Safe Havens: Shadow Masters

Fan’s of Tom Clancy rejoice, Patten is here.

Follow Sean Havens a 20 year veteran black-ops operative as he is challenged in ways that even he doesn't see coming. Thrown into a world that he was once fighting against, Havens is forced to make decisions to protect those that he loves along the way.

Narration for Safe Havens: Shadow Masters was done by Charles Kahlenberg. My only qualm is that the first few chapters were a little fast. I wasn't prepared for that. Normally I start a book at normal speed and progressively speed it up as I get used to the narrators tone and delivery. But this one started out at around a 1.5 (without speeding up). The speed gets better after the first few chapters, but it is still something to watch out for. The narrators voice is perfect for this story/character though. I would definitely listen to another Patten/Kahlenberg audiobook.

I love when a book can grab my attention in the beginning. I love even more when it does this AND won't let it go throughout. That's how I felt while I was reading Safe Havens: Shadow Masters. This genre usually isn't something I read a lot of but I have dabbled from time to time. I tell you what, if all Military/Thriller books were this good, I'd be reading a lot more of them.

Patten's style reminds me of Tom Clancy with slightly more edge, which aren't words to be thrown around lightly. I loved the black ops/covert stuff within, it makes me tingle with excitement when I don't know whats going to happen next.

A few times this reminded me of the Bourne books/movies (some of my all-time favorites in the genre), and others you could tell this was a whole new beast.

I will be on the watch out for J.T. Patten's other books, and I'm really glad that I picked this one up to review.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

I keep coming back

I am a 5 time repeater on this one . Mr Patton has crafted a story that has so many avenues he will never run out of storyline stop write on this particular character.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Domestic Shadow Ops - Fact or Fiction?

What did you love best about Safe Havens: Shadow Masters?

It grabbed me and did not let me loose. Great read, and great narration. Beyond being an entertaining read, I gained more insight into spec op operational thinking, and made me wonder how much of this actually takes place here and abroad. Like many good novels, you could not tell where it was going - "OK, next chapter, gotta see what is going to happen next!"

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sean was the main character. He was a bad ass dude, whose intentions were good, but had some flaws. His good guy intentions were subverted by people he trusted, so there were conflicts on many different levels.

What about Charles Kahlenberg’s performance did you like?

Charles' performance was five star - A+++. He was fully engaged, and made you feel like you were part of the story. This was not a voice actor reading a script, this was a voice bringing you into the story.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The murder in the house was pretty intense. I can't fathom why or how something like this could occur.

Any additional comments?

Very enjoyable. I would listen to this book again. For disclosure, I was offered to review this audible book in exchange of a review. The only condition is that I offer an honest review. Of many audio books I have heard, this one sets the standard for how a voice actor/performer engages the listener. A great voice who captures the moment and puts the listener in the story. The book is a standard military ops type thriller, with all the elements you would expect in a novel of this type. The characters are well developed and true to life. Classic story line where the main character of the story must overcome hardships, and succeed at an incredible hardship at the end. The twists and turns in the novel keeps you guessing in anticipation of the next chapter. The golden nugget for me was learning more about the mindset and operational thinking of spec op guys. It makes you wonder how much of this is true. If the fiction of this novel has a basis in truth, then I hope to learn more when J.T. Patten comes out with his next novel. Outstanding!!!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Trust no one and keep moving

Would you consider the audio edition of Safe Havens: Shadow Masters to be better than the print version?

I love Audible and never read books, but at the end of Safe Havens: Shadow Master I thought "What just happened?" and I wanted to jump back a couple pages. There were so many twists to this story that I feel the reader made the story flow.

What other book might you compare Safe Havens: Shadow Masters to and why?

I"m a fan of John Rain, Jack Reacher, PRIMAL, Nathan McBride. Sean Havens lives a life as tangled as my other heroes but he blends in like the guy next door.

Which character – as performed by Charles Kahlenberg – was your favorite?

Charles Kahlenberg's talent is extraordinary! I was able to follow the plot without being told he said, "..." and she said, "..." bc the tone and quality of each character was unique and identifiable.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Your neighbor has a secret life.

Any additional comments?

We all play a role in this secret machine. Either play along or be eliminated from the game.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Challenging in this format.

Intriguing (albeit dark) story, and I would definitely read another book in the series, but listening to the reader was very difficult. Even with the audio system turned all the way up, it was still difficult to hear and difficult to track (improper tonal inflection, odd punctuation, random pauses). It's a shame, it ruined an otherwise good story.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Wow, did this book surprise me!

Wow, did this book surprise me! I had no prior knowledge of the author or narrator and chose to review it on a whim, I just liked the title, it intrigued me. I didn’t even read the summary, just jumped down the slide head first, exhilarated by every twist, turn, and drop the ride had to offer.

Sean Havens was on an assignment in the Republic of Yemen when he got word from his wife, Christina, that their daughter had been raped and the rapist was threatening to kill her for going to the police. Sean was furious, and told wife he’d be home in a few days. After getting a shady passport from his employers, he ran into some trouble heading to the States, forcing him to make a detour through Dubai. Meanwhile, as Havens tries to figure how he is getting home, Christina and Maggie are attacked at their house killing Christina and putting Maggie in a coma. Upon arriving home, Sean is told by police the attacks on his family were gang related. Sean Havens wasn’t sure about that. Is it that simple, or is there something bigger there? He didn’t know, but what he did know what whoever was responsible will pay. The Havens are not a family to be targeted or toyed with.

When it first got started I was a little put off by the narration. It read much faster than I expected. I don’t know if it was Charles Kahlenberg reading quickly or if it was an editing issue, but it was there. It got much better after the first few chapters, though there were points the performance felt a little rushed. That being said, Mr. Kahlenberg’s voice and presence were great. His resonance in the book was ear catching and held my attention. Great narration, with sub par production quality due to the speed. It won’t keep me from trying Kahlenberg’s work again though, hopefully on the next Sean Havens thriller.

Let me tell you, it does not disappoint! This was a bit darker than I expected it would be and it was all the better for it. Charles’s voice lent perfectly to the almost brooding Sean Havens character. I tried to think of a comparison or reference a couple other characters out there that might come close to Sean Havens. The fact is, he’s his own entity, unique from other protagonists in the genre and very well done. A story full of deceit, conspiracy, revenge, and surprises around every corner, this is a story for all thriller fans, do not pass on Sean Havens. J.T. Patten is new on the seen and if the adrenaline pumping Shadow Masters is any indication, he’s going to be force in the genre.

Audiobook provided for review by the author.

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12 of 22 people found this review helpful

*Review* Great Performance- Busy & Confusing Plot

Would you try another book from J T Patten and/or Charles Kahlenberg?

Yes to Charles Kahlenberg, he has a gruff, deep voice is PERFECT for this material.

J.T. Patten- This plot was rather hard to follow; a special operator overseas finds out that his daughter was raped. As he is making his way home to his wife and daughter he finds they have been murdered. But by the time he gets home they have realized the daughter is alive but is in a coma. The story moves to include a the black ops group and how certain members got into it. Then it flashes back to the story of the operator, the murder and attempted murder.

He is trying to find the truth but state and local authorities are in on it as well... he's trying to find who did this; possibilities are gang-related...here are a bunch of random scenarios that are thrown in the mix. It's one of the 'throw everything out and see what sticks.' Just when you think everything is out there, locals try to convince Sean Havens, who is trying to find out who killed his wife and assaulted his daughter, to take in a service dog from a war-torn country. He refuses they lament and try to figure out what to do with the dog...

I feel an obligation to finish each book before judging it (*especially when I agree to listen to the book in exchange for my thoughts and review* as I did this book) however, for the first time in a long time I gave up on this one at about 7 hours in.

Notes: Strong language, violence

Credit worthy/$: Not for me