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Hunter's Rain: A John Chase Novella
John Chase, newly married and just back from his honeymoon, doesn't have a moment to settle into life with his new bride before being called back to duty. Warlords are seizing control of a central African nation and what had begun as a limited conflict is quickly ramping up to full-scale genocide. On orders of the President, he leads a Delta Force team to join up with a squad from the Australian SASR who are already on the ground. Together, they have one mission. Stop the wholesale slaughter of innocents by any means necessary. But, things are not as they seem. John is accompanied by a CIA agent who has a personal issue with him, as well as a mysterious specialist from USAMRIID, the US Army's laboratory for medical and biological defense research. Together, they encounter horrors that can only come from generations of tribal hatred. After witnessing unspeakable atrocities, none of the men will ever be the same. For those readers who are familiar with the V Plague series, this is the story of John and Lucas Martin that was referenced in the novel V Plague Book 8. This story is set before the time of the V Plague and can be read before, during or after without spoiling any events in the series. While Hunter's Rain is by definition of word count a novel, it is published as a novella.
172 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 21, 2016
49 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Dirk Patton
69 books257 followersDirk Patton is the best selling author of the V Plague series. You can email him at dirk@dirkpatton.com or find him on the internet at www.DirkPatton.com or Twitter @DirkPatton or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RealDirkPatton
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 12, 2025
Nothing original
An odd book.
I enjoyed parts of it, especially the quick paced sections.
It's written in such a cliched way, its target audience must be pre-teen boys. But a ,lot of the themes are pretty gruesome. Which doesn't add up to me.
For a short book, it spent a lot of pages telling us how great the MC is. He's a tough guy, with feelings. Walking the fine line between gruff and strongly opinionated, but not obscenely prejudice.
Even more annoying was the amount of writing used to to describe how attractive his wife is.
A passage describes her as being lighter than his duffle. This tells us how petite (and feminine) she is, while also showing how strong (and machine) he is (imagine carrying a bag as heavy as a small women).
I won't be reading more from the l this series.
An odd book.
I enjoyed parts of it, especially the quick paced sections.
It's written in such a cliched way, its target audience must be pre-teen boys. But a ,lot of the themes are pretty gruesome. Which doesn't add up to me.
For a short book, it spent a lot of pages telling us how great the MC is. He's a tough guy, with feelings. Walking the fine line between gruff and strongly opinionated, but not obscenely prejudice.
Even more annoying was the amount of writing used to to describe how attractive his wife is.
A passage describes her as being lighter than his duffle. This tells us how petite (and feminine) she is, while also showing how strong (and machine) he is (imagine carrying a bag as heavy as a small women).
I won't be reading more from the l this series.
June 26, 2018
Hard men doing the hard job for the world.
Outstanding as always. John Chase is a tough, hard operator leading by respect, other just as tough and individualistic operators on a mission no country wants to acknowledge. This book (novella) is great as a standalone but is even better as a pre-event story to the also awesome V plague series. I was not an operator, but had a 20+ year military career and hate it when authors mess up the details in mil sci fi. Dirk Patton doesn't miss and adds the flavors of 'been there done that' to masterfully engross the reader completely. Stop reading my review and get the book already!
Outstanding as always. John Chase is a tough, hard operator leading by respect, other just as tough and individualistic operators on a mission no country wants to acknowledge. This book (novella) is great as a standalone but is even better as a pre-event story to the also awesome V plague series. I was not an operator, but had a 20+ year military career and hate it when authors mess up the details in mil sci fi. Dirk Patton doesn't miss and adds the flavors of 'been there done that' to masterfully engross the reader completely. Stop reading my review and get the book already!
November 26, 2017
Great epilogue
Have read all the books in the v plague series thus far (yes, still need to do all those reviews); and I really dig this guy’s voice as a story teller. Tons of action, and without getting bogged down in it, still descriptive enough to get a feel for the details, a great balance.
Have read all the books in the v plague series thus far (yes, still need to do all those reviews); and I really dig this guy’s voice as a story teller. Tons of action, and without getting bogged down in it, still descriptive enough to get a feel for the details, a great balance.
January 26, 2017
Such a great back story
Reading this definitely filled in some blanks for VP, was great all the way through. I love your writing style to death, I seriously cannot get enough of it. Keep the greatness coming!
Reading this definitely filled in some blanks for VP, was great all the way through. I love your writing style to death, I seriously cannot get enough of it. Keep the greatness coming!
March 18, 2017
Enjoyed every word.
I try to avoid spoilers in my reviews and therefore do not go into any great detail about the plot as you really should dive into Dirk Patterson's world for a stinking good read.
As I have come to expect from Dirk Patterson thus novel was fast moving without skipping enough detail to make the characters engaging and the scenes detailed enough for the imagination to draw a somewhat horrific picture.
Lots of one liners at the beginning of the tale to make the contrast with the developing story line even darker.
The story gives background to John Chase and several other characters seen in the Plague series but is enjoyable as a stand alone novel.
Saying that you should really read the Plague books, which I really recommend, if you enjoyed this tale.
I try to avoid spoilers in my reviews and therefore do not go into any great detail about the plot as you really should dive into Dirk Patterson's world for a stinking good read.
As I have come to expect from Dirk Patterson thus novel was fast moving without skipping enough detail to make the characters engaging and the scenes detailed enough for the imagination to draw a somewhat horrific picture.
Lots of one liners at the beginning of the tale to make the contrast with the developing story line even darker.
The story gives background to John Chase and several other characters seen in the Plague series but is enjoyable as a stand alone novel.
Saying that you should really read the Plague books, which I really recommend, if you enjoyed this tale.
June 10, 2025
Boring and predictable.
MC is a hero. A loyal, protector. Physically intimidating. An alpha male.
He even has a trophy wife. Not only is she cliched attractive, she has a successful career.
Read this if you're <18 years old.
MC is a hero. A loyal, protector. Physically intimidating. An alpha male.
He even has a trophy wife. Not only is she cliched attractive, she has a successful career.
Read this if you're <18 years old.
October 31, 2016
Always
Good as always. I read lot of Dirk Patton's books and enjoyed all of them. Top notch author. Well
done.
Good as always. I read lot of Dirk Patton's books and enjoyed all of them. Top notch author. Well
done.
March 21, 2018
Great read
Great read. Story of the friendship between military people and the atrocities the deal with in other countries. Good story line. Looking forward to the next one
Great read. Story of the friendship between military people and the atrocities the deal with in other countries. Good story line. Looking forward to the next one
September 27, 2019
Worth it to read
The story details are orth reading, its a prominate mention in V Plague books. Also cool background info on the dick.
The story details are orth reading, its a prominate mention in V Plague books. Also cool background info on the dick.
November 20, 2016
What made John Chase the man we know and cheer for in Dirk Patton's 'V Plague' series? This short novella provides a glimpse at the newly married Army soldier.
After hearing rumors in the 'V Plague' series of John's time in Africa, I was whole-heartedly ready to find out. This story is dark, a tragic and sobering look into the horrors that he and his team faced there. The characters' humor thankfully shines through in the lighter moments, but the action and events that the men must witness is saddening.
This is also the story that might give a clue to the beginnings of the entire V Plague that threatens to wipe out humanity in the series. Vivid descriptions and a flowing storyline make this an easy one-night read. I'm looking forward to the thirteenth book in the 'V Plague' series, titled 'Exodus'. Now I just have to wait until January, 2017. Outstanding well done!
After hearing rumors in the 'V Plague' series of John's time in Africa, I was whole-heartedly ready to find out. This story is dark, a tragic and sobering look into the horrors that he and his team faced there. The characters' humor thankfully shines through in the lighter moments, but the action and events that the men must witness is saddening.
This is also the story that might give a clue to the beginnings of the entire V Plague that threatens to wipe out humanity in the series. Vivid descriptions and a flowing storyline make this an easy one-night read. I'm looking forward to the thirteenth book in the 'V Plague' series, titled 'Exodus'. Now I just have to wait until January, 2017. Outstanding well done!
October 28, 2016
A great precursor to the Voodoo Plague Series
This is an awesome book. It gives all the background info for the Plague Series and I like the last statement. Please hurry and write more, you bring all the characters to life and it's like you know them personally. Read this book, then read the Voodoo Plague Series!!
This is an awesome book. It gives all the background info for the Plague Series and I like the last statement. Please hurry and write more, you bring all the characters to life and it's like you know them personally. Read this book, then read the Voodoo Plague Series!!
October 22, 2016
Love this series!
Another winner. I am loving the background on Katie and John!
Another perfect balance of action and in depth look at the Teams our hero worked with to hone his skills. I cannot wait for further releases of these wonderful books! Keep them coming, please!
Another winner. I am loving the background on Katie and John!
Another perfect balance of action and in depth look at the Teams our hero worked with to hone his skills. I cannot wait for further releases of these wonderful books! Keep them coming, please!
November 16, 2016
Background
Dirk Patton finally comes along and gives a little background on John Chase. Long awaited and very glad to see arrive. Well written, and attention holding. Well suggested.
Dirk Patton finally comes along and gives a little background on John Chase. Long awaited and very glad to see arrive. Well written, and attention holding. Well suggested.
November 20, 2016
Five Star
Dirk Patton is one incredible storyteller.
This was an easy five star review - great adventure that was intense, heartfelt and over way to quickly.
Wished for a much longer read.
Dirk Patton is one incredible storyteller.
This was an easy five star review - great adventure that was intense, heartfelt and over way to quickly.
Wished for a much longer read.
October 24, 2016
A filler story
I liked the story. It tied up a lot of loose ends in the V series.
But it was also dangling a few new facts.
I liked the story. It tied up a lot of loose ends in the V series.
But it was also dangling a few new facts.
November 4, 2016
Another home run
Mr Patton can change topics from military versus bad guys to military versus monsters the way most of us change clothes. Great read
Mr Patton can change topics from military versus bad guys to military versus monsters the way most of us change clothes. Great read
November 5, 2016
Hunter's Rain
Very good story line. Kinda light on technical details but still a good read.
Will look for more books by this author.
Very good story line. Kinda light on technical details but still a good read.
Will look for more books by this author.
March 25, 2017
Excellent book
Great interlude between the rest of the 14 book series. I look forward to book number 15. Keep it up, you'll still have at least one reader for book 25
Great interlude between the rest of the 14 book series. I look forward to book number 15. Keep it up, you'll still have at least one reader for book 25
March 30, 2017
Absolutely Loved It
What an intense action filled story of John Chases and his comrades in arms. Not one dull moment in the whole book. Couldn't put it down. It also is a great read for The Plague Fan. Fills in a lot of the blanks.
What an intense action filled story of John Chases and his comrades in arms. Not one dull moment in the whole book. Couldn't put it down. It also is a great read for The Plague Fan. Fills in a lot of the blanks.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews