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Cal Murphy #4
Dead in the Water
Atlanta sports writer Cal Murphy travels deep into the Louisiana bayou to investigate the mysterious death of a five-star high school football recruit in the small town of Saint-Parran. What he finds is a sinister secret hidden beneath a tussle between boosters from two major college football programs fighting for the services of another local recruit. In pursuit of a story that will reinvigorate his writing career -- and save his marriage -- Murphy uncovers a deadly secret and must decide how far he's willing to go to reveal the truth that could undermine the integrity of the sport.
256 pages, Paperback
First published August 15, 2014
244 people are currently reading
514 people want to read
About the author
Jack Patterson
41 books40 followersThis is the Profile that Author R.J. Patterson originally released under.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
October 19, 2019
Not what I expected. that will teach me for not reading what the book was about. While I normally don't read sports related books this one was interesting.
June 22, 2014
Jack Patterson is not out to become the next Faulkner or Hemingway, and as he himself tells, he’s just out to tell a good story, and it is his hope everyone enjoy reading them as much as he enjoys writing them. And when comparison is made with the more illustrious author with whom he shares the same surname, it is not a compliment but a disservice to his talent and ability as a writer. He ought to be judged on the basis of his storytelling skills and not his surname.
In A Cross to Bear, Tre'vell Baker and Dominique Dixon hail from a small-town Saint-Parran but hope to make it big in football someday. When the time came, they received several offers but the most lucrative offer was made by Bryant University. Bryant coaches promised Dixon a car and a sizeable stipend under the table each week. There was also a summer internship at a car dealership that paid above average and included a flexible schedule. Dixon saw a way to better his future and Baker wanted a better future for his entire family which included his mother Lanette and his younger brothers. Bryant University coaches knew exactly what he wanted and they laid out a nice package.
During a recruiting visit to Bryant University Baker was goofing around on his smart phone and saw something terrible which he happened to record a video of it. When he showed the video to Dixon, its contents scared Dixon and he suggested that maybe they should uncommit and look elsewhere. Baker felt conflicted, and knew he had to draw the line somewhere, and Bryant University had obliterated the line. For Baker, Bryant University had committed the unpardonable sin. When a bullet exploded into the back of Baker’s head and sent him headlong into the bayou, it is up to Cal Murphy, an enterprise reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, who has been assigned to write a book on the murder of Louisiana five-star recruit Tre’vell Baker and expose the dirty tactics and cheating ways of major universities, to unravel the whole mystery.
A Cross to Bear by Jack Patterson is the first book I read of this author, and I was immediately drawn into it and couldn’t put it down. It is one of those books that I read from start to finish in a single sitting, and if you are one of those who loves an engaging action-packed suspense and mystery story revolving around sports you should make sure that you can spare enough time before you are fully absorbed into the story.
In A Cross to Bear, Tre'vell Baker and Dominique Dixon hail from a small-town Saint-Parran but hope to make it big in football someday. When the time came, they received several offers but the most lucrative offer was made by Bryant University. Bryant coaches promised Dixon a car and a sizeable stipend under the table each week. There was also a summer internship at a car dealership that paid above average and included a flexible schedule. Dixon saw a way to better his future and Baker wanted a better future for his entire family which included his mother Lanette and his younger brothers. Bryant University coaches knew exactly what he wanted and they laid out a nice package.
During a recruiting visit to Bryant University Baker was goofing around on his smart phone and saw something terrible which he happened to record a video of it. When he showed the video to Dixon, its contents scared Dixon and he suggested that maybe they should uncommit and look elsewhere. Baker felt conflicted, and knew he had to draw the line somewhere, and Bryant University had obliterated the line. For Baker, Bryant University had committed the unpardonable sin. When a bullet exploded into the back of Baker’s head and sent him headlong into the bayou, it is up to Cal Murphy, an enterprise reporter for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, who has been assigned to write a book on the murder of Louisiana five-star recruit Tre’vell Baker and expose the dirty tactics and cheating ways of major universities, to unravel the whole mystery.
A Cross to Bear by Jack Patterson is the first book I read of this author, and I was immediately drawn into it and couldn’t put it down. It is one of those books that I read from start to finish in a single sitting, and if you are one of those who loves an engaging action-packed suspense and mystery story revolving around sports you should make sure that you can spare enough time before you are fully absorbed into the story.
June 4, 2014
This novel is about two young men caught up in the world of big-time college football recruiting.
Tre'vell Baker and Dominique Martin are lief-long friends, and very talented high school football players, from small-town Louisiana. Therefore, all the big southern universities (Alabama, Georgia, Florida State, LSU, among many others) are very interested in recruiting them. They verbally commit to Bryant University in Alabama, then visit the school. It's the sort of school that doesn't just severely bend the NCAA recruiting rules, it outright ignores them. While at Bryant, Tre'vell records something that causes both of them to un-commit, and would bring the NCAA Death Penalty down on the school. A couple of days later, Tre'vell is shot and killed by an unknown assailant.
Cal Murphy is a sports reporter from Atlanta. He is sent to do a story on college recruiting, focusing on Tre'vell and Dominique. He meets several "boosters" for several schools. They are passionate fans, whose unofficial job is to keep an eye on the recruit, and do whatever is necessary to get them to "their" school. One day, a brand new sports car is in Dominique's driveway. Supposedly, it's from his Uncle Bernard (who works as a janitor). Dominique knows that it is from one of these boosters (which is very illegal). He posts pictures of himself with the car online. He suddenly goes from Golden Boy to Radioactive; all the other schools who were very interested in him are no longer interested. As Cal gets closer to uncovering just what is going on, a burlap sack is thrown over his head, he is tossed into the back of a pickup truck, and taken deep into the Louisiana Bayou. Several hungry alligators are very nearby.
This story works on all levels. It works as a thriller. It works as a look inside big-time football recruiting, in a part of America where college football is taken Very Seriously. The author is a sportswriter, so it also feels real and plausible. This is a first-rate piece of writing.
Tre'vell Baker and Dominique Martin are lief-long friends, and very talented high school football players, from small-town Louisiana. Therefore, all the big southern universities (Alabama, Georgia, Florida State, LSU, among many others) are very interested in recruiting them. They verbally commit to Bryant University in Alabama, then visit the school. It's the sort of school that doesn't just severely bend the NCAA recruiting rules, it outright ignores them. While at Bryant, Tre'vell records something that causes both of them to un-commit, and would bring the NCAA Death Penalty down on the school. A couple of days later, Tre'vell is shot and killed by an unknown assailant.
Cal Murphy is a sports reporter from Atlanta. He is sent to do a story on college recruiting, focusing on Tre'vell and Dominique. He meets several "boosters" for several schools. They are passionate fans, whose unofficial job is to keep an eye on the recruit, and do whatever is necessary to get them to "their" school. One day, a brand new sports car is in Dominique's driveway. Supposedly, it's from his Uncle Bernard (who works as a janitor). Dominique knows that it is from one of these boosters (which is very illegal). He posts pictures of himself with the car online. He suddenly goes from Golden Boy to Radioactive; all the other schools who were very interested in him are no longer interested. As Cal gets closer to uncovering just what is going on, a burlap sack is thrown over his head, he is tossed into the back of a pickup truck, and taken deep into the Louisiana Bayou. Several hungry alligators are very nearby.
This story works on all levels. It works as a thriller. It works as a look inside big-time football recruiting, in a part of America where college football is taken Very Seriously. The author is a sportswriter, so it also feels real and plausible. This is a first-rate piece of writing.
September 30, 2014
Couldn't put it down!
February 10, 2016
Dead in the Water
High school and college sports fans can truly be fanatical and this novel gives a spine tingling glimpse into a fictional episode. The players are two outstanding high school players being heavily recruited by several schools, two in particular that are really at odds with each other. One of the players is shot and killed after agreeing to and then withdrawing from a commitment to one of these colleges. A sports reporter, trying to make a name for himself and earn enough money to pay for reproductive surgery for his wife, travels to the hometown of the deceased player. He soon becomes more than a reporter covering a story, he becomes one of the people involved in this thrilling crime novel and could very well be the next victim. Great read.
High school and college sports fans can truly be fanatical and this novel gives a spine tingling glimpse into a fictional episode. The players are two outstanding high school players being heavily recruited by several schools, two in particular that are really at odds with each other. One of the players is shot and killed after agreeing to and then withdrawing from a commitment to one of these colleges. A sports reporter, trying to make a name for himself and earn enough money to pay for reproductive surgery for his wife, travels to the hometown of the deceased player. He soon becomes more than a reporter covering a story, he becomes one of the people involved in this thrilling crime novel and could very well be the next victim. Great read.
September 27, 2015
First class mystery a easy read,I think this would make a great movie
First class mystery,easy read,I think this story would make a good movie.this story should appeal to all ages. A great way to spend a Sunday night.
First class mystery,easy read,I think this story would make a good movie.this story should appeal to all ages. A great way to spend a Sunday night.
October 21, 2022
Okay so havent started at book 1 as I didnt realise when I selected a random book from my audible library. It didnt matter but now I am going to binge the rest in my library and get the rest.
The attention to detail was amazing - I got really involved both with the bayeau and the college draft system. It was just so nice and easy listen whilst staying captivated.
The attention to detail was amazing - I got really involved both with the bayeau and the college draft system. It was just so nice and easy listen whilst staying captivated.
February 12, 2023
Dead in the Water (A Cal Murphy Thriller Book 4), my first read from author Jack Patterson and the fourth in the Cal Murphy series. A well-written, entertaining read, 5 hours, 7 minutes/185 pages in length. “I received a free Audible copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).
April 13, 2023
Exciting story to read and enjoy
The story starts out slowly talking about football and high school players being recruited And as it progresses A mystery Becomes the main focus of the story .
This is a well written story That leads into a great ending and a big surprise Look forward to reading more about this author
The story starts out slowly talking about football and high school players being recruited And as it progresses A mystery Becomes the main focus of the story .
This is a well written story That leads into a great ending and a big surprise Look forward to reading more about this author
March 31, 2020
I’m a huge sports fan so this book was right up my alley. I thought this book was well written and interesting. I liked the characters and the story line. I recommend it to anyone who likes sports, particularly football.
June 14, 2020
Twists and turns
I always wonder when reading a book like this, just how close to reality the story line actually is.
I can well imagine that there is a lot more truth to this type of tale than we think. Well done that man, superb story.
I always wonder when reading a book like this, just how close to reality the story line actually is.
I can well imagine that there is a lot more truth to this type of tale than we think. Well done that man, superb story.
July 25, 2023
Look around. There us a better way without being bought.
Swamps, gators,college recruiting can be deadly if you chose the wrong University. Your life & your family have been threatened because of your choices. The swamps are dangerous but so are scouts.
Swamps, gators,college recruiting can be deadly if you chose the wrong University. Your life & your family have been threatened because of your choices. The swamps are dangerous but so are scouts.
July 18, 2018
Good story line
I suspect there is lots of truth to recruiting activities of this sort. Book needed better editing. Will continue to follow an imaginative author.
I suspect there is lots of truth to recruiting activities of this sort. Book needed better editing. Will continue to follow an imaginative author.
May 3, 2019
What a rubbish ending. The ebook had plenty of typos and missing words too: was it ever proof-read?
August 16, 2019
It was good like what was going on and all plots to it
Every. One should read it. I did not find. Any thing I did not like every good reading for all who like his books
Every. One should read it. I did not find. Any thing I did not like every good reading for all who like his books
August 29, 2019
Dead in the Water review
Dead in the Water is the fourth outstanding book in the " A Cal Murphy Thriller " series written by author Jack Patterson.
Dead in the Water is the fourth outstanding book in the " A Cal Murphy Thriller " series written by author Jack Patterson.
December 5, 2019
Sad, thrilling, downright scary. Those bayou folks sure have their own way of doing things ...
May 5, 2022
A good read, but needs a lot of editing. Spelling, run-on words, grammar, etc. errors throughout.
February 16, 2025
It makes me look at football and Louisiana in a different way.
October 31, 2015
The book was a quick and easy read. I recommend it to all readers, especially UA football fans. My copy of the book needed more editing. I see an error in the backfield and call the book back to the editor on the line of scrimmage. I am a Mississippi woman who takes umbrage with the author's saying, in essence, that Mississippi is so bad that other states look good in comparison. Who beat the Tide last season and this season? The correct answer would be Ole Miss! The author lives in Idaho which is a beautiful place and is home to some of the friendliest people I have ever met. Several years back I lost my diamond engagement ring in Idaho. Should the author come upon a bear wearing a diamond ring, would the author wrestle that bear, retrieve my diamond ring, and send it to me?
The book was light, predictable, and enjoyable. The subject matter was, is, and will be considered fighting words. I liked the author's descriptions of the people and their land. I prefer a trip on the bayous rather than a trip to New Orleans. There is a world of difference between the two. When Cal was in the bayou, he was different from the urbane character he played elsewhere. His personality was a good picture of the other worldliness between the bayou and the rest of the world. As I read, I thought perhaps Dixon's death was faked, invented by either Bryant University or the University of Alabama in order to insure Tre'vell's signing. The story did not go that way, but it could in a sequel book. How prevalent is gifting by universities to preferred players? Would the NCAA poke too much into such tactics as practiced by scouts, coaches, universities, and players. Too much poking could ruin the economy of the several, southern states.
Thank you, Mr. Patterson, for a good read.
The book was light, predictable, and enjoyable. The subject matter was, is, and will be considered fighting words. I liked the author's descriptions of the people and their land. I prefer a trip on the bayous rather than a trip to New Orleans. There is a world of difference between the two. When Cal was in the bayou, he was different from the urbane character he played elsewhere. His personality was a good picture of the other worldliness between the bayou and the rest of the world. As I read, I thought perhaps Dixon's death was faked, invented by either Bryant University or the University of Alabama in order to insure Tre'vell's signing. The story did not go that way, but it could in a sequel book. How prevalent is gifting by universities to preferred players? Would the NCAA poke too much into such tactics as practiced by scouts, coaches, universities, and players. Too much poking could ruin the economy of the several, southern states.
Thank you, Mr. Patterson, for a good read.
July 13, 2016
Saint Parran
I enjoyed reading about Louisiana. It is so different from the northern and western parts of the country. I missed Kelly not being more involved in the storyline although I'm not sure she would have fit in. I don't know if it is a hardcover to ebook issue but the grammatical errors are very annoying. I had hoped by the fourth book I wouldn't be seeing so many
I enjoyed reading about Louisiana. It is so different from the northern and western parts of the country. I missed Kelly not being more involved in the storyline although I'm not sure she would have fit in. I don't know if it is a hardcover to ebook issue but the grammatical errors are very annoying. I had hoped by the fourth book I wouldn't be seeing so many
May 14, 2014
Vickiveeb117@aol.com
Rmead this while on all day airplane trip. started and stopped it a bunch of times. Ffnally I got lost in so many male characters, got to the end and couldn't sort out the good guys from the bad ones. SORRY.
Rmead this while on all day airplane trip. started and stopped it a bunch of times. Ffnally I got lost in so many male characters, got to the end and couldn't sort out the good guys from the bad ones. SORRY.
July 2, 2016
I should probably go back and read this series in order. I liked this mystery OK. The college football recruitment process was handled viciously and I seriously hope this work of fiction has that information a little out of date.
October 1, 2015
He does it again
I absolutely love this series. Each time it keeps getting better. I enjoy the references to the SEC and their football programs. The way the plot continues to unfold keeps the reader on the edge of his seat!
I absolutely love this series. Each time it keeps getting better. I enjoy the references to the SEC and their football programs. The way the plot continues to unfold keeps the reader on the edge of his seat!
Read
November 5, 2015Dead in the Water
I finshed the book, all the time hoping it would end soon. The characters just were not fleshed out sufficiently to is reader care about them. And the plot was hardly compelling.
I finshed the book, all the time hoping it would end soon. The characters just were not fleshed out sufficiently to is reader care about them. And the plot was hardly compelling.
December 12, 2015
In the South, football is king but can it get you killed?
When sports writer Cal goes to Louisiana to investigate the death of a top football recruit, he finds the South can be a dangerous place.
When sports writer Cal goes to Louisiana to investigate the death of a top football recruit, he finds the South can be a dangerous place.
September 9, 2016
Took a while to get going but then turned into a runaway train! Really loved the whole cutthroat scenario of college football. Whilst I'm not beating down the door of the bookshop for another book in the series - I certainly wouldn't turn down the opportunity of reading another.
February 18, 2016
Liked the story and the writing itself was good but honestly who edits these books. "know" for "no"? Seriously? The editing got worse with each chapter. Detracted from the book but would still look for other books by this author.
July 10, 2022
Recruiting these 2 high school men turns deadly. It turns to be ruthless when one says he will and then declines. Love his books and even if you don’t like football. The plot with young men lives at stake will capture one’s attention. Good series
October 11, 2015
This book was originally named "Dead in the Water"
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews