Once Dead

The Rho Agenda Inception, Book 1

By: Richard Phillips

Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews

Length: 11 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

Jack Gregory, the CIA’s top assassin, went rogue after a mission gone wrong. When a confrontation leaves him bleeding out on death’s doorstep, he is faced with an offer from a dark figure named Anchanchu. If Jack is willing to act as a human host for Anchanchu, the entity will revive him and give him another shot at life. Jack takes the deal...but he must now face the consequences of having the same dark creature in his head as some of history’s greatest villains. Struggling with desires and memories that are not his own, Jack is not the man he once was.

One year later, he is known internationally as The Ripper, assassin for hire, and is faced with having to wrest control of his dark compulsions while preventing a nuclear attack on the United States.

From the bestselling author of the Rho Agenda trilogy comes a globe-spanning thriller with a twist unlike anything you’ve ever seen....

©2014 Richard Phillips (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Go Janet Price!

Any additional comments?

With an interesting concept. I really enjoyed the assassin mixed with fantasy vibe I got from this story. There is so much action but the plot of the story truly drew me in so fast I couldn't stop listening. Mr. Andrews is exceptionally talented in his delivery of bringing every character to life.

Although this story has you suspended in disbelief in all that happens in this make believe world, I expected the assassin aspect of the story to be a bit more believable.

I couldn't get past an assassin, a pro assassin who is ex CIA and thought to be dead, meet with a client and have that client know exactly who he is. I mean he doesn't change how he looks, doesn't have any means of identity change, then his computer is hacked and he doesn't think to inform anyone he's had contact with on it. But even worse, the government agent he contacts, an analysis wasn't smart enough to protect and ensure the computer they used or messages sent back and forth wasn't encrypted. Ridiculous!

Oh and the President and his pack were as stupid as the idiots that allowed the attack on Pearl Harbor! Like Pearl Harbor, morons in charge knew there was a threat but ignored out out of sheer stupidity!!!

Other than that the story was incredibly entertaining and yeah I was girl crushing on Janet! She was a female Alpha holding her own better than the men! Loved that!

too much killing

interesting characters but too many close encounters it just was too long and two violent

Wonderful

It's a wonderful read and answers many questions and brings new mysteries to the series

Needless Supernatural Bits Bog Down Great Thriller

I suppose in an effort to somehow tie this to the Rho Agenda, the author has pointlessly added supernatural elements to this story. They do not add to the tale; in fact, they seriously detract.

What this IS is a pretty interesting action/thriller novel. There's a lot of technical mumbo jumbo that the author probably cursorily-researched, but the action is where it's at. Those bits are written fantastically in my opinion.

The story ends with a possible opener to future novels, but I think I'll pass. While mostly enjoyable, the story did not turn out to be what I thought I was signing on to.

Great intro to the legend of Jack Gregory.

Great intro to the legend of Jack Gregory and it’s amazing to see where he got his legend status.

Not my usual cup of tea but pretty good

This book is really more of a spy novel than a fantasy or sci-fi book. There is just enough of a sci-fi fantasy element to give the protagonist a direction and reason to do what he does and that is about it. I hope they expand upon the sci-fi aspects at a later date, but I am halfway through the 2nd book in the series and not so much has been added yet.

The novel is good for a spy novel. All the characters are turned up to 11. I mean everyone is the absolute best at what they do. No person or thing in this series is anywhere near the normal end of the spectrum. It is a bit irritatingly over the top at times, but not enough to really hamper the book. That is more me whining than actually a complaint.

I really have to hand it to Macleod Andrews. I thought he was good narrating Sandman Slim but he takes it to a whole other level in this series. Each chapter is from a different character POV and every voice is completely unique and distinct. He has accents from all over the world and doesn't mess up even once. Even if I didn't care for the book the skill the narrarator shows alone would be worth a listen.

If you like spy novels (I don't usually read them). You should like this one. In the future if he expands on the sci-fi aspects the series should be even better. It's worth a credit as long as you understand you are getting a spy novel and not urban fantasy or sci-fi.

Great Start To A Series

This is my first Richard Phillips book and I really enjoyed the listen. It took me a while to really get into this book because there were so many bad guys and a lot of people's names starting with "J". I had to back track a few to get my head around all the charaters. But once I did, it was hang onto your seat, kiddo, and enjoy the ride.
Lots of action, a couple of good guys, a bit of the supernatural and a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I highly recommend this book for someone looking for a book that is fun to read, believable, and has an intriguing story line that is enjoyable and easy to follow.

MacLeod Andrews was outstanding with the delivery of the story.

Great new action thriller!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes and I have already done so. The action is non-stop and the narrator is fabulous.

What did you like best about this story?

Jack Gregory and Janet Price. These two characters from The Rho Agenda are fun to imagine.

What does MacLeod Andrews bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His character voices are great without being so over the top that it pulls you out of the story. His voice really brings the characters to life.

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

There were several but to avoid spoilers I will vaguely describe three. The first is the scene in Poland at Kazimer's estate and the second is the hotel room scene in Prague. As for the climax, it is great from start to finish.

Any additional comments?

You will have a lot of fun listening to this audiobook.

fun action romp

A pretty good first book in the series. Interesting enough to check out part two. Nothing terribly original but the pace was good enough to keep moving. Shades of the Bourne identity plot and character.

Still don't know Jack

Any additional comments?

This story was very enjoyable. I was a little bummed, thought this would be a jack origin story. The story was very action packed. If you liked any of the other R.A books then you will like this.