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S-Squad #10
Operation: North Sea
The chill grey waters of the North Sea off the Scottish coast are treacherous at the best of times and become even more so when something attacks an offshore oil rig.
An old friend calls for S-Squad's expertise but what they find is a bigger enemy by far than any they have previously encountered.
This time they're going to need bigger guns.
An old friend calls for S-Squad's expertise but what they find is a bigger enemy by far than any they have previously encountered.
This time they're going to need bigger guns.
138 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 24, 2020
219 people are currently reading
94 people want to read
About the author
William Meikle
409 books1,849 followersI'm a Scottish writer, now living in Canada, with more than thirty novels published in the genre press and over 300 short story credits in thirteen countries.
My work has appeared in a number of professional anthologies and I have recent short story sales to NATURE Futures and Galaxy's Edge. When I'm not writing I play guitar, drink beer and dream of fortune and glory.
For an intro to me, my writing and my accent see my Youtube channel
My work has appeared in a number of professional anthologies and I have recent short story sales to NATURE Futures and Galaxy's Edge. When I'm not writing I play guitar, drink beer and dream of fortune and glory.
For an intro to me, my writing and my accent see my Youtube channel
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 17, 2024
The S-Squad is sent out to an oil rig after being requested by an old acquaintance who have shared the trenches with them in an earlier monster hunt. Out there in the treacherous North Sea they encounter something massive that devours rigs and cannot be stopped by mere bullets . The story took on the supernatural here and in the end some mumbo-jumbo, as they put it, made them come through this ordeal. Not one of my favorites in the series, but on the positive side Wiggo (Corporal Wiggins) gets more development which sets the next book up nicely.
March 26, 2024
Operation, Dangerous!
The S-Squad is once again on the verge of being a rescue team for some folks who have been trampled on by a monster.
They have traveled to the North Sea to help the workers on an oil rig. The crew has been under attack from the monstrosity that they are afraid of.
The description of the creature is not believable to the S-Squad, but they’ve seen so much that they have to at least try to be open minded.
The creature looks like a giant serpent, with a head as big as a house. And it is extremely violent and dangerous and terrifying.
It looks like it has been around for a long time. Many centuries ago. It can only be controlled by a member of the S-Squad who has a certain chant that he does to calm it down.
The sea creature has caused a lot of damage and destruction and disaster to the oil rig and every place he lands in. He needs to be removed immediately.
Four stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The S-Squad is once again on the verge of being a rescue team for some folks who have been trampled on by a monster.
They have traveled to the North Sea to help the workers on an oil rig. The crew has been under attack from the monstrosity that they are afraid of.
The description of the creature is not believable to the S-Squad, but they’ve seen so much that they have to at least try to be open minded.
The creature looks like a giant serpent, with a head as big as a house. And it is extremely violent and dangerous and terrifying.
It looks like it has been around for a long time. Many centuries ago. It can only be controlled by a member of the S-Squad who has a certain chant that he does to calm it down.
The sea creature has caused a lot of damage and destruction and disaster to the oil rig and every place he lands in. He needs to be removed immediately.
Four stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
December 31, 2020
Operation: North Sea is the latest “S-Squad” book from William Meikle. This is a series with plenty of military-vs-monsters fun with a touch of horror (occasionally a hint at cosmic horror), and a touch of adventure. In this volume, the lads get to deal with a kaiju! In particular, a giant sea monster. When it attacks an oil rig, Captain John Banks, Sergeant Hynds, Corporal Wiggins (Wiggo), and privates Wilkins and Davies are sent to investigate. They meet up with our old friend Alexander Seton, who helped out when the lads went up against the Loch Ness monster, and who has an interest in old magics. He thinks he might have a way to deal with this new sea monster, but it’s so wacky no one wants to give him the chance. Everyone would rather shoot at or blow up the thing, even though Seton believes neither will make a difference.
This wouldn’t be the best intro to the series if you haven’t read it before. Most of it would make sense to a new reader, but certain parts of the ending might seem mildly anticlimactic if you don’t have the background on them.
Wiggo is starting to have to take charge of some situations now that he’s been promoted, and he’s still working out how to do that. Davies and Wilkins are relegated to the background in this book, and there isn’t much seen of Hynd, but Banks is right in the thick of things. The focus is definitely on the monsters and other dangers, but we do get to have slivers of growth for the characters. I think it’s an excellent balance. There are also a couple of local characters that give the story some added color.
As a note, many authors, when trying to impart a particular accent in a book, do it by spelling words oddly phonetically, which backfires. The reader spends so much time trying to puzzle out every word, and it slows the story down horribly. Meikle is perfect in this regard. He just writes what the characters say, and, probably because he’s actually from Scotland, he doesn’t jazz it up at all. The differences lie in the words that are used and how they’re put together. It’s enough to totally put the voices into your head, and it doesn’t slow down the reading at all.
There’s plenty of action, lots of tension, some excellent characters, and a monster that leaves us with a few unanswered questions. I loved this installment in the series, and I can’t wait to read the next.
Original review posted on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2020/12/r...
This wouldn’t be the best intro to the series if you haven’t read it before. Most of it would make sense to a new reader, but certain parts of the ending might seem mildly anticlimactic if you don’t have the background on them.
Wiggo is starting to have to take charge of some situations now that he’s been promoted, and he’s still working out how to do that. Davies and Wilkins are relegated to the background in this book, and there isn’t much seen of Hynd, but Banks is right in the thick of things. The focus is definitely on the monsters and other dangers, but we do get to have slivers of growth for the characters. I think it’s an excellent balance. There are also a couple of local characters that give the story some added color.
As a note, many authors, when trying to impart a particular accent in a book, do it by spelling words oddly phonetically, which backfires. The reader spends so much time trying to puzzle out every word, and it slows the story down horribly. Meikle is perfect in this regard. He just writes what the characters say, and, probably because he’s actually from Scotland, he doesn’t jazz it up at all. The differences lie in the words that are used and how they’re put together. It’s enough to totally put the voices into your head, and it doesn’t slow down the reading at all.
There’s plenty of action, lots of tension, some excellent characters, and a monster that leaves us with a few unanswered questions. I loved this installment in the series, and I can’t wait to read the next.
Original review posted on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2020/12/r...
October 6, 2020
Back with the boys! Another beastie, another adventure.
Filled with film references and great banter between the characters, this is another great addition to the S-Squad series.
Filled with film references and great banter between the characters, this is another great addition to the S-Squad series.
December 7, 2024
S Squad are summoned to a briefing and are surprised to see that Sandy Seton is there to greet them. He tells them that there have been boats going missing over the North Sea for a couple of years and he believes that a mythical sea monster may be responsible. There has been a sighting at an oil rig by a worker that matches the description of the beast and Sandy has requested that S Squad go out to the rig with him to investigate.
It was great to see Sandy back after the adventure at Loch Ness but not surprisingly it brings back bad memories to the team about McCally's fate. Wiggo in particular is finding it hard to deal with the anger and grief and Sandy is aware that he isn't the person the squad really want to see, especially when he hopes that a bit of his hocus pocus may be required to try to calm the beast, as before. Hynd is also struggling to talk to Banks about his future with the squad, deciding to leave the chat until after the mission.
The manager out on the rig makes it clear that he thinks the worker's story is sheer rubbish but it's not long until the beast appears to prove him wrong. The oil rig in the middle of a violent storm is not the ideal place to deal with a massive sea serpent, especially when damage to the rig leaves the team dealing with injury, but being separated at a crucial time. Every team member is in danger on this mission as is everyone working on the rig.
Wiggo finds himself in the unusual position of having to lead his part of the team and he fears that he is not going to be up to the job of commanding his less experienced team mates and trying to take charge of the men on the rig with him who are looking for guidance and rescue. Is Wiggo going to be able to step up in a serious life or death scenario or is the pressure going to get to him? Sandy is also struggling to get the authorities to take him seriously and let him try to tame the beast, and Banks fears that none of them are getting out of this alive.
This is about as dangerous as it can get for the team. The rig is very vulnerable to the sheer size of the monster who seems intent on destroying it. With the storm making rescue nearly impossible, the rig is about to fall apart at the worst possible time. This was a very tense adventure and the death toll is way higher than any of the other books in the series. There is a sense of menace and a ticking time bomb to total disaster, which I loved. I also enjoyed seeing the character of Sandy again.
I rate this as one of my favourites because of the scale of the disaster and everything that is happening.
It was great to see Sandy back after the adventure at Loch Ness but not surprisingly it brings back bad memories to the team about McCally's fate. Wiggo in particular is finding it hard to deal with the anger and grief and Sandy is aware that he isn't the person the squad really want to see, especially when he hopes that a bit of his hocus pocus may be required to try to calm the beast, as before. Hynd is also struggling to talk to Banks about his future with the squad, deciding to leave the chat until after the mission.
The manager out on the rig makes it clear that he thinks the worker's story is sheer rubbish but it's not long until the beast appears to prove him wrong. The oil rig in the middle of a violent storm is not the ideal place to deal with a massive sea serpent, especially when damage to the rig leaves the team dealing with injury, but being separated at a crucial time. Every team member is in danger on this mission as is everyone working on the rig.
Wiggo finds himself in the unusual position of having to lead his part of the team and he fears that he is not going to be up to the job of commanding his less experienced team mates and trying to take charge of the men on the rig with him who are looking for guidance and rescue. Is Wiggo going to be able to step up in a serious life or death scenario or is the pressure going to get to him? Sandy is also struggling to get the authorities to take him seriously and let him try to tame the beast, and Banks fears that none of them are getting out of this alive.
This is about as dangerous as it can get for the team. The rig is very vulnerable to the sheer size of the monster who seems intent on destroying it. With the storm making rescue nearly impossible, the rig is about to fall apart at the worst possible time. This was a very tense adventure and the death toll is way higher than any of the other books in the series. There is a sense of menace and a ticking time bomb to total disaster, which I loved. I also enjoyed seeing the character of Sandy again.
I rate this as one of my favourites because of the scale of the disaster and everything that is happening.
August 7, 2024
The lads from S-Squad are sent just a short jump away onto an oil rig on the chilly waters of the North Sea off the Scottish coastline. While they’re sent away with an old friend what they hadn’t anticipated was the monster they find lurking beneath the dark water is far, far bigger than even they could have imagined.
I really love this series and thoroughly enjoyed this addition. Short and very fast paced, this time more guns and fire power weren’t helpful against the biggest beastie the boys have faced yet. I thought this quick story was exceptionally well thought out by the author and I was very happy with the progress of some of the characters – Wiggins in particular. His character is certainly growing and learning, and I found that a joy to read. A few of the small interactions between Wiggins and Captain Banks in particular really had me feeling there was room for more to come in the next few books.
As always – this series is a rollicking good time. Fine literature and twisty turning complex plots is not the aim of the game here. Rather this is a loud, brash and joyous good time with plenty of drinking, swearing, monsters and bravery. I adore these squaddies and this series and while it’s certainly not needed to have read any of the previous books you’re missing out if you haven’t.
With monsters, brave soldiers and a whole bunch of collateral damage this is a fun and frivolous read that is sure to brighten anyone’s day. I love this series and found this to be a wonderfully good time. Recommended.
I really love this series and thoroughly enjoyed this addition. Short and very fast paced, this time more guns and fire power weren’t helpful against the biggest beastie the boys have faced yet. I thought this quick story was exceptionally well thought out by the author and I was very happy with the progress of some of the characters – Wiggins in particular. His character is certainly growing and learning, and I found that a joy to read. A few of the small interactions between Wiggins and Captain Banks in particular really had me feeling there was room for more to come in the next few books.
As always – this series is a rollicking good time. Fine literature and twisty turning complex plots is not the aim of the game here. Rather this is a loud, brash and joyous good time with plenty of drinking, swearing, monsters and bravery. I adore these squaddies and this series and while it’s certainly not needed to have read any of the previous books you’re missing out if you haven’t.
With monsters, brave soldiers and a whole bunch of collateral damage this is a fun and frivolous read that is sure to brighten anyone’s day. I love this series and found this to be a wonderfully good time. Recommended.
August 25, 2021
So so entry
This book was light on the action and focused more on character development. One of the main characters chooses to retire which has been foreshadowed heavily in this book and the previous. The supernatural aspect of the creature was interesting but it seemed like the author didn't know what he wanted to do with this book and was super light on details. What is monster? Don't know. Why is it here? Don't know. Is it truly gone? Don't know.
The author definitely rushed the ending of the book. The monster is "defeated" and the team comes up with a way to keep it gone that definitely couldn't happen. And they ignore the fact a nuke went off. I believe in the raptors in the last book more than half the stuff that happened in this one.
One last pet peeve I've noticed. The author refuses to give names to secondary characters. The squad will have conversations with other people throughout all of the novels and I have no idea what their names are. Just take 10 seconds to come up with a name. Anything is better than "the man" "the woman" "the doctor" or "the operator". Just lazy writing.
This book was light on the action and focused more on character development. One of the main characters chooses to retire which has been foreshadowed heavily in this book and the previous. The supernatural aspect of the creature was interesting but it seemed like the author didn't know what he wanted to do with this book and was super light on details. What is monster? Don't know. Why is it here? Don't know. Is it truly gone? Don't know.
The author definitely rushed the ending of the book. The monster is "defeated" and the team comes up with a way to keep it gone that definitely couldn't happen. And they ignore the fact a nuke went off. I believe in the raptors in the last book more than half the stuff that happened in this one.
One last pet peeve I've noticed. The author refuses to give names to secondary characters. The squad will have conversations with other people throughout all of the novels and I have no idea what their names are. Just take 10 seconds to come up with a name. Anything is better than "the man" "the woman" "the doctor" or "the operator". Just lazy writing.
October 22, 2020
Another solid S Squad adventure
A little short but given the cryptid in this adventure there wasn't much a group of soldiers with rifles was going to do.
I wasn't glad to see some character development and was pleased with how thing's ended.
Looking forward to the next installment.
A little short but given the cryptid in this adventure there wasn't much a group of soldiers with rifles was going to do.
I wasn't glad to see some character development and was pleased with how thing's ended.
Looking forward to the next installment.
November 4, 2020
Mr. Meikle has done it again! 4.5 Stars
Love me some S-Squad, and love how so many of William Meikle's books seem to tie together in the end! I'm thinking Seton might be a bit "more" than he appears on the surface - which could prove to be most interesting indeed. I'm ready for the next in series! Wonder what the lads will find in the Yukon?
Love me some S-Squad, and love how so many of William Meikle's books seem to tie together in the end! I'm thinking Seton might be a bit "more" than he appears on the surface - which could prove to be most interesting indeed. I'm ready for the next in series! Wonder what the lads will find in the Yukon?
November 17, 2020
Good as usual, but...
I enjoyed this book like I have the rest in this series, but it almost seemed rushed and not as detailed? Not sure if that is the right way to put it.
I do recommend this book and the rest of the series. Definitely looking forwards to the next book.
Yet I feel as if the author needs to go over this book again and make improvements.
I enjoyed this book like I have the rest in this series, but it almost seemed rushed and not as detailed? Not sure if that is the right way to put it.
I do recommend this book and the rest of the series. Definitely looking forwards to the next book.
Yet I feel as if the author needs to go over this book again and make improvements.
December 13, 2020
Another awesome addition!!!
Mr. Meikle does it again! Having read all 10 of the S-Squad books, I already knew to expect terrifying monsters, a resilient and courageous S Squad and yes... devastation. The beastie in this book most certainly brings the pain and an this time brains are needed to save the day more than brawn!!!
Mr. Meikle does it again! Having read all 10 of the S-Squad books, I already knew to expect terrifying monsters, a resilient and courageous S Squad and yes... devastation. The beastie in this book most certainly brings the pain and an this time brains are needed to save the day more than brawn!!!
February 15, 2023
The tenth book in the series, featuring the return of an old friend of the squad as they face off with the biggest monster they've had to fight yet.
A fun but at times frustrating read, the frustration all coming from the constant interruption of the squads attempt to deal with the monster from outside sources who believe they know better.
A fun but at times frustrating read, the frustration all coming from the constant interruption of the squads attempt to deal with the monster from outside sources who believe they know better.
March 21, 2023
Music calmeth the savage beastie; plus a drill rig for lunch and a navy frigate for dinner.
This was a pretty good creature feature, with a Scottish flavour. Complete with whisky, Scottish accents, and Nessy in a kilt! (I might have exaggerated with the kilt bit.)
It's not a literary masterpiece, but worth a read.
This was a pretty good creature feature, with a Scottish flavour. Complete with whisky, Scottish accents, and Nessy in a kilt! (I might have exaggerated with the kilt bit.)
It's not a literary masterpiece, but worth a read.
September 27, 2020
The S Squad series is one of my favorites. Absolutely love them and the characters. Love watching them grow. The monsters are unique and loved North Sea. As soon as I was told it came out, ordered and read immediately. Another great, great book
October 3, 2020
Another Knockout
I don't know how, but these stories just keep getting better. There are parts of this one that got in the same emotional strings as Operation: Norway, with enough massive action to boot. Keep 'em coming, and I'll keep reading!
I don't know how, but these stories just keep getting better. There are parts of this one that got in the same emotional strings as Operation: Norway, with enough massive action to boot. Keep 'em coming, and I'll keep reading!
October 22, 2020
Love these characters
I do enjoy reading these books! Whenever I see a new S Squad book come out, I drop whatever I'm reading and dive right into it. I like the Scottish sayings and the relationships between the characters. Keep writing! See you in Yukon ❄❄
I do enjoy reading these books! Whenever I see a new S Squad book come out, I drop whatever I'm reading and dive right into it. I like the Scottish sayings and the relationships between the characters. Keep writing! See you in Yukon ❄❄
February 1, 2021
S Squad are asked for help from an old friend and find themselves again in trouble, this time stuck on an oil rig in the middle of a storm. Wiggo steps up for a more leading role as the team are again stretched to breaking point.
April 8, 2021
A WHOPPER OF A TALE IT IS..
Hello, this is a really good story. Very well written and extremely entertaining to read. A little bit of this and a little bit of that. Good stuff. Thanks.
Hello, this is a really good story. Very well written and extremely entertaining to read. A little bit of this and a little bit of that. Good stuff. Thanks.
October 10, 2020
This series just keeps getting more enjoyable.
Looking forward to the next one
Looking forward to the next one
February 11, 2021
4 Stars
S-squad is called when an oil rig in the North Sea in attacked by a giant sea serpent. Language as always is bad.
S-squad is called when an oil rig in the North Sea in attacked by a giant sea serpent. Language as always is bad.
April 9, 2021
Another home run!
FUN!! Ride the wild ride that is William Meikle's imagination put to paper. He's a great author, this is so much fun!! Highly recommend!!
FUN!! Ride the wild ride that is William Meikle's imagination put to paper. He's a great author, this is so much fun!! Highly recommend!!
June 30, 2021
Another rollicking good adventure!
July 15, 2021
2.5 stars
July 18, 2021
Just amazing, loved that
May 15, 2022
Mammoth Moby
An invulnerable for. Lots. Of well done dialog. Abrupt end. I thought there should be more reslution. Singing it to sleep seems see bit weak.
An invulnerable for. Lots. Of well done dialog. Abrupt end. I thought there should be more reslution. Singing it to sleep seems see bit weak.
July 18, 2022
Not my favourite of the series (a little TOO outlandish for me, and the interactions of various characters was quite unrealistic at times), but still good fun and easy to get through.
April 16, 2025
Seton is the perfect reoccurring character. This series never disappoints and is never predictable
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2025
what is coming from the sea?…
Very scary could be better than Sharron story from the fifteenth
,
I would be be afraid very afraid,
,
Very scary could be better than Sharron story from the fifteenth
,
I would be be afraid very afraid,
,
Read
March 7, 2024This time the boys tackle another sea monster. More excellent fun and violence from the consistently brilliant William Meikle.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews