R. J. Patterson

My original First Strike audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.

Brady Hawk is an ex-navy seal now serving as a black ops assassin in Afghanistan and Iraq. He is tasked to take down terrorists quietly, making it look like they were killed accidentally, in hopes of not creating more sympathizers or more terrorists. The project is led by Senator Blunt, who will do anything to protect his power and pet project, including blackmail and murder.

When Hawk gets captured, he discovers a plot to bomb an American base. If he can’t escape, kill the bomb maker or warn the US, hundreds will die. With the help of his handler, Alex, the beautiful ex-C.I.A. operative, he is able to infiltrate deeper into the terrorist network. Now it is a race for time to foil the plot and stay alive doing it.

There is a fair amount of action, Hawk gets in tight jams, but always escapes with his extraordinary skills and an enormous amount of blind luck. Unfortunately, the escapes seem forced and way too easy. The terrorists are easily fooled and bungle their captures. For example, Hawk fakes an epileptic seizure to get taken to the infirmary, too bad they don’t think to tie him up or post a guard. Really?

It is an entertaining listen, but doesn’t bring too much originality to a very full genre of military/Muslim extremist/terrorist novels. The characters aren’t that interesting and tend to get pulled by the plot rather than the other way around. An easy light read if you enjoy this genre and don’t mind some less than believable escapes.

The story is performed by Dwight Kulman who does a good job. He has a pleasant voice. The characters are easily discernible and the voices are pretty good. His Middle Eastern accents could use a little work but aren’t distracting. There are production problems at the last third of the novel as chapters are repeated. An easy fix for the producer, but extremely distracting for the listener as he has to fast-forward to the next chapter to continue the novel.

First Strike is a generally entertaining assassin novel with little to make it standout in a crowded field.

Audiobook was provided for review by the author.… (meer)

Settling for second best is never fun, and Cal Murphy’s dreams of Pulitzers don’t seem likely to reach fruition in middle-of-nowhere Idaho, working for a former Salt Lake City Tribune editor. But then three teens die in quick succession and Cal’s not sure it’s as accidental as it seems.

With swift brushstrokes, Dead Shot blends the serious themes of drug addiction and athletic stardom together with shallow desires for fame and action-star glory. Cal’s ex-Mormon photographer friend (and possible romantic interest) Kelly helps on the case, as lies and politics combine and truth doesn’t pay. But there’s always the sure hope of “outstanding work” and the big city’s lure if their story ever reaches the front page.

Disclosure: I won a copy and I offer my honest review.… (meer)

This was a fast read. I'm not too sure Cal Murphy would be my type of protagonist. I understand spilling what he knows to the FBI in the hopes that they could help but then to his editor and then to his friend, Kelly. I wouldn't want to tell him any secrets. I also felt Cal and Kelly were really connected, at least on the surface. Despite his feelings for her even after Kelly confessing at the end of the book she cared about him - the relationship didn't feel true.

The Sea Hawks are going to the Super Bowl and are the favorite to win. Their quarterback's son is kidnapped. The ransom? Noah has to throw the game or his son dies. It was a fluke that Cal found out while interviewing Noah.

Major bets are being placed on the Dolphins and this raises flags with the FBI. So an FBI friend of Cal's calls him to find out if he knows of any rumors about the game being fixed.

What follows is an action packed ride to save Noah's son before the Super Bowl - in 4 days!

I received this book free from the author.… (meer)