Eldritch Ops

From the Secret Files of the Red Room

By: C. T. Phipps

Narrated by: Jeffrey Kafer

From the best-selling author of the Supervillainy Saga

Derek Hawthorne has ascended to become a member of the all-powerful Committee, which rules the world through the nebulous House. The House, officially, exists to protect humanity from the vampires, demons, and other forces of darkness that imperil humanity. Unofficially, it exists to protect its own power.

When his old partner, Christopher Hang, turns up as one of the undead — Derek is nonplussed to say the least. Christopher also has a message that troubles the tiny remains of Derek's conscience: The House is running a secret project to not only control supernaturals but eliminate them. Now, Derek has to figure out if he's to side with the supernatural or humanity or neither. Oh and did we mention Dracula, pirates, and werewolves were involved, too?

©2018 Charles Phipps (P)2020 David N. Wilson

An Excellent continuation of the series

I have to admit, I was a little skeptical when I heard the Red Room series was being retconned into the origin of the Unites States of Monsters universe. After some consideration, though, it actually makes a lot of sense. The monster factions are already in place and fleshed out, so the Big Reveal seems like a natural progression. Tying in the supernatural communities, such as the various were-creatures in Bright Falls and the vampires in Detroit, to the supernatural world of the Red Room universe was accomplished seamlessly, and adds a whole new layer of complexity to the overall universe.
While the hidden supernatural world is explored thoroughly, it's in the character development where this story truly shines, especially when it comes to the main character, Derek Hawthorne. In Esoterrorism, we are introduced to Derek as a Red Room agent, jaded but still holding on to hope that he's making a difference. In Eldritch Ops, he's now a member of the leadership of the Red Room, but realizes there was a lot he didn't know about what the Room was up to, and that he's still being kept in the dark. How he deals with the truth he learns, and the fact he's going to have to make compromises and deals to do the right thing shows just how far he's willing to go.
The secondary characters are so good, well rounded with character arcs and backstories that really add to the tapestry of this story. Bringing in one of the great supernatural villains in literature, a certain nobleman from Transylvania, could have ended badly, being such a trope. Instead, he created a whole new mythos around him, adding equal amounts of humor and horror to round out his portrayal. Definitely not the usual portrayal you expect to read, but definitely in character for what C.T. Phipps writes.

NARRATION
Narration for this series is ably handled by Jeffrey Kafer, who narrates the bulk of C.T. Phipps books. He has excellent narrative pacing, keeping the story moving without rushing or having any unusual pauses. His characterizations are excellent, using various tones, accents and cadences to give each character their own voice. He is just another part of what makes these stories so good.

FINAL THOUGHTS
While the second book of a series can sometimes be a letdown, that's not the case here. It really expands the world and story-line of the original Red Room series, while neatly beginning to tie it in to the broader United States of Monsters universe. This series is a bit more serious than some of the others in the series such as the Bright Falls Mysteries or his Fangton books, but there is still a lot of humor throughout the story. This book, and the rest of the series, should appeal to fans of urban fantasy looking for a change from the usual Dresden Files knockoffs.

Monster Hunting Characters That Feel Real

Eldritch Ops is the second book in the “From the Secret Files of the Red Room” series and jumps right in where the first book left off. The characters are the same and there isn’t much by way of reintroduction. Now, having read the first book, I had no issues with that and loved that Phipps dove right into the story.

One of the things you’re going to get out of a C.T. Phipps book is a good time. Another thing is lots of popular culture references. And finally, if you read a lot of Phipps’ books like I do, you’re going to notice different references to his other books and series. Most of his books take place in similar worlds so it’s always interesting to see who is going to crossover or be mentioned in each book.

This book was fun and fast paced just like the other books from Phipps. It’s full of great action scenes but also full of emotion and gooey self-realization by its characters. I love that about these books. Phipps is able to make these characters feel and act real even when they’re out there hunting Dracula or talking to the “Blood Sword”. You’d think that these characters would be out there but they’re not. They have very real and human feelings and each book dives into some of those.

Overall, another great addition to the worlds that Phipps has created, and a great book that I couldn’t get enough of. I flew through it and you should too!

More Twists than a Chubby Checker Revival

Another exciting romp filled with puns, 80's - 90's pop culture themes, & unpredictable plot twists for which Phipps is best known, this edition delivered. I commend Phipps for the degree of plot development that grows the main character to greater heights while managing to keep him challenged & in play. I look forward to how the next volume in this work plays out!

A tense supernatural thriller

Eldritch Ops (Red Room book 2) by C.T. Phipps is a book I requested and the review is voluntary. This book is a very intense supernatural thriller! The "House" with the many color levels is a secretive group the take care of monsters. Monsters and the House have been fighting for ever. Now our guy of the story is team House because his dad is head of the House. But certain things happen to make him questions the morals of his dad. Then he finds his friend is alive but turned into a vampire. He thought he was dead. Is his friend still his friend? There are so many double, crosses, I don't know what to call it! You have to stay on your toes with this one. Stay four steps ahead! Great action, psychological thriller along with supernatural complete with vampires, werewolves, demons, and magic! Very exciting! Unpredictable! Really loved this!
Kafer is terrific at the narration!

Action packed - espionage with a twist!

The continuing story of Derek Hawthorne is intriguing and full of deception, lies and everything that makes an espionage story good. What makes this one better than usual is the fact that the characters are gifted and paranormally endowed – vampires, sorcerers, wizards, demons, and more – and, the House consists of secret factions with ulterior motives! Add in Derek’s former partner (now a vampire), Dracula, and a deadly battle between the “House” and monsters … well, this is the perfect mix for a supernatural thriller. Derek with his merry band of friends and back-up moves to eliminate the impending war but in order to do so, Derek must wade through the politics and double-crossing schemes.

C.T. Phipps has a unique writing style which is such that the listener cannot help but get a front-row seat into who Derek truly is – we witness his thinking process, his better left unsaid words that come out, and his special skill at snappy quips. Phipps creates a character that one truly enjoys and comes to feel for early.

I enjoy Phipps's ability to fold in pop culture references in snarky dialog which flows smoothly. His ability to tie all his novels into one universe subtly connecting characters, storylines, and events. There were no storyline flaws, everything moved at a quick pace with several surprise twists.

Jeffrey Kafer is a magnificent voice actor with his ability to assume each character seamlessly. His intuitiveness to give the right amount of inflection and action to his words is a perfect mix. Kafer is a master at narration/voice acting as he has a great deal of expertise and skill.

There were no issues with the production or quality of this audiobook.


Disclaimer: This Audiobook was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-bias, honest review.

Awesome!

Eldritch Ops is book 2 of the Red Room series by C.T. Phipps. I'm already loving this series and book 2 is much better than the first! I'm certainly looking forward to the rest of the series! Great world and character building! The main character, Derek Hawthorne, is a supernatural spy! Lots of action, vampires, werewolves, wizards, and an exciting listen! Jeffrey Later does am excellent job with the narration!

Enthralling as usual

I don't think there is any better combination than CT Phipps and Jeffrey kafer. if you have read any of his other books and you like them you will like this. it is both witty and engaging. Great urban fantasy with a super spy twist. Wonderful book and wonderful series.

Great book!

Great book, now I'm ready for the next one. I am really enjoying all the works of C.T. Phipps.

I love the Red Room series.

Eldritch Ops is the sequel to Esoterrorism which follows Derek Hawthorne, a supernatural James Bond type. He is a member of the “House”, which is a group that works to keep the monsters under control and out of the public eye. Each branch of the group is a different “room” with a color. Derek is part of the “Red Room”, which are the spies.

Derek has lived his entire life in the House, his entire family is involved in some way at some point, including his father on the council. His mother isn’t in the picture, she left before he ever really knew her. He also has a twin and several half brothers and sisters.

So there is a lot that happens in this story and it builds on the first book (Esoterrorism:From the Secret Files of the Red Room, which I highly recommend you tackle first). We also meet more of Derek’s “friends”. I put friends in quotes because as a spy, does Derek really have true friends? It is hard to tell sometimes who you can and can’t trust.

If you like stories with a lot of action, even more snarkiness and that is fast paced, this series will be for you. You never know where the story is going with many twists and turns along the way. You will also come to love all the characters. You start to really root for them and want them all to make it out alive. It is also hard to tell who is the bad guy and who is the good guy. There’s also vampires, werewolves, wizards, psychics and more. What more do you need? You want to try this series, I promise.

Narration (5 stars)
Jeffrey Kafer narrates this series and he’s amazing. If you haven’t listened to one of his performances yet, what are you waiting for? He works in many different genres and I’ve listened to most of them. He’s wonderful, no matter the genre, romance, sci-fi, paranormal, action and more. I think Kafer is really great at bringing out the humor in a story. It is probably what I love most about his performances. You really should check him out.

**I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

Instant Cult Classic

This series has intriguing new elements as well as a creative web that weaves them into the more classical mythos and dogma.

C. T. Phipps built a world and its inhabitants out of dry wit and clever dialogue.

Jeffrey Kafer's voice suits the main character's so keenly due to the fact that both Nathaniel Hawthorne and Jeffrey Kafer suffer the same medical abnormality.

The presence of 3 testicles has been put to good use in their deep powerful voice. The pitch and edge of the merest gravel.

Of the multiple CT Phipps novels I have enjoyed, this is my second favorite series.

The Cthulhu Armageddon series will always hold first place to this eye of yog-sothoth.