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Eric Ritter Spy Thriller #1

The Caliban Program

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Months after 9/11, a covert arm of the CIA summons young Lieutenant Eric Ritter to Pakistan. Al Qaeda holds an American operative, and Ritter’s connection to the kidnapper is the key to rescuing the operative before it’s too late.


While the CIA need Ritter’s help, they consider him an expendable asset and throw him into a battle he isn’t ready for. Deep inside a hostile city, Ritter will learn what it takes to fight the cloak and dagger war against a merciless enemy, or die trying.


Contains an excerpt from INTO DARKNESS, the first full length novel of the Eric Ritter Spy Thriller series.

43 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 201

162 people are currently reading
145 people want to read

About the author

Richard Fox

131 books613 followers
Richard Fox is a Nebula Award nominated author, and winner of the 2017 Dragon Award for Best Military Science Fiction or Fantasy novel, author of The Ember War Saga, a military science fiction and space opera series, and other novels in the military history, thriller and space opera genres.

He lives in fabulous Las Vegas with his incredible wife and three boys, amazing children bent on anarchy.

He graduated from the United States Military Academy (West Point) much to his surprise and spent ten years on active duty in the United States Army. He deployed on two combat tours to Iraq and received the Combat Action Badge, Bronze Star and Presidential Unit Citation.

The Ember War Saga:
1. The Ember War
2. The Ruins of Anthalas
3. Blood of Heroes
4. Earth Defiant
5. The Gardens of Nibiru
6. Battle of the Void
7. The Siege of Earth
8. The Crucible
9. The Xaros Reckoning

Terran Armored Corps
1. Iron Dragoons
2. The Ibarra Sanction
3. The True Measure
4. A House Divided
5. The Last Aeon
6. Ferrum Corde

Terran Strike Marines
1. The Dotari Salvation
2. Rage of Winter
3. Valdar's Hammer
4. The Beast of Eridu
5. Gott Mit Uns

The Exiled Fleet:
1. Albion Lost
2. The Long March
3. Finest Hour
4. Point of Honor

The Terra Nova Chronicles
1. Terra Nova
2. Bloodlines
3. Wings of Redemption
4. Hale's War

Subscribe to Richard's spam free email list and get free short stories set during the Ember War Saga (and more as they become available) at: http://eepurl.com/bLj1gf

Like him on Facebook (best place to reach him): https://www.facebook.com/Richard-Fox-...

Website: www.richardfoxauthor.com

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
Profile Image for Anna Erishkigal.
Author 115 books197 followers
July 4, 2015
Super spooky spy thriller...

This was an interesting short story just the right length to kill an hour while waiting for a connecting flight. The pacing was good, the story line gripping, but what struck me as most interesting was the way the protagonist Ritter got sucked into this super-spooky agency which is almost as bad as the terrorists hunt down. There was a clever plot twist about how Ritter tracks down the bad guy. I won't say more so I don't spoil it :-) I see there is a next-book which I've already downloaded, but in no way did this story make me feel it was one of those nasty teaser-trailers with a cliffhanger that I hate.
Profile Image for Richard.
177 reviews12 followers
March 14, 2014
Nice start!

a nice start to an interesting character. Well written fast paced and nice development. I hope the first book in the series does not disappoint. A great marketing scheme this short was free and now you have to buy the first installment. well I'm in I just purchased it! you would.do far worse than this short story, give it a shot....A solid 4 stars... I will update after the first book in the series..
Profile Image for HornFan2 .
767 reviews46 followers
February 16, 2014
A new genre that I got into, thanks to my Kindle and find it as exciting as reading about the 'Old West'. Liked the story, your right their in the action and it's almost like the author makes you be Ritter as your reading it.
Profile Image for Bob Himes.
631 reviews21 followers
March 24, 2021
Extreme Reassignment

Richard Fox's "Eric Ritter Spy Thriller "series, begins with "The Caliban Program". Lt. Eric Ritter is recruited for duty with the CIA while still in Officer's Basic Training, because of his fluency in several languages, including Arabic.
The action begins for him right away and carries throughout the book. The writing style is light and doesn't bog you down. I look forward to reading more of this series.
89 reviews3 followers
November 10, 2018
Lack of chapters....

I like to read chapter-to-chapter, giving me a sure-footed diving board to jump off from when next I choose to swim on, as it were. This novel consisted of one chapter called '2002'. A little on the long side to listen to Joey (USA) ramble along; sounds good, but sounds long too.
Profile Image for Ted Tayler.
Author 79 books299 followers
January 3, 2019
"Plenty of action"

I guess it's hard to define some books within the parameters offered on Amazon. A spy thriller conjures up the Cold War for me, but that's an age thing. Covert conflict in the Middle East is something else. Bags of fast action. Technical dialogue and macho characters. If this is your genre - fill your boots.
Profile Image for Will Decker.
Author 23 books17 followers
January 1, 2018
I thought the writing style was a little stilted and there are definitely grammar errors. Yet, all in all, a nice short read with a quick pace and believable characters. Makes a great prequel to a series, but it does stand alone as a short story. Good work.
Profile Image for Susan.
1,455 reviews
March 28, 2019
The Caliban Program is the fist book in the Eric Ritter Spy Thriller series. This is a very short prequel to the series. It introduces you to the main character and the program. Don't expect many answers here. This is just a teaser for the next book.
268 reviews2 followers
September 14, 2023
Expendable

This short story provides a compelling introduction to the rest of the series. It effectively introduced the main characters, the settings, and the moral uncertainties of war.
Profile Image for D Marie.
650 reviews
June 4, 2018
Excellent

I stumble across this book while looking for something new to read. This is my first time reading anything by the author, but it was a short and great read. On to book 2.
21 reviews
November 2, 2021
Short but very exciting. Read all in one day,

Left no room to relax, Shortly from the start the action didn't slow !! Very enjoyable read. Definitely recommend
If you like action,
Profile Image for Diana Stone.
Author 12 books9 followers
September 12, 2023
Excellent

I needed a change from the bakery and dog-walker cozy mysteries! This is a fast moving book that introduces a new hero. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
6 reviews
January 24, 2014
A quick and dirty spy thriller in Pakistan. It's what you'd expect for introducing a new character to a series.

It was fun watching some cherry lieutenant get thrown into the deep end of the war on terror. There were a few smart moments and a great twist at the end.

Good times, and it leads into the author's other book nicely. Having read both, I wouldn't say this is required reading for the other book. Might give you a bit more depth for the story in Into Darkness.
Profile Image for Greg D.
892 reviews22 followers
July 4, 2016
I was unaware this was a short story. And, short it was. Ended very abruptly, obviously a ploy to reel the reader into buying the next book in the series. The story was great, although there were quite a few typos and editorial errors. I am not motivated to buy into book series. So, while the story was good I will likely not rush out to buy the next in the series.
643 reviews1 follower
April 14, 2016
Very Good Read

If you're a veteran then you will like this one. Kinda reminds you of the , it's gonna be one of those days when you're in certain situations. I thought it was good and has a little more truth than you think. Nicely done Mr. Fox.
Profile Image for Anthony walck.
18 reviews
July 8, 2015
Great read!

This is the first spy book to hold my interest. I have tried other but lost interest soon as I started. Good job!
Profile Image for Steve Smothers.
1 review1 follower
January 2, 2016
Good story

Good story just a little too short, wish it was just a little longer to get a better understanding of the characters
Profile Image for Cheryce Clayton.
Author 18 books6 followers
January 26, 2017
Not my cup of tea

Competent writing, just not my thing. Rookie's first date setting up for a series. If you're looking for blood and guts over intrigue give it a try.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews

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