The Extractor

The Extractor #1

by Mike Ryan

When governments won’t help, when the police are out of leads, and when people are out of answers, there’s only one man left they can turn to. The Extractor.

Luke Bridge is a former CIA agent and his clients current last hope. Whether the job is a rescue mission, finding a kidnapped victim, or returning stolen property, he’s got the skills to get the job done. He restores hope to a hopeless situation.

Genres: Thriller, Audiobook

203 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 22, 2020

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

[Cindy B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting series (this novel included). Profanity and sexual descriptions (usually) are nonexistent. Narrators generated more interest. And this one is included in those as well. 👏

[david p. holmgren · Rating 1 out of 5]

First, I've never written a book. I've been paid for a grand total of one article and haven't had the sticktoitiveness to finish a second, even after encouragement from a magazine editor. Shame on me. I respect folks capable of writing, editing and having their work published.
I read a lot, especially through Amazon Prime and Kindle. Almost without fail I'll give at least four stars.
This book, though- I couldn't bring myself to finish. It wasn't even the proofreading problems (Example- Hap was either/both a CIA and an FBI agent within a few pages of each other). It was the unending yammering back and forth between the two characters. It's not cute. After 60 percent of the book, it didn't get any better. The story idea was good, but the execution was just... drizzly. I'd try again if I see more of Ryan's work, but I'm not going to look for it.
Sorry to be a wet blanket, but this one was really a headshaker for me.

[Nancy Person · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed The Silencer Series more. I do not know if it was the writing or the presenter in the Audible book.

[Katie Slingsby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read

First in the series, not a bad read but definitely didn't wow me and keep me completely involved. The ending was very, very lackluster- it just ended, boring.

[Betty Z · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good storyline

Sorry to say that in my opinion, I felt the storyline was good with potential to be even better. I did not care for the continuous bantering among two adults who were suppose to be highly intelligent and educated, who was portrayed as not being so. I have never met nor read of anyone with that kind of intelligence and brains to be personally so flippant when carrying on a conversation. A little bit would have been fine but for every conversation that they held? Not so humorous.

[jessica mcdonough · Rating 2 out of 5]

The extractor

I actually hated this book . Were you trying to make this a comedy thriller. The name of the book was wrong also. Nicole acted.more of a badass than Bridge. She constantly had to save his ass. The bickering between the two of them was so frustrating. Half way through I started skipping pages just to avoid the bickering. I absolutely do not recommend this book.

[LaShelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

They never stop talking!
I tried, I really did, but I HATED it! I thought it was going to be an action-thriller but it turned out to be a couple trading barbs and endless banter. Not witty banter; stupid adolescent banter. The female sidekick is continually making sexual innuendos and practically begging the lead for a relationship. It’s pathetic. I just can’t...

[Roy Howard Reiner · Rating 1 out of 5]

Storyline was okay; however, the back and forth nonsense between Bridge & Nicole was totally disgusting and overdone. This was my first book by Mike Ryan and I’d NEVER read another one of his books. Perhaps Mike Ryan should read some of David Archer’s books to see how to write great thriller/mysteries. Sorry for the negative review but that how I feel.

[Ricki · Rating 2 out of 5]

How can the main character Luke be a former CIA agent? There is no depth to his or Nic's characters, the book is mainly stupid banter between the two, with her chasing him.

The actual story of finding a "lost" husband is secondary and not at all the main part of the book.
Struggled to finish it. If you are looking for a Kirk McGarvey type book, this is not it.

[Adrian Tarrant · Rating 1 out of 5]

Utter rubbish! It’s just pages and pages of unnecessary dialogue between the two main characters with very little storytelling. The sarcastic banter was amusing to begin with but just became tedious.

Other than a very loose plot, there is practically no structure to the storyline. Certainly nothing that would constitute rising action, climax, falling action. One would have hoped that persevering with the juvenile dialogue would have revealed some kind of nefarious, underlying sub plot or explosive climax. Alas it was all worthless and the whole thing just fizzled out.

And what’s with their government contact who is FBI in one chapter, then CIA, then FBI again??? And the FBI can miraculously conjure up info on some small time crooks in another country? Seriously?

Also of note is that The Extractor doesn’t actually extract anything. Of the two missions mentioned in the book, he didn’t recover anything or anyone.

Overall a wholly implausible and tedious read that did little except extract a few hours from my life that I will never get back.

[Darryle B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun read! It is different from Mr. Ryan's other works such as the Silencer series. The job of the Extractor is to rescue those who are kidnapped or taken against their will anywhere in the world who the authorities are unable to help for whatever reason. Whenever there is a complex, complicated or high risk case, the victims and/or authorities call him. The interaction and banter between Luke (aka The Extractor) and his business partner, ex-CIA analyst Nicole was a hoot. When it comes to the work and the mission, they are always professional and get the job done, but when comes to each other, there's some implied sexual tension between them that Luke is trying to resist. It was a well balanced storyline that clever in its delivery and sets it apart which is important for readers who are fans of Mr. Ryan's other works. I am looking forward to the next novel. Highly recommended.

[Marty · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes to discover a new author and series. Unfortunately this book was a disappointing listen for me. I was hoping for an action thriller with a good plot. The plot was okay, not terribly complex involving a husband's sudden disappearance and his wife trying to find out what happened. The disappointing part was half the book is just banter between the two investigators, a male and female. The banter consisted of the two giving each other a hard time, arguing, back and forth, and not even about the case. More just personal differences on how to work together, mixed with some sexual tension between the two. The banter got really, really, old. I almost quit listening but I was hopeful the latter part of the book would come to an exciting climax. It was just meh and the bantering continued to the very end. Won't be continuing with this author.

[Jeff Cochrane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn’t finish the book

The main character is a jerk. He is afraid of any kind of commitment, except the overnight type. He and his partner both love each other but he is worried that the relationship wouldn’t work out and he would have to train a new partner. The banter between the two of them is sophomoric. The dialogue leaves a lot to be desired. Editing could be a big help also. “They stepped through the door and over the lifeless body of the knocked-man.” Lifeless and knocked-out at the same time? Hower was paying someone $2000 a month for five months in the beginning of the book. Later it was $5000 a month. Later it was a total of $15,000. Sorry but I have better things to do with my time. I don’t care what happens to anyone in the book.

[LaCelle P Howard · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring beyond belief. I struggled to finish it, hoping it would improve...I was wrong. The "banter" was beyond sophomoric. The plot was shallow. The characters were flat and unbelievable. Sorry. This was just my opinion. Others may find it humorous and scintillating. It totally made me lose interest in reading any more books in the series.

[Librada O · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book. I liked the characters. I just wish the book was a bit more complex. The series looks like a bunch of short stories, which is fine with me. Overall, good, not great. I gave it three stars because the ending was a little too abrupt for me. I wish Goodreads had 1/2 stars. I'd give this 3.5 stars.

[Robert · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only finished reading this because it was so badly written that I could an entire page at a glance, since nothing happens on most pages. Easily 75% of the damn thing is an attempt to write Hepburn-Tracy style snappy dialog, while failing miserably. Top that off with a plot so divorced from even thriller reality, and one has a nice little packet to shore up that wobbly table leg.

[Randy Neilson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was so disappointed in this series. I tried to read the first two books because I purchased the first three books as a package but couldn't finish them. The dialogue is ridiculous, sounding more like the banter between 13 year old's. The main character who is supposed to be a highly trained operative acted more like Clouseau.

[Kevin Ross]

What a waste of a read

The book was a joke. Too much character banter and the story was about as dumb as they get. Fried to power through but ended up skimming the last 25% of the book to get to the end.

[Karen Kearns · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the plane carrying his wife and daughter disappears, is presumed crashed, but never found, Jack Storm doesn’t care what happens to him. The adventure Jack takes us on in his endeavor to rescue a CIS “asset” is fast paced and breathtaking.

[Libbie Harr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luke Bridges and his partner, Nicole accepted an assignment to find a missing husband in Mexico. They made some stumbles before finding answers. Nicole wants Luke for a boyfriend. Luke is not interested. . . boring.

[Bob Roberts · Rating 2 out of 5]

Snoozer

Most of this book..is vacuous, repeated banter between the two characters. This is not an action or suspense story. other Mike Ryan books have been 5 star, sorry about this one, sure will not continue the series.

[Rick Farlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

RECOMMENDED AUDIOBOOK

The humorous banter between the main characters (Bridge and Nicole) is the most redeeming part of this Chirp audiobook. The storyline is okay, but not really anything to get excited about… Overall, it’s a fun read and the narrator does a good job.

[Carole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Waste of time

Too much chit chat between two main characters...page after page. There is a story line but that keeps getting interrupted by the two idiots. I am done with this author

[Walt Mccluskey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The extractor

Way too much conversation that was of a filler nature and did nothing to add to the points of the story. The idea was a good one but the execution of the telling left a lot to be said to make it a good read.

[Colin Hoogeboom · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really didn’t like the smarminess of the back and forth bickering between Nicole and Luke . It really was disappointing, distracting and unnecessary. Not sure I’ll continue reading this series, unless I get really bored.

[Julie Conner · Rating 4 out of 5]

When all seems hopeless, and there is no trail, the former agent agrees to dig into a case of a missing model gone for six months for her sister. When clues emerge, it looks like she may be part of a sex trafficking scheme. Where is she?

[W. Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book

Author gets into great detail and may drag out some scenes, but not unpleasantly. The story line remains good. I will probably buy the next book in the series.

[Richard · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful

Really awful. Actually past awful and into the land of horrible. I finished because I held out hope to last that something redeeming might happen at the end. No

[Walter Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

The extractor

Too much bickering gamesman ship the plot was thin and there was no real finish to the story. Keep working

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read.