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The Phoenix Chronicles #2
The Reaper
Sometimes your worst enemy is the one closest to you.
When three CIA assets embedded in foreign drug cartels go missing, The Magnum Group is enlisted to investigate the source of a potential leak — a U.S. ambassador with close ties to the president.
However, black ops agent Brady Hawk and the team discover that there’s a much larger problem looming as more key American assets continue to go missing. The intelligence agency is being dismantled from within by an assassin.
As Hawk and the team zero in on the source, they uncover a secret about a top government official and a conspiracy that threatens to weaken the U.S. in the face of a mounting tensions with Russia. And with Hawk unable to trust anyone, he must hunt down the assassin before it’s too late.
When three CIA assets embedded in foreign drug cartels go missing, The Magnum Group is enlisted to investigate the source of a potential leak — a U.S. ambassador with close ties to the president.
However, black ops agent Brady Hawk and the team discover that there’s a much larger problem looming as more key American assets continue to go missing. The intelligence agency is being dismantled from within by an assassin.
As Hawk and the team zero in on the source, they uncover a secret about a top government official and a conspiracy that threatens to weaken the U.S. in the face of a mounting tensions with Russia. And with Hawk unable to trust anyone, he must hunt down the assassin before it’s too late.
- GenresAudiobook
262 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2021
904 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
R.J. Patterson
199 books209 followers*** Signup for my newsletter and receive a free copy of The Warren Omissions, the first book in my James Flynn thriller series, by visiting http://eepurl.com/bZwpdf ***
THE FIRST SIGNS that I might like writing -- and that I might be slightly competitive -- appeared when my year two (or first grade) teacher, Mrs. Holland, asked my class to write and illustrate our day. Mine read like this: “The Red team beat the Blue team, 1 to nil. And I won.” The next 47 entries covered my exploits on the soccer pitch while growing up in Ipswich, England.
In South Carolina as a teenager, my dad told me that I could get paid to watch sports provided I could write about it. Sounded easy enough and by the time I was 16, I landed a job at my town’s daily newspaper and had a column on Major League Baseball players from our area. I also covered my first riot there at a sporting event -- and it’s safe to say I was smitten with journalism.
After graduating from one of the best journalism schools in the country, I took a job as a sports editor in South Georgia and learned firsthand about the passion of high school sports in rural America. I thought I knew before, but I didn’t. This was another world.
I also had the opportunity to cover major sporting events like the Olympic Games, the World Series, the Super Bowl, and the Final Four. It was a thrill!
But nothing was as thrilling to me as uncovering the truth in investigative assignments. I once broke a story about a prominent southern football team’s NCAA violation -- and found out the violating coach had committed suicide only a few months earlier. The story won a national writing award and stoked my desire to write about these issues. It made me realize that the sports world was just another fantastic backdrop for drama.
After writing non-fiction books with athletes, for athletes, and ghost writing for many others, I decided to enter the world of fiction writing. It had been something I wanted to do but never found the time. So, I made the time--and had a blast in the process.
I’m not out to become the next Faulkner or Hemingway -- I’m just out to tell a good story. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them!
THE FIRST SIGNS that I might like writing -- and that I might be slightly competitive -- appeared when my year two (or first grade) teacher, Mrs. Holland, asked my class to write and illustrate our day. Mine read like this: “The Red team beat the Blue team, 1 to nil. And I won.” The next 47 entries covered my exploits on the soccer pitch while growing up in Ipswich, England.
In South Carolina as a teenager, my dad told me that I could get paid to watch sports provided I could write about it. Sounded easy enough and by the time I was 16, I landed a job at my town’s daily newspaper and had a column on Major League Baseball players from our area. I also covered my first riot there at a sporting event -- and it’s safe to say I was smitten with journalism.
After graduating from one of the best journalism schools in the country, I took a job as a sports editor in South Georgia and learned firsthand about the passion of high school sports in rural America. I thought I knew before, but I didn’t. This was another world.
I also had the opportunity to cover major sporting events like the Olympic Games, the World Series, the Super Bowl, and the Final Four. It was a thrill!
But nothing was as thrilling to me as uncovering the truth in investigative assignments. I once broke a story about a prominent southern football team’s NCAA violation -- and found out the violating coach had committed suicide only a few months earlier. The story won a national writing award and stoked my desire to write about these issues. It made me realize that the sports world was just another fantastic backdrop for drama.
After writing non-fiction books with athletes, for athletes, and ghost writing for many others, I decided to enter the world of fiction writing. It had been something I wanted to do but never found the time. So, I made the time--and had a blast in the process.
I’m not out to become the next Faulkner or Hemingway -- I’m just out to tell a good story. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them!
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 20, 2021
When three CIA agents go missing, Brady Hawke gets called in. Fast paced action and danger until the end. Plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing and keep you hooked for the next one.
June 27, 2021
Having read most if not all of the Brady Hawk series as well as Mr. Patterson’s Titus Black series I have to say I’m really getting hooked on his The Phoenix Chronicles series. Along with Brady and Alex as main characters Morgan and the rest of the Phoenix supporting staff make for a well-developed cast. The Reaper is n action packed story filled with intrigue as well as several unforeseen twists that keep an underlying element of mystery alive. I received an Advance Reader Copy and chose to provide this review.
June 27, 2021
The Reaper is an assassin who is killing off CIA assets and Hawk and Alex are on the job to hunt him down. As the bodies continue to add up, Hawk is trying to save one of the last remaining assets. There is a lot going on in this story as Hawk and Alex travel around the globe to stop the assassin. I really like that Brady Hawk and Alex are the main characters here. I read this book in record time and so looking forward to more from Hawk, Alex and the Magnum Group.
June 27, 2021
Brady Hawk finds himself looking for a hired killer who is bumping off retired Seal team members. But, the plot thickens when a mole is discovered in a high level government position. But, just who is the mole. Hawk sets out to find a Seal member who is on the hit list. Chasing around the US, trying to stop the killer, Hawk is shocked to find out who the killer is, as well as who the mole is. ENJOY!
June 30, 2021
The Reaper. R.J. Patterson
A sinister p?or has come into play. Former covert operatives are being murdered. Brady Hawke and Alex are tasked with unraveling this but there is a mile inside the covert agency they work for. Someone, a very powerful person is afraid his secret will be revealed, and he is willing to resort to murder to accomplish this. Non stop action, suspense and intrigue. Another excellent read in this series!! Enjoyed immensely!!
A sinister p?or has come into play. Former covert operatives are being murdered. Brady Hawke and Alex are tasked with unraveling this but there is a mile inside the covert agency they work for. Someone, a very powerful person is afraid his secret will be revealed, and he is willing to resort to murder to accomplish this. Non stop action, suspense and intrigue. Another excellent read in this series!! Enjoyed immensely!!
July 19, 2023
Heart Warming Chase
This was an interesting read. Hawk pursues a “Villian” who turns out to be thinking of his family and providing for them. On a larger level a bigger conspiracy is resolved by solving the motive behind “mole” attacks that leave several federal agents targeted and dead.
This was an interesting read. Hawk pursues a “Villian” who turns out to be thinking of his family and providing for them. On a larger level a bigger conspiracy is resolved by solving the motive behind “mole” attacks that leave several federal agents targeted and dead.
June 13, 2025
This second book in the Phoenix Chronicles presents a view of retired Special Ops personnel that is probably & sadly accurate. The Reaper is one of those retirees. Fortunately, for readers like me, Brady & Alex continue their central roles. They are heroic and author RJ Patterson gives them the additional qualty of humor as they encounter evil. I am now reading book #3 and look forward to all of the books in the Phoenix Chronicles.
June 21, 2021
An action packed thriller with a great storyline and strong realistic characters. A page turning novella with plenty of suspense. Brady Hawk and the Magnum Group are once again solving the nation's problems. Highly additive and enjoyable read that I highly recommend!
June 26, 2021
The thing about conspiracies is that, eventually, the truth always comes out. The second book in the Phoenix Chronicles follows on from The Shadow Hunter. Breathtaking twists and turns, and conspiracy theories, abound.…I’m already looking forward to discovering what Brady Hawk will get up to next!
July 11, 2021
The Reaper
Another excellent story by Mr. Patterson. For a while now he's become one of my favorite writers. Hawk and Alex are again on the hunt narrowing down clues to the Alliance. More twists and turns continue to get in their way along with some old aquintences.
Another excellent story by Mr. Patterson. For a while now he's become one of my favorite writers. Hawk and Alex are again on the hunt narrowing down clues to the Alliance. More twists and turns continue to get in their way along with some old aquintences.
January 23, 2023
4 Stars
The Reaper (The Phoenix Chronicles Book #2) by R.J. Patterson...
Still on my R.J Patterson binge, trying to clear some of the books that I've had on my TBR pile for a while...
Full review still to come.
The Reaper (The Phoenix Chronicles Book #2) by R.J. Patterson...
Still on my R.J Patterson binge, trying to clear some of the books that I've had on my TBR pile for a while...
Full review still to come.
July 1, 2021
Enjoyed the continuing saga
Enjoyed the story. The characters continue to grow on the reader as more of their history is revealed. Look forward to the next book.
Enjoyed the story. The characters continue to grow on the reader as more of their history is revealed. Look forward to the next book.
July 6, 2021
An ok read
First book I have read by this author. Great tried and true premise. However, some of the execution seemed projected and simple.
First book I have read by this author. Great tried and true premise. However, some of the execution seemed projected and simple.
August 14, 2021
Great deal of suspense and intriguing action.
This is a story full of action, intriguing and suspense that is sure to keep you entertained and guessing. Very enjoyable reading.
This is a story full of action, intriguing and suspense that is sure to keep you entertained and guessing. Very enjoyable reading.
October 4, 2021
Straight
Fast tempo. But a bit predictable. I just get comforted when the good guys win happily ever after. Happy Reading.
Fast tempo. But a bit predictable. I just get comforted when the good guys win happily ever after. Happy Reading.
November 29, 2021
Light & easy
A broad stroke, quick, easy read. Light & fast moving, just touching here & there. For those who don’t like in depth, detailed stories.
A broad stroke, quick, easy read. Light & fast moving, just touching here & there. For those who don’t like in depth, detailed stories.
November 29, 2022
Great book with memorable characters and exciting story line
June 4, 2023
Will that Reaper person win?
Brady Hawk and his wife have to leave their son again to try and stop the assassin known as the Reaper!
Brady Hawk and his wife have to leave their son again to try and stop the assassin known as the Reaper!
November 10, 2023
Brady and Alex are back in the action again. We see Big Erv, Morgan, and Mia from the original Brady Hawk series. Dr. Z is a new fun character on the Magnum Team.
November 30, 2023
good action story
But the ending was totally unbelievable. I can’t tell why I feel this way because it would spoil the story for you.
But the ending was totally unbelievable. I can’t tell why I feel this way because it would spoil the story for you.
December 15, 2024
Outstanding
Once again Hawk and Alex help the world and people who count...Next novel will give us three good guys. Thanks
Once again Hawk and Alex help the world and people who count...Next novel will give us three good guys. Thanks
May 10, 2025
Great story
Lots of twists. Good read, not just your average whodunit. Good people dynamics. Read it two nights fun read too
Lots of twists. Good read, not just your average whodunit. Good people dynamics. Read it two nights fun read too
December 13, 2025
Over a funn and enjoyable read with minimal deapth and breadth. Great for a flight or a wet afternoon where you want an easy and switch-off read.
December 25, 2025
good read
An enjoyable read. A story line that one can follow. Characters are believable and there isn’t any overused action scenes. A nice easy read.
An enjoyable read. A story line that one can follow. Characters are believable and there isn’t any overused action scenes. A nice easy read.
February 16, 2024
Good book; plenty of action. I rate it 4.5 stars.
June 19, 2021
THE REAPER
...R.J..Patterson
#2. Phoenix S
A niece has rebranded the Phoenix Foundation to now be called Magnum. The. Intelligence agency has an assassin within called The Reaper killing them off. A top official and a conspiracy that threaten US, who to thrust, Hawk working alone. The foreign drug cartel; a man who wants a new life that is caught in this. A good intricate plot, the stakes are high involving the US, and with Hawk and Alex to handle and solve.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
.
...R.J..Patterson
#2. Phoenix S
A niece has rebranded the Phoenix Foundation to now be called Magnum. The. Intelligence agency has an assassin within called The Reaper killing them off. A top official and a conspiracy that threaten US, who to thrust, Hawk working alone. The foreign drug cartel; a man who wants a new life that is caught in this. A good intricate plot, the stakes are high involving the US, and with Hawk and Alex to handle and solve.
Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
.
April 3, 2022
Pretty good story
Enough action to appease the action junkies along with suspense, drama and intrigue. Outcome pretty much assured but that is what escapism is all about. Letting the reader live vicariously through the fictitious characters.
Enough action to appease the action junkies along with suspense, drama and intrigue. Outcome pretty much assured but that is what escapism is all about. Letting the reader live vicariously through the fictitious characters.
April 1, 2023
Convoluted and exciting, once ya know who the baddies are it’s much more fun and entertaining . Doesn’t take too long. Narrator adds to the fun.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews