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In Danger's Hour
Mediterranean, 1943 ... The Rob Roy. A tiny machine, just 230 feet from stem to stern. In peacetime she would have trawled for cod. Now her catch is deadlier by far. Lieutenant-Commander Ian Ransome is a veteran of the treacherous front line of naval combat. For three years, he's swept the explosive curtains of Nazi mines that shrouds the British Isles. Now, under sealed orders in the battle-tossed waters of the Mediterranean, he and his jack-tired crew face one final test of their courage and seamanship under fire. Their secret mission: to spearhead the Allies' desperate invasion of Italy.
336 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
4 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Douglas Reeman
138 books178 followersAKA Alexander Kent.
Douglas Edward Reeman was a British author who has written many historical fiction books on the Royal Navy, mainly set during either World War II or the Napoleonic Wars.
Reeman joined the Royal Navy in 1940, at the age of 16, and served during World War II and the Korean War. He eventually rose to the rank of lieutenant. In addition to being an author, Reeman has also taught the art of navigation for yachting and served as a technical advisor for films. Douglas married author Kimberley Jordan Reeman in 1985.
Reeman's debut novel, A Prayer for the Ship was published in 1958. His pseudonym Alexander Kent was the name of a friend and naval officer who died during the Second World War. Reeman is most famous for his series of Napoleonic naval stories, whose central character is Richard Bolitho, and, later, his nephew, Adam. He also wrote a series of novels about several generations of the Blackwood family who served in the Royal Marines from the 1850s to the 1970s, and a non-fiction account of his World War II experiences, D-Day : A Personal Reminiscence (1984).
Series:
* Blackwood Family
Douglas Edward Reeman was a British author who has written many historical fiction books on the Royal Navy, mainly set during either World War II or the Napoleonic Wars.
Reeman joined the Royal Navy in 1940, at the age of 16, and served during World War II and the Korean War. He eventually rose to the rank of lieutenant. In addition to being an author, Reeman has also taught the art of navigation for yachting and served as a technical advisor for films. Douglas married author Kimberley Jordan Reeman in 1985.
Reeman's debut novel, A Prayer for the Ship was published in 1958. His pseudonym Alexander Kent was the name of a friend and naval officer who died during the Second World War. Reeman is most famous for his series of Napoleonic naval stories, whose central character is Richard Bolitho, and, later, his nephew, Adam. He also wrote a series of novels about several generations of the Blackwood family who served in the Royal Marines from the 1850s to the 1970s, and a non-fiction account of his World War II experiences, D-Day : A Personal Reminiscence (1984).
Series:
* Blackwood Family
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
September 15, 2019
I really enjoyed this one, again well written and just a neat story! looking forward to the next Reeman!
March 7, 2015
Douglas Reeman drinking games:
First mention of "Horse's Neck" drink--page 73.
First use of "oblivion"--page 124.
Unexpectedly good weaving of various characters on what one might think too small a stage for Reeman -- minesweepers. But the action moves skillfully from the Channel to Sicily to Normandy, with breaks in bed between.
First mention of "Horse's Neck" drink--page 73.
First use of "oblivion"--page 124.
Unexpectedly good weaving of various characters on what one might think too small a stage for Reeman -- minesweepers. But the action moves skillfully from the Channel to Sicily to Normandy, with breaks in bed between.
October 8, 2011
Not just a rip-roaring yarn of World War II naval actions, but also a great story of suspense, love, and karma. This is the second or third Douglas Reeman book I've read - it's time to seek out some more.
November 18, 2021
Deasupra portului Dover cerul era de un albastru spălăcit, iar strălucirea soarelui de după-amiază crea o iluzie de căldură şi pace. Doar câte un norişor pufos purtat de briza răcoroasă din sud-est, dar nici una dintre acele prea familiare dâre de condensare, care trădează tăcutele lupte aeriene, sau flăcările punctiforme indicând prăbuşirea în Canal a unui prieten sau inamic.
Era la începutul lunii aprilie a anului 1943 şi portul, la fel ca vremea, părea că se odihneşte. La cheiuri nu erau ancorate prea multe vase de război; majoritatea acestora se adăposteau în porturile mai sigure, după colţ, cum spuneau marinarii, pe Tamisa sau Medway, ori la baza Harwich de pe Coasta de Est.
Aici liniştea nu dura prea mult. O întrerupeau raidurile surpriză ale bombardierelor şi avioanelor de vânătoare, sau sosirea asurzitoare a marilor obuze lansate de la Capul Griz-Nez care cădeau în oraş, sau peste vreun convoi aflat pe lângă coastă încercând să-şi croiască drum prin Canal.
Lângă unul dintre cheiuri stăteau alături două dragoare din flotilă, ale căror steaguri se ridicau şi se agitau în bătaia vântului, constituind pete vii de culoare pe fundalul mohorât al vaselor vopsite în culori de camuflaj. Erau gemene iar un „om de uscat“ le-ar fi putut confunda cu nişte fregate reduse ca dimensiuni.
Etrava dreaptă, suprastructura spartană a punţii de comandă şi singurul coş le făceau să arate eficiente, deosebindu-se de vasele de escortă doar prin talmeş-balmeşul de echipamente de dragare şi bigi aflate chiar pe duneta scurtă de la pupă.
La bord nu erau semne vizibile de viaţă. Duminică după-amiază, o zi în care cei de cart mai făceau mici reparaţii, iar ceilalaţi aveau o şansă să se odihnească după săptămâni de dragare a minelor mortale, adesea în apropierea coastei franceze.
Dover Castle, care în subsolurile blindate adăpostea comandamentul, stătea de strajă deasupra portului şi a împrejurimilor: în acest punct, inamicul se afla doar la douăzeci de mile depărtare – un gând şocant, dacă mai exista cineva căruia să i se amintească acest fapt.
Era la începutul lunii aprilie a anului 1943 şi portul, la fel ca vremea, părea că se odihneşte. La cheiuri nu erau ancorate prea multe vase de război; majoritatea acestora se adăposteau în porturile mai sigure, după colţ, cum spuneau marinarii, pe Tamisa sau Medway, ori la baza Harwich de pe Coasta de Est.
Aici liniştea nu dura prea mult. O întrerupeau raidurile surpriză ale bombardierelor şi avioanelor de vânătoare, sau sosirea asurzitoare a marilor obuze lansate de la Capul Griz-Nez care cădeau în oraş, sau peste vreun convoi aflat pe lângă coastă încercând să-şi croiască drum prin Canal.
Lângă unul dintre cheiuri stăteau alături două dragoare din flotilă, ale căror steaguri se ridicau şi se agitau în bătaia vântului, constituind pete vii de culoare pe fundalul mohorât al vaselor vopsite în culori de camuflaj. Erau gemene iar un „om de uscat“ le-ar fi putut confunda cu nişte fregate reduse ca dimensiuni.
Etrava dreaptă, suprastructura spartană a punţii de comandă şi singurul coş le făceau să arate eficiente, deosebindu-se de vasele de escortă doar prin talmeş-balmeşul de echipamente de dragare şi bigi aflate chiar pe duneta scurtă de la pupă.
La bord nu erau semne vizibile de viaţă. Duminică după-amiază, o zi în care cei de cart mai făceau mici reparaţii, iar ceilalaţi aveau o şansă să se odihnească după săptămâni de dragare a minelor mortale, adesea în apropierea coastei franceze.
Dover Castle, care în subsolurile blindate adăpostea comandamentul, stătea de strajă deasupra portului şi a împrejurimilor: în acest punct, inamicul se afla doar la douăzeci de mile depărtare – un gând şocant, dacă mai exista cineva căruia să i se amintească acest fapt.
September 6, 2018
Another very good WWII seafaring story from Douglas Reeman. This story takes place on board a minesweeper called HMS Rob Roy. It starts off in 1943 when the Rob Roy is doing coastal duties around Southern England. The ship has a young 28-year-old Captain Ransome. We are introduced to a number of the ship's crew. They are from diverse backgrounds. Some are likeable, some are loathsome and the young nieve to come of age etc. To be fair this is a usual WWII formate that Douglas Reeman often does. It works! We follow the crew members through their leave and love life. Then we go to Italy as the ship goes into action in the Mediterranean. The Axis powers have been driven from North Africa and the HMS Rob Roy is part of an enormous support group for the invasion of Sicily. Some of the action scenes are gripping. From this point on there is the prep work for D-Day 1944 when the Rob Roy returns for this new mission. All in all a good read for any fan of nautical war fiction.
May 18, 2024
Quite a fast paced book surprisingly. I liked the interwoven back stories of the crew and it also managed to get across the work of the minesweepers and the camaderie of the crew but also the horrors of the war. It appears to be a misconception thanks to the fairly recent trend of 1940s weekends that the war was a bit of a jolly jape before coming home for tea and crumpets. This little book is a good reminder that that was not the case.
June 13, 2024
For me this was not one of my favourite "Douglas Reeman" books . The general storyline seemed very similar to many of his other books and was saved only by the fact that this time it was set aboard a 'minesweeper'-which ,if I'm correct, is a first for a Reeman adventure.
At times I found it quite a laborious read,but, "Spoiler Alert": the ending is good .
At times I found it quite a laborious read,but, "Spoiler Alert": the ending is good .
June 8, 2024
Douglas Reeman writes a solid novel based on a little talked about part of the second world war. In typical Reeman fashion the story involves a moody captain, a host of motley crew characters and a generic love interest. A good sea tale with an abrupt end that leaves a little to be desired.
August 11, 2017
Exciting and kept me engaged until book was finished
September 25, 2019
Excellent detail and a good story. Reeman's knowledge of small ship's and their vital role is unsurpassed and stems from first hand experience.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
June 6, 2020
Read this once before and enjoyed it a second time around. A great Reeman sea story.
April 28, 2022
One of Reeman's better books, aside from a creepy age difference in the main romance.
March 7, 2024
Didn’t enjoy it and gave up 100 pages in.
April 29, 2025
Six-word Review: Tense days on a British minesweeper.
Of all the WWII Douglas Reeman books I've read, this one is the least interesting. However, I found the information about minesweepers fascinating, especially since these boats had a very high mortality rate.
The main protagonist, flotilla leader Ian Ransome, is an excellent skipper even though he is a reserve Officer rather than regular navy. He is respected by both his crew and his boss, Lt. Commander Moncrief, an old salt and a veteran of WW I.
The bulk of the story follows the lives on board and on leave, as they cope with the dangers of their duties and their love lives off the boat. There is too much time spent on the shore leave experiences, mostly with women, as opposed to their time at sea. Reeman likes to have his characters get involved in complicated relationships, whether they are officers or enlisted sailors.
The book covers the ship's time in the English Channel and supporting the invasions of Sicily and Italy right up to D-Day, June 5th, 1943. Sometimes there was just too much detail when I wanted the story to move along. Perhaps Reeman wanted to show off his knowledge.
By all measures, the minesweepers did an excellent job of keeping the sea lanes free of enemy mines. How they operated did make for good reading.
I wish I could have given the book a higher rating but the reason it took me so long to finish it was it's plodding descriptions of the adventures of the characters onshore.
Of all the WWII Douglas Reeman books I've read, this one is the least interesting. However, I found the information about minesweepers fascinating, especially since these boats had a very high mortality rate.
The main protagonist, flotilla leader Ian Ransome, is an excellent skipper even though he is a reserve Officer rather than regular navy. He is respected by both his crew and his boss, Lt. Commander Moncrief, an old salt and a veteran of WW I.
The bulk of the story follows the lives on board and on leave, as they cope with the dangers of their duties and their love lives off the boat. There is too much time spent on the shore leave experiences, mostly with women, as opposed to their time at sea. Reeman likes to have his characters get involved in complicated relationships, whether they are officers or enlisted sailors.
The book covers the ship's time in the English Channel and supporting the invasions of Sicily and Italy right up to D-Day, June 5th, 1943. Sometimes there was just too much detail when I wanted the story to move along. Perhaps Reeman wanted to show off his knowledge.
By all measures, the minesweepers did an excellent job of keeping the sea lanes free of enemy mines. How they operated did make for good reading.
I wish I could have given the book a higher rating but the reason it took me so long to finish it was it's plodding descriptions of the adventures of the characters onshore.
May 8, 2017
I've always enjoyed Douglas Reemans's books and this is one of his best. While the story mainly follows Captain Ian Ransome, it is the interlacing of stories about the ship's crew that adds colour and depth to this book. I thought the Sherwood character as the Unexploded Mines Officer, could perhaps have done with a greater study, but that aside, a great book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews