First Strike

Brady Hawk #1

by Jack Patterson

Another riveting thriller from award-winning and bestselling author Jack Patterson in a new series about a black ops assassin wreaking havoc on terrorists everywhere.

With ruthless terrorist cells multiplying by the day, the head of the snake must be cut off—and Brady Hawk swings a sharp ax.

Realizing the ineffectiveness of America’s own counter terrorism unit, Texas senator J.D. Blunt proposes a black ops program that’s so off the books that only a handful of people know about it. Given the reins and funding to construct his own organization, Blunt creates Firestorm and recruits one of the most effective operatives the American government has ever known: Brady Hawk.

Working with D.C.-based handler Alex Duncan, Hawk learns the location of the chief bomb maker for the terrorist group Al Hasib and enters into a race against the clock to eliminate him as well as the man behind the cell before they destroy a key U.S. target.

But that’s not all Hawk learns. As the son of the world’s most renowned weapons manufacturer, Hawk must also come to terms that maybe his father isn’t who he thinks he is—and neither is Blunt.

This pulse-pounding thriller will leave you on the edge of your seat until the very last shot is fired.

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Espionage, Action, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Suspense

300 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 27, 2016

About the author

This is the Profile that Author R.J. Patterson originally released under.

Reviews

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This, the first Brady Hawk novel, was a solid 4.5 stars raised to a 5. Hawk was a Seal who left because he disagreed with some of their missions. He then worked for the CIA for a bit before he went to work for a secret Government Agency as a spy and assassin. He was also previously in the Peace Corps. His handler is also a former CIA Analyst who went to work for the secret Agency for much the same reasons. The Agency is run by a Senator and his Aide. They deal with terrorists. The novel is pretty much a procedural for the genre, but one that is riveting and well written. Once the reader becomes familiar with Hawk and his crew. They will want to follow more of his adventures. Thanks to the Author and Publisher for an ARC for an honest review.

[Gary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am completely mystified that this book is so highly rated on Amazon. Although aside from a few editing mishaps, the writing is competent, to call the characters and situations stale and cliche would be the grossest of understatements.

[Barbara Flowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

First Strike delivers excitement, intrigue and action from the first page to the last. The story line is relevant and the characters draw the reader in quickly. The hero is Brady Hawk, a black ops agent reminiscent of Jason Bourne with a dash of James Bond and Bruce Willis added to the mix. His handler, the lovely Alex, seems to have more than just Hawk's physical safety in mind. Factor in the shadowy Senator Blunt, the man who runs the show and Jack Patterson has provided all the ingredients for for a great series. The teaser for the second book has me eagerly waiting for its release.

[AudioBookReviewer · Rating 3 out of 5]

My original First Strike audiobook review and many others can be found at Audiobook Reviewer.

Brady Hawk is an ex-navy seal now serving as a black ops assassin in Afghanistan and Iraq.  He is tasked to take down terrorists quietly, making it look like they were killed accidentally, in hopes of not creating more sympathizers or more terrorists.  The project is led by Senator Blunt, who will do anything to protect his power and pet project, including blackmail and murder.

When Hawk gets captured, he discovers a plot to bomb an American base.  If he can’t escape, kill the bomb maker or warn the US, hundreds will die.  With the help of his handler, Alex, the beautiful ex-C.I.A. operative, he is able to infiltrate deeper into the terrorist network.  Now it is a race for time to foil the plot and stay alive doing it.

There is a fair amount of action, Hawk gets in tight jams, but always escapes with his extraordinary skills and an enormous amount of blind luck.  Unfortunately, the escapes seem forced and way too easy.  The terrorists are easily fooled and bungle their captures.  For example, Hawk fakes an epileptic seizure to get taken to the infirmary, too bad they don’t think to tie him up or post a guard.  Really?

It is an entertaining listen, but doesn’t bring too much originality to a very full genre of military/Muslim extremist/terrorist novels.  The characters aren’t that interesting and tend to get pulled by the plot rather than the other way around.  An easy light read if you enjoy this genre and don’t mind some less than believable escapes.

The story is performed by Dwight Kulman who does a good job.  He has a pleasant voice.  The characters are easily discernible and the voices are pretty good.  His Middle Eastern accents could use a little work but aren’t distracting.  There are production problems at the last third of the novel as chapters are repeated.  An easy fix for the producer, but extremely distracting for the listener as he has to fast-forward to the next chapter to continue the novel.

First Strike is a generally entertaining assassin novel with little to make it standout in a crowded field.

Audiobook was provided for review by the author.

[Ellen White · Rating 5 out of 5]

FIRST STRIKE is the beginning of another great series by Jack Patterson.
Following his Cal Murphy series, this is another winner.
We meet. Brady Hawk who is a chief reconnaissance officer for senator Blunt, on a black ops mission. Alex is his handler and maybe more if given time to be together. She has been with the CIA,but fired. Her mother was a dual spy, and father killed her. A lot of issues for Alex to deal with, probably
As series goes along. We have Rasul Moradi, a small time arms dealer that takes Brady as a hostage. While the leader of Al Hasik is Karif Fazil whose had a falling out with Rasul. Interesting of the theatrical drama with him, having gotten a minor in theatre. We have Gordon Jefferson / or Joel Cochran identification says FBI , who warns Alex. Then he disappears did he even exists. We meet a lot of characters, that hopefully, we get to know more, as series continues, rather as friend or enemy. Even to Brady , is his real father connected to CIA,secrets, will his mother tell.
Looking forward to book 2 DEEP COVER, in this series.
Love mysteries, and spy novels, that are easy to enjoy and understand, another black ops mission. Book for all to enjoy
Given book by author for my honest opinion of which I have given.

[Tulay]

Page turner.

Brady Hawk is black-ups operator, works under the Texas senator. He is after terrorist groups, and his handler is beautiful Alex. His father is weapon manufacturer. Is he helping terrorist? Is he really his father?

[Kirk Carpenter · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am always looking for the perfect spy thriller, and especially, the next series for me with a compelling cast of characters. While this fits the mold, I'm not compelled to get to the next one too soon. If Reacher, Davenport, Rapp, Graves, Logan, Longmire, Harvath and Cutter are servings from the breakfast buffet, Brady Hawk is oatmeal. No hard feelings, just a very predictable plot with everything laid out visibly in front of you and consistently over-explained.

[Bob]

Black ops operator and ego driven politician who runs the program are at odds about using the operator for "clean" removal of terrorists as opposed to the politician's use of drone strikes with collateral damage. Add an opposing politician wanting to shut done the black operation and ypu have action and danger in enemy lands.

[Robin Hatcher]

Audiobook
I am not the ideal reader for this type of book (I love romance!) and I just don't know how to rate it. But I know the author and thought it was time I actually read one of his books. If you like to read about the adventures of an assassin of terrorists in middle eastern countries, if you like hand-to-hand combat and explosions and narrow escapes and crooked congressmen on Capitol Hill, then this novel is just what you’re looking for because there is plenty of all that going on. I enjoyed it enough that I will probably dip back into the series in the future because I'm curious about what will happen to Brady Hawk next.

[Dee Haddrill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Brady Hawk series, and it was recommended to me as a fan of Brad Taylor’s Pike Logan series. While nowhere near the caliber of Mr Taylor yet, it was an enjoyable, though short, thriller that left me guessing enough to want to start the next book.

[Asterope · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad start to a series. I might write something more later...

Though one nitpick. In my copy, Navy SEAL was written often as "Navy Seal" or "Seals"
It should always be SEAL(s). Navy SEAL, where SEAL stands for 'Sea, Air, and Land.' It is always capitalized!

[Ian Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brady Hawk is an ex SEAL, and is part of a black ops group set up by Senator Blunt. The legality of the group is somewhat questionable, as is the use of the word "group" because it appears that Hawk is the only agent in the field that is doing something vaguely useful. He also has a handler, Alex. Alex (female) is given a warning that Blunt's group is illegal and is going down. What follows is an action thriller about Hawk trying to stop a major terrorist group in Afghanistan.

For me, the story had failings. The writing had some minor editorial issues regarding grammar and word usage, but it had major structural issues. To get tension, Hawk walks into a number of real problems that really should end the story. The way he gets really needs the author getting him out. In short it is lacking credibility. At one point, Hawk is shot, and then proceeds as if nothing had happened. The basic background and setting is top class; unfortunately, for me, too much simply had me shaking my head wondering why something else did not happen. As one last example, Alex has a lot of spare time and does some quite deep research on Hawk's parentage. Why not some effort at finding out what it was that led to the warning from the CIA? That just does not make sense to me. In short, an interesting story, lots of action, and probably quite enjoyable as long as you do not want it to make sense.

[Earle · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Strike is the first book in a new series by Patterson. This book follows the adventures of Hawk, a mysterious protagonist deployed overseas on an even more mysterious mission. As part of a government program with almost no oversight, the reader is never sure if Hawk is a noble hero, or an unwitting accomplice in a plot he can not see. Aided by a lone ally, thousands of miles away, he tries to accomplish his mission using his training, raw skill, and his wits. Reminiscent of the original Bourne books by Robert Ludlum, but with a sprinkling of the relationship of David Baldacci's King and Maxwell (the book characters, not the awful TV version), this opening book in a (hopefully very long) series will delight readers of the thriller/suspense genre and will likely crossover to readers who enjoy mystery, spy novels, or just good stories in general. I can't wait to read the next one!

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Strike is bang on target!

The first in a new series featuring Brady Hawk. Think black ops...think Terrorist Threats...think Assassin with a remote 'handler', think...action and adventure and kills and spills.

Once I started this book I just couldn't put it down...fast paced action, brilliant character development and back-stories all come together in what I hope will be the start of a very long series.

If you like Robert Ludlum, David Baldacci, Jack Higgins, James P Sumner, then you're in for a treat with this book.

Congratulations Jack Patterson, I believe you have a winner!

[Oliver Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

One day on the job I found myself in a close quarters wrestling match over a pistol with a robber at a pharmacy I interrupted. The principles of First Strike, how to control a body and isolate limbs allowed me to end this conflict quickly without having to take this guy's life, losing mine or endangering the store full of bystanders in the backdrop if I would have used my firearm.

✨ Click here to download First Strike ✨

[Jim A · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing special about this one. Brady Hawk is basically a compilation of many other thriller protagonists. Ex SEAL, he has a conscience and works for a shadowy quasi government agency that runs black ops. The senator is charge of that organization is a semi sleaze bag. Sound familiar?

Kindle Unlimited, with many books in the series.

[Neera Sawhney · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Strike is a very well crafted book. I loved the book, and really felt for Brady Hawk. Finally a hero who is not only fully trained but lives by his wits and ideals. A thoroughly enjoyable book, which i just had to read in one go.

[Amanda Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy from the author for an honest review. This introduced Brady Hawk and I was hooked right away. I couldn't put the book down and looking forward to the next book on the series.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing thriller. Keeps you up at night trying to finish. Suspense for sure

[Jerry Walch · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Strike is the 1st book in the exciting 21-book Brady Hawk Thriller Series by R. J. Patterson. With six series and over sixty books in print between them, Patterson isn’t a newly published writer, but he was new to me. I had heard many good things about Robert Patterson but never read him until I grabbed First Strike as part of a promotional bundle. First Strike has earned Patterson a place on my favorite author’s list.
Although I read and review everything except children’s books, YA, and chic lit, the thriller genre, and all its sub-genres are my favorite because I spent my adult life working for one of those government agencies that doesn’t exist, going places and doing things that never happened. Because I have walked the walk, I can be pretty hard on writers who have no idea about what they are writing about. Sadly, far too many authors fall into that category. Patterson may never have walked the walk in real life, but he has done his homework and gets it all right. In First Strike, he has created a world I feel at home in, and created characters I can identify with. The temporary suspension of disbelief was never an issue for me while reading this adrenaline-fueled page-turner. At times, I felt I was reliving the life I “retired” from twenty years ago. I used quotation marks around "retired" because those who have experienced it understand that it's a lifestyle that one never truly leaves behind. Once you've been an operator, you'll always have that part of you.

If you love thrillers whose plot could be tomorrow’s headlines, you want to read this series.

[Dan Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

With ruthless terrorist cells multiplying by the day, the head of the snake must be cut off—and Brady Hawk swings a sharp ax.

Realizing the ineffectiveness of America’s own counter terrorism unit, Texas senator J.D. Blunt proposes a black ops program that’s so off the books that only a handful of people know about it. Given the reins and funding to construct his own organization, Blunt creates Firestorm and recruits one of the most effective operatives the American government has ever known: Brady Hawk.

Working with D.C.-based handler Alex Duncan, Hawk learns the location of the chief bomb maker for the terrorist group Al Hasib and enters into a race against the clock to eliminate him as well as the man behind the cell before they destroy a key U.S. target.

But that’s not all Hawk learns. As the son of the world’s most renowned weapons manufacturer, Hawk must also come to terms that maybe his father isn’t who he thinks he is—and neither is Blunt.

[Andrea Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brady's First Book

First Strike is my first experience with this author, R.J. Patterson. It is book 1 in a series that should definitely be read in order.

I really enjoyed it. The plot was pretty cool with some twists and unexpected happenings. The book is fairly well edited. The characters are well developed, if slightly predictable. The prose flows well and he doesn't use a lot of filling the pages with words that you end up skimming.

Best of all? While there are definitely plot points which weren't addressed and plenty of enticement to keep reading, there's no major cliffhanger!! There is a basic resolution at the end. Again, obviously the mysteries aren't all revealed, but the main conflict of this book is.

I found this to be a very enjoyable read with minimal, minor cursing and no illicit content. I would recommend it for anyone 16ish or older as there is mature subject matters.

[Ralph Phares]

Brady Hawk is a top tier assassin who started his military career as a Navy SEAL who later became disillusioned when his duties became indiscriminately killing. Brady then turned to the Peace Corps where he became a teacher. There he met his true love. And there she was killed in a terrorist attack. Which brought him full circle, back to being an assassin. Now he works for an off books operation that keeps him always on the move in war torn areas striving to keep terrorism at bay. Brady's boss, Senator Blunt, expects Brady to be always on top of every operation and also expects Alex, Brady's handler, to know where Brady is 24/7, a physical impossibility. The action, logistics, planning, and all the goes into such missions is dizzying, which means that there's never dull moment and more than enough twists to keep the reader guessing.

[KJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Do you know those spy movies that are so ridiculous you can’t even imagine them being real? That’s the story of this book. The writing itself wasn’t the worst I’ve ever read, but it’s no award winner either. The story is what’s just astoundingly bad to me. Secret agent spy whose father is a billionaire gets kidnapped, and escapes within minutes the next thing you know he nabbed again and escapes like nobody was watching, even if it ended in a mind numbingly boring car chase. I like a good hero complex spy book, but this one is just too ludicrous to even want to like. And that’s not to mention that the plot is so all over place jumping from character to character it hardly makes sense or meshes.

There is nothing exceptional about this book, and I would not recommend it to anyone except maybe a fifth grader.

[BLAH · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty good plot with good action sequences. But poorly written. The dialog was uneven and oftentimes even crude. The author did not show any writing style so the entire text was spotty and uneven. He has a good set of characters with engaging personalities so it is a shame the story line from start to finish includes textual gaps. I started his second in this series but quit after 4 chapters since the writing style and dialogue between characters was poorly done and continued to be unrealistic. I consider the books very amateurish and a waste of my time. There are far too many better authors!

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It has everything the action/adventure/ thriller reader could want. Even a little potential for future romance. Brady Hawk is an interesting character, although he infiltrates, stalks and carries out his missions in places and among people that could easily get a lesser man killed, Brady Hawk succeeds. But to make him more interesting than just a ruthless assassin, he has secrets and weaknesses. There are other characters who are deeply unpleasant but all are so well drawn that they are easy to imagine, as are the settings. This is the first I have read in this very long series and it's given me an appetite for more.

[Randy Tramp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brady Hawk, a former Navy Seal, watched the murder of his fiancee. Terrorist are now in his target.

I found a new series. Brady Hawk and Alex are great characters. The action is continual. The tension is high. Hawk, while undercover, works as a teacher in the Peace Corps, giving the reader an insight into that organization.

The scenes are easy to follow and the wording is masterful. I can see why Patterson had won many awards. This is my type of writing. No curse words and no sex scenes.

[Bill Hooten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack Patterson is a new author, and Brady and Alex are new characters, to me -- but I will be back for more. I'm not sure how long I will be able to put up with Senator Blunt, but I would suppose the way that this is going I may not have to much longer. There are some things that I really like about this book, and a few that I thought could have been better. But I will give the author plenty of time to get me with his writing, because the story and the characters have me.

[Roni Thornton · Rating 1 out of 5]

Could not finish!

This is one of the rare books out of the hundred or so that I have read, where I just finally had to say enough already. More then 60% of the book read hoping that the writing style would improve, but never happened. It just doesn’t read like a professional author was writing this, but the story line and characters felt like a novice author had written it. Chalk it up for author that I just can’t follow.

[Shawn W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great series has captured my attention. This book grabbed me right away and didn’t let go (I’m not a fast reader but this book only took 4 days for me to read). It was a thrill ride from the first word. This series is going to the top of my list for great reads. Brady Hawk is brutal and efficient plus he is always thinking two moves ahead. Don’t hesitate with this one!!! My only concern is 21 books in this series. WOW. I’m going to be very busy!!! LOL