The Lethal Agent

The Extraction Files #2

by R.S. McCoy

Mable Wilkinson is close to getting everything she ever wanted. She has a home in a facility in New York, a job extracting parasitic insects, and even a few friends. If she can keep up this pace for a few years, she’ll earn a lifetime of security for herself—and for Hadley.

But that doesn’t mean her job is easy. Each time she begins to discover something about the bugs, they strike again, wreaking havoc on the world. Researchers are dying with increasing frequency, and Mable is powerless to stop it.

As the mounting bug attacks threaten to destroy humanity, Mable realizes she’s out of time. Her team has only days to find a solution before the human race loses its homeworld—if the bugs don’t infect them first.

A new sci-fi romance from RS McCoy, author of The Sparks Saga, The Alder Tales, and The Luminary Chronicles.

Book Two of The Extraction Files.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

470 pages, Paperback

Published July 28, 2016

About the author

Rachel McCoy is a Texan living in Baltimore. Between binge-watching MTV reality shows and baking gluten-free treats, she writes paranormal fantasy and science fiction novels.

She is the USA Today Bestselling author of the Sparks Saga trilogy, The Alder Tales series, and The Extraction Files. Back when she lived in the real world, Rachel earned a degree in marine biology, which contributed to her die-hard love of manta rays.

To connect with RS McCoy (or swap recipes), visit her on her website (www.rsmccoyauthor.com) or check out her Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AuthorRSMcCoy). You can also join her newsletter to receive release updates, free stories, and bonus extras (http://eepurl.com/YItp1).

Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great minds are still being destroyed, falling victims to parasitic insects that burrow into their bodies. Capable of killing instantly or controlling the mind of their victims, removal becomes the job of Mable Wilkinson, a reluctant player in the race to save humanity from both the strange insects and the devastation humanity has wreaked on Earth. They were searching for a new planet to populate when the time came and now they are dying. Brilliant minds lost to unusual insects that self-destruct when removed purpose? Where did they come from? Are they a secret weapon from some unknown enemy?

R.S. McCoy’s The Lethal Agent continues the chilling story that began in The Killing Jar and may end with the final human breathing their last breath. Mable is not alone in her quest and we are allowed to see this tale unfold through the eyes of several characters. As in real life, these characters are more than the jobs they do. They love, hate, and have lives removed from the sterile environment of their laboratories.

Ms. McCoy ramps up the action, the furious search to stop the mad insect death squad and the intrigue between each character. The questions rise, the cure seems too far off to save the world, and one daring attempt to find the answers may come too late. Will all be lost on the planet that is dying from the abuse of its people? The clock is ticking and every step forward is easily halted by these unusual creatures and Ms. McCoy has delivered another suspense-filled tale where her characters are filled with surprises from start to finish.

This time out, R.S. McCoy takes some risks with her writing, with both the romance and her characters, but all is fair in love and war, and The Lethal Agent has both! Riveting, fascinating, and even frightening, I may never look at bugs the same, again. A great Science Fiction read with a few twists you won’t see coming!

I received an ARC edition from R.S. McCoy in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 4.5 Stars
Series: The Extraction Files - Book 2
Publication Date: August 30, 2016
Publisher: R.S. McCoy
Genre: Science Fiction | Romantic Suspense
Print Length: 418 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[iamnotabookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this as an eARC I won in R.S. McCoy's giveaway on Instagram. Again, thank you.

The Lethal Agent picks up right where The Killing Jar left off. Good thing I have book two right after I read book one because if it were not, I would have been so restless to find out what happens next. The Killing Jar ended abruptly but not that it will leave you hanging but obvious enough that there is definitely a next book. Fortunately, I was spared that feeling because I have The Lethal Agent available and got on with my reading as if book one never ended.

I have mentioned about bugs on my review on The Killing Jar, right? Well, let's just say that The Lethal Agent was more into looking for those bugs. I refuse to tell you where and how those bugs came about as it will definitely spoil the story. You have to read it for yourselves. I assure you, this is absolutely no waste of time. I love to read books but I am also honest and critical in terms of liking a book or not. I have a lot of books I bought because the summary on the back cover is really promising but ended up not finishing the book because it was not what I thought it was. The Extraction Files, I suppose was going to bore me but thankfully it did not and I think this series is one of the few sci-fi novels that I really really enjoyed. It didn't feel like it was too nerdy or used too many scientific words where it tends to get the readers lost and confused. These books are just so creatively written that I often pause and try to understand where the author got her inspiration for all these characters and events. Freaking awesome! Also, it talks about family, relationships, our fears and insecurities and the things that we value most. I think this aspect of the novel makes it less a tumor-inducing read because it makes it more relatable and a little less fiction.
I admire how McCoy was able to put this into the story flawlessly.

Again, I give The Lethal Agent five stars. It was so worth it having two straight late nights just so I could finish them. Never a minute wasted.

There were about five words in typo error but other than that I have no complains.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

I absolutely loved this book! The different points of view are so brilliantly woven together, and you really go on this crazy adventure right along side the characters. Best of all, you get a little bit of everything: suspense, romance, grief, humor, all the feels.

Great read! Highly recommend.

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not too long ago in June, I was really lucky to have the ARC and review the Killing Jar and if you have read my review then you know that I loved it!

Shortly after that, Rachel (beloved author) asked me to do the same with the Lethal Agent and I could not be happier! To be honest with you guys, I always feel like it is sheer torture topped with cruel and unusual punishment when we have to wait forever for the next book in a series. I can imagine that a lot of people would feel that way when we get so involved with the characters. So you can imagine that the minute I got the ARC for The Lethal Agent, it took me just a few hours to finish it and when I did I was pretty much in tears and I emailed Rachel.

Since there are 2 books in this series, I am really sad to say goodbye to all the characters and especially to Mabel.

If you read my Killing Jar Review then you know Mabel was my girl and she was a really fantastic character. The girl is super smart and badass, I could not have made her better.

I find her equally as Epic with a capital E as Katniss, and she might even give her a run for her money too. She is even better the Lethal Agent, it is not as if she changed or anything drastic, but I think this is where she really hit her max potential and the girl is glorious.

I am a huge weakness for very strong female characters and she is one of the best there is IMHO.

if you recall we have Mabel's male counterpart Theo and I was not a huge fan at the end of book 1, he actually went from bad to worse, but in a way and I did see it coming Theo redeemed himself little by little in this book.

Since he and Mable are a team, he had to get his sh*t together and grow up a little. I recall a comment on my blog about not having Mable and Theo get together, well as a spoiler.... that ship has sailed!

For other possible spoilers, well we finally learn more about the bugs' origins and why they have been harming us.

One question still remains, how the hell did they get into people without people realizing?

Like I mentioned at the start of this post, I was in tears at the end of the book. I got really attached and it was so sad and so perfect at the same time, I could not keep it together.

There was one every sad event.

I was pissed, very pissed!

It came out of nowhere and it broke my heart. I am nice enough to give you advance warning but I won't tell you any more. You have to read the book and then you tell me if you figured out what I am talking about here!

I am going to do here is tell you again, that if you love Sci Fi or even if you do not, this is an amazing book! A wonderful conclusion and pretty much one of those series I will always go back to read on a regular basis! It is already on my “Obsession” list for sure!

Thank you Rachel again for the opportunity and I am still deeply touched that you entrusted the review of the series to me. I am deeply humbled!

I am highly recommending the series and please read the Killing Jar before the Lethal Agent or you might get a tad lost.

[Heather Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted here: https://heatherreviews.wordpress.com/...
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Picking up where The Killing Jar left off, The Lethal Agent focuses on the same group of characters as they continue their quest to save humanity. As a reader who doesn’t dabble in science fiction nearly enough as I would like, this series has been an eye opener for the genre and I can’t wait to find more books like it.

The CPI has its hands full as more bugs infect more people and soon there are mass casualties they need to deal with. While Aida struggles to decide between her head and her heart, Theo and Mable make the difficult choice to help protect humanity far from the home they know, and Dasia and Osip grow closer as they work together to figure out the pattern behind the infections. With everything spinning out of control, Arrenstein can only trust that his newest recruits will find the answer that no one else could before.

Well, whew, I’m not sure where to start with this one. I found The Killing Jar a little confusing to follow at times due to the many point of view characters but this time around, I felt like it was perfect. I’m so invested in these characters that I needed to know what was happening with everyone. By the time I got to the last 20% of the book, I was tweeting at the author to say I’m taking the characters away from her so she can’t hurt them anymore!

I loved how all the recruits grew over the course of this book. Their relationships with each other is… complex, to say the least – with many of them being in multiple relationships with the others – but you can just feel the love that they have for each other and their little ragtag family. It was wonderful to see them all work together to figure out the pattern behind the bugs and the hosts and eventually work out exactly why it was all happening in the first place.

Learning the new relationships between several of the characters – like how two of the point of view characters are actually brother and sister – was cool. You could tell that they were all connected in some way, but pulling all the individual threads together throughout this book made the whole picture that bit clearer.

This one made me cry, if I’m being honest. There are a couple of moments in this book that made me want to put it down or throw it away because it hurt. I was so invested in these characters that I didn’t want bad things to happen and then the worst happened (hence the tweet to the author about taking her characters away!). To connect with a story as strongly as I did shows just how fantastic the writing is. When I finished, I still felt like I needed more.

The action doesn’t let up, from the beginning to the end there’s catastrophe, explosions, bug deaths, just everything that could possibly go wrong, does. It’s a thrill of a ride and one that I will gladly take again. I can’t recommend this book enough.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Gifted in exchange for an honest review***

This is the second book in the sci-fi series that is based in what could be the future of our Earth.

It is a bleak and scary future... scary because I seriously can see this being a very real scenario.

I pray that we as a human species can Stop this path of destruction and hatred that seems prevalent on our news lately.

OK before I start getting off on a tangent, lets get back to this book.

Well for a start you need to read book 1 The Killing Jar. which kept me guessing what was going on for a long time, and this book continues to make you take a ride of twists and turns as you turn the page. And I will warn you crush you at some parts!

As I said this series is based in the future, when our world is dying and the remaining human race is living underground, under domes and we are desperately trying to find a new world to go pollute!

(OK maybe by the time they find a planet the humans that are left will has stopped being selfish and only looking at the present needs and wants that we will live in sync with the world instead of stripping its resources -
But since there are drug addicts and mining colonies mentioned in this book I am assuming that we are still arrogant and think that we are entitled to own anything we come across!)

And to not give this story away I can't really say much more about the actual plotline.

But our intrepid bunch of young untouchables ( a term given to those that have not cut the muster for some reason or another,the outcasts that have no real future in the strict sects that are the basis of the world as a whole, these are the Scholars, Artisans, and Craftsmen. if you do not fit in these 3 sects then you are destined to either be sent to the penal colonies or live 'underground' or die)

Our group of misfits who were paired up to work in the secret Agency CPI that are tasked with hunting and finding out why the top of the sects in the world/outlying colonies are being infected by parasitic bugs.

Let Ms McCoy take you on a voyage into a possible future of our world, and how the seemingly young raw recruits of Silas Arrenstein are the only chance at stopping the infestation and possible death of the human race. Ms McCoy has written a brilliant Suspense Sci-fi, the series reminds me of a few of my favourite reads as well as some of my favourite Films...

This series is a must for any sci-fi/fantasy reader and should be on your TBR now.

I want this series in Paperback so I can have it sat on my Favourites shelf.

Grab Book 1 now so you can be ready for the release of The Lethal Agent.

Top Read of 2016

[Patricia Hamill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Science fiction that blends humanity and science into a thrilling, emotion-tugging package...

The Lethal Agent continues the story right where it left off in The Killing Jar. The bugs are upping their game even as the new CPI recruits up their efforts to figure them out.

Mable still seems to be the highlighted character in the description, but all of the storylines are given equal weight as the story progresses. In particular, I enjoyed the complex relationships, well-handled and realistic, but sometimes unique and surprising. There are some tough situations, though, and some heartbreaking ones. A real rollercoaster of emotions, and yet realistic, even in the realm of science fiction.

As for that science fiction, it and the world building around it are solid. I think folks who want a deep escape will find it here. The science is amazing, but not so farfetched as to be impossible, and the enemy bugs, well, they are terrifying, but also plausible. Nothing feels like an afterthought. It’s all purposeful and woven in with a finesse I’d expect from the sci-fi greats.

This is book 2 in The Extraction Files, but it seems to conclude the story. That being said, I hope there is another one. I want more.

Overall, I loved this book and really can’t think of anything that I didn’t like about it. Fans of science fiction that blends humanity and science into a thrilling, emotion-tugging package will likely love this story.

I received the review copy of this book from the author.

[Merissa (Archaeolibrarian) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lethal Agent is the second book in The Extraction Files, and as such you will need to read The Killing Jar first for it to make any sense. This is a futuristic, intricate and in-depth story told from multiple points of view.

The characters that we started to know in book one blossom into full glory in book two. Mabel, Dasia, Osip and Theo have their trials and tribulations still, but they learn more about each other, what makes them tick and how to work with their strengths. Of course, things are more intricate than some realise with this foursome, but it works for them!

There is one part of the story that took me completely by surprise. I envisaged something completely different, so when what happened happened, I was completely in shock. A complete and utter surprise to which I honestly thanked R.S. McCoy 😁 (or at least, that's what I told my children when they asked why I was muttering under my breath!)

With the usual excellent writing that I would expect from a book of hers, this book is simply sublime and highly recommended by me.

* I received this book from the author in return for a fair and honest review. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 30, 2016

[Clarice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll be honest, I had mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, I love the idea of bugs burrowing into people and controlling their actions and on occasion their thoughts. It's totally gross and nasty but cool and makes for a great science fiction read. And this book was quite fascinating in that degree. However, the relationships between some of the characters were a bit confusing at times. And I kind of felt like the whole reason behind the bugs would be a little more complicated than it was. Now, if you don't particularly like spoilers, you might not want to read further just for good measure. The one thing that hit me hardest was Abraham's(Alex) story. After following him for two books, I did not particularly like how things ended on that end. He and Mable's son felt like unfinished business even after what happened to them. Perhaps it was because the colony they were on was so isolated and I didn't understand the need for their long tracking story once I knew how it ended. That being said, I enjoyed reading The Lethal Agent and especially liked how much of a family atmosphere the group had at the end.

[Eleni Liakou · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't have asked for a more satisfying finale! The Lethal Agent really takes this futuristic, intricate and fascinating sci-fi story to a whole new level of awesomeness!

I loved the multiple point of views even from the first book, and seeing all of the amazing characters grow so much throughout this book was great. The character development was executed so well, and I am still blown away by the wonderfully written and diverse cast of characters!

As for the story itself, I enjoyed every last bit of it! The fast pacing of the story, the action and mystery and all the unexpected twists and turns added up to the whole reading experience. This book made me feel all the feels!

The writing was once again immaculate and on-point! An overall thrilling read that totally made it to my top list!

[Alisha Frias · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Extraction Files by Rs McCoy. With the way it ended its probably the last. This book was amazing. The author added so many more twists and turns than she did in The Killing Jar. Theo and Mable get sent off Earth for a super important mission. Dasia and Osip grow closer. Georgie and Jane have HUGE troubles with them working together. We find out more about Mables past. Things change a lot since The Killing Jar. This book has so many emotions. The perfect amount of sadness and happiness. This is a real eye opener to what is humans are doing to the earth...that if we keep up what we're doing we will ruin it. I recommend that if you haven't read The Killing Jar yet. Pick it up now! Then get started on The Lethal Agent. You can't miss these books!

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

She's done it again

A most excellent second book in a series. Lots of exciting action, nasty little bugs controlling people from inside. A little disappointed the author didn't choose another option in some places but not all stories should have a 100% happy ending. To make it more real there needs to be some sadness and hurt along the way.
I really enjoyed following this young group of outcasts as they try to sort out how and why these bugs are attacking and killing people. They have there own struggles within their group as they learn who they are as individuals and as a group. By the end they become one big happy dysfunctional family.
Great read.

[Penny P · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG my feels. Let me stop crying and write this. My insides were ripped out and stomped on and my heart hurts in 100 ways. Loved this book. Loved! It was different, really different. But in a really good way. I wish I could forget it happened so I could go back and read it again. Now I have a major book hangover.

[Heather Henkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

I really enjoyed this series and these characters. I love how everything ended and I thought it was a great conclusion.