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Hidden Hunters
Life below the waters is never safe...
Silently trawling the dark and icy waters of wartime Europe, the crew of a British submarine are poised for action. With German U-Boats sharing the black oceans, Lieutenant Peter Harding must keep a cool head as a single mistake could cost the lives of his entire crew.
Perfect for fans of military fiction and naval thrillers, Hidden Hunters brings together the four bestselling novels of the Lt. Harding series.
Praise for Antony Melville-Ross:
'A thriller of unusual quality.' – The Independent
'Rare thriller-writer’s skill.' - Daily Telegraph
‘Splendid - tense, gripping, convincing.’ - Books & Bookmen
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.
Silently trawling the dark and icy waters of wartime Europe, the crew of a British submarine are poised for action. With German U-Boats sharing the black oceans, Lieutenant Peter Harding must keep a cool head as a single mistake could cost the lives of his entire crew.
Perfect for fans of military fiction and naval thrillers, Hidden Hunters brings together the four bestselling novels of the Lt. Harding series.
Praise for Antony Melville-Ross:
'A thriller of unusual quality.' – The Independent
'Rare thriller-writer’s skill.' - Daily Telegraph
‘Splendid - tense, gripping, convincing.’ - Books & Bookmen
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.
1177 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2018
104 people are currently reading
22 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 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 29, 2020
A very nice surprise
I picked up the complete series and wasn’t really expecting very much. To my surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed all of the books. The book tracks one main character from his start in the Royal Navy as a sub-lieutenant on board a submarine from the outbreak of the war in Europe through its conclusion in The Pacific. The characters are well done, the maritime setting is real, and the battle actions make you feel as if you are there on the boat. The e book version is out of order, the first book appears at the end.but the rest are sequential. If you enjoy books about submarine action in World War II, I heartily recommend this collection.
I picked up the complete series and wasn’t really expecting very much. To my surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed all of the books. The book tracks one main character from his start in the Royal Navy as a sub-lieutenant on board a submarine from the outbreak of the war in Europe through its conclusion in The Pacific. The characters are well done, the maritime setting is real, and the battle actions make you feel as if you are there on the boat. The e book version is out of order, the first book appears at the end.but the rest are sequential. If you enjoy books about submarine action in World War II, I heartily recommend this collection.
February 4, 2022
Well I guess I just finished the four volume set. Like others, I read volume four first. So I got to the last one, volume three and just couldn't. I guess the first sixty pages or so were pretty soap-opery. I gave up. The series is good enough I guess. But I had just finished David Black's Harry (Harris) Gilmour compendium. No comparison- David Black- five stars this one- maybe three.
Doesn't mean this one is bad it is just that others out there are better. Just my opinion.
Doesn't mean this one is bad it is just that others out there are better. Just my opinion.
March 4, 2023
WOW! What a story.
Ok, this book had me laughing, shaking in fear, crying with the characters and wishing it would not end. What a masterful story teller is Anthony Melville-Ross. I’ll be looking for more of his wonderful work. Although some of the terms I didn’t understand, and were not available on Wikipedia, I was able to decipher most of them. Like Red 15 and Green 35, designations of position around the sub. Keep em coming Anthony.
Ok, this book had me laughing, shaking in fear, crying with the characters and wishing it would not end. What a masterful story teller is Anthony Melville-Ross. I’ll be looking for more of his wonderful work. Although some of the terms I didn’t understand, and were not available on Wikipedia, I was able to decipher most of them. Like Red 15 and Green 35, designations of position around the sub. Keep em coming Anthony.
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June 5, 2023An awesome read
I don't do series, I've always been leary about war stories, and romance is usually very difficult to mix into the horrors of war.
Having said that, this series completely blew me away. The technical stuff was accurate enough; the stories were captivating; the drama was non-stop.
I wish there were more in the series.
Wow! I'll read them again.
I don't do series, I've always been leary about war stories, and romance is usually very difficult to mix into the horrors of war.
Having said that, this series completely blew me away. The technical stuff was accurate enough; the stories were captivating; the drama was non-stop.
I wish there were more in the series.
Wow! I'll read them again.
November 3, 2023
I like stories set at sea, and when combined with the backdrop of world war II it is irresistible. I thought this series of books was fascinating, describing life on a submarine (actually a few different submarines) during the war. The author clearly knows the subject matter, and I found all of the characters to be engaging.
August 30, 2019
A great read
I thoroughly enjoyed this whole series. The author's experience as a submarine commander gives authenticity to the narrative. The plotting, characterisation and vivid writing were outstanding.
I thoroughly enjoyed this whole series. The author's experience as a submarine commander gives authenticity to the narrative. The plotting, characterisation and vivid writing were outstanding.
March 19, 2020
Outstanding
If you enjoy historical fiction, HIDDEN HUNTERS is a collection that will be a favorite of yours. My only reason for only four stars is that book #4 "SHADOW" would make more sense as book #1. You will really enjoy this read!!!!!
If you enjoy historical fiction, HIDDEN HUNTERS is a collection that will be a favorite of yours. My only reason for only four stars is that book #4 "SHADOW" would make more sense as book #1. You will really enjoy this read!!!!!
December 5, 2022
Gripping tales
What a super set of books, well written with very believable characters and lots of action to keep the pages turning.
The one thing I would say is read Shadow first, as this actually preceded the other 3 books.
What a super set of books, well written with very believable characters and lots of action to keep the pages turning.
The one thing I would say is read Shadow first, as this actually preceded the other 3 books.
April 20, 2023
Excellent stuff especially for submarine needs ( myself included here ) and fans of a good old war thriller. Plenty of tense moments holding your breath waiting for the depth charges to stop. Really good fun all round!
November 30, 2020
Brilliant work, really enjoyed it.
February 27, 2023
Loved it
Well written & knowledgeable story. Enjoyed from start to finish. Hope you continue with Hardings journey with subsequent books. Nice one.
Well written & knowledgeable story. Enjoyed from start to finish. Hope you continue with Hardings journey with subsequent books. Nice one.
June 19, 2023
An excellent read.
Very well written. My only complaint is that the four books were not presented in chronological order. That would have made it flow a little better.
Very well written. My only complaint is that the four books were not presented in chronological order. That would have made it flow a little better.
February 13, 2026
did not finish
September 20, 2021
Where to start? This has been a great series to read. I recommend it to anyone with a thirst for action and suspence. the have been written with a great depth of personality, and helps the reader relate to their plight. The books feel well researched from a geographical and technical aspect which adds to the drama. These stories hooked me in and set me up for hours of action and adventure. i will be revisiting these stories again.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews