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The Shadow Signal
Diplomacy was the cover. Destruction is the objective.When a tracking beacon from a long-lost CIA asset suddenly activates, Brady Hawk is sent to uncover why a man who vanished in China has resurfaced near the Sahara Desert—and what secrets he brought with him.
At the same time, nuclear tensions between Pakistan and India surge toward catastrophe. Billionaire humanitarian Julian Fairchild steps forward with a sweeping peace initiative he claims will avert war and reshape global diplomacy. And he has just the thing that could become the world’s last hope—or seal its demise.
But Fairchild’s peace plan hides a devastating a device capable of crippling entire nations. And when control of the technology falls into the wrong hands of a longtime Magnum Group foe, the device’s true purpose becomes terrifyingly clear.
As President Charles Bullock fights political sabotage at home, Hawk and the Magnum Group must track the resurfaced asset, expose a conspiracy spanning continents, and stop a new kind of weapon before it’s unleashed.
Because once the switch is flipped… there’s no turning back.
Fans of Brad Thor, Brad Taylor, Vince Flynn, and Robert Ludlum are sure to enjoy this exciting new thriller from R.J. Patterson.
At the same time, nuclear tensions between Pakistan and India surge toward catastrophe. Billionaire humanitarian Julian Fairchild steps forward with a sweeping peace initiative he claims will avert war and reshape global diplomacy. And he has just the thing that could become the world’s last hope—or seal its demise.
But Fairchild’s peace plan hides a devastating a device capable of crippling entire nations. And when control of the technology falls into the wrong hands of a longtime Magnum Group foe, the device’s true purpose becomes terrifyingly clear.
As President Charles Bullock fights political sabotage at home, Hawk and the Magnum Group must track the resurfaced asset, expose a conspiracy spanning continents, and stop a new kind of weapon before it’s unleashed.
Because once the switch is flipped… there’s no turning back.
Fans of Brad Thor, Brad Taylor, Vince Flynn, and Robert Ludlum are sure to enjoy this exciting new thriller from R.J. Patterson.
374 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 26, 2026
About the author
R.J. Patterson
230 books225 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!
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Action and intrigue packet thriller!
After reading each new episode in the Phoenix Chronicles I think I’ve just the best of the series yet. However, with The Shadow Signal I don’t think I’ve read the best of the series, I know it without a shadow of a doubt. The next episode will have its work cut out for it to eclipse The Shadow Signal.
This book has four separate story lines running parallel, each of which could have been expanded into its own book. It’s not just the number of story lines that make it an excellent book; it’s how well they are woven together to keep the reader immersed in the story and kept off balance as they might be treeing to figure out several of the situations the characters find themselves thrown into. As for the characters, not only are they believable, well developed, the majority are likeable, at a few points even the “bad guys” seem likeable for brief moments.
If you are a Phoenix Chronicles reader, grab your copy and settle into a comfortable chair with a cold drink close at hand. This book is near impossible to put down once the story gets its hooks into you.
If you are reading this review, and you’ve never read the previous fourteen books, do yourself a favor and get a copy of book one -The Shadow Hunter. I can’t imagine enjoying this book without the backstory that is built over the first fourteen books of the series. By the way, If you take my advice, I’ll bet you’ll be hooked and find yourself immersed in this series in no time.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of the Shadow Strike from the author and chose to provide my review.
After reading each new episode in the Phoenix Chronicles I think I’ve just the best of the series yet. However, with The Shadow Signal I don’t think I’ve read the best of the series, I know it without a shadow of a doubt. The next episode will have its work cut out for it to eclipse The Shadow Signal.
This book has four separate story lines running parallel, each of which could have been expanded into its own book. It’s not just the number of story lines that make it an excellent book; it’s how well they are woven together to keep the reader immersed in the story and kept off balance as they might be treeing to figure out several of the situations the characters find themselves thrown into. As for the characters, not only are they believable, well developed, the majority are likeable, at a few points even the “bad guys” seem likeable for brief moments.
If you are a Phoenix Chronicles reader, grab your copy and settle into a comfortable chair with a cold drink close at hand. This book is near impossible to put down once the story gets its hooks into you.
If you are reading this review, and you’ve never read the previous fourteen books, do yourself a favor and get a copy of book one -The Shadow Hunter. I can’t imagine enjoying this book without the backstory that is built over the first fourteen books of the series. By the way, If you take my advice, I’ll bet you’ll be hooked and find yourself immersed in this series in no time.
I received an Advance Reader Copy of the Shadow Strike from the author and chose to provide my review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
An excellent thriller with a well written storyline and a cast of well-developed realistic characters. Brady Hawke is once again seeking to save the U.S. from a new technological invention. A page turning read with plenty of action and suspense. Another highly recommended adventure in the Phoenix Chronicles.
August 8, 2026
Shadow signal
Wow what a story! Hawk and his team were pulled in numerous directions trying to figure out what was really going on. Then his boss disappeared and no one could find her. And no one knew what we going g to happen next.
Wow what a story! Hawk and his team were pulled in numerous directions trying to figure out what was really going on. Then his boss disappeared and no one could find her. And no one knew what we going g to happen next.
June 27, 2026
I found this book interesting and kept my attention from the first oages to the end.
It flowed and with a good plot and I highly recommend this author's books.
It flowed and with a good plot and I highly recommend this author's books.
July 11, 2026
disappointing
I’ve enjoyed the Phoenix Chronicles series thus far. But this one was disjointed with the story lines going off in several different directions. I hope the next one is back to the writing we are accustomed to from R. J.
I’ve enjoyed the Phoenix Chronicles series thus far. But this one was disjointed with the story lines going off in several different directions. I hope the next one is back to the writing we are accustomed to from R. J.
August 26, 2026
the Castle
Action pack book easy to read. Can’t wait for the next one once again RJ Patterson provided a great story and well written.
Action pack book easy to read. Can’t wait for the next one once again RJ Patterson provided a great story and well written.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews