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Cal Murphy #6
Dead and Gone
Fans of David Baldacci, Nelson DeMille, John Sanford, Stieg Larsson and Lee Child will enjoy this new book from international best-selling author Jack Patterson.
How can someone be murdered in plain sight in front of thousands of people—and nobody even know it was happening?
When popular stock car racer Carson Tanner dies on the track and stuns the motorsports world, reporter Cal Murphy witnesses the event in disbelief. Something seems off to Cal—and his suspicions are confirmed with a cryptic handwritten note stuck into his pocket.
As the race circuit moves to Phoenix, Cal races against the clock to uncover who sabotaged Tanner’s car—and all upstream against wealthy team owner Ned Davis, who wants to suppress the information; an uncooperative crew full of suspects; and an upstart driver who refuses to let his debut be ruined by such a report.
In an effort to expose the killer and help Tanner’s grieving widow, Cal faces his greatest fear and must decide how far he’s willing to go in order to get justice.
How can someone be murdered in plain sight in front of thousands of people—and nobody even know it was happening?
When popular stock car racer Carson Tanner dies on the track and stuns the motorsports world, reporter Cal Murphy witnesses the event in disbelief. Something seems off to Cal—and his suspicions are confirmed with a cryptic handwritten note stuck into his pocket.
As the race circuit moves to Phoenix, Cal races against the clock to uncover who sabotaged Tanner’s car—and all upstream against wealthy team owner Ned Davis, who wants to suppress the information; an uncooperative crew full of suspects; and an upstart driver who refuses to let his debut be ruined by such a report.
In an effort to expose the killer and help Tanner’s grieving widow, Cal faces his greatest fear and must decide how far he’s willing to go in order to get justice.
318 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 10, 2015
138 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Jack Patterson
41 books43 followersThis is the Profile that Author R.J. Patterson originally released under.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 11, 2015
A necessary pit stop on the way to the finish line...Popular racing car driver Carson Tanner is favored to win the NASCAR race and with his a cancer-stricken young fan, Ella, cheering him on in the stands, Carson wants to win the race for her. Just when it looks like he’s going to do just that, tragedy strikes in the third last lap when the brakes on his racing car malfunction, sending Carson to his death as his sports car careens into a wall, killing him instantly amid cries from a horror-stricken audience. Cal Murphy, a novice NASCAR reporter subbing for a fellow reporter felled by a heart attack, watches in disbelief, along with everyone else, as Carson is pronounced dead. Later, a man slips a note into his pocket which informs Cal that Carson’s death was no accident. This sets the stage for a dramatic whodunit that combines a tightly-woven storline with believable characters. Dead and Gone introduces readers to the world of NASCAR racing through its devoted fans and groupies and its never-ending supply of quirky characters. It’s a world unlike any other and the author Patterson does a great job capturing the drama and excitement of the racing world. For NASCAR aficionados, the book is like a necessary pit stop on the way to the finish line but for those readers unfamiliar with this chaotic world, there’s plenty of action and suspense to keep them engrossed – even if they don’t know the difference between a lug wrench and a chassis.
Marta Tandori
Author of the Kate Stanton Hollywood Mystery Series
Marta Tandori
Author of the Kate Stanton Hollywood Mystery Series
May 18, 2015
A tantalising thriller.
A great opening chapter sets the scene for the good read to come.
Cal Murphy is a sports reporter for The Observer newspaper group covering the NASCAR events, he is reported to be a conspiracy theorist.
This is a tantalising, thriller adventure that will grip the reader as they progress through this novel. Jack Patterson has again written a story that includes all of the features that the reader of this genre appreciates.
The main character in this novel, is Cal Murphy. He has to find the truth of what happened to a car during a NASCAR event, and the truth is not that easy to discover. You will thrill to the many twists and turns before the eventual conclusion of this story.
Patterson has again produced a thrilling story, Dead and Gone, which the reader will remember it, for all the great points that are covered.And I would recommend this book to readers of this genre. And also recommend all of Jack Patterson's books.
A great opening chapter sets the scene for the good read to come.
Cal Murphy is a sports reporter for The Observer newspaper group covering the NASCAR events, he is reported to be a conspiracy theorist.
This is a tantalising, thriller adventure that will grip the reader as they progress through this novel. Jack Patterson has again written a story that includes all of the features that the reader of this genre appreciates.
The main character in this novel, is Cal Murphy. He has to find the truth of what happened to a car during a NASCAR event, and the truth is not that easy to discover. You will thrill to the many twists and turns before the eventual conclusion of this story.
Patterson has again produced a thrilling story, Dead and Gone, which the reader will remember it, for all the great points that are covered.And I would recommend this book to readers of this genre. And also recommend all of Jack Patterson's books.
August 11, 2020
This book started out good and just kept getting better and better. Cal Murphy always seems to find trouble but he really found trouble in this story. Cal receives an unusual assignment for him—to write an article about NASCAR. When a popular driver was killed during a race, Cal started investigating and received a note that the crash was no accident. As he got further into the investigation he became a target and ended up fighting for his career and his life. The Cal Murphy series is one of my absolute favorites! I love sports in general and this series is right up my alley. Loved it and looking forward to more.
January 8, 2021
NASCAR!
I am not a car racing fan and started reading this novel because a friend suggested it. Well, now I not only read a great story, Cal Murphy, temporarily assigned as an auto race reporter, working to decipher how a driver actually did die in a final lap crash. It is fast moving with a complex plot that even those readers with little or no knowledge of auto racing can understand (me) and appreciate. 4.5 stars raised to 5, basically because of proofing errors. Good reading and I will read more. Thanks to the author and publisher for an e-galley for an honest review.
I am not a car racing fan and started reading this novel because a friend suggested it. Well, now I not only read a great story, Cal Murphy, temporarily assigned as an auto race reporter, working to decipher how a driver actually did die in a final lap crash. It is fast moving with a complex plot that even those readers with little or no knowledge of auto racing can understand (me) and appreciate. 4.5 stars raised to 5, basically because of proofing errors. Good reading and I will read more. Thanks to the author and publisher for an e-galley for an honest review.
January 7, 2021
Cal Murphy is a reporter who has been shifted to reporting on NASCAR (which he knows nothing about). At his first race he sees a fatal crash and when trying to find out the details he becomes embroiled in a conspiracy. Was the driver killed by a mechanical failure or was he murdered. He and his wife become targets as he continues on his journey. Awesome cast of characters, non stop action/intrigue/mystery along with a very well written story line will keep on the edge of your seat. A must read !
June 16, 2020
Best yet
This has got to be my favourite Cal Murphy book by far. I love NASCAR and Indycar, and to have novel about either of them seems to be rare.
What is even more rare is to get one as good as this. Although most of the action is behind-the-scenes it is a superbly told plot that keeps you gripped.
This has got to be my favourite Cal Murphy book by far. I love NASCAR and Indycar, and to have novel about either of them seems to be rare.
What is even more rare is to get one as good as this. Although most of the action is behind-the-scenes it is a superbly told plot that keeps you gripped.
July 13, 2022
A winner stock car driver going for a slotted spot for the championship in race car driving. Missed a turned and died from injuries. Things seemed odd to Cal, and there was more than one person involved of what cause this event. It was more of a domino effect with casino debts, blackmail, and wanting to race. Good plot and with Cal.
August 6, 2018
Is anyone the person you think they are, or does everyone have a secret side? Does that secret side erase all of the good they have done? Was it just an 'accident' or was it one of the mechanics, another driver who wants to win badly, or just someone who wants to show everyone what happens when you don't 'pay what you owe'? This story will keep you guessing until the last as to who or what is behind the death of Tanner.
April 26, 2020
A good racing story, thriller.
Reads well and is entertaining.
I noted some inconsistencies. Initially, Tanner’s widow is expecting a baby girl. Later the baby is referred to as a boy. Later yet it is a girl.
Still, it is a good read with some editing still needed.
Reads well and is entertaining.
I noted some inconsistencies. Initially, Tanner’s widow is expecting a baby girl. Later the baby is referred to as a boy. Later yet it is a girl.
Still, it is a good read with some editing still needed.
June 13, 2020
Won’t read any more Cal Murphy
I’ve read other (Titus black) of Patterson’s work and enjoyed them but I just don’t like the main character in this series. I’ve read a total of six Cal Murphy. Won’t be reading the next one(s).
I’ve read other (Titus black) of Patterson’s work and enjoyed them but I just don’t like the main character in this series. I’ve read a total of six Cal Murphy. Won’t be reading the next one(s).
January 12, 2021
The 6th in the Cal Murphy thriller series, starts at a fast pace, with a horrendous accident. I was immediately gripped, but kept guessing throughout the various twists and turns of the book. Sometimes the most obvious answers aren’t the right ones.
July 30, 2023
Curves can end your life, or save you.
Every sport has it's nay sayers. You enjoy the sport to the point of living it everyday. The masses keep the enthusiasm brimming. It is fast paced, but when you're not expecting it your car us smashed in NASCAR.
Every sport has it's nay sayers. You enjoy the sport to the point of living it everyday. The masses keep the enthusiasm brimming. It is fast paced, but when you're not expecting it your car us smashed in NASCAR.
June 25, 2018
Loving this series
It contains suspense mystery and a little violence, but it keeps the reader engaged throughout the entire book. I look forward to the next book in the series.
It contains suspense mystery and a little violence, but it keeps the reader engaged throughout the entire book. I look forward to the next book in the series.
August 29, 2019
Dead and Gone review
Dead and Gone is the sixth fast paced action book in the "A Cal Murphy Thriller" series written by author R. J. Patterson.
Dead and Gone is the sixth fast paced action book in the "A Cal Murphy Thriller" series written by author R. J. Patterson.
December 30, 2020
Good five stars!
Again I really enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to all racing fans! Mr. Patterson is an awesome author and keeps the action moving at a fast pace in his stories.
Again I really enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to all racing fans! Mr. Patterson is an awesome author and keeps the action moving at a fast pace in his stories.
January 10, 2021
enjoyable read
December 6, 2015
Great book! This is the first Jack Patterson book that I have read and I really enjoyed it ... Thanks for the great read!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews