The Bricklayer audiobook

I was so excited when I found this author, this book. I absolutely loved the character and story. Boyd (pen name) had he survive could very well have unseated Flynn, Greaney and Child for the top spot. The writing craft and pacing is excellent. I highly recommend this book.David Putnam Author of The Bruno Johnson series.

Okay, not a bad read at all. In the vein of the loner hero a la The Gray man or jack Reacher. This is the premiere appearance of Steve Vail and he's a good protagonists. He's not so "loner" as to be cheesy but just enough to make a good story.See he was very driven and ended up leaving the FBI under a cloud (so to speak) but now, they need him back. I know we've seen it before but in this case the highly unlikely scenario is a bit more plausible than we often get. From there the story moves along at a descent clip with no major negatives and aside from the slightly strained romance angle is quite enjoyable. I plan to get the next volume.Sadly, there are only 2 of these books as Noah Boyd passed away in 2011 I believe from leukemia (or possibly leukemia related pneumonia).Recommended, enjoy.

The Bricklayer is an action thriller set in America.Steve Vail used to work for the FBI until his work methods and disregard for authority caused his downfall. Now he’s a bricklayer. The story opens with a hold-up at a bank. Steve is one of the hostages and he goes on to disarm the gunmen, only to disappear afterwards. The story moves on to a murder of a FBI whistle-blower reporter, followed my death threats and ransom demands from a group who call themselves Rubaco Pentad. They are out-foxing the FBI and killing agents.Vail is brought back to help with the case; his unusual thought patterns and ability to stay alive are tested to the extreme in this adventure.I liked Vail, he opened the readers eyes to different scenarios and options. There’s one more in this series which I would be happy to read, after which the author sadly died.

If Siskel and Ebert had four thumbs, this would get a four thumbs up review."The Bricklayer" is a mystery/thriller that starts off fast and doesn't stop until the last page is read. This book will put Noah Boyd up with the likes of Harlan Coben, Lee Child, and Vince Flynn. I always anticipate a new book by these authors, and I can honestly say that I am anxiously waiting for the next book by Noah Boyd.Steve Vail is an ex-FBI agent who is now making a living as a "Bricklayer". He has left the force because he has found himself at odds with his superiors and the bureaucratic red tape that it takes to get anything done.He is called into service and given almost carte blance to do anything to solve a mystery that is plaguing the FBI. The FBI is being targeted as not only being inept, but some of its agents are being killed. The Bureau is also looking inward at itself to see if possibly one of their agents may be involved in the extortion.Agents are being used as couriers for extortion money and are being put through unbelievable trials to deliver the money. The extortionists have them jumping through so many hoops it becomes next to impossible to get to them.Steve, in several uncanny moves, goes against the grain and follows leads that are divergent from what leads the FBI are following. He is also caught between two women, Kate Bannon, who is an Assistant Director with the FBI, and Tye Delson, a prosecutor working for the FBI. Although Steve finds the going difficult he is determined to solve the mystery, even when there are several times it looks like the case has been solved. He just refuses to believe that there isn't more the the case than meets the eye.The book comes to a thrilling climax when Steve discovers that a very unlikely person is behind the extortion, and that the extortion was not for money but for revenge. "The Bricklayer" has it all, mystery, romance, fast action, deception, and one thrilling escapade after another. A "MUST" read for anyone who wants to stay up nights turning page after page to find out what happens next.

This debut novel by Noah Boyd packs a punch—and happily it is the first of a planned series featuring non-conforming, irreverent ex-FBI agent Steve Vail, fired for insubordination but too valuable to forget. That's why Deputy Assistant Director Kate Bannon is sent to find him and enlist his help in an extortion case going horribly badly for them—bodies are piling up and it could just be that someone in the FBI is actually involved. Vail is just the sort of under-the -radar investigator for the job—he literally always gets his man, even if it means breaking a few rules and ignoring more than a few orders to do so. He's a tough man's man that male readers will want to be, and the women will want, period. The pace is good, the writing well researched, and the plot complicated and interesting. This is going to be a very popular series that should capture fans of John Sanford and Lee Child especially.

Steve Vail is a Bricklayer. He is however no ordinary bricklayer. He used to be a former FBI agent who didn't like taking orders from anybody. When somebody begins killing FBI agents, Deputy Director, Kate Bannon decides that she needs his help. Vail will need to go back to the world he abruptly left to see if he can help the FBI track down the murderer.As this is Noah Boyd's first novel I had no expectations other than the jacket info which always seems to promise the best novel ever. With the front cover holding the words "Move over Jack Reacher, here comes The Bricklayer - James Patterson" it had me hoping that this debut would be a good one.First off the author is not silly; he has all the components needed that have made previous authors successful. Brooding lead character that doesn't like the rules, yep he has that. Female character that is somehow persuaded to go along with the idea of breaking every rule there is, yep he also has that. Storyline involving crazy psychopath murderer that seems to know all the tricks in the book, yep, got that too. Noah Boyd has all the ingredients that other have previously used with one exception. Noah Boyd has actually worked for the FBI.The experience tells through the storytelling somehow making this tried and tested formula work even more than usual. The storytelling itself is good, being fast-paced and edgy without being too over the top. The actual writing of the two main characters was great and the rapport between them is built up gradually. I also fell in love with Steve Vail's character; he was witty and charming without being smarmy. On top of that he seems more real the way he is written, as does Kate Bannon.Some may say that Steve Vail is nowhere near as good as some of the other characters people have come to love such as Jack Reacher and Alex Cross. However remember that this is a debut novel and there is loads of room for this character to develop. That is of course on the proviso that Noah Boyd wants to continue with this character. I think a follow on book to this would be great.I can honestly say there is nothing I didn't like about this, admittedly Steve Vail hasn't wormed his way to my heart like Peter James has done with his lead character Roy Grace, but a follow up might just do the trick. Its tough competition out there today for crime writers, especially when creating a fresh type story. I think Noah Boyd has done this well because the authenticity show through the story.

If I am not mistaken in my information, this is Noah Boyd's first effort. At least, it is the first in, what I hope to become, a series. The premise is excellent. Former FBI agent, disillusioned with the beaurocracy of the agency, quits to become a bricklayer. He is an excellent bricklayer and also sculpts in his spare time. The former agent, Steve Vail, is at a bank one day when an attempt to rob the bank occurs. Vail saves the day and disappears into obscurity, but not without the notice of the FBI, who is working on a huge case that needs just his sort of bravado. He is recognized by another agent who describes his problem with authority, but his tendency to find things and people that other agents can't.This begins an excellent story of intrigue and mystery that I had trouble putting down.The characters are fleshed out very well. The situations are described in detail that is understandable but not so detailed to be tiresome. I enjoyed the twists and turns in the book and was surprised at the ending; just what I like in a book!I also enjoy books with toughness that dont rely on profanity to prove it. I can't wait for Boyd's next installment, if one is to come. I highly recommend this book for anyone who likes intrigue, the workings of the FBI, and a puzzle that gives you all of the pieces.

Nothing earth shattering about this novel but interesting enough for a star3. Somewhat different and will compare with Boyd's 2nd book "AgentX" which I recently have on "my 2 do list"

Paul Lindsay died before the publication of his third Steve Vail novel, Last Chance To Die. While terribly sad for his family and loved ones on a lesser note it was sad for the readers of crime/adventure fiction as well. Steve Vail was a great character. I thoroughly enjoyed The Bricklayer and it was plain to see Mr. Lindsay's disdain of certain facets of the FBI. But regardless it was interesting and trying to follow the puzzles laid down by the bad guys was quite the brain teaser. I am currently reading Agent X, the second in the series and after that I have the aforementioned Last Chance To Die. RIP Paul Lindsay/Noah Boyd/Steve Vail.I picked up Last Chance To Die to read after finishing Agent X and discovered that it is the UK version of Agent X. Don't be fooled. I don't know if the third book was ever released.

This is the first time I have read a book by Noah Boyd This book reads like a Jack Reacher book A lot of action and twists and turn while chasing the bad guys. While they cause murder and mayhem. The FBI brings a former rouge agent to chase and solve the crime spree.

I will not summarize the plot as other reviewers have done that. Here are the pluses and minuses to this first effort by former FBI agent Noah Boyd (and boy, does the publisher push that platform!)Pro:Great action set-pieces. Protag Steven Veil, aka the Bricklayer, gets into some of the most tense and impossible jams of any character, and escapes with wit and skill, and okay, a lot of luck. Incredibly creative plotting.Con: These perilous situations are almost too over-the-top. However exciting and challenging, they verge on melodrama. Who would go to all that trouble to set up such clever traps? In this sense, they're more appropriate to a Batman comic than a crime novel. Pro:Clever repartee between Veil and Kate, his FBI colleague and love interest. Con:The repartee is overplayed. As a former screenwriter, really good dialog is sparse and to the point. It does not draw attention to itself, nor does it go on and on, no matter how clever. Pro:A likable enough action hero, averse to publicity and praise, determined to do the right thing, incorrigibly allergic to authority.Con:Too willing to charge into situations on his own, without backup or even notification of what he's up to. Yes, it creates suspense. No, it's not believable except at the comic book level.Pro:Clever plotting.Con:Mediocre writing. At times it's grammatically incorrect. Ah, for the days when editors were editors and actually cared enough to pick up such errors.Overall, I would recommend this book with the above caveats. Given that it's a first novel, a commendable effort. I'm sure Boyd's writing will improve; if not, there are plenty of other writers in this genre.

Wow.*My Mystery/Thriller Project has hit some disappointing times recently. After thoroughly enjoying the early Lee Child's, he dropped off, I was disappointed by Silva, Sakey, Harvey, Nesbo, Slip and Falland The Lost Symbol (and there were those detours with Rollins and Reilly).Am I ever going to find another series with the writing, plot, characters, placing and raw thrill of The Killing Floor?Well, done and done!The Bricklayer was tremendous, and it's just a shame that it won't be out for another 3 months, which probably means another 15 months for the next story!*I know I start all reviews this way.

The author is a former FBI agent writing about a fictional former agent who does not play well with others.Steve Vail is recruited by the Director to solve a crime against the FBI with two agents being killed among some civilians, and the Agency being extorted for millions of dollars.In a complex plot to deliver the payoffs, Steve is in grave danger many times, but is able to pull through by his amazing intellect and physical strength. His evil opponent is a worthy villain.A new hero for Jack Reacher fans. With publicity blurbs from Lee Child, Patricia Cornwell, James Patterson, Seymour Hersh and Kirkus Reviews on the dust cover, you know it's going to be good.

Oh man, Steve Vail is a hit. A former FBI agent turned mason (aka bricklayer), he is a wonderful investigator. He won't stop until all the loose threads are under control. I am ready for the next one!