USS Thunderhead

USS Hamilton #17

by Mark Wayne McGinnis

Captain Galvin Quintos has lost everything that matters. His beloved cabin at Coyote Crossing Ranch — the Colorado sanctuary he'd built for the life he thought he'd have — is gone. His relationship with Commander Gail Pristy, the woman who'd stood beside him through a decade of impossible battles, has disintegrated in silence. Three months without a word. No explanation. No goodbye.



Now the U.S. Space Navy is dragging him back for one more deployment — commanding USS Thunderhead, the most powerful warship ever constructed. Ten miles of cutting-edge destruction. Sixty-five hundred crew. And a mission that turns out to be a glorified babysitting shepherding seven green academy ensigns through a training cruise while an admiral he doesn't trust watches from the back of his bridge.



Then people start dying.



Before Thunderhead leaves dock, someone tries to kill him. A militant cult, strangely familiar, has woven itself into the ship's infrastructure, corrupted the AI, and infiltrated the chain of command. And the admiral running the operation... he seems to be romancing Pristy.



And all that is just the appetizer for a main course of impossible infiltration by hostiles and space battles that will be impossible to survive.

344 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 12, 2026

Reviews

[Leanne Hardy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh! Loved it!

So much happening in this book and was more centric around the main few cast again so I enjoyed it more

Hardy, oh my gosh his character just makes me smile and what happens to him in this story had me staying up into the early hours I had to keep reading to find out everything I knew I wouldn’t sleep if I didn’t

Well written back to form

[Lauren G · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like these books for the most part. The space battles are cool, and the navy aspect is interesting. The only part that annoys me is the Quintos and Pristy stuff. I mean seriously, get them some therapy and just let them be together. Enough of this on and off stuff. Its been 17 freaking books already. Grow-up and talk to each other.

[Matt Pollicove · Rating 5 out of 5]

a worthy addition

Once again a great story. Over too soon but I’m glad I got to read it!

Only gripes were some minor editing/layout and for the life of me I don’t remember the Quinton’s/Pristy sub plot from the end of the last book.

Can’t wait for the next entry!

[Darryl E. Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read may be the best of 17

Read on a very short amount of time and was a wonderful read I would recommend it to every one who wants to feel the characters as they read cannot wait for the NEXT ONE

[Noel D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite Hamilton series book so far. I usually read at night before sleep and before I knew it, the book was finished! I was done and sad there was not more. This story was more emotional, delving into dark internal struggles like never before. I can't wait for the next sequel.

[Jeff Cheung · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best in this series!

[Greg Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast,fun read

Another great book. Hard to put it down. These books are all fun and fast. Keep them coming because it keeps me going

[Barry Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once Again

Once again into the breach goes Quintos and his band of merry men. And women and Hardy. Like visiting your old high school buddies.

[Randal Gritzner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top Notch Science Fiction!

[Tom Stanberry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Series to date

Love the series. Open each one as soon as it is available. I cannot wait for the next

Thanks, Mark

[Eli Duberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoyed a lot

I liked this book more than the last couple in the series. It has more variation and is less formulaic.

[Bill Marvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

start early so you don’t stay up all night

Start early, you won’t want to put it down! I enjoyed this one, I think you’ll enjoy it too. And I read it in one shot.

[Allen Kuhns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding

Another really Outstanding Book in the USS Hamilton Series!! It is an exciting read with easy to follow storylines. I cannot wait for Book # 18 to come out.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been with the series from book 1 to current. Good action story line and development of existing bridge characters. BUT I don't like the direction taken with Quinton/Pristy, too negative and not realistic in my opinion. And I still gave it a high rating.