The Fallen

The Eliminator #1

by Mike Ryan

Detective Brett Jacobs is a good cop. He’s honest, hardworking, and intent on bringing down a major criminal organization. But he's soon going to have his limits tested. After he finishes an undercover assignment, resulting in the arrest of a major crime boss, he’ll find out just how dirty the bad guys play. His world comes crashing down after an unspeakable tragedy, leaving Jacobs virtually despondent and wondering about his role in the unthinkable act.

Jacobs soon realizes that in order to beat a low-life criminal organization like this, he has to fight fire with fire. Will he really throw his badge away and become a one man wrecking crew? Or will he try to get retribution within the confines of the law? One thing’s for certain, the men he’s going up against have severely underestimated the lengths that he’ll go to. And he’ll stop at nothing in order to extract his revenge.

Genres: Audiobook, Fiction

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 3, 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

[Glen]

Gangsters kill a cop's family, so he goes full-on vigilante. Strangely enough, his aids are themselves criminals. The shootouts are perfunctory.

Could be a lot more exciting.

[Robert Ullrich]

This was my first novel by Mike Ryan. The story is of a police officer who has his family gunned down by a mobster he was instrumental in putting behind bars. It is a classic plot line: good cop goes rouge when faced with the reality of the system, so to speak. Jacobs, the main character falls quickly from grace (in the opinion of some - not me). I have no moral issue with revenge for your family.

Mike Ryan introduces a very interesting character, whose name I shall withhold, with strong ties to the criminal world. This felon, first under duress, then willingly becomes involved in aiding Jacobs with his vendetta. Other criminal elements join in along the way to help Jacobs seek justice.

Many find the morality of the vigilante disturbing - judge, jury and sometimes executioner. I don't, and I think you won't either after you begin to feel what Jacobs is feeling through the writing of Mike Ryan. As for only 4 stars? 4 is a lot people. This is a very good story and well worth the reading.

[Nathan]

I am a big fan of the vigilante genre. I especially enjoy reading stories about highly skilled lawmen or soldiers who are pushed a bit too far and use their skills to bring “justice” into the world. These vigilante books seem to be author Mike Ryan’s bread and butter. I have only read one other Ryan book, The Silencer, which is another vigilante that is also seeking justice. While these two books sound similar, their protagonists are very different and have different motivations that keep them going.

Brett Jacobs is a cop that has just brought the crime lord Rich Mallette to justice using legal means. In retaliation, Mallette orders Jacob’s family killed. The entire book shows Jacob’s search for one of the killers. Along the way he enlists the help of a shady pawn store owner, Eddie Franks, and a “social justice” hacker with the nick name Hack. The book ends with Jacob’s confrontation with one of the killers. This isn’t the end of the series as there are still a number of loose threads that I assume later books will deal with.

The book starts off pretty depressing as we see Jacobs descend into depression. But it really picks up as he begins planning his revenge. This isn’t a book with a high number of action scenes or even what I would consider a large death count (this genre usually has a lot more bodies), but it still has its share of shoot outs. My only critique of the book is that sometimes the plot meanders as Jacobs looks for weapons, avoids his cop friends, and questions various suspects. But even with these critiques, it is a good introduction to the world of Brett Jacobs. I look forward to seeing where his character goes from here.

[Darryle B.]

This origin story reads like the Punisher or the original Death Wish movies, but it is okay especially in light of the context that Ex-Detective Brett Jacobs found himself in the aftermath of putting away a major mob boss. In my years of law enforcement, I couldn't imagine NOT wanting to enact revenge on the criminal element killing my family in like fashion, especially if there's a chance they could get away with it and the law can't help. However, being a cop (current or former) and taking matters into one's own hands is far worse with the repercussions from not only the mob but also the police and then there is high degree of risk involved to include death.

Ex-detective Brett Jacobs would never had went down this dark path of they had not killed his family and maybe this tragedy pushed him over the edge to the point that he almost has a death wish of his own and did not care whether he lived or died. At this point, he did not care about the risks, only to tear the Malette criminal enterprise apart even while the mob boss is locked up. By the time Jacobs is done, he wants to make sure that by the time Malette gets out of prison that he has no one in his corner help him and he is face-to-face with the very man whose life he destroyed. A man who was a good cop who did his job and played by the rules, until the criminals crossed a line they never should've crossed-- killing a person's family. The emotion and outrage could be clearly felt throughout the story. Great story and beginning to this new character and while his background/origin is different from the Silencer, I could almost see them teaming up at some point. Recommended.

[John]

Had this on audio book from Chirp, and I only made it about an hour in, so only minor spoilers, but I check the synopsis, and it didn't mention this so I'm playing it cautious.

The protagonist's wife and three small children are murdered as retaliation for undercover work he did and his "friend" is expecting/pressuring him to get back to work 4 days later. FOUR DAYS! I can't even imagine a police force allowing a detective back on the job at that point. I just couldn't get past it. It bugged me.

[Pat Rathmann]

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED SUSPENSEFUL READING ADVENTURE

As an avid reader, I thoroughly enjoy this author's writing abilities. His stories are intense, emotionally gripping and full of suspense. His plots are totally addictive. This new book and character shows great potential as an exciting new series. Can't wait for Book two to be released.

[Robert D Cole]

A Really Good Read

This is a short, but, different book that I assume we'll see more of this character. Mike Ryan is one of my favorite authors, and his books never fail to keep me entertained.

[Betty Richard]

The eliminator

What a sad thing to have happen to your family. He was he'll bent for revenge and nothing or no one could talk him to him. Jacobs knew revenge would not bring his family back. But the cop I. Him knew the guilty would never be punished .

[Brittany Sizemore]

Action packed book

Great book, action packed. Not a single boring chapter all filled with lots of detail, the book plays out like a movie as you read it. I would reccomend this book to anyone who enjoys mysteries and thrillers. Looking forward to diving into the second book.

[Gary]

Personally I love revenge stories and this on is great. I won't give the plot away except to say you can tell it is the first in a series. The character developments are fantastic and believable. Looking forward to the next book.

[Cindy B.]

Thoroughly engaged in this, with a well written and excitement-filled plot and an excellent narrator it was a completely fun read. When this author is in top form, he’s one of the best and gives that to his readers. Clean (except for the murders).

[Wancket Enterprises]

Very good

I think this was the first Mike Ryan book I have read. However, it won't be my last. It was action packed and well writen!

[Kenn Goslin]

When is a good thing so bad???

This story is challenging my senses.I don't think I have ever empathized with a protagonist like this before. Curious for a sequel???

[Arthur Okun]

A Cry For Revenge

Jacobs loved Val.He adored his children.As the tears flowed,he
had to kill those who took away everything he loved and cherished.

[Ken Anderson]

a little basic.

[bonnie kirchner]

The Fallen

Great book .Can't wait to read the next book in this series. This is one serious thriller. I highly recommend this book.

[Bill Barnes]

Very good

Looking forward to what comes next. Jacobs is a criss between Frank Pritchard and Noah Wolf. That's a good thing.

[barbara]

Bit basic not that thrilling can almost predict what's going to happen started to read book two but seems to be on similar lines to the first .

[Marilyn]

Review of: "The Fallen".

Good fast read. I'm ready for the next in this series, so better go find it since I'm wide awake anyway.

[Roger]

A good read.

[AnnieM]

Eh? It was ok, but I’m not sure I’d read a second one. I wanted to like the main character, but he just came across as an arrogant renegade.

[Diane Boswell]

Wonderful read

I could not put this book down. I was gripped from the first page to last. Another Mike Ryan hit, Wonderful Author 👏 👌

[Jack]

Chirp

[Joseph]

It’s a high paced action book that is heartbreaking at times. I wonder if he had to transform to the degree he did. But an enjoyable book

[pollymuz]

Audiobook. An entertaining, well-read story of revenge with great characters.

[Alex]

First in the series. Solid start. Not ground breaking a few holes but still entertaining

[Baking]

I listened to the book and the narrator did an outstanding job. He made the story come to life.

[Linda Marvin]

Easy to follow audiobook

[Jack Malone]

Very nice read

I enjoyed this book. Looking forward to the next one, plan to see if its out before my trip next week.

[Robert]

Really great story even though it was very tragic. Jacobs is an exordinary character. Hard book to put down. Cannot wait to read book 2!!