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The Hat Trick: A Ravaged Skies Novel
The best-selling author of Adrian's Undead Diary, The Darkness of Diggory Finch, and Colony Lost brings
The Hat A Ravaged Skies Novel
When a catastrophic solar flare wipes out all technology, the world is plunged into darkness. For Joshua and Lara Ryan, simple life in their quiet New England town seemed secure—until a relentless storm floods roads, wipes out crops, and leaves their community on the brink of starvation. As desperation grows, a ruthless local family takes what they want by force, triggering the worst tragedy.
Alone and vulnerable, Lara and her children turn to their only friend—Hugh, their reclusive, movie-loving neighbor who seems a bit more prepared to weather the storms than he lets on. Soon justice and vengeance blur, Hugh’s true history emerges, and soon, he isn’t just watching movies on his old crank-powered projector, he’s making sure the family never hurts the Ryans—or anyone—ever again.
As law and order collapse, Lara and her children must make an impossible flee from the danger they know, or stand up and fight it.
The storms of light and wind may have passed, but in the rebirth of what comes next, a the true reckoning has begun.
The Hat Trick is a mature apocalyptic novel set in the aftermath of a terrible solar flare event in a shared universe called The Ravaged Skies. Authors writing in this universe Scott M. Baker, Kate L. Mary, Maire Lanza, Kellee L. Greene, Courtney Konstantin, Bailiegh Higgins, Ryan B. Colley, Boyd L. Craven, DJ Cooper, Nic Roads, Rich Restucci, Anne Geever, JS Patrick and TW Piperbrook.
The Hat A Ravaged Skies Novel
When a catastrophic solar flare wipes out all technology, the world is plunged into darkness. For Joshua and Lara Ryan, simple life in their quiet New England town seemed secure—until a relentless storm floods roads, wipes out crops, and leaves their community on the brink of starvation. As desperation grows, a ruthless local family takes what they want by force, triggering the worst tragedy.
Alone and vulnerable, Lara and her children turn to their only friend—Hugh, their reclusive, movie-loving neighbor who seems a bit more prepared to weather the storms than he lets on. Soon justice and vengeance blur, Hugh’s true history emerges, and soon, he isn’t just watching movies on his old crank-powered projector, he’s making sure the family never hurts the Ryans—or anyone—ever again.
As law and order collapse, Lara and her children must make an impossible flee from the danger they know, or stand up and fight it.
The storms of light and wind may have passed, but in the rebirth of what comes next, a the true reckoning has begun.
The Hat Trick is a mature apocalyptic novel set in the aftermath of a terrible solar flare event in a shared universe called The Ravaged Skies. Authors writing in this universe Scott M. Baker, Kate L. Mary, Maire Lanza, Kellee L. Greene, Courtney Konstantin, Bailiegh Higgins, Ryan B. Colley, Boyd L. Craven, DJ Cooper, Nic Roads, Rich Restucci, Anne Geever, JS Patrick and TW Piperbrook.
248 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 27, 2025
34 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Chris Philbrook
82 books446 followers About Chris Philbrook
I am the creator and author of Tesser: A Dragon Among Us as well as Elmoryn's The Kinless Trilogy, Colony Lost, Adrian's Undead Diary and the Darkness of Diggory Finch.
I've gone to a LOT of college. I've got a Business degree as well as a Psychology degree, and I've done the full program at the school of hard knocks. I've been a printing press operator, bouncer, purchasing agent, bodyguard, customer service representative, mental health counselor, and more. I can write about weird shit because I've done weird shit. Trust me.
I call the wonderful state of New Hampshire my home, but I love to travel. I love to read, write, play role playing games, miniatures games, video games, and Magic: The Gathering. When I find the time to be active, I like to hike, play basketball, and play football. I am married to a wonderful woman, and together we have two wonderful daughters.
I am the creator and author of Tesser: A Dragon Among Us as well as Elmoryn's The Kinless Trilogy, Colony Lost, Adrian's Undead Diary and the Darkness of Diggory Finch.
I've gone to a LOT of college. I've got a Business degree as well as a Psychology degree, and I've done the full program at the school of hard knocks. I've been a printing press operator, bouncer, purchasing agent, bodyguard, customer service representative, mental health counselor, and more. I can write about weird shit because I've done weird shit. Trust me.
I call the wonderful state of New Hampshire my home, but I love to travel. I love to read, write, play role playing games, miniatures games, video games, and Magic: The Gathering. When I find the time to be active, I like to hike, play basketball, and play football. I am married to a wonderful woman, and together we have two wonderful daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 27, 2025
Having read all of Chris's Adrian's Undead Diaries - I was a bit nervous about reading The Hat Trick as when authors move across series and genres I often find their style doesn't transfer, or they try to do "my other books in this universe". I was even more concerned that this was part of a shared universe.
Luckily, that wasn't the case here. Chris tells a wonderful story, with enough of his existing style that we've grown to love but different enough to feel new and refreshing. Adrian's foul mouth didn't influence the protagonists too much so I can only assume they only had the kindle versions not the technologically-free paperbacks.
The main thing about this book is that it is believable. Humanity shone though not just in the bad, but in the good as well. I've not read any of the other books in this universe, but I'm now inspired to do so.
Luckily, that wasn't the case here. Chris tells a wonderful story, with enough of his existing style that we've grown to love but different enough to feel new and refreshing. Adrian's foul mouth didn't influence the protagonists too much so I can only assume they only had the kindle versions not the technologically-free paperbacks.
The main thing about this book is that it is believable. Humanity shone though not just in the bad, but in the good as well. I've not read any of the other books in this universe, but I'm now inspired to do so.
March 28, 2025
Joshua and Lara Ryan with their two young children are living a good life in Farrington Grant, a quiet New England town until the solar flare wipes out all technology. When the local family of bullies who think they can do whatever they want decide to do just that, tragedy strikes. Hugh, a reclusive man of mystery and their closest neighbour take Lara and the children under his wing and into his home. After the local police refuse to keep law and order in the town, a tit for tat feud begins. Will the locals choose sides, stay out of it or leave Hugh and the Ryans on their own. Another great character driven tale by Philbrook.
April 5, 2025
A solar flare has wiped out all electronics around the world...no cell phones, no computers, no planes, trains or automobiles. In this post apocalyptic world, Chris Philbrook has created a cast of characters that you'll immediately care about, including a rifle carrying soccer mom and her elderly neighbor with ties to the infamous Winter Hill gang. While there are no zombies (see Mr. Philbrook's series: Adrian's Undead Diary), there is his signature theme of found families. In a town barely surviving, there is still plenty of love and hope. Oh, and movie nights with buttered popcorn. How is this possible, you ask? You'll need to read it to find out.
March 28, 2025
❤️❤️❤️
Where do I start??? I’m what I would considered and avid reader with a wide variety of interest. Chris Philbrooks writings make me love, hate, and admire his characters! The beginning of this story has me so excited for more! If you are a fan of AUD you will love this! If you are not aware of Adrian’s Undead Diaries… You should be!
Where do I start??? I’m what I would considered and avid reader with a wide variety of interest. Chris Philbrooks writings make me love, hate, and admire his characters! The beginning of this story has me so excited for more! If you are a fan of AUD you will love this! If you are not aware of Adrian’s Undead Diaries… You should be!
April 14, 2025
A Solid Start
A good start to a new story (and hopefully a new series). Definitely some echos of AUD in the writing style / story points but that’s not a bad thing.
Will be interesting to see how this story evolves without the bogeyman of Zombies etc. but more on the human / societal element of surviving an apocalypse.
A good start to a new story (and hopefully a new series). Definitely some echos of AUD in the writing style / story points but that’s not a bad thing.
Will be interesting to see how this story evolves without the bogeyman of Zombies etc. but more on the human / societal element of surviving an apocalypse.
March 30, 2025
This is the most enjoyable book in Ravaged Skies to date, with a particularly intriguing character, but that's not to say the other characters are poorly written, they're not, but Hugh and his past is fascinating. This was my first time reading anything by Philbrook, needless to say, I'm very much looking forward to further explore his canon!
March 31, 2025
Worth It
A sobering look at people when faced with a catastrophic event that eliminates all electronic devices. A small family and a neighbor, who’s a loner, form a bond to get through difficult times. The neighbor turns out to be quite the resource.
A sobering look at people when faced with a catastrophic event that eliminates all electronic devices. A small family and a neighbor, who’s a loner, form a bond to get through difficult times. The neighbor turns out to be quite the resource.
April 3, 2025
interesting!!!
Ha!! I liked this book very much!! Not the Hat Trick reference that I’m used to but it did make me laugh a few times!! Definitely different than other books in this series!! Looking forward to the next book!!
Ha!! I liked this book very much!! Not the Hat Trick reference that I’m used to but it did make me laugh a few times!! Definitely different than other books in this series!! Looking forward to the next book!!
March 28, 2025
Awesome book
I loved this book! I couldn't put it down! I love the characters and how they feel real. Great addition to the Ravaged Skies universe
I loved this book! I couldn't put it down! I love the characters and how they feel real. Great addition to the Ravaged Skies universe
April 20, 2025
The Hat Trick
Chris Philbrook once agin hits a home run with this great story.I was rivitted throughout. I loved all the characters, especially Hugh.
Read it! You wont be sorry!
Chris Philbrook once agin hits a home run with this great story.I was rivitted throughout. I loved all the characters, especially Hugh.
Read it! You wont be sorry!
May 19, 2025
Hat trick
What I didn't like, it was to short. I like Chris Philbrook. I recommend him to everyone who likes drama or horror. Check out his other books.
What I didn't like, it was to short. I like Chris Philbrook. I recommend him to everyone who likes drama or horror. Check out his other books.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews