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Rip Tide
J.D. Blunt came to the Caribbean for bourbon, fishing, and a quiet retirement. ... So much for that plan.When a CIA operative vanishes in Curaçao and his handler turns up dead, Blunt agrees to ask a few questions. But what begins as a simple favor quickly plunges him into a deadly mystery stretching across the islands—one protected by powerful people willing to kill to keep their secrets buried.
With Rebecca Hart and Chuck Jackson at his side, Blunt races from sun-drenched beaches to shadowy docks, dangerous waters, and fortified strongholds, where every new clue pulls him deeper into the crosshairs.
The farther Blunt goes, the more dangerous the hunt becomes.
And once the bullets start flying, there’s only one way out—straight through the storm.
RIP TIDE is a fast, sun-soaked tropical thriller packed with action, adventure, sharp wit, and the relentless thrills J.D. Blunt fans have come to expect.
With Rebecca Hart and Chuck Jackson at his side, Blunt races from sun-drenched beaches to shadowy docks, dangerous waters, and fortified strongholds, where every new clue pulls him deeper into the crosshairs.
The farther Blunt goes, the more dangerous the hunt becomes.
And once the bullets start flying, there’s only one way out—straight through the storm.
RIP TIDE is a fast, sun-soaked tropical thriller packed with action, adventure, sharp wit, and the relentless thrills J.D. Blunt fans have come to expect.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 10, 2026
About the author
R.J. Patterson
235 books226 followers*** Signup for my newsletter and receive a free copy of The Warren Omissions, the first book in my James Flynn thriller series, by visiting http://eepurl.com/bZwpdf ***
THE FIRST SIGNS that I might like writing -- and that I might be slightly competitive -- appeared when my year two (or first grade) teacher, Mrs. Holland, asked my class to write and illustrate our day. Mine read like this: “The Red team beat the Blue team, 1 to nil. And I won.” The next 47 entries covered my exploits on the soccer pitch while growing up in Ipswich, England.
In South Carolina as a teenager, my dad told me that I could get paid to watch sports provided I could write about it. Sounded easy enough and by the time I was 16, I landed a job at my town’s daily newspaper and had a column on Major League Baseball players from our area. I also covered my first riot there at a sporting event -- and it’s safe to say I was smitten with journalism.
After graduating from one of the best journalism schools in the country, I took a job as a sports editor in South Georgia and learned firsthand about the passion of high school sports in rural America. I thought I knew before, but I didn’t. This was another world.
I also had the opportunity to cover major sporting events like the Olympic Games, the World Series, the Super Bowl, and the Final Four. It was a thrill!
But nothing was as thrilling to me as uncovering the truth in investigative assignments. I once broke a story about a prominent southern football team’s NCAA violation -- and found out the violating coach had committed suicide only a few months earlier. The story won a national writing award and stoked my desire to write about these issues. It made me realize that the sports world was just another fantastic backdrop for drama.
After writing non-fiction books with athletes, for athletes, and ghost writing for many others, I decided to enter the world of fiction writing. It had been something I wanted to do but never found the time. So, I made the time--and had a blast in the process.
I’m not out to become the next Faulkner or Hemingway -- I’m just out to tell a good story. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them!
THE FIRST SIGNS that I might like writing -- and that I might be slightly competitive -- appeared when my year two (or first grade) teacher, Mrs. Holland, asked my class to write and illustrate our day. Mine read like this: “The Red team beat the Blue team, 1 to nil. And I won.” The next 47 entries covered my exploits on the soccer pitch while growing up in Ipswich, England.
In South Carolina as a teenager, my dad told me that I could get paid to watch sports provided I could write about it. Sounded easy enough and by the time I was 16, I landed a job at my town’s daily newspaper and had a column on Major League Baseball players from our area. I also covered my first riot there at a sporting event -- and it’s safe to say I was smitten with journalism.
After graduating from one of the best journalism schools in the country, I took a job as a sports editor in South Georgia and learned firsthand about the passion of high school sports in rural America. I thought I knew before, but I didn’t. This was another world.
I also had the opportunity to cover major sporting events like the Olympic Games, the World Series, the Super Bowl, and the Final Four. It was a thrill!
But nothing was as thrilling to me as uncovering the truth in investigative assignments. I once broke a story about a prominent southern football team’s NCAA violation -- and found out the violating coach had committed suicide only a few months earlier. The story won a national writing award and stoked my desire to write about these issues. It made me realize that the sports world was just another fantastic backdrop for drama.
After writing non-fiction books with athletes, for athletes, and ghost writing for many others, I decided to enter the world of fiction writing. It had been something I wanted to do but never found the time. So, I made the time--and had a blast in the process.
I’m not out to become the next Faulkner or Hemingway -- I’m just out to tell a good story. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them!
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
The best of the J.D. Blunt thriller series.
I believe I’ve read most of R.J. Patterson’s thriller series, and I’ve looked forward to each new release in each series. But the J.D. Blunt Tropical thriller series has rapidly become my favorite. And with this third book, Rip Tide, the decision is further cemented. The first two books in the series were excellent and then came Rip Tide not only is it an excellent story built around real-world problems, but the writing also felt different. I struggle to describe the difference, maybe looser, maybe it’s just familiarity with the character or a new sense of comfort in Mr. Patterson’s story telling.
Whatever that chemistry is that made this such an awesome story, I sure hope the next J.D. Blunt stories all have that element of magic.
If you want to read an excellent thriller where the good guys aren’t anything more than old guys with physical and personal failings, grab a copy of Rip Tide and get ready to ride a Caribbean roller-coaster ride that may not let you off until the final sentence. I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the Author and chose to provide my honest review.
I believe I’ve read most of R.J. Patterson’s thriller series, and I’ve looked forward to each new release in each series. But the J.D. Blunt Tropical thriller series has rapidly become my favorite. And with this third book, Rip Tide, the decision is further cemented. The first two books in the series were excellent and then came Rip Tide not only is it an excellent story built around real-world problems, but the writing also felt different. I struggle to describe the difference, maybe looser, maybe it’s just familiarity with the character or a new sense of comfort in Mr. Patterson’s story telling.
Whatever that chemistry is that made this such an awesome story, I sure hope the next J.D. Blunt stories all have that element of magic.
If you want to read an excellent thriller where the good guys aren’t anything more than old guys with physical and personal failings, grab a copy of Rip Tide and get ready to ride a Caribbean roller-coaster ride that may not let you off until the final sentence. I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the Author and chose to provide my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I found this third book interesting of how J D Blunt retired, now enjoying being captain of a sea fishing boat.
Working for the CIA when they call, if the fish aren't biting he will answer the call.
Blunt and his team are in the .Caribbean with criminal activities, going on.
Blunt staying one step ahead of them.
I enjoy the action and adventures this latest book by the author.
I also recommend the many other books he has written.
Working for the CIA when they call, if the fish aren't biting he will answer the call.
Blunt and his team are in the .Caribbean with criminal activities, going on.
Blunt staying one step ahead of them.
I enjoy the action and adventures this latest book by the author.
I also recommend the many other books he has written.
Review of advance copy received from Author
An excellent international crime thriller with a well written storyline and a cast of outstanding characters. J.D. Blunt is a freelance CIA Agent and a charter boat owner out to save a fellow agent that has been captured by a ruthless criminal. Contains plenty of action, lots of suspense, loads of adventure. A page turning read that I really enjoyed and highly recommend. An outstanding crime thriller by an outstanding author.
October 29, 2026
A very good book! .
I really enjoyed reading this book about J D Blink and his crew and the action they was always getting in to if you like action books I suggest you read this one!
I really enjoyed reading this book about J D Blink and his crew and the action they was always getting in to if you like action books I suggest you read this one!
October 3, 2026
it was a good fast paved thriller
October 16, 2026
Rip tide
Interesting story, but i found it a bit redundant. I do like J D adventures and i hope you continue with them.
Interesting story, but i found it a bit redundant. I do like J D adventures and i hope you continue with them.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews