What really happened to the crew of Apollo 18 in the Mare Crisium, the Sea of Crises? The mission was conducted in eerie silence after loss of all communications during the astronauts' first moonwalk, and it ended in tragedy when the heat shield on the command capsule failed during re-entry, leaving three dead astronauts inside burned beyond recognition. Thirty-six years later, mission commander Bob Cartwright's sons make a shocking discovery: The capsule that came down in the Pacific Ocean with three charred remains was not their father's capsule. And the body they buried all those years before was not their father.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Review
"Steere's high-octane suspense tale takes off with all the intrigue and honor of the best space-age Westerns and political thrillers." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Author Marty Steere is brilliant!... The action is non-stop and fast-paced and is mixed with just the right amount of mystery to make a perfect thriller.... [The] plot is plausible, the characters are realistic, and the writing is superb...so stunning a read that you will be unable to stop reading until the very end." - Readers Favorite
"Attention grabbing from start to finish, this novel is filled with non-stop action and suspense. Enjoyable, entertaining, and original, readers will fly through the pages." - Publishers Weekly
From the Back Cover
"That shouldn't be here."
Those are the last words uttered by Commander Bob Cartwright in September 1976, just before all communication with the crew of Apollo 18 is inexplicably lost during the astronauts' first moonwalk. Frantic attempts to re-establish communications with the astronauts are unsuccessful. Three days later, however, as NASA is scrambling to put together a rescue mission, astronomers detect a burn of the service propulsion system, and, on schedule, but still in eerie silence, the command module begins its return transit, culminating in the welcome sight of the capsule descending majestically beneath a trio of parachutes into the South Pacific.
But when the hatch is opened, the navy divers tasked with assisting the astronauts into the recovery helicopter make a gruesome discovery. The bodies of the three men inside have been burned beyond recognition, victims of a failed heat shield. And with them has died any chance of learning the meaning of Cartwright's enigmatic last statement or what transpired during those three blacked out days in the Mare Crisium, or Sea of Crises.
Unfortunately, unless and until man returns to the moon, it's a mystery that will remain forever unsolved.
Or will it?
Thirty-six years later, Cartwright's sons make a shocking discovery: The capsule that came down in the Pacific Ocean with three charred remains was not their father's capsule. And the body they buried all those years before was not their father. What they've uncovered puts the three brothers on the run, chased by a ruthless group who will stop at nothing to preserve the secret behind the fate of the Apollo 18 astronauts. The brothers will need to set aside past differences and pool their talents if they are to stay alive and unravel the mystery behind what really happened in the Sea of Crises.
Those are the last words uttered by Commander Bob Cartwright in September 1976, just before all communication with the crew of Apollo 18 is inexplicably lost during the astronauts' first moonwalk. Frantic attempts to re-establish communications with the astronauts are unsuccessful. Three days later, however, as NASA is scrambling to put together a rescue mission, astronomers detect a burn of the service propulsion system, and, on schedule, but still in eerie silence, the command module begins its return transit, culminating in the welcome sight of the capsule descending majestically beneath a trio of parachutes into the South Pacific.
But when the hatch is opened, the navy divers tasked with assisting the astronauts into the recovery helicopter make a gruesome discovery. The bodies of the three men inside have been burned beyond recognition, victims of a failed heat shield. And with them has died any chance of learning the meaning of Cartwright's enigmatic last statement or what transpired during those three blacked out days in the Mare Crisium, or Sea of Crises.
Unfortunately, unless and until man returns to the moon, it's a mystery that will remain forever unsolved.
Or will it?
Thirty-six years later, Cartwright's sons make a shocking discovery: The capsule that came down in the Pacific Ocean with three charred remains was not their father's capsule. And the body they buried all those years before was not their father. What they've uncovered puts the three brothers on the run, chased by a ruthless group who will stop at nothing to preserve the secret behind the fate of the Apollo 18 astronauts. The brothers will need to set aside past differences and pool their talents if they are to stay alive and unravel the mystery behind what really happened in the Sea of Crises.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Marty Steere's Sea of Crises drew me in, held me at the edge, and gave my hand a comforting squeeze when I couldn't stand to see what happened next. This is a thriller with heart that will leave its readers satisfied they followed the Cartwright boys into a dangerous adventure.
On September 1976 Commander Bob Cartwright led a three-man crew on the last of the manned Apollo missions, Apollo 18. Communications with the crew were inexplicably lost during the astronauts' first moonwalk, and despite NASA's efforts could not be re-established. Three days later, Apollo 18's still silent command module splashed down into the South Pacific. The Navy divers who reached the module beheld a gruesome tableau: three bodies burned beyond recognition. Commander Cartwright and his crew were apparently cooked to death by a failed heat shield.
Even after thirty-six years this event was near and dear to Commander Cartwright's sons. But when Peter Cartwright made a frantic call to elder brother Nate, asking for a late airport pickup because he suspected he was being followed, neither sibling realized just how much danger they have called upon themselves. Pursued by a deadly group of hunters working for The Organization, they must gather the surviving families of the other two astronauts and piece together what really happened to Apollo 18's crew.
It's possible that lunar history buffs, military history buffs, and conspiracy theorists will comb the details of Marty Steere's tale for authenticity before they allow themselves to accept the story. I am unable to vouch for logic loopholes regarding any references to the Apollo missions (cancelled or otherwise), to whether The Organization alludes to any existing entity in the US government's employ, or whether Mare Crisium is geographically a feasible landing site for a lunar module. As a reader I feel however that proofs of authenticity are incidental to enjoying this adventure.
Proofs of authenticity aside, Sea of Crises was a delight to read. Its intriguing mystery coupled with a quick pacing drew me in till the final chapters and certainly held my attention, but what made it delightful was the author's portrayal of relationships: the dynamic between Nate and his siblings, between commander Cartwright and his colleagues, even between the brothers and Nate's sweet-ugly dog Buster, who he adopted from a shelter and who got tangled in the mess as well. There was a tangential flashback about a basketball game Nate and his brother Matt were in that established the sense each sibling had of the other's character and abilities: technically just a side story, it not only gave me a sense of how much each brother instinctively supported and understood the other, the story in itself was a gripping tale of how their team became the state high school basketball champions! As a reader I didn't feel any time was lost from reading the tangent, but I certainly appreciated the elaboration on just how much these boys trusted each other. I felt that often for any segues, flashbacks, or parentheticals I encountered in the story: no time lost, no abrupt break in pace, and my understanding of the characters deepened.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Sea of Crises and I highly recommend it to everyone who loves a good story, regardless of their favorite genre - Marty Steere put together a well-balanced tale that would call to a wide variety of readers. There was suspense and intrigue for lovers of conspiracies and spy thrillers; there were nail-biting cliffhangers and exciting fight scenes for those who had a fondness for action and adventure; there was a smattering of speculative fiction for the sci-fi lover curious about the could-have-beens of the cancelled Apollo missions; there was even a tasteful undercurrent of romance for those who want a little more sweetness than a James Bond-like roll in the hay. But what really made the experience wonderful for me was the relationship the author painted between the three sons of Apollo 18 commander Bob Cartwright - throughout the crazy situation they found themselves in, siblings Nate, Peter, and Matt Cartwright kept and held a brotherly bond that humanized this mystery thriller.
On September 1976 Commander Bob Cartwright led a three-man crew on the last of the manned Apollo missions, Apollo 18. Communications with the crew were inexplicably lost during the astronauts' first moonwalk, and despite NASA's efforts could not be re-established. Three days later, Apollo 18's still silent command module splashed down into the South Pacific. The Navy divers who reached the module beheld a gruesome tableau: three bodies burned beyond recognition. Commander Cartwright and his crew were apparently cooked to death by a failed heat shield.
Even after thirty-six years this event was near and dear to Commander Cartwright's sons. But when Peter Cartwright made a frantic call to elder brother Nate, asking for a late airport pickup because he suspected he was being followed, neither sibling realized just how much danger they have called upon themselves. Pursued by a deadly group of hunters working for The Organization, they must gather the surviving families of the other two astronauts and piece together what really happened to Apollo 18's crew.
It's possible that lunar history buffs, military history buffs, and conspiracy theorists will comb the details of Marty Steere's tale for authenticity before they allow themselves to accept the story. I am unable to vouch for logic loopholes regarding any references to the Apollo missions (cancelled or otherwise), to whether The Organization alludes to any existing entity in the US government's employ, or whether Mare Crisium is geographically a feasible landing site for a lunar module. As a reader I feel however that proofs of authenticity are incidental to enjoying this adventure.
Proofs of authenticity aside, Sea of Crises was a delight to read. Its intriguing mystery coupled with a quick pacing drew me in till the final chapters and certainly held my attention, but what made it delightful was the author's portrayal of relationships: the dynamic between Nate and his siblings, between commander Cartwright and his colleagues, even between the brothers and Nate's sweet-ugly dog Buster, who he adopted from a shelter and who got tangled in the mess as well. There was a tangential flashback about a basketball game Nate and his brother Matt were in that established the sense each sibling had of the other's character and abilities: technically just a side story, it not only gave me a sense of how much each brother instinctively supported and understood the other, the story in itself was a gripping tale of how their team became the state high school basketball champions! As a reader I didn't feel any time was lost from reading the tangent, but I certainly appreciated the elaboration on just how much these boys trusted each other. I felt that often for any segues, flashbacks, or parentheticals I encountered in the story: no time lost, no abrupt break in pace, and my understanding of the characters deepened.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Sea of Crises and I highly recommend it to everyone who loves a good story, regardless of their favorite genre - Marty Steere put together a well-balanced tale that would call to a wide variety of readers. There was suspense and intrigue for lovers of conspiracies and spy thrillers; there were nail-biting cliffhangers and exciting fight scenes for those who had a fondness for action and adventure; there was a smattering of speculative fiction for the sci-fi lover curious about the could-have-beens of the cancelled Apollo missions; there was even a tasteful undercurrent of romance for those who want a little more sweetness than a James Bond-like roll in the hay. But what really made the experience wonderful for me was the relationship the author painted between the three sons of Apollo 18 commander Bob Cartwright - throughout the crazy situation they found themselves in, siblings Nate, Peter, and Matt Cartwright kept and held a brotherly bond that humanized this mystery thriller.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
WOW! From the first paragraph, this book grabbed me and didn't let go until the final sentence. I read it in one day, and was simply blown away -- the tension, the definition of characterizations, the derring-do, the exploration of international affairs of that period of time -- it all came together in one terrific story. The descriptions of the physical surroundings were so well done, one could see the landscape, hear the waves breaking on the shore, hear the sound of tires over rocks, cringe at the explosions, feel the land rover wobble over the moon's surface.
When a first-time author comes out with a story this strong, one expects more -- hopes for more -- because a good book is a good time. I look forward to more good times reading Mr. Steere's creative output.
When a first-time author comes out with a story this strong, one expects more -- hopes for more -- because a good book is a good time. I look forward to more good times reading Mr. Steere's creative output.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By J. Weight
Format:Kindle Edition
I received a copy of this book from the author, with a request for review.
"That shouldn't be here."
These enigmatic last words are transmitted by Commander Bob Cartwright to Houston Control from the surface of the moon are the catalyst for a chain of events that will keep you turning the pages until you're done reading. When I read the description of the book, I knew I HAD to read this book. It certainly didn't disappoint.
This is one of the books you want to savor, to prolong the pleasure - but you can't put it down and it's over all too soon. Does the world need another book about missions to the moon, secret government organizations, coverups, and conspiracy? Absolutely, especially this one! I enjoyed every twisting, turning minute of it.
Bob Cartwright's son, Peter, decides to write a book about the Apollo 18 mission that claimed the life of his father. As part of his research, he visits the surviving family of Mason Gale, one of the other mission members. Little does he know this will trigger a response that could cost him not only his life, but the lives of the Gale family and everyone else associated with the members of the Apollo 18 crew, including his brother, Nate, and his twin brother, Matt. As Nate, Peter and Matt run for their lives, they realize the only thing that can possibly save them is to find out what really happened during the 1976 Apollo 18 mission to the moon. Someone is willing to threaten, kill and put a lot of time and money into making sure nobody finds out. Only the truth can set the three brothers free from the hunters, so they set out to find out what that truth is, no matter the cost.
Not only do I love the characters in this book, the story of the Apollo 18 mission is expertly woven into the present day lives of these three brothers. I was riveted by the telling of the Apollo 18 mission and the shocking facts that are revealed in the telling. And I actually cried at one point.
Are there flaws in this book? Probably. If I spent some time thinking about it, I could probably come up with a couple, but the story, characters and storytelling combined captured me so completely that I'm willing to overlook them (whatever they may be). I can't wait to see what kind of story this author comes up with next.
At $2.99 for the Kindle version, this book is a steal for anyone who loves a good thriller/conspiracy story. Grab it quick, then put this author on your watch list.
"That shouldn't be here."
These enigmatic last words are transmitted by Commander Bob Cartwright to Houston Control from the surface of the moon are the catalyst for a chain of events that will keep you turning the pages until you're done reading. When I read the description of the book, I knew I HAD to read this book. It certainly didn't disappoint.
This is one of the books you want to savor, to prolong the pleasure - but you can't put it down and it's over all too soon. Does the world need another book about missions to the moon, secret government organizations, coverups, and conspiracy? Absolutely, especially this one! I enjoyed every twisting, turning minute of it.
Bob Cartwright's son, Peter, decides to write a book about the Apollo 18 mission that claimed the life of his father. As part of his research, he visits the surviving family of Mason Gale, one of the other mission members. Little does he know this will trigger a response that could cost him not only his life, but the lives of the Gale family and everyone else associated with the members of the Apollo 18 crew, including his brother, Nate, and his twin brother, Matt. As Nate, Peter and Matt run for their lives, they realize the only thing that can possibly save them is to find out what really happened during the 1976 Apollo 18 mission to the moon. Someone is willing to threaten, kill and put a lot of time and money into making sure nobody finds out. Only the truth can set the three brothers free from the hunters, so they set out to find out what that truth is, no matter the cost.
Not only do I love the characters in this book, the story of the Apollo 18 mission is expertly woven into the present day lives of these three brothers. I was riveted by the telling of the Apollo 18 mission and the shocking facts that are revealed in the telling. And I actually cried at one point.
Are there flaws in this book? Probably. If I spent some time thinking about it, I could probably come up with a couple, but the story, characters and storytelling combined captured me so completely that I'm willing to overlook them (whatever they may be). I can't wait to see what kind of story this author comes up with next.
At $2.99 for the Kindle version, this book is a steal for anyone who loves a good thriller/conspiracy story. Grab it quick, then put this author on your watch list.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Has Flaws, but Kept Me Entertained
I received a complimentary copy of this book for review.
Formalities out of the way, I will say, while I had a few head scratching moments, I did enjoy this book. Read more
Formalities out of the way, I will say, while I had a few head scratching moments, I did enjoy this book. Read more
Published 4 days ago by Mail Debaser
5.0 out of 5 stars
Super Read
It was once said, "In the case of good books, the point is not to see how many of them you get through, but how many can get through you."
This book blew me away. Read more
This book blew me away. Read more
Published 27 days ago by Sandra Heptinstall
5.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect Mix of Conspiracy, Action, and Mystery
I find conspiracy theories interesting and this book had it all. It's well written, had an definite plot line with action packed scenes, and real-like characters. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Lisa Hoang
3.0 out of 5 stars
3.5 actually
Interesting premise for a story that sometimes get bogged down in back story ( the basketball game) with enough tech and action to keep the ball rolling. Not bad for a quick read
Published 2 months ago by R. Wallace
5.0 out of 5 stars
Liked this book!
Enjoyed this book a lot. Great action, anticipation of what is coming next. Well written. Would read more by this author.
Published 3 months ago by L. G. Lewis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic fictional book about an Apollo mission gone wrong
This book caught my interest almost immediately, which I loved. Nate received a call from his brother, Peter, late at night asking to be picked up from the airport. Read more
Published 4 months ago by L. Franco
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding
This is one of the best books I have read this year. Thank you so much Mr. Steele. What is next?
Published 4 months ago by G.S.Theriault
3.0 out of 5 stars
This book could have been a lot better
I was lucky to receive a reviewer's copy from the author for this book. This book has both a lot of good parts and some not so good. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Michael A. Newman
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a WONDERFUL and pleasant surprise...loved this book!
It was by pure accident that I was directed towards Sea of Crises, but what a wonderful happy accident it turned out to be. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Jeff Edwards
4.0 out of 5 stars
Terrific Thriller
Marty Steere's novel is set both in the 1970s and early in the 21st century. The Apollo 18 mission to the moon in the 1970s is shrouded in mystery. Read more
Published 4 months ago by D Brown
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More About the Author
The son of a career air force officer, Marty Steere grew up on or near military installations across the country and overseas before settling in Southern California, where, when he's not writing, he practices law. His first novel, Sea of Crises, was named to Kirkus Reviews' Best of 2012.
Visit Marty on his website at http://www.martysteere.com/.
Visit Marty on his website at http://www.martysteere.com/.
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