Dark Fathom (Beck Easton Adventure Series #2) (Paperback)

by Tom Morrisey (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Morrisey's fans will be riveted by this fast-paced Christian thriller, a prequel to his novel Deep Blue. Beck Easton works as a software architect, but also serves undercover with the National Security Agency. When his NSA supervisors ask him to track Ahmed bin Saleen, a young man from Saudi Arabia whom they believe may play a key role in al-Qaeda, Beck traces the suspected terrorist to Germany, where he has been living disguised as an observant Jew. Clues in bin Saleen's recently abandoned apartment there lead Beck to Rochester, N.Y.—where he uncovers the corpse of a man bin Saleen has murdered—and then to Bermuda, where bin Saleen is busy trying to steal an underwater "dirty bomb." Meanwhile, Beck, a confirmed bachelor, finds himself smitten with the lovely Angela, a preacher's daughter from Wheaton, Ill. She's definitely taken with Beck, too, but knows she shouldn't get romantically involved with a non-Christian and is confused by the secrecy and deceit Beck's undercover work requires of him. The book's main flaw is Angela's paper-thin characterization; she is so utterly two-dimensional that it's hard to understand why Beck falls for her. Still, the brisk plot will keep readers engrossed. (Jan.)
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Product Description
When terrorists discover the location of a sleeping plutonium bomb submerged just off the coast of the United States, Beck Easton, secret operative for the National Security Agency, is assigned to the mission—a race through the dark fathoms of the ocean to stop them from detonating it.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (January 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310244080
• ISBN-13: 978-0310244080
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #83,309 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Realistic action adventure , March 6, 2006

By	Christian Book Previews.com "Christian Book P... - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Dark Fathom by Tom Morrisey traces the action-filled adventures of Beck Easton, as he trails a member of Al-Qaeda in a race to recover a weapon that could take millions of American lives. As he increasingly realizes the urgency of his assignment, the presence of Angela Brower-a business associate turned love interest-complicates matters. Easton's experiences with danger, love, joy, and grief will change him forever.

Fast-paced and suspenseful, the book wastes little time getting into the plot. Readers first meet Easton in the middle of an assassination mission that makes him realize he wants to leave the NSA. But his boss and friend, Bill Spalding, convinces him to take a mission tracking down the Saudi terrorist Ahmed bin Saleen to find out what he is up to. Eventually the mission leads to a life-or-death struggle upon which hangs the fate of millions of lives.

Easton's morality, ingenuity, and style make him a likable character. But he is not a Christian, and guilt haunts him. His relationship with the devout Angela highlights some of the difficulties a Christian faces in a relationship with a non-Christian, as well as the challenge of the double life of an NSA operative.

Overall, the book is very enjoyable. Morrisey's experience and research allow him to give interesting details throughout the story. For example, as a pilot and a diver, Morrisey provides realistic accounts of Easton's adventures in the sea and the air. The book may especially appeal to lovers of action adventures, but it also contains a touch of romance. Older teens and adults of all ages will enjoy Dark Fathom. - Jonathan Young, Christian Book Previews.com

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Political thriller with an ending that will stick with you for days, April 25, 2006

By	Cheryl Russell "Book reviewer, writer" (United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Beck Easton is a software architect and owner of Blue Corner Technologies, a highly profitable encryption company. At least that's what the government wants everyone to think. Beck is actually a cover operative for the government and has traveled the world over on classified missions.

And he's had it with both jobs. His last mission left him questioning what he does in the government's employ, not a good sign. His co-owners of Blue Corner are, against his wishes, taking the company public. When that happens, he's cashing out his shares of stock and retiring to Florida to run a diving business.

But his retirement plans are put on hold when two things happen. The first is when he meets Angel Brower, an interior designer hired to work on the future offices of Blue Corner. Corporate expansion never looked so good.

The second is Ahmed bin Saleen. He is a Saudi terrorist and he has struck pay dirt. Years of searching for an elusive weapon from World War II is about to give his fellow terrorists their long-dreamed of weapon.

The stakes in Beck's cover ops career have never been higher. Failure will kill millions. Success will give him a future he had, up until now, only dreamed of.

Tom Morrisey incorporates little known facts from World War II to write a fast-paced thriller. Dark Fathom is an intense read with an ending that haunted me for several days after I finished it.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dive Right In!, February 15, 2006

By	Wantz Upon A Time Reviews "www.wantzuponatime... (Chicago) - See all my reviews

Beck Easton wants out. The Navy SEAL is finished after his last black op takes down a drug lord on Christmas Eve before the eyes of the family. His mentor suggests a staged, easy withdrawal from the service. Easy? Nothing this guy does is easy. As his cover, he serves as principal in a Silicon Valley tech dot-com that manages to stay profitable. When Beck's partners decide to re-design the corporate headquarters in a geek-friendly fashion, in comes Angela Brower, specialist in industrial ergonomics. The redesign succeeds wildly, but the interpersonal chemistry fires off with a bang. The challenge? She's a committed Christian, and Beck isn't. According to Angela, this is "a line a God-fearing woman doesn't cross-or even get near." How's a marriage-minded ex-covert-operative to win fair lady when the Creator of heaven and earth stands in the way?

Tom Morrisey knows piloting, diving, and quite a bit about a whole lot of other interesting pastimes. His expertise shows, and lends verisimilitude to a good adventure yarn. At the same time, the romance stays low-key though it always held my attention. Told primarily from the man's point of view, it gives enough insight into the male psyche to be satisfying.

Without inserting a spoiler, I will admit the ending disappointed me. Both this book and its publishing predecessor DEEP BLUE are terrific reads, either for a guy who can tolerate a little romance or a gal who can stomach a smidgen of adventure.

Four stars in my book.

Reviewed by Deb Kinnard