Blowback: A Thriller
- Downloads：6188
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2022-09-13 02:21:38
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：James Patterson
- ISBN：0316499633
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
Reviews
Shereadbookblog
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Just imagine…a psychopath is elected President of the United States。 Yeah， just imagine………Been there， done that， and this is not the book about it。 I’d sort of abandoned reading Patterson a few years ago。 As his books became more prolific， it seemed the writing got lighter and lighter。 But， I couldn’t resist the description of this one。The President of the United States， Keegan Barrett， has become unhinged。 He has a kill list of enemies of the United States and sets up a back channel network to Just imagine…a psychopath is elected President of the United States。 Yeah， just imagine………Been there， done that， and this is not the book about it。 I’d sort of abandoned reading Patterson a few years ago。 As his books became more prolific， it seemed the writing got lighter and lighter。 But， I couldn’t resist the description of this one。The President of the United States， Keegan Barrett， has become unhinged。 He has a kill list of enemies of the United States and sets up a back channel network to destroy them and bring the country on the verge of a world war。 It is up to some CIA agents and the new director of the agency to try to stop him。 And， by the way， the Vice President is in a comatose state due to poisoning and the majority leader is under fire due to a made up scandal， This is a cautionary tale about what could happen when a narcissistic paranoid sociopath focused on destroying his perceived enemies is placed in a position of power。 Keegan believes divine providence made him the president; he operates like he owns the country。 Sound familiar？ However， Keegan eats egg white omelets for dinner and “stays off Twitter and doesn’t claim to be a stable genius。” He works to obliterate foreign enemies rather than enabling them。 A little fantastical？ Maybe not……。Thanks to #netgalley and @LittleBrown for the ARC 。。。more
Jane Nault Perron
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What a book。 I loved this new James Patterson book。 It had lots of twists and turns。 It kept me interested the entire time。 It's not a cookie cutter version of his other books， it's different， but amazing。 So glad I was able to receive this book to review。 What a book。 I loved this new James Patterson book。 It had lots of twists and turns。 It kept me interested the entire time。 It's not a cookie cutter version of his other books， it's different， but amazing。 So glad I was able to receive this book to review。 。。。more
Kelli Hotard
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I have read lots of James Patterson novels。 However， this is my first Brandan DuBois novel。 Positives: Good character build。 Edge of your seat plot twists。Negatives: Took me a while to get into the story。 Too much happening all at once。 Not sure who the target reader is supposed to be。
Beth
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This story blew my mind wide open！！！ It scared me senseless！ Keegan Barrett has become President of the United States after a career as Director of the CIA。 After being in office for a few months he begins to become the puppetmaster to get to his ultimate goal， total domination。 He creates a secret CIA group using agents Liam Grey and Noa HImel to covertly start taking out all the people and groups that have done what he perceives a grievance against him。 It doesn't take long for them to begin t This story blew my mind wide open！！！ It scared me senseless！ Keegan Barrett has become President of the United States after a career as Director of the CIA。 After being in office for a few months he begins to become the puppetmaster to get to his ultimate goal， total domination。 He creates a secret CIA group using agents Liam Grey and Noa HImel to covertly start taking out all the people and groups that have done what he perceives a grievance against him。 It doesn't take long for them to begin to realize something is wrong with his plan and they pull in people to help them get the evidence on the President。 Will they save the Vice President and get the evidence on the President in time to save the United States from World War III？ Read this book but be prepared。 。。。more
Starry Night
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At this point in Patterson's career do the publishers really need to put a quote like "James Patterson is one of the most popular fiction writers in history" on the back of his newest book？What next， James Patterson quote "I am bigger than Jesus Christ"？ At this point in Patterson's career do the publishers really need to put a quote like "James Patterson is one of the most popular fiction writers in history" on the back of his newest book？What next， James Patterson quote "I am bigger than Jesus Christ"？ 。。。more
Mekerei
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could this occur？Scary take on how a system can be “ worked” to allow an outcome that benefits one person。I don’t know enough about American constitution issues to know how possible this story could be。Interesting read。 Three stars
Monnie
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A president who's mentally bonkers？ Wow， what a concept！ Kudos to the authors for a timely topic that showcases what can happen when the leader of the free world's power is totally unchecked。 U。S。 President Keegan Barrett doesn't have orange hair， nor is he inclined to throw ketchup at walls - but he does believe the only way to get "them" is for him to get them first。He's got a diabolical plan that starts with a loyal-to-the-core assistant and formation of two teams of CIA operatives - one dome A president who's mentally bonkers？ Wow， what a concept！ Kudos to the authors for a timely topic that showcases what can happen when the leader of the free world's power is totally unchecked。 U。S。 President Keegan Barrett doesn't have orange hair， nor is he inclined to throw ketchup at walls - but he does believe the only way to get "them" is for him to get them first。He's got a diabolical plan that starts with a loyal-to-the-core assistant and formation of two teams of CIA operatives - one domestic and one foreign - led by Noa Himel and Liam Grey; they're charged with carrying out the President's direct orders， which are kept secret from all the other government leaders because a） Barrett doesn't trust anyone and b） he's the only one who's right。 If everything goes the way he's sure it will， he'll end up a dictator who's admired and revered; after all， he deserves no less。 If millions of people's lives are disrupted - and death arguably is the biggest disruption there is - everyone who's left will agree he did it all for love of country。Also loyal to the core are Liam and Noa - that is， until they're not; nasty things happen （some of which they're ordered by the President to make happen） that lead them to the smell of a rat - a rat with two legs who acts suspiciously like the man they've sworn an oath to obey no matter what。 Gradually， the light dawns; but now that they can see where the path they're on leads， what can they do to prevent the biggest disaster the world has ever known？ Worse， the whole thing is a ticking time bomb; it's not just a matter of stopping the President， but stopping him fast。 And when his word is everyone's command， the whole thing turns into a James Bond "Goldfinger" countdown that， of course， keeps readers on the edge of their seats （well， it did me， at least）。 Some parts are predictable， others elicited a few gasps and the whole thing is a fast-paced adventure。 Many thanks to the publisher， via NetGalley， for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy。 。。。more
Ron Charles
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James Patterson’s new thriller， “Blowback，” asks us to imagine what would happen if a narcissistic psychopath were elected to the White House。Americans could be forgiven for thinking they already have a pretty good idea of what that would be like。But if “Blowback” is feedback on Donald Trump’s raging years in office， it’s only a glancing shot。That figures。 After all， Patterson has long maintained an indulgent détente with his friend and fellow Floridian。 Unlike Stephen King， who regularly unleas James Patterson’s new thriller， “Blowback，” asks us to imagine what would happen if a narcissistic psychopath were elected to the White House。Americans could be forgiven for thinking they already have a pretty good idea of what that would be like。But if “Blowback” is feedback on Donald Trump’s raging years in office， it’s only a glancing shot。That figures。 After all， Patterson has long maintained an indulgent détente with his friend and fellow Floridian。 Unlike Stephen King， who regularly unleashes the hounds of hell upon Trump， Patterson has largely restricted himself to sighs of disappointment。 Even in his two immensely popular presidential thrillers written with Bill Clinton， Patterson has avoided any harsh criticism of the Very Stable Genius。That attitude of restraint paid off when Trump awarded Patterson a National Humanities Medal， the only one conferred on a novelist during Trump’s time in office。 At a White House ceremony in 2019， the president told Patterson， “You’ve sold a lot more books than me， and I guess you’ve sold a lot more books than anyone but maybe one: the Bible。” It was a weird moment that inadvertently called attention to the fact that Trump， Patterson and God rely on other people to help write their books。 。 。 。To read the rest of this review， go to The Washington Post:https://www。washingtonpost。com/books/。。。 。。。more
Linda
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This is another hit for James Patterson。 The story revolves around a power hungry but insane President Keegan Barrett and 2 CIA operatives that get caught up in his shenanigans。 The story has a lot of dirty politics and intrigue。 We all have wondered what America would be like if there were no barriers to really getting stuff done。 President Barrett decides for himself to remove all the barriers to fulfilling his plan。 At first his plans seem sort of reasonable and that is what brings the 2 CIA This is another hit for James Patterson。 The story revolves around a power hungry but insane President Keegan Barrett and 2 CIA operatives that get caught up in his shenanigans。 The story has a lot of dirty politics and intrigue。 We all have wondered what America would be like if there were no barriers to really getting stuff done。 President Barrett decides for himself to remove all the barriers to fulfilling his plan。 At first his plans seem sort of reasonable and that is what brings the 2 CIA operatives Liam and Noa into the fold。 They knew that what they were doing was against the rules/regulations but President Barrett explains how they are only bending/delaying some of the rules instead of smashing them to bits。 They quickly realize the error of their ways in believing in the President。 The action really picks up as they have to figure out to stop the President and prevent a war。 Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance reading copy in exchange for a real review。 。。。more
Irv Kantrowitz
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The book explores the question， what if the people elect a psychopath as president。I am very happy with this book。 It starts out a little slow but quickly has a lot of adventure。 suspense， and thrills。 It was very difficult to put it down during the second half of the story。
Robin
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This is a typical James Patterson thriller， with lots of edge-of-your-seat action， strong characters， fast-moving plotlines， and realistic， scary outcomes。 President Bartlett is a very popular President， handsome， charming， and dedicated。 Although he is single， there are no hints of improprieties or unacceptable behavior。 In short， he seems almost perfect。。。until he isn't。 Terrific， fast read。 Thanks to NetGalley and Little， Brown and Company for providing an ARC。 This is a typical James Patterson thriller， with lots of edge-of-your-seat action， strong characters， fast-moving plotlines， and realistic， scary outcomes。 President Bartlett is a very popular President， handsome， charming， and dedicated。 Although he is single， there are no hints of improprieties or unacceptable behavior。 In short， he seems almost perfect。。。until he isn't。 Terrific， fast read。 Thanks to NetGalley and Little， Brown and Company for providing an ARC。 。。。more
Heidi
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This is my first James Patterson book that isn't for grade school children。 I know but this grade schoolbooks are so much fun to read to kids。Blowback is a very on the nose of current political climate with a narcissistic President believes that he is doing everything to protect the country he loves。 US President Keegan Barrett CIA agents to take down his enemies as the people around him are getting sick。 After the first 1\2 of the book starts off slow filled with backstories and information on This is my first James Patterson book that isn't for grade school children。 I know but this grade schoolbooks are so much fun to read to kids。Blowback is a very on the nose of current political climate with a narcissistic President believes that he is doing everything to protect the country he loves。 US President Keegan Barrett CIA agents to take down his enemies as the people around him are getting sick。 After the first 1\2 of the book starts off slow filled with backstories and information on all the important characters that will play major roles in the story。 After that the action， mystery start to come to life keeping readers hooked。 Even with a few too many plot holes this story will keep readers ready for what is next with these two authors。 If this book had been written 5 or 6 years ago， I would have called it silly idea。 However， at times this story hits very close to home。Thank you to Netgalley for an advance copy of Blowback by James Patterson and Brendan DuBois。 。。。more
Julie Garner
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WOW！！！！
Bill
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First-time Patterson reader here。 I was looking forward to sampling this popular author。 I was a bit disappointed。 After a clunky first third full of overwrought physical and background descriptions of even minor players， this book got down to business and had me hooked， even with a stunningly unbelievable plot （no matter how many comparisons are drawn to TFG）。 What I find hard to reconcile with reality in thriller plots are any conspiracies that involve more than a couple of conspirators and an First-time Patterson reader here。 I was looking forward to sampling this popular author。 I was a bit disappointed。 After a clunky first third full of overwrought physical and background descriptions of even minor players， this book got down to business and had me hooked， even with a stunningly unbelievable plot （no matter how many comparisons are drawn to TFG）。 What I find hard to reconcile with reality in thriller plots are any conspiracies that involve more than a couple of conspirators and any criminal mastermind that has seemingly unlimited access to reliable minions。 At least this story relied mostly on the latter。The important characters， mainly the key protagonists， did finally come to life （somewhat in spite of their introductions） and helped me keep everything straight in the labyrinthian plot。 And the stakes and action were ramped up very effectively to keep me turning pages。 Ultimately， I have to agree with others that the outcome is as forgettable as most TV movies。 Seemingly important plot threads did not live up to their promise。 And the stakes， while onerous， didn't seem and more long-lasting than any non-lethal gunshot wound in a TV Western。My TBR includes a couple of other Patterson titles。 I still look forward to reading these。 But I can only recommend this title as a disposable beach read。Disclosure: Thank you to Netgalley and Little， Brown for providing a free copy of this book in return for my honest review。 。。。more
Erica S。
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This picked up steam as it went。 A good page turner and lots of action！ Recommended！
Gretchen
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I gave this book 50 pages， but just couldn't get into it。 The story didn't seem to be going anywhere interesting， and I have more interesting things to read that I know will grab me right away。 Sorry James Patterson， this one wasn't for me。 I gave this book 50 pages， but just couldn't get into it。 The story didn't seem to be going anywhere interesting， and I have more interesting things to read that I know will grab me right away。 Sorry James Patterson， this one wasn't for me。 。。。more
M
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With all of the travel I've had as of recent and a few personal life heavy things， I decided I needed another escape book。 This is how it always happens: I tell myself， you will read said escape book before bed and then do your literary work during the day， but then the escape book always tempts me back to it because you want to know what happens next。This one features a president gone off the rails （and is post-Trump， and unfortunately， minus the violence， felt awfully believable; I've gotten t With all of the travel I've had as of recent and a few personal life heavy things， I decided I needed another escape book。 This is how it always happens: I tell myself， you will read said escape book before bed and then do your literary work during the day， but then the escape book always tempts me back to it because you want to know what happens next。This one features a president gone off the rails （and is post-Trump， and unfortunately， minus the violence， felt awfully believable; I've gotten to the point where I listen to the news about the January 6th hearings or the FBI raid on Mar-a-lago， and I think， welp， that's interesting， but he's still not going to face any of what he's done--to me， if you can elect a man who declares he can grab women by the p----， then I have lost all hope）， which is a fun premise， and I do love a good White House page-turner， but there were too many pieces that weren't fully fleshed out: why Liam and Noa？ Why Pope？ I never really got how President Barrett made his selections for people to trust （or pretend to trust）。 And the climax felt a little like it was sputtering out， though， truthfully， also believable。 Someone that narcissistic and paranoid might believe his actions were that surefire。This Patterson was fine and served its purpose though it's also utterly forgettable。 Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advance reading copy in exchange for an honest review。 。。。more
Judy Odom
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5 stars for sheer entertainment value with action that never stops and a plot that draws you in from page one and keeps those pages turning。US President Keegan Barrett is on his own mission for the country he professes to love so much。The problem is he mentally unwell: paranoid to say the least and narcistic not to mention psychopathic tendencies。People including his own staff are dying all around him。Did Barrett order it？How can Noa， Liam and others stop him。Twists and turns keep the lights on 5 stars for sheer entertainment value with action that never stops and a plot that draws you in from page one and keeps those pages turning。US President Keegan Barrett is on his own mission for the country he professes to love so much。The problem is he mentally unwell: paranoid to say the least and narcistic not to mention psychopathic tendencies。People including his own staff are dying all around him。Did Barrett order it？How can Noa， Liam and others stop him。Twists and turns keep the lights on and the pages turning。 Blowback will entertain you and scare you all at the same time。Thanks to NetGalley and Little Brown and Company for exhilarating read。 。。。more
Christy Martin
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The newly elected president is popular。 The former head of the CIA has dragged his feet in pushing for his successor's nomination， the Vice President's health is impaired by unknown toxins， and vicious rumors are swirling around the Speaker of the House。 All this is part of the bigger picture for President Keegan Barrett as he sends several CIA teams on clandestine missions to destroy his enemies。 Is he keeping the country safer or is this a personal vendetta？ The president is playing a dangerou The newly elected president is popular。 The former head of the CIA has dragged his feet in pushing for his successor's nomination， the Vice President's health is impaired by unknown toxins， and vicious rumors are swirling around the Speaker of the House。 All this is part of the bigger picture for President Keegan Barrett as he sends several CIA teams on clandestine missions to destroy his enemies。 Is he keeping the country safer or is this a personal vendetta？ The president is playing a dangerous game with the country's enemies and stopping him will be difficult。 This is a complicated story with lots of real-life politics and layers of relationships， ugliness， and dirty politics。 Great characters that we could likely see more of and a fun read for political thriller lovers。 Thanks to #NetGalley#Blowback for the opportunity to read and review this book。 。。。more
Patricia Romero
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An American President Goes InsaneSound familiar？ Well， it should because now we know it can happen。He’s America’s most brilliant president ever。 He’s also a psychopath。Keegan Barrett， former director of the CIA， has easily transitioned to the Oval Office。 Only six months into his term， h comes up with an off-the-books plan to use the CIA on home soil to get rid of his enemies。 And he is ruthless。 The type of ruthlessness that comes from thinking you are the smartest person on earth and no one ca An American President Goes InsaneSound familiar？ Well， it should because now we know it can happen。He’s America’s most brilliant president ever。 He’s also a psychopath。Keegan Barrett， former director of the CIA， has easily transitioned to the Oval Office。 Only six months into his term， h comes up with an off-the-books plan to use the CIA on home soil to get rid of his enemies。 And he is ruthless。 The type of ruthlessness that comes from thinking you are the smartest person on earth and no one can stop you。With no one to keep him in check， he orders two agents， Liam and Noa， to carry out his plan。 No questions asked。 Only they aren’t quite comfortable with their roles and when the President finds out there will be hell to pay。 Unless they can find a way to outsmart the psycho in the oval office before the blowback destroys the country。I really enjoyed this one！ Very on topic for right now。 It’s scary because we now know it is possible！NetGalley/September 1， 2022 by Penguin 。。。more
Darren
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I got this as a arc e book from Net Galley for my I pad。 I enjoyed reading this book。 It had a good story to it。 I liked the variety of characters in it。 It was a well written book。
Jeanne
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I found this slow at some points then cruises along to action， mystery and violence。 It's an interesting and plausible plot which I would have said as not until 7 years ago。 FrighteningThank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc I found this slow at some points then cruises along to action， mystery and violence。 It's an interesting and plausible plot which I would have said as not until 7 years ago。 FrighteningThank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc 。。。more
Jennifer Johnson-Spence
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