The Complete Disruption Trilogy: Three Post Apocalyptic Dystopian Thrillers

by R.E. McDermott

THE COMPLETE DISRUPTION TRILOGY A FRIGHTENINGLY REALISTIC TALE OF HARDSHIP, HEROISM, AND HOPE A massive solar flare... A devastating global blackout ... An unprecedented societal change. Nothing will ever be the same again. What if the lights go out? For good. Would you survive? In a 2015 investigation for The New York Times, veteran reporter Ted Koppel postulated that a major cyber attack on the nation's power grid was not only possible but likely, and that the United States was woefully unprepared. In Lights A Cyberattack, A Nation Unprepared, Koppel's best-selling companion book to the Times investigation, he described the likely aftermath of such an attack in sobering detail. Lights Out was widely praised in the media as 'an eye-opener' and received accolades from leaders of both industry and government. It was named an Amazon Best Book for 2015. Yet despite the accolades and the supposedly 'raised awareness' in the wake of Mr. Koppel's excellent reporting, here we sit in 2020 still very much a nation unprepared. The books of The Disruption Trilogy are fictionalized speculation as to possible events following a similar disaster, a massive solar storm which takes out the power grid not only in the US, but world-wide. Played out across the tapestry of a 'post-electric' America, this is a tale of hardship and heroism, of desperation and impossible courage. There are no mindless zombies, nor are they needed; for desperate human beings in full possession of all their mental faculties are far more terrifying. Fans of the post apocalyptic genre and skeptics alike love this story. The Complete Disruption Trilogy comprises unabridged versions of all three thrillers, novels Amazon reviewers regularly give top marks (a total of over 2,000 reviews to date, averaging 4.7 stars). Learn more about each book below, and buy this box set now to enjoy them all in one convenient and economical package.

Genres: Audiobook, Post Apocalyptic, Fiction, Action, Dystopia, Science Fiction, Apocalyptic

1556 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 15, 2018

About the author

Robert E. McDermott grew up on the Gulf Coast. After graduation from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, he worked in positions from ship’s officer to shipping company management, traveling widely, and living and working in a number of countries. He splits his time between the U.S. and Singapore, where he operates a marine consultancy, advising clients on ship construction and operations. Deadly Straits is his first novel.

Reviews

[Bill Curry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I should have written this for Audible, to explain why I gave an interesting book that obviously took a lot of work and research to write only three stars. One word, really: language. The author repeated the phrase “went off in a crazy direction” ad nauseam. Also, “then things went to hell” was overused. As to the former, use some similes or metaphors! Whenever Stephen King uses the word “like” I shudder to think what’s coming next. But the writer does tie things up well. As for the narrator, he’s okay. I forgave his inability to do a Cajun accent ‘cause almost no one can. You know, boo, you need a little bit uh dis and a little bit uh dat. Das right, cher. An rip dat syntax, if you mean what I know. Mais pour maintenant, restez chez vous! Den you be okay.

[Vickie Gillespie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is 3 books that create an epic story. Thirty- nine plus hours of listening time. I couldn't put it down, I just had to know what happened next. I finished in 4 days. What would you do and how would you react if the world were suddenly without electric power and all the things it lets us use; phones, lights, refrigeration, etc. Find out how the crew of one oil tanker, several coast guard members and a congressmen survive the upheavel, or do they? Listen or Read and find out. This was a special treat because unlike most trilogies where you buy each book separately, these are available as a set in either kindle edition of audible edition. Not sure how they come as real books. I highly recommend, because while the book is fiction, EMP's are real.

[Teresa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring.
Too slow.
Morons for president.
No character development.
Blah.

[Ann Perrone · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm picky about my Apocalyptica; I want a credible plot, characters worth investing in, and and believable dialog. This series delivers all three. I'm going to listen again so I can get all of the characters straight. I felt the narration was average, not a lot of vocal differences between characters, not much on accents, but well paced and easy to listen to. I found myself looking at Google Earth to find the locations and I was particularly pleased that so much of the story followed the Appalachian Trail! [Edit] After a second listen I can tell you how amazed I am at the details. I love this story!

[Samyann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audible Audiobook. The world is hit by solar flares - disrupting power grids across the world. This story is primarily in the USA. There are opportunistic Presidents, who care nothing about this country, citizens, anything but power - you don't need to stretch your imagination with this portrayal - think Trump. A good-guy Cabinet member who is on the run. A couple of good guy military men trying to protect the nation, and a slew of grizzly jerks that are trying to destroy it all in order to protect themselves.

It's an apocalypse story with all the ramifications. Low supplies, bad people, good people. Bad guys are militia preppers, bikers, escaped prisoners. Good guys are that portion of our military and government that haven't been corrupted. These stories will always disappoint with regard to the nature of man. Within a few days, we're killing each other - doesn't say much for Americans. But, given what is going on in this country, armed militias, and the visceral hate of our fellow Americans because of a political bent, maybe it's spot on. Ultimately, all but about 30 million of us die - the story doesn't say much about the rest of the world. Amazing that man will turn so evil in so short a time. Within days, women are raped, children killed, all for what may be in their pantry.

Narration is slow - bumped the reading up to 1.4 on the iPhone, but not distracting from the story - so okay.

Recommended for those interested in apocalypse aftermath. No sex, some offensive language - but realistic.

The ending of this long saga is the voice of the author - asking for an Audible review. Here 'ya go R.E. McDermott!

[(Grace) Kentucky Bohemian · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the BEST of the Genre!
There are so many post-apocalyptic reads out there, and let's face it- most of them have a similar storyline. Although Mark Tufo and Kyla Stone have managed to turn the genre on its ear a bit. Honestly, I picked this one up on a whim because it was on sale and had good ratings.

Those ratings are well-deserved.

I love the fact that the Coast Guard had such a strong presence in this storyline. Readers have often seen other branches of the service in a similar situation, but I don't ever recall reading a story with the Coasties in such a strong story arc. What the author chose to do with not only the Coasties but also the remaining politicians seemed so poignant and absolutely plausible. The character of Senator Trimble was awesome and inspiring, as so many other characters were as well. Of course, there were plenty of the loathsome type as well.

This one is well worth your time if you are a fan of the post-apocalyptic genre, or even if you just enjoy a good action series with strong characters in impossible situations.

[Jäger · Rating 3 out of 5]

So a series of coronal mass ejections fry the electrical grid. What follows is the story of the aftermath. Initially I had hoped this was a different take on post- apocalyptic fiction, given the marine environment. Sadly, it devolves into the usual FEMA / Government bad, rampaging convicts and gangbangers, and a bunch more of the usual survivalist cliches.
The trilogy (in name only, it is one massive 725 page novel in reality) is too long, has too many story lines, and the ending for me was a little too deus ex machina for my taste. All that said, it is well written as far as the prose is concerned, and enjoyable despite the faults. I gave it three stars, but really should be 2.75 IMO.

[Shanna Tidwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve Already suggested this series to several people. It’s smart, brilliant even. The characters are very fleshed out an complex and so is the story.
I would recommend this to anyone ages 12 and up. Yes there is violence and other suggestive stuff but if the child watches any tv it wouldn’t be new to them.
Kevin Pierce does an amazing job narrating but for the first time ever I kept correcting his pronunciation of some words. Being from Louisiana i know how we say things isn’t the common way others do.... but since a lot of the books take place there I feel my pronunciation would be accurate. Lol Kevin, don’t worry you are still my favorite.

[Christina Botchway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exciting Read

Sorry, probably spoilers ahead. Really enjoyed the book. Nail biting stuff. Nearly had a heart attack when colonel Huntington was shot. I nearly stopped reading and managed to have enough willpower to stop myself skipping to the end. I liked the resolution of the Wilmington conflict. Anderson grew on me and I would have liked to know how he, Cindy, Jeremy and the kids ended. I imagine them as one big happy family.

[Charles Burleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this series. It has a very plausible end of days scenario and builds a great story about what could happen. However, the best part of the story is the characters. I was so emotionally invested in the characters. If a book can make me feel for the characters, it's a great book, in my mind. This book was an emotional roller coaster for me. I laughed (out loud), I cheered (again, out loud), and I even cried (that I kept to myself). It was a great ride.

[Cathrine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page turner of a Series

What a well written apocalyptic world 3 book series. I find I usually get bogged down in the middle book of this type of series, faced with tangled or often unbelievable plot lines and I don't usually want to read to the end. Much to my relief, these books were engrossing from the first book to the end of the third book and wholly enjoyable along the way!

[John Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fresh and new

This Disruption Series is a fresh new take on the dystopian genre. McDermott has out together s great series that has great character s and character development. It has all the action and adventure that we all can handle especially during these shut in pandemic days. McDermott has developed a very interesting cross country story that deserves your time and attention. Thanks for the read

[Mr M Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly intriguing

Straight to the impact from the start.
All character trails had there own struggles.
Power hungry officials to low life cons wanting to rule.
The good guys and the bad guys battle it out.
By book 3 after constant reading hours everyday I did find there was a little too much reading of a slight boring content, I quickly scan read these pages, if you can do this it doesn't impact the story. Overall a very good trilogy

[Lara Dickens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audible: I loved its length and all the thought out details the idea of the world as we know it ending. The mechanics of the battles and the practicalities of this life play a larger part in the story telling than the characters. But there is definitely baddies,the part played by the politicians and goodies in the people taking on responsibility, building community and looking after others. One day I’d like to read a humdrum story post disaster that’s just about living and how that works.

[Lana Mccall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicely done

New author for me and I was pleasantly surprised with an intriguing storyline and interesting characters. Survival after a CME will be tough but faced with a greedy corrupt leadership of the government and street gangs makes it almost impossible. Well put together plot line.

[william j cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read and worth every second spent

This among my most favorite apocalyptic series ever. I rad all the books in one go and was both sad it was ending but happy to have read it. It has really sting characters with good guys and evil doers that are believable and imaginative. The stories run along different paths as that all merge. Can’t recommend these books enough

[Coralee Malinich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only exciting but REAL

Well written with great characters. My only complaint is the language. I realize some people like it and are entitled to their views. However toning down the blasphemy wouldn’t hurt the quality of the book. Please keep writing so we can keep enjoying your stories!

[Fernando · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unreadable. Instead of using the narrator to drive the story, the author relies on its characters to explain every minutiae of what's happening. Speeches are very long as a result and simply wouldn't happen in real life in the context imagined. Characters are also pretty predictable and underdeveloped. Real shame!

[Samuel · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of the worst post-apocalyptic novel I've read.
McDermott paints the "America" the right wing conservatives are so afraid of with grotesque and sometimes laughable depictions. A lot of shortcuts are taken.
Stay away from this book.

I still gave it 2 stars because the story was somewhat compelling.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is frightening to think how easy this story could become reality!

A natural catastrophe plunges the world into chaos and the United States loses a majority of its population. Throw in some corrupt elected officials, some maritime excitement and some well-trained caring people and you get a gripping tale!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars across the board! Great story, great characters, I laughed, I cried, and I put the book down cause I didn't want to know how it was going to end. But glad I picked it back up! Definitely a must read for anyone who loves post apocalyptic books! No zombies, cause there's nothing scarier than a desperate human!

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found a brilliant new author for me

I loved these books. There are clear consistent heroes and villains you would happily punch in the face any day of the week. And to have that feeling about a fictional character for me knows they have done well with their characters storyline’s and development. Looking forward to more from this author.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first action book I've read, and I was thoroughly impressed with how much I enjoyed it. I was drawn in by the premise of a ship's crew dealing with an apocalypse, and it did not disappoint. Many topics were well researched, and the characters were moving, especially giving them each their motivations.

Giving the first book a try will lead you to wanting to finish all three.

[Seth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well thought out and very engaging!

There are a lot of "apocalypse" stories out there but the rarely follow a premise that you can really imagine happening. This series was clearly well researched and locations and characters actually seem to be real.

[Sherri Knott · Rating 2 out of 5]

The trilogy was not easy to get into. There are a lot of characters and I lost interest or had to reread who was who. Even at the end I wasn't sure who was good and bad. I stuck it out until the end. The story wasn't "bad" I just think there were way too many moving parts to keep track of.

[Sas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed it in the end

It took a while for me to warm to this story. I felt there were too many storylines to follow at first and did struggle. In the end though I felt each book got better and was disappointed that the story finished at Book 3. Would recommend to read.

[cheri t warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome Simply Awesome

This is one of the best of this type of book in this genre. The characters were great and the storyline was riveting. I look to seeing these characters inn the future.

[Kathy Russo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Disruption Trilogy

This is an engrossing and “entertaining” trio of books. I highly recommend it to people who enjoy a futuristic story based on science and the tenacity and intrinsic goodness of mankind overcoming evil and self-serving individuals. Check it out!

[Anne V · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent storytelling

Realistic look at how things could fall apart … or come together in new ways where personal loyalties and practical competence make unlikely leaders.

Good read.

[Anne Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

astonishingly believable and gritty

A futuristic apocalyptic story that feels so believably real makes this amazing reading. The strength of character of the villains and the heroes keeps you emotionally engaged in their journey. I felt like I went into battle with them all.