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The Tom Hilton Series
HMS Holy Ghost
Captain Luke MacArthur has his hunt down two of the quietest submarines in the world.
A deadly weapon of the Soviet Union in the Cold the Kilo Class submarine. It’s known as the Black Hole for a good reason. Iran intends to use two of these boats to choke off the Gulf oil supply by blockading the Straits of Hormuz.
But Captain Luke MacArthur holds an command of the most powerful submarine in the Royal Navy, HMS Holy Ghost. Dark fate has chosen his encounter the straits at the southern entrance of the Red Sea, known as the Gate of Grief.
On his mission, Luke faces a personal dilemma in the form of sultry Savita, his Weapons Officer, who is sending out flirtatious signals. The duty of command means that he shouldn’t respond, although he wants to. He knows he’s in danger of becoming a moth to her flame.
Join the crew of the HMS Holy Ghost and help Luke to hunt down shadows in the the Kilo Class; the Black Hole.
What Amazon readers are saying about the
★★★★★ ‘As real as it gets! I’m a former Sonarman, retired Navy Mustang now. This brought back so many Cold War memories! A great read and I can't thank you enough for being a contributor to the Unlimited side of the house. Truly an awesome naval yarn that is closer to reality than many would ever expect!’
★★★★★ ‘Another suspenseful book! You wanted to keep reading to see what happens next.’
★★★★★ ‘Extremely entertaining! Very well written, terrific storyline.’
★★★ ‘This is the second book I've read by Mr Makk. I found them to be a good read. The fighting scenes are well done and intense, making you feel the tenseness of the crew during the attack and defensive moves to stay alive.’
★★★★★ ‘Good story. Flowed well.’
★★★★ ‘Pretty good read here. Very enjoyable.’
★★★★ ‘A potential headline story. A submarine thriller that could quite possibly become a reality. The nuclear missile crises are present today and could very well happen.’
★★★★ ‘Good, quick read. An interesting tale about a sub chase. Good explanation of the internal activities preparing for contact… I will read more from Mr Makk.’
★★★★★ ‘Kept my attention. I learned something about submarines and warfare to boot.’
★★★★ ‘War in the ocean – good stuff. Another in this upcoming author’s series of books. Entertainment with a twist.’
★★★★★ ‘Characters were interesting and realistic. The story was believable, patriotic without being political, and appropriate, as I read it on July 4th.’
★★★★★ ‘If anyone ever thought The Hunt for Red October was suspenseful, they have not yet experienced reading HMS Holy Ghost. It is a lone, though sparkling, new sub against two Russian Kilo Class subs and two frigates in the ultimate cat v mouse game. I love these submarine suspense thrillers of Stephen Makk. They should be required reading for all adrenaline junkies as they are guaranteed to take you on a ride of your life. Enjoy!’
A deadly weapon of the Soviet Union in the Cold the Kilo Class submarine. It’s known as the Black Hole for a good reason. Iran intends to use two of these boats to choke off the Gulf oil supply by blockading the Straits of Hormuz.
But Captain Luke MacArthur holds an command of the most powerful submarine in the Royal Navy, HMS Holy Ghost. Dark fate has chosen his encounter the straits at the southern entrance of the Red Sea, known as the Gate of Grief.
On his mission, Luke faces a personal dilemma in the form of sultry Savita, his Weapons Officer, who is sending out flirtatious signals. The duty of command means that he shouldn’t respond, although he wants to. He knows he’s in danger of becoming a moth to her flame.
Join the crew of the HMS Holy Ghost and help Luke to hunt down shadows in the the Kilo Class; the Black Hole.
What Amazon readers are saying about the
★★★★★ ‘As real as it gets! I’m a former Sonarman, retired Navy Mustang now. This brought back so many Cold War memories! A great read and I can't thank you enough for being a contributor to the Unlimited side of the house. Truly an awesome naval yarn that is closer to reality than many would ever expect!’
★★★★★ ‘Another suspenseful book! You wanted to keep reading to see what happens next.’
★★★★★ ‘Extremely entertaining! Very well written, terrific storyline.’
★★★ ‘This is the second book I've read by Mr Makk. I found them to be a good read. The fighting scenes are well done and intense, making you feel the tenseness of the crew during the attack and defensive moves to stay alive.’
★★★★★ ‘Good story. Flowed well.’
★★★★ ‘Pretty good read here. Very enjoyable.’
★★★★ ‘A potential headline story. A submarine thriller that could quite possibly become a reality. The nuclear missile crises are present today and could very well happen.’
★★★★ ‘Good, quick read. An interesting tale about a sub chase. Good explanation of the internal activities preparing for contact… I will read more from Mr Makk.’
★★★★★ ‘Kept my attention. I learned something about submarines and warfare to boot.’
★★★★ ‘War in the ocean – good stuff. Another in this upcoming author’s series of books. Entertainment with a twist.’
★★★★★ ‘Characters were interesting and realistic. The story was believable, patriotic without being political, and appropriate, as I read it on July 4th.’
★★★★★ ‘If anyone ever thought The Hunt for Red October was suspenseful, they have not yet experienced reading HMS Holy Ghost. It is a lone, though sparkling, new sub against two Russian Kilo Class subs and two frigates in the ultimate cat v mouse game. I love these submarine suspense thrillers of Stephen Makk. They should be required reading for all adrenaline junkies as they are guaranteed to take you on a ride of your life. Enjoy!’
92 pages, ebook
Published May 8, 2017
629 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Makk
24 books30 followersStephen Makk is the author of 20 books, including the bestselling USS Stonewall Jackson Series and The Tom Hilton Series. He mainly writes thrillers about technology and the military, with hints of romance. His protagonists are male and female, playing the imperfect hands they’re dealt.
How to write like a Makk… Take the mind of a fish, any fish (he’s an experienced diver). Add an engineer, simmer for years. Sprinkle on liberal helpings of strategist, astronomer, historian and anthropologist. Bring to the boil and let loose. You need some Makk on your bookshelf!
How to write like a Makk… Take the mind of a fish, any fish (he’s an experienced diver). Add an engineer, simmer for years. Sprinkle on liberal helpings of strategist, astronomer, historian and anthropologist. Bring to the boil and let loose. You need some Makk on your bookshelf!
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
July 22, 2017
Great short read with lots of excitement. Also, lots of technical submarine terms that are explained and drive the exciting parts. As with other books by this author there are some references to earlier books - even from other series by this author that tie things together if the reader has read the earlier books. Even if the reader has not read the earlier books the references are not a problem; i.e., this book can be read as a stand alone without loss of context.
I am going to read as many of Stephen Makk's books as I can get my hands on.
I am going to read as many of Stephen Makk's books as I can get my hands on.
December 31, 2023
This was interesting, but I would have preferred it just be a short action-adventure, I wasn't particularly interested in the relationship or personal asides. There were also a few info-dumpy paragraphs here and there about submarine maneuvers that I think could have been folded into the writing a bit better. As it is, the writing would switch suddenly to present tense as if the author was directly telling the reader, and I think it would have been better if it was blended into the narrative instead.
May 22, 2018
Enjoyed the book!
This is the second book I've read by Mr. Makk. I found them to be a good read.
The fighting scenes are well done and intense, making you feel the tenseness of the crew during the attack and defensive moves to stay alive.
The only criticism I actually have is that the story is TOO short! There is no follow up with the personalities that have been introduced.
Perhaps that's by design. The book IS a good read for afternoon.
This is the second book I've read by Mr. Makk. I found them to be a good read.
The fighting scenes are well done and intense, making you feel the tenseness of the crew during the attack and defensive moves to stay alive.
The only criticism I actually have is that the story is TOO short! There is no follow up with the personalities that have been introduced.
Perhaps that's by design. The book IS a good read for afternoon.
February 25, 2019
A SM. Submarine, English, Thriller/Iranian Submarines
SM. has. penned a Submarine thriller, which contains a submarine that he placed in the nOrth Arabian Sea the intercept two Russian submarines and sink them. Our mysterious assignment is to sink the two nuclear submarines Russia sold to the Iranians. The HIS Holy Ghost ends up fighting two frigates and two submarinrs. This is an excellent read for the genre....DEHS
SM. has. penned a Submarine thriller, which contains a submarine that he placed in the nOrth Arabian Sea the intercept two Russian submarines and sink them. Our mysterious assignment is to sink the two nuclear submarines Russia sold to the Iranians. The HIS Holy Ghost ends up fighting two frigates and two submarinrs. This is an excellent read for the genre....DEHS
August 20, 2019
Short but good
Being a Royal Naval veteran with 18 years service, I really do appreciate a good naval yarn. This short novel was no exception. However I don’t ever remember events and plans going turning out as planned as in this novel. But well written.
Being a Royal Naval veteran with 18 years service, I really do appreciate a good naval yarn. This short novel was no exception. However I don’t ever remember events and plans going turning out as planned as in this novel. But well written.
April 25, 2021
Full of action.
The author has written a very intriguing and enjoyable story of an adventure of a British Submarine whose task is to locate and sink two enemy submarines. Great adventure.
The author has written a very intriguing and enjoyable story of an adventure of a British Submarine whose task is to locate and sink two enemy submarines. Great adventure.
September 20, 2023
Hole in the water
Stephen Mall has given us a look into the life aboard z British Submarine. the characters are great and some even more fun than the rest. Action filled with wild ride and great ending. Filled with military facts that make the reader real it is a true story.
Stephen Mall has given us a look into the life aboard z British Submarine. the characters are great and some even more fun than the rest. Action filled with wild ride and great ending. Filled with military facts that make the reader real it is a true story.
November 19, 2024
Simple action plot. Basic writing skills. Some factual errors.
Very basic dialogue and expository explanations. Basically a short story. That said, I enjoyed it as a diversion. Ain't no Clancy.
Very basic dialogue and expository explanations. Basically a short story. That said, I enjoyed it as a diversion. Ain't no Clancy.
April 19, 2018
A potential headline stoy
A submarine thriller that could quite possibly become a reality. The nuclear miissal crises is present today and could very well happen.
A submarine thriller that could quite possibly become a reality. The nuclear miissal crises is present today and could very well happen.
June 14, 2018
Hms holy ghost
Good sub story involving one mission with not too much detail to bore you. Definitely read like a first time attempt by a new author.
Good sub story involving one mission with not too much detail to bore you. Definitely read like a first time attempt by a new author.
June 29, 2020
Fantastic piece of writing. It's so real in most aspects, puts me back in the submarine service, back in the 80s.
Great book highly recommended.
Great book highly recommended.
March 31, 2021
Good book.
March 31, 2024
Quick read
Fast pace, easy read, good knowledge of sub systems.
Very short could have a better subplot
Equipment used performed to well!
Fast pace, easy read, good knowledge of sub systems.
Very short could have a better subplot
Equipment used performed to well!
April 9, 2024
short n sharp
Not a big book but I needed my submarine fix and I certainly got it with this one. Looking forward to the next one
Not a big book but I needed my submarine fix and I certainly got it with this one. Looking forward to the next one
May 20, 2024
Good and fast read
Storyline similar to other books by Stephen, yet still a fun time. Read it in a single period and look forward to another Ghost patrol.
Storyline similar to other books by Stephen, yet still a fun time. Read it in a single period and look forward to another Ghost patrol.
September 9, 2025
This one had a different cast but a fairly familiar story. Set aboard a Royal Navy sub this time. Lots of action throughout and sorting out of baddies!
February 23, 2021
What can I add that hasn't already been said. Thoroughly enjoyable !!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews