“Vail is in the mold of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher and Robert Crais’s Joe Pike….This guy has movie written all over him.”
—Chicago Sun-Times
“Fans of Sam Spade and Jack Reacher will feel right at home with this new tough guy.”
—Boston Globe
“We have a new American hero in Steve Vail.”
—Patricia Cornwell
Steve Vail, former discarded covert operative and the FBI’s new go-to guy for the toughest jobs, returns in Agent X—the pulse-pounding follow-up to the explosive New York Times bestselling debut thriller by Noah Boyd, The Bricklayer. A former FBI agent himself, author Boyd pulls out all the stops in Agent X—as “the Bricklayer” hunts down an elusive Russian spy in a taut and authentic thriller that rivals the very best of Brad Thor, Vince Flynn, Stephen Hunter, and Robert Ludlum.
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"The trials of Steve Vail continue. I found this one a little more interesting to me personally than The Bricklayer. Although I liked The Bricklayer as well, it contained a whole lot of very technical - engineering type information - which was way way over my head. So it was just read and skipped over. Agent X is quite understandable - although really wound tight with clues which I'd never figure out. I really did like this one as well if not better the the first book. There is growth in his writing. Will look forward to reading Noah Boyd books in the future for sure. I'd recommend it for anyone who likes a winding trail to unravel, and not necessarily by the book."
— Sheila (4 out of 5 stars)
“We have a new American hero in Steve Vail.”
— Patricia Cornwell, New York Times bestselling author“Move over, Jack Reacher, here comes the bricklayer.”
— James Patterson" A disappointing sequel to The Bricklayer "
— Noel, 2/20/2014" This is the second book in the Steve Vail series and it was almost like the the first book the Brick Layer. It was a little disappointing. "
— Jill, 2/10/2014" good thriller(cia, fbi, russian spies, etc), good characters. I think I liked the first one better (The Bricklayer); would recommend reading in order. 3.5--the plot has some holes in it, but mostly very good. "
— Leslie, 1/30/2014" I wish I had known there was a book before this one. It didn't say series on the cover. There were a lot of references to previous interaction between Kate and Steve. Lots of "shoot em up" so I'm glad it was a book and not video, which would have been gory, but the humor thrown in made this a very pleasant read. "
— Joyce, 1/29/2014" I liked this book, but not quite as much as THE BRICKLAYER that came before it. I liked that there was more relationship interaction between Kate & Steve, but it was too much bickering and sarcasm. I was sad to hear that the author died recently. "
— Angela, 1/21/2014" Maybe 3.5 stars. Not AS good as the first one, but still worth reading, mainly cos of the characters I just couldn't help rooting for! "
— Jessica, 1/19/2014" I loved the first book but this one was too convoluted for me and I did guess who the bad guy was. Not a bad read but not one I would highly recommend. "
— Sandra, 1/13/2014" He is an interesting guy. I really enjoy him. I can't wait for the book "
— Diana, 1/10/2014" I listened to this while baling and stacking hay in a two day period. The story includes many "puzzles" and threads that hold interest of the reader until all are fully resolved. This is the author's second novel I have listened to, and I didn't find it as gripping as the first. "
— Vaughn, 12/26/2013" You can read my thoughts here. (2.75/5) "
— Joy, 12/23/2013" Excellent sequel. It combines the fast placed, complex plot of the first book with an added psychological depth to the two main characters which keeps the novel from becoming repetitive. "
— Dharma, 12/13/2013" Very good story wrapped in a only moderately-well written book. The movie could be excellent, though- sadly, for me- no longer suspenseful. "
— Carolyn, 12/3/2013" Good. I liked the first one better, but this was still good. Easy thriller book that was light. "
— Pinkpigg33, 10/22/2013" Not quite as good as Boyd's first effort. "
— Bill, 5/8/2013" These characters and this book would translate so well to the movie screen. I love the spots of humor and the strong characters, complicated intrigue, and clever puzzles. "
— Meghan, 4/23/2013" Russian spies are busy in their deceptive games and only the Bricklayer can see into their illusive shadows. Information is all and "all warfare is based on deception." "
— Jamie, 9/26/2012" I really enjoyed this book. It had a great pace, enough action to keep me entertained and enough plot twists to make me wonder what is going to happen next. "
— Eric, 3/22/2012" Not bad. Just got a little tired of the never-ending plot. More insight into the 2 main characters that is a little disturbing regarding their future exploits. "
— Mailmanr5, 1/15/2012" Enjoyed the fast pace and twists in this book. "
— Trolli, 12/22/2011" another great thriller by Noah Boyd. Steve Vail could be compared to Jack Reacher; another rogue character who doesn't play by the rules but somehow finds himself involved in solving crimes. Well written, it has lots of plot twists and good credible character development. "
— Nova, 12/7/2011" A fun mystery which I would recommend to anyone who likes Lee Child or Vince Flynn books. Noah Boyd writes to keep my attention, has interesting and suspensful stories, and has little profanity. It's good brain candy and good clean fun. "
— Shaun, 2/28/2011" Not as tightly plotted as The Bricklayer, but still enjoyable. "
— Ned, 2/24/2011" I loved it! I found this book to run along the same lines as books by Harlan Coben and Jeffrey Deaver. The plot twists at the end made for an entertaining read. "
— Monica, 2/2/2011Noah Boyd, the New York Times bestselling author of The Bricklayer, is a former FBI agent who spent more than twenty years working on some of the Bureau’s toughest investigations, including the Green River Killer case and the Highland Park Strangler case—which he’s credited with solving. He currently works on cold cases when he’s not writing. He lives in New England.
John Pruden is an Earphones Award–winning audiobook narrator. His exposure to many people, places, and experiences throughout his life provides a deep creative well from which he draws his narrative and vocal characterizations. His narration of The Killing of Crazy Horse by Thomas Powers was chosen by the Washington Post as a Best Audiobook of 2010.