage when he sets up a situation. Many author will use one or two full pages describing the wardrobe of what a certain character is wearing, and it nothing to do with the story, Mr. Ryan doesn't do that, he does the short version of it, and that is acceptable. This story had sort of a weird ending, but it all made sense and it was a good read. Keep it up Mike!!!

[michael fissori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

The Silencer keeps on working, stopping crimes one at a time. Though this book falls a little short of the last 6. It is action packed and always exciting I can't help but feel a little confused with the ending. I'm hoping the next book takes off from here and finishes some loose ends. All in all another good book.

[Rosemary Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have submitted this review after listening to the audio book of this title from within the series set box. (Audible.com.au)

A series of cops killed and a police officer asking for assistance gets the Silencers on the case. It's not as straightforward as most and leaves a sore taste when concluded.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the Silencer team is called by Vincent to help the police solve some cop killing murders, Recker needs the help of some of the people in town. But who is killing the cops and what is their motive?
This is another suspenseful books with lots of action.

[Rick fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

More mystery and intrigue than the rest of this amazing series. Keeps you guessing to the dramatic end. Well done

[Milburn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series I think any reader would be smart to get it! Looking forward to the next book!MKS

[Robert D Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Book in the Silencer Series

Recker and crew work a complicated case involving police officers, going against their normal modus operandi. Another hit from Mike Ryan.

[Michael Goulette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very imaginative and not well written.

[Cindy B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this series and it’s narrator.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in a great series! I would love to see an Orphan X team up!

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

[Catriona Kupper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Greatly appreciate these books, having both interest and excitement without any long drawn out and unnecessary filling. Good enjoyable read

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back the dialog I enjoy. This story isn’t finished and will surface again in a book or two.

[cheryl Newell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

Enjoyable reading. Not to sexy not to vio!ent just enough to be interesting and keep you reading more. Hope there are more to come.