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Lieutenant Peter Harding #2
Trigger
Deep beneath the placid Mediterranean, the submarine Trigger stalks the enemy convoys... Lieutenant Peter Harding is one of the most successful commanders in the Fleet. But no man’s nerve can last forever – and Harding’s is beginning to crack. But the Admiralty has its own ways of securing Harding's continued service. And it has one further task for Trigger and her crew. An allied agent and a brilliant scientist who is vital to the success of the top secret Manhattan Project is on the run in Italy. It's up to Harding to take Trigger deep into enemy waters to ensure the agent’s safety – no matter what the cost... Will Trigger and her crew see it through to the end before the strain gets too much? Trigger is a thrilling and captivating adventure, perfectly suited for those who enjoy classic nautical tales. Another classic naval adventure for fans of Alan Scholefield and Philip McCutchan. Anthony Melville-Ross was born in Hastings, East Sussex on November 11 1920. He published six novels between 1978 and 1985, all inspired by his background as a sub-mariner in the Second World War. He had an extremely successful career in the navy, rose to command his own boat and transferred into the Secret Service after the end of the war. He died in his hometown on January 10 1993, aged 73.
- GenresWar
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 12, 1982
212 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Antony Melville-Ross
28 books14 followersANTONY MELVILLE ROSS was a thriller writer of unusual quality. He was an excellent craftsman who constructed his stories with skill and wrote clear uncluttered prose, and his work has a ring of authenticity which in fact owed as much to personal experience as to the liveliness of his imagination and to his gifts as a storyteller.
The six novels that he published between 1978 and 1985 arise equally from his service as a sub- mariner in the Second World War, in which he was awarded the DSC and rose to command his own boat, and the Cold War world of the Secret Service into which he transferred soon after the end of the war. He wrote them in inverse order, beginning with the spy novels and then going on to submarines. His first book, Blindfold (1978), was at once recognised by such discriminating critics as TJ Binyon and Sheridan Morley, who compared it to Ian Fleming's debut with Casino Royale. Like Fleming, Melville Ross made good use of exotic backgrounds - the Libyan desert, the Colombian jungle - as well as the familiar thriller territory of London and New York. But he made less use of, indeed was not so much at home in, the world of beautiful people, of the best clubs, the best restaurants. There is perhaps less glamour but there is no less excitement. Two Faces of Nemesis (1979) consolidated the reputation established by Blindfold but it is Tightrope (1981) that shows his complete mastery of complicated plotting and a compulsive narrative power.
Trigger (1982) was the first of the submarine stories. Set in the Mediterranean in 1943, it was at least partly based on his service under a legendary fire-eater decorated with the VC who was by no means the easiest of commanding officers. The book was as widely praised for its expertise, communicated to the reader without apparent effort, as for the suspense he knew so well how to achieve. 'He has that rare thriller writer's skill of making the reader know what to do in a crisis, as when enemy destroyers are sweeping overhead,' as one reviewer put it. The same qualities were evident in Talon (1983) and Shadow (1985). The tension and the trust between men living together in the closest of quarters and the greatest of danger pervades every line. So does the discipline and the professionalism that Melville Ross brought to his work as an author.
The six novels that he published between 1978 and 1985 arise equally from his service as a sub- mariner in the Second World War, in which he was awarded the DSC and rose to command his own boat, and the Cold War world of the Secret Service into which he transferred soon after the end of the war. He wrote them in inverse order, beginning with the spy novels and then going on to submarines. His first book, Blindfold (1978), was at once recognised by such discriminating critics as TJ Binyon and Sheridan Morley, who compared it to Ian Fleming's debut with Casino Royale. Like Fleming, Melville Ross made good use of exotic backgrounds - the Libyan desert, the Colombian jungle - as well as the familiar thriller territory of London and New York. But he made less use of, indeed was not so much at home in, the world of beautiful people, of the best clubs, the best restaurants. There is perhaps less glamour but there is no less excitement. Two Faces of Nemesis (1979) consolidated the reputation established by Blindfold but it is Tightrope (1981) that shows his complete mastery of complicated plotting and a compulsive narrative power.
Trigger (1982) was the first of the submarine stories. Set in the Mediterranean in 1943, it was at least partly based on his service under a legendary fire-eater decorated with the VC who was by no means the easiest of commanding officers. The book was as widely praised for its expertise, communicated to the reader without apparent effort, as for the suspense he knew so well how to achieve. 'He has that rare thriller writer's skill of making the reader know what to do in a crisis, as when enemy destroyers are sweeping overhead,' as one reviewer put it. The same qualities were evident in Talon (1983) and Shadow (1985). The tension and the trust between men living together in the closest of quarters and the greatest of danger pervades every line. So does the discipline and the professionalism that Melville Ross brought to his work as an author.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 20, 2022
Peter Harding number 2. What is plain from the beginning is that the “men” manning this sub are youngsters, their captain a youthful 25 whose birthday just passed. The actors who portrait them in movies old enough to be their grandparents. Only their youth enabled them to sustain the rigors of 77 men inhabiting a cigar tube under water. Also clear is the importance of espionage and code breaking.
Once more a man who lived through it brings a new reality to being depth charged. Hollywood likes to show the geysers erupting from the ocean as those underwater explosions take place. Bodies near those concussions were torn apart, you’ve seen what happens to fish killed just by the sound wave.
In the sub sound underwater travels long distances and is magnified. It becomes psychological warfare. A boat is damaged even if it doesn’t receive a direct hit. The underwater shockwaves knock mariners about, blow light bulbs, fuses, the glass on gages. Damages the batteries that power the electric motors used to move the ship and cause leaks--battery acid and sea water=chlorine. The 77 men on board cause a build up of carbon dioxide and loss of oxygen. Bilge pumps use battery power as do sewage pumps. Keep a sub below long enough and the mariners asphyxiate or the boat loses maneuverability. Going deep increases hull pressure and high pressure leaks can blow a man in two.
Today we call it PTSD however we term it treating the condition with sex therapy seems somewhat radical. No wonder he was asked whether he was gay. This is not the only part of the tale that seems to be fact stranger than fiction. That a man agreed to be wounded and crippled for the sake of authenticity and that the action was carried out. That Peter and his crew are sent to rescue this man whose spy work enabled many of their successes neither knowing of their connection to the other. The land based sections are not the author's best writing.
Once more a man who lived through it brings a new reality to being depth charged. Hollywood likes to show the geysers erupting from the ocean as those underwater explosions take place. Bodies near those concussions were torn apart, you’ve seen what happens to fish killed just by the sound wave.
In the sub sound underwater travels long distances and is magnified. It becomes psychological warfare. A boat is damaged even if it doesn’t receive a direct hit. The underwater shockwaves knock mariners about, blow light bulbs, fuses, the glass on gages. Damages the batteries that power the electric motors used to move the ship and cause leaks--battery acid and sea water=chlorine. The 77 men on board cause a build up of carbon dioxide and loss of oxygen. Bilge pumps use battery power as do sewage pumps. Keep a sub below long enough and the mariners asphyxiate or the boat loses maneuverability. Going deep increases hull pressure and high pressure leaks can blow a man in two.
Today we call it PTSD however we term it treating the condition with sex therapy seems somewhat radical. No wonder he was asked whether he was gay. This is not the only part of the tale that seems to be fact stranger than fiction. That a man agreed to be wounded and crippled for the sake of authenticity and that the action was carried out. That Peter and his crew are sent to rescue this man whose spy work enabled many of their successes neither knowing of their connection to the other. The land based sections are not the author's best writing.
December 18, 2020
Book 2 follows on a few weeks later (perhaps a month or two) from Command. There's some new crew characters and the author seems to forget the name of the first officer for quite long chunk of the book. The skipper's long distance American fiancé disappears from the story entirely.
As a story based around submarine service in the 1943 mediterranean, I doubt there are many better books out there. The authors real experience in WW2 submarines shines through out the book. Te plot is a little fantastic to be true, but the sort of operations are based in real experiences and events, if compressed together for the narrative. As for the "love Interest" the start may be based on in some long forgotten reality, but if so this was a secret probably only known to a few. After that its all gets a bit OTT as well, but I'm sure stranger things happened under wartime circumstances.
All in all a really excellent book, that looks at combat stress and burn-out affecting submarine captains under war time conditions.
As a story based around submarine service in the 1943 mediterranean, I doubt there are many better books out there. The authors real experience in WW2 submarines shines through out the book. Te plot is a little fantastic to be true, but the sort of operations are based in real experiences and events, if compressed together for the narrative. As for the "love Interest" the start may be based on in some long forgotten reality, but if so this was a secret probably only known to a few. After that its all gets a bit OTT as well, but I'm sure stranger things happened under wartime circumstances.
All in all a really excellent book, that looks at combat stress and burn-out affecting submarine captains under war time conditions.
December 18, 2020
Action at Sea
This story moves at a steady pace. There is abundant action to please any armchair reader of naval historical fiction. The author weaves into the story great detail of WWII submachine action that only underscores hid deep knowledge of his material. The portrayal of his main character struggles to balance his duty as a commanding officer at wartime with his obligation to his crew for which he bears ultimate responsibility only underscores the dilemma of a very human condition. This moral dilemma adds dimension to his main character as a naval officer and as a human being.
The steady drumbeat of naval action on almost every page will leave the most casual reader wanting more. I know I will.
This story moves at a steady pace. There is abundant action to please any armchair reader of naval historical fiction. The author weaves into the story great detail of WWII submachine action that only underscores hid deep knowledge of his material. The portrayal of his main character struggles to balance his duty as a commanding officer at wartime with his obligation to his crew for which he bears ultimate responsibility only underscores the dilemma of a very human condition. This moral dilemma adds dimension to his main character as a naval officer and as a human being.
The steady drumbeat of naval action on almost every page will leave the most casual reader wanting more. I know I will.
May 31, 2020
Another EXCELLENT read !
This well written saga continues onwards with non-stop action and will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. Book 2 of the series is yet another 5 stars earned through talent, skill, great character development action, action, action. And Yes, war IS hell !
This well written saga continues onwards with non-stop action and will have you sitting on the edge of your seat. Book 2 of the series is yet another 5 stars earned through talent, skill, great character development action, action, action. And Yes, war IS hell !
May 2, 2021
This read was enjoyable.
I would recommend this series to anyone who would like to understand the war fro. The Royal Navy's point of view. The RN was naval combat in a different light than the Americans and the Aussies. The British were facing the loss of their long-standing empire, and who knew what else? Good read.
The British were facing a
I would recommend this series to anyone who would like to understand the war fro. The Royal Navy's point of view. The RN was naval combat in a different light than the Americans and the Aussies. The British were facing the loss of their long-standing empire, and who knew what else? Good read.
The British were facing a
December 4, 2018
Compelling reading.
Life on board a submarine in warfare, I enjoyed book 1 of this series and .now this one highlights if you like the stress that these crews especially the Skipper of the boat were under, Written by an ex submariner it is compelling reading.
Life on board a submarine in warfare, I enjoyed book 1 of this series and .now this one highlights if you like the stress that these crews especially the Skipper of the boat were under, Written by an ex submariner it is compelling reading.
September 10, 2019
I Enjoyed It
The second book of the four has received some 'left's reviews but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Continuing the story of It Peter Harding's war although at a slower pace than the first book
The second book of the four has received some 'left's reviews but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Continuing the story of It Peter Harding's war although at a slower pace than the first book
June 4, 2022
excellent.. Can’t wait for Another
In my search for the Submarine’s named Trigger or Triggerfish, I came to this writer.. superior first step if you like navy and submarine lore stories.
In my search for the Submarine’s named Trigger or Triggerfish, I came to this writer.. superior first step if you like navy and submarine lore stories.
June 5, 2022
Probably a three and a half
OK I enjoy reading of navel actions, this one had some good ones, however it also had a bit too much romance and sexual activity for me. I served in the sea service and am well aware of shore time activities which can be mentioned, but please with out so much of it.
OK I enjoy reading of navel actions, this one had some good ones, however it also had a bit too much romance and sexual activity for me. I served in the sea service and am well aware of shore time activities which can be mentioned, but please with out so much of it.
July 18, 2022
exceptionally tight
This book weaves the characters together with reality and grace under pressure. Remember that the men are all 20 something and are facing extraordinary pressures. The author captures their humanity and the inhumanity of war with excellent plot twists.
This book weaves the characters together with reality and grace under pressure. Remember that the men are all 20 something and are facing extraordinary pressures. The author captures their humanity and the inhumanity of war with excellent plot twists.
August 18, 2024
The skipper got his gongs & his girl
I liked the whole book! A story well told & written by an author who knows his way around submarines. Oh by the way I was a Pongo, so this is praise indeed!!
I liked the whole book! A story well told & written by an author who knows his way around submarines. Oh by the way I was a Pongo, so this is praise indeed!!
September 14, 2024
Adventures in the med.
A solid four stars. There is less action and edge of seat tension in this book. It is still an excellent read with Harding faced by a health crisis that threatens his career, following a successful mission. Looking forward to book four.
A solid four stars. There is less action and edge of seat tension in this book. It is still an excellent read with Harding faced by a health crisis that threatens his career, following a successful mission. Looking forward to book four.
March 27, 2018
A good follow up to his first book and clearly showed his knowledge of submarines & submariners in 2nd Word War. The book held my attention for the whole length of the novel, Great book
October 3, 2018
Great Series
Great read. Hard to put down. Very happy to find this author and this series. Looking forward to many more!,
Great read. Hard to put down. Very happy to find this author and this series. Looking forward to many more!,
February 17, 2019
Hornblower of subs.
Cracking good read. All the pressures of command and their mental toll fully dealt with as well as fighting the ship.
Cracking good read. All the pressures of command and their mental toll fully dealt with as well as fighting the ship.
August 16, 2019
Great Read
This story really kept you wanting more real life as it was in submarines a very harsh unforgiving life and we should be grateful for all who served.
This story really kept you wanting more real life as it was in submarines a very harsh unforgiving life and we should be grateful for all who served.
January 3, 2020
Not to be put down
This tale of fiction has a predictable ending but a few twists and turns before getting there. Couldn't stop reading it.
This tale of fiction has a predictable ending but a few twists and turns before getting there. Couldn't stop reading it.
September 29, 2020
Hard to put down
Brilliant book the series gets better and better ,very good knowledge of submarines at war and the stress it brings
Brilliant book the series gets better and better ,very good knowledge of submarines at war and the stress it brings
September 2, 2021
Good
Very good. Entertaining and not too predictable. Worth a couple of days to read leisurely. Keeps you engaged. Good read
Very good. Entertaining and not too predictable. Worth a couple of days to read leisurely. Keeps you engaged. Good read
April 3, 2022
another wonderful war story
The story of Lt Harding is both one of a daring commander and the pressures they are under and the personal sacrifices they undertake.
The story of Lt Harding is both one of a daring commander and the pressures they are under and the personal sacrifices they undertake.
June 6, 2022
Another entertaining read in the series. I could do without the far fetched romantic subplot involving the skipper although it does bear on the effects of the pressure he was under in wartime.
July 15, 2022
Interesting series written from some experience I would think. Full of action and the lead figure, who story we follow through these series, is well drawn.
Recommend .
Recommend .
December 25, 2024
Exciting through and through!
This book was excitingly written and it was very well written to lead the reader into the suspense of real life wartime action and human emotion.
This book was excitingly written and it was very well written to lead the reader into the suspense of real life wartime action and human emotion.
Read
February 16, 2023A masterful story told by a masterful author
Once again Mr Melville-Ross has continue the tale of Lt Peter Harding with witt, humour, pathos and a compelling story of life in the submarine service during WW2. It brings home for me the reality of what people went through to save our nation from the tyrany of the Nazi.
This series of books will appeal to readers of Douglas Reeman
Once again Mr Melville-Ross has continue the tale of Lt Peter Harding with witt, humour, pathos and a compelling story of life in the submarine service during WW2. It brings home for me the reality of what people went through to save our nation from the tyrany of the Nazi.
This series of books will appeal to readers of Douglas Reeman
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews