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Submerged
A thriller in the tradition of Ken Follett and Robert Ludlum, Submerged chronicles the unique history of the U-5001, a Nazi secret weapon that could have changed the course of World War II, and it's the story of two men who become inextricably connected to the submarine.
The first is Kapitaenleutnant Erich Heinz Bruckner, who commanded the U-boat on its only mission—a voyage that transported him and his crew to a place of wonder and horror.
The other is Dexter Bucklin, an ex-Navy diver who finds the only evidence of the U-5001's existence, which drives him to discover its original, terrifying mission.
Submerged follows both men in a narrative that spans generations of adventure and mystery, echoing the tales of Poe and Lovecraft at their most strange. As the paths of these men's lives converge, a third element surfaces to influence the decisions of both men—decisions that will shape the future of civilization in ways never imagined...
The first is Kapitaenleutnant Erich Heinz Bruckner, who commanded the U-boat on its only mission—a voyage that transported him and his crew to a place of wonder and horror.
The other is Dexter Bucklin, an ex-Navy diver who finds the only evidence of the U-5001's existence, which drives him to discover its original, terrifying mission.
Submerged follows both men in a narrative that spans generations of adventure and mystery, echoing the tales of Poe and Lovecraft at their most strange. As the paths of these men's lives converge, a third element surfaces to influence the decisions of both men—decisions that will shape the future of civilization in ways never imagined...
517 pages, Hardcover
First published March 3, 2015
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109 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
January 13, 2016
In the final days of World War II, an experimental submarine, the U-5001 slips out of the sub pens of Trondheim under the cover of darkness.....it's mission secret, sinister and potentially suicidal.
70 years later, ex-Navy diver Dexter McCauley and his friends stumble upon an unknown vessel in the depths of Chesapeake Bay.
When Dexter tries to unravel the secret behind the mysteriously scuttled submarine, he contacts his old associates in the US Navy.......inadvertently attracting the attention of a secret, world spanning cabal that knows all about the U-5001, it's secret mission.....and suspects that it holds the key to even greater secrets.....secrets that suggest that Lovecraft's mythos may not have been a fever dream....and will stop at nothing to obtain them.
No one writes like Thomas F. Monteleone, expertly blending history fact and fiction with a subtle dose of the supernatural, and engaging, fully formed characters, into a perfectly paced retro thriller that raise the bar for the sub-genre.
Highly recommended.
Expected publication: March 1st 2016 by Samhain Publishing Ltd.
This was an eARC from Netgalley.
70 years later, ex-Navy diver Dexter McCauley and his friends stumble upon an unknown vessel in the depths of Chesapeake Bay.
When Dexter tries to unravel the secret behind the mysteriously scuttled submarine, he contacts his old associates in the US Navy.......inadvertently attracting the attention of a secret, world spanning cabal that knows all about the U-5001, it's secret mission.....and suspects that it holds the key to even greater secrets.....secrets that suggest that Lovecraft's mythos may not have been a fever dream....and will stop at nothing to obtain them.
No one writes like Thomas F. Monteleone, expertly blending history fact and fiction with a subtle dose of the supernatural, and engaging, fully formed characters, into a perfectly paced retro thriller that raise the bar for the sub-genre.
Highly recommended.
Expected publication: March 1st 2016 by Samhain Publishing Ltd.
This was an eARC from Netgalley.
February 7, 2016
SUBMERGED, by Thomas F. Monteleone is a captivating thriller with horror elements thrown into the mix. The first half or so of the story rotates between two time frames. The first is in the present with former Navy--now dive captain--Dex McCauley, whose dive crew has found the remains of an unidentified German sub. The second shows us the events in the year 1945, aboard a secret German submarine (the U-5001), under control of Captain Erich Bruckner.
I found each of these sections equally engrossing, and while I hated to lead one group, the continuation of the next always made up for it. Monteleone does a FANTASTIC job of building up the suspense while giving us complex characters at the same time. A great credit to the author--I felt I knew each of the major players from the two time-frames, and never had a moment of, "Wait--who was that one?". Additionally, the emotions were almost palpable, they were so easily felt: "The sense of dread, an almost palpable expectation of failure, like the stink of sweat, simply would not leave him." Alongside that, the feeling of uncertainty--whether of being underwater in a submarine, or deep sea diving--was a nearly physical sensation. As it could be said in either situation: "If . . . the biggest word in the mission"
Around the half-way point, the story retains its focus on present events. I'll admit that some of these sections felt as if a little too much technical information was being given all at once, but this eventually evened out as we neared the end.
I came to know and understand the mindset of so many characters, it was as if they were actual people. Even their innermost thoughts rang consistent with the images we are given. ". . . intuitive forces tugged at him like the unseen gravities of worlds, whispering a message of urgency, and perhaps danger" .
Overall, a great voyage that I was sorry to see come to an end, and a tale that will stay with me for quite some time.
Highly recommended!
*I received an advance e-copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
I found each of these sections equally engrossing, and while I hated to lead one group, the continuation of the next always made up for it. Monteleone does a FANTASTIC job of building up the suspense while giving us complex characters at the same time. A great credit to the author--I felt I knew each of the major players from the two time-frames, and never had a moment of, "Wait--who was that one?". Additionally, the emotions were almost palpable, they were so easily felt: "The sense of dread, an almost palpable expectation of failure, like the stink of sweat, simply would not leave him." Alongside that, the feeling of uncertainty--whether of being underwater in a submarine, or deep sea diving--was a nearly physical sensation. As it could be said in either situation: "If . . . the biggest word in the mission"
Around the half-way point, the story retains its focus on present events. I'll admit that some of these sections felt as if a little too much technical information was being given all at once, but this eventually evened out as we neared the end.
I came to know and understand the mindset of so many characters, it was as if they were actual people. Even their innermost thoughts rang consistent with the images we are given. ". . . intuitive forces tugged at him like the unseen gravities of worlds, whispering a message of urgency, and perhaps danger" .
Overall, a great voyage that I was sorry to see come to an end, and a tale that will stay with me for quite some time.
Highly recommended!
*I received an advance e-copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
January 30, 2016
Monteleone's Submerged looked amazingly promising on the surface. A sunken Nazi U-boat that isn't listed on any documents from the war, a secret German mission, and a hidden Nazi base under the ice of Greenland. I'm happy to report that Submerged was all that I hoped it would be and much more.
Dex, an ex-Navy diver, leads a group that descend on an unknown sunken wreck at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. What they discover in the murky water is a German U-boat that is twice the normal length, isn't listed on any known documents, and has an unusual substructure that gives the sub and unusual humpback look. In an attempt to keep their find secret until they can discover information about this unknown U-boat, an accident on the wreck blows the whole mission wide open. The U-boat captain, Erich Bruckner, is unveiled to us in a backstory that describes the secret mission him and his crew are sent on. His U-boat is a new Nazi weapon that is designed to deliver a lethal blow that will bring the US to its knees. After they are deployed, they are to stop at a hidden Nazi base underneath the ice of Greenland. What they discover there is the ruins of an ancient civilization that comes straight out of H.P. Lovecraft and delivers secrets that the world has never seen.
Submerged was a fun, page-turner that I couldn't put down. The characters were lifelike and realistic, the dialogue was spot on, and Monteleone tied it all together wonderfully. Submerged had the feel of an underwater Indiana Jones tale without being hokey or cartoonish. I absolutely loved it and can't recommend it high enough. Great stuff.
5 secret Nazi U-boats out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2J1...
Dex, an ex-Navy diver, leads a group that descend on an unknown sunken wreck at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. What they discover in the murky water is a German U-boat that is twice the normal length, isn't listed on any known documents, and has an unusual substructure that gives the sub and unusual humpback look. In an attempt to keep their find secret until they can discover information about this unknown U-boat, an accident on the wreck blows the whole mission wide open. The U-boat captain, Erich Bruckner, is unveiled to us in a backstory that describes the secret mission him and his crew are sent on. His U-boat is a new Nazi weapon that is designed to deliver a lethal blow that will bring the US to its knees. After they are deployed, they are to stop at a hidden Nazi base underneath the ice of Greenland. What they discover there is the ruins of an ancient civilization that comes straight out of H.P. Lovecraft and delivers secrets that the world has never seen.
Submerged was a fun, page-turner that I couldn't put down. The characters were lifelike and realistic, the dialogue was spot on, and Monteleone tied it all together wonderfully. Submerged had the feel of an underwater Indiana Jones tale without being hokey or cartoonish. I absolutely loved it and can't recommend it high enough. Great stuff.
5 secret Nazi U-boats out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/profile/A2J1...
March 1, 2016
The initial appeal of Submerged was twofold. A secret Nazi weapon from World War II, and on top of that a horror story that harkened back to Lovecraft. What a wonderful combination! I decided that I needed to dive into Submerged.
Thomas F. Monteleone has written an incredible adventure story based around his protagonist, Dexter McCauley. Dex is a retired Navy diver who makes an incredible discovery deep in the waters of Chesapeake Bay. The ensuing adventure was full of tension and I wanted to keep reading to see where this mystery would go next.
My favorite part of Submerged had to be the back and forth timeline between Dex, in the here and now, and Erich Bruckner, seventy years in the past and a hundred feet below the ocean surface. I loved the voyage with Erich that took me to Dex and his modern day adventure.
I have to admit that there were a few things that threw me off of my normal mojo of what I look for in a book. I would have liked a bit more horror – something happened, some horrible beast was behind it, but what? Dex, what can I say about Dex? He is a great hero, ex-Navy, skilled diver, handy with weapons, loyal friend; but I typically like my hero to have a flaw, his own internal demons that he must overcome. And then there were the bad guys, they were a bit too Spectre-esque for my liking. But here is the real kicker, with my laundry list of issues…it didn’t matter. The pace was so perfect that the issues that I would normally have had simply didn’t exist, I just got in the groove and enjoyed the story.
I, for one, enjoyed Submerged. It was a great story that allowed me to escape under the sea in a WWII German submarine. I think there is more to this story, and Dex is just the guy to take us there, to solve the mystery behind station one eleven.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.
Thomas F. Monteleone has written an incredible adventure story based around his protagonist, Dexter McCauley. Dex is a retired Navy diver who makes an incredible discovery deep in the waters of Chesapeake Bay. The ensuing adventure was full of tension and I wanted to keep reading to see where this mystery would go next.
My favorite part of Submerged had to be the back and forth timeline between Dex, in the here and now, and Erich Bruckner, seventy years in the past and a hundred feet below the ocean surface. I loved the voyage with Erich that took me to Dex and his modern day adventure.
I have to admit that there were a few things that threw me off of my normal mojo of what I look for in a book. I would have liked a bit more horror – something happened, some horrible beast was behind it, but what? Dex, what can I say about Dex? He is a great hero, ex-Navy, skilled diver, handy with weapons, loyal friend; but I typically like my hero to have a flaw, his own internal demons that he must overcome. And then there were the bad guys, they were a bit too Spectre-esque for my liking. But here is the real kicker, with my laundry list of issues…it didn’t matter. The pace was so perfect that the issues that I would normally have had simply didn’t exist, I just got in the groove and enjoyed the story.
I, for one, enjoyed Submerged. It was a great story that allowed me to escape under the sea in a WWII German submarine. I think there is more to this story, and Dex is just the guy to take us there, to solve the mystery behind station one eleven.
*I received a copy of the book from the publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.
February 22, 2019
Great action packed submarine and diving thriller but the ending was too rushed. ALOT of questions were left unanswered. I got the impression that the author planned on writing a sequel but for whatever reasons he never did, so now we get shafted and left with no answers. So frustrating : ( Had I known that I would've never read this book to begin with, because I need answers and a sequel NOW.
October 18, 2017
Damn, I started this one almost a month ago. Evidently, I got sidetracked a few times with other reads. That may have hurt me with this one.
Thrillers aren’t really my thing, but this one had a wee Lovecraft vibe going on which elevated it a little bit. I wish the Nazi experiments and the “thing” under the ice were explored a little deeper though. The ending also felt a little rushed. Not sure how it could feel too long and too short at the same time, but it did. Nonetheless, it still managed to be a well written and engaging thriller.
My first Monteleone, but not my last. 3+ Stars.
Thrillers aren’t really my thing, but this one had a wee Lovecraft vibe going on which elevated it a little bit. I wish the Nazi experiments and the “thing” under the ice were explored a little deeper though. The ending also felt a little rushed. Not sure how it could feel too long and too short at the same time, but it did. Nonetheless, it still managed to be a well written and engaging thriller.
My first Monteleone, but not my last. 3+ Stars.
February 14, 2016
When I was young I was enchanted by the stories of the great Alistair Maclean. I sailed with Captain Keith Mallory as he and his crew attempted to silence the guns of Navarone, I climbed the heights with Major John Smith as the infiltrated the Schloss Adler fortress in Southern Bavaria and I accompanied Cdr. James Ferraday beneath the ice-floes of the Arctic ocean to locate and rescue the men of weather-station zebra. As I grew older I grew to love the technical brilliance of Tom Clancy and the techno-thriller genius of Michael Crichton. All of these fade into insignificance when I compare them to this astounding novel Submerged by Thomas F Monteleone.
From the opening pages I was totally enthralled by the adventures of submarine U-5001 and its mission to attack the eastern side of the United States. I was equally captivated by Dexter McCauley and his quest to understand the fate of U-5001. KptLt Eric Bruchner has been charged with the task of striking the eastern United States with a secret weapon. He is a man of immense charisma, charm and intellect and well respected by the members of his crew, and we sail with him as he sets course on a perilous and dangerous mission.
As the story developed I could feel the tension and fear within this floating coffin as Bruckner attempts to steer a safe course and avoid the constant attacks by enemy aircraft. “There was a curious groaning of the bulkheads as the steel ribs of the hull absorbed their first encounter with ocean pressure. It was normal on a new boat to hear such sounds but they never failed to get everyone’s attention. As if the deck could grow more quiet. Then the silence was pierced by an abrupt series of concussions. The shockwave rattled the boat, but far less severely than Eric had ever experienced”....”No one spoke as the floor beneath them gradually levelled out. Everyone exhaled at the same time. No U-boat crewman would ever lie so poorly to swear he felt comfortable when the bubble –indicator told you the nose of your boat was pointed at the bottom.” The closest comparison is probably is probably Wolfgang Peterson’s 1981 masterpiece “Das Boot” The claustrophobic world of a German u-boat with its periods of boredom and sheer terror.
We move forward to the present and Dex McCauley is overseeing a dive in Chesapeake Bay with a group of fellow enthusiasts affectionately known as The Deep Six. They encounter the hull of U-5001 and as they explore the ghostly corridors of the sunken sub they make a discovery “At the same time, Tommy’s light touched the fuselage of a plane painted in green and gray camo.......Looks like we’ve got a light-to-medium bomber in here. Seaplane.” So what is the purpose of a small plane attached to the submarine’s fuselage? And why has a seemingly intact vessel been ditched at the bottom of the ocean?
Bruckner is suddenly presented with new orders and has to divert on a rescue and recovery operation to station one eleven located under the Greenland Shelf. Why have KptLt Bruckner and his crew been diverted from their original objective, and will they still be expected to carry out the attack?
The author does a wonderful job of presenting the two storylines in a most thrilling and frightening fashion. The tension within the submarine is unbearable and the sudden alteration to the mission throws the story and the readers expectations into chaos. Meanwhile, in the present, Dex is faced with his own challenges when a series of events occurs that results in him being the subject of attention that threatens the very lives of him and his crew.
In the final chapters there is a race by the American authorities and a shadowy group known as The Guild to discover the secrets of the Nazi stronghold and the scientific projects carried out at station one eleven. There are surprising revelations and a most unexpected appearance before the story ends in an explosive finale.
This is probably one of the most exciting adventure stories I have ever read with a very well presented past and present timeline, engaging believable characters, and a well researched story with hidden Lovecraftian overtones. It is always good to discover a new author and I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and that is what I have written.
From the opening pages I was totally enthralled by the adventures of submarine U-5001 and its mission to attack the eastern side of the United States. I was equally captivated by Dexter McCauley and his quest to understand the fate of U-5001. KptLt Eric Bruchner has been charged with the task of striking the eastern United States with a secret weapon. He is a man of immense charisma, charm and intellect and well respected by the members of his crew, and we sail with him as he sets course on a perilous and dangerous mission.
As the story developed I could feel the tension and fear within this floating coffin as Bruckner attempts to steer a safe course and avoid the constant attacks by enemy aircraft. “There was a curious groaning of the bulkheads as the steel ribs of the hull absorbed their first encounter with ocean pressure. It was normal on a new boat to hear such sounds but they never failed to get everyone’s attention. As if the deck could grow more quiet. Then the silence was pierced by an abrupt series of concussions. The shockwave rattled the boat, but far less severely than Eric had ever experienced”....”No one spoke as the floor beneath them gradually levelled out. Everyone exhaled at the same time. No U-boat crewman would ever lie so poorly to swear he felt comfortable when the bubble –indicator told you the nose of your boat was pointed at the bottom.” The closest comparison is probably is probably Wolfgang Peterson’s 1981 masterpiece “Das Boot” The claustrophobic world of a German u-boat with its periods of boredom and sheer terror.
We move forward to the present and Dex McCauley is overseeing a dive in Chesapeake Bay with a group of fellow enthusiasts affectionately known as The Deep Six. They encounter the hull of U-5001 and as they explore the ghostly corridors of the sunken sub they make a discovery “At the same time, Tommy’s light touched the fuselage of a plane painted in green and gray camo.......Looks like we’ve got a light-to-medium bomber in here. Seaplane.” So what is the purpose of a small plane attached to the submarine’s fuselage? And why has a seemingly intact vessel been ditched at the bottom of the ocean?
Bruckner is suddenly presented with new orders and has to divert on a rescue and recovery operation to station one eleven located under the Greenland Shelf. Why have KptLt Bruckner and his crew been diverted from their original objective, and will they still be expected to carry out the attack?
The author does a wonderful job of presenting the two storylines in a most thrilling and frightening fashion. The tension within the submarine is unbearable and the sudden alteration to the mission throws the story and the readers expectations into chaos. Meanwhile, in the present, Dex is faced with his own challenges when a series of events occurs that results in him being the subject of attention that threatens the very lives of him and his crew.
In the final chapters there is a race by the American authorities and a shadowy group known as The Guild to discover the secrets of the Nazi stronghold and the scientific projects carried out at station one eleven. There are surprising revelations and a most unexpected appearance before the story ends in an explosive finale.
This is probably one of the most exciting adventure stories I have ever read with a very well presented past and present timeline, engaging believable characters, and a well researched story with hidden Lovecraftian overtones. It is always good to discover a new author and I would like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and that is what I have written.
March 20, 2015
A good idea that failed due to a lack of imagination and just bad editing/proofing.
In 1945, an experimental submarine is sent on a mission to bomb New York City, but gets diverted to do a rescue and recovery mission at a secret Nazi base under the ice shelf of Greenland. What the captain finds there will change his life forever.
The idea of the Nazis mucking around with the technological remnants of an ancient race was enough to raise my Lovecraftian hackles; but, alas, the potential of this potboiler comes to naught as Monteleone delivers a by-the-numbers account of the the U-5001's maiden voyage and the discovery of it's wreck 70 years later.
The story is still pretty good, but Monteleone has a bad habit of dropping prepositions (of, to, etc) and articles (a, an, the) from his writing so often that it gets to be really annoying. His German dialog also is inconsistent, alternately sounding like English, German translated into English, and English with bad grammar.
This was the first novel of Monteleone's I've read. It doesn't make me want to read another, though I do like his short stories.
Still, this signed hardcover is a beautifully-made edition that I'm proud to display on my shelf.
In 1945, an experimental submarine is sent on a mission to bomb New York City, but gets diverted to do a rescue and recovery mission at a secret Nazi base under the ice shelf of Greenland. What the captain finds there will change his life forever.
The idea of the Nazis mucking around with the technological remnants of an ancient race was enough to raise my Lovecraftian hackles; but, alas, the potential of this potboiler comes to naught as Monteleone delivers a by-the-numbers account of the the U-5001's maiden voyage and the discovery of it's wreck 70 years later.
The story is still pretty good, but Monteleone has a bad habit of dropping prepositions (of, to, etc) and articles (a, an, the) from his writing so often that it gets to be really annoying. His German dialog also is inconsistent, alternately sounding like English, German translated into English, and English with bad grammar.
This was the first novel of Monteleone's I've read. It doesn't make me want to read another, though I do like his short stories.
Still, this signed hardcover is a beautifully-made edition that I'm proud to display on my shelf.
Want to read
February 11, 2016This is copy 28 of 750 signed and numbered copies signed by Thomas F. Monteleone.
March 24, 2016
Three and a half stars.
I’m a sucker for novels that feature submarines and Thomas F. Monteleone starts off with a fine one. Submerged is an epic thriller about a secret Nazi submarine and its mission. It begins in 1945 as Erich Bruckner, a battle weary commander of the U-boat U-5001, is on what may be his last journey in a war that is winding down. The submarine and its payload could change the fortunes of Germany. Fast forward to an alternating narration based in the present day. Ex-Navy diver Dexter McCauley and his diving team discovers a previously unknown wreck in Chesapeake Bay. It appears to be a German submarine of a shape and size never seen before. Both narrations alternate through the book then intertwine as the protagonists discover an even bigger secret. It is a secret that others are willing to kill for.
Monteleone’s novel is a tasty combination of Ken Follett and Clive Cussler. If one is into submarines, like yours truly, then you should be quite happy. There will be plenty of entertainment for you. Scenes of naval strategy abound in the 1945 narration. As for present day, we get a lot of underwater excitement as the divers discover and explore the remains of the submarine. And through all this we get a mystery. What happened to the submarine and its crew? What is found in the wreck and what potential does it have to change the world? There is plenty of suspense and fun available in these pages.
But there is a wrinkle in the story. Bruckner’s mission journeys into H. P. Lovecraft territory. It is both a promising twist and a dampener to my enthusiasm. I love Lovecraftian fiction almost as much as I love submarines. But in that realm of the plot, there is more promise than delivery. The story isn’t sure whether it wants to be a weird tale or a thriller. It tries to be both and by doing so it weakens both elements. The author is quite good at describing the strange landscape that the submariners find themselves in but it never really takes off. At best it is secondary to the central plot and at worst, it is a teaser for a possible sequel.
So the best thing going for this novel is that it is an intelligent and exciting techno/military thriller of the Follett or Clancy variety. The characters are a strong point, especially the ex-diver Dexter and the U-Boat commander Bruckner. Yet despite the author’s prodigious skills at telling a story, it goes off the track a bit. The Lovecraftian elements are slight to say the least. It may be a matter of expectations. Although promoted as horror, it barely fills the bill. Perhaps if it was promoted as a thriller, that would have been more accurate. It probably would have gotten this book to the audience it deserves. But even if it takes a few missteps, it is still a very enjoyable novel and is recommended to those who dig maritime centered suspense.
I’m a sucker for novels that feature submarines and Thomas F. Monteleone starts off with a fine one. Submerged is an epic thriller about a secret Nazi submarine and its mission. It begins in 1945 as Erich Bruckner, a battle weary commander of the U-boat U-5001, is on what may be his last journey in a war that is winding down. The submarine and its payload could change the fortunes of Germany. Fast forward to an alternating narration based in the present day. Ex-Navy diver Dexter McCauley and his diving team discovers a previously unknown wreck in Chesapeake Bay. It appears to be a German submarine of a shape and size never seen before. Both narrations alternate through the book then intertwine as the protagonists discover an even bigger secret. It is a secret that others are willing to kill for.
Monteleone’s novel is a tasty combination of Ken Follett and Clive Cussler. If one is into submarines, like yours truly, then you should be quite happy. There will be plenty of entertainment for you. Scenes of naval strategy abound in the 1945 narration. As for present day, we get a lot of underwater excitement as the divers discover and explore the remains of the submarine. And through all this we get a mystery. What happened to the submarine and its crew? What is found in the wreck and what potential does it have to change the world? There is plenty of suspense and fun available in these pages.
But there is a wrinkle in the story. Bruckner’s mission journeys into H. P. Lovecraft territory. It is both a promising twist and a dampener to my enthusiasm. I love Lovecraftian fiction almost as much as I love submarines. But in that realm of the plot, there is more promise than delivery. The story isn’t sure whether it wants to be a weird tale or a thriller. It tries to be both and by doing so it weakens both elements. The author is quite good at describing the strange landscape that the submariners find themselves in but it never really takes off. At best it is secondary to the central plot and at worst, it is a teaser for a possible sequel.
So the best thing going for this novel is that it is an intelligent and exciting techno/military thriller of the Follett or Clancy variety. The characters are a strong point, especially the ex-diver Dexter and the U-Boat commander Bruckner. Yet despite the author’s prodigious skills at telling a story, it goes off the track a bit. The Lovecraftian elements are slight to say the least. It may be a matter of expectations. Although promoted as horror, it barely fills the bill. Perhaps if it was promoted as a thriller, that would have been more accurate. It probably would have gotten this book to the audience it deserves. But even if it takes a few missteps, it is still a very enjoyable novel and is recommended to those who dig maritime centered suspense.
March 20, 2015
Without really getting into anything spoiler-y, 'Submerged' is about a group of present-day (mostly) amateur divers who discover a mysterious sunken wreck off Chesapeake Bay. Flash back to 1945 and the closing days of WWII and the Germans have just launched said wreck - the sparkling new U-5001, a technically-superior Nazi U-Boat the likes no one has ever seen which is heading towards the U.S. coast on a secret mission. Shake liberally and check back with each timeline about every other chapter.
Did I mention that one of the two quotes with which Monteleone kicks off the book is from H.P. Lovecraft?
Hmm. Nazis underwater, modern-day divers trying to examine the sunken wreck and a hint of Lovecraft? Oh yeah, now we're talking.
I'll give Monteleone credit - being a Lovecraft homer of the highest order - there was a certain direction I was hoping 'Submerged' would take, and about 2/3 of the way in he blew my hopes out of the water (umm, sorry... nah, not really) and he went off in a totally different direction than what I expected. And I still loved it.
As for the ending I didn't expect... oh pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease let there be a sequel!!!
Did I mention that one of the two quotes with which Monteleone kicks off the book is from H.P. Lovecraft?
Hmm. Nazis underwater, modern-day divers trying to examine the sunken wreck and a hint of Lovecraft? Oh yeah, now we're talking.
I'll give Monteleone credit - being a Lovecraft homer of the highest order - there was a certain direction I was hoping 'Submerged' would take, and about 2/3 of the way in he blew my hopes out of the water (umm, sorry... nah, not really) and he went off in a totally different direction than what I expected. And I still loved it.
As for the ending I didn't expect... oh pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease let there be a sequel!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2016
The “hook” for this novel pulled me in: the discovery of an unknown WWII German U-Boat, U-5001, in Chesapeake Bay. I skipped through this book because the old Clive Cussler books that this was similar to were much better. There were probably more mistakes in this book, but having the main character on p. 222 “gather all up the cash he kept in the house—which was considerable….”, and then say on p. 223 “And we don’t have any cash to get through the tunnel…” made me wish I was reading another book.
September 29, 2018
Three stars! The characters were fleshed out well enough and the story was intriguing. However, I would not classify this book as horror. Think of it in terms of Tom Clancy or Clive Cussler meets the X Files. The ending felt a bit rushed and there was a significant flaw in the storyline, but otherwise a good read that will keep you turning pages.
March 26, 2016
THOSE GERMANS ARE AT IT AGAIN IT IS...
Hello, very interesting story. It really needed a couple of more books to fully tell the tale. There is so much that we, the readers, want to know. The Lovecraft portion of the story is very small. Damn fine story, though. Thanks.
Hello, very interesting story. It really needed a couple of more books to fully tell the tale. There is so much that we, the readers, want to know. The Lovecraft portion of the story is very small. Damn fine story, though. Thanks.
May 20, 2015
Great book. Kept me interested the entire time. Page-turner style. Would like to see a sequel.
June 9, 2015
Best action/adventure novel I've read in a long while.
April 27, 2023
Classic submarine op, and then weirdness
The first one-third of the book was a really interesting submarine story. The middle third was about the bad guys chasing the good guys. And the last third arrives at an unexpected ending. The last third demonstrates what happens when the publisher runs out of money for editing. This got pretty bad. overall, I enjoyed reading this book. This last part is what reduced my rating.
The first one-third of the book was a really interesting submarine story. The middle third was about the bad guys chasing the good guys. And the last third arrives at an unexpected ending. The last third demonstrates what happens when the publisher runs out of money for editing. This got pretty bad. overall, I enjoyed reading this book. This last part is what reduced my rating.
July 16, 2023
Here’s the thing. The first half of the book hooked me. The nods to Lovecraft were great. The connection to history and even the characters. It was a fun story. What killed me on not rating this book higher was the fact it was riddled with errors. Now, I read this on ebook so maybe it was a transcription or editing mistake, but the last half of the book had so many grammar, punctuation, and writing errors that it really took me out of the story.
December 12, 2020
Sloppy proof reading
Good story, terrible presentation. I have never read a book with so many typos, out of context writing, words missing in sentences. Someone really screwed up this book. I highlighted a small number of errors. Hopefully someone will RE-edit this book. I will also appreciate a response to my comment.
Good story, terrible presentation. I have never read a book with so many typos, out of context writing, words missing in sentences. Someone really screwed up this book. I highlighted a small number of errors. Hopefully someone will RE-edit this book. I will also appreciate a response to my comment.
February 23, 2022
Off Your Seat Read!!
This book “Submerged” by Thomas F.Monteleone was by far the most exciting and riveting story I have read in a long time!
I’m not much on military or deep sea diving but this story kept me on high alert. Wow!
This book “Submerged” by Thomas F.Monteleone was by far the most exciting and riveting story I have read in a long time!
I’m not much on military or deep sea diving but this story kept me on high alert. Wow!
July 23, 2023
Adventur"us"!
A great story full of suspense without the main character coming off as a super hero. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys an adventure story. The only failing is the non-existent proof reading which detracts from an enjoyable read.
A great story full of suspense without the main character coming off as a super hero. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys an adventure story. The only failing is the non-existent proof reading which detracts from an enjoyable read.
February 27, 2021
Mystery under the ice
Thomas Montreal one's book is a well crafted
suspense story built on modern technology and a good dose of sci-fi and fantasy. Great read.
Thomas Montreal one's book is a well crafted
suspense story built on modern technology and a good dose of sci-fi and fantasy. Great read.
November 12, 2025
fun reading
Fun reading but too much fluff. Too much detail to people or events that really didn’t contribute to the story line.
Fun reading but too much fluff. Too much detail to people or events that really didn’t contribute to the story line.
October 7, 2016
Thomas F. Monteleone is the co-founder of Borderlands Press and has won the Bram Stoker Award four times in four different categories- novel, collection, anthology, and non-fiction. He has written more than forty books and published over 100 short stories, he has written and produced for the stage and screen as well as edited seven anthologies.
Submerged begins by alternating between the past with Eric Heinz Bruckner the captain of the German submarine the U-5001 and the retired ex-navy diver Dexter McCauley who finds the U-5001 in the present. The U-5001 was a one of kind submarine built with the explicit task of launching a small plane which they carried in a special compartment on the submarine to drop a nuclear bomb onto New York City. Before they arrived at their destination they were ordered to rescue some scientists in a secret base under an ice shelf in Greenland. Here the feel of the story changes from the dark and claustrophobic confines of the sub into a growing sense of horror when faced with what they find there. Determined that no one should ever find the secret base and the evil it holds Captain Bruckner uses the bomb that he would have dropped on New York to try and erase any trace of it. As the U-5001 approaches the United States it receives word that the war is over and Captain Bruckner puts all but two of the crew on a boat headed back to German and scuttles the submarine in 60 feet of water in the Chesapeake By where it is found by Dexter McCauley and his team of divers who call themselves the deep six, his boat the Sea Dog and it’s Captain Don Jordan. The sense of the supernatural continues to build as one of the Deep Six dies in the torpedo room of the submerged submarine.
The second half of the book starts with an explosion onboard the Sea Dog which leaves Dex and Tommy swimming for their lives to the nearest island. It also introduces the Guild, a group of mercenary arm dealers who supply arms and money to kings and emperors who want the nuclear payload from the U-5001 and the location of the secret German base located under the Greenland ice. The second half of the book slows down a little but not enough to stop reading and you are soon rewarded with the revelation that Captain Bruckner is still alive and that the guild is looking for him. The race is on to get him to safety but the guild is resourceful and takes Bruckner and Tommy hostage to get the bomb from under the Greenland ice but Captain Bruckner I determined to finish what he started with that bomb so many years before and with Tommy’s help accomplishes just that.
The book ends with the hint of a sequel as Dexter McCauley is given the chance to take an expedition to the Greenland shelf and try and find out what if anything is left behind and maybe get some closure. While I found the book to be more of a military thriller than true horror it was fast paced and entertaining it leaves the door open for a sequel to follow up with base and any horrors it might reveal.
Submerged begins by alternating between the past with Eric Heinz Bruckner the captain of the German submarine the U-5001 and the retired ex-navy diver Dexter McCauley who finds the U-5001 in the present. The U-5001 was a one of kind submarine built with the explicit task of launching a small plane which they carried in a special compartment on the submarine to drop a nuclear bomb onto New York City. Before they arrived at their destination they were ordered to rescue some scientists in a secret base under an ice shelf in Greenland. Here the feel of the story changes from the dark and claustrophobic confines of the sub into a growing sense of horror when faced with what they find there. Determined that no one should ever find the secret base and the evil it holds Captain Bruckner uses the bomb that he would have dropped on New York to try and erase any trace of it. As the U-5001 approaches the United States it receives word that the war is over and Captain Bruckner puts all but two of the crew on a boat headed back to German and scuttles the submarine in 60 feet of water in the Chesapeake By where it is found by Dexter McCauley and his team of divers who call themselves the deep six, his boat the Sea Dog and it’s Captain Don Jordan. The sense of the supernatural continues to build as one of the Deep Six dies in the torpedo room of the submerged submarine.
The second half of the book starts with an explosion onboard the Sea Dog which leaves Dex and Tommy swimming for their lives to the nearest island. It also introduces the Guild, a group of mercenary arm dealers who supply arms and money to kings and emperors who want the nuclear payload from the U-5001 and the location of the secret German base located under the Greenland ice. The second half of the book slows down a little but not enough to stop reading and you are soon rewarded with the revelation that Captain Bruckner is still alive and that the guild is looking for him. The race is on to get him to safety but the guild is resourceful and takes Bruckner and Tommy hostage to get the bomb from under the Greenland ice but Captain Bruckner I determined to finish what he started with that bomb so many years before and with Tommy’s help accomplishes just that.
The book ends with the hint of a sequel as Dexter McCauley is given the chance to take an expedition to the Greenland shelf and try and find out what if anything is left behind and maybe get some closure. While I found the book to be more of a military thriller than true horror it was fast paced and entertaining it leaves the door open for a sequel to follow up with base and any horrors it might reveal.
February 18, 2016
A thriller surrounding a prototype Nazi U-boat in the Chesapeake Bay, a shady organization, and secret missions. The first part is told between two people across two time periods: the U-5001 captain, Erick Bruckner, on his last mission and Dex Bucklin, diving on the present day on the wreckage of the same U-boat. Between the two stories it is pieced together and slowly revealed that a) the Nazis were very close to launching a major weapon on US soil and b) there was some shifty secretive things going on at Station 111 in Greenland. Once the U-boat is discovered and leaked to the press, the Guild catches wind and sends operatives to claim all knowledge. This turns into a normal thriller, chase and escape, dead bodies, guns and cool tech etc.
The main focus of part one is story and backgrounds. Some have said it was a bit slow, but if you have any interest in submarines, Nazi Germany or good characters, this should not be a slow down. Part two is significantly faster paced and should have no problems holding attention. The ending was a bit off. I am glad the author had the guts to pull the trigger on an idea I think more should attempt, but it was wrapped up too quick and things felt like they were just dominos tumbling in succession. too easy.
Aside from that there were some loose ends here and there. Maybe a sequel novel can help explain this. I would suggest perhaps a new cast of characters and then sneak in some of these to tie it together. But we shall see. A good run through by an editor could have saved a lot, even down to the car Tommy drives. Calling it a Mustang at first and referring to the Camaro later on. maybe chalk it up to the bad guys assuming, but I would say that's a little between the lines and stretching to explain.
Physically the book was a nice production, wish it had a few more thrills, either in the art department via maps or illustrations, or in production as in ribbon marker. But Cemetery Dance does decent work and at least there was not an upcharge simply for making it a 7x10 oversized book.
Editorial cons: many little connecting words are dropped, which can be a little jolting. Not sure if that was so the words could look nicer on the page justified or not, but... And the chapter titles include the POV character. I would prefer the first time a full descriptive name, subsequently followed by the single first or last name pending on how they are called in the book. The convention here was all over the place and a little distracting, unfortunately.
Part One from the Points of View of Kapitaenleutnant Erich Heinz Bruckner, Dexter Bucklin, and Mike Bielski (for one chapter).
Part Two from the Points of View of Captain Junius Sinclair, Dexter Bucklin, Jason Bruckner, Erich Bruckner, and Rear Admiral Parker Whitehurst
Cemetery Dance 535/750
The main focus of part one is story and backgrounds. Some have said it was a bit slow, but if you have any interest in submarines, Nazi Germany or good characters, this should not be a slow down. Part two is significantly faster paced and should have no problems holding attention. The ending was a bit off. I am glad the author had the guts to pull the trigger on an idea I think more should attempt, but it was wrapped up too quick and things felt like they were just dominos tumbling in succession. too easy.
Aside from that there were some loose ends here and there. Maybe a sequel novel can help explain this. I would suggest perhaps a new cast of characters and then sneak in some of these to tie it together. But we shall see. A good run through by an editor could have saved a lot, even down to the car Tommy drives. Calling it a Mustang at first and referring to the Camaro later on. maybe chalk it up to the bad guys assuming, but I would say that's a little between the lines and stretching to explain.
Physically the book was a nice production, wish it had a few more thrills, either in the art department via maps or illustrations, or in production as in ribbon marker. But Cemetery Dance does decent work and at least there was not an upcharge simply for making it a 7x10 oversized book.
Editorial cons: many little connecting words are dropped, which can be a little jolting. Not sure if that was so the words could look nicer on the page justified or not, but... And the chapter titles include the POV character. I would prefer the first time a full descriptive name, subsequently followed by the single first or last name pending on how they are called in the book. The convention here was all over the place and a little distracting, unfortunately.
Part One from the Points of View of Kapitaenleutnant Erich Heinz Bruckner, Dexter Bucklin, and Mike Bielski (for one chapter).
Part Two from the Points of View of Captain Junius Sinclair, Dexter Bucklin, Jason Bruckner, Erich Bruckner, and Rear Admiral Parker Whitehurst
Cemetery Dance 535/750
May 9, 2015
I hadn't ever heard of Thomas F Monteleone before I bought this book from Cemetery Dance (a small publisher, mostly known for horror, that puts out some beautiful signed editions, which is why I bought it in the first place.)
The story was described as a thriller in the tradition of Ken Follett and Robert Ludlum. And while aid story definitely lived up that description, I wasn't able to fully enjoy it as much as I was wanting to.
I try not to let bad proofreading detract from my reading enjoyment, but there were far too many instances of plural words including apostrophes (a huge pet peeve of mine in fact.) And then there was the SCUBA diving part . . .
I'm unsure if the author is a diver, but I'm leaning towards the fact that he's not, and everything he learned about diving was through a poorly worded Google search.
The author liked to use a lot of words and terminology that you'd find in the SCUBA diving community, but the information wasn't used properly. First, there is no timer that says how much air you have - air is measured by pressure, and the deeper you go, the less air you have because you're using it up faster.
Second, 60 feet is not a realistic death for a German submarine to remain undiscovered in the Chesapeake Bay for nearly 70 years. He also treats 60 feet being some extreme depth that the only the most experienced of divers should ever attempt. While the characters are diving at this depth, the author introduces the concept of nitrogen narcosis and the bends, which while related, are definitely not the same thing.
During all of this, I kept thinking that the divers should be using nitrox instead of regular air, which is about the time the author states the divers are using tri-mix. Sixty feet would be a strange depth to be using tri-mix on, and then he never once mentions the fact that if the divers were breathing this mixture (tri-mix is oxygen, nitrogen and helium) the divers should have been speaking in a helium squeaky voice.
Oh and let's not forget that these divers never once used a line and reel while exploring a submarine! I think they all had death wishes.
It might seem petty to not enjoy a book as much because of technical inaccuracies, but those first dozen chapters bothered me so much, I kept hoping they'd all be eaten by a Giant Pacific Octopus. (A species of Octopus most definitely not found in the Atlantic . . .)
The story was described as a thriller in the tradition of Ken Follett and Robert Ludlum. And while aid story definitely lived up that description, I wasn't able to fully enjoy it as much as I was wanting to.
I try not to let bad proofreading detract from my reading enjoyment, but there were far too many instances of plural words including apostrophes (a huge pet peeve of mine in fact.) And then there was the SCUBA diving part . . .
I'm unsure if the author is a diver, but I'm leaning towards the fact that he's not, and everything he learned about diving was through a poorly worded Google search.
The author liked to use a lot of words and terminology that you'd find in the SCUBA diving community, but the information wasn't used properly. First, there is no timer that says how much air you have - air is measured by pressure, and the deeper you go, the less air you have because you're using it up faster.
Second, 60 feet is not a realistic death for a German submarine to remain undiscovered in the Chesapeake Bay for nearly 70 years. He also treats 60 feet being some extreme depth that the only the most experienced of divers should ever attempt. While the characters are diving at this depth, the author introduces the concept of nitrogen narcosis and the bends, which while related, are definitely not the same thing.
During all of this, I kept thinking that the divers should be using nitrox instead of regular air, which is about the time the author states the divers are using tri-mix. Sixty feet would be a strange depth to be using tri-mix on, and then he never once mentions the fact that if the divers were breathing this mixture (tri-mix is oxygen, nitrogen and helium) the divers should have been speaking in a helium squeaky voice.
Oh and let's not forget that these divers never once used a line and reel while exploring a submarine! I think they all had death wishes.
It might seem petty to not enjoy a book as much because of technical inaccuracies, but those first dozen chapters bothered me so much, I kept hoping they'd all be eaten by a Giant Pacific Octopus. (A species of Octopus most definitely not found in the Atlantic . . .)
March 30, 2015
What a great novel--and one that's hard to pin down because Monteleone keeps us guessing. What starts off as a DAS BOOT-type of story morphs into THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER and then into THE ABYSS and AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS. Lots of well-drawn characters, a compelling plot, and a spectacular finish.
After a holy-shit first chapter, the story drags a little until page 200, but then the pedal hits the metal and stays there until the end. If you can keep the initial cast straight in your head (not easy given the similarity of their names on paper), the story is well worth the couple days it'll take to read it. That's right; it didn't take me long. It goes that fast.
The settings are what really make this novel, particularly the action on board a German U-boat at the conclusion of WW2, and then the incredible place they visit inside a Greenland glacier. Can't say more without spoiling it. . . .
After a holy-shit first chapter, the story drags a little until page 200, but then the pedal hits the metal and stays there until the end. If you can keep the initial cast straight in your head (not easy given the similarity of their names on paper), the story is well worth the couple days it'll take to read it. That's right; it didn't take me long. It goes that fast.
The settings are what really make this novel, particularly the action on board a German U-boat at the conclusion of WW2, and then the incredible place they visit inside a Greenland glacier. Can't say more without spoiling it. . . .
November 18, 2016
I thought Submerged by Thomas F. Monteleone, was a very interesting story with perspectives from different time periods and people. I liked how the book had the submarine's captain talk about what was happening in the future and the past. I also liked how as the story went along the different perspectives told their own story along the same time line after part 2. In the beginning i thought Dex was content not being in the Navy and not having to be constantly making life altering decisions. As the story went along and catastrophic events happened, Dex quickly took over the role as leader and realized that he enjoyed and missed being part of the Navy with high profile and high risk opportunities. I really enjoyed reading this book and how it explored different ideas on World War 2 and the different outcomes.
February 22, 2015
With SUBMERGED, Thomas F. Monteleone leads his readers on an intriguing adventure entwining the kind of history, mystery, and jeopardy that I adore. I sure hope he's planning a sequel because the scientific and universal implications of this story have me eager for answers. Besides, Dex Bucklin is too good of a character for just one book. ;)
April 30, 2015
I have probably read all of Monteleone's books and I believe this is my favorite of all of them. So far it is the best book I have read this year. The book deserves a much larger printing than its 750 copies now out there.
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