Optional Retirement Plan

By: Chris Pourteau

Narrated by: R.C. Bray

When retiring isn't an option, it's kill or be killed.

Stacks Fischer is a killer for hire. For more than three decades, he’s loyally served the Syndicate Corporation as its most-feared and respected enforcer around the solar system. He’s buried the company’s dirty laundry six feet deep, no matter who had to be taken out to do it.

Now, Stacks has a problem - he’s losing his mind to incurable form of dementia, and unwittingly spilling corporate secrets in public.

When SynCorp decides Fischer has outlived his usefulness, they decide it's time to permanently retire him. But Stacks isn’t quite ready to go. With every one of SynCorp’s Five Factions gunning for him - and his own mind slowly rebelling - Fischer leads a pack of would-be assassins in a final, deadly chase across the solar system.

The old hit man refuses to fade quietly into oblivion at the hands of his disease or the business he's dedicated his life to. He’s choosing an Optional Retirement Plan.

Don't miss this pulse-pounding science fiction thriller filled with twists that will leave you on the edge of your seat. It's perfect for fans of Titanborn, The Expanse, and Minority Report.

©2019 Christopher Pourteau (P)2019 Aethon Books

R.E.D. (Retired Extremely Dangerous) in space

I enjoyed this story. It is like the movie RED set in a not-too-distant future in space. Some bounty hunting with some corporate greed and experience vs. next generation. It is an old-school detective story in space.

It’s ok to root for the bad guy. They’re all bad guys.

I enjoyed RC Bray’s telling of the story of a hit man sticking it to the company. I don’t have time for boring. This story is exciting and funny.

Tech Noir thriller fun

I picked this book because I really enjoyed the description and idea of the tech-noir feel. Unfortunately it took me a lot longer than it should have to finish that it should have due to a spoiler I'm going to put below. Other than that minor issue it was a really good book that otheriwse enjoyed. It had that same gritty techno-feel while still exploring the issues Stacks was facing personally and professionally. Coming back to his ship on the dark side of the moon felt especially poignant.


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The fact that the character kept saying old timer's instead of alzheimers set my teeth on edge. It was a really good reflection of showing his mental decline so I thought it was an excellent choice, and other characters use the word alzheimers, but it annoyed me so I had to keep taking breaks
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I did get a copy in exchange for my honest review.

I want more

R. C. Bray reading a Sci-Fi Noir book... I'll take 10!

The book itself is great. The style and humor melds well together and kept me listening. This 7.5 hr book was supposed to last me the week, but I think I knocked it out in just a couple days because I just couldn't put it down. The author does a great job in making you care for a character that you may not agree with. Chris also does a wonderful job making you feel what the MC is going through in his condition/situation. I hope more books connected to the series come out, and am especially interested in a prequel.

R. C. Bray did a great service for me, as it was originally his name attached to the book that got me interested. Is there really anything more to say about this man's talent? Continue being a beast, Bray.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

A rollercoaster ride of unexpected plot twists.

Former Assassin with early-onset Alzheimer wanted dead by his old boss because he knows too much.

Great worldbuild and characterisation and plenty of humor makes this book easy to love and hard to put down once you have started. It’s a stand-alone story so no need to already be familar with Chris Porteau's work or Stacks Fisher. However, it will likely make you interested in more. Highly recommended. The narration is delievered spot-on by R.C.Bray (as usually).

*I was given this audio in exchange for honest and fair review.