“The best submarine novel since Tom Clancy’s The Hunt for Red October.” Booklist (starred review)The USS Kentucky a Trident ballistic missile submarine carrying a full complement of 192 nuclear warheads is about to go on a routine patrol. Not long after it reaches the open sea, however, the Kentucky receives a launch order. After receiving that launch order, it is cut off from all counter-orders … order, it is cut off from all counter-orders and disappears into the Pacific while it makes the eight-day transit to the launch site. What the Kentucky’s crew doesn’t know is that those launch orders haven’t actually come from the U.S. government.
Rogue elements within the Mossad have learned that Iran has developed its first nuclear weapon and, in ten days, will detonate it and the target is Israel. The suspected weapon complex is too far underground for conventional weapons to harm it, and the only choice is a pre-emptive nuclear strike. With limited time, this rogue group initiates a long-planned operation called the Trident Deception. They’ll transmit false orders and use a U.S. nuclear submarine to launch the attack.
In this thriller from Rick Campbell, with only 8 days before the Kentucky is in launch range and with the submarine cut off from any outside communication, one senior officer, the father of one of the officers aboard the submarine, must assemble and lead a team of attack submarines to find, intercept and neutralize the Kentucky before it can unknowingly unleash a devastating nuclear attack.
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With a submariner husband, I’ve learned to appreciate sub stories. This had maybe a few too many close calls and near misses, but it was an enjoyable read. Nail biter in places.
Great novel. The author sure looks knowledgeable about the submarine industry.
WOW. Great book. My husband rode submarines and I learned some of the day to day living from his colleagues as well as nonfiction books and documentary programs. In Rick Campbell’s book, besides being a edge of the seat action thriller, I felt as I was 8n the sub riding along on this cruise.
Really really good…I will get the other works by this author!!
Good book too much repetition
Page turner is an understatement. Very realistic, threaded together very well, ties up all lose ends. Highly recommended.
very good fictional account of nuclear submarine life. unpredictable plot so stick with it
Wonderful characters. Better than a Hunt for Red October. Interesting and fast reading.
Excellent Navy thriller taking place in submarines
I am very claustrophobic. I can’t think of too much worse than being submerged in a submarine for months (or even days) at a time. But I like to read good submarine books. And I think this one was great.
The author is a retired Navy Commander who spent over 20 years on submarines in his career so there is definitely a sense of realism in this story.
The story is centered around a conspiracy to bomb Iran. Computers are hacked, people are bribed, and one of the U.S. nuclear submarines is sent bogus messages and codes to launch their weapons upon Iran. After they receive the orders, they go silent and the U.S. government must find a way to stop this disaster from happening.
There’s a long list of characters in the book but I focused more on their job titles and didn’t worry about remembering all their names and that worked fine for me.
I’ve seen this favorably compared to THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER and I agree. I enjoyed both equally.
I highly recommend this tale to those that like military thrillers, action thrillers, books about ocean travel in general or specifically submarines. I don’t read too many of these type books but if you do, I believe the author has written four more similar books.
technothriller, suspense, political-intrigue, military
The initial setup was a bit mystifying, partly because of the preponderance of background characters, but always necessary. The continuing characters are clearly presented and compelling, each in their own way. The plot moves along swiftly and the suspense just keeps on adding up! No sense in doing a recap as the publisher’s blurb is a good teaser, and other reviewers have done it to death.
Bottom line is that this is an intense read probably aimed at a particular kind of geek but totally engrossing to any thrill junkie (hand in air here). Yes, it is hardly first in series and might bother some readers, but they’d probably complain about Cussler, too. Personally, I loved it and will read others by this author soon.
I requested and received a free ARC from St Martin’s Press.