Emergency Deep

EMERGENCY DEEP is the start of a new series (at least that's what I understand) as such it is a very interesting start. Let's start out with the positives: 1) Michael Dimercurio is the best submarine writer (apologies to my friend Joe Buff) today. 2) He draws on his experience at the Naval Academy and his service in the submarine force. 3) I liked how he established his characters Dillinger and Vornado. Having known a few other guys to come out of Anapolis, I wonder how much of the Whitehead story is made up. Again the level of detail could only come from some familiar with life as a midshipman. The only real weakness in this book is the CIA. They just aren't that bright or ruthless. We might like to think differently, but current events suggests otherwise. I liked what he did with the Alfa at the end of the book, but the Agency subterfuge was pretty obvious. Of course, I read Michael Dimercurio books for the underwater action and these are second to none. As this was the last book of my summer vacation, I was greatly entertained.

This book kept my attention from beginning to the end. The plot twist in the middle was unexpected and made a good book even better. I loved it-if you're into military suspense novels, specifically those dealing with the Navy, buy this book!

I was wondering what the next book from the guy who brough us all the great Devilfish books, and if another Captain Pacino type of character would arise. I can honestly say that the author has anther hit. As a big fan of submarine fiction, I'd rank this one right up there towards the top!

Invest your time and money in this author and particularly in this story. There is a nice sized segment of readers that love good submarine-centric stories. I tend to think it has something to do with "Hunt for Red October" (which incidently I've never read, but seen many times). But, for whatever the reason subs are cool platforms for warfare and fiction alike! Michael Dimercurio's resume was taylor made to either command a nuclear sub or write extremely accurate convincing fiction about nuclear subs. His writing will pull you into his character's lives quickly and firmly. His hyper-accurate sub-speak will set your imagination in motion and before you know it - you'll be inside a nuclear submarine and in peril! Buy this book and pick a nice quiet spot to read and enjoy.

Having read all of Michael DiMercurio's books within days of publication, I couldn't wait until EMERGENCY DEEP hit the stores! I was not disappointed and on page 183 of the book, he won my heart! As a woman midshipman in 1975, I wanted to serve aboard submarines and while 20 years later, women were allowed aboard ships and serve as fighter pilots, today women are still excluded from the deep. However, hopefully one day, DiMercurio's fiction will be fact as the XO of one of the subs in EMERGENCY DEEP is a capable officer who happens to be a woman. I'm sure Adm. Rickover, father of the Navy's nuclear submarine program, is turning in his grave at Arlington National Cemetery with the mere hint and suggestion of women serving aboard submarines. EMERGENCY DEEP begins with the takeover of an American submarine by "terrorists" who later turnout to be Navy personnel. Missing from the story is what happened to the captain and crew of that sub? In the real Navy, a captain loosing his ship or sub to a hostile takeover just signed his life away to court-martial, disgrace and forced retirement. But there is no clue in the story about the aftermath of this "terrorist" takeover and is the only small omission in the book. Having followed all DiMercurio's previous books, I enjoyed the new characters in EMERGENCY DEEP and, as a reader, I could not put the book down in fear of not learning what happened next to the sub crews. The two main characters in the story, Peter Vornado and Burke Kinnaird "B.K." Dillinger, begin as Annapolis midshipmen who build a life-long friendship while overcoming an abusive upper classman. The yarn continues with the two men and their rise to the top of the Navy submarine service as both officers set a high standard of leadership for our men and women in today's military service. I consumed EMERGENCY DEEP in less than two-days. Yes, I know, but sleep could wait, the story with its depth and richness of description compels the reader to keep reading. The next edition in this new series of books is complete and is currently being edited and I can't wait for the next installment in the Vornado and Dillinger story. Without any doubt, DiMercurio is one of today's best fiction action writers and has the background to back-up his writing as being one of the few who served in the deep protecting our great nation during the closing days of the Cold War. He is an honors graduate of the Naval Academy at Annapolis, and has served as a paratrooper, Navy diver, and as a lieutenant and Chief Propulsion Officer aboard the U.S.S. Hammerhead. He is the author of several other submarine thrillers.