Silent Waters

by Jan Coffey

Drawing on fifteen years of submarine-building experience, Jan Coffey crafts a military thriller that will keep any reader turning the pages…

A nuclear submarine cuts silently through the waters of the North Atlantic, commandeered by two-dozen armed terrorists.
The target: New York City.

Fighting for their lives aboard the hijacked submarine, Commander Darius McCann and Ship Superintendent Amy Russell have only one hope for survival. With the lives of millions at stake, they must play a dangerous game of cat and mouse where capture would mean certain death.

On land, two NCIS investigators are working feverishly to learn the details of the hijacking in time to stop the attack. As mass hysteria paralyzes New York City, they uncover a trail of secrets as dangerous as the silent weapon aimed at the heart of America.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Suspense, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Mystery Thriller

393 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Jan Coffey, Nik James, and May McGoldrick are pen names for USA Today bestselling authors Nikoo Kafi and Jim McGoldrick. Together, they have crafted over fifty fast-paced, conflict-filled historical, contemporary, and Western novels, and two works of nonfiction.

Nikoo’s education and training was in engineering. She worked in robotics and submarine shipbuilding. Before earning a PhD in sixteenth-century Scottish and English literature, Jim pursued a hundred and one jobs, including a decade in submarine construction.

Storytellers at heart, Nikoo and Jim were always searching for careers that gave them time for both family and writing. Then, after thirteen years of marriage, they recognized each other’s creative strengths. Nikoo is all about characters and feeling. Jim is about action and sense of place. Their first attempt in writing fiction together produced their award-winning novel, The Thistle and the Rose. Since then, their stories have touched the hearts and minds of millions of readers all over the world. Their work has been translated into over a dozen languages and counting.

Nikoo and Jim are four-time Rita Finalists and the winners of numerous awards for their writing, including the Daphne DeMaurier Award for Excellence, the Romantic Times Magazine Reviewers’ Choice Award, three NJRW Golden Leaf Awards, two Holt Medallions, and the Connecticut Press Club Award for Best Fiction.

The authors make their home in California.

Here is a complete catalogue of May McGoldrick, Nik James and Jan Coffey’s work, in chronological order.
Each book stands on its own.

MAY McGOLDRICK

Macpherson Clan Series
The Thistle and the Rose
A Midsummer Wedding (novella)
Angel of Skye
Heart of Gold
Beauty of the Mist

The Intended
Flame
Tess and the Highlander
The Dreamer (Highland Treasure)
The Enchantress (Highland Treasure)
The Firebrand (Highland Treasure)

Much Ado About Highlanders (Scottish Relic)
Taming the Highlander (Scottish Relic)
Tempest in the Highlands (Scottish Relic)

Arsenic and Old Armor
---

Pennington Family Series
The Promise
The Rebel
Borrowed Dreams
Captured Dreams
Dreams of Destiny
Romancing the Scot
It Happened in the Highlands
Sweet Home Highland Christmas (novella)
Sleepless in Scotland
Dearest Millie (novella)
How to Ditch a Duke (novella)
---

Royal Highlander Series
Highland Crown
Highland Jewel
Highland Sword
---

A Prince in the Pantry (novella)
Ghost of the Thames
---

Made in Heaven
Thanksgiving in Connecticut (novella)


NIK JAMES
The Winter Road (novella)
High Country Justice
Bullets and Silver
Silver Trail Christmas

JAN COFFEY
Trust Me Once
Twice Burned
Triple Threat
Fourth Victim
Five in a Row
Silent Waters
Cross Wired
The Janus Effect
The Puppet Master
Blind Eye
Road Kill
Mercy (novella)
Tropical Kiss
Aquarian
When the Mirror Cracks

NONFICTION

Marriage of Minds: Collaborative Fiction Writing
Step Write Up: Writing Exercises for 21st Century

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Sign up for the May McGoldrick, Nik James, Jan Coffey Newsletter
https://www.maymcgoldrick.com/contact-us
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Visit their author websites
www.MayMcGoldrick.com
www.NikJamesAuthor.com
www.JanCoffey.com

Reviews

[RedemptionDenied · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by the author (s) - and it was a decent enough political thriller, that was filled with twists, turns and more twists, though some of them I guessed. Not sure about the ending.

The USS Hartford (submarine) is docked at the Electric Boat Shipyard, Groton - as it had to return from being deployed to the Indian Ocean/Persian Gulf due to a malfunctioning Electro-Static Gyro Navigator. Actually, it didn't get far before it had to return - and when it did a group of individuals commandeered the Nuclear Submarine, which just happens to be the day before the elections.

Darius McCann, who is the commander of the submarine, is about to have a very eventful day (if he can make it past security), and it's not because its his birthday. McCann was asked by Lieutenant Commander Parker to go in for him, as Parker had an emergency to take care of.

There are only nine people on the sub, out of the hundred and thirty that are supposed to be aboard at the time (McCann gave the others leave), so this obviously gave the hijackers a little less problems to deal with....it's only a nuclear submarine (no big deal) - that's equipped with MK 48 torpedoes, Tomahawk Cruise Missiles and Vertical Launch Missiles, so its good to know security is tight.

When McCann is finally allowed to pass security, he makes his way to the submarine - and this is where he meets Amy Russell, and she is in charge of the replacement/repair of the subs Electro-Static Gyro Navigator.

I quite liked Amy; she's confident, at least she was at first. After a period of time, she started to show a more emotional side to her personality. Darius is more like John McClane in the Die Hard movies and I half expected him to use the "yippee-ki-yay" mantra. The story is told from multiple POV, from the Pentagon, the White House, and obviously the hijacked submarine, etcetera. I really liked the Pentagon scenes, where the staff are trying to find a resolve to the situation. Bruce Dunn and Sarah Connelly, an Attorney and Senior Naval Intelligence Officer (McCann's ex-girlfriend), are the lead investigators; trying to ascertain what the supposed terrorist's want, and to identify who they are, so that was interesting, as they whittle down potential suspects. The submarine parts were pretty intense as well - where McCann and Amy are playing a game of hide and seek with the mystery guests - and doing everything they can to stay one step ahead of the antagonists. Being stuck in a metal tube with a nuclear reactor on-board, with a group of unknowns, can't be much fun. There's also a few other surprises that McCann can't quite comprehend.

I really enjoyed the book, which reminded me of the movie: Under Siege. Except this is on a submarine, not a ship. I didn't think much of the flirting between certain characters, as it seemed a little bit forced - though there wasn't that much of it, just a few pages here and there, spread sporadically throughout. The big reveal didn't really surprise me - but it was a roller-coaster ride getting there. At the end of the book, there's an excerpt from the authors novel, Blind Eye - which I haven't read yet.

[Cindy Eastman · Rating 5 out of 5]

To all those who look at this book and think, "Hm. Submarines. No thanks." think again. Between a well-paced plot and engaging characters, this is a book that you will find difficult to put down. I really enjoyed this book. To add to the experience, I read most of it while traveling in the backseat of a car for a six hour road trip, so being enclosed in a confined space enhanced the feeling of being on a sub (on which I've never been.) There are technical passages, but they are delivered in a way that is easy to understand and add to the plot; the engineering/mechanical descriptions don't confound the reader - at least not this one.

The action begins on page one and entices the reader throughout the rest of the book. It's wonderfully paced; with just enough suspense to engage (and not frustrate) you. If a situation is left hanging at the end of one chapter, it is addressed within another couple of chapters. Just enough to keep the suspense--and the story--going.

The development between the two very likable main characters, Darius McCann and Amy Russell, is believable and even though I felt like I knew where it was going, I was happy to be along for their ride. The secondary characters are equally sympathetic and add dimension to the story. Again, there is just enough of the backstory to keep the reader engaged and informed. Even with the technical parts, there is never the feeling of being spoken down to. The story is well-constructed, smart and interesting. It is always a pleasure to read a novel written by authors who respect their readers.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I know the author(s), but I stand by my review. Knowing the people who wrote the book, for me, gave some of the characters added depth, not that they needed it. Also, you don't have to read it while traveling in a car to get the full experience, either. (But it wouldn't hurt!)

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced, action packed and a good read. Trying to keep all the characters straight was challenging at times, as was trying to keep track of the timing. I enjoyed this a lot.

[Sherrill Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The commander of the submarine USS Hartford goes aboard a day or so ahead of his crew with ship Superintendent Amy Russell just to look around. Well, Submarine Commander Darius McCann bites off a whole heap 'o trouble. It seems the submarine has been taken over by a foreign skeleton crew, it is a nuclear sub, and there are nuclear warheads on board. He and capable (and only a little helpless) Amy forge a workable duo. The sub (and Darius) are unable to communicate with the mainland, and the odd crew are determined to kill Darius and Amy. They are also going to carry out some nefarious plans.

Will they sink the sub? Who is behind this? What are the plans? Will Darius and Amy manage to communicate with the land and the people around them in time? Find out in Chapter 56.

Will Darius and Amy marry each other?

Why?

[Kara Jorges · Rating 1 out of 5]

Because of problems with its navigation system, Los Angeles class submarine USS Hartford docks at the Electric Boat shipyard for repairs. One night while ship superintendent Amy Russell is on duty, the sub is hijacked, with her aboard. She had been in the control room going over the ship’s navigation systems with its skipper, Darius McCann, when the sub was taken. The two of them are locked in a room but manage to escape and wreak havoc on the hijackers’ plans. On land, Lieuitenant Colonel Sarah Connelly and Commander Bruce Dunn are investigating the sub’s disappearance and finding a lot of clues that don’t add up.

Meanwhile, it’s the last day before a presidential election. The authors have taken the liberty of assuming that all Americans hate President Bush as much as they do, and created a caricature of their opinion of him in President Will Hawkins, a cold-hearted, war-mongering bumbler that the nation has tired of. His opponent, humanitarian and all-around good guy Senator John Penn, is everything Hawkins is not. In addition to Penn’s all-around good-heartedness, he’s the black half of a biracial couple, and out of his three children, one is gay and one is handicapped. How…quaint that one family can cover so many agendas, though they did neglect any mention of a beloved house staff of illegal aliens.

The political propaganda in this book is nauseating. I suppose it never occurred to the authors that a person may pick up a work of fiction because one is tired of the political BS that saturates the media. Instead, we’re subjected to their personal views with no attempt at restraint. I tried to be open-minded and even ignore it, but wound up insulted by the propaganda they’re trying to shove down my throat. I can think for myself, thank you.

That aside, this is a second-rate thriller that concentrates more on the drama of events than on the action, and while one of the romances works, the other is just cumbersome. Its premise is implausible and its villain eye-rollingly obvious. It’s safe to say my bookshelves are safe from any more Jan Coffey novels.

[David Freas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel is very typical thriller fare. Two people, one with special skills and the other innocent but brave, struggle to survive a dangerous situation – in this case a plot to attack America originated by the most unlikely perpetrator imaginable.

This is really a two-part story. The first half concerns the hijacking of a fast attack sub by mercenaries, the second is about what happens after those hijackers are defeated. Both parts were well told but the second one was the more exciting half of the book, in my opinion.

I do have one minor and one big quibble here, however. The minor one is that while there was a resolution to the story line, it wasn’t the complete resolution I would have preferred. The big one is that over 10% of this e-book was excerpts from other books by the same author. I don’t mind teasers at the end of a book but that was entirely too much and none of it was of books featuring the characters in this novel. That makes me feel cheated.

Those quibbles aside, I would pick up another book featuring these characters.

[Doris · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging thriller that offers a sneak peak below the surface of general submarine knowledge. The romance in this Romantic Suspense was lightweight for the genre but appropriate for the plot, as in no steamy sex in the middle of a terror crisis. I would have liked just a bit more hint at the ned as to the futures for the two great supporting characters but I can well enough guess with what I'd been given.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK THIS BOOK WAS GIVEN TO ME AND AT FIRST I THOUGHT I WOULD HATE IT NOT MY NORMAL READING STYLE, BUT I HAVE TO SAY IT IS VERY WELL WRITTENA D FAST ACTION PACTED. I READ IT IN A DAY BECAUSE I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!!!! I HAD TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED AND WILL LOOK FOR MORE OF JAN COFFEYS BOOKS TO READ IN THE FUTURE!!!!

[Ian Mewhinney · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5: Never heard of these writers before, but I picked it up because the story sounded interesting, and it is a great all around military thriller novel about the hijacking of a nuclear submarine. Very easy reading. Great characters and memorable world building in the story.

[Bruce Perrin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Action-filled Military Thriller with a Touch of Romance

Silent Waters is the story of Commander Darius McCann and Ship Superintendent Amy Russell as they try to free the nuclear submarine USS Hartford from the hands of hijackers. The bad guys are apparently intent on targeting New York City with its deadly weapons. On shore, NCIS Investigators Lieutenant Sarah Connelly and Commander Bruce Dunn work the clues, investigating who is behind this contemptible plot and why. Although it’s a somewhat typical military thriller, it gets high marks on action and a cozy romance in the back story.

Silent Waters is filled with action, as the protagonists onboard the sub have their hands full battling the hijackers against formidable odds. And when the story shifts to land, the action doesn’t stop; it simply transitions to car chases and gunfights. What you won’t find in this book, however, is much suspense. It’s fairly clear to the reader what’s happening, almost to the point of wondering why the NCIS investigators don’t see it. But then, few would want to entertain this possibility in real life without some pretty overwhelming evidence.

There is one backstory romance and a second possibility, adding a bit of a respite from the action. It also helps to develop the characters, making each of the four principals a bit more real – a detail that doesn’t get covered in every thriller.

So, if you’re seeking intense suspense and clever twists as part of your military thriller, this is probably not your book. But if you like action-filled stories with a touch of romance, and especially if you enjoy sub stories as I do, Silent Waters is a recommended read.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chapter Challenge:
When Commander Darius McCann brought Amy Russell aboard his sub, The USS Hartford, he assumed that they would fix the malfunction that had ended their ocean-going deployment before it had really gotten started. It isn't long however before they realize there is nothing wrong with the ship other than the fact that it is being hijacked. Amy and Darius know they must stop the hijacking any way that they can. Meanwhile, on shore, Lieutenant Colonel Sarah Connelly and Commander Bruce Dunn have begun an investigation into the hijacking and its implications for the east coast of the United States.

Silent Waters includes a good deal of action and suspense, but there is very little romance. The premise of hijacking a nuclear submarine is intriguing, and for the most part, the book delivers on the promise of this plot. However the romance aspect of this romantic suspense story is almost nonexistent. Also, there is little to no character development, and by half way through the book, the mystery was easy to figure out, as well as how it would play out in the story. Overall, Silent Waters is a disappointing romantic suspense novel. 2 1/2 stars

[Roberta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Domestic terrorism in a hijacked nuclear submarine on the high seas. The sordid lengths some high-level politicians will go to remain in power, once they achieve it, even if it causes mass hysteria by the public with the lives of millions at stake on the eve of a major national election.

A page-turning thriller not to be overlooked, even if it's been a few years since publication.

[William Crosby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Action-adventure. U.S. nuclear submarine stolen. It was obvious from the start that this is a political setup. Other plot points were predictable. Did have excellent characterizations. Although there was a romantic element, it did not intrude excessively into the plot.

[Daardi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally read in 2006 when the book came out and reread a couple times since. Just finished first reread in about 8 years. Still a great book. Fast paced, interesting and strong characters and well written. Really good romantic suspense book.

[Roy Ringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. It was hard to put down. It kept my attention throughout the whole book.

[Janet Stead · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed it. I like her style. I prefer the sexual tension to the explicit sex. I bought a box set of three books because after this, I knew I'd want to read more from Jan Coffey.

[Alan Routhieaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book read by Jan Coffey

I absolutely loved this book! Suspenseful and well developed story. I could really get caught up in Darius and Amy story as it develops.

[Judy Parker Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

great story!!

[Laura Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

Engaging, but predictable plot. The romantic suspense tag was disappointing. I'd rate the romance 2/10 - it was almost non-existent until the end of the book.

[Cassandra Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable with annoying gratuitous romance.
Though an enjoyable quick read.

[Karen1313 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story really enjoyed reading ☺️

[John L Mathew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read, kept my interest until the last page.

[Deborah Stellato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. This was my first book by this author. Loved the detail about submarines and the suspenseful story.

[lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

-1 star cuz brody died. overall a nice story.

[Lisa Reitmeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this action packed book. Look forward to reading more Jan Coffey books.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to put down.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty decent action. Could take or leave romance, but I suppose it added a bit to the storyline. Would be crazy if something like this played out for real.

[Sharon Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read with several plot twists. Nice story.

[Jo Vermeer · Rating 5 out of 5]

fast read

I read this book in 36 hours. I had to leave time to eat and sleep. I highly recommend it.

[Phillip Anderson · Rating 1 out of 5]

It is a shame that this author put all of his talent into a great story that only ended up as a propaganda piece for the left. If I want tp read propaganda I will read Marx.