Thunder Point (Sean Dillon) (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Just before midnight it started to rain as Dillon pulled in the Mercedes at the side of the road, switched on the interior light and..." (more)
Key Phrases: dive bag, flying bridge, Prime Minister, Maria Blanco, Samson Cay (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA-When Henry Baker leaves his home on St. John to deep-sea dive in the beautiful waters of the Caribbean, he has no idea that this is not going to be a routine day. Pushed by a sense of adventure and an extremely calm sea, he goes to an area usually too dangerous for diving. In the waters of Thunder Point, Henry discovers a German U-boat, the captain's diary, and a watertight briefcase that belonged to Martin Bormann. Forty-seven years after the fall of Nazi Germany, the discovery of documents detailing the politican's escape rocks the British Parliment. This damaging information cannot be allowed to fall into the wrong hands. Unlikely alliances are formed and the race to retrieve the briefcase is underway. Thunder Point is an action-packed, easy read. The intrique of the plot and excitement of the chase will appeal to YAs.
Grace Baun, R.E. Lee High School, Springfield, VA
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

In this thrilling tale that combines World War II espionage with contemporary politics, Higgins proposes that Nazi lieutenant Martin Bormann escaped Allied forces in 1945 and made his way in a U-boat to South America, along with a notebook listing U.S. and British Nazi sympathizers. One of the names in the notebook happens to be the Duke of Windsor. In 1992, a diver in the Caribbean finds the wreck of the vessel, and word gets back to the British authorities that the notebook is still onboard. Irish terrorist Sean Dillon is recruited to retrieve the item, but he's not the only one interested: a notorious drug dealer with Parliamentary connections is also in on the hunt. The involving story unfolds rapidly across two continents as the rivals race to secure the momentous prize. Helped immeasurably by Dillon's fascinating character and a stylish performance by Roger Moore, the tension builds to an enthralling climax. Highly recommended.
- Jay Rozgonyi, Fairfield Univ. Lib., Ct.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Berkley; later printing edition (September 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425143570
• ISBN-13: 978-0425143575
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #258,043 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This is item 2 in The IRA Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quaint yarn as only Higgins can create, September 6, 2000

By	"muunrakr" (Wichita Falls, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This is a little yarn. But don't let the adjective fool you. In these days of sweeping techno-thrillers that rely heavily on (and are often weighed down by) techno ga-ga, Higgins' "little" yarns are a breath of fresh air. Everything about this book, except the pre-title sequence in Serbia could be written in the 1960s.

Lets see there's a sunken German U-boat, a plush locale, sharks (aquatic and bipedal), seaplanes, exploding yachts, dastardly villains, able henchmen (if only just), and a love interest that is little more than a devise for the story. Yep, that's 1960s fair...gotta love it!

Much of the story is a bit predictable, not many plot twists - but who cares. You bounce along with the protagonist, Higgins' loveable Sean Dillon, former IRA terrorist, and his new employer, Brigadier Ferguson (who gets an unusually large part in this story considering he's usually the spymaster that sits back and manipulates the game) as they race against time to unearth documents from the Third Reich that may implicate many in Britain's and America's upper crust in Nazi efforts to thwart the allies plans during World War II. I say again, pure 1960s fair.

I especially enjoyed the dialogue among Dillon and Ferguson, they definately seem like old warriors. Plus Higgins has a way of making even readers from Peoria read with a Scottish brogue or a Belfast cockney. Unfortunately, his characters from other cultures seem to adopt the same idioms. The hispanic villians can be heard calling Dillon a "bloody bastard", probably not the epithet of choice in Cuba.

And another thing...yet another hold over from the 60's, why is the protagonist always referred to in dialogue by his last name. "I say, Dillon, have a look at this," "I'm with you, Dillon," "Oh, Dillon, do take care dear, I don't know what I'd do without you." Even in the most intimate scenes, he's always referred to as Dillon. If I were in bed with a feme fatale I would know to look out if she referred to me as Rakr, and not Muun.

Overall, a sheer anachronistic joy. Read it!

Questions? email me.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars As Usual, Higgins Doesn't Disappoint, May 27, 2002

By	Christine Lynn Jones (Missoula, Montana) - See all my reviews

Once again, Jack Higgins uses his knack for merging past history with modern day thrills in the high-octane adventure, Thunder Point. Featuring everyone's favorite IRA terrorist turned hero Sean Dillon, this yarn takes to the dangers of the high sea as Dillon is hired by the British government to recover documents missing since World War II. These papers aren't just old political red tape rubbish--quite the contrary. They were property of Adolf Hitler and they contained the names of many members of the British establishment who were friendly to the Nazi cause. Now nearly fifty years later if these documents fell into the wrong hands they would have a devastating impact on Britain's aristocracy and Parliament, as kin of the people on the list were working their way up the ranks in British societal order.

In the Caribbean, rumor has it that a U-boat that sank in 1945 which carried Hitler's associate Martin Bormann was discovered by a lone diver in a treacherous remote location. Coincidentally, the diver is killed in a freak accident just days after finding the U-boat and so he takes to his grave the secret of its whereabouts. Soon the hunt is on as Dillon and a barrage of enemies are in a race to find it first, thus obtaining the documents Bormann was thought to carry.

The Sean Dillon series is always addictive action-packed stay up all night reading. Thunder Point is only a slight notch below Higgins' best Dillon tales. Even Clive Cussler's Dirk Pitt can't hold a candle to Sean Dillon's considerable scuba diving talents in Thunder Point. But then again, is there any area where the illustrious Dillon doesn't excel? After all, this man is an accomplished theatre actor who speaks fluent German, Spanish, French, Arabic, Italian, and Russian, not to mention English and Irish. He's a master of disguises, transforming his looks, voice, and mannerism to suit the occasion. He's an expert skydiver, scuba diver, martial artist, and airplane pilot. He single-handedly can take down an entourage of men with his fists. He's one of the best pistol shots on the globe. He's been a gun for hire not only for the IRA but also for the PLO and KGB. Oh, and did I forget to mention that women find him to be fantastic between the sheets? Do men like this exist in real life? I think not, but if one does please send him my way.

Thank God for fiction and thank you Jack Higgins for giving me a dose of the unreal.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fast paced. Easy to read., August 12, 2002

By	Sonterro (Lakeland, Florida USA) - See all my reviews

This is another good book by a great author....

A very good story. Character development is good. Some parts of the story leave a little to be desired. The characters seem to stumble across information without having to work for it. I think that a longer version of the story might have been better. More details instead of conicidences or just plain being in the right place at the right time so often.

Anyway, this is a fictional (?) story of what may have happened to Hitler's second in command, Borman, during the closing days of the war. Escape by submarine with secret papers and orders to continue the cause after the war ends. The sub gets sunk in a hurrican in the Carribbean. A local diver finds it 40 years later and exposes the contents of the orders.... The British government, as well as the remaining Nazi sympathizers are very interested in obtaining them....

Enough about that. This is a fast read. A good book to read if you are traveling. Easy to pick up right where you left off. Not a lot of details to remember. I think Higgins was in a hurry to get this to the press. :)

Still worth reading though.