Empty Quiver: War of the Submarine: Book 5.5

by R.G. Roberts

A stolen nuclear missile submarine leads to an unexpected armistice.

Can Alex Coleman and USS Bluefish find the rogue sub before terrorists cause a nuclear holocaust? Between the events of Fortune Favors the Bold and Rule the Waves, a surprise attack snatches control of a critical submarine base out of the hands of the devastated Chinese Communist government. With that comes ownership of three nuclear submarines, two Shang-class attack submarines...and one Jin-class ballistic missile submarine armed with nuclear missiles. Now under the control of rogue elements who owe allegiance to none of the war's major powers, these submarine commanders let the world know that their weapons are for sale to the highest bidder.

World War III comes to a screeching halt. Neither the Grand Alliance nor the Freedom Union wants unaligned would-be blackmailers interfering with their war for territory. Worse yet, the so-called "Undersea Liberation Army" has threatened to fire nuclear missiles at major cities in China to prove their capabilities.

Desperate to stop this threat, the belligerents call a short while searching for these rogue submarines, even enemy navies will fight side-by-side. And when the going gets tough, who does the U.S. Navy reach for? There's only one surviving captain who has a habit of sailing where the fire is hottest.

Captain Alex Coleman and USS Bluefish set off on another impossible mission...this time with the fate of millions in the balance.

134 pages, Paperback

Published August 25, 2025

Reviews

[Ian Birtwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another enjoyable read but unfortunately all too short! An all too plausible story for this short book but a bit more philosophical than normal, given the subject. My only critscism of the story is that the ending could have been handled better but I guess everyone would have their own ideas on how and where that should have gone! Looking forward to the next instalment.

[Greg Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Empty Quiver

Great book. As a former submariner I enjoy these books and the imagination of a future “war of the submarine.”

[Herbert Scott Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

Armistice 8/2025

I was very disappointed with the dialogue in this book. Not that I have not used those words myself considering I spent 27 years in Air Force blue I just prefer dialogue without the word "fuck" so often. I have stopped watching many current movies, shows, and serials due to the writers been unable to put a sentence together without "fuck" being in it. At 84 years I can put sentences together without profanity, or maybe I a just a crotchety old man. Already the next book.

[Lynnwood Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short but good

I really enjoy the characters. After twenty year on subs its fun to join the action. The only comment that is a bit affected is the amount of profanity. The officers on my subs rarely did! It was considered unprofessional. Maybe its a change in eras. I rode in the 1970s and 80s

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a pretty short book. It was a good read, with the characters we have come to love.

Initially, I was disappointed that Kennedy hadn't received any comeuppance, as I remembered that he gets an ass chewing from Admiral Rodriguez at the end of book 6. Then I remembered this book was out of order.

Hopefully, he either gets retured or reevaluates himself in book 7.

Personal opinions. I didn't miss Dalton in this book. He seems a little like Captain America.
And I love Uncle Marco, what a great character.