The Silent Service - Seawolf Class

Silent Service #3

by H. Jay Riker, Cover Art (Illustrator)

In the ocean depths, America's warriors ceaselessly patrol the dark territory on freedom's outer edge. These are the battles fought in silence . . . and in secret. The newest fight begins when the People's Republic of China buys a fleet of highly stealthy and deadly attack subs from a cash-hungry Russia and takes advantage of international unrest to lay claim to territories they have long considered their own. US Commander Tom Garrett is asked to serve as Executive Officer on board the USS Seawolf to monitor the PRC's activities as they use all the firepower necessary to close the Straits of Taiwan in preparation for invading their "renegade province." As the Chinese fleet moves in for attack, it's left to Commander Garrett to sink the Chinese boats, break the PRC siege of Taiwan, and avenge those who were lost in the struggle.

Genres: Military Fiction

Paperback

First published July 30, 2002

About the author

A pseudonym used by William H. Keith Jr..

Reviews

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first book by H. Jay Riker. I understand he has a series about Seals as well as this one about submarines. Riker is a Navy Seal veteran. This is a submarine techno-thriller.

The book is well written and seems realistic. China has invaded Taiwan. The U.S. Navy moves a carrier group into the straits and the war is on. I noted there are woman among the crew on the Seawolf. The action is nonstop and the suspense in continuous. The interaction between the crew appears to be authentic. I enjoyed this exciting action-packed story.

I read this as a paperback. It is 410 pages and published in 2002 by Avon Publishing.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Onto book four of the series, The Silent Service: Virginia Class.

[Daniel Bratell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decade after the Riker's Los Angeles novel, Russia is no longer the USA's enemy, but instead China has become a serious worry, especially with their ambitions to invade and conquer Taiwan.

Some characters from the last book are still around, but as planners rather than main characters.

The Seawolf class of submarines is what the USA got after trying to create the perfect submarine and each one cost as much as an aircraft carrier. Now the Seawolf, the first in the class, is in harms way so what can all the money spent on it do?

Being an American techno thriller you know that there will a lot of "US great", "US military great", and lots of abbreviations and weapon systems, made up or real. There will also be few human relationships even though Riker tries to add some. Not very well though.

I like this kind of books so I'm happy to give it three stars. I'm unlikely to recommend it to anyone though, unless I specifically know they also enjoy this particular genre.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having recently completed all of DeMecurio's books of submarine adventure, I started to look for something new. I came across the series by H. Jay Riker, and having read pretty decent reviews picked up a used copy of this third book in his Silent Service series to give it a try. And, I enjoyed it. The scenario was realistic. The characters nicely developed. Perhaps not as technical as DeMecurio in explanation of submarine function, there was enough tension and excitement to keep the pages turning. Accurately building upon China's increased militarization and desire to become more of a world nuclear power, and specifically a world naval power, Riker presents a realistic story line which made the book believable.

I am looking forward to reading the other books in the series!

[Ellison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Begins with an American submarine getting tangled up with a sub from China. The commander goes through a JAG and is demoted.

Years later he gets a chance on another sub when China is launching shells at Taiwan and NOBODY CARES! So, as the Policeman of the globe the United States has to step in for protection of the island that has a Little League legacy. The sub ends up in Hong Kong Bay with the obligatory gentlemen's club visit/drink/fight.

Meanwhile, a S.E.A.L. team assists in locating and disarming a firing position.

History of failed policy, tech talk, characters compare themselves to movie characters (!), swearing. Lame. Pass. A MAP would be nice!

[Pete · Rating 3 out of 5]

A reasonably satisfying naval adventure novel. The story is divided between two ops. One involves SEALs while the other centers on the Seawolf submarine. Some good writing and action but we only get the American perspective here. I've found that these types of stories work much better when the point of view alternates between both adversaries.

[sb072 · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Navy veteran and Subsurface Warfare enthusiast, I can easily say that this is the best Sub series I've ever read. I'm shocked that it's not more popular. The right Director could turn this into a movie series that would leave The Hunt for Red October in its dust.

[Thomas Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book for fifty cents at a library sale. I was very pleased with the story, and the writing style.

[Vesmeister · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfectly good page turning thriller for SEAL/Silent Service fans. Fairly predictable though.

[bafeli · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is very well written with a lot of description, which was sometimes hard to go through, but it didn’t ruin the experience

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book of the year. Great action packed story and exciting ending. This book is excellent!

[sb072 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Navy vet here. This is hands down the best submarine series ever written. I'm shocked that it has faded to obscurity. This needs hardcovers, audible, and a movie series.

[Chiththarthan Nagarajan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first submarine warfare, I never thought I would read such a silent, deadly,mysterious plot.

"They never left behind one of their own" indeed.

H. Jay Riker wrote a such pageturner where the submarines fight like a warriors.