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Treason Flight
Jack "Rattler" Owen is a Navy pilot on a combat deployment struggling with life at sea. If dealing with separation from his family, the constant grind of shipboard life and malfunctions in the E-2C Hawkeye weren't enough, it now seems that someone is out to get him. As he tries to navigate his time on the aircraft carrier he realizes that things are not adding up in his squadron. Rattler is faced with having to choose the safe path or the path that could end his career or even his life to expose the leadership that is willing to stop at nothing to benefit their own agenda.
- GenresMilitary Fiction
196 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 11, 2021
68 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 17, 2021
Exciting First Novel 🇺🇸
An exciting naval aviation thriller. This one was different in that most naval aviation stories revolve around the guys that deliver the bombs and bullets. This one revolves around the E-2 Hawkeye. The aircraft that is used to manage the battle space. I’ve read several reviews where reviewers complained that certain things didn’t happen or couldn’t happen along with several other complaints. I’m a medically retired veteran myself. ITS A WORK OF FICTION!! This is my favorite genre book and I found this to be quite enjoyable!
An exciting naval aviation thriller. This one was different in that most naval aviation stories revolve around the guys that deliver the bombs and bullets. This one revolves around the E-2 Hawkeye. The aircraft that is used to manage the battle space. I’ve read several reviews where reviewers complained that certain things didn’t happen or couldn’t happen along with several other complaints. I’m a medically retired veteran myself. ITS A WORK OF FICTION!! This is my favorite genre book and I found this to be quite enjoyable!
August 21, 2021
Disappointing.
Impossible story line. E2's engine is shot off and pilot makes a "fantastic", "heroic" recovery. The pilot is grounded by the review board, but fly's anyway and nothing happens? Not arrested, flown off the ship[ on next COD?
CAG risks hundreds of millions of dollars of aircraft, and multiple lives, on a scheme to "out" a traitor? CAG's boss, the ship's CO not in the loop? Admiral not informed? Murder of squadron member covered up by a cop friend of a hot flight attendant?
Having flown as an Naval Flight Officer in E2A's, and E2B's, for two Mediterranean cruises and the last cruise of the Vietnam war I was hoping for more than a frustrated fighter pilot's story.
Sorry to have wasted my time.
Impossible story line. E2's engine is shot off and pilot makes a "fantastic", "heroic" recovery. The pilot is grounded by the review board, but fly's anyway and nothing happens? Not arrested, flown off the ship[ on next COD?
CAG risks hundreds of millions of dollars of aircraft, and multiple lives, on a scheme to "out" a traitor? CAG's boss, the ship's CO not in the loop? Admiral not informed? Murder of squadron member covered up by a cop friend of a hot flight attendant?
Having flown as an Naval Flight Officer in E2A's, and E2B's, for two Mediterranean cruises and the last cruise of the Vietnam war I was hoping for more than a frustrated fighter pilot's story.
Sorry to have wasted my time.
May 26, 2021
READ MY FULL REVIEW AT Best Thriller Books
Matson’s extensive real-world knowledge serving as a naval aviator brings authenticity to the gripping pages of Treason Flight, putting the reader in the cockpit to feel the exhilaration of flying alongside the best pilots in the world.
Make sure to check out the full review
Matson’s extensive real-world knowledge serving as a naval aviator brings authenticity to the gripping pages of Treason Flight, putting the reader in the cockpit to feel the exhilaration of flying alongside the best pilots in the world.
Make sure to check out the full review
August 20, 2023
This is a great shorter read. If you enjoy military espionage and aviation you’ll enjoy this book. The plot pulled me in and made me want to continue reading. I highly recommend.
May 14, 2021
This blockbuster military thriller is the next best thing to sitting in the cockpit. A must-read for fans of Marc Cameron and C.W. Lemoine.
Navy pilot Jack “Rattler” Owen is a skilled pilot on combat deployment in the Persian Gulf. Long deployments have strained his marriage and led to an impending divorce, life on the aircraft carrier has felt stifling and mechanical problems have been plaguing the E-2C Hawkeye aircraft that he flies. But then Rattler heroically hooks two hair-raising landings in the storied aircraft and he soon becomes something of a celeb on the ship.
Rattler begins to wonder if perhaps his “bucket of luck” might just be turning around after all. But the luck appears short lived when odd malfunctions keep happening, and suspicious emails sent from an onboard email address warn him to watch his back. Before long, Rattler finds himself sidelined and his career sabotaged.
Will he choose the safe path and let it all go or will he risk his career and life to expose the leadership that is willing to stop at nothing to benefit their own agenda?
This military thriller starts full-throttle and maintains a breathless pace from beginning to end. While it is heavy on the military jargon from the get-go, it is all done in service to the story, conveying the events in hyper-realistic color — from intense radio communication, combat scenes and the folding of the E-2C’s wings after carrier landings.
What truly makes the story take flight is Matson’s impressive attention to detail, stemming from over two decades of both military and civilian aviation experience. Matson’s resume includes time in the U.S. Navy flying the E-2C Hawkeye and F/A-18C Hornet on combat tours, as well as multiple training tours as a T-45 Goshawk Instructor and Landing Signals Officer (LSO).
And don’t skip out on reading Treason Flight’s preface. It will remind you of the sacrifices soldiers aboard a US Navy Aircraft Carrier, far away from the comforts of home, make to keep the country safe. Highly recommended.
Navy pilot Jack “Rattler” Owen is a skilled pilot on combat deployment in the Persian Gulf. Long deployments have strained his marriage and led to an impending divorce, life on the aircraft carrier has felt stifling and mechanical problems have been plaguing the E-2C Hawkeye aircraft that he flies. But then Rattler heroically hooks two hair-raising landings in the storied aircraft and he soon becomes something of a celeb on the ship.
Rattler begins to wonder if perhaps his “bucket of luck” might just be turning around after all. But the luck appears short lived when odd malfunctions keep happening, and suspicious emails sent from an onboard email address warn him to watch his back. Before long, Rattler finds himself sidelined and his career sabotaged.
Will he choose the safe path and let it all go or will he risk his career and life to expose the leadership that is willing to stop at nothing to benefit their own agenda?
This military thriller starts full-throttle and maintains a breathless pace from beginning to end. While it is heavy on the military jargon from the get-go, it is all done in service to the story, conveying the events in hyper-realistic color — from intense radio communication, combat scenes and the folding of the E-2C’s wings after carrier landings.
What truly makes the story take flight is Matson’s impressive attention to detail, stemming from over two decades of both military and civilian aviation experience. Matson’s resume includes time in the U.S. Navy flying the E-2C Hawkeye and F/A-18C Hornet on combat tours, as well as multiple training tours as a T-45 Goshawk Instructor and Landing Signals Officer (LSO).
And don’t skip out on reading Treason Flight’s preface. It will remind you of the sacrifices soldiers aboard a US Navy Aircraft Carrier, far away from the comforts of home, make to keep the country safe. Highly recommended.
May 5, 2021
Treason Flight written by the author T.R. Matson is the debut book of the author who has over two decades of both military and civilian aviation experience. It is the story of a young navy pilot Jack "Rattler" Owen on a combat deployment who struggles with life at sea. Jack grew up in small suburban town in New Jersey. While growing up he wanted to get paid to have fun so football was his focus. After first year of college, Rattler's focus shifted back to military and soon he arrived at Texas A&M. After finishing flight school, he began training in E-2C Hawkeye in Norfolk, Virginia.
Once when Rattler was flying over the Persian Gulf, he saved the crew by landing the broken E-2C Hawkeye safely. Clipper who is Rattler's number two guy was happy to see Rattler safe. He helped a lot with the landing. Later, Clipper told Rattler that there is something wrong with the skipper. He didn't give Rattler a flying cross for his historic act because he didn't get one himself. As the story progresses, the danger increases. The failure of hydraulic system was just the beginning. Grab a copy of this book to unveil what happens next.
If you love reading military thrillers then don't miss to grab this amazing book. Initially I had to google meaning of few military terms but once I got the grip, I enjoyed this story. Language of the book is medium. Story is full of action all the time and kept me on the edge while reading. Length of the book is 196 pages that makes it a perfect binge read book for weekend reading.
Once when Rattler was flying over the Persian Gulf, he saved the crew by landing the broken E-2C Hawkeye safely. Clipper who is Rattler's number two guy was happy to see Rattler safe. He helped a lot with the landing. Later, Clipper told Rattler that there is something wrong with the skipper. He didn't give Rattler a flying cross for his historic act because he didn't get one himself. As the story progresses, the danger increases. The failure of hydraulic system was just the beginning. Grab a copy of this book to unveil what happens next.
If you love reading military thrillers then don't miss to grab this amazing book. Initially I had to google meaning of few military terms but once I got the grip, I enjoyed this story. Language of the book is medium. Story is full of action all the time and kept me on the edge while reading. Length of the book is 196 pages that makes it a perfect binge read book for weekend reading.
May 8, 2021
This fast paced novel will draw you into the heart of a Navy squadron at sea in the opening pages. Matson balances the technical feats of flying the toughest plane to land on an aircraft carrier with the tensions, camaraderie, and bone-deep trust found between officers that live, work, fly, and party together for nearly a year at a time. Meanwhile, the mystery of whether our protagonist Rattler has a hole in his “luck bucket” or whether someone is actually out to get him pulls the plot forward, and as suspicions increase, we watch as Rattler feels out who he can and can’t trust.
Navy aircrew will feel like Matson is telling a “so there we were” sea story, while civilians have one chance to catch the explanation for technical jargon and may have to flip back to figure it out. Similarly, it may seem like the dialogue flips too quickly between mission planning and teasing, but that’s truer to life than Top Gun’s monologues.
Military thrillers - especially those that feature naval aviation - tend to focus on fighter aircraft (alone and unafraid) as a rule, so it’s a pleasant change of pace to read about the E-2C Hawkeye’s point of view, and to have non-fighter aircraft in important supporting roles in the plot. There’s also often a tendency to focus on the dogfighting scenes (ahem, Top Gun again), which Matson neatly sidesteps by creating a plot driven by human interaction.
The book leaves a few unanswered questions - cliffhangers for a sequel? We can hope! - but all in all, it’s a great example of the genre and well worth your time.
Navy aircrew will feel like Matson is telling a “so there we were” sea story, while civilians have one chance to catch the explanation for technical jargon and may have to flip back to figure it out. Similarly, it may seem like the dialogue flips too quickly between mission planning and teasing, but that’s truer to life than Top Gun’s monologues.
Military thrillers - especially those that feature naval aviation - tend to focus on fighter aircraft (alone and unafraid) as a rule, so it’s a pleasant change of pace to read about the E-2C Hawkeye’s point of view, and to have non-fighter aircraft in important supporting roles in the plot. There’s also often a tendency to focus on the dogfighting scenes (ahem, Top Gun again), which Matson neatly sidesteps by creating a plot driven by human interaction.
The book leaves a few unanswered questions - cliffhangers for a sequel? We can hope! - but all in all, it’s a great example of the genre and well worth your time.
May 4, 2021
𝑻𝒊𝒕𝒍𝒆: Treason Flight
𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓: T.R. Matson
𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘:
Treason Flight is an intriguing story that shows some challenges and hardships that a navy pilot has to face. Living a life away from loved ones is not at all easy. Sometimes it brings loneliness, stress along with it. I liked the way author has started the book. Bucket of luck and bucket of skill concept can be applied to any field in our life. Many times our luck don't work for us but we can become so skilled that even without luck, our life would go good. Main character of the story is Navy pilot Jack “Rattler” Owen. When Rattler faced the failure of hydraulic system of his E-2C Hawkeye, he had a nearly disastrous landing on the Nimitz. Later, someone from his squadron has given the exact location of the Hawkeye to terrorist so he could get rid of Rattler. Grab a copy of this book and read it yourself to find out will Rattler along with his trusted flight school friend Clipper be able to figure out who is betraying them from the inside team? I love reading military stories as it gives me a sneak peek of military life. Those who had been in navy could relate to many things mentioned in the book. Even though it is the debut book of the author but the writing seems so professional that it didn't feel like the first book of the author. I am surely interested to read more fictional stories by Matson based on his military experience.
𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 5/5
𝑨𝒖𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒓: T.R. Matson
𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘:
Treason Flight is an intriguing story that shows some challenges and hardships that a navy pilot has to face. Living a life away from loved ones is not at all easy. Sometimes it brings loneliness, stress along with it. I liked the way author has started the book. Bucket of luck and bucket of skill concept can be applied to any field in our life. Many times our luck don't work for us but we can become so skilled that even without luck, our life would go good. Main character of the story is Navy pilot Jack “Rattler” Owen. When Rattler faced the failure of hydraulic system of his E-2C Hawkeye, he had a nearly disastrous landing on the Nimitz. Later, someone from his squadron has given the exact location of the Hawkeye to terrorist so he could get rid of Rattler. Grab a copy of this book and read it yourself to find out will Rattler along with his trusted flight school friend Clipper be able to figure out who is betraying them from the inside team? I love reading military stories as it gives me a sneak peek of military life. Those who had been in navy could relate to many things mentioned in the book. Even though it is the debut book of the author but the writing seems so professional that it didn't feel like the first book of the author. I am surely interested to read more fictional stories by Matson based on his military experience.
𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: 5/5
May 5, 2021
Treason Flight
By
T.R. Matson
My Review:
T.R. Matson's Treason Flight takes the readers on an exciting, dangerous journey aboard United States Aircraft Carrier. Protagonist of the story is Jack Rattler Owen. He is the best Hawkeye pilot in the navy. He had an ability to handle
anything the E-2C could throw at him. While flying over a Persian Gulf, the aircraft carrier's hydraulics stopped working. As an aircraft commander, everyone's safety was Rattler's responsibility. Luckily, they landed safely and alive. While at sea, he miss his family back home in US, his wife Jennifer who has now filed a divorce. Rattler has done his best to keep Jennifer happy but still she got distant. Rattler's best friend Clipper never liked Jennifer. He even introduced him to Australian flight attendant Sandy as she wanted to party with some Yankees.
Personal troubles is not just the only trouble in Rattler's life. When operation against terrorists went wrong, Rattler felt that someone is out to get him. Someone within his squadron may be. This is a captivating story that will leave you turning pages after pages. Cover photo of the book is eye catchy. Rattler and Clipper are my favorite characters from the story. Pace of the novel is fine and I didn't feel bored anytime while reading it. Go ahead with this if you are a fan of military stories.
My Rating: 5/5
By
T.R. Matson
My Review:
T.R. Matson's Treason Flight takes the readers on an exciting, dangerous journey aboard United States Aircraft Carrier. Protagonist of the story is Jack Rattler Owen. He is the best Hawkeye pilot in the navy. He had an ability to handle
anything the E-2C could throw at him. While flying over a Persian Gulf, the aircraft carrier's hydraulics stopped working. As an aircraft commander, everyone's safety was Rattler's responsibility. Luckily, they landed safely and alive. While at sea, he miss his family back home in US, his wife Jennifer who has now filed a divorce. Rattler has done his best to keep Jennifer happy but still she got distant. Rattler's best friend Clipper never liked Jennifer. He even introduced him to Australian flight attendant Sandy as she wanted to party with some Yankees.
Personal troubles is not just the only trouble in Rattler's life. When operation against terrorists went wrong, Rattler felt that someone is out to get him. Someone within his squadron may be. This is a captivating story that will leave you turning pages after pages. Cover photo of the book is eye catchy. Rattler and Clipper are my favorite characters from the story. Pace of the novel is fine and I didn't feel bored anytime while reading it. Go ahead with this if you are a fan of military stories.
My Rating: 5/5
May 24, 2022
Sit down, strap in, and wait for the catapult to launch you off the carrier! Treason Flight author T. R. Matson takes you on board a carrier and across the world in this gripping thriller that balances mystery, adventure, and international espionage all within the exciting (and often dangerous) world of Naval Aviation.
Aviation aficionados will love the technical and exciting aviation scenes.
Readers of thriller novels will love the hunt for a traitorous shipmate.
Every divorced guy ever (particularly ones who have deployed) will identify with our main protagonist, Jack "Rattler" Owen.
The book is well written and comes from a place of authority and experience you cannot have without living the life of a Hawkeye pilot. It’s a quick read (6 hours in my case), but a really great way to spend the time. Good for a day of airline flying, spending an afternoon in a good book, or one chapter at a time. (the ending is VERY satisfying!)
Treason Flight is well worth your time. I highly recommend it!
Aviation aficionados will love the technical and exciting aviation scenes.
Readers of thriller novels will love the hunt for a traitorous shipmate.
Every divorced guy ever (particularly ones who have deployed) will identify with our main protagonist, Jack "Rattler" Owen.
The book is well written and comes from a place of authority and experience you cannot have without living the life of a Hawkeye pilot. It’s a quick read (6 hours in my case), but a really great way to spend the time. Good for a day of airline flying, spending an afternoon in a good book, or one chapter at a time. (the ending is VERY satisfying!)
Treason Flight is well worth your time. I highly recommend it!
August 15, 2021
I really liked 'Treason Flight' by T.R.Matson. I particularly like any story that involves flying from an aircraft carrier. The author provides all the nitty-gritty realism that makes me envious of Navy pilots. The plot of this story is exciting and the lead character, Rattler, is someone that I'd enjoy reading more about if he appears in subsequent stories by the author. While I fully enjoyed this story, it seemed to me that the author needed to be a little less straight forward in his writing style. I'm not any expert and I might be explaining this incorrectly. My favorite author of military/CIA/political stories, Stephen Coonts, has a style where I feel that I'm living the life of the lead character. I do feel that T.R.Matson will have a successful career as an author.
December 9, 2023
This is a really fun action book!
A lot of the bad reviews are about how unrealistic it is, and yeah. Duh. It's a fiction (although I believe it's autobiographical like King Rat haha).
It's a little technical but not so much you have to google all the initialisms but enough that you feel like someone who knows navy stuff now.
I listened to it and the narrator's voice was super gravel and sounded really cool.
It's pretty short but totally worth the read/listen
A lot of the bad reviews are about how unrealistic it is, and yeah. Duh. It's a fiction (although I believe it's autobiographical like King Rat haha).
It's a little technical but not so much you have to google all the initialisms but enough that you feel like someone who knows navy stuff now.
I listened to it and the narrator's voice was super gravel and sounded really cool.
It's pretty short but totally worth the read/listen
August 1, 2021
Ok book
I call it ok because the plot is flimsy. I can imagine a Skipper selling out his friends. Can’t imagine the Navy handling it like they did. Some of the book is fun, other parts just too far out for me.
I call it ok because the plot is flimsy. I can imagine a Skipper selling out his friends. Can’t imagine the Navy handling it like they did. Some of the book is fun, other parts just too far out for me.
June 16, 2021
QUICK READ! Read page turner.
Very exciting read! Looking forward to the author's next effort. Buy the book and encourage the author to write more
Very exciting read! Looking forward to the author's next effort. Buy the book and encourage the author to write more
July 24, 2021
Not As Good As I Could Have Been
Good yarn with a believable premise. Kind of weak on character development. A hundred more pages would have improved things.
Good yarn with a believable premise. Kind of weak on character development. A hundred more pages would have improved things.
July 27, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. Really unusual plot twist with the senior officer as "suspect". Good all the way through.
July 30, 2021
Great read
The tensions and flight made you feel like you were there.
Like the description what life was like on an aircraft carrier.
The tensions and flight made you feel like you were there.
Like the description what life was like on an aircraft carrier.
September 22, 2021
Awesome
As a professional pilot, this was a fun read. Accurate as I could tell not being a Naval Aviator, it made me wish I had been. Well done!!
As a professional pilot, this was a fun read. Accurate as I could tell not being a Naval Aviator, it made me wish I had been. Well done!!
April 28, 2022
Great read! Insightful look into naval combat flying. I hope he soon writes another book! BZ!
June 19, 2022
wow!
Could not put this book down. What an attention holding story! Looking for more books written by this author. AWESOME
Could not put this book down. What an attention holding story! Looking for more books written by this author. AWESOME
June 30, 2025
Way to go Wombat!
As an avid follower on Instagram and podcasts, I bought this book long ago to read. Now that I have , I can't wait for more from Rattler!
As an avid follower on Instagram and podcasts, I bought this book long ago to read. Now that I have , I can't wait for more from Rattler!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews