Customer Reviews

Black Sea Monster

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I really enjoyed Black Sea Monster. It was written from the point of view of Karl Bauer, an East German merchant marine during the cold war years, who wants to defect. The tension is palpable as Bauer describes daily life under the oppressive rule of a Communist country. As a marine officer he enjoys far more freedom than most citizens, and this freedom has caused him to think longingly of a possible fresh start in the West. He cautiously approaches someone in a U.S. Information Agency office in Rotterdam, during a port call. He explains that he wants to defect and offers to provide information in exchange for a new life in the U.S. His resolve and determination increase when he rescues a girl capsized at sea, who was attempting to defect herself. Their joint plans and the adventure that follows gave me an enjoyable read. Smith has written a novel that is more than an interesting story, because it also conveys the fear Communist rule and why people would risk their lives to escape to the West.

One of the most interesting things about this Cold War tale is that its hero is an East German merchant marine officer. I've seen few novels written with merchant mariners as heroes - much less Warsaw Pact seamen.

Bruce Smith has written such a tale and pulls it off with authenticity. His characters and period locales are believable, and it's a good solid story to boot.

In short, it's a fun read, full of twists and turns, well-researched and covers the subject from an unusual but feasible perpective.

A book well worth adding to the collection of anyone who enjoys Cold War action thrillers.

I had thought that with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War that the days of fighting between the CIA and the KGB were over.

I was wrong. Here is a new military thriller with a classic view. And it's the first novel from a new writer that appears to be an American (or British) man who lives in Kiev.

The principal character is an East German merchant seaman who learns of a plot to steal a couple of Harrier jets. (I suspect the Soviets wanted them to assist in the YAK 36/38/41 VTOL fighter program.) He wants to use this knowledge to defect to the US. Of course from there the story gets very complicated with all the twists and turns that you would expect of a well done spy story. Of course there's the girl ... well you know.

The story is well plotted, the characters interesting, it's kind of a nostalgia piece to get away from the 'foil the terrorist' books that have replaced the Cold War.

Cold War stories generally involve super secret weapons or disgruntled spies skulking about Berlin, but BLACK SEA MONSTER is different.

It is a story about freedom and the desire of the those unfortunate to find themselves behind the iron curtain to live freely in the west.

This is the story of Karl Bauer, second mate aboard an East German merchant ship that gets pulled into a wild scheme to steal two Harrier jump jets. He is little more than a pawn in the chess game between east and west. Karl has a secret, he contacted someone during his travels and he is one of the CIA's far flung agents in place.

To prevent the Harriers from falling into Soviet hands, Karl must cripple his ship. The ensuing malestorm leaves friends and enemies dead. This sets the KGB on his trail. Then there is the girl and the choices and ricks he finally takes.

This is a very entertaining read that moves along like a rocket ship. You won't be disappointed.

Karl Bauer wants to defect to the West. He has been given the chance to earn his way out of East Germany.

He is a merchant seaman who rescues a young couple, never dreaming that this would bring him both the woman he would marry and the chance to keep the cold war powers equal as he earned his ticket out.

Because he rescued the young woman, daughter of a prominent Russian sea Captain, Karl is given the chance to stop a Soviet plot to steal two NATO Harrier jets. The jets are important because of a nearly vertical lift, and the Soviet Yak-38 vertical lift doesn't work properly. A young Spaniard wants to defect to Russia, and he pilots harriers. The USA and NATO war games is the perfect opportunity for both men to defect and puts them diametrically opposed.

After Karl makes contact about the planned theft, he is the CIA agent in place to thwart the Soviets. The Spaniard defects and brings two Harriers in. With an elite Soviet force on the ship, Karl realizes that his only chance is to cripple his ship to give NATO a chance to either destroy the Harriers or steal them back.

Bruce Smith is a story teller in the finest tradition. The rich details provide the verisimilitude that make the story believable and understandable to a landlubber like me. Karl's adventures are exciting and frightening.

Enjoy a journey at sea in the time when the nuclear powers were at Cold War.

Victoria Tarrani

Mr. Smith has managed to bring to vivid life the era of the Cold War with his fast-paced action read "Black Sea Monster."

Karl Bauer is a merchant seaman for East Germany. When he participates in a rescue at sea he has no idea what he's actually gotten involved in. Not even in his wildest dreams did he imagine he would be in the thick of things by attempting to foil a Soviet plot. But, this is not the only way his life is going to change. His reaction to one lady is going to bring him some trouble. Will Karl be able to defect to the West or will he get caught up in the political backlash of someone elses making?

Mr. Smith has crafted a very believable and likeable lead. This story reminded me a little bit of "Hunt for Red October" with his own twist and turns. If you are a fan of military action reads then this fast paced read will be perfect. This is truly a high velocity read that will appeal to almost every kind of reader.