• Dead Shift

  • The Rho Agenda Inception, Book 3
  • By: Richard Phillips
  • Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews
  • Length: 9 hrs and 31 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (958 ratings)

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Dead Shift  By  cover art

Dead Shift

By: Richard Phillips
Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews
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Publisher's summary

With the final chapter of the Rho Agenda Inception, all secrets will be revealed. Who is the alien mind haunting Jack "The Ripper" Gregory? What is the purpose of the immensely powerful Sun Staff? And how will the culmination of these events set the stage for the Rho Agenda?

In this sci-fi adventure, the NSA's most brilliant hacker is abducted and the world stands on the brink of cyberwar. The Ripper and his ghost team commandos are called to action, battling a host of enemies ranging from a genius tech-billionaire and the Chinese government to an emerging superintelligence capable of bringing the world to its knees. With every threat in play, Jack must confront his alien passenger and regain some semblance of self-control. As the origins of the Rho Agenda come to light, Jack struggles to embrace his destiny. But how can even one such as he prevail against an existential threat to humanity?

©2015 Richard Phillips (P)2015 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved

What listeners say about Dead Shift

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

A solid ending to this trilogy

This book is the 3rd in the Rho Agenda Inception series. It is the prequel to the Rho Agenda Series (Second Ship, Immune and Wormhole) which is a bit confusing as the name of the two series are so similar. You definitely should read this series first if you haven't already started the other trilogy as it will fill in quite a few gaps in the story.

Needleless to say this is not really a standalone novel and requires reading the other two books in this series first to get the most out of this novel. The action is fast and furious in this story and while it has some sci-fi elements it is primarily a spy novel. This is much different than the Rho Agenda series which is heavily sci-fi in nature. If you liked the other books in either series then you will enjoy this as well. Be warned if you read the Rho Agenda trilogy first that this one is much more adult in nature.

The novel ties up most of the loose ends for the series but leaves a lot of items open for future exploration (in a 3rd trilogy I'd imagine). MacLeod Andrews does a first rate job on the narrating the story. There are a lot of different characters and each is distinct and has a feel all its own.

This one is definitely worth a credit and I look forward to future novels in this world from the author.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

More Please!

Have listened to every book Mr Phillips has written. Wish I had read one or two in a different order though. Have listened to each book twice now with the exception of Dead Shift only because I just finished it.Totally hooked and waiting for more.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Super Spy vs Artificial Intelligence Thriller

It was great to finally get to see the forces that end up drawing Jack "The Ripper" Gregory and Janet Price into the Rho Agenda trilogy that follows this prequel series. In Dead Shift, Jack finally meets an opponent who is his equal, as he continues his struggle to regain control of his mind from the alien being with whom he shares it, all the while contending with the impending release of an AI that could bring about the extinction of the human race. Finally, it was extremely surprising and satisfying to learn the true nature of Jack's alien passenger. You'll want to find a day when you have ten hours to immerse yourself without interruption. If you enjoy action and suspense, this is as good as it gets.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I'd Give It Six Stars If Possible

This rates as my favorite series so far. Top-rate action, characters and storyline as well as one of the best narrators ever, MacLeod Andrews, who makes even the most obscure techno-speak come alive.

I absolutely loved Jack and Janet. I am hoping, hoping that Richard Phillips continues their adventures. Please!

I did get totally confused about the order of this series. I tried to understand what other reviewers explained about the titles, but I still have little idea about where are the order of Rho Agenda Novel or Rho Agenda Inception or Rho Agenda. They all mix together in my memory except for (Spoiler Alert, I think...) the baby.

So many things to love about this series---loved that the good guys quickly figure out what the bad guys are doing without long, drawn out mistakes. Loved that the author is so proficient with all the military-speak and science-speak and computer-speak and makes it exciting. Love, love MacLeod Andrews' terrific vocal inflections and accents, such as the subtle Asian accent of the bad guy and especially the rich, gravelly voice of Jack Gregory.

So, please, Mr. Phillips...more!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

This is a very fun action book, proud successor of

Any additional comments?



This is a very fun action book, proud successor of the Rho Agenda inceptions series. The first one in the series was a bit more of a spy novel with some sci-fi content, but DEAD SHIFT is more of a techno thriller, a good cocktail of spy , sci fi and a dash of paranormal. Definitely heading into the Rho agenda sci fi trilogy filling some of the gaps and history of Jack and Janet.

Like its predecessors, the book is hard to put down and keeps you engaged until the very last page wishing you had more time to commute. I have been tempted to re-wash the dishes or take the longest route home to get a few more minutes of listening a few times..
Macleod Andrews is an amazing narrator, he does an outstanding job with the reading (he did the other two in the series and the Rho agenda sci fi trilogy too) there are a lot of characters and he does make them alive.

I think the next book will carry on with the story where wormhole ( Rho Assimilation series) left it, cannot wait to read the next adventures of Jack Gergory, Janet Price, Header, Mark and Jennifer (yes I am not buying Jennifer is dead) 

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Late Shift

The conclusion to the second trilogy in the Rho Agenda series. As a prequel to the original trilogy, this series is meant to provide the origin story for the ensuing trilogy, including key revelations to unanswered questions. This final entry does just that.

In reviewing the prior volume, Dead Wrong, I expected the supernatural element of Inception to be explained scientifically, that being the strong suit of author Richard Phillips, providing credible science to back his science fiction. And he does just that. The only problem is that it happens very late in the book, almost as an epilogue tying this entry to the next (previously published) three books.

In the meantime, the bulk of Dead Shift is a standalone story about a singularity event -- a supersmart NSA techie having his brain downloaded into a supercomputer to do the dirty work for a super-nasty Chinese superspy, only to be stopped by the supernaturally supercharged assassin, Jack the Ripper Gregory, and his supersexy partner Janet Price.

Yes, I know that sounds snide, and the previous criticism was, well, critical. Nevertheless, I am six volumes into this series, so I'm into it. This is a solid four-star listen for anyone who has come this far with Rho. If you're considering this as your initial entry point, I wouldn't say no -- Dead Shift works as a standalone action-thriller, and the tie-in to the once and future adventures of Jack and Janet and Co. is effective even if you haven't necessarily read what comes before or later.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Glad I read it, but...

As a fan of the whole Rho Agenda series, I enjoyed this book, but it isn't nearly as gripping as the others. No major complaints or issues, it's just my least favorite of the six I've read so far.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

amazing series

A must read. I am a huge fan of the Sandman slim series by Richard Kadrey, but this is a good filler in between books

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book

I am very impressed with this installment of The Ripper and Janet's exploits. I'm also relieved it wasn't like book two. I had lost some faith in Mr. Phillips' abilities to bring back relevance to this whole story arc. The basic plot was captivating. The connection to all the other Rho books was strong. This story was far better than book 2 of this particular series. I'm left with a hunger for more. I need to know more about the entity and how Jack will hold up his part of the bargain. Will we get to know more about the sun staff and the Altrians? Another book is needed to tie it all together and dovetail it into the other Rho series.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Ok for the <$10 price

Formulaic modern sci-fi. Women who outfight all the men, evil aliens, evil US government.

Wouldn’t buy for 1 credit. But $<8 and I listened to all of them.

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