Frequently Asked Questions About Deek Rhew
The official guide to Deek Rhew, his high-octane thrillers, his post-apocalyptic science fiction, and the strange machinery inside his writing brain. Choose a question. No security clearance required.
Meet Deek Rhew
Who is Deek Rhew?
Deek Rhew is an American author of fast-paced psychological thrillers and post-apocalyptic science fiction. He writes the 122 Rules thriller series and the interconnected Fall of Civilization universe. His stories mix morally complicated characters, dangerous technology, dark humor, and the occasional therapeutic explosion. Away from fiction, he has spent his career in software development.
Where is Deek Rhew from?
I was born in California and grew up in a military family, so “from” requires a longer answer than it does for most people. I lived in Colorado, Montana, and Washington before eventually settling in Portland, Oregon. These days, my wife, author Erin Rhew, and I live—and love living—in Texas while continuing our ongoing campaign to see as much of the world as possible.
What kind of books does Deek Rhew write?
I write high-octane psychological thrillers, action thrillers, suspense, and speculative science fiction. If you like assassins with consciences, resourceful women, corrupt institutions, rogue artificial intelligence, twisty plots, dark jokes, and characters forced to make terrible choices at speed, we should get along just fine.
Which authors are similar to Deek Rhew?
Readers who enjoy the pace and intrigue of Brad Thor, Gregg Hurwitz, David Baldacci, or Nelson DeMille—and the character depth and darker edges of Dean Koontz—may feel at home in my thrillers. My science fiction is for readers who enjoy artificial intelligence, dystopian futures, human-machine conflict, and big questions delivered with action rather than a lecture.
Books and Series
What is the 122 Rules series about?
The 122 Rules series follows federal assassin Sam Bradford through a world of covert operations, corruption, psychological manipulation, and consequences that refuse to stay buried. The Agency trains its operatives to use 122 behavioral rules to read, influence, and control people. As Sam begins questioning his missions—and the people issuing them—the rules become weapons pointed in both directions.
What is the reading order for the 122 Rules books?
The Sam Bradford novels form two connected story arcs:
- 122 Rules and 122 Rules – Redemption should be read together, in that order.
- 122 Rules – Mafiya and 122 Rules – Vengeance should be read together, in that order.
You can begin with either pair, so reading Mafiya and Vengeance before Books 1 and 2 will not spoil the fun. 122 Rules – Reckoning begins Polly Cahill’s own series within the same story universe.
Can the 122 Rules books be read as standalones?
Think of the first four books as two separate two-book arcs rather than four standalones. Read 122 Rules before Redemption, and read Mafiya before Vengeance. You may start with either arc, however, so new readers can choose the mission that interests them most.
What is 122 Rules – Reckoning?
122 Rules – Reckoning is the first Polly Cahill Federal Assassin Thriller. Polly first appeared in the Sam Bradford books, but Reckoning puts her at the center of the action and launches her own branch of the 122 Rules universe. Its current estimated release is spring 2027.
Are the 122 Rules real psychological rules?
No. The 122 Rules are fictional. They grew from years of watching people, noticing patterns, and asking how those patterns might be used—or abused—by someone trained to manipulate human behavior. They are story devices, not scientific research or professional psychological advice. Please do not use them to interrogate your neighbors. Thanksgiving is awkward enough.
How did 122 Rules begin?
It began with a vivid scene that arrived while I was driving. The image was so insistent that I pulled over and wrote it down. That scene became the first unearthed piece of the story; the characters, the Agency, and the rules revealed themselves from there.
What is the Fall of Civilization universe?
The Fall of Civilization is an interconnected science-fiction universe about artificial intelligence, human ambition, and what remains after civilization loses control of the technology meant to save it. It includes the Humanity’s Undoing, Rebellion, and Cyborg Warriors story lines. The books combine post-apocalyptic survival, AI conflict, action, and questions about what it truly means to be human.
Which books are in the Fall of Civilization universe?
The published books include Rise of Osiris and Escape from Torpor in Humanity’s Undoing; After the Fall and Rogue Mission in the Rebellion series; and Band of Borgers in Cyborg Warriors.
Where can readers buy Deek Rhew’s books?
My books are available from Amazon as Kindle ebooks and paperbacks, and they are included with Kindle Unlimited. Signed editions are available exclusively through this website. The first two Sam Bradford thrillers, 122 Rules and 122 Rules – Redemption, are also available as audiobooks through Audible.
Does Deek Rhew donate part of his book proceeds?
Yes. 10% of all proceeds for the 122 Rules series are donated to charities like the Wounded Warrior Project and Special Operations Warrior Foundation which support the families of soldiers who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
In 2027, I will donate 10% of proceeds from the 122 Rules books to the Coast Guard Foundation’s Fallen Heroes Fund in honor of the men and women of the United States Coast Guard.
The choice has special meaning for 122 Rules – Reckoning. Roughly a dozen chapters take place aboard a Coast Guard cutter, several Coast Guard veterans are helping me proof those scenes for authenticity, and Polly Cahill serves with RU, the fictional beach-and-rescue unit in Alabaster Cove that works extensively with the Coast Guard. Their help deserves more than a thank-you buried in the acknowledgments.
What content should readers expect in Deek Rhew’s thrillers?
My thrillers contain violence and disturbing subject matter, including drug cartels, human trafficking, organized crime, and the Russian Mafiya. These subjects are treated as serious threats within fast-paced suspense stories, so readers who prefer gentler stakes should proceed with caution.
Characters
Who is Sam Bradford?
Sam Bradford is a former Marine and covert federal assassin at the center of the original 122 Rules novels. He is highly trained, morally battered, and increasingly suspicious of the clandestine Agency that turned psychology into a weapon and him into one of its most effective operatives.
Who is Chet?
Chet is Sam Bradford’s sarcastic internal alter ego in the 122 Rules series. He comments on Sam’s choices, needles him at exactly the wrong moment, and brings humor and conflict to situations that generally contain far too many bullets.
Who is Polly Cahill?
Polly Cahill is a former Boston police detective, rescue professional, and formidable survivor who enters the 122 Rules universe with orders to assassinate Sam Bradford. Smart, blunt, tactically skilled, and carrying scars of her own, Polly becomes a major force in Mafiya and Vengeance before taking the lead in 122 Rules – Reckoning.
Who are Monica and Angel?
Monica and Angel appear in the first two Sam Bradford thrillers, 122 Rules and 122 Rules – Redemption. Monica is a strong, emotionally complex woman whose trauma and adversity forge extraordinary resilience. Angel is her close ally and emotional counterpart. Together, they form a partnership that becomes especially powerful when the pressure rises and safer options disappear.
How does Deek Rhew create characters?
I rarely design characters from a checklist. They walk onto the page, start talking, and gradually tell me who they are—their fears, loyalties, dreams, blind spots, and motives. Some seize far larger roles than I intended. Apparently, even fictional people ignore management.
Writing and Inspiration
How did Deek Rhew become a writer?
I was so far behind in reading as a child that I landed in a special reading program. Then I discovered Stephen King’s It, read that massive novel three times, and escaped the program. Years later, in my thirties, I began writing seriously. King’s On Writing also helped me understand the craft and trust the strange way stories reveal themselves.
Where does Deek Rhew get his story ideas?
Ideas usually find me. They arrive as vivid scenes—often when I’m driving—or grow from conversations with Erin, observations of human behavior, travel, and dangerous little “what if” questions. I think of stories as found objects: I uncover one edge, then keep digging until I understand what has been buried there.
Is Deek Rhew a plotter or a pantser?
I’m a committed pantser. I normally begin with a concept or scene, then discover the story as the characters make choices and create trouble. I do plan to outline an upcoming time-travel novel, because pantsing multiple timelines sounds less like a creative process and more like a cry for help.
What is Deek Rhew’s writing process?
I begin with a strong visual or emotional idea and explore it on the page. That first pass can produce a great deal of material—some useful, some destined to become a noble sacrifice on the editorial floor. Revision is where I sharpen the structure, pacing, clarity, character arcs, and suspense.
How would Deek Rhew describe his writing style?
Character-driven, cinematic, dialogue-heavy, and fast. I blend psychological suspense and action with dark humor, then revise relentlessly until the story moves without losing the human beings trapped inside it.
What themes appear in Deek Rhew’s books?
My fiction frequently explores psychological manipulation, moral ambiguity, government secrecy, surveillance, artificial intelligence, the unintended consequences of technology, resilience, and survival. I’m fascinated by what people do when pressure strips away their comfortable options. The first job of every book, however, is to entertain. The explosions are there for a reason.
Who influences Deek Rhew’s writing?
Stephen King influenced how I think about discovering stories. Dean Koontz showed me the power of emotional depth, Nelson DeMille the pleasure of mixing danger with humor, and Harlan Coben the art of the plot twist. Erin Rhew—my wife, ideal reader, fellow author, and trusted editorial accomplice—is one of my greatest creative influences.
What is the most important writing lesson Deek Rhew has learned?
Trust yourself. My earliest attempts stalled because I overthought everything and doubted every choice. Once I gave myself permission to write freely, the storytelling became natural. The other half of the lesson is less romantic: learn your genre, understand publishing standards, and revise until the book does what you promised the reader it would do.
What advice does Deek Rhew give aspiring authors?
Write the story, then edit it without mercy. Be patient. Learn the expectations of your genre. Work with skilled editors who will tell you the truth. Invest in a professional cover. Stay humble enough to learn and stubborn enough to continue. Talent matters, but tenacity is the thing that gets a book across the finish line.
Beyond the Books
What does Deek Rhew enjoy outside writing?
I love traveling and trying new adventures with Erin, riding motorcycles, surfing, lifting weights, hunting down good barbecue, drinking coffee dark enough to absorb light, and indulging my lifelong geek streak. Shared experiences and conversations with Erin have a habit of sneaking into future stories.
Which fandoms influence Deek Rhew?
I’m a fan of Star Wars, Star Trek, Game of Thrones, documentaries, cop shows, and nearly anything containing a well-earned explosion. Those interests feed my love of worldbuilding, technology, power struggles, flawed heroes, and large objects going boom.
Who are Deek Rhew’s real-life heroes?
My father, who served a full career in the Air Force, is one of my greatest heroes. I deeply respect the sacrifices made by military members and their families, as well as firefighters, police officers, rescue personnel, and everyone who puts themselves in danger to protect others.
What is Deek Rhew’s ideal life?
Erin and I have long joked about becoming professional vagabonds: living in different places, exploring the world, gathering stories, and refusing to confuse possessions with happiness. Freedom, adventure, curiosity, and time together matter most.
Is Deek Rhew available for interviews, podcasts, book clubs, or speaking events?
Yes. I welcome invitations for interviews, podcasts, book-club conversations, and speaking events. Use the contact page on this website to tell me what you have in mind. If the discussion involves thrillers, artificial intelligence, the writing process, technology gone spectacularly wrong, or why fictional people refuse to follow instructions, I’ll probably have something to say.
