What do you think?
Rate this book
Task Force Orange #2
The Presence of Evil
NO MISSION IS IMPOSSIBLE
Drake Woolf is the perfect throwaway agent—a deadly, invisible force able to handle the blackest of black-ops missions. No one’s better when it comes to search and destroy. But his lethal drive feeds a relentless hunger. It’s all his handlers at Task Force Orange can do to point him at the right targets. This time he’s up against a massive, global conspiracy. In his deadly crosshairs are a Venezuelan terrorist, hordes of elite Iranian assassins, and a beautiful and wily FBI counterintelligence agent. Drake’s aim is flawless but his judgments are all over the place. If he doesn’t get it right this time, it will be Hell on Earth.
Drake Woolf is the perfect throwaway agent—a deadly, invisible force able to handle the blackest of black-ops missions. No one’s better when it comes to search and destroy. But his lethal drive feeds a relentless hunger. It’s all his handlers at Task Force Orange can do to point him at the right targets. This time he’s up against a massive, global conspiracy. In his deadly crosshairs are a Venezuelan terrorist, hordes of elite Iranian assassins, and a beautiful and wily FBI counterintelligence agent. Drake’s aim is flawless but his judgments are all over the place. If he doesn’t get it right this time, it will be Hell on Earth.
- GenresFictionMilitary Fiction
310 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 20, 2019
About the author
J.T. Patten
20 books179 followers"J.T. Patten" has worked with the intelligence and special operations community in support of national defense and policy. He has a degree in Foreign Language, a Masters in Strategic Intelligence, graduate studies in Counter Terrorism from the University of St. Andrews, and numerous expertise certifications in forensics, fraud, and financial crime investigations. Patten shares these unique experiences with readers to give them a taste of "the black."
His novel is written in a multi-layered non-linear plot style that provides a compelling inside view of larger than life covert activities in addition to the gripping turmoil that warriors suffer while battling foes and internal demons.
Disclaimer:
These novels do not constitute an official release of CIA information. All statements of fact, opinion, or analysis expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official positions or views of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) or any other U.S. Government agency. Nothing in the contents should be construed as asserting or implying U.S. Government authentication of information or CIA endorsement of the author’s views. This material has been reviewed for classification.
His novel is written in a multi-layered non-linear plot style that provides a compelling inside view of larger than life covert activities in addition to the gripping turmoil that warriors suffer while battling foes and internal demons.
Disclaimer:
These novels do not constitute an official release of CIA information. All statements of fact, opinion, or analysis expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official positions or views of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) or any other U.S. Government agency. Nothing in the contents should be construed as asserting or implying U.S. Government authentication of information or CIA endorsement of the author’s views. This material has been reviewed for classification.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
July 24, 2019
Once again Drake Woolf has to fight evil. I must say that I'm very glad that J.T. Patten asked me to read his first book in this series. Now I find myself somewhat addicted to his work. Great books, I strongly recommend them to everyone. I must also thank #Kensington and #Netgalley for letting me try more exciting work.
August 19, 2019
J.T. Patten is back with his second Task Force Orange novel, The Presence of Evil. Writing under a pseudonym due to his long successful career in the intelligence community. Some notable work he shares in his bio reads like Mitch Rapp’s biography. Having spent a lot of time in the Middle East, including being a notable authority on Iran and the IRGC, as well as the Qods Force, cyber threat detection, financial crimes, irregular and unconventional warfare strategies in counterterrorism, intel collection, and social network disruption. I’m not telling you to give it a good rating on Amazon & Goodreads, but if you don’t this author has the skill and capability to hack your account and do it himself.
The Presence of Evil sees our favorite hero / villain still being hunted by the beautiful FBI agent Tresa Halliday. Even though she received the recognition for saving the Secretary of State publicly, from the events that took place in Buried in Black. Her supervisors encouraged her to continue the hunt and bring these rogue operators down. When we first see SA Halliday, she’s at a bar and Patten managed to interject some humor into his writing.
This Task Force Orange novel starts off with a tragedy, as if Drake Woolf hasn’t suffered enough. For this one however, the man from Orange is actually present and due to the way the events unfolded, he feels responsible for what happened. Which only exacerbate his already fragile mind and he spirals downhill really quickly, toying around with certain aspects of PTSD that are prominent in many veterans in the real world today.
Driven only by the mission, he pushes forward into the streets of Chicago, hunting and using some very formidable skills to try and prevent a mass attack on the public. Up against dangerous Iranian Assassins, Venezuelan terrorists, and his brother. Drake is in The Presence of Evil, and the only way out is for him to kill them all. But he has to accomplish this before he’s caught or killed, before he gives in to the battle within, before his brother gets to him. This fast-paced thriller is clearly written by someone who has been there and done that. Capturing you in each scene, putting danger in the crosshairs with time running out.
Don’t just read it, get read in into the blacker than black world that J.T. Patten use to occupy and now writes about. With so much real-world experience under his belt, Patten’s writing includes bad ass action, emotional turmoil, violence, and those real-world battle scars veterans are walking around with daily. As a reader, I can see how much growth this author has accomplished getting better and better with each novel he writes, this series is one you don’t want to miss out on.
The Presence of Evil sees our favorite hero / villain still being hunted by the beautiful FBI agent Tresa Halliday. Even though she received the recognition for saving the Secretary of State publicly, from the events that took place in Buried in Black. Her supervisors encouraged her to continue the hunt and bring these rogue operators down. When we first see SA Halliday, she’s at a bar and Patten managed to interject some humor into his writing.
This Task Force Orange novel starts off with a tragedy, as if Drake Woolf hasn’t suffered enough. For this one however, the man from Orange is actually present and due to the way the events unfolded, he feels responsible for what happened. Which only exacerbate his already fragile mind and he spirals downhill really quickly, toying around with certain aspects of PTSD that are prominent in many veterans in the real world today.
Driven only by the mission, he pushes forward into the streets of Chicago, hunting and using some very formidable skills to try and prevent a mass attack on the public. Up against dangerous Iranian Assassins, Venezuelan terrorists, and his brother. Drake is in The Presence of Evil, and the only way out is for him to kill them all. But he has to accomplish this before he’s caught or killed, before he gives in to the battle within, before his brother gets to him. This fast-paced thriller is clearly written by someone who has been there and done that. Capturing you in each scene, putting danger in the crosshairs with time running out.
Don’t just read it, get read in into the blacker than black world that J.T. Patten use to occupy and now writes about. With so much real-world experience under his belt, Patten’s writing includes bad ass action, emotional turmoil, violence, and those real-world battle scars veterans are walking around with daily. As a reader, I can see how much growth this author has accomplished getting better and better with each novel he writes, this series is one you don’t want to miss out on.
August 20, 2019
A brilliant tale of blood and betrayal
Drake Woolf is back with a vengeance. In his second entry of the TASK FORCE ORANGE series, J.T. Patten – the thriller genre’s duke of deception and psychological torture – pulls out all the stops. In short: Think his previous novel BURIED IN BLACK with a double dose of action and bloodshed and even more insane twists, then you know what you’re getting into with PRESENCE OF EVIL.
Drake Woolf and company continue to hunt down Iranian sleeper agents but their pursuit culminates in a deadly trap with devastating casualties. And in the end Woolf might have to commit an unthinkable atrocity in order to prevent an even greater tragedy …
With four great thrillers already under his belt, Patten clearly knows how to hook readers right from the start and things get only more intense from there. This book is a rare combination of brawls and brains and a real gem for those who like their action thriller cosmos populated by rich, nuanced and truly unique characters. More please!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Drake Woolf is back with a vengeance. In his second entry of the TASK FORCE ORANGE series, J.T. Patten – the thriller genre’s duke of deception and psychological torture – pulls out all the stops. In short: Think his previous novel BURIED IN BLACK with a double dose of action and bloodshed and even more insane twists, then you know what you’re getting into with PRESENCE OF EVIL.
Drake Woolf and company continue to hunt down Iranian sleeper agents but their pursuit culminates in a deadly trap with devastating casualties. And in the end Woolf might have to commit an unthinkable atrocity in order to prevent an even greater tragedy …
With four great thrillers already under his belt, Patten clearly knows how to hook readers right from the start and things get only more intense from there. This book is a rare combination of brawls and brains and a real gem for those who like their action thriller cosmos populated by rich, nuanced and truly unique characters. More please!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 22, 2019
If you are an action and thriller junkie like I am you are going to love this author and his books!
I enjoyed this book, not quite as much as the last one because it left me hanging on something I considered important while it gave a ton of details on things that I didn't consider quite as important.
I enjoyed the pace of this book and the way it kept me hooked and holding out on my opinion about Dexter. I would love to know more about his family and what that darn message said. So it was absolutely great about the building of the terror attack and how the team was trying to stop it while it was a bit light on the closure of some of the things I wanted to know about Drake and his brother.
I am definitely a new reader for Mr. Patten and plan to go back and read many more of his books, while I will continue to read new releases.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
I enjoyed this book, not quite as much as the last one because it left me hanging on something I considered important while it gave a ton of details on things that I didn't consider quite as important.
I enjoyed the pace of this book and the way it kept me hooked and holding out on my opinion about Dexter. I would love to know more about his family and what that darn message said. So it was absolutely great about the building of the terror attack and how the team was trying to stop it while it was a bit light on the closure of some of the things I wanted to know about Drake and his brother.
I am definitely a new reader for Mr. Patten and plan to go back and read many more of his books, while I will continue to read new releases.
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
July 11, 2019
Another good book from a man who has been there, done that, got the tee shirt. Clearly the author knows the ins and outs of the government agencies mentioned in the book and their capabilities. I do have my doubts that a character as broken as the main character would be able rise to the level he has. Great story with lots of twists and turns.
June 23, 2019
Great book! Couldn't stop reading!
This book was captivating from the very beginning! This book has action nonstop and I just couldn't put it down! Love how the characters interact with each other and just the overall depth the writer has put into this book. This is the first book from this author that I've read but now I'm going to read the first book in this series! I look forward to future releases from this author!
I received an advanced kindle arc of this book from Goodreads and Kensington in exchange for my honest and fair review.
This book was captivating from the very beginning! This book has action nonstop and I just couldn't put it down! Love how the characters interact with each other and just the overall depth the writer has put into this book. This is the first book from this author that I've read but now I'm going to read the first book in this series! I look forward to future releases from this author!
I received an advanced kindle arc of this book from Goodreads and Kensington in exchange for my honest and fair review.
October 5, 2022
The last JT Patten novel so far, at least chronologically, and one of the best. I think presidential retreat just beats it out due to the stronger supporting cast and a personal preference for the setting. That said The Prescence of Evil has probably the best dastardly plot in the series. I won't ruin it here but it's pretty novel to say the least.
This is the strongest showing for Drake Woolf as a character so far and he also has some cool sigint gadgets this time around. There is something refreshing about a protagonist who can actually use computer software, parse signals information etc, as opposed to the usual thriller protagonist who wouldn't have time for that nerd stuff (because the boomer authors probably have to get their grandkids to help them figure out how to even turn a computer on). He comes into his own without his uncle there to boss him around and with, a less introspective than usual, Havens in a supporting role. The B plot of Woolf looking for his long lost brother continues to be a strong thread to keep the reader turning pages. The A plot is kind of like a more detailed, counter terrorism version of Hotline Miami. Woolf, as the assassin with a few psychological problems, has to travel through the worst parts of Chicago, going from bad guy hideout to bad guy hideout, and kill his way to the center of a terrorist plot. All the while struggling with the voices in his head and his well placed (this time) paranoia.
Even the best thrillers generally have a solid and workmanlike prose which is good for action and describing technology and not a lot else. Patten manages to do the action and technical descriptions better than pretty much anyone but his narrative also has a certain charisma, being peppered with pop culture references and jokes that somehow work perfectly with some of the darker elements of his stories.
The story ends on a teaser for more Drake Woolf escapades and hopefully we eventually get a sequel.
This is the strongest showing for Drake Woolf as a character so far and he also has some cool sigint gadgets this time around. There is something refreshing about a protagonist who can actually use computer software, parse signals information etc, as opposed to the usual thriller protagonist who wouldn't have time for that nerd stuff (because the boomer authors probably have to get their grandkids to help them figure out how to even turn a computer on). He comes into his own without his uncle there to boss him around and with, a less introspective than usual, Havens in a supporting role. The B plot of Woolf looking for his long lost brother continues to be a strong thread to keep the reader turning pages. The A plot is kind of like a more detailed, counter terrorism version of Hotline Miami. Woolf, as the assassin with a few psychological problems, has to travel through the worst parts of Chicago, going from bad guy hideout to bad guy hideout, and kill his way to the center of a terrorist plot. All the while struggling with the voices in his head and his well placed (this time) paranoia.
Even the best thrillers generally have a solid and workmanlike prose which is good for action and describing technology and not a lot else. Patten manages to do the action and technical descriptions better than pretty much anyone but his narrative also has a certain charisma, being peppered with pop culture references and jokes that somehow work perfectly with some of the darker elements of his stories.
The story ends on a teaser for more Drake Woolf escapades and hopefully we eventually get a sequel.
December 14, 2020
This is a great follow up to Buried in Black, and the second in the Taskforce Orange series. Great thrill ride of a read with a main character who is vulnerable, flawed but one pretty badass dude. Drake Woolf is not only fighting America’s enemies, but also fighting his internal demons; which makes him all the more human, and likable.
No spoilers, but if you want to read a story that moves at lightning speed, with great action, gadgets and a pulse pounding plot, do yourself a favor and pick up, not only this one, but also its predecessor, Buried in Black. You will not be disappointed.
No spoilers, but if you want to read a story that moves at lightning speed, with great action, gadgets and a pulse pounding plot, do yourself a favor and pick up, not only this one, but also its predecessor, Buried in Black. You will not be disappointed.
June 7, 2020
Presence of Evil is a fast-paced and dark espionage thriller. It shines a spotlight on the intelligence gathering apparatus involved in locating and eliminating terrorist threats. What really sets Presence of Evil apart from other thrillers in the genre, is its extremely vulnerable and weathered down protagonist. Drake Woolf is a great character study of a complex and broken-down protagonist.
Presence of Evil is the sequel to Buried in Black, and it picks up with Task Force Orange locating and eliminating threats to US from foreign actors. When things go horribly awry, Task Force Orange takes casualties and Drake Woolf has to lead the charge to stop a time bound threat against innocents. The narrative becomes a race against time for Drake Woolf and his teammates. With this backdrop, the narrative becomes fast-paced, and due to JT Patton’s gripping writing, is packed with exciting thrills and twists that will leave readers realizing nothing is what it seems.
I enjoyed the focus on technological aspects relating to location tracking through signal intelligence, working and sifting through cellular signals of targets of interest with mind blowing technology within the intelligence community to track and connect the web of conspiracy of bad guys. Rather than questioning the bad guys, the narrative weaves through the plot using analysis and signals tracking to get the information pertaining to the threat and the enemy actors in play.
The focus on signals intelligence gathering plays off extremely well as Drake Woolf is a techie, utilizing and trusting electronic signals over the words of human beings. Drake’s playground is the vast world of electronics and he is excellent at manipulating technological devices to track the bad guys. There is one particular technical exploitation by Woolf that involves saving the day by taking control of a passenger jet, a sequence one won’t forget.
What makes Drake an extremely effective operator is not just his expertise in technology, but also in firearms and combat. There is no shortage of excellent shootouts and combat sequences that display Drake as a force to be reckoned with. Accurate descriptions of weapon systems in shootouts elevate the authentic vibe of the thriller by an author who has lived the shadowy world of espionage.
Drake is a complex character. With a violent childhood and an even more violent life in the shadows as an operative, Drake is a somewhat unstable protagonist. The voices in his head cause a raging storm in his head that he can not always control. As a man weathered down without an anchor to keep him to the ground, his actions sometimes give pause to the reader, wondering if Drake crossed a line a protagonist isn’t supposed to. This is a debate I have with myself, and it makes Drake all the more a compelling character to read. Thrown in the mix of his unstable state, is his confrontation with a brother seemingly at the heart of the terrorist attack. Nothing is what it seems to be. A brilliant plot indeed.
Each character in the book, whether helping Drake or against him, is given a personality and foundation that will make readers invest their feelings into the characters. All in all, I highly recommend this fantastic espionage thriller, with some mind-blowing twists and a protagonist that is the best of both worlds as a techie as well as an assassin. I was blown away by how superb this book is.
Presence of Evil is the sequel to Buried in Black, and it picks up with Task Force Orange locating and eliminating threats to US from foreign actors. When things go horribly awry, Task Force Orange takes casualties and Drake Woolf has to lead the charge to stop a time bound threat against innocents. The narrative becomes a race against time for Drake Woolf and his teammates. With this backdrop, the narrative becomes fast-paced, and due to JT Patton’s gripping writing, is packed with exciting thrills and twists that will leave readers realizing nothing is what it seems.
I enjoyed the focus on technological aspects relating to location tracking through signal intelligence, working and sifting through cellular signals of targets of interest with mind blowing technology within the intelligence community to track and connect the web of conspiracy of bad guys. Rather than questioning the bad guys, the narrative weaves through the plot using analysis and signals tracking to get the information pertaining to the threat and the enemy actors in play.
The focus on signals intelligence gathering plays off extremely well as Drake Woolf is a techie, utilizing and trusting electronic signals over the words of human beings. Drake’s playground is the vast world of electronics and he is excellent at manipulating technological devices to track the bad guys. There is one particular technical exploitation by Woolf that involves saving the day by taking control of a passenger jet, a sequence one won’t forget.
What makes Drake an extremely effective operator is not just his expertise in technology, but also in firearms and combat. There is no shortage of excellent shootouts and combat sequences that display Drake as a force to be reckoned with. Accurate descriptions of weapon systems in shootouts elevate the authentic vibe of the thriller by an author who has lived the shadowy world of espionage.
Drake is a complex character. With a violent childhood and an even more violent life in the shadows as an operative, Drake is a somewhat unstable protagonist. The voices in his head cause a raging storm in his head that he can not always control. As a man weathered down without an anchor to keep him to the ground, his actions sometimes give pause to the reader, wondering if Drake crossed a line a protagonist isn’t supposed to. This is a debate I have with myself, and it makes Drake all the more a compelling character to read. Thrown in the mix of his unstable state, is his confrontation with a brother seemingly at the heart of the terrorist attack. Nothing is what it seems to be. A brilliant plot indeed.
Each character in the book, whether helping Drake or against him, is given a personality and foundation that will make readers invest their feelings into the characters. All in all, I highly recommend this fantastic espionage thriller, with some mind-blowing twists and a protagonist that is the best of both worlds as a techie as well as an assassin. I was blown away by how superb this book is.
July 22, 2019
The Presence of Evil is the follow up book to Buried in Black and while they can be read independently, I highly recommend reading them in sequence. In my opinion, the authenticity, character development, technical expertise, insider knowledge and flow of the story has not been surpassed by anyone in the genre. J.T. Patten brings the thrill to spy thriller. Being in the Birddog's head sweeps you up in the action and doesn't let you go, not even after the last page. I'm already anxiously awaiting the next book in this series. ;-)
July 2, 2019
Terror Comes to the Heartland.
Very realistic settings (we drove through the public roads on the Savannah River Plant in the mid '70s and the scene brought back memories.) Plausible dirty bomb scenario. Good characters, fast paced, exciting plot. Reminded me of early Vince Flynn novels.
Very realistic settings (we drove through the public roads on the Savannah River Plant in the mid '70s and the scene brought back memories.) Plausible dirty bomb scenario. Good characters, fast paced, exciting plot. Reminded me of early Vince Flynn novels.
September 2, 2019
Next step in the evolution of spy/operator novels
The author I would now consider the tip of the spear of this genre, pardon the pun.
Just as much kickass as Mitch Rapp, but with an extra layer or two of tech/hacking skills on top of it.
Seriously, I believe that JT Petten is the guy I’m going to be impatiently waiting until his next book comes out for the years ahead more than any other author.
The author I would now consider the tip of the spear of this genre, pardon the pun.
Just as much kickass as Mitch Rapp, but with an extra layer or two of tech/hacking skills on top of it.
Seriously, I believe that JT Petten is the guy I’m going to be impatiently waiting until his next book comes out for the years ahead more than any other author.
October 18, 2020
I was leaning to it after the first book but now Drake Woold may just be one of my favorite characters to date!! Mr Patten just keeps getting better and I can't wait to go back and read the Haven series. Drake is such an amazing and complex character. The battle that rages within, with voices and ptsd can relate to so many. I can not wait to read more!!
July 7, 2019
Kept my interest from the first page to last
February 3, 2022
Book Review - There isn't much to not love about this book, “The Presence of Evil.” Overall this is a very believable read filled with exciting characters, lots of action, techno-speak, and great plot details. I would compare this book to vintage Tom Clancy, but J.T. Patten - Author goes beyond that and into his own branch of an action book filled with 'spy' craft knowledge. Main character Drake Woolf is a hunter and stalker of bad guys. He finds, fixes and finishes them. There is a lot of information in this book and it is definitely well worth the time and money, especially if you are an old Tom Clancy fan. Love J.T. Patten’s work!
August 24, 2019
J.T. Patten returns with WMD-sized bang in the "Presence of Evil," an absolutely thrilling second book in his Task Force Orange series. "Presence of Evil" is packed with bloodshed, Wild West-styled justice, and a gripping plot that you can't turn away from. The writing is pretty much effortless, keeping you engaged at a breakneck pace. In addition, the tradecraft is both exciting and authentic. It's easy to tell why Patten has to have his books cleared by so many alphabet soup agencies before they go to print.
In "Presence of Evil," our hero, Drake Woolf, is continuing to finish off the last of the Mohawks, an Iraqi special operations unit that was trained by the U.S., but wanted revenge after we pulled our guys out and ISIS went on a murder spree, slaughtering their families and loved ones. Right out of the gate, Woolf loses a team member and is down a man. Soon, he's down two, as another warfighter on the task force sustains injuries that need immediate care.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah operatives are working with Chicago gang members to launch a radiological attack on U.S. soil. The gang members aren't completely read into the operation. Nor do they understand to what degree that they are being used. Little does Hezbollah know, they're expendable to their own Qods Force handlers within Unit 400, a secretive unit within the group. And that is made clear when femoral arteries are being slit and people start eating bullets.
To make things a lot more complicated, someone close to Woolf is at the center of it all, spilling the blood, and pulling the strings.
It doesn't take long for a new task force to be put together but Woolf isn't impressed by the Persian girl or the Sikh tech geek. Sure they know their craft. But he doesn't see either as capable of doing the kinds of things that he believes need to be done. And while Woolf writes his own rules of engagement to take down the current threat, his new team isn't so sure about him, either.
When he realizes that children may be used to carry out an attack, he becomes more of a team player with the Persian girl and Sikh. What follows is Woolf doing what he does best — upping the body count and gathering intelligence to get closer to his primary target. At one point, he attacks a friendly just doing his duty, which makes territory tremendously harder to navigate while doing the work he's committed to doing.
But not everything is what it seems in "Presence of Evil." And that's where Patten's writing really shines, as he masterfully plays with the reader's emotions and gets them more invested into the characters and story, especially those close to Woolf. The moment you think you have it figured out, you don't. And the major twist at the end of it all, will have the reader begging for more.
In "Presence of Evil," our hero, Drake Woolf, is continuing to finish off the last of the Mohawks, an Iraqi special operations unit that was trained by the U.S., but wanted revenge after we pulled our guys out and ISIS went on a murder spree, slaughtering their families and loved ones. Right out of the gate, Woolf loses a team member and is down a man. Soon, he's down two, as another warfighter on the task force sustains injuries that need immediate care.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah operatives are working with Chicago gang members to launch a radiological attack on U.S. soil. The gang members aren't completely read into the operation. Nor do they understand to what degree that they are being used. Little does Hezbollah know, they're expendable to their own Qods Force handlers within Unit 400, a secretive unit within the group. And that is made clear when femoral arteries are being slit and people start eating bullets.
To make things a lot more complicated, someone close to Woolf is at the center of it all, spilling the blood, and pulling the strings.
It doesn't take long for a new task force to be put together but Woolf isn't impressed by the Persian girl or the Sikh tech geek. Sure they know their craft. But he doesn't see either as capable of doing the kinds of things that he believes need to be done. And while Woolf writes his own rules of engagement to take down the current threat, his new team isn't so sure about him, either.
When he realizes that children may be used to carry out an attack, he becomes more of a team player with the Persian girl and Sikh. What follows is Woolf doing what he does best — upping the body count and gathering intelligence to get closer to his primary target. At one point, he attacks a friendly just doing his duty, which makes territory tremendously harder to navigate while doing the work he's committed to doing.
But not everything is what it seems in "Presence of Evil." And that's where Patten's writing really shines, as he masterfully plays with the reader's emotions and gets them more invested into the characters and story, especially those close to Woolf. The moment you think you have it figured out, you don't. And the major twist at the end of it all, will have the reader begging for more.
August 21, 2019
This is a white-knuckle thriller that jumps from the starting line and never loses pace. I read it in an afternoon--once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. Readers of the preceding book, "Buried In Black," already know what to expect from this series: intrigue, jaw-dropping set pieces and scenes, remarkable character moments, and the heart-stopping knowledge that the sinister events described on any page could be written in tomorrow's headlines.
The character of Drake Woolf is unique in that it encompasses many of the standard conflicts in fiction: man vs. nature, man vs. man, man vs. himself, etc. but the reader is given remarkable insight into his fractured psyche, grounding every one of those standard conflicts in a fierce struggle between his delusions and reality, the dividing line often blurring as his external world is shaken to its foundations time and again.
Readers of the author's past work are in for a treat, as the author has a solid grip on his craft and manages to hone it ever more finely with each book. Readers of suspense and thrillers would do well to keep an eye on their blood pressure as they read through the opening pages. Buckle in and brace yourself.
You're in for a hell of a ride.
The character of Drake Woolf is unique in that it encompasses many of the standard conflicts in fiction: man vs. nature, man vs. man, man vs. himself, etc. but the reader is given remarkable insight into his fractured psyche, grounding every one of those standard conflicts in a fierce struggle between his delusions and reality, the dividing line often blurring as his external world is shaken to its foundations time and again.
Readers of the author's past work are in for a treat, as the author has a solid grip on his craft and manages to hone it ever more finely with each book. Readers of suspense and thrillers would do well to keep an eye on their blood pressure as they read through the opening pages. Buckle in and brace yourself.
You're in for a hell of a ride.
August 11, 2019
Drake Woolfe is probably the darkest 'hero' in modern action thrillers. He's hunted by voices in his head who want him to kill everyone. After the wars he was in overseas he now is the last denfense on homeground against devastating terror attacks. A still very entertaining read.
August 26, 2019
Great
Slow at the begining .stay with the story as it builds to an incredible ending .well written with lots of suspense
Slow at the begining .stay with the story as it builds to an incredible ending .well written with lots of suspense
August 28, 2019
I own 3 of his books. this one is great as are the others. you should read action packed.
May 10, 2020
Solid second installment in the Task Force Orange series. Looking forward to the next book
October 13, 2019
A scary look into the Counterterrorism world!
This book had my heart racing from the get go! My life was put on hold as I HAD to find out what happened to Drake.
I loved this book because Patten did not hold back punches as he showed us this Shadow World. We delve deeper in book 2 about who Drake is, and how has his past made him who he is. I love Drake because he is not our classic “good guy” hero. He’s flawed and broken. Sometimes his flaws makes him veer into this almost “bad guy” persona. We come to find out what brings Drake back, and what makes him human. I finished this book heartbroken for Drake, and questioning what prevents us from succumbing to our pasts.
This book had my heart racing from the get go! My life was put on hold as I HAD to find out what happened to Drake.
I loved this book because Patten did not hold back punches as he showed us this Shadow World. We delve deeper in book 2 about who Drake is, and how has his past made him who he is. I love Drake because he is not our classic “good guy” hero. He’s flawed and broken. Sometimes his flaws makes him veer into this almost “bad guy” persona. We come to find out what brings Drake back, and what makes him human. I finished this book heartbroken for Drake, and questioning what prevents us from succumbing to our pasts.
April 29, 2020
5/5 really enjoying this series. Looking forward to the next installment
November 18, 2020
OUTSTANDING SERIES!!
This is the second in the Man from Orange series! I think this was even better than the first book. Drake is a a seriously flawed protagonist, but what a character! ⭐️⭐️WELL DONE MR. PATTEN⭐️⭐️ can’t wait for the next in the series!!!!
This is the second in the Man from Orange series! I think this was even better than the first book. Drake is a a seriously flawed protagonist, but what a character! ⭐️⭐️WELL DONE MR. PATTEN⭐️⭐️ can’t wait for the next in the series!!!!
November 20, 2020
Another Great Read
I have read all of the J.T. Patten books during my covid -19 sickness. Excellent reading. Tried not to read them to fast. Wanted to keep some thing to read.
Keep up the writing. Very enjoyable. I am sure I will meet you in the future
I have read all of the J.T. Patten books during my covid -19 sickness. Excellent reading. Tried not to read them to fast. Wanted to keep some thing to read.
Keep up the writing. Very enjoyable. I am sure I will meet you in the future
May 23, 2021
Signals, cell phones & a series of killings
Technical wizardry, signals intelligence, hacking & patterns all add up to a fast & furious chase to find stollen dirty radio active waste. All is not what it seems. Dirty dealings the name of the game.
Technical wizardry, signals intelligence, hacking & patterns all add up to a fast & furious chase to find stollen dirty radio active waste. All is not what it seems. Dirty dealings the name of the game.
November 3, 2019
Oh boy, where to start.....just as I wrote in the review for the previous book, I rarely give 5 star-reviews, regardless if its a new book from a favorite author who I’ve been following for years; but once again, there’s no doubt in my mind whatsoever that this book deserved another 5 star-rating, too. Shoot, I’d honestly give it 6 stars if I could. No exaggeration.
I’ve read hundreds of books from all of the top guys in this Genre, and very few have made me feel the way Patten’s “Task Force Orange” series have. The author starts his Acknowledgements with: “I hope my writing is improving”.....I’m not sure how much more improvement you’re looking for, bc this was seriously one of the most All-around awesome, bad-ass, heart pumping, emotion stirring, adrenaline driving book I’ve come across all year. The fact that you’re still looking/striving for improvement as an author just makes me that much more excited for the next installment in the series.
Just like the first book, this one is chalked full of twists & turns, with probably the biggest mind-F coming at the end....how the author came up with this plot, I have no idea. I just know that its a fantastic work of art, its a story that is second to none when it comes to plot and character development, and with “The Presence of Evil” I think Drake Woolf has taken the Top Spot of most Bad Ass Protagonist in the game for 2019.
One of the reasons I enjoyed this book so much is that the author really took the time to further dive into just what makes the main character, Drake, tick. We got an idea of why our hero is the way he is in the last book, but this one really tied some things together and helped the reader get a better all-around picture of who he is as an Operator and as a Person. A great hero wouldn’t be great if they didn’t have their share of quirks, and Drake Woolf certainly has some quirky ticks. If anything, it allows the reader to bond that much more with his plight, knowing all he’s dealing with while never losing focus on his mission.
If you’re looking for a story that will suck you in from start to finish- one that you’ll simply not be able to put down- do yourself a favor and pick up JT Patten’s “Task Force Orange” series. Not since the days of Vince Flynn, Mark Greaney, Brad Thor/Taylor’s earlier works have I so thoroughly enjoyed a book from beginning to end.
One last thing I wanted to mention that I found funny and I kid you not, at one point towards the end of this book my Apple Watch went off because my resting Heartbeat got above what I set as the max, LOL. If That doesnt speak to the thrill of this story, idk what else will!
PS: J.T.- if you’re ever looking for an extra fan to read/review your next installment, someone very familiar with the genre, shoot me a msg, I’m your guy!!
I’ve read hundreds of books from all of the top guys in this Genre, and very few have made me feel the way Patten’s “Task Force Orange” series have. The author starts his Acknowledgements with: “I hope my writing is improving”.....I’m not sure how much more improvement you’re looking for, bc this was seriously one of the most All-around awesome, bad-ass, heart pumping, emotion stirring, adrenaline driving book I’ve come across all year. The fact that you’re still looking/striving for improvement as an author just makes me that much more excited for the next installment in the series.
Just like the first book, this one is chalked full of twists & turns, with probably the biggest mind-F coming at the end....how the author came up with this plot, I have no idea. I just know that its a fantastic work of art, its a story that is second to none when it comes to plot and character development, and with “The Presence of Evil” I think Drake Woolf has taken the Top Spot of most Bad Ass Protagonist in the game for 2019.
One of the reasons I enjoyed this book so much is that the author really took the time to further dive into just what makes the main character, Drake, tick. We got an idea of why our hero is the way he is in the last book, but this one really tied some things together and helped the reader get a better all-around picture of who he is as an Operator and as a Person. A great hero wouldn’t be great if they didn’t have their share of quirks, and Drake Woolf certainly has some quirky ticks. If anything, it allows the reader to bond that much more with his plight, knowing all he’s dealing with while never losing focus on his mission.
If you’re looking for a story that will suck you in from start to finish- one that you’ll simply not be able to put down- do yourself a favor and pick up JT Patten’s “Task Force Orange” series. Not since the days of Vince Flynn, Mark Greaney, Brad Thor/Taylor’s earlier works have I so thoroughly enjoyed a book from beginning to end.
One last thing I wanted to mention that I found funny and I kid you not, at one point towards the end of this book my Apple Watch went off because my resting Heartbeat got above what I set as the max, LOL. If That doesnt speak to the thrill of this story, idk what else will!
PS: J.T.- if you’re ever looking for an extra fan to read/review your next installment, someone very familiar with the genre, shoot me a msg, I’m your guy!!
February 6, 2024
buried in black
Difficult to pick up, from the start, what is happening. And as I cannot bear the sound of those caterwauled muller calls, I had to skip on.
The Presence of Evil
Very few authors do nice [appealing] female characters, and here we have another unpleasant one - in my opinion. So many make them a feminist mix of hardness, rudeness, censoriousness, and victimhood and aggressive sexual attitudes.
Nevertheless, I like the main protagonist: Drake, and will go for the next one if there is one.
Difficult to pick up, from the start, what is happening. And as I cannot bear the sound of those caterwauled muller calls, I had to skip on.
The Presence of Evil
Very few authors do nice [appealing] female characters, and here we have another unpleasant one - in my opinion. So many make them a feminist mix of hardness, rudeness, censoriousness, and victimhood and aggressive sexual attitudes.
Nevertheless, I like the main protagonist: Drake, and will go for the next one if there is one.
October 3, 2019
J.T. Patten stands out from many other writers in the genre not only because of the obviously high competence and knowledge of the subject matter, with all its intricate technical and political details, but also because the writing is of very high quality (something that sadly is increasingly rare these days).
Character development is top notch, with unique and deep back stories (far from the obvious copycat of the invincible hero), and the setting is very much aware of the rapidly evolving social and technological state of affairs. In short, I am a fan!
Character development is top notch, with unique and deep back stories (far from the obvious copycat of the invincible hero), and the setting is very much aware of the rapidly evolving social and technological state of affairs. In short, I am a fan!
February 14, 2025
decent book
Good storyline, in good character development, but some things were kind of hokey unrealistic and I don’t understand the ending how the best assassin in the world can miss at point blank range because spotlights turned on. I don’t get it. terrible ending. And the book left too many unanswered questions so you definitely can’t read it as a standalone novel.
Good storyline, in good character development, but some things were kind of hokey unrealistic and I don’t understand the ending how the best assassin in the world can miss at point blank range because spotlights turned on. I don’t get it. terrible ending. And the book left too many unanswered questions so you definitely can’t read it as a standalone novel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews