In the volatile waters of the South China Sea, 2029, an advanced U.S. reconnaissance drone vanishes without a trace. What should have been a routine retrieval mission for the crew of VAW-127 “Seabats” aboard the USS Harry S. Truman spirals into a deadly race against time.
Lieutenant Junior Grade Cameron “Gazer” Mitchell, new to the squadron and eager to prove himself, joins a reconnaissance flight to locate the missing drone. But as soon as they enter the search zone, their advanced E-2D Hawkeye’s radar and communications go dark—victims of a sophisticated electronic warfare attack. The crew quickly realizes they are not alone in the skies.
Back aboard the Truman, Petty Officer John Patrick Delaney and Aviation Electronics Technician Airman Danielle “Spooky” Lawson scramble to diagnose the system failures. As Spooky uncovers eerie patterns in enemy radio signals, it becomes clear that this wasn’t an accident… someone is watching, waiting, and jamming them on purpose.
With their aircraft crippled and an unknown enemy closing in, Gazer and his team must make an impossible choice: risk a blind return to the carrier or attempt a dangerous landing on a hostile island where the real fight for survival will begin.
From the decks of a U.S. Navy carrier to the shadowy battlegrounds of electronic warfare, Ghost Track is a high-stakes military thriller filled with action, suspense, and the brutal realities of modern combat.
When technology fails, instincts are all that’s left.
Find out what happens to John, Cameron and Danielle in the full length novel, The Shattered Shield.
Reviews from my readers
Patrick J. Hughes delivers a tense, realistic military thriller in The Shattered Shield: Ghost Track. When Lieutenant Junior Grade Cameron Mitchell steps aboard the USS Harry S. Truman, he’s thrust into a classified mission that quickly spirals into chaos. With sharp dialogue, well-drawn characters—especially the no-nonsense Petty Officer Delaney—and expertly paced action, Hughes keeps the tension high from start to finish.
Patrick J. Hughes delivers a tense, realistic military thriller in The Shattered Shield: Ghost Track. When Lieutenant Junior Grade Cameron Mitchell steps aboard the USS Harry S. Truman, he’s thrust into a classified mission that quickly spirals into chaos. With sharp dialogue, well-drawn characters—especially the no-nonsense Petty Officer Delaney—and expertly paced action, Hughes keeps the tension high from start to finish.
The only downside? It’s not a full-length novel. Fortunately, Ghost Track sets the stage for his first novel The Shattered Shield, where Mitchell, Delaney, and Lawson as they face even greater challenges. This prequel does exactly what it should—hooks you in and leaves you wanting more.
James d, Beta Reader Review
Patrick J. Hughes delivers a sharp, fast-paced military thriller that drops you right into the action. From the first scene aboard the USS Harry S. Truman, the tension builds quickly as Lt. j.g. Mitchell finds himself in the middle of a classified op that’s anything but routine.
The standout here is Petty Officer Delaney—gruff, grounded, and exactly the kind of guy you want backing you up. The dialogue feels natural, the action is tight, and the story moves with a sense of urgency that keeps you turning pages.
The only drawback is that it ends too soon. Just when you’re fully invested, it wraps up—but in a way that makes you want to jump straight into The Shattered Shield. It’s a great look into the beginnings of Mitchell, Delaney, and Lawson, setting the stage for what’s to come.
A quick but rewarding read for fans of military thrillers or anyone curious about the origins of this crew.
Kimberly T, Amazon Customer