Customer Reviews

Truk Lagoon

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This book is set in 1986 and was published in the late 1980's. A novel, already 20 years old, so it may seem out-of-date. But as historical fiction, it's really good.

The story alternates between 1986 and 1944, as a son, Brian, searches for information about his father, Douglas. Brian has been denied the command he wants by the US Navy, despite a stellar career, and he learns it has something to do with his father's history.

The pacing is fantastic. As the story unfolds, the action moves from Washington DC to Hawaii to Truk (now Chuuk). The friends helping Brian--a mysterious older Chinese woman, a lone and unauthorized CIA man, and a Japanese dancer--seem puny in comparison to the forces against him--an Admiral, a close family member, a police chief, and the minions they command.

Details of life on a submarine and underwater diving in Truk give this a definite marine feel, adding to the sometimes-claustrophibic and intensifying suspense.

There are some problems--typos and grammatical errors (in the second half of the book mainly); thinly drawn and sterotypical female characters; and an easy-out for the main bad guy (rather than a more deserved dose of justice).

Despite these problems, the characters are likeable, the story engaging, the writing crisp and clear.

A good story...