Cross Hairs

Cal Murphy #1

by Jack Patterson

Working as a journalist at a small weekly paper in rural Idaho, Cal Murphy begins losing his big city dreams of writing for a metro paper before his passion is reignited after three high school star athletes are found dead in a 24-hour period. As he and fellow photographer Kelly Mendoza attempt to make sense of bizarre circumstances that led to the teens' deaths, Cal makes a chilling discovery, uncovering a vast conspiracy that grows darker with every twist and turn. With a mastermind determined to silence Cal and Kelly for good, the young reporters ultimately must decide if their lives are worth the risk to reveal the truth.

Genres: Thriller, Fiction, Crime, Mystery, Mystery Thriller

266 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 16, 2012

About the author

This is the Profile that Author R.J. Patterson originally released under.

Reviews

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Dan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Cal Murphy begins losing his big city dreams of writing for a metro paper before his passion is reignited after three high school star athletes are found dead in a 24-hour period. As he and fellow photographer Kelly Mendoza attempt to make sense of bizarre circumstances that led to the teens' deaths, Cal makes a chilling discovery, uncovering a vast conspiracy that grows darker with every twist and turn”

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Journalist who had dreams about writing that special piece and getting out of this small town. When three football players die and a cover up seems to be happening. Will Cal and Kelly heed to the warning, which they really
wasn’t given much warning. Good story

[Adverb · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book on a recommendation. I no longer trust the source of that recommendation.

Were I an adolescent, the either trite or absurd situations and complete lack of character development might have been forgivable. I am not; they are not. The FBI does not solicit assistance from a sports reporter, nor would they sit by while one suspect killed another, waiting for a confession to be broadcast via a cell phone in the middle of the desert (where there is no service).

Overall, I found the book to be amateurish and at times, laughably bad.
I tried to pass it off as rookie mistakes, but the second book was even worse. I stopped reading when the FBI agent SUGGESTED the sports reported go to Mexico to see if the kidnapped child was in the drug lord's compound.

[Louise Pledge · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last quarter of the book was the best; I found myself walking around the house with my Kindle in hand, even reading as I dressed and prepared breakfast. Finished eating but still had to sit here till the book was, also, done.

Rating: PG 13...no sex or offensive language, just some mild violence

[Pete Hannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book title I read was Cross Hairs but apparently they are the same book.

[Paulette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great main character Cal Murphy. Fast paced. Really enjoyed. Picked up two other by Jack Patterson to read.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good

[Jerry Walch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have many favorite authors and I try to keep up with their latest books but I spend most of my time reading authors that I have never read before, authors like Jack Patterson. Some of those authors I will never read again and my reviews reflect that. Jack Pattwrson, on the other hand, is an author destine to become one of my favorites and destined to become a bestseller. Dead Shot, the first book in the Cal Murphy series is a five star winner. It has everything a good thriller needs to succeed. It's fast paced nonstop action from the very first few pages. It's more than a page turner, it's a page burner. It starts off fast and rapidly builds to a fever pitch and keeps you clinging to the edge of your sat until the final resolution and Cal and Kelly the hero and heroine of the story, two people you have come to love and want to see win against all odds, come out winners. Dead Shot ends with you wanting more of Cal and Kelly and to that end I have already downloaded the second book in the series, Dead Line.

[David Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good thriller!

The story grabbed my interest with the description of how the victims died, and held my interest with Patterson's excellent story telling. This is my first Jack Patterson book, but it will not be my last.

I received a free copy of this book from an author promotion and voluntarily chose to review

[Jim Mackell · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another one of those books that you read and keep saying to yourself "thisis just a bad chapter, it will get better.". Well, it doesn't. The story line reads like something out of a Jr High essay contest. Totally inane plot and ending. I'm sure I lost brain cells I'll never recoup just by reading this to its unfortunate and unbelievable end.

[A.D. Hay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dead Shot by R J Patterson features a journalist called Cal Murphy who works for a small-town newspaper, who accidentally stumbles across the town’s first serial killer, and uncovers a dark secret. I can't wait to read other books in this series. 🕵️‍♂️📰🔪🕴🏻📖👍🏻🌟

[taffykathiegmail.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small town to hide

Fast paced story in the Pacific Northwest that gas you wondering, as you turn each page, will the real story ever be told? Will the town become the criminal side of Boston?

[B. Shaun Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was thrilling and fast paced. Could be silly and head scratching at times.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

All he wants is to be a sports writer for a good newspaper. That’s all. However… I did learn to stay away from trees when I felt itchy. I enjoyed the story and recommend the book.

[Mariyum Patel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is awesome. A beautifully crafted plot. Cal Murphy is an amazing character whose strength clearly lies in his witty one-liners.

[Thomas A Peden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting story

This is a well written storyline that will keep your mind occupied throughout the entire book.
Interesting perspective into the thoughts of corrupt people.

[Bernie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Shot review

Dead Shot is the first fast paced mystery book in the Cal Murphy Thriller series written by author R. J. Patterson.

[Phyllis M. Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gives a reporter's view of a fantastic story, as well as his photographer's side! WOW! Too bad I had to get some sleep of I would have finished it last night!

[Mike Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

The plot seems interesting... not a long story though.

[Brian Lasalle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot felt like Swiss cheese. All over the place.

[Jeffrey Rubenstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining thriller. Interesting story and really good storytelling.

[Bruce Loney · Rating 2 out of 5]

Difficult book to read, too many chapters, storey didn’t flow until the end and not fond of the writing style.

[Rhian Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced easy read. Felt a bit stretched out towards the end

[Olivia Bruce · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn’t even finish it (had 4 chapters left), sounds like something a middle/high schooler wrote with little background information on how the police system actually works.

[Kate G · Rating 1 out of 5]

EDIT: I saw the ad on Facebook, made a comment and naturally, that comment was deleted, because I disagreed with the ad.
I have also been blocked from making any further comments. Well, he can't delete Goodreads reviews.

Honestly? It's not thrilling. It dragged on, and I kind of started hoping the bad guys would turn up and just shoot Cal so I wouldn't have to keep reading, but for the sake of knowing how it ends, I pushed on and persevered.

It claims to be 'as thrilling as Matthew Reilly.' This isn't in the same league as Matt's books, regardless of sales. Matthew's are hardcore action thrillers with the intent to thrill.

Deadshot/*insert old names that mention Cross (hm, I wonder why the word Cross was chosen in relation to the surname Patterson) is average at best. It's a cheap read, and I won't go into the obvious lack of research and unrealistic actions of the characters since that has already been covered. This is a bad attempt at what could possibly be a good story, with a lot of editing, and research added.

This is more like a mystery novel than a thriller, considering the idea is to make you keep reading, not drag you by the collar. I read it, and do not plan to read it again. I'll attempt the next book, but I doubt I will actually enjoy it.

2 out of 5 stars, since 1 felt a bit harsh.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Kip Milton (small town journalist) and Christy Mendoza (photographer with the same paper) team up to solve the murders of three high school athletes who died within 24hours of each other, little did they know their lives would be immediately in danger, as they tried to uncover a secret that had been kept in their little town for decades!

With absolutely no-one they could trust, and no previous experience in the terror and horror of what was unfolding, they kept fumbling along, but when more murders occurred, they realized things were very serious, and the masterminds of this 'game' wouldn't stop until they were dead!

But they must reveal the truth....can they do that before it's too late...can they reveal the shocking nature of the crimes of their previously quiet little town, and the number of citizens 'on the take' before more people die?

A great murder mystery by Jack Patterson!

[Stayci Blea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not crazy about this book. I found it a bit ridiculous actually. Cal and Kelly were on to something, but it didn't really even become clear what they were onto until the last half of the book, despite being chased down and their lives threatened from pretty much the beginning. Twists and turns that were far fetched and difficult to take seriously, everyone dies, and then it literally ends with "The End", as if the author was just over it. Might as well stop now. Now seems as good a time as any. It wasn't at all about the death of the football players, which by the way, again ridiculous - seriously? Scratching themselves to death? I found myself reading to the end more for the ridiculousness of it all than for the thrilling story line.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cal Murphy is a young reporter investigating the death's of three high school students. The
hijinks start there. A good teen mystery novel.