Exploded View: Nightmare Cruise

by Bill Yancey

The Cold War, police actions, superpower skirmishes, and outright conventional warfare delivered at least 100 million assault rifles to hot spots throughout the world. Terrorists, legitimate rebels to oppressive regimes, local militias, and individuals confiscated many of those weapons for their own use. Fanatics obtained these weapons though legal and illegal methods. Their ability to re-purpose weapons for their causes is a major problem for lawful governments. In the past, black market arms were limited to hand guns, rocket-propelled grenades, and automatic rifles. Lately, more powerful explosives, handheld anti-aircraft missiles, and biological weapons have found their way to extremists. Today, religious fanatics have access to drones, depleted uranium, and other radioactive materials. It’s only a matter of time before they find a suppler for weapons-grade uranium or plutonium.Building a nuclear weapon is not too difficult if one has the materials. Delivering it to its intended target is a challenge. Stopping it from detonating will be a daunting task once it is delivered. The presence of one or two atomic bombs onboard a ship can ruin a tropical cruise.Fred Gretowski and his nephew, Chad, are on a journey to Sydney, Australia, on the largest most luxurious cruise ship ever built. Fred wants to show Chad where he spent R&R from the war in Vietnam before he became a POW.The well publicized maiden voyage of the Hollywood Stars Cruise Liner Marilyn Monroe has given the Islamic State time to plan the ship’s hijacking. Terrorists bring with them two atomic weapons, AK-47s, pistols, combat knives, a GPS spoofer, computer technology, cutting edge walkie-talkies, and detailed plans on how to control the ship. They are a formidable squad of combat trained jihadis. A ragtag group of passengers and ship’s crew take exception to the terrorists’ designs. In the balance lies the fate of the ship and 3000 passengers and crew, if not the world.

279 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2021

About the author

Bill Yancey had the privilege of being the son of an air force officer and the grandson of an army officer. As a result, he lived all over the world, but never really grew up. He attended four high schools, a prep school, and five colleges. After bouncing out of an engineering curriculum, and spending time in Vietnam as a result, he finally obtained an undergraduate degree in general science from Virginia Tech in 1971. The Medical College of Virginia still regrets giving him an M.D. degree in 1976. He writes for his own entertainment, and hopes you see the humor in it, too.

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's billed as Die Hard on a cruise ship, but this certainly isn't Speed 2. It's almost a spoof.

A 70 year old Vietnam veteran and his 48 year old nephew go on the maiden voyage of a new generation cruise ship. The nephew meets an attractive lady who is something like an air marshal, only on cruise ships.

Of course, the ship is taken over by terrorists. The trio, along with the crew try to foil the scheme.

Not bad, although it does take nearly half the book for the story to actually kick in.

[Frank Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bill Yancey has done it again! Exploded View Nightmare Cruise is lights out great. The fast paced action includes POWs, atomic weapons, and terrorists taking over a cruise ship. You'll remember this cruise for a long, long time.

[Terry Groves · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel kept me turning pages. Yancey takes you on an incredible adventure from the Korean Conflict to post COVID pandemic and thrills you all the way.
Likely and unlikely characters face off against terrorists on a luxury cruise ship.
This is an excellent read if you enjoy action/thrillers.