As some of you may know, I am a former submarine sailor and like to read novels about the Silent Service. My favorite of all time is Tom Clancy’s Hunt for Red October. It should come as no surprise, then, that I jumped at the chance to read Martin Roy Hill’s submarine based book The Killing Depths.
A Los Angeles class submarine called the USS Encinitas is the setting for the novel. The boat (and yes, a submarine is called a boat), is the first fast attack submarine to be coed. A NCIS agent has been airlifted to the boat to investigate the murder of one of the female crewmembers – originally thought to have hung herself. To add to the intrigue and suspense, the Encinitas is on a mission to stop a Chinese sub – recently sold to Iran – from ever reaching the Middle Eastern country.
While trying to find the Iranian submarine, more murders occur aboard the boat and everyone is a suspect. The investigator, Linus Schag, has a history with both the commanding officer and the executive officer. Tensions run high among them. In the escalating silent underwater search for the Iranian boat, and the efforts to stop a serial killer before he strikes again, the author weaves a suspenseful tale. I very much enjoyed reading this book.
To be sure, submarine veterans will pick out the inaccuracies of submarine life. A serial killer stalking the crew of a submarine was a stretch. Lastly, the ultimate battle between the subs was a bit contrived. Overall, though, I liked the book and the story.
Bravo Zulu Mr. Hill!
My rating: 4 stars!!
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Find Martin Roy Hill on his Amazon Author Page or his website and pick up a book or two. Please consider leaving a review, too!
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