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Caine: Rapid Fire #4
Depth Charge
A rogue Chinese submarine.
A defector with a secret.
A deadly cargo, heading for America’s shores…
Thomas Caine returns in another Rapid Fire thriller.
The Hai Long is one hundred and ten meters long, and glides silently beneath the waves at incredible speeds. It is the most lethal nuclear submarine in China’s naval arsenal. And only one woman knows how to find it…
CIA Paramilitary officer Thomas Caine is assigned to bring in a terrified Chinese defector who claims she can track the stealthy submarine’s movements. But he soon uncovers an unholy alliance between the commander of the deadly vessel and a sadistic organized crime cartel.
Caine and his allies must battle Chinese assassins, Colombian killers, and nature’s savage fury, as they struggle to crush an international criminal conspiracy. But when his enemies strike at the person he cares for most, the CIA’s deadliest killer takes on a new mission: Revenge.
_________________________________
Praise for Andrew Warren:
★★★★★ “Andrew Warren is a master of suspense!"
★★★★★ "Up there with Lee Child and Vince Flynn…”
★★★★★ “Ian Fleming would be proud!"
★★★★★ “Twists and turns and enough excitement for two books…”
★★★★★ "Awesome story! Full of action, suspense, and intrigue…"
★★★★★ “Andrew Warren is one of the best new authors I've read in years.”
★★★★★ "A heart stopping roller-coaster ride!”
★★★★★ “Rivals any bestseller I have ever read.”
★★★★★ "Move over Jason Bourne... Here comes Thomas Caine!”
★★★★★ “Andrew Warren has become one of my favorite authors, and Thomas Caine one of my favorite characters.”
★★★★★ “Thomas Caine deserves a spot alongside Mitch Rapp, The Gray Man and many more.”
___________________________________________
Fans of Reacher, Rapp, and Bourne will love Thomas Caine. In this explosive mission from his past, can Caine stop a rogue Chinese submarine commander before he unloads a deadly cargo on America’s shores?
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 8, 2018
795 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Warren
19 books119 followersAndrew Warren was born in New Jersey, but currently resides in the warmer climate of Southern California. He studied film, English and psychology at the University of Miami, and has over a decade of experience in the television and motion picture industry, where he has worked as a post-production supervisor, story producer and writer.
His passion for writing and traveling led Andrew to Japan. As soon as he set eyes on the country he fell in love with it, and felt compelled to use it as the setting for a series of novels. It took a few years, but Tokyo Black was the result of that trip.
Andrew’s writing skills have seen him write for Youtube Red's "Fight of the Living Dead," MangoTV's "Sons of Earth", and Discovery's "True Nightmares".
His love of the Far East extends to all varieties of Asian cuisine, and he scours Southern California looking for the best ramen, dumplings and beef noodle soup. All in the name or research, of course!
His fascination for the spy thriller genre was born from a love of James Bond films. Growing up, he knew that he was never going to be a muscle-bound giant, like Schwarzenegger or Stallone. Instead, he opted for charm and sophistication, with a smattering of brains and super-cool spy gadgets.
When he’s not working or writing classic spy thrillers, Andrew likes to relax at home with his pet dachshund, Ares, and his cat, Mina. He is currently working on the next Thomas Caine thriller, which will be set in East Africa.
Andrew loves to hear from his readers. Feel free to contact him here:
www.andrewwarrenbooks.com
facebook @andrewarrenbooks
andrew@andrewarrenbooks.com
His passion for writing and traveling led Andrew to Japan. As soon as he set eyes on the country he fell in love with it, and felt compelled to use it as the setting for a series of novels. It took a few years, but Tokyo Black was the result of that trip.
Andrew’s writing skills have seen him write for Youtube Red's "Fight of the Living Dead," MangoTV's "Sons of Earth", and Discovery's "True Nightmares".
His love of the Far East extends to all varieties of Asian cuisine, and he scours Southern California looking for the best ramen, dumplings and beef noodle soup. All in the name or research, of course!
His fascination for the spy thriller genre was born from a love of James Bond films. Growing up, he knew that he was never going to be a muscle-bound giant, like Schwarzenegger or Stallone. Instead, he opted for charm and sophistication, with a smattering of brains and super-cool spy gadgets.
When he’s not working or writing classic spy thrillers, Andrew likes to relax at home with his pet dachshund, Ares, and his cat, Mina. He is currently working on the next Thomas Caine thriller, which will be set in East Africa.
Andrew loves to hear from his readers. Feel free to contact him here:
www.andrewwarrenbooks.com
facebook @andrewarrenbooks
andrew@andrewarrenbooks.com
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 3, 2018
Wonderful Thriller!! This is an amazing story spanning through China and Bolivia with exciting characters and the wonderful operative Thomas Caine!! Unlike many thrillers, these characters show their human side and are not afraid to do what is right no matter the circumstance!
The authors' combine talents to show us beautiful scenery and action that starts fast and continues throughout the fast-paced adventure. You can't help but keep turning pages as you feel involved in all that happens from the first paragraph. I was right beside Caine and company as they fight off assassins while attempting to keep a lethal Chinese sub from American waters. Feeling a little 'off' about the young woman that knows all the subs codes and where it is going, wanting to go to America in exchange for helping them...
An outstanding addition as we see a young Thomas Caine in his early CIA years, and I can't wait for the next look at this hero!!!
The authors' combine talents to show us beautiful scenery and action that starts fast and continues throughout the fast-paced adventure. You can't help but keep turning pages as you feel involved in all that happens from the first paragraph. I was right beside Caine and company as they fight off assassins while attempting to keep a lethal Chinese sub from American waters. Feeling a little 'off' about the young woman that knows all the subs codes and where it is going, wanting to go to America in exchange for helping them...
An outstanding addition as we see a young Thomas Caine in his early CIA years, and I can't wait for the next look at this hero!!!
December 9, 2018
BLAST
"Weapons are an important factor in war, but not the decisive factor; it is people, not things that are decisive. The contest of strength is not only a contest of military and economic power, but also a contest of human power."
The modernization drive of the People's Liberation Army has been very methodical and precise. First the PLAGF has shrunk its bloated reserve force, the PLAAF has gotten some new fighter jets, sophisticated transport planes and attack helicopters and now the PLAN has finally got a functioning aircraft carrier and the beginnings of a foundation for a carrier force. However, one small outstanding issue that only recently has been worked on is an effective nuclear submarine. Sure, China has nuclear submarines. But the initial ones had leaky reactors which would kill the crew very slowly. Even the hard work of the Ministry of State Security and the PLA Second and Third departments has not rectified this issue fully as of this time.
A functioning, safe nuclear boomer is the central plot conceit of Depth Charge, the next collaboration novella by Andrew Warren and Aiden L Bailey. Starring Thomas Caine, a CIA Paramilitary officer for the Special Activities Division whose life will drastically change over the span of more novellas, the rapid fire series has fleshed out the backstory of an otherwise burned spy and has been a fine example of how to build a fictional universe in novel form beyond the limits of a full length novel format. In this story, Caine is suffering from some bad luck and trouble as he tries to track the biggest misuse of government property, with said property belonging to an American rival. Now to the review. How deep can a spy go and live?
We start the story on a night in Macau. Thomas Caine is trying to extract an asset in the middle of a bright, busy evening where one person won't be noticed. He's too late however, the dead asset baiting a trap that is sprung by a trio of officers from China's Ministry of State Security. As it's Macau, the rules of engagement are liberal and they proceed to place Caine in their gun sights. Caine however despite losing his weapons due to them having him dead to rights, manages to successfully flee Macau, making a dramatic escape down a skyscraper to street level and killing his pursuers as he does so. Before he leaves, he's swept up by a mysterious enigmatic woman who strangely knows his missions, knows about the dead asset and offers a Christmas hamper of intel on China's submarine program in return for a defection and a plum job at Langley. Fleeing to Hong Kong, Caine runs into Chen Fa Li, an MSS officer working under cover at the Hong Kong Liason Office who pays a formal visit to the US Consulate to declare Caine de - facto Persona Non Grata. Somewhere in the Pacific a big black submarine, the Type 095 PLAN prototype boomer is underway on an unauthorized voyage.
The Captain, politically connected tortures and torments the Political Commissar busybody before his boat does a crash dive. Back in America, Caine runs into Jack Tyler, a chatty Delta Force Operator who recently quit and passed the Farm and Harvey Point courses to become a mint new CIA Special Activities Division officer, just in time for Caine's new mission that takes them to unexpected places. From Bolivia to Colombia and points beyond, Caine and Tyler uncover a drug deal that would make the US Heroin epidemic look small fry. As events come to a head and a surprising assault by an unexpected enemy wrecks plans, only one question remains. How deep can a spy really go before he's dragged six feet under?
In terms of plot. Depth Charge is a very interesting from a writing technical standpoint. It's an epic novella. Utilizing time breaks to create the sort of film footage cutting effect we see in movies, the story takes us to a wider variety of locations and places than any other novella written. While the stakes aren't as big as a full length novel, the authors do tell a pretty complex, twisting story, one that broadens the scale of Caine's world, fills in the gaps and provides a great example for other writers who may get frustrated that they can't pack as much into a full length novel as they would want to.
Action and setting? Considerable. the authors are both experienced in this regard. From the outstanding, masterful opening in Macau, to gun battles in the snowy cold over a Bolivian railway, we also get full frontal naval warfare by speedboat targeting . The backdrops where the action takes are also very well brought to life, on the level of the legendary Adam Hall who knew how to set a scene. Whether it be the neon lit Casino Town of Macau, a seedy seaside fishing village in Colombia, or a beach side cove in Bali, the Caine series has always been far stronger in the settings department than many NYT authors are and this creates a far stronger atmosphere than most post 9/11 thrillers.
Research? Quite good. the novellas do not have enough space to utilize the real world details that most spy fiction readers love in their thrillers but Depth Charge has the right amount for a novella. Whether it be a glimpse at the dynamics of doing intelligence in the liberal parts of China, why nuclear submarines are so important and the divide between civilian and military relations with Chinese characteristics, Depth Charge has this and so much more. A particular highlight was the scenes in Bolivia where Bailey used his past visits to the country where the CIA hunted down Che Guevara to good use in fleshing out his portrayal of the remote mountainous country.
Characters? Very good. I'll focus on a few standouts. Caine, Jack and Chen Fa Li. First, Caine. Caine a this point in time is still a proud Special Activities Division officer, one of the real Mitch Rapps of the world who go to hostile locations around the world and kill those who need to be killed to save the lives of thousands. In this story, Caine is getting used to some changes in his life. He's struck up a relationship with a colleague whom he finds herself working with, and has recently gotten a partner who is just as skilled a killer as he is but doesn't have as much experience in the spying game as Caine does. Over the course of the story, we get to see some new sides of Caine, despite his attempts at keeping his mouth shut and keeping his history to himself. Whether it be probing from some assassins from the MSS about his military service, or a much angrier, grumpy side of Tom, the authors in this novella illustrate why Caine is feared by fellow spies who run into him during the full length novels. At his peak, being in Tom's gunsights was a very, very bad place to be, as the main antagonist discovers to his costs after ignoring a very clear warning.
Next, Jack Tyler. We met Jack in the previous novella Sand Fire and seeing him return is very welcome. We get a look into his background (turns out he's Chilean - American), what he was up to before meeting Caine and what he's capable of in a fight. A good team player and one of the more likable characters in the series who was introduced at his end in book 2, this fleshing out of the backstory Caine had before the full length novels also makes Tyler's story a lot more tragic.
Finally Chen Fa Li. Chen is an employee of the Ministry of State Security. Based out of the Hong Kong Liaison Office which runs all political matters for Beijing in Hong Kong, Chen is in fact a Ministry of State Security officer who is implied to be running the show for the Guojia Anquan Bu in the Special Administrative Region. Introduced at the start of the story, annoyed that his attempt at trying to interdict Caine and kill him failed, Chen's presence is still felt through the tale, like the behind the scene ghost gleefully sneaking around the characters while not being detected. A very affable man but also ruthless and condescending, with Chen, it's wheels within wheels as he moves towards implementing a completely separate agenda from all the other characters in the story.
Constructive criticism? Well, there were some editing errors in the review copy I was given, certain plot twists were a bit more visible once you knew where to look and also certain events utilized in the story could have been modified. Also the massive cuts between events in the story may take time getting used to for some who could see them as a little disconnected. But apart from that, Depth Charge is bigger broader and possessing more scope than most novellas on Amazon today, with a lot more work put into it rather than being a one off money making cash grab.
Overall, Depth Charge is an impressive novella. It's far more daring than many of its counterparts, which aren't written or plotted as well and far more epic in scope. It succeeds at building the world of Thomas Caine and also gives far more emotional weight and heft to events that are seen in the full length novels. Featuring a complex, twisting plot, outrageously fun action scenes, a cast of enigmatic characters and impressive real world details that build a vivid scene in the mind, Mr Bailey and Mr Warren have an absolute triumph of a story on their hands and continue to delight and surprise with their collaborations and I hope they continue to do so.
RECOMMENDED.
"Weapons are an important factor in war, but not the decisive factor; it is people, not things that are decisive. The contest of strength is not only a contest of military and economic power, but also a contest of human power."
The modernization drive of the People's Liberation Army has been very methodical and precise. First the PLAGF has shrunk its bloated reserve force, the PLAAF has gotten some new fighter jets, sophisticated transport planes and attack helicopters and now the PLAN has finally got a functioning aircraft carrier and the beginnings of a foundation for a carrier force. However, one small outstanding issue that only recently has been worked on is an effective nuclear submarine. Sure, China has nuclear submarines. But the initial ones had leaky reactors which would kill the crew very slowly. Even the hard work of the Ministry of State Security and the PLA Second and Third departments has not rectified this issue fully as of this time.
A functioning, safe nuclear boomer is the central plot conceit of Depth Charge, the next collaboration novella by Andrew Warren and Aiden L Bailey. Starring Thomas Caine, a CIA Paramilitary officer for the Special Activities Division whose life will drastically change over the span of more novellas, the rapid fire series has fleshed out the backstory of an otherwise burned spy and has been a fine example of how to build a fictional universe in novel form beyond the limits of a full length novel format. In this story, Caine is suffering from some bad luck and trouble as he tries to track the biggest misuse of government property, with said property belonging to an American rival. Now to the review. How deep can a spy go and live?
We start the story on a night in Macau. Thomas Caine is trying to extract an asset in the middle of a bright, busy evening where one person won't be noticed. He's too late however, the dead asset baiting a trap that is sprung by a trio of officers from China's Ministry of State Security. As it's Macau, the rules of engagement are liberal and they proceed to place Caine in their gun sights. Caine however despite losing his weapons due to them having him dead to rights, manages to successfully flee Macau, making a dramatic escape down a skyscraper to street level and killing his pursuers as he does so. Before he leaves, he's swept up by a mysterious enigmatic woman who strangely knows his missions, knows about the dead asset and offers a Christmas hamper of intel on China's submarine program in return for a defection and a plum job at Langley. Fleeing to Hong Kong, Caine runs into Chen Fa Li, an MSS officer working under cover at the Hong Kong Liason Office who pays a formal visit to the US Consulate to declare Caine de - facto Persona Non Grata. Somewhere in the Pacific a big black submarine, the Type 095 PLAN prototype boomer is underway on an unauthorized voyage.
The Captain, politically connected tortures and torments the Political Commissar busybody before his boat does a crash dive. Back in America, Caine runs into Jack Tyler, a chatty Delta Force Operator who recently quit and passed the Farm and Harvey Point courses to become a mint new CIA Special Activities Division officer, just in time for Caine's new mission that takes them to unexpected places. From Bolivia to Colombia and points beyond, Caine and Tyler uncover a drug deal that would make the US Heroin epidemic look small fry. As events come to a head and a surprising assault by an unexpected enemy wrecks plans, only one question remains. How deep can a spy really go before he's dragged six feet under?
In terms of plot. Depth Charge is a very interesting from a writing technical standpoint. It's an epic novella. Utilizing time breaks to create the sort of film footage cutting effect we see in movies, the story takes us to a wider variety of locations and places than any other novella written. While the stakes aren't as big as a full length novel, the authors do tell a pretty complex, twisting story, one that broadens the scale of Caine's world, fills in the gaps and provides a great example for other writers who may get frustrated that they can't pack as much into a full length novel as they would want to.
Action and setting? Considerable. the authors are both experienced in this regard. From the outstanding, masterful opening in Macau, to gun battles in the snowy cold over a Bolivian railway, we also get full frontal naval warfare by speedboat targeting . The backdrops where the action takes are also very well brought to life, on the level of the legendary Adam Hall who knew how to set a scene. Whether it be the neon lit Casino Town of Macau, a seedy seaside fishing village in Colombia, or a beach side cove in Bali, the Caine series has always been far stronger in the settings department than many NYT authors are and this creates a far stronger atmosphere than most post 9/11 thrillers.
Research? Quite good. the novellas do not have enough space to utilize the real world details that most spy fiction readers love in their thrillers but Depth Charge has the right amount for a novella. Whether it be a glimpse at the dynamics of doing intelligence in the liberal parts of China, why nuclear submarines are so important and the divide between civilian and military relations with Chinese characteristics, Depth Charge has this and so much more. A particular highlight was the scenes in Bolivia where Bailey used his past visits to the country where the CIA hunted down Che Guevara to good use in fleshing out his portrayal of the remote mountainous country.
Characters? Very good. I'll focus on a few standouts. Caine, Jack and Chen Fa Li. First, Caine. Caine a this point in time is still a proud Special Activities Division officer, one of the real Mitch Rapps of the world who go to hostile locations around the world and kill those who need to be killed to save the lives of thousands. In this story, Caine is getting used to some changes in his life. He's struck up a relationship with a colleague whom he finds herself working with, and has recently gotten a partner who is just as skilled a killer as he is but doesn't have as much experience in the spying game as Caine does. Over the course of the story, we get to see some new sides of Caine, despite his attempts at keeping his mouth shut and keeping his history to himself. Whether it be probing from some assassins from the MSS about his military service, or a much angrier, grumpy side of Tom, the authors in this novella illustrate why Caine is feared by fellow spies who run into him during the full length novels. At his peak, being in Tom's gunsights was a very, very bad place to be, as the main antagonist discovers to his costs after ignoring a very clear warning.
Next, Jack Tyler. We met Jack in the previous novella Sand Fire and seeing him return is very welcome. We get a look into his background (turns out he's Chilean - American), what he was up to before meeting Caine and what he's capable of in a fight. A good team player and one of the more likable characters in the series who was introduced at his end in book 2, this fleshing out of the backstory Caine had before the full length novels also makes Tyler's story a lot more tragic.
Finally Chen Fa Li. Chen is an employee of the Ministry of State Security. Based out of the Hong Kong Liaison Office which runs all political matters for Beijing in Hong Kong, Chen is in fact a Ministry of State Security officer who is implied to be running the show for the Guojia Anquan Bu in the Special Administrative Region. Introduced at the start of the story, annoyed that his attempt at trying to interdict Caine and kill him failed, Chen's presence is still felt through the tale, like the behind the scene ghost gleefully sneaking around the characters while not being detected. A very affable man but also ruthless and condescending, with Chen, it's wheels within wheels as he moves towards implementing a completely separate agenda from all the other characters in the story.
Constructive criticism? Well, there were some editing errors in the review copy I was given, certain plot twists were a bit more visible once you knew where to look and also certain events utilized in the story could have been modified. Also the massive cuts between events in the story may take time getting used to for some who could see them as a little disconnected. But apart from that, Depth Charge is bigger broader and possessing more scope than most novellas on Amazon today, with a lot more work put into it rather than being a one off money making cash grab.
Overall, Depth Charge is an impressive novella. It's far more daring than many of its counterparts, which aren't written or plotted as well and far more epic in scope. It succeeds at building the world of Thomas Caine and also gives far more emotional weight and heft to events that are seen in the full length novels. Featuring a complex, twisting plot, outrageously fun action scenes, a cast of enigmatic characters and impressive real world details that build a vivid scene in the mind, Mr Bailey and Mr Warren have an absolute triumph of a story on their hands and continue to delight and surprise with their collaborations and I hope they continue to do so.
RECOMMENDED.
December 6, 2018
Thomas Caine returns in this prequel to face off against the MSS, PLA-N, and a Colombian cartel which makes the book a weirdly new type of story. This is a book written by two major Ian Fleming fans and it reads like a perfect Bond movie. Thomas Caine is like a mix of Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig's Bond, considering that 007 did inspire the very existence of Mr. Andrew Warren's emotionally complex character.
From the opening chapter where Caine jumps off a tall building in Macau to an epic speedboat based action scene around a submarine near Columbia and from HALO jumps leading to a swim among jellyfishes to an emotionally painful array of subplots that intersect, Depth Charge is on the top of the list of neo-noir espionage action thrillers.
The plot initially seems simple where Caine has to stage an intelligence coup for his American spymasters to acquire a Chinese PLA - Navy's programmer who's looking to defect. But the odds stack up when a rogue captain of a new nuclear stealth submarine, the Tumaco cartel from Columbia and a strategist from the Ministry of State Security of China are after the programmer. The programmer is a young woman who keeps revealing stages of secrets through the book like the layers of an onion. Though she's a victim, she manages to break Caine's fun life by sending him spinning into chaos.
The villains are brilliantly fleshed out with their sadistic and opportunistic characters portrayed beautifully in the narration. It would have been a better read if the backstory of the villains were written to give them a past that would explain their current personalities. Each of them gets their share of justice but manage to leave permanent marks on Caine, both emotionally and physically.
Thomas Caine is still a mysterious enigma but for the first time in the series, we get to read the humane parts of his life. Scenes, where the deadly assassin cooks Thai food in his home in Baltimore and spends quality time with his best friend Jack Tyler or goes on a vacation with Rebecca to Hawaii, make you understand him better as a person. But his real origins and training is still a secret.
Jack Tyler and Rebecca Freeling form the best team that Caine has ever had. But they pay the price in a game of wits between Caine and an MSS strategist. I do need more prequels that show Tyler who will bring humor to this grim series. The main letdown is how Caine and Rebecca's relationship progresses at the end even though they are the perfect couple in Spycraft fiction.
Some of the action scenes were not realistic but were fun. Instead of making Caine a lone superhero assassin, I think it would be better for him to have some serious backup and to be part of a team. I know that he's a singleton operative but if he's working alone, I wish that the action scenes have their limits.
The complexities with all the parallel subplots were fabulously enthralling. The heights of complexities that I enjoyed a few years ago were the ones found in Ludlum classics or in Guy Ritchie's early films. But now I find the complexities in Andrew Warren and Aiden L. Bailey's works addictive.
Though this book is supposed to be about a submarine, there weren't any scenes that had the inside of a sub or the technical details on operating a sub. I expected something different from what's in the story due to the book's cover image and the promo about a submarine and so I was a bit let down. Nonetheless, this book reads like a masterpiece if you read it without assumed expectations.
From the opening chapter where Caine jumps off a tall building in Macau to an epic speedboat based action scene around a submarine near Columbia and from HALO jumps leading to a swim among jellyfishes to an emotionally painful array of subplots that intersect, Depth Charge is on the top of the list of neo-noir espionage action thrillers.
The plot initially seems simple where Caine has to stage an intelligence coup for his American spymasters to acquire a Chinese PLA - Navy's programmer who's looking to defect. But the odds stack up when a rogue captain of a new nuclear stealth submarine, the Tumaco cartel from Columbia and a strategist from the Ministry of State Security of China are after the programmer. The programmer is a young woman who keeps revealing stages of secrets through the book like the layers of an onion. Though she's a victim, she manages to break Caine's fun life by sending him spinning into chaos.
The villains are brilliantly fleshed out with their sadistic and opportunistic characters portrayed beautifully in the narration. It would have been a better read if the backstory of the villains were written to give them a past that would explain their current personalities. Each of them gets their share of justice but manage to leave permanent marks on Caine, both emotionally and physically.
Thomas Caine is still a mysterious enigma but for the first time in the series, we get to read the humane parts of his life. Scenes, where the deadly assassin cooks Thai food in his home in Baltimore and spends quality time with his best friend Jack Tyler or goes on a vacation with Rebecca to Hawaii, make you understand him better as a person. But his real origins and training is still a secret.
Jack Tyler and Rebecca Freeling form the best team that Caine has ever had. But they pay the price in a game of wits between Caine and an MSS strategist. I do need more prequels that show Tyler who will bring humor to this grim series. The main letdown is how Caine and Rebecca's relationship progresses at the end even though they are the perfect couple in Spycraft fiction.
Some of the action scenes were not realistic but were fun. Instead of making Caine a lone superhero assassin, I think it would be better for him to have some serious backup and to be part of a team. I know that he's a singleton operative but if he's working alone, I wish that the action scenes have their limits.
The complexities with all the parallel subplots were fabulously enthralling. The heights of complexities that I enjoyed a few years ago were the ones found in Ludlum classics or in Guy Ritchie's early films. But now I find the complexities in Andrew Warren and Aiden L. Bailey's works addictive.
Though this book is supposed to be about a submarine, there weren't any scenes that had the inside of a sub or the technical details on operating a sub. I expected something different from what's in the story due to the book's cover image and the promo about a submarine and so I was a bit let down. Nonetheless, this book reads like a masterpiece if you read it without assumed expectations.
December 2, 2018
Depth Charge is honestly one of the best stories I have come across. From the awesome characters, particularly Thomas Caine, to smart and engaging plot twists with wonderful action sequences it did not take me more than the first chapter to fall in love with Depth Charge.
Depth Charge serves as a prequel to Tokyo Black, the break-neck action thriller that introduced readers to the dangerous Ex-CIA operative Thomas Caine. It was delightful to get a glimpse of Caine's past in Depth Charge, younger but just as ruthless and resilient. Mr. Warren always brings an exciting pace of events to the table and his collaboration with Mr. Bailey has proven to be an excellent success. The plot is a unique one, taking readers from China to Bolivia to other exotic places with beautiful details that immerse readers into the dangerous but beautiful world Mr. Caine operates in. The action is brilliantly built up and executed with absolute technical proficiency. No matter how hard I tried to slow down, it just was not possible to un-glue myself from the exciting and dangerous events in the story. For all Thomas Caine fans and fans of the thriller genre, Depth Charge is not one to miss out on. It has everything an action thriller reader could ever ask for and more. I was officially onboard the Thomas Caine train before Tokyo Black, but Depth Charge elevated that hype to a whole new level.
All I could think of while reading the last chapter was that no amount of Thomas Caine is enough. I for one need more of the unflinching assassin.
Depth Charge serves as a prequel to Tokyo Black, the break-neck action thriller that introduced readers to the dangerous Ex-CIA operative Thomas Caine. It was delightful to get a glimpse of Caine's past in Depth Charge, younger but just as ruthless and resilient. Mr. Warren always brings an exciting pace of events to the table and his collaboration with Mr. Bailey has proven to be an excellent success. The plot is a unique one, taking readers from China to Bolivia to other exotic places with beautiful details that immerse readers into the dangerous but beautiful world Mr. Caine operates in. The action is brilliantly built up and executed with absolute technical proficiency. No matter how hard I tried to slow down, it just was not possible to un-glue myself from the exciting and dangerous events in the story. For all Thomas Caine fans and fans of the thriller genre, Depth Charge is not one to miss out on. It has everything an action thriller reader could ever ask for and more. I was officially onboard the Thomas Caine train before Tokyo Black, but Depth Charge elevated that hype to a whole new level.
All I could think of while reading the last chapter was that no amount of Thomas Caine is enough. I for one need more of the unflinching assassin.
December 6, 2018
“The suffering of others gave him power.”
This is good, very good! A fantastic, fast-paced thriller set in Macao, Honk Kong, Bolivia, Mexico..
It's well-written with vivid imagery, strong dialogue and a plot that resonates with the reader long after the story is over.
From the very first page Depth Charge managed to capture my attention and keep it all the way through to the bitter sweet conclusion. The inner turmoils, the hard decisions...it really touched my heart. Its focus on the ugly parts of human nature without dwelling on it only is excellent. This is a novel that runs the gamut of emotions from despair to hope, anger, happiness and everything in between.
Brilliant! I received an early version of this book from the publisher and my review is entirely voluntary.
This is good, very good! A fantastic, fast-paced thriller set in Macao, Honk Kong, Bolivia, Mexico..
It's well-written with vivid imagery, strong dialogue and a plot that resonates with the reader long after the story is over.
From the very first page Depth Charge managed to capture my attention and keep it all the way through to the bitter sweet conclusion. The inner turmoils, the hard decisions...it really touched my heart. Its focus on the ugly parts of human nature without dwelling on it only is excellent. This is a novel that runs the gamut of emotions from despair to hope, anger, happiness and everything in between.
Brilliant! I received an early version of this book from the publisher and my review is entirely voluntary.
December 2, 2018
Caine Returns - In the strongest Rapid Fire novella yet. A Masterpiece!
Andrew Warren and Aiden L. Bailey team up again to deliver a fantastic story that breaths authenticity, cinematic action und intrigue from the very first page.
The characters are well-rounded, the locations stunning and the plot twists gasp-inducing. But the best thing is, there is an emotional heart to the characters and overall story, rarely found in the genre.
One of my favorite reads this year. More please!
Andrew Warren and Aiden L. Bailey team up again to deliver a fantastic story that breaths authenticity, cinematic action und intrigue from the very first page.
The characters are well-rounded, the locations stunning and the plot twists gasp-inducing. But the best thing is, there is an emotional heart to the characters and overall story, rarely found in the genre.
One of my favorite reads this year. More please!
February 20, 2019
Intense From Beginning To End
Respect where respect is due – check out how awesome this cover is. Onur Aksoy is listed as the cover artist and I thought that they really did this book justice.
The best part about these Caine: Rapid Fire Novellas is that they are tightly packed action from beginning to end. But, you don’t miss any of the character and world building. Warren & Bailey are able to do both in the same novella without turning it into a novel.
Depth Charge, as mentioned above, was insanely fast-paced. It weaves a couple of stories together – but basically, there is a Chinese submarine that is going to help the Mexican cartels deliver cocaine to the US. There is so much more going on in this book and really describing much more would ruin it for you.
Warren & Bailey are able to write characters that really jump off the page. Obvious Caine has been written about numerous times before, but other characters like the Chinese defector that comes up in Depth Charge are so well written. When things change and other things are revealed you almost feel betrayed. They did such a perfect job describing them – when things change – it’s almost hurtful, which to me is a sign of excellent fiction. A character that is so well written that when things aren’t as they seem, I feel personally offended as a reader.
Overall, this might be my favorite Caine Novella yet. I thought that the action mixed in with the personal stories made this one an absolute winner.
I really think that Warren has found a winner in Chris Abell as the narrator. I absolutely love him portraying Caine – and for the rest of the characters, he’s just seamless.
Respect where respect is due – check out how awesome this cover is. Onur Aksoy is listed as the cover artist and I thought that they really did this book justice.
The best part about these Caine: Rapid Fire Novellas is that they are tightly packed action from beginning to end. But, you don’t miss any of the character and world building. Warren & Bailey are able to do both in the same novella without turning it into a novel.
Depth Charge, as mentioned above, was insanely fast-paced. It weaves a couple of stories together – but basically, there is a Chinese submarine that is going to help the Mexican cartels deliver cocaine to the US. There is so much more going on in this book and really describing much more would ruin it for you.
Warren & Bailey are able to write characters that really jump off the page. Obvious Caine has been written about numerous times before, but other characters like the Chinese defector that comes up in Depth Charge are so well written. When things change and other things are revealed you almost feel betrayed. They did such a perfect job describing them – when things change – it’s almost hurtful, which to me is a sign of excellent fiction. A character that is so well written that when things aren’t as they seem, I feel personally offended as a reader.
Overall, this might be my favorite Caine Novella yet. I thought that the action mixed in with the personal stories made this one an absolute winner.
I really think that Warren has found a winner in Chris Abell as the narrator. I absolutely love him portraying Caine – and for the rest of the characters, he’s just seamless.
December 12, 2018
Fantastic Story i love how this author.writes about Tom Caine and I produced reader to significant people in his life while protecting and getting rid the the terrible prople..This talented author keeps the reader unable to put book down while traveling all over the world while Caibe does his stuff which includes keeping innocent people safe and the United States..Will continue reading all of this suthirs.books
December 10, 2018
Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!!! Full disclosure, I assisted the authors with their research on submarine operations, and they put that information to very good use! The book reads like a James Bond film with a "pre-titles sequence" (set in Macau), the main plot (which spans the globe from Hong Kong, to Colombia, to the US, to Bolivia, to Bali, and finally to the vast stretches of the Pacific), and a twist-filled epilogue. The pace is non-stop, and the characters are all very well fleshed-out. I particularly like the smooth, westernized MSS agent Caine encounters throughout the book. Another winner from Andrew Warren and Aiden Bailey! Well done gentlemen!!!!!!!
January 27, 2019
Outstanding!
December 5, 2018
Bodo used the best explanation A MASTERPIECE and it really is.
I‘ve read the complete series and with all the novels I hoped to find something to mutter about,both authers did not give me the chance,nope they are all top of the class Depth Charge races to top.In all their books they put something really with a big OH MY ! I read the copy provided by Aiden in a go that does not happen often I even missed Premier League games , never happened.Back to the Oh My this time Thomas Caine drops into the ocean and he meets some strange new „friends“ what then happens is just to say crazy but one has to judge by himself.Like they say in the European Song Contest:and 12 points go to Andrew Warren and Aiden L. Bailey.Thank you gentlemen for creating Thomas Caine and writing in really good English
I‘ve read the complete series and with all the novels I hoped to find something to mutter about,both authers did not give me the chance,nope they are all top of the class Depth Charge races to top.In all their books they put something really with a big OH MY ! I read the copy provided by Aiden in a go that does not happen often I even missed Premier League games , never happened.Back to the Oh My this time Thomas Caine drops into the ocean and he meets some strange new „friends“ what then happens is just to say crazy but one has to judge by himself.Like they say in the European Song Contest:and 12 points go to Andrew Warren and Aiden L. Bailey.Thank you gentlemen for creating Thomas Caine and writing in really good English
December 11, 2018
A rogue Chinese submarine, a defector and more to make this another exciting story. Caine as always is fantastic. I never have enough of these stories.
December 3, 2018
I received a copy of this book from the author and I am voluntarily reviewing it. This is the first book in the series that I have read. This is a great book, very exciting and the characters are very believable. I look forward to reading more books in this series.
January 6, 2019
Excellent addition to the series. Like with Sandfire, the authors manage to pack enough characters and material for a full length novel into a smaller novella, but nothing feels rushed or condensed. This time Thomas Caine travels from China to South America and back to Asia in a mission that will pit him against Chinese spies, a rogue submarine captain, and a drug cartel. Caine is a wonderful character who stands out from all the typical Mitch Rapp-template CIA assassins; he's more of a cross between James Bond and Jason Bourne, and these short Rapid Fire novellas, with their quick pacing and imaginative adventures and colorful characters, have a distinctive pulpish flare to them. Andrew Warren and Aiden Bailey work very well together.
August 30, 2020
The 4th in the series and it was great.
Takes place in China, Bolivia and the US, and a couple of other places.
Tons of action with Thomas Caine, CIA assassin (and rouge in some books) is busy again.
Chinese submarine with a rouge captain, a defector an old friend is back, a long time friend is lost, lots of drugs and bad guys.
The bad guy in Bolivia thinks he is a werewolf too.
Very good, I am going to move on and read his three novels now.
Takes place in China, Bolivia and the US, and a couple of other places.
Tons of action with Thomas Caine, CIA assassin (and rouge in some books) is busy again.
Chinese submarine with a rouge captain, a defector an old friend is back, a long time friend is lost, lots of drugs and bad guys.
The bad guy in Bolivia thinks he is a werewolf too.
Very good, I am going to move on and read his three novels now.
December 10, 2018
Depth Charge. Andrew Warren
Thomas Caine is a covert operative for the CIA. Ex special forces. Extremely lethal. He has been sent to China to contact a CIA asset. The contact has been murdered minuets prior to his arrival, and the assassin's are waiting for Caine. A trap. Caine manages to escape after a monumental struggle and immerses himself into the crowd of pedestrians on the street. He is aided by a young Chinese female in a car, but is this a further plan to ensure his capture? She offers him freedom for her asylum into America. She has extremely valuable knowledge of China's newest nuclear submarine. It's stealth and capabilities are far beyond America's current fleet. The deal is taken. Is she who she appears to be? A risky proposition but too valuable to turn down. A double agent sent into play by the Chinese? She offers her technical abilities to track this submarine as it travels to America. What is this Chinese captains end game? A missile lunch on America's shores? What follows is completely off the realm of predictably. His cargo he will unleash unto America? Cocaine, courtesy of a Columbian cartel he has aligned himself with. This is a spectacular read! Non stop action from the very first to the last page! Betrayal at a monumental scale! Enjoyed immensely!
Thomas Caine is a covert operative for the CIA. Ex special forces. Extremely lethal. He has been sent to China to contact a CIA asset. The contact has been murdered minuets prior to his arrival, and the assassin's are waiting for Caine. A trap. Caine manages to escape after a monumental struggle and immerses himself into the crowd of pedestrians on the street. He is aided by a young Chinese female in a car, but is this a further plan to ensure his capture? She offers him freedom for her asylum into America. She has extremely valuable knowledge of China's newest nuclear submarine. It's stealth and capabilities are far beyond America's current fleet. The deal is taken. Is she who she appears to be? A risky proposition but too valuable to turn down. A double agent sent into play by the Chinese? She offers her technical abilities to track this submarine as it travels to America. What is this Chinese captains end game? A missile lunch on America's shores? What follows is completely off the realm of predictably. His cargo he will unleash unto America? Cocaine, courtesy of a Columbian cartel he has aligned himself with. This is a spectacular read! Non stop action from the very first to the last page! Betrayal at a monumental scale! Enjoyed immensely!
December 11, 2018
This is, to date the best in the "Rapid Fire" series, and I give it a rating of 5 Stars X 2 = 10 Stars
An OP which begins in “murder & betrayal” continues, and from its beginning to its end the story line progresses with as many twists and turns as there are reflections within a maze of mirrors.
Andrew Warren and Aiden L. Bailey are both extremely talented authors on their own, however as a team they are difficult beat.
I’ve followed the “Thomas Caine” series since the first eBook was published (“Tokyo Black”) back in 2016, and I’ve never rated any below 4 Stars including the three previous “prequel novellas” in the “Caine Rapid Fire” series.
“Sandfire”, #3 in the “Rapid Fire” Series of novellas was the first collaboration of these two, individually OUTSTANDING authors and “Depth Charge” is their second, and another 5 STAR read, (or as the equations suggest a 10-Star Read in my personal opinion) proving that even “outstanding” can be surpassed.
I MOST Highly RECOMMEND “Depth Charge” to anyone searching for their next enthralling read and as an “introduction” to the “world of “Thomas Caine” if you’ve never read his adventures before.
I also recommend that after reading you follow each of these authors either through their Amazon “Follow This Author” link or on their respective faceBook pages/groups.
An OP which begins in “murder & betrayal” continues, and from its beginning to its end the story line progresses with as many twists and turns as there are reflections within a maze of mirrors.
Andrew Warren and Aiden L. Bailey are both extremely talented authors on their own, however as a team they are difficult beat.
I’ve followed the “Thomas Caine” series since the first eBook was published (“Tokyo Black”) back in 2016, and I’ve never rated any below 4 Stars including the three previous “prequel novellas” in the “Caine Rapid Fire” series.
“Sandfire”, #3 in the “Rapid Fire” Series of novellas was the first collaboration of these two, individually OUTSTANDING authors and “Depth Charge” is their second, and another 5 STAR read, (or as the equations suggest a 10-Star Read in my personal opinion) proving that even “outstanding” can be surpassed.
I MOST Highly RECOMMEND “Depth Charge” to anyone searching for their next enthralling read and as an “introduction” to the “world of “Thomas Caine” if you’ve never read his adventures before.
I also recommend that after reading you follow each of these authors either through their Amazon “Follow This Author” link or on their respective faceBook pages/groups.
October 29, 2025
Fast paced and difficult to put down once you become engrossed. Here we have Thomas Caine, a CIA officer given the task of returning a terrified Chinese defector to the US. The defector is important as she can identify the route a Chinese nuclear submarine will take to the shores of the US. But the captain of the submarine has an ulterior motive and Caine and his associates find themselves in conflict with Chinese assassins, Columbian drug gang members and members of the Chinese hierarchy as the twists and turns are revealed. When Caine’s supervisor and close love interest, Rebecca Freeling, is captured by the Chinese MSS, Thomas sets out to save her and wreak revenge on the Chinese.
More twists and turns are encountered, when eventually the defector and her parents are resettled to the US. A really enjoyable read with plenty of action to sate thriller readers.
More twists and turns are encountered, when eventually the defector and her parents are resettled to the US. A really enjoyable read with plenty of action to sate thriller readers.
January 1, 2019
Great thriller Caine is on a dangerous mission but gets through with his clever thinking and strengh i almost felt like i was with him during his Halo jump !!writer's describes actions and places soo well your there with them .Another great read in the Thomas Caine series and the characters are real and the bond between them built on trust .
January 28, 2020
This is an extremely well written book, full of nonstop adventures. A fast-paced rollercoaster ride! Full of twists and turns. This is definitely a page turner. Don’t start reading it if you are not prepared to stay up all night! Wonderful characters and deliciously wicked. A definite home run!
March 11, 2024
enjoyable
I do like a hero…especially special forces hero
Good storyline well written plenty of hurt and double dealing..look forward to the next chapter….why is Caine in Thailand under assumed name?
I do like a hero…especially special forces hero
Good storyline well written plenty of hurt and double dealing..look forward to the next chapter….why is Caine in Thailand under assumed name?
December 10, 2018
Plots within plots. Non-stop action, espionage, a twisty plot, and great characters, make this a recommended book.
January 26, 2019
Great book. As always with the Andrew Warren/Aiden L. Bailey team very cinematic offering.
October 7, 2025
Heartpounding
Pure action, impossible situations that the hero gets out with actions that seem impossible to escape. Hard to put down. Super read. Conrad Samayoa.
Pure action, impossible situations that the hero gets out with actions that seem impossible to escape. Hard to put down. Super read. Conrad Samayoa.
October 27, 2025
This was a very good read that had lots of action. I just started reading another one of Warren's books and this one is turning out to be another winner.
March 24, 2019
"But that's the way this game is plahed."
Simply superb.
Not only is this thriller, crossing several countries from China, South America and to the U.S.A, well written with brief descriptions conjuring up atmosphere and place, the characters emerge fully fleshed as real, living people. There is action aplenty, of course, but none of it feels misplaced or even improbable. People get hurt. They are fit, they are trained, they are resourceful - but they are also human, not superman.
Great story, too, with separate, related missions merging finally into one. But more than all of this, Depth Charge has an unusual plus for a spy-cum-assassin thriller - it has emotion. The protagonists try to hide it, or course, but it seeps out of the pages, drawing the readers ever closer into the story by making them care, and fear, and hurt when things (inevitably) go horribly wrong.
Written to precede Devil's Due in the Caine chronology, when he was still an officer in the C.I.A's Special Operations, this book helps to reveal the man he is to become.
Excellent book, exciting and emotionally gripping.
Highly recommended.
( Format : Audiobook )
I revisited Depth Charge in the audio version and found the experience even better than my original thoughts. Narrator Chris Abell's performance matches the book in speed and delivery: fast, clinically precise and with voicing for each protagonist. Very good.
Excellent book, exciting and emotionally gripping and even better in Audio than on the written page.
Highly recommended.
Simply superb.
Not only is this thriller, crossing several countries from China, South America and to the U.S.A, well written with brief descriptions conjuring up atmosphere and place, the characters emerge fully fleshed as real, living people. There is action aplenty, of course, but none of it feels misplaced or even improbable. People get hurt. They are fit, they are trained, they are resourceful - but they are also human, not superman.
Great story, too, with separate, related missions merging finally into one. But more than all of this, Depth Charge has an unusual plus for a spy-cum-assassin thriller - it has emotion. The protagonists try to hide it, or course, but it seeps out of the pages, drawing the readers ever closer into the story by making them care, and fear, and hurt when things (inevitably) go horribly wrong.
Written to precede Devil's Due in the Caine chronology, when he was still an officer in the C.I.A's Special Operations, this book helps to reveal the man he is to become.
Excellent book, exciting and emotionally gripping.
Highly recommended.
( Format : Audiobook )
I revisited Depth Charge in the audio version and found the experience even better than my original thoughts. Narrator Chris Abell's performance matches the book in speed and delivery: fast, clinically precise and with voicing for each protagonist. Very good.
Excellent book, exciting and emotionally gripping and even better in Audio than on the written page.
Highly recommended.
December 14, 2018
From the moment I started reading until the end of the book, Depth Charge kept me completely intrigued and interested. There was no "lull" in the book like many that I have read. I found myself feeling very connected to the characters almost as if I was there with them throughout their ordeals. In fact, at one point I felt like I was feeling very worried about one of the characters. The other thing I loved about the book is that until I got to the end of the book, I was not able to guess where it was going. The twists and turns make it exciting reading!
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