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Peter Ash #6
The Breaker
When Peter Ash interrupts a crime in progress, he's set on a collision course with dangerous enemies and terrifying technology.
A man wanted by two governments, Peter Ash has found a simple, low-profile life in Milwaukee, living with his girlfriend June and renovating old buildings with his friend Lewis. Staying out of trouble is the key to preserving this fragile peace . . . but when Peter spots a suspicious armed man walking into a crowded market, he knows he can't stand by and do nothing.
Peter does interrupt a crime, but it wasn't at all what he'd expected. The young gunman appeared to have one target and one mission--but when he escapes, and his victim vanishes before police arrive, it seems there is more to the encounter than meets the eye. Peter's hunch is proven correct when a powerful associate from his past appears with an interest in the crime, and an irresistible offer: if he and June solve this mystery, Peter's record will be scrubbed clean.
While Peter and Lewis trace the gunman, reporter June digs into the victim of the incident, a man whose face rings a bell in her memory. As their parallel investigations draw together, they're thrust into the path of a ruthless tech thief, an eerily cheerful assassin, a brilliant and troubled inventor, and a revolutionary technology that could wreak devastation in the wrong hands. But for Peter, even more is at stake: this investigation is his only path to a life free from the threat of prosecution or prison. Before the end, he'll have to fight harder than ever before to ensure that freedom doesn't come at too high a cost. . . .
A man wanted by two governments, Peter Ash has found a simple, low-profile life in Milwaukee, living with his girlfriend June and renovating old buildings with his friend Lewis. Staying out of trouble is the key to preserving this fragile peace . . . but when Peter spots a suspicious armed man walking into a crowded market, he knows he can't stand by and do nothing.
Peter does interrupt a crime, but it wasn't at all what he'd expected. The young gunman appeared to have one target and one mission--but when he escapes, and his victim vanishes before police arrive, it seems there is more to the encounter than meets the eye. Peter's hunch is proven correct when a powerful associate from his past appears with an interest in the crime, and an irresistible offer: if he and June solve this mystery, Peter's record will be scrubbed clean.
While Peter and Lewis trace the gunman, reporter June digs into the victim of the incident, a man whose face rings a bell in her memory. As their parallel investigations draw together, they're thrust into the path of a ruthless tech thief, an eerily cheerful assassin, a brilliant and troubled inventor, and a revolutionary technology that could wreak devastation in the wrong hands. But for Peter, even more is at stake: this investigation is his only path to a life free from the threat of prosecution or prison. Before the end, he'll have to fight harder than ever before to ensure that freedom doesn't come at too high a cost. . . .
434 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 12, 2021
About the author
Nick Petrie
17 books1,114 followersNick Petrie received his MFA in fiction from the University of Washington, won a Hopwood Award for short fiction while an undergraduate at the University of Michigan, and his story “At the Laundromat” won the 2006 Short Story Contest in The Seattle Review, a national literary journal. A husband and father, he has worked as a carpenter, remodeling contractor, and building inspector. He lives in Milwaukee.
For more on Nick Petrie, see his website NickPetrie.com, or find him on Facebook or Twitter.
For more on Nick Petrie, see his website NickPetrie.com, or find him on Facebook or Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 443 reviews
January 16, 2021
A real heart pounding and exhausting read for me.
I do enjoy these characters and was happy to see Lewis and June front and center again.
This was a little "techy" with the fuel cells/ batteries, computer programming and HYENA stuff, but it was presented simply enough that I could follow without getting overwhelmed (and I still think electricity is "magic").
This was a non-stop, action-packed read with just barely enough pauses to almost catch my breath.
The pauses did provide insight into the main characters enough to make them feel even more real to me.
OH!! And best of all.... Mingus was back and a real hero (when he wasn't eating fences).
I do enjoy these characters and was happy to see Lewis and June front and center again.
This was a little "techy" with the fuel cells/ batteries, computer programming and HYENA stuff, but it was presented simply enough that I could follow without getting overwhelmed (and I still think electricity is "magic").
This was a non-stop, action-packed read with just barely enough pauses to almost catch my breath.
The pauses did provide insight into the main characters enough to make them feel even more real to me.
OH!! And best of all.... Mingus was back and a real hero (when he wasn't eating fences).
March 10, 2021
2.5 ⭐
I'm sorry, I love the last book so much. While The Breaker has great action, it is too techno for my taste. Pentagon and shadow government agents tasking civilians to track stolen secrets? Happy-face axe man assassin? Killer bot? I'm surprise Batman didn't show up.
There is too much June in this book. "JUNEBUG", a foul mouth reporter girlfriend of our leading man, Peter. I can't stand her. I know we're suppose to like her because she makes Peter better from PTSD. She talks to him like she's his commanding officer! She uses F word in every other sentence.
That’s not your damn job..[...]... Fucking stand down, Marine.
She's NOT cool. Usually there's little of June, Peter drifts to another state to do his thing and they talked on the phone here and there. Or in the previous book he went to Iceland and couldn't be reached (no wonder I loved it, she wasn't there!).
I'm sorry, I love the last book so much. While The Breaker has great action, it is too techno for my taste. Pentagon and shadow government agents tasking civilians to track stolen secrets? Happy-face axe man assassin? Killer bot? I'm surprise Batman didn't show up.
There is too much June in this book. "JUNEBUG", a foul mouth reporter girlfriend of our leading man, Peter. I can't stand her. I know we're suppose to like her because she makes Peter better from PTSD. She talks to him like she's his commanding officer! She uses F word in every other sentence.
That’s not your damn job..[...]... Fucking stand down, Marine.
She's NOT cool. Usually there's little of June, Peter drifts to another state to do his thing and they talked on the phone here and there. Or in the previous book he went to Iceland and couldn't be reached (no wonder I loved it, she wasn't there!).
October 11, 2020
I have loved the Peter Ash series from the beginning but the books individually are inconsistent; they run the gamut from predictable plots to taut, thrilling tales. Frankly, it’s hard to know in advance what is in store when I start a new book from author Nick Petrie. THE BREAKER falls into the predictable plot category mostly because the action revolves too heavily around some stock characters rather than the series’ characters that are far more interesting and engaging. Bad guys that never seem to sustain permanent damage, unbelievably brilliant self-schooled tech wizards that also know weaponry and paranoid schizy billionaires aren’t that interesting any more. The three main characters are, however, very engaging, and in the good series’ books, they hold center stage. I only wish they did in this book as well. For series lovers, this will be one more to add to the collection. I look forward to the next and hope we read more about Peter Ash next time. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
June 16, 2021
Time to put the Peter Ash series away for a while. Getting too predictable. Character June is beginning to irritate me and she's a central character.
February 7, 2021
4.5 stars. Former Marine Peter Ash and his friend Lewis witness someone hiding a rifle under his jacket who enters a busy store. Peter can't turn his back and has to jump right in the middle of the action. As they witness a confrontation and shots are fired at the market, this is just the beginning of a plot much larger and more sinister than they could have imagined. A deep government employee offers to wipe Peter's record clean if he will help in the investigation.
If you like action heroes who are not afraid to use a gun, such as Will Robie, Virgil Cole, Quinn Colson, Spenser, John Puller, you should read this series. Although you can read this book, #6, with no trouble, you will enjoy the characters more if you start at the beginning. I'm thinking about how much Peter has evolved since the first book where he was barely able to function with his PTSD and the white noise in his head. He has now opened up to a few people and is more trusting. I love how his relationships with June and Lewis have progressed. In this one, Edgar is a formidable enemy and so are those robots.
If you like action heroes who are not afraid to use a gun, such as Will Robie, Virgil Cole, Quinn Colson, Spenser, John Puller, you should read this series. Although you can read this book, #6, with no trouble, you will enjoy the characters more if you start at the beginning. I'm thinking about how much Peter has evolved since the first book where he was barely able to function with his PTSD and the white noise in his head. He has now opened up to a few people and is more trusting. I love how his relationships with June and Lewis have progressed. In this one, Edgar is a formidable enemy and so are those robots.
January 26, 2021
I love this series and wont give up, but this one is not good. Peter Ash is a Jack Reacher-ish character but with more humanity and friends. He has his quirks etc, but is basically a force for good. His buddy Lewis...ditto. I like the friendship between the two and until now, I've liked June, the love interest but OMG...if she's not whining , she's cursing and ranting --I mean to the level that if the character were a man, we'd be trying to get our friend out of an abusive relationship. Sure, she's tough independent woman but who treats their partner like that? If it were Peter speaking to June like that people would be up in arms bc its genuinely disturbing. IN one instance Peter thinks something like 'he understood why June was angry and yelled at him'...I expected the next sentence to be 'but she promised to never do it again, brought him flowers and said she loved him." I may be alone on this but it was so pervasive that it messed up the entire book for me
February 5, 2021
I was so disappointed. In the past year I binged all of the previous Peter Ash books and was counting on the recent release of "The Breaker." There's no doubt the plot was interesting. There was plenty of action. And yet, I found myself nodding off because it was just plain boring. I finally decided that this book was written to be sold as a screenplay rather than a sound novel. It was loaded with machinery details in which I had no interest. We get to know June a lot better and I don't dislike her, but I don't like her. She's one of those people that can live her life just fine and separate from mine (and she would be fine with that too). She swore more than the men do. I don't mind swearing, but she was beyond the pale and just not somebody I want to know any better. I had been hopeful when I heard about the return of Mingus, but he was just a passing fancy. Lewis was my favorite character in this volume. Robots, machinery. That's the sum and substance of "The Breaker." By all means, read the first five Peter Ash books. Don't start with this one.
January 12, 2021
I was fortunate to get an early copy of this book, and it is incredible. Once again, Nick does not disappoint. Fans of the series and newcomers alike will love this new installment.
July 16, 2023
Really enjoying this series and mainly the Peter Ash character, his sidekick Lewis and the developing relationship between Peter and June.
The author’s tip-of-the-hat in each book to burritos or Mexican food is small but I love it, much like Parker’s Spenser who puts his kitchen skills on display in each book.
Petrie started this one before the race riots and the pandemic of 2020 and continued writing throughout. His comments and thoughts in the acknowledgment section make him more relatable, in my opinion. He’s a serious reader and keeps a pulse on current events.
The author’s tip-of-the-hat in each book to burritos or Mexican food is small but I love it, much like Parker’s Spenser who puts his kitchen skills on display in each book.
Petrie started this one before the race riots and the pandemic of 2020 and continued writing throughout. His comments and thoughts in the acknowledgment section make him more relatable, in my opinion. He’s a serious reader and keeps a pulse on current events.
October 7, 2021
It’s less than 2 years since I discovered Petrie, Ash and Company. They are just so damn good! Was this the best one? Perhaps. But if you haven’t read them start doing so now.
This one actually gives the reader plenty to think about with technology evolving the way it is. And Edger...what a wonderful psycho. I can’t wait to see what happens next with this crew.
This one actually gives the reader plenty to think about with technology evolving the way it is. And Edger...what a wonderful psycho. I can’t wait to see what happens next with this crew.
May 2, 2022
DNF @ 70%. I have loved every book in this series so far, but this one was too much for me. Way too much of June and her bitchy attitude and cringey dialogue. We get it, you’re a badass, goddamn. The plot was thin too, weird psycho guy always smiling with an axe? Man I’m disappointed! Debating whether or not to read the next in the series.
February 20, 2021
I’m not a fan of techno-thrillers, so this wasn’t my favorite Nick Petrie. There was lots of action, and I loved seeing the evolution of Peter and June’s relationship, but I could do without the in-depth technology overload.
February 12, 2021
The first book in this exciting and fresh series – The Drifter – introduced Peter Ash, an ex-military man who suffers greatly from post-traumatic claustrophobia from tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. A promotional blurb on the cover from Lee Child certainly didn’t hurt either.
The second book – Burning Bright – continued Peter’s attempt at re-integrating himself into society, provided a tighter and more intricate plotline, and introduced June Cassidy, a strong potential love interest.
In the third book - Light It Up – Peter helped his good friend, Henry Nygaard, and his daughter, who run a security company providing protection to legalized cannabis companies in Denver, Colorado. Peter investigated how their deliveries were being ambushed by a professional team.
In the fourth book – Tear it Down – Peter Ash went to Memphis to help a friend, Wanda Wyatt, a war correspondent and photographer who’s being receiving serious threats. By the time Peter drives cross-country to get there, he finds that those threats have accelerated into an unknown person driving a dump truck right into Wanda’s house.
In the fifth and last book – The Wild One – Peter Ash traveled to Reykjavik to find the grandson of an American woman whose daughter was murdered. When he arrives, Ash found himself falsely wanted for murder and on the run from two governments.
Now, in his sixth book – The Breaker – Peter Ash finds himself trying to lie low in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is living with his girlfriend June while spending his time renovating old buildings in the city with his best ex-gangster friend, Lewis.
However, staying out of trouble is not easy for Ash when he finds himself in a precarious public situation. Having lunch with June and Lewis in the downtown public market area, Peter notices a suspicious man wearing a large jacket in warm weather. Looking closer Peter sees the man is armed and must make a decision to take action or let him go. But Peter cannot stand by and do nothing to help protect innocent bystanders.
Taking action, Ash jumps in and interrupts a crime before it can be completed. However, things don’t turn out as expected when the perpetrator gets away and the victim disappears. Peter’s girlfriend and investigative reporter, June, researches the victim’s identity and before she knows it, a mysterious axe-yielding killer tries to eliminate her. At the same time, Peter and Lewis are trying to track down the attacker, who appears to be a tech genius with a revolutionary technology that could be used by the wrong people to cause serious destruction.
To make matters more personal, a powerful secret government handler from Peter’s and June’s past shows up with a personal interest in their investigation. And he’s making them an irresistible offer. One that includes a promise that if they get his stolen technology back, Peter’s record would be expunged, making him a free man again. The question is, can Peter deliver the goods before he gets caught by law enforcement, or worse, killed by a madman who will pay anything to eliminate him.
As with the first five books in this series, there continues to be a lot of good things to like about this one too. Petrie does an excellent job of laying out the primary mystery and challenges facing Ash in a layered approach. Petrie starts off Ash jumping in to stop a crime, and then deals with the fallout from multiple viewpoints including Ash, June, and two other characters that play important roles in propelling the plot and conflict forward.
Although this will sound a bit conflicting, I struggled a bit getting into this book after the initial confrontation. I am not completely sure why, but pages 30 through 80 took some time to build momentum while introducing characters and storylines. Then somewhere around page eighty things just started to click, the tension amplified, and the mystery captured my attention. Petrie’s fast paced, fluid prose hit fourth gear, and locked me into a front-row seat of the action.
On a personal level, Petrie pulled me in and got me to care about solving the mystery; I was now invested in Ash’s and June’s challenges and their outcomes mattered. I especially appreciated how June’s strength, independence, and investigative skills really shined in this outing. She was a formidable balance to Ashe’s physical strengths. And for some strange reason, I found the Edgar, the serial killer hitman to be a very unique and strange villain. It seems that with each book, Petrie is gaining creativity and credibility as a mystery/thriller writer and storyteller. I find one of his greatest strengths is in connecting several complex elements and plotting together in an engaging delivery and outcome.
There are several reasons as to why this series continues to gain more readers. At first look, Ash is a copy of Jack Reacher, the main character in Lee Child’s very popular action series. To be honest, that’s understandable. There are definite similarities between the two characters. It would be wrong to overlook or try to downplay that reality. However, because Ash suffers from such a serious post-war syndrome, he causes you to look at him in a different light. After six books, Ash has developed into his own exceptional character with his own defined strengths and weaknesses. Ash is human, flawed, and full of his own serious weaknesses. He is not Reacher incarnate, nor a cheap copy. Nick Petrie has successfully established his own-antihero - one that stands firmly on his own.
It works because Nick Petrie has done his homework and delivered something new. He has taken the foundation that prior great mystery and adventure writers have established and moved the art a step forward. Although he is still somewhat early in his writing career, I believe he is making a significant impact in this genre by creating a flawed anti-hero, unable to conform to societal norms, and created opportunities for him to make a difference in the only ways he knows how. His moral code of conduct is eerily similar to such literary heroes like Robert B. Parker’s “Spenser”, Lee Child’s “Reacher”, and Craig Johnson’s “Longmire”.
I have become an avid fan of what Petrie has created, and have no problem going out of my way to recommend his “Peter Ash” series to others with a confident and knowing smile. If you haven’t read one of his books yet, may I suggest that you start with the first one and give it a try. I dare you…
The second book – Burning Bright – continued Peter’s attempt at re-integrating himself into society, provided a tighter and more intricate plotline, and introduced June Cassidy, a strong potential love interest.
In the third book - Light It Up – Peter helped his good friend, Henry Nygaard, and his daughter, who run a security company providing protection to legalized cannabis companies in Denver, Colorado. Peter investigated how their deliveries were being ambushed by a professional team.
In the fourth book – Tear it Down – Peter Ash went to Memphis to help a friend, Wanda Wyatt, a war correspondent and photographer who’s being receiving serious threats. By the time Peter drives cross-country to get there, he finds that those threats have accelerated into an unknown person driving a dump truck right into Wanda’s house.
In the fifth and last book – The Wild One – Peter Ash traveled to Reykjavik to find the grandson of an American woman whose daughter was murdered. When he arrives, Ash found himself falsely wanted for murder and on the run from two governments.
Now, in his sixth book – The Breaker – Peter Ash finds himself trying to lie low in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is living with his girlfriend June while spending his time renovating old buildings in the city with his best ex-gangster friend, Lewis.
However, staying out of trouble is not easy for Ash when he finds himself in a precarious public situation. Having lunch with June and Lewis in the downtown public market area, Peter notices a suspicious man wearing a large jacket in warm weather. Looking closer Peter sees the man is armed and must make a decision to take action or let him go. But Peter cannot stand by and do nothing to help protect innocent bystanders.
Taking action, Ash jumps in and interrupts a crime before it can be completed. However, things don’t turn out as expected when the perpetrator gets away and the victim disappears. Peter’s girlfriend and investigative reporter, June, researches the victim’s identity and before she knows it, a mysterious axe-yielding killer tries to eliminate her. At the same time, Peter and Lewis are trying to track down the attacker, who appears to be a tech genius with a revolutionary technology that could be used by the wrong people to cause serious destruction.
To make matters more personal, a powerful secret government handler from Peter’s and June’s past shows up with a personal interest in their investigation. And he’s making them an irresistible offer. One that includes a promise that if they get his stolen technology back, Peter’s record would be expunged, making him a free man again. The question is, can Peter deliver the goods before he gets caught by law enforcement, or worse, killed by a madman who will pay anything to eliminate him.
As with the first five books in this series, there continues to be a lot of good things to like about this one too. Petrie does an excellent job of laying out the primary mystery and challenges facing Ash in a layered approach. Petrie starts off Ash jumping in to stop a crime, and then deals with the fallout from multiple viewpoints including Ash, June, and two other characters that play important roles in propelling the plot and conflict forward.
Although this will sound a bit conflicting, I struggled a bit getting into this book after the initial confrontation. I am not completely sure why, but pages 30 through 80 took some time to build momentum while introducing characters and storylines. Then somewhere around page eighty things just started to click, the tension amplified, and the mystery captured my attention. Petrie’s fast paced, fluid prose hit fourth gear, and locked me into a front-row seat of the action.
On a personal level, Petrie pulled me in and got me to care about solving the mystery; I was now invested in Ash’s and June’s challenges and their outcomes mattered. I especially appreciated how June’s strength, independence, and investigative skills really shined in this outing. She was a formidable balance to Ashe’s physical strengths. And for some strange reason, I found the Edgar, the serial killer hitman to be a very unique and strange villain. It seems that with each book, Petrie is gaining creativity and credibility as a mystery/thriller writer and storyteller. I find one of his greatest strengths is in connecting several complex elements and plotting together in an engaging delivery and outcome.
There are several reasons as to why this series continues to gain more readers. At first look, Ash is a copy of Jack Reacher, the main character in Lee Child’s very popular action series. To be honest, that’s understandable. There are definite similarities between the two characters. It would be wrong to overlook or try to downplay that reality. However, because Ash suffers from such a serious post-war syndrome, he causes you to look at him in a different light. After six books, Ash has developed into his own exceptional character with his own defined strengths and weaknesses. Ash is human, flawed, and full of his own serious weaknesses. He is not Reacher incarnate, nor a cheap copy. Nick Petrie has successfully established his own-antihero - one that stands firmly on his own.
It works because Nick Petrie has done his homework and delivered something new. He has taken the foundation that prior great mystery and adventure writers have established and moved the art a step forward. Although he is still somewhat early in his writing career, I believe he is making a significant impact in this genre by creating a flawed anti-hero, unable to conform to societal norms, and created opportunities for him to make a difference in the only ways he knows how. His moral code of conduct is eerily similar to such literary heroes like Robert B. Parker’s “Spenser”, Lee Child’s “Reacher”, and Craig Johnson’s “Longmire”.
I have become an avid fan of what Petrie has created, and have no problem going out of my way to recommend his “Peter Ash” series to others with a confident and knowing smile. If you haven’t read one of his books yet, may I suggest that you start with the first one and give it a try. I dare you…
January 22, 2021
Folks always compare the Peter Ash series with the Jack Reacher. And, while they are both tough-as-nails wandering types, the Peter Ash series has distinguished itself by having a small stable of support characters that are always on hand to assist Peter. Jack Reacher literally gets and discards side characters book to book.
The other thing that makes it different is that every few books Peter wanders into some kind of technology the world simply isn’t ready for and he has to do his damnedest to prevent greedy omnipotent tech companies from abusing these discoveries in order to make a quick buck. That’s certainly the case with this book.
I don’t know about you, but robotic great hounds with mechanical claws for faces certainly grabs my attention and makes for monstrous creatures to menace Peter. It almost pushes the book series from some regular action thriller like Reacher over into sci-fi horror like Aliens or I Am Legend. There is legitimate concern that nobody on Peter’s team will survive this book.
Then the book throws in a homicidal contract killer named Edgar straight out of Sling Blade or Silence of the Lambs. That’s what I call a fucking party of premise. The action starts coming and they don’t stop coming.
In the end, I’m thinking Spark, the inventor of the weird hound robots and the catalyst/victim of the book, might go on to became an occasional ally to Peter herself. She makes quite the impression of being someone whose tech and inventing skill may come in handy someday.
The other thing that makes it different is that every few books Peter wanders into some kind of technology the world simply isn’t ready for and he has to do his damnedest to prevent greedy omnipotent tech companies from abusing these discoveries in order to make a quick buck. That’s certainly the case with this book.
I don’t know about you, but robotic great hounds with mechanical claws for faces certainly grabs my attention and makes for monstrous creatures to menace Peter. It almost pushes the book series from some regular action thriller like Reacher over into sci-fi horror like Aliens or I Am Legend. There is legitimate concern that nobody on Peter’s team will survive this book.
Then the book throws in a homicidal contract killer named Edgar straight out of Sling Blade or Silence of the Lambs. That’s what I call a fucking party of premise. The action starts coming and they don’t stop coming.
In the end, I’m thinking Spark, the inventor of the weird hound robots and the catalyst/victim of the book, might go on to became an occasional ally to Peter herself. She makes quite the impression of being someone whose tech and inventing skill may come in handy someday.
July 1, 2022
I have enjoyed all the Petrie books up until this one. I'm wondering if Petrie fired his editors before starting to write this. I'm convinced that he was writing this while watching the entire Terminator series at the same time. If I wanted to read a Mad Scientist novel I wouldn't have picked this up. some of the dialogue was notably cringey e.g."Oh honey.I'm so sorry." - seriously? The villains were cartoon characters, and the good guys were mostly incompetent. I liked Mingus though. And enough of the static okay? Maybe Petrie should devote a book to Lewis. There's one more book in the series, I'm now not sure that I want to read it. Oh yeah, what is "an eternal moment"?
December 28, 2020
I have read The Breaker, it's the sixth book about Peter Ash by Nick Petrie. I stumbled upon this series a while ago and got hooked right away. This is great writing with marvelous characters. I love it. Although this is a little to technological for my taste it is still highly recommended. I must thank #GPPutnamsSons #PenguinPublishingGroup and #Edelweiss and of course @_NickPetrie_ for making this book available.
June 23, 2024
“The Breaker” is the 6th book in the Peter Ash series by Nick Petrie. The protagonist, Peter Ash, is a man wanted by two governments who has found a simple, low-profile life in Milwaukee. He lives with his girlfriend June and renovates old buildings with his friend Lewis. However, when Peter interrupts a crime in progress, he’s set on a collision course with dangerous enemies and terrifying technology.
The plot of “The Breaker” is swiftly paced and action-dominated. It begins with what seems like a run-of-the-mill holdup but quickly evolves into an international cybercrime plot. The story rushes headlong from its outset, keeping readers on their toes. The narrative shifts subtly between what Peter is saying and thinking, and what he is hearing from the people around him. This adds an element of suspense and keeps the reader engaged.
One of the strengths of “The Breaker” is its characters. Peter Ash, despite his troubled past and PTSD, is not the angsty hero so common to this genre. He is jaded by his time in Afghanistan, but his character is more nuanced and complex. June Cassidy, a freelance journalist, brings keen investigative reportorial skills to the pursuit. Her character comes across as strong-willed, adding a refreshing dynamic to the story. The interaction between Peter and June is one of the highlights of the book, providing both tension and depth.
The narration by Stephen Mendel is another strong point of the audiobook. Mendel crafts the story with individual voices that reflect the characters’ personalities. His decision not to use a range of voices and accents, despite being capable of it, is a strategic choice that adds to the overall experience. He keeps the listeners just enough off balance that they can share the doubts of the characters. His narration of Peter remains fairly calm, while his pal, Lewis, is given an identifiable deep voice.
The setting of Milwaukee is sharply described, and Petrie’s knowledge of the city is evident. The author’s background as a carpenter, remodeling contractor, and building inspector is reflected in the detailed descriptions of the renovation work Peter undertakes.
However, “The Breaker” is not without its flaws. The initial scene of the book seemed to go on for a bit too long. Also, ironically, Peter was the least interesting of the three protagonists in this particular book. Despite these minor issues, by the time you’re a third of the way through the story, it’s hard to stop reading.
In conclusion, “The Breaker” is a brisk, terse, and diverting thriller. It offers a complex plot, well-developed characters, and excellent narration. Despite some minor flaws, it’s a compelling read that will keep you hooked till the end. Whether you’re a fan of the Peter Ash series or new to Nick Petrie’s work, “The Breaker” is definitely worth a listen.
The plot of “The Breaker” is swiftly paced and action-dominated. It begins with what seems like a run-of-the-mill holdup but quickly evolves into an international cybercrime plot. The story rushes headlong from its outset, keeping readers on their toes. The narrative shifts subtly between what Peter is saying and thinking, and what he is hearing from the people around him. This adds an element of suspense and keeps the reader engaged.
One of the strengths of “The Breaker” is its characters. Peter Ash, despite his troubled past and PTSD, is not the angsty hero so common to this genre. He is jaded by his time in Afghanistan, but his character is more nuanced and complex. June Cassidy, a freelance journalist, brings keen investigative reportorial skills to the pursuit. Her character comes across as strong-willed, adding a refreshing dynamic to the story. The interaction between Peter and June is one of the highlights of the book, providing both tension and depth.
The narration by Stephen Mendel is another strong point of the audiobook. Mendel crafts the story with individual voices that reflect the characters’ personalities. His decision not to use a range of voices and accents, despite being capable of it, is a strategic choice that adds to the overall experience. He keeps the listeners just enough off balance that they can share the doubts of the characters. His narration of Peter remains fairly calm, while his pal, Lewis, is given an identifiable deep voice.
The setting of Milwaukee is sharply described, and Petrie’s knowledge of the city is evident. The author’s background as a carpenter, remodeling contractor, and building inspector is reflected in the detailed descriptions of the renovation work Peter undertakes.
However, “The Breaker” is not without its flaws. The initial scene of the book seemed to go on for a bit too long. Also, ironically, Peter was the least interesting of the three protagonists in this particular book. Despite these minor issues, by the time you’re a third of the way through the story, it’s hard to stop reading.
In conclusion, “The Breaker” is a brisk, terse, and diverting thriller. It offers a complex plot, well-developed characters, and excellent narration. Despite some minor flaws, it’s a compelling read that will keep you hooked till the end. Whether you’re a fan of the Peter Ash series or new to Nick Petrie’s work, “The Breaker” is definitely worth a listen.
May 29, 2023
I like this series by Nick Petrie and every one has been a 5 star. This one wasn't 5, it was a 5 plus.
The Peter Ash series has been just that, a Peter Ash series. And those were good. Very good. But this book was much more with June and Lewis, to the extent that I would say it was a book with a trio of protagonists where in the past, in the books they were in, they were secondary.
But that wasn't the only difference in this book.
The previous books were very good rough and tumble suspense thrillers. This was different. I'm not sure the professional reviewers would agree, but I would put this also into the horror classification. Is that a stretch? Maybe for some, but the use of technology and robotics in the story-line is horrific. In some ways it reminded me of some of the late Michael Crichton's works that dealt with technology and maybe specifically, nanotechnology. It makes me ask, is this the world to come? And Nick Petrie asks that question in his acknowledgements. It's a pertinent question and an important question. How so? READ THE BOOK, and you would right to be afraid.
The Peter Ash series has been just that, a Peter Ash series. And those were good. Very good. But this book was much more with June and Lewis, to the extent that I would say it was a book with a trio of protagonists where in the past, in the books they were in, they were secondary.
But that wasn't the only difference in this book.
The previous books were very good rough and tumble suspense thrillers. This was different. I'm not sure the professional reviewers would agree, but I would put this also into the horror classification. Is that a stretch? Maybe for some, but the use of technology and robotics in the story-line is horrific. In some ways it reminded me of some of the late Michael Crichton's works that dealt with technology and maybe specifically, nanotechnology. It makes me ask, is this the world to come? And Nick Petrie asks that question in his acknowledgements. It's a pertinent question and an important question. How so? READ THE BOOK, and you would right to be afraid.
September 29, 2021
Another page turning thriller. I still couldn’t figure out the relationship of the title to the story. Some engaging new characters cross the paths of Peter Ash, former Marine with PTSD and righteous man: Spark and Mr. Cheerful.
We are in Milwaukee and Peter prevents a massacre. Or did he? We have a child engineering prodigy, Spark, who has been seriously wronged by a venture capitalist and engineer and is consumed with revenge. How far will she go? The VC meanwhile is engaging in some seriously unethical behavior as well as giving off the mad scientist vibe. It all comes down to a showdown in Chicago and scenes out of Terminator.
We are in Milwaukee and Peter prevents a massacre. Or did he? We have a child engineering prodigy, Spark, who has been seriously wronged by a venture capitalist and engineer and is consumed with revenge. How far will she go? The VC meanwhile is engaging in some seriously unethical behavior as well as giving off the mad scientist vibe. It all comes down to a showdown in Chicago and scenes out of Terminator.
March 16, 2021
Nick Petrie continues to write home-run after home-run with his Peter Ash series. Petrie comes up with storylines that are fresh and unique to the genre. What propels the series are the main characters and Petrie's ability to develop heroes most people can identify with or the character reminds them of a someone they know. They are flawed, each fighting different demons, but supremely likeable. I can't recommend this series, or book, enough.
January 29, 2023
"The Breaker" - written by Nick Petrie and published in 2021 by G P Putnam's Sons, Penguin Random House. Petrie has assembled his usual compelling cast of Peter Ash, June and Lewis (I was glad to have June and Lewis back after mostly sitting out the previous book). Once again they are up to their eyeballs in trouble and yes, it was their fault for interfering. "The white static crackled like Frankenstein's machinery, and Peter felt something ancient inside him coming back to life. Hello, old friend. It's been too long." Petrie's writing is exciting and page-turning, and this book sped along on greased rails of suspense. So much fun! There's only one more in the series ahead of me, but fingers crossed that he will keep the mayhem going.
March 3, 2021
Lots of technology in this one.
January 20, 2021
Nick Petrie certainly has established his bona fides as a thriller author. THE BREAKER is the sixth installment in his Peter Ash series, which follows a troubled and somewhat damaged war veteran who continues to be drawn back into the life, as it were, despite his wish to simply live quietly and be left alone. While this latest entry has a couple of weaknesses, it also contains some of Petrie’s best plotting, characterization and writing to date. It is more than worth your while if you are seeking some unusual edge-of-the-seat thrills.
The book finds Peter hiding in plain sight because of the events that took place in THE WILD ONE. So he is somewhat reluctant to intervene as he and his best bud, Lewis, approach the Milwaukee Public Market to meet his significant other for lunch. June Cassidy, who possesses the situational awareness that all of us should have, notices a suspicious character who is carrying a concealed rifle. Peter and Lewis witness a strange encounter between this individual and someone who is vaguely familiar to June. The former gets away, but not before streaming bullets all over the place. No one is injured, but they are determined to get to the bottom of the encounter.
Peter and Lewis acquire a great deal of additional motivation when a powerful enigmatic figure from Peter’s past appears bearing an offer that he simply cannot refuse. If Peter and his friends can recover some valuable technological information from the principals involved in the incident they witnessed, Peter’s difficulties --- which include being headhunted, and not in a good way, by two governments --- will vanish. His motivation thus couldn’t be higher.
What follows is a series of textbook examples of good old-fashioned detective work, 21st-century-style, coupled with terrific pursuit and engagement vignettes that get better and better as one proceeds through the book.
As the story progresses, it becomes clear that a great deal of the attraction to this installment is due to two factors. One is the low-key but steadfast inquiry of the local police, whose cop instincts begin tingling whenever they are in even remote proximity to Peter. The other is the introduction of a monstrous, almost inhuman, hitman who becomes involved in the proceedings and gleefully places Peter, Lewis and June squarely in his sights.
Wait, there are three factors. The third is the technology that Peter and company are tasked with retrieving from the wrong hands and placing in the not-so-wrong hands. Its practical applications are wonderfully and frightfully imagined, or, as Petrie hastens to tell his readers in the Acknowledgements, not so imagined after all.
THE BREAKER isn't perfect. The book's initial scene seemed to go on for a bit too long and almost lost me. But by the time I was a third of the way through the story, I couldn’t stop reading. My other issue is that Peter, ironically enough, was the least interesting of the three protagonists. He seemed to be along for the ride with Lewis rather than the other way around.
However, these problems were more than counterbalanced by the manner in which Petrie morphed a chance encounter in a public market into an extremely convincing save-the-world scenario set primarily in Milwaukee with a very important side trip to Chicago. That absolutely worked for me.
At the end of the day, I will never hear the word “hyena” again without thinking of THE BREAKER. Read it and see what I mean.
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
The book finds Peter hiding in plain sight because of the events that took place in THE WILD ONE. So he is somewhat reluctant to intervene as he and his best bud, Lewis, approach the Milwaukee Public Market to meet his significant other for lunch. June Cassidy, who possesses the situational awareness that all of us should have, notices a suspicious character who is carrying a concealed rifle. Peter and Lewis witness a strange encounter between this individual and someone who is vaguely familiar to June. The former gets away, but not before streaming bullets all over the place. No one is injured, but they are determined to get to the bottom of the encounter.
Peter and Lewis acquire a great deal of additional motivation when a powerful enigmatic figure from Peter’s past appears bearing an offer that he simply cannot refuse. If Peter and his friends can recover some valuable technological information from the principals involved in the incident they witnessed, Peter’s difficulties --- which include being headhunted, and not in a good way, by two governments --- will vanish. His motivation thus couldn’t be higher.
What follows is a series of textbook examples of good old-fashioned detective work, 21st-century-style, coupled with terrific pursuit and engagement vignettes that get better and better as one proceeds through the book.
As the story progresses, it becomes clear that a great deal of the attraction to this installment is due to two factors. One is the low-key but steadfast inquiry of the local police, whose cop instincts begin tingling whenever they are in even remote proximity to Peter. The other is the introduction of a monstrous, almost inhuman, hitman who becomes involved in the proceedings and gleefully places Peter, Lewis and June squarely in his sights.
Wait, there are three factors. The third is the technology that Peter and company are tasked with retrieving from the wrong hands and placing in the not-so-wrong hands. Its practical applications are wonderfully and frightfully imagined, or, as Petrie hastens to tell his readers in the Acknowledgements, not so imagined after all.
THE BREAKER isn't perfect. The book's initial scene seemed to go on for a bit too long and almost lost me. But by the time I was a third of the way through the story, I couldn’t stop reading. My other issue is that Peter, ironically enough, was the least interesting of the three protagonists. He seemed to be along for the ride with Lewis rather than the other way around.
However, these problems were more than counterbalanced by the manner in which Petrie morphed a chance encounter in a public market into an extremely convincing save-the-world scenario set primarily in Milwaukee with a very important side trip to Chicago. That absolutely worked for me.
At the end of the day, I will never hear the word “hyena” again without thinking of THE BREAKER. Read it and see what I mean.
Reviewed by Joe Hartlaub
December 19, 2020
For me, THE BREAKER is the perfect blend of a psychological, military, and techno thriller wrapped into one. On every page the tension is high, the emotions raw, and the action heart pounding.
Peter Ash's unwillingness to be a spectator when he spots a potential mass shooter while on his lunch break sends him hurling down a dangerous path full of bleeding edge tech and national security implications, all with the most perilous threats hitting close to home and to those most important in his life.
NICK PETRIE does a magnificent job of taking a terrifying and realistic look into the future of military tech and the powerful forces looking to control it. Coupled with the sincerity and humor that June and Lewis bring to the mix; die hard fans and those just picking up the Ash series for the first time will be extremely happy.
Like all long standing series, new readers need to be introduced to the main characters, including their idiosyncrasies and unique features. For me personally, it took a little bit of time (only about 10% of the way in) for the main storyline to really get rolling. That being said, once the pieces were all set out on the board... it was lights out the rest of the book.
Definitely go out and preorder this book ASAP!
Peter Ash's unwillingness to be a spectator when he spots a potential mass shooter while on his lunch break sends him hurling down a dangerous path full of bleeding edge tech and national security implications, all with the most perilous threats hitting close to home and to those most important in his life.
NICK PETRIE does a magnificent job of taking a terrifying and realistic look into the future of military tech and the powerful forces looking to control it. Coupled with the sincerity and humor that June and Lewis bring to the mix; die hard fans and those just picking up the Ash series for the first time will be extremely happy.
Like all long standing series, new readers need to be introduced to the main characters, including their idiosyncrasies and unique features. For me personally, it took a little bit of time (only about 10% of the way in) for the main storyline to really get rolling. That being said, once the pieces were all set out on the board... it was lights out the rest of the book.
Definitely go out and preorder this book ASAP!
November 2, 2023
Fantastic!
Peter Ash hits the ground running in this breathlessly-paced, action-fueled thriller.
This time out, Peter, along with his girlfriend, journalist June Cassidy and best bud, Lewis are the trail of Vince Holloway.
Holloway is a madman bent on world domination.
He has in his possession some very dangerous technology that in wrong hands could cause global catastrophe.
The clock is ticking.
Peter is about to go kinetic on his ass!
Action thriller fans rejoice....Peter Ash is back!
This was an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
So good I read it twice!
Peter Ash hits the ground running in this breathlessly-paced, action-fueled thriller.
This time out, Peter, along with his girlfriend, journalist June Cassidy and best bud, Lewis are the trail of Vince Holloway.
Holloway is a madman bent on world domination.
He has in his possession some very dangerous technology that in wrong hands could cause global catastrophe.
The clock is ticking.
Peter is about to go kinetic on his ass!
Action thriller fans rejoice....Peter Ash is back!
This was an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
So good I read it twice!
February 21, 2021
Peter Ash and Lewis intervene in what looks at first to be a mass shooting incident, but turns out to be an attempt to kill a former big tech executive. It puts them into conflict with dangerous people, but then they are dangerous people themselves. Peter's being coerced to find the would-be shooter with the promise of clearing his criminal past, and of shielding Lewis from scrutiny by the cops. Petrie's books, always at least 4.5s, get stronger and stronger, and they take off like the proverbial stolen Mercedes.
January 14, 2021
This one quickly spun out of control for Peter, Junie and Lewis. It seemed like the more that they tried to figure things out, things that should have been simple they were led into a deeper black hole. By the end of the book it was more than about helping someone, it was basically the fate of the free world. I'm glad that they were around to help, just wish that Junie would have written the story of her life.
July 13, 2021
From the Goodreads Blurb: When Peter Ash interrupts a crime in progress, he's set on a collision course with dangerous enemies and terrifying technology. A man wanted by two governments, Peter Ash has found a simple, low-profile life in Milwaukee, living with his girlfriend June and renovating old buildings with his friend Lewis. Staying out of trouble is the key to preserving this fragile peace . . . but when Peter spots a suspicious armed man walking into a crowded market, he knows he can't stand by and do nothing.
A couple really nasty bad guys. Some really nasty tech run amok. A roller coaster plot. June, Peter and Lewis doing their thing. We have already pre-ordered book #7.
I enjoyed the lengthy acknowledgements section at the end of the book, and will investigate some of the writers he mentioned. Petrie mentioned how much he liked Robert Crais' books; if he happens to see this review, and if he happens to be speaking to Robert Crais, he (Petrie) might mention that there are people out there (here?) hoping a new Crais book is in the works.
This was book # 29 on our 2021 Read-alouds List.
A couple really nasty bad guys. Some really nasty tech run amok. A roller coaster plot. June, Peter and Lewis doing their thing. We have already pre-ordered book #7.
I enjoyed the lengthy acknowledgements section at the end of the book, and will investigate some of the writers he mentioned. Petrie mentioned how much he liked Robert Crais' books; if he happens to see this review, and if he happens to be speaking to Robert Crais, he (Petrie) might mention that there are people out there (here?) hoping a new Crais book is in the works.
This was book # 29 on our 2021 Read-alouds List.
April 6, 2021
Disappointing! I've read the previous 5 "Peter Ash" books and this was a letdown. BARELY a 3 star. The series, up to book 6, I'd rate 4 stars overall. If the other books hadn't been pretty good, I'd have probably stopped reading this one after 50-75 pages. Boring! Somewhere near page 200, it does pick up. But just pretty silly and sophomoric overall. I don't recommend this book, but if you read it, it can be read as a stand-alone.
Note to author: After introducing Peter Ash as a former Marine, it's not really necessary to tell us again, every 20-30 pages. It adds nothing.
Note to author: After introducing Peter Ash as a former Marine, it's not really necessary to tell us again, every 20-30 pages. It adds nothing.
October 1, 2021
Another reasonably entertaining and fun Ash story. My one complaint continues to be June. Petrie either needs to leave her out of the stories, or get a co-writer to write her part in a believable manner. When I read these books, they flow nicely- the action is well-written, the pacing is good, the interactions between Peter and Lewis are believable- until June shows up. That's when the flow gets thrown off, because June is completely unbelievable- a sultry sex-kitten one minute, a foul-mouthed tomboy the next... As I've said before, she doesn't act or talk like a real woman, she acts and talks like a 7th grade boy's fantasy of a girlfriend. That's really the one weak point for Petrie; if he could get past that, this series would be great. But until then, it's just okay.
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