LUKE BRIDGE

Full Name:	Luke Bridge
Series Name:	The Extractor
Nationality:	American
Organization:	None
Occupation	Other - Hostage Rescue

Creator:	Mike Ryan
Time Span:	2020 - 2024

ABOUT THE SERIES

Luke Bridge is an expert in hostage rescue.

His background and his current situation is explained quite nicely in the opening of his first recorded adventure which reads:

"Luke Bridge was a gun-for-hire. He only worked for good causes though. Those who had something nefarious or illegal in mind need not apply for his services. A former CIA agent, he was well-versed in all forms of combat, and had been stationed all over the world. If there was a situation that couldn't, or wouldn't, be handled by the authorities, Bridge was the man for the job. Even current members of the CIA, FBI, and other government agencies would recommend him to people if the situation warranted his involvement. He wasn't cheap, though he never let the ability to pay determine whether he would take a case. His salary was usually just a means to discover how serious people were in hiring him. There were certain times when he didn't even take a dime from his clients if they really couldn't afford him.

"Bridge was called The Extractor, a moniker he didn't like at first, but really had come to love and grown accustomed to. His main focus really was on helping people he believed needed it. People who would fall through the cracks if they didn't get that help. He wasn't an ex-agent who was still gung-ho on violence or still relived bad memories. Guns weren't something he was especially fond of and preferred not to use them if he didn't have to. They were just a tool for him. Luckily, they were a tool he was proficient at if the need arose. Like now.

Bridge has a partner in his operation. Her name is Nicole (last name unknown to me) and she may not be quite on Bridge's level of experience and capability but the difference is not really worth mentioning. She is tough, highly competent, and utterly fearless in a fire-fight, which is good because the two of them find themselves in such situations quite often. She is also very much in love with Bridge and would gladly see their partnership turn intimate but he has a rule about a) messing up a good working relationship, and b) having any resembling a personal relationship.

[Spoiler Alert: Nicole is not one to give up. When she goes after something, or someone, she usually triumphs.]

Bridge lives for the action and the danger and he gets his fill on a regular basis.

BOOKS

Number of Books:	12
First Appearance:	2020
Last Appearance:	2024


1			The Extractor Written by Mike Ryan Copyright: 2020 Fresh off a rescue mission in Central America where it turned out the lady being rescued didn't want rescuing, Luke Bridge is less than thrilled to be told their next case was finding a rich American who took a helicopter tour and never came back. Bridge's annoyance stems from Mexico being one of his less pleasant places based on bad experiences there.

2			Past Dead Written by Mike Ryan Copyright: 2020 Luke Bridge and Nicole head to Los Angeles on a case of find a pricey amount of diamonds which have gone missing. L.A. will not be their final destination, however, as the search will take them south to Brazil and then to the Caribbean and Puerto Rico where the man suspected of stealing the gems has an impressive drug operation going.

3			Pressure Point Written by Mike Ryan Copyright: 2020 Luke Bridge and Nicole are hired by a missing woman's sister to find her and bring her home. The disappearance, though, turns out to be but one of many in a trafficking case that will take the pair to Europe and a group of very dangerous men operating a very lucrative operation.

4			Deep Cover Written by Mike Ryan Copyright: 2021 "Bridge and Nicole take on a cold case, which quickly spirals into something more than they bargained for. A PI previously hired to look into the case mysteriously disappears. As Bridge and Nicole investigate, the clues lead them to the government agency they used to work for. The job takes them on several twists and turns, with Bridge and Nicole running into rogue agents, ex-spies, and a trip to Greece, where they will finally learn the truth about what is really going on."

5			Ripple Effect Written by Mike Ryan Copyright: 2021 "Bridge and Nicole are hired by a wealthy businessman to find his daughter, who’s been kidnapped. Ava Dermott has been taken by someone named Gemini, and Bridge follows the clues, with the case taking him back to an old place he’d rather not go. But there’s something more to this case than meets the eye. It’s not a simple kidnapping. There’s something else at play. But will Bridge and Nicole find out what it is before it’s too late? Someone will get double-crossed. The question is… who?"

6			The Hostage Written by Mike Ryan Copyright: 2022 "Bridge is hired by a man employed by the CIA to find and rescue three kidnapped aid workers. After a rough start to their mission, Bridge gets the feeling that there is more to the story than he’s been told. Bridge and Nicole are given a couple of men local to the area to help facilitate the safe return of the aid workers. But can these men be trusted? Or are they loyal to the rebels that took the workers in the first place?"

7			Collateral Damage Written by Mike Ryan Copyright: 2022 "Bridge and Nicole are given a job by Eric Happ. And like most jobs that are assigned by the government, there is more than meets the eye with this one. Their assignment seems simple enough at first. They just have to take out a man in Venezuela, who’s trying to start his own criminal empire down there."

8			The Con Man Written by Mike Ryan Copyright: 2022 "Bridge and Nicole are hired by a woman who's lost her gold coins. They follow the man that took them down to South America, where he intends to sell them to the highest bidder. Things don't quite go according to plan, though, as they run into the con man before he's able to rid himself of the coins. It becomes a cat-and-mouse game between Bridge and the con man, who acts more like a friend than a foe."

9			Collision Course Written by Mike Ryan Copyright: 2023 "Bridge and Nicole are hired by a friend of a murdered woman. The man she believes is guilty escaped punishment and fled the country. Though it’s not usually the type of case Bridge accepts, he eventually agrees. Bridge and Nicole will have to find what country the man fled to in order to bring him back to face justice. And to do that, Bridge has to resort to unorthodox methods, including… fighting in an underground fight club?!"

10			Fatal Connection Written by Mike Ryan Copyright: 2023 "Bridge and Nicole are hired to find a missing man and woman who stole company plans, and money, from the woman’s father. They’ll soon learn they’re on a time crunch, as the stolen plans are scheduled to be sold rather quickly. Their investigation takes them to Europe, where they have to sort through numerous false identities before they’re able to track their targets down. But before they find their suspects, they’ll have to battle several crime syndicates in order to get to what they’re really after."

11			The Impersonator Written by Mike Ryan Copyright: 2024 "Bridge and Nicole are hired to find a man who stole a million dollars from his employer. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy to find him. The man has fled the country, and has numerous aliases, leading Bridge and Nicole to question everything they come across. Will they be able to find him and bring him back to justice, or will he slip away, leaving them holding the short end of the stick?"

12			Critical Condition Written by Mike Ryan Copyright: 2024 "Bridge and Nicole are swept into a case involving spies and mercenaries. Before they even know what hits them, they’re ambushed, and taken prisoner. They’re split up, and with no one knowing where they are, they’re left to their own devices. Escaping is almost impossible. Bridge is beaten into submission, while Nicole gets put into the hands of a crazed doctor who’s intent on wiping her memories and planting new ones, all in the hopes of turning her into Russia’s newest secret agent. One thing’s for certain. No one is getting out of this unscathed."

MY COMMENTS

In my very typical way, I have a hard time deciding which of the two main characters I prefer to follow.

Luke Bridge is a macho, scene-demanding fellow who relishes the tight spots he gets himself into and out of. His escapades are pretty out there but such fun that you do not really care.

Nicole is a delightful sweet-and-sour combination. She is such a delightful character, full of life and eager for something new but push her into a corner or try to hurt her man and, my goodness, the trouble you will find.

If you tangle with either, Bridge will see you very dead while Nicole will make you wish you were.

GRADE

My Grade: B+

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