Patrick G. Cox
Goodreads Author
Born
in Cape Town, South Africa
Website
Twitter
Genre
Influences
Many
Member Since
August 2011
URL
https://www.goodreads.com/patrickgcox
To ask
Patrick G. Cox
questions,
please sign up.
Popular Answered Questions
|
First into the Fray (Harry Heron #1.5)
by |
|
|
Midshipman's Journey (Harry Heron #1)
—
published
2015
—
5 editions
|
|
|
Into the Unknown (Harry Heron #2)
|
|
|
No Quarter (Harry Heron #3)
—
published
2017
—
4 editions
|
|
|
Savage Fugitive (Harry Heron #4)
|
|
|
Hope Transcends (Harry Heron #6)
by |
|
|
Awakening Threat (Harry Heron #5)
|
|
|
A Baltic Affair
—
published
2012
—
6 editions
|
|
|
Conflict in Shadow
|
|
|
Limehouse Boys
—
published
2015
—
5 editions
|
|
Patrick’s Recent Updates
|
"
Thank you. It is really good to know the story had the feeling of being real.
"
|
|
|
"
Thank you.
"
|
|
|
"
Thank you. I do feel it is important to acknowledge the difficulties pioneers and colonists face in building a new society--especially in an alien and
...more
"
|
|
|
"
Thank you, it's great to know you enjoyed the book and the story.
...more
"
|
|
|
"
Thank you. I do feel it is important to create a realistic 'environment' for a story.
...more
"
|
|
|
"What makes this story truly fascinating is how tension is constructed. Conflicts aren’t always loud; sometimes they hide in the shadows, coded signals, suspicious movements, conflicting loyalties, and choices made in silence. The book offers the rare"
Read more of this review »
|
|
|
"
At its core, the story takes place within a society that appears stable on the surface but suffers from generational divides and ideological disagreements. Conflict in Shadow stands out because it doesn’t romanticize unity or harmony; instead, it rev" Read more of this review » |
|
|
"Conflict in Shadow excels by showing that the most dangerous conflicts are often the ones no one talks about. Instead of relying on spectacle, the book builds tension through secrecy, misinformation, and quiet acts of defiance that ripple across an e"
Read more of this review »
|
|
|
"Conflict in Shadow is an extraordinary example of how a story can capture the pressure points of an entire society without relying on explosions, villains, or dramatic speeches. Instead, the book focuses on structural stress, emotional fragility, and"
Read more of this review »
|
|
|
Patrick G Cox
is now following Doris Sophia's reviews
|
|
“That damned Hurker! He had the neck to suggest to me today that he could find a buyer for our plant—if he was made a partner!”
“I hope you told him what to do with that suggestion!”
“I did. Told him I wasn’t selling, but if he wanted to buy a share he should talk to my legal adviser.” Marcus straightened in his chair and wiped his hands across his face. “And he told me that I had forty eight hours to reconsider my answer, or shipping might prove very difficult—and that there would be some queries initiated over my use of a dome now owned by CalBank!”
― First into the Fray
“I hope you told him what to do with that suggestion!”
“I did. Told him I wasn’t selling, but if he wanted to buy a share he should talk to my legal adviser.” Marcus straightened in his chair and wiped his hands across his face. “And he told me that I had forty eight hours to reconsider my answer, or shipping might prove very difficult—and that there would be some queries initiated over my use of a dome now owned by CalBank!”
― First into the Fray
“No one spotted anything wrong with the pilot’s ID?” Mr Brown stepped closer and studied the corpse. “Interesting. Same modus as they used with Ms Hollister?” He stepped back to gain perspective and looked round. “Have forensics examined her?”
“Yes, sir. Confirmed the use of a needle dart. They say it is difficult to put a time of death on her because the killer used a body coolant to drop the temperature and preserve it. One other thing, sir. Someone took a skin peel from her hands, and they made a face mould and took hair from her head.”
“Professional then.” Mr Brown paused. “Very well, I’ll talk to the head of forensics. Inform next of kin and prepare a media release.” He ran a check. “If whoever killed her piloted the last shuttle to the surface and used her ID and passed the DNA check, that means the murderer is now on Mars.” Turning to go, he ordered, “Hold the next of kin and media release until I say otherwise. I don’t want anyone to know we’ve found her.”
”
― First into the Fray
“Yes, sir. Confirmed the use of a needle dart. They say it is difficult to put a time of death on her because the killer used a body coolant to drop the temperature and preserve it. One other thing, sir. Someone took a skin peel from her hands, and they made a face mould and took hair from her head.”
“Professional then.” Mr Brown paused. “Very well, I’ll talk to the head of forensics. Inform next of kin and prepare a media release.” He ran a check. “If whoever killed her piloted the last shuttle to the surface and used her ID and passed the DNA check, that means the murderer is now on Mars.” Turning to go, he ordered, “Hold the next of kin and media release until I say otherwise. I don’t want anyone to know we’ve found her.”
”
― First into the Fray
“James Heron dreamed he was once more in the abandoned tunnels on Mars. As he walked, the barren rocky landscape transformed into hills of tangled vegetation. Lightning played in tall cumulus clouds in a darkening sky, and the sky was definitely an Earth sky, not a Martian one. He seemed to have companions, but their clothing was strange—very old fashioned, in fact, as if they belonged in the nineteenth century.
He didn’t recognise the landscape, but it seemed to be on Earth, and the group, several youths and a few older men, appeared to be suffering from the heat, plucking their shirts which displayed damp patches of perspiration. A short distance ahead of him walked a heavily built man who evidently was not enjoying the walk in the heat, his face flushed crimson and perspiring profusely.
The sky darkened and large drops of rain pelted the group, and they increased their pace. His view changed slightly as someone behind him called something he could not quite hear. The lightning seemed to be getting closer, and he and a companion—a youth, he noted ran for cover. He could smell the rain on the wet earth, and the fragrance of the vegetation intensified. He could feel the tension of the group—their fear perhaps?
Suddenly there was a blinding flash that seemed to engulf him—and then he jolted awake bathed in perspiration.”
― First into the Fray
He didn’t recognise the landscape, but it seemed to be on Earth, and the group, several youths and a few older men, appeared to be suffering from the heat, plucking their shirts which displayed damp patches of perspiration. A short distance ahead of him walked a heavily built man who evidently was not enjoying the walk in the heat, his face flushed crimson and perspiring profusely.
The sky darkened and large drops of rain pelted the group, and they increased their pace. His view changed slightly as someone behind him called something he could not quite hear. The lightning seemed to be getting closer, and he and a companion—a youth, he noted ran for cover. He could smell the rain on the wet earth, and the fragrance of the vegetation intensified. He could feel the tension of the group—their fear perhaps?
Suddenly there was a blinding flash that seemed to engulf him—and then he jolted awake bathed in perspiration.”
― First into the Fray
“Patrick G. Cox’s book “Ned Farrier Master Mariner: Call of the Cape” is a compelling piece of historical fiction about a young seafarer named Ned Farrier. The story takes place in South Africa and England in the middle of the 19th century. The author, Cox, does a great job of showing how sailors and settlers lived in this time period. He or she tells an interesting story that teaches readers about sailing terms, harsh realities, and the new frontiers of South Africa.
Ned Farrier, the main character of the book, is a likeable person who has changed a lot since his time in the London workhouse and the Vauxhall gentleman’s club. He has learned a lot about how to sail and is now the captain of his own merchant ship. But he just lost his young wife and child to consumption, which has left him with a strong desire for a better life. Ned moves up in his job and with his bosses over the course of the book, but his heart is always drawn to Sally Hudsmith, who is married and has her own problems.
The author does a great job building up Sally’s character and showing how hard it is for her to be a passenger on Ned’s ship. When Sally’s husband dies, she is once again a passenger, headed back to England, which no longer feels like home. The story follows their parallel lives as they write letters to each other. Their love for each other is clear.
Cox makes a true picture of how people lived on sailing ships and the new steamships of the time. The book is interesting to read because it tells about the difficulties of settling down in South Africa, which was then a new frontier, and the excitement of dating outside of England.
Overall, “Ned Farrier Master Mariner: Call of the Cape” is a fun and interesting book that people who like historical fiction, sailing, and South African history will enjoy. Cox has done a great job of making a world that feels real and is filled with interesting characters and a compelling story.”
―
Ned Farrier, the main character of the book, is a likeable person who has changed a lot since his time in the London workhouse and the Vauxhall gentleman’s club. He has learned a lot about how to sail and is now the captain of his own merchant ship. But he just lost his young wife and child to consumption, which has left him with a strong desire for a better life. Ned moves up in his job and with his bosses over the course of the book, but his heart is always drawn to Sally Hudsmith, who is married and has her own problems.
The author does a great job building up Sally’s character and showing how hard it is for her to be a passenger on Ned’s ship. When Sally’s husband dies, she is once again a passenger, headed back to England, which no longer feels like home. The story follows their parallel lives as they write letters to each other. Their love for each other is clear.
Cox makes a true picture of how people lived on sailing ships and the new steamships of the time. The book is interesting to read because it tells about the difficulties of settling down in South Africa, which was then a new frontier, and the excitement of dating outside of England.
Overall, “Ned Farrier Master Mariner: Call of the Cape” is a fun and interesting book that people who like historical fiction, sailing, and South African history will enjoy. Cox has done a great job of making a world that feels real and is filled with interesting characters and a compelling story.”
―
Goodreads Librarians Group
— 300608 members
— last activity 10 minutes ago
Goodreads Librarians are volunteers who help ensure the accuracy of information about books and authors in the Goodreads' catalog. The Goodreads Libra ...more
Time Travel
— 2853 members
— last activity Nov 20, 2025 03:26PM
This is a group for people who enjoy books that transport them to a different time and place through time travel. We have a monthly book club, offer m ...more
Editors and Writers
— 3133 members
— last activity Nov 20, 2025 06:41AM
Are you a writer looking for an editor or proofreader? Are you an editor looking for publishing experience? This is the place to make contact.
SciFi and Fantasy eBook Club
— 3766 members
— last activity Nov 05, 2025 12:45AM
This is for those of us whose preferred format is the ebook ... So, Whether you're a Kindle, Nook, Sony, iPad, Google, or whatever person; come on in ...more
Indie Voices: Authors & Books
— 485 members
— last activity 1 hour, 51 min ago
Indie Voices: Authors & Books is a community for writers and readers who believe stories don’t need a big publisher to matter. This group is for: In ...more
The Next Best Book Club
— 25828 members
— last activity 16 hours, 22 min ago
Are you searching for the NEXT best book? Are you willing to kiss all your spare cash goodbye? Are you easily distracted by independent bookshops, bi ...more
















































