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Levi Yoder #1
Perimeter
Levi is a "fixer" in a fix.
The CIA needs his help, the Russian mob wants him dead.
With enemies closing in and nowhere to turn, he learns one person may hold all the answers--his dead wife.
--
Brief Synopsis:
Levi Yoder is a member of the Mafia and a fixer of people's problems. He takes on issues where the law is otherwise unable to help.
Unfortunately, Levi can't fix the problem he's facing.
Having been diagnosed with a terminal case of cancer, Levi readies himself for death, but what he didn't prepare himself for was waking up one morning and learning that he's in complete remission.
'PERIMETER' is a story of a man thrust back into a life he'd assumed was over.
When he finds that he and the rest of his family are targets of what the CIA claims are elements of the Russian mob, Levi reluctantly agrees to help in whatever way he can.
As Levi immerses himself in the seedy underbelly of international organized crime and politics, he learns that he's being targeted for something his now-dead wife
did.
It's quickly evident that the people he knows can't be trusted and the problems he needs to fix may be beyond his substantial skills.
RUNNING TIME ⇒ 9hrs. and 9mins.
©2018 Michael A. Rothman (P)2019 Tantor
The CIA needs his help, the Russian mob wants him dead.
With enemies closing in and nowhere to turn, he learns one person may hold all the answers--his dead wife.
--
Brief Synopsis:
Levi Yoder is a member of the Mafia and a fixer of people's problems. He takes on issues where the law is otherwise unable to help.
Unfortunately, Levi can't fix the problem he's facing.
Having been diagnosed with a terminal case of cancer, Levi readies himself for death, but what he didn't prepare himself for was waking up one morning and learning that he's in complete remission.
'PERIMETER' is a story of a man thrust back into a life he'd assumed was over.
When he finds that he and the rest of his family are targets of what the CIA claims are elements of the Russian mob, Levi reluctantly agrees to help in whatever way he can.
As Levi immerses himself in the seedy underbelly of international organized crime and politics, he learns that he's being targeted for something his now-dead wife
did.
It's quickly evident that the people he knows can't be trusted and the problems he needs to fix may be beyond his substantial skills.
RUNNING TIME ⇒ 9hrs. and 9mins.
©2018 Michael A. Rothman (P)2019 Tantor
Audible Audio
First published September 5, 2018
1381 people are currently reading
1676 people want to read
About the author
M.A. Rothman
83 books328 followersUSA TODAY bestselling author, M.A. Rothman, is one of the most unlikely novelists you'll ever meet. He's an engineer first and foremost, with a background in the sciences, and somehow or another, this writing habit of his has turned into a bit more than just a run-of-the-mill hobby.
He primarily writes stories that focus on two things: technology and international intrigue. This writing tends to span the genres of science fiction, techno-thriller, and mainstream thrillers.
When not writing, he enjoys cooking, learning about new technology, travel, and spending time with his family.
He primarily writes stories that focus on two things: technology and international intrigue. This writing tends to span the genres of science fiction, techno-thriller, and mainstream thrillers.
When not writing, he enjoys cooking, learning about new technology, travel, and spending time with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
July 30, 2025
Thriller cargado de acción y tensión, protagonizado por Levi Yoder, un tipo con un pasado complicado y habilidades poco convencionales. Desde el principio te mete de lleno en una trama de conspiraciones internacionales, tecnología peligrosa y decisiones límite. Si te gustan los protagonistas que no siguen las reglas, Levi te va a caer bien.
El ritmo es rápido, con capítulos que se leen casi sin darte cuenta. Rothman no se pierde en descripciones largas ni en relleno innecesario: va directo al grano, y eso hace que la historia se sienta como una buena peli de espías con toques modernos.
Primera parte de una serie, que voy a continuar con el Infiltrado.
En resumen, es una lectura ideal para quienes buscan emoción, giros inesperados y un protagonista diferente. Perfecto para desconectar y sumergirte en una misión donde todo puede salir mal… y aun así quieres ver cómo lo arreglan.
El ritmo es rápido, con capítulos que se leen casi sin darte cuenta. Rothman no se pierde en descripciones largas ni en relleno innecesario: va directo al grano, y eso hace que la historia se sienta como una buena peli de espías con toques modernos.
Primera parte de una serie, que voy a continuar con el Infiltrado.
En resumen, es una lectura ideal para quienes buscan emoción, giros inesperados y un protagonista diferente. Perfecto para desconectar y sumergirte en una misión donde todo puede salir mal… y aun así quieres ver cómo lo arreglan.
November 8, 2020
This thriller pushes several of my “hot buttons”. Levi Yoder is a “fixer” for the New York mob. After being diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, he finds an Ankh his wife had placed in the safe deposit box. And the story moves on from there.
The story has him learning several disciplines of hand to hand self defense. He travels the world learning meditation from various gurus. When he returns to the U.S. he finds bad actors out to kill him. Of course, as with any thriller novel, Yoder has a high tech savant supplying him, a grandmother who is also an arms dealer, and of course his mob connections. Then there’s the ever present CIA and the missing nukes.
I think the author has borrowed story lines from several different thriller and science fiction authors. Several sub plots are very familiar to me. Also, I really felt the author tried to do too much in the first of a series. At least he didn’t end it with a cliff hanger. He did, however, set up the next in the series..
Rounded this one up to 4 stars.
Kindle Unlimited.
The story has him learning several disciplines of hand to hand self defense. He travels the world learning meditation from various gurus. When he returns to the U.S. he finds bad actors out to kill him. Of course, as with any thriller novel, Yoder has a high tech savant supplying him, a grandmother who is also an arms dealer, and of course his mob connections. Then there’s the ever present CIA and the missing nukes.
I think the author has borrowed story lines from several different thriller and science fiction authors. Several sub plots are very familiar to me. Also, I really felt the author tried to do too much in the first of a series. At least he didn’t end it with a cliff hanger. He did, however, set up the next in the series..
Rounded this one up to 4 stars.
Kindle Unlimited.
October 2, 2018
Levi Yoder is a walking miracle. He discovers he has incurable cancer, three days later his cancerous lumps have disappeared as if they were never there. This was the same day his wife died. M. A. Rothman takes the reader on a fast pace race as Levi transitions from accepting his death to facing a life without Mary. This emptiness pushes him to enter a life of purging where he finds himself under the tutorship of Master Oyama. Perimeter tells the story of this “fixer” who after a decade of wandering comes home to the Amish community he came from. But perimeter ends up being a code name for a secret mission which will involve Levi.
I found Perimeter intriguing as M. A. Rothman opens a world of mobsters and their connections. The author includes a wide variety of skills with Levi Yoder, making him a well-developed character. This novel is one you will not want to put down.
I found Perimeter intriguing as M. A. Rothman opens a world of mobsters and their connections. The author includes a wide variety of skills with Levi Yoder, making him a well-developed character. This novel is one you will not want to put down.
September 8, 2018
“Glowing like many stars in the night, his breath was like a crocodile.”
Author M.A (Michael) Rothman is the first member of his family to be born in the United States. His Hungarian grandfather was a WW II refugee and his family fled the Nazi occupation. Michael is an engineer who focuses on computer technology – system software design – and his designs are embedded in all modern computers distributed be the major companies in the world. He has stated ‘Whether it is deeply embedded devices such as missile guidance systems or vehicle navigation systems or general-purpose PCs such as laptops or even gaming consoles, I’ve worked with just about all types of “computers” throughout my career’. As for his writing, he has published two books to date – PRIMORDIAL THREAT and now PERIMETER – both with themes of technology and international intrigue. .
The polished skill with which Michael relates his intriguing and immensely involving story showcases both his mastery of technology as well as his obvious travels and knowledge of global intrigue. But he steps further into the spotlight with his introduction of chief character Levi Yoder by not only making him a brilliant ‘fixer’ but one coping with personal trauma, well defined in his opening paragraphs – ‘“Mr. Yoder, I’m sorry to have to tell you this.” Dr. Cohen looked concerned, hesitant, but he spoke quickly, as if to get it over with. “You have stage-4 pancreatic cancer.” That was certainly not how Levi had expected his nine a.m. follow-up visit to go. A chill spread through his chest and sent a shiver down the middle of his back. The gray-haired doctor sat across the table from Levi and nudged a box of tissues in his direction. As if tissues could help anything. “How can I possibly have cancer?” Levi’s fingers dug tightly into the arms of the padded red leather chair as he leaned forward. “I’m only thirty, and I’ve lived a clean life. I don’t drink alcohol or do drugs. Are you sure?” He realized it sounded like denial. Dr. Cohen stood, walked around his large mahogany desk, and put a wrinkled hand on Levi’s shoulder. “Son, I’m genuinely sorry.” He sighed, his breath smelling of peppermint tea. “Unfortunately, the early stages of pancreatic cancer have almost no symptoms. I sent the biopsy samples to two different labs, and they both came back with the same results. The radiology scans we took last week also confirmed the level of metastasis. The cancer has spread into your lymphatic system.” Levi took a deep breath and let it out slowly. The tautness of his muscles dissipated as a feeling of resignation came over him. “Stage 4? What does that mean? How do we treat this? What’s the next step?” Pulling a chair closer, the doctor sat across from Levi, their knees practically touching. “Stage 4 simply means the cancer has spread to other organs. In your case, we’ve detected the cancer in your pancreas as well as your lymph nodes. As to treatment, Sloane-Kettering and a few other research hospitals conducted clinical trials in 2005 that dealt with this type of cancer. Nowadays there are experimental radiation treatments that we could try, coupled with multiple rounds of chemotherapy, but at this stage of your disease, I’m afraid the odds aren’t good.”
It is this quality of prose that carries his novel to success. The plot is well outlined in the synopsis – ‘Levi is a "fixer" in a fix. The CIA needs his help. The Russian mob wants him dead. With enemies closing in and nowhere to turn, he learns that the one person who may hold all the answers ... is his dead wife. Levi Yoder is a member of the Mafia and a fixer of people's problems. He takes on issues where the law is otherwise unable to help. Unfortunately, Levi can't fix the problem he's facing. Having been diagnosed with a terminal case of cancer, Levi readies himself for death, but what he didn't prepare himself for was waking up one morning and learning that he's in complete remission. PERIMETER is a story of a man thrust back into a life he'd assumed was over. When he finds that he and the rest of his family are targets of what the CIA claims are elements of the Russian mob, Levi reluctantly agrees to help in whatever way he can. As Levi immerses himself in the seedy underbelly of international organized crime and politics, he learns that he's being targeted for something his now-dead wife did. It's quickly evident that the people he knows can't be trusted and the problems he needs to fix may be beyond his substantial skills.’
At the end of the novel Michael offers some scientific factual information that heightens the readers interest not only in this novel but also in the series. Writing of this caliber, having created a mesmerizing lead character whose skills as a human being are staggering, suggests that this book could easily be adapted as a screenplay for a fine motion picture. This is a series – the Levi Yoder Thrillers - and seems to be bound to be a very popular success. Highly Recommended.
Author M.A (Michael) Rothman is the first member of his family to be born in the United States. His Hungarian grandfather was a WW II refugee and his family fled the Nazi occupation. Michael is an engineer who focuses on computer technology – system software design – and his designs are embedded in all modern computers distributed be the major companies in the world. He has stated ‘Whether it is deeply embedded devices such as missile guidance systems or vehicle navigation systems or general-purpose PCs such as laptops or even gaming consoles, I’ve worked with just about all types of “computers” throughout my career’. As for his writing, he has published two books to date – PRIMORDIAL THREAT and now PERIMETER – both with themes of technology and international intrigue. .
The polished skill with which Michael relates his intriguing and immensely involving story showcases both his mastery of technology as well as his obvious travels and knowledge of global intrigue. But he steps further into the spotlight with his introduction of chief character Levi Yoder by not only making him a brilliant ‘fixer’ but one coping with personal trauma, well defined in his opening paragraphs – ‘“Mr. Yoder, I’m sorry to have to tell you this.” Dr. Cohen looked concerned, hesitant, but he spoke quickly, as if to get it over with. “You have stage-4 pancreatic cancer.” That was certainly not how Levi had expected his nine a.m. follow-up visit to go. A chill spread through his chest and sent a shiver down the middle of his back. The gray-haired doctor sat across the table from Levi and nudged a box of tissues in his direction. As if tissues could help anything. “How can I possibly have cancer?” Levi’s fingers dug tightly into the arms of the padded red leather chair as he leaned forward. “I’m only thirty, and I’ve lived a clean life. I don’t drink alcohol or do drugs. Are you sure?” He realized it sounded like denial. Dr. Cohen stood, walked around his large mahogany desk, and put a wrinkled hand on Levi’s shoulder. “Son, I’m genuinely sorry.” He sighed, his breath smelling of peppermint tea. “Unfortunately, the early stages of pancreatic cancer have almost no symptoms. I sent the biopsy samples to two different labs, and they both came back with the same results. The radiology scans we took last week also confirmed the level of metastasis. The cancer has spread into your lymphatic system.” Levi took a deep breath and let it out slowly. The tautness of his muscles dissipated as a feeling of resignation came over him. “Stage 4? What does that mean? How do we treat this? What’s the next step?” Pulling a chair closer, the doctor sat across from Levi, their knees practically touching. “Stage 4 simply means the cancer has spread to other organs. In your case, we’ve detected the cancer in your pancreas as well as your lymph nodes. As to treatment, Sloane-Kettering and a few other research hospitals conducted clinical trials in 2005 that dealt with this type of cancer. Nowadays there are experimental radiation treatments that we could try, coupled with multiple rounds of chemotherapy, but at this stage of your disease, I’m afraid the odds aren’t good.”
It is this quality of prose that carries his novel to success. The plot is well outlined in the synopsis – ‘Levi is a "fixer" in a fix. The CIA needs his help. The Russian mob wants him dead. With enemies closing in and nowhere to turn, he learns that the one person who may hold all the answers ... is his dead wife. Levi Yoder is a member of the Mafia and a fixer of people's problems. He takes on issues where the law is otherwise unable to help. Unfortunately, Levi can't fix the problem he's facing. Having been diagnosed with a terminal case of cancer, Levi readies himself for death, but what he didn't prepare himself for was waking up one morning and learning that he's in complete remission. PERIMETER is a story of a man thrust back into a life he'd assumed was over. When he finds that he and the rest of his family are targets of what the CIA claims are elements of the Russian mob, Levi reluctantly agrees to help in whatever way he can. As Levi immerses himself in the seedy underbelly of international organized crime and politics, he learns that he's being targeted for something his now-dead wife did. It's quickly evident that the people he knows can't be trusted and the problems he needs to fix may be beyond his substantial skills.’
At the end of the novel Michael offers some scientific factual information that heightens the readers interest not only in this novel but also in the series. Writing of this caliber, having created a mesmerizing lead character whose skills as a human being are staggering, suggests that this book could easily be adapted as a screenplay for a fine motion picture. This is a series – the Levi Yoder Thrillers - and seems to be bound to be a very popular success. Highly Recommended.
August 16, 2018
This is a very different thriller, and different is GOOD. There's a lot of action and it's almost impossible to guess what will happen next. Good read!
April 10, 2025
“Perimeter” is a 2019 thriller by M.A. Rothman, narrated by the talented Tim Campbell. This audiobook introduces Levi Yoder, a complex protagonist whose journey oscillates between the gritty underworld of organized crime and a quest for personal redemption. Rothman, known for weaving technology and international intrigue into his narratives, delivers a story that’s both a pulse-pounding adventure and a character-driven exploration of resilience. Campbell’s narration elevates the experience, making “Perimeter” a standout in the thriller genre.
The story kicks off with Levi, a seasoned “fixer” for the Mafia, facing a grim reality: a terminal cancer diagnosis. This initial blow sets a somber tone, but Rothman quickly pivots, thrusting Levi into a whirlwind of unexpected twists. After a miraculous recovery - sparked by a mysterious object tied to his late wife, Mary, Levi’s life takes a sharp turn. After being diagnosed with terminal stage 4 pancreatic cancer, his body weakened and resigned to death, and devastated by the loss of his wife in a car accident and with only months to live, he encounters a mysterious golden ankh-like object sent to him - an artifact that inexplicably triggers a miraculous recovery. Within days, his cancerous lumps vanish, and his frail physique transforms into one of renewed vigor and extraordinary capability, granting him enhanced healing, strength, and resilience. This physical rebirth, shrouded in mystery, propels Levi from a dying man into a formidable force, setting him on a path of global adventure and self-discovery, including years of martial arts training in Japan, as he returns to confront new dangers with a body no longer bound by mortal limits.
He’s no longer just a dying man; he’s a target. The CIA ropes him into a high-stakes operation involving the Russian mob, claiming his family is in danger. What unfolds is a labyrinth of deception, where Levi must navigate a world of untrustworthy allies and shadowy enemies, all while uncovering secrets Mary left behind.
One of the audiobook’s key highlights is Levi himself. Raised Amish, trained in martial arts across Asia, and hardened by years in New York’s criminal underbelly, he’s a fascinating blend of stoicism and lethality. Rothman doesn’t just craft an action hero; he gives Levi depth - his grief, his moral compass, and his quiet determination shine through. The plot moves at a brisk pace, with tense fight scenes and clever technological gambits keeping the adrenaline high. Yet, it’s the quieter moments - Levi reflecting on his past or grappling with betrayal - that linger longest.
Tim Campbell’s narration is a triumph. His voice carries a gravelly warmth that suits Levi’s rugged persona, while his pacing keeps the tension taut. Campbell deftly shifts tones for the supporting cast - whether it’s the clipped precision of a CIA agent or the menacing drawl of a mobster - bringing Rothman’s world to life. His performance adds an emotional layer that makes Levi’s journey feel personal, almost visceral.
Thematically, “Perimeter” explores trust and legacy. Levi’s quest isn’t just about survival; it’s about understanding the life Mary led and the dangers she unwittingly passed on. Rothman peppers the narrative with intrigue - codes, conspiracies, and a hint of the supernatural - without overwhelming the core story. While the plot occasionally leans on convenient coincidences, the momentum and character work overshadow these minor quibbles. “Perimeter” is a promising start to the Levi Yoder series, blending thriller tropes with a fresh protagonist.
The story kicks off with Levi, a seasoned “fixer” for the Mafia, facing a grim reality: a terminal cancer diagnosis. This initial blow sets a somber tone, but Rothman quickly pivots, thrusting Levi into a whirlwind of unexpected twists. After a miraculous recovery - sparked by a mysterious object tied to his late wife, Mary, Levi’s life takes a sharp turn. After being diagnosed with terminal stage 4 pancreatic cancer, his body weakened and resigned to death, and devastated by the loss of his wife in a car accident and with only months to live, he encounters a mysterious golden ankh-like object sent to him - an artifact that inexplicably triggers a miraculous recovery. Within days, his cancerous lumps vanish, and his frail physique transforms into one of renewed vigor and extraordinary capability, granting him enhanced healing, strength, and resilience. This physical rebirth, shrouded in mystery, propels Levi from a dying man into a formidable force, setting him on a path of global adventure and self-discovery, including years of martial arts training in Japan, as he returns to confront new dangers with a body no longer bound by mortal limits.
He’s no longer just a dying man; he’s a target. The CIA ropes him into a high-stakes operation involving the Russian mob, claiming his family is in danger. What unfolds is a labyrinth of deception, where Levi must navigate a world of untrustworthy allies and shadowy enemies, all while uncovering secrets Mary left behind.
One of the audiobook’s key highlights is Levi himself. Raised Amish, trained in martial arts across Asia, and hardened by years in New York’s criminal underbelly, he’s a fascinating blend of stoicism and lethality. Rothman doesn’t just craft an action hero; he gives Levi depth - his grief, his moral compass, and his quiet determination shine through. The plot moves at a brisk pace, with tense fight scenes and clever technological gambits keeping the adrenaline high. Yet, it’s the quieter moments - Levi reflecting on his past or grappling with betrayal - that linger longest.
Tim Campbell’s narration is a triumph. His voice carries a gravelly warmth that suits Levi’s rugged persona, while his pacing keeps the tension taut. Campbell deftly shifts tones for the supporting cast - whether it’s the clipped precision of a CIA agent or the menacing drawl of a mobster - bringing Rothman’s world to life. His performance adds an emotional layer that makes Levi’s journey feel personal, almost visceral.
Thematically, “Perimeter” explores trust and legacy. Levi’s quest isn’t just about survival; it’s about understanding the life Mary led and the dangers she unwittingly passed on. Rothman peppers the narrative with intrigue - codes, conspiracies, and a hint of the supernatural - without overwhelming the core story. While the plot occasionally leans on convenient coincidences, the momentum and character work overshadow these minor quibbles. “Perimeter” is a promising start to the Levi Yoder series, blending thriller tropes with a fresh protagonist.
August 29, 2025
Un libro de intriga correctísimo, original en muchos aspectos y mejorable en algunos otros (como casi todos).
Plantea una mezcla curiosa entre mafia, espías, acción, intriga y alguna otra cosilla. Se lee rápido y fácil, engancha... Pues eso, poco que objetar.
No es un libro para releer pero como lectura ligera y entretenida cumple su cometido.
Las 4 estrellas resultan de redondear al alza un 3,5
Plantea una mezcla curiosa entre mafia, espías, acción, intriga y alguna otra cosilla. Se lee rápido y fácil, engancha... Pues eso, poco que objetar.
No es un libro para releer pero como lectura ligera y entretenida cumple su cometido.
Las 4 estrellas resultan de redondear al alza un 3,5
November 29, 2020
Given the book's premise, I expected this to be a little hokey. But it surpassed hokey rather quickly and soon collapsed into utter absurdity. The main character, Levi Yoder, was essentially a parody of human perfection. Through his backstory we learn that he was a perfect person long before he received his special ankh-powers.
Why do I say this? Well, as a teenager he left his pacifistic, deeply religious Amish community and moved to New York. Upon arriving in NY city, he immediately struck up deep and meaningful friendships with hardened mafia men (who of course loved him instantly and quickly brought him into "the family"). Also, fresh off the commune, he somehow knew how to streetfight like a demon. As such, by the age of 20 he was appointed as a FIXER for the mob. Fixer, meaning he was both a "consultant" and a "spy" for his mobster bosses. (His words, not mine.) So, um, the character realism was lacking.
Ankh or no ankh, by the end of the book I had already had too much of this. That said, the plot was clever enough that I did finish the story. Unfortunately, the ending was as trite as the rest of it.
Why do I say this? Well, as a teenager he left his pacifistic, deeply religious Amish community and moved to New York. Upon arriving in NY city, he immediately struck up deep and meaningful friendships with hardened mafia men (who of course loved him instantly and quickly brought him into "the family"). Also, fresh off the commune, he somehow knew how to streetfight like a demon. As such, by the age of 20 he was appointed as a FIXER for the mob. Fixer, meaning he was both a "consultant" and a "spy" for his mobster bosses. (His words, not mine.) So, um, the character realism was lacking.
Ankh or no ankh, by the end of the book I had already had too much of this. That said, the plot was clever enough that I did finish the story. Unfortunately, the ending was as trite as the rest of it.
September 19, 2024
Found this one through advertisements on twitter and I enjoyed it, especially when it picked up pace in the end. Gonna see what the next book holds.
October 11, 2018
Levi Yoder was raised in Amish country, but he grew up on the street of New York. Levi is known as a fixer for one of the mafia families. He is good at what he does. Unfortunately at the tender age of thirty he is diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Levi is dredging telling the love of his life that he is dying. He had promised her he would be with her forever. Levi places everything he owns in a trust for Mary his wife. Mary would want for nothing after his death. He places the trust papers in his safety deposit box at the bank. Levi finds a package addressed to Mary in the deposit box. Curious he opens the package and finds what looks like a brightly shining ankh. His life will be forever changed. Mary dies in a car accident under unusual circumstances. Levi’s cancer is in remission; his body healing but is heart no longer cares. Levi tries to find himself by going on a walk-about which takes him to several continents and different cultures. He learns martial arts, survival skills, and meditation. After ten years on the road it is time for Levi to return home to his routes. He is welcomed back to the Amish community. Unfortunately someone wants Levi dead and in order for that to happen two of the Amish children are sacrificed. The deaths are blamed on Levi. Levi is carted off to jail. While incarcerated the first of many attempts on his life is made by the Russians no less. But they don’t know what Levi is capable of. Levi survives and is released. He can’t go back to the Amish community; his only other choice is to back to New York.
Well that is all I am going to tell you. This is an exciting complex story filled with history, dynamic characters, love interests, thrills; everything you would want in a great read. I hope there is another Levi Yonder story in the making.
I won this e-book on Goodreads.com
Well that is all I am going to tell you. This is an exciting complex story filled with history, dynamic characters, love interests, thrills; everything you would want in a great read. I hope there is another Levi Yonder story in the making.
I won this e-book on Goodreads.com
September 16, 2018
Levi Yoder is a different and great protagonist. He deals with many issues as he recovers from the death of his wife and is forced to track down an assassin who is trying to kill him. The story itself is a thrilling mystery that mixes a little fantasy into the plot. It is well-written and completely different from other books in this genre. The style of writing makes for easy reading, but conveys much information. Levi travels the world, becomes a self defense master and goes back to his original job as a fixer for the New York mob. Action takes place in exotic locales as well as Amish farmland and the city. An astonishing amount of information is contained within this book.
April 5, 2019
Perimeter - the implausible and yes fiction isn't real but this goes beyond belief - Yoder is more comic book hero than a character in a novel. Certainly needed some cohesion and dialogue. As far as I'm concerned not special and Levi Yoder isn't a character I can connect with.
October 2, 2019
Hackneyed plot and amateurish writing. I rarely don’t finish a book but didn’t make it through this mess.
February 19, 2025
Over the top but surely covers the gamut of tropes without truly developing characters. Audio narrator is awesome especially when he sings Puccini
January 9, 2019
Book 1 of a new series featuring Levi Yoder, a man whose life has enough twists and turns to qualify as the local soap opera while he tries to do the right thing for the right reason for the wrong people. Throw in the fact that he's retired from life to wait for death then learns that he's going to live a little longer than predicted and you've got an original story line that works to keep readers, especially, this one, reading instead of doing chores. I loved Levi's dilemmas as he works to fix the problems of the good guys and the bad guys without getting killed for his trouble. Make sure Perimeter is on your TBR list!
January 8, 2025
I appreciate that Billy found a thriller to give me at Christmas that wasn’t on my reading radar. Victor Yoder, mourning Amish, back-in-town mafia “fixer”, and revenge seeker, has a lot going on. There’s that nasty cancer diagnosis… or is there? Some hoo-doo is going down, and Victor has some things to figure out. Muddled things. Lots of feelings. He’s no Evan Smoak. Orphan X
June 22, 2024
Letto per lavoro e super contenta. Di solito non leggo tanti thriller, soprattutto non thriller americani, ma questo mi è piaciuto particolarmente. Mi ha tenuta incollata alle pagine e non vedevo l'ora di sapere come continuasse. Avrei solo un appunto da fare su un colpo di scena troppo veloce, ma per il resto è davvero godibile. Poi, con quel pizzico di mistero egizio in sottofondo, mi ha conquistata subito.
April 16, 2024
If you like Reacher, The Sopranos, Bruce Lee, or National Treasure, you will love Levi Yoder, the Amish "fixer" for the mob. He’s a high-functioning mixed martial artist, with a little supernatural element to him, and is working with the CIA. I was trying to explain this book to my husband, and it sounds extremely far fetched, but somehow it works and is awesome.
December 1, 2025
Meh. This was too easy, too scripted, just any problem Levi has, no worries Denny has a something g or other for that or there’s a gadget for this or as luck would have it he all of a sudden doesn’t have an issue. I liked the premise of this novel/series but I think it’s 1 and done. Disappointing.
March 11, 2025
Absurd but fun high quality thriller beach read.
July 19, 2025
I think this book might have seen better to me if I had not had cancer. The timing is off for me.
January 1, 2025
This was a rousing good story which needed a rigorous edit. Covering at least four continents and a dozen cultures including urban America and the Pennsylvania Amish, the book featured the intersecting points of view of Levi, an unlikely mob fixer, and Madison, a Navy officer turned CIA operative.
The science and technology in the narrative seemed solid, but other procedural points showed lapses that a strong editor would have caught. Levi is arrested by the county sheriff's department, and would have been taken to a county jail -- but Rothman describes a high-security prison setting, with indeed, a "prison guard" telling him he'd go to intake in the morning.
Early on, cliched descriptions made frequent appearances ("The moment he first saw her, it was like he'd been struck by lightning. His skin had tingled and he'd barely managed to catch his breath" and “He felt the gamut of human emotions”). In several places, a repeated adverb shows up carelessly, two and three times, on the same page.
The story was strong enough for me to carry on reading, but the niggling irritations really damaged the writer's credibility. Also, the dialogue was inconsistent, with each character's conversational patterns slipping in and out of formality, slang, fluency, etc.
The story arc was powerful, but the narrative didn't hold up its end. I read in the afterword that the writer decided to self-publish, and it explained a lot -- most publishing houses have an editorial team that would have magnified the punch of this book.
The science and technology in the narrative seemed solid, but other procedural points showed lapses that a strong editor would have caught. Levi is arrested by the county sheriff's department, and would have been taken to a county jail -- but Rothman describes a high-security prison setting, with indeed, a "prison guard" telling him he'd go to intake in the morning.
Early on, cliched descriptions made frequent appearances ("The moment he first saw her, it was like he'd been struck by lightning. His skin had tingled and he'd barely managed to catch his breath" and “He felt the gamut of human emotions”). In several places, a repeated adverb shows up carelessly, two and three times, on the same page.
The story was strong enough for me to carry on reading, but the niggling irritations really damaged the writer's credibility. Also, the dialogue was inconsistent, with each character's conversational patterns slipping in and out of formality, slang, fluency, etc.
The story arc was powerful, but the narrative didn't hold up its end. I read in the afterword that the writer decided to self-publish, and it explained a lot -- most publishing houses have an editorial team that would have magnified the punch of this book.
August 10, 2020
Not my usual type of book and not really very good. Story was silly and a bit disjointed. Not sure why the lead had to have 'magical' powers or why he was working for the mob in the first place? Will not be reading the next chapter.
January 12, 2025
SPOILERS: The reader (or listener reviews) on Perimeter all say pretty much the same thing: “interesting character.” That is true. Levi Yoder is a unique character. I would say he is in the Jack Reacher mold of almost Xman type heroes. Yoder, in fact, goes a step further as there is the suggestion that he may be nearly immortal. The book starts with Yoder thinking he is terminal with cancer. His wife receives a package with an Egyptian artifact that cures him and gives him the ability to heal very quickly. His wife is killed in an auto accident the same day which spirals Yoder into a twelve year period of wandering, studying and seeking. Along the way he becomes even more adept at martial arts, picks up various languages and sits at the feet of gurus. Completing his CV we learn that he was raised Amish, moved to NYCity and got involved with the Italian mob when he saved the Don’s son from bullies. Subsequently, Yoder becomes a fixer for the Mafia. In addition, he makes contact with an electronics expert whose son becomes his Q when he returns to New York after his long search. This allows him to make use of all manner of computer technology, hacking, listening devices, security monitors, etc. as is so popular now days to keep plots moving. Yoder, in addition to being a master of Japanese martial arts is also expert with weapons including knives which he can throw like circus performer. He is also a master of disguise. I should mention that even though suspension of disbelief is important for the reader/listener, the book is entertaining. It was also free and I may have enjoyed it 50% more as a listener because of the talents of Tim Campbell who is one of the best audio book performers I’ve experienced so far after some 400 audio books. He does all manner of accents compellingly and is particularly good with women. And it was impossible to suppress a smile when he breaks into an operatic aria that the Don is listening to. This is a mystery/action adventure and, of course, we need to get the CIA involved in the person of a female agent who we know will become romantically involved with Yoder. The CIA plot involves stolen nuclear bombs and a mysterious Russian who is complicit in the death of Yoder’s beloved late wife. More suspension of disbelief is required when the CIA team travels to Russia and infiltrates Russian complexes, finds the bombs at the bottom of lake and in an historical society building and defuses them. Yoder may not have healed if the bomb had gone off, but he does revive very quickly, baffling the physicians, from beating, poisoning and electrocution. This no doubt will be made into a movie starring Tom Cruise. And, yeah, I’m into book two. In my defense, it was also free.
October 27, 2023
SPOILERS AHEAD: There's really no way to talk about this book without revealing some of the insane elements included.
These type of thrillers are a guilty pleasure. The writing is always meh, the plots are formulaic, and the characters are cardboard cut-outs of real people. Maybe once I'd like to discover a book in this vein that had more of a literary aspect to it, or at least some style and humour, something I haven't read before. Maybe the genre is incompatible with that kind of writing, because it's all about action, action, action by definition.
One thing this book does have going for it - I guarantee you have never read a thriller quite like it before.
Where do I start? The hero is Levi Yoder. He is - I kid you not - an Amish farmboy who grew up to be a fixer for the New York mafia. When his wife dies in a car crash, he wanders the earth like David Carradine in Kung Fu for 12 years, becoming an expert in martial arts, languages, hunting/tracking. A total badass, plus women love him. I mean, really love him and his dreamy blue eyes. He comes back home, gets mixed up with his old wiseguy friends once more, but also gets embroiled in a James Bond plot to recover stolen nuclear warheads from some Russian bad guys. There's a hot CIA agent too, and she falls in love with him because this is what happens in all these books.
Stick with me here.
I haven't mentioned that he was also exposed to a mystical Egyptian ankh that seems to have given him amazing healing powers. This is somehow related to his dead wife (an Iranian refugee) and the Russian baddies...I dunno, I kinda clocked out by this point. The whole thing is ridiculous. The writing is okay, but the story is so hackneyed and honestly nothing you've never read before. Fine, we read these things for the familiar thrills and spills. Action, adventure, romance in exotic locales, and being a total badass.
If this book was some sort of meta-commentary about the intrinsic silliness of high stakes political action thrillers like Tom Clancy, 007 etc and all the cliched tropes, then I would almost buy it. Sadly, I think the book is meant to be taken 100% seriously at face value.
And yet I am tempted to read the next one just to see how nutty this gets.
These type of thrillers are a guilty pleasure. The writing is always meh, the plots are formulaic, and the characters are cardboard cut-outs of real people. Maybe once I'd like to discover a book in this vein that had more of a literary aspect to it, or at least some style and humour, something I haven't read before. Maybe the genre is incompatible with that kind of writing, because it's all about action, action, action by definition.
One thing this book does have going for it - I guarantee you have never read a thriller quite like it before.
Where do I start? The hero is Levi Yoder. He is - I kid you not - an Amish farmboy who grew up to be a fixer for the New York mafia. When his wife dies in a car crash, he wanders the earth like David Carradine in Kung Fu for 12 years, becoming an expert in martial arts, languages, hunting/tracking. A total badass, plus women love him. I mean, really love him and his dreamy blue eyes. He comes back home, gets mixed up with his old wiseguy friends once more, but also gets embroiled in a James Bond plot to recover stolen nuclear warheads from some Russian bad guys. There's a hot CIA agent too, and she falls in love with him because this is what happens in all these books.
Stick with me here.
I haven't mentioned that he was also exposed to a mystical Egyptian ankh that seems to have given him amazing healing powers. This is somehow related to his dead wife (an Iranian refugee) and the Russian baddies...I dunno, I kinda clocked out by this point. The whole thing is ridiculous. The writing is okay, but the story is so hackneyed and honestly nothing you've never read before. Fine, we read these things for the familiar thrills and spills. Action, adventure, romance in exotic locales, and being a total badass.
If this book was some sort of meta-commentary about the intrinsic silliness of high stakes political action thrillers like Tom Clancy, 007 etc and all the cliched tropes, then I would almost buy it. Sadly, I think the book is meant to be taken 100% seriously at face value.
And yet I am tempted to read the next one just to see how nutty this gets.
October 7, 2025
Excellent adventure and thriller
This was very well written following the life of Levi Yoder. He has grown up Amish, had an Iranian wife who had died in a tragic car crash. He then wanders the world going from one Zen master to the masters in other Asian countries learning martial arts and skills but never truly finding himself. Oh and prior to that he had an incident where he found an ancient device in his bank vault box that seems to have given him heightened senses and an ability to heal much faster than any one else can. He ends up revisiting his Amish family only to have been setup as the murderer of two of the young Amish where someone in Russia wants him dead and set him. He is setup in prison, and yet manages to take out 5 Russian prisoners. Meanwhile there is a parallel story with a US Air Force plane that went missing in the Mediterranean and that had two missing Nukes and the CIA going after trying to find you them. Levi gets out as the CIA thinks he can lead them to the Russians who may be in possession of the Nukes. The story goes into detail with Levi meeting up again with the guys he grew up with and the Mob interactions. Great character development with following the main character but the others are not just shells of characters but are developed as well. The end tells of him going after the murderer of his wife and the Amish kids but along the way ends up joining forces with the CIA agents and ends up diffusing a Nuke. This book has an air of James Bond mixed with Eastern mysticism, ancient history, CIA, the Mob, and a little bit of a love story wrapped in one book
This was very well written following the life of Levi Yoder. He has grown up Amish, had an Iranian wife who had died in a tragic car crash. He then wanders the world going from one Zen master to the masters in other Asian countries learning martial arts and skills but never truly finding himself. Oh and prior to that he had an incident where he found an ancient device in his bank vault box that seems to have given him heightened senses and an ability to heal much faster than any one else can. He ends up revisiting his Amish family only to have been setup as the murderer of two of the young Amish where someone in Russia wants him dead and set him. He is setup in prison, and yet manages to take out 5 Russian prisoners. Meanwhile there is a parallel story with a US Air Force plane that went missing in the Mediterranean and that had two missing Nukes and the CIA going after trying to find you them. Levi gets out as the CIA thinks he can lead them to the Russians who may be in possession of the Nukes. The story goes into detail with Levi meeting up again with the guys he grew up with and the Mob interactions. Great character development with following the main character but the others are not just shells of characters but are developed as well. The end tells of him going after the murderer of his wife and the Amish kids but along the way ends up joining forces with the CIA agents and ends up diffusing a Nuke. This book has an air of James Bond mixed with Eastern mysticism, ancient history, CIA, the Mob, and a little bit of a love story wrapped in one book
May 8, 2025
Sorry Levi Lazerus you are just too good to be true. The kung fu grip and knife throwing skills alone would be enough but with photographic memory, unlimited cash, friends with all of NYC including old lady arms dealers and the mafia, a hot babe who also is karate expert and able to cook omelette without looking well that is just too much! Seriously it is hard to root for this guy and his amish origin tale (needed to avenge those poor kids better) , his wife who just up and drove off the road so he finds out after wandering the earth for 10 years trying to forget her then amazingly finds the guy who did it, what are the chances? The cyanide wielding babe he hooks up with looks just like dead wife somehow so lets go to mountain top and do it, then drink tea laced with poison ? Not too bright, and meanwhile his new pals the CIA gals with one being a horn dog cougar type who just can't say no and goody two shoes who wouldn't touch him unless he killed in self defense only. Oh yeah, she defuses nuclear bombs as well and gives instructions over the phone between jokes (you don't want to cut that wire or it will be the last one you cut, nyuk nyuk nyuk :) Written on the planet cornball for people who don't require a deep plot and are skilled at suspending disbelief indefinitely I would say Levi will wear himself out quickly doing good deeds and trying to keep the mob and his gal happy while saving the world. Off to visit Stephen King for a long walk...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2023
Levi Yoder, a mob fixer, experiences personal tragedies before stumbling upon an ancient Egyptian artifact in his safe deposit box. This discovery transforms him into a combination of Superman, 007, and various other heroes. We might as well call him Yoda, although he lacks the characteristics of a short green alien with a lightsaber. Enlightened is he. Despite lacking those traits, he becomes enlightened.
Yoder then decides to seek further enlightenment in the eastern hemisphere, embarking on a journey that takes him to Japan, China, India, and Australia. During his travels, he learns various skills from masters in their respective crafts, including fighting and languages.
After his walkabout, Yoder returns home only to find himself entangled in a conspiracy. He becomes determined to track down a femme fatale—a Russian assassin who wronged him. When he finally locates the assassin, he is compelled to confront her, driven by her striking resemblance to his deceased wife they engage in making the beast with two backs. Highlighting the one skill his masters failed to impart: common sense. This emphasizes once again that when a man's phallus is engorged, his hypothalamus turns to putty.
Despite the poetic licence, the story is an overall entertaining and enjoyable read.
Yoder then decides to seek further enlightenment in the eastern hemisphere, embarking on a journey that takes him to Japan, China, India, and Australia. During his travels, he learns various skills from masters in their respective crafts, including fighting and languages.
After his walkabout, Yoder returns home only to find himself entangled in a conspiracy. He becomes determined to track down a femme fatale—a Russian assassin who wronged him. When he finally locates the assassin, he is compelled to confront her, driven by her striking resemblance to his deceased wife they engage in making the beast with two backs. Highlighting the one skill his masters failed to impart: common sense. This emphasizes once again that when a man's phallus is engorged, his hypothalamus turns to putty.
Despite the poetic licence, the story is an overall entertaining and enjoyable read.
October 8, 2018
This book has some really great surprises that I don’t usually expect from thrillers and action based novels like this is. The main one for me is the main character, Levi, and choices that the author made with him. First of all, Levi has a great ‘profession’, he is a fixer, and that automatically invites the reader in and promises lots of exciting stuff and a potential for some great scenes. Also, maybe even more important, the author made Levi a deep character that I was actually emotionally invested in, and that is not the response I have with cool action heroes like Levi. The thing is that the author made Levi mortally ill, get well and at the same time put him through personal hell by taking away his wife. That made him human, vulnerable and made me care. The writing is on point, both for the more emotional stuff and the fast paced thriller scenes. Make no mistake, this still is a fun and action filled book with somewhat basic plot, with secret agencies, weapons, murders and all of that lovely stuff. I highlighted some of the character based things because that gives the book that extra kick above the many others, I believe.
September 12, 2024
Great beginning to a series
Levi Yoder is one incredibly interesting character. I loved most everything about this novel, the way the story unfolds and other characters are introduced. The scientific details are excellent - physics and chemistry, bring it on!
But. A couple problems.
If you're in the middle of disarming a major bomb with a short countdown, the person helping you is not going to get into the complexity of chemical reactions. I mean, lives are on the line. The clock is ticking! If the author insists on showing the reader their bomb knowledge, please don't pull a "Well, as you know, Bob..." and info dump. Totally unrealistic.
Also. I loved Levi and his wander-the-world way of grief-coping. Plus, picking up all the skills along said journey. Coupled with his Amish upbringing, we're going to see a man of necessary words only. Which happened for the most part. Other times, I thought, who the heck is talking? Because he sounded more like a gossiping suburban SAHM than a man with his experience and background.
Other than these two picky pet peeves, I can't wait to see how this guy balances the two opposing worlds he's suddenly thrown into.
Levi Yoder is one incredibly interesting character. I loved most everything about this novel, the way the story unfolds and other characters are introduced. The scientific details are excellent - physics and chemistry, bring it on!
But. A couple problems.
If you're in the middle of disarming a major bomb with a short countdown, the person helping you is not going to get into the complexity of chemical reactions. I mean, lives are on the line. The clock is ticking! If the author insists on showing the reader their bomb knowledge, please don't pull a "Well, as you know, Bob..." and info dump. Totally unrealistic.
Also. I loved Levi and his wander-the-world way of grief-coping. Plus, picking up all the skills along said journey. Coupled with his Amish upbringing, we're going to see a man of necessary words only. Which happened for the most part. Other times, I thought, who the heck is talking? Because he sounded more like a gossiping suburban SAHM than a man with his experience and background.
Other than these two picky pet peeves, I can't wait to see how this guy balances the two opposing worlds he's suddenly thrown into.
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