or Michael Kearns, his small, neighborhood bookshop was a place of respite. Laden with books specially chosen for his store and clientele, it was a friendly spot in the midst of the large city of Boston. Shoppers lounged on comfy furniture as they perused the eclectic variety of books available.

Kearns knew the local folks who frequented his shop, and so when an exotic, young, dark-haired woman walked into his store, he realized that day would be different. Cautious and yet intrigued, Michael guided her toward the French history books, thus beginning a series of events that would lead to danger and death.

An intellectual who loved the quiet life of a bookstore owner, Michael had another side, one that was hidden from most. He is the Silencer, a well-paid and highly skilled assassin working for the government. With an assignment and a gun, he would eliminate anyone who was a threat to the country. Yet when he himself becomes entangled in the secret deals and becomes a target, his experience will be tested by both official police investigations as well as covert assassination attempts. His attempts to protect himself and those he cares about will take him overseas and back to his home of Boston, where he must fight or die.

In Backfire, a novel by Kenneth F. Ryan, Sr., the reader will find elements of the great thriller fiction of the past. There is a dashing main character, lovely women, international intrigue, and professional assassins. Indeed, the feel of the novel is one of an earlier time period, something that will surely appeal to lovers of traditional mystery and thriller fiction. This general impression of nostalgia and romance, while enjoyable in some respects, leads to certain oddities in the storyline, including the main character buying a Boston newspaper while abroad rather than accessing the internet via a cafe or library. Like the lack of a technology in the story, the portrayal of certain European countries and their relationship with the United States seems anachronistic for such a modern setting. The reader must be willing to suspend their disbelief in these occasions in order to enjoy the writing style.

Keeping these issues in mind, the book was a refreshing and quick read and will most likely appeal to older readers who will appreciate the novel’s qualities. Traditional in content and perspective, Kenneth Ryan’s novel, Backfire, provides readers with a tale that hearkens back to its romantic predecessors, thrillers with a strong, moral main character and a beautiful leading lady. Similar to the cozy mystery genre, the novel presents the best of its type of writing without the distractions found in later books. For the lover of thrillers who would like an exciting and yet romantic read, Ryan’s Backfire will surely be a smart choice.