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S-Squad #8
Operation Mongolia
It's supposed to be a routine job, walking a pair of stranded archaeologists out of the Gobi Desert. But when the rains come unexpectedly, S-Squad's troubles are only starting. There is something in the sand, something red and wriggling. Thirsty for water. Hungry for flesh.
137 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 22, 2019
137 people are currently reading
108 people want to read
About the author
William Meikle
409 books1,849 followersI'm a Scottish writer, now living in Canada, with more than thirty novels published in the genre press and over 300 short story credits in thirteen countries.
My work has appeared in a number of professional anthologies and I have recent short story sales to NATURE Futures and Galaxy's Edge. When I'm not writing I play guitar, drink beer and dream of fortune and glory.
For an intro to me, my writing and my accent see my Youtube channel
My work has appeared in a number of professional anthologies and I have recent short story sales to NATURE Futures and Galaxy's Edge. When I'm not writing I play guitar, drink beer and dream of fortune and glory.
For an intro to me, my writing and my accent see my Youtube channel
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 30, 2024
The S-Squad books are one of my guilty reading pleasures and always a nice break from reality. This is number 8 in the series and it is as I expect from the series, fast and action packed. Even though the book cover and the description pretty much explains where they are heading and what they are up against, the author does a good job in keeping the suspense up throughout until almost all of them makes it out. As usual it was supposed to be an easy job till it became something right up the squads' alley. The body count is extremely low this time against the previous book, but that does not mean the squad has it easy though. Very entertaining and some characters' backgrounds are filled a bit in this one which really added value to the series as a whole. Looking forward to the next few as they look really good.
August 28, 2024
A Worm Factory!
Captain Banks and his team of S-Squad members are sent to Mongolia to retrieve two archeologists, Professor Gillings and Dr. Reid.
The two men become stranded in the desert with their supplies of dinosaur bones and need help getting back to Scotland.
Banks and his S-Squad are not going to get a chance at a simple rescue. No! Just like on their prior missions they have a monster on their hands.
This time it’s giant electric, sharp toothed worms. And they are hungry. And the fight is on.
The camels know that something is going on.
The scene is a setting of great starkness and desolation. The dry desert meanders endlessly, until it turns into a raging downpour. That’s when the fun happens.
Four stars. ✨✨✨✨
Captain Banks and his team of S-Squad members are sent to Mongolia to retrieve two archeologists, Professor Gillings and Dr. Reid.
The two men become stranded in the desert with their supplies of dinosaur bones and need help getting back to Scotland.
Banks and his S-Squad are not going to get a chance at a simple rescue. No! Just like on their prior missions they have a monster on their hands.
This time it’s giant electric, sharp toothed worms. And they are hungry. And the fight is on.
The camels know that something is going on.
The scene is a setting of great starkness and desolation. The dry desert meanders endlessly, until it turns into a raging downpour. That’s when the fun happens.
Four stars. ✨✨✨✨
May 25, 2019
S-Squad 8
Mr. Meikle‘s S- Squad tales bring us back to the sci-fi movies of the fifties. Constant action and various beasties keep us on the edge of our seats until the very end. In this story set in the desert of Mongolia, giant fanged worms try and stop the squad from rescuing 2 stranded archeologists. A fast and entertaining read.
Mr. Meikle‘s S- Squad tales bring us back to the sci-fi movies of the fifties. Constant action and various beasties keep us on the edge of our seats until the very end. In this story set in the desert of Mongolia, giant fanged worms try and stop the squad from rescuing 2 stranded archeologists. A fast and entertaining read.
July 15, 2019
Another fun, exciting, horror adventure.
I have to admit, when I saw this book was about sand worms I was thinking along the lines of the movie Tremors. I should have known Miekle wouldn’t come up with anything that derivative. These are far more interesting, especially when a hoard of pencil sized babies worms devour one of the characters.
True to Miekle’s style, this is another page turner covering the latest S-Squad assignment. A military unit that seems destined to never get a quiet or normal assignment during their entire military career.
I have to admit, when I saw this book was about sand worms I was thinking along the lines of the movie Tremors. I should have known Miekle wouldn’t come up with anything that derivative. These are far more interesting, especially when a hoard of pencil sized babies worms devour one of the characters.
True to Miekle’s style, this is another page turner covering the latest S-Squad assignment. A military unit that seems destined to never get a quiet or normal assignment during their entire military career.
January 11, 2026
Because the book, I read before this, was so utterly shite, this one gets automatically one star more - just because it reads better and faster and there was action literally 10% into the book.
Had S-Squad better jobs? Yes they had. They also had worse.
But this one was just eh.. okay i guess. The idea of big ass sand worms that come to life when it rains is a great idea (*cough* who was the inspiration for that), but also it was quite an up and down for the action, which kinda annoyed me a bit.
Also there was just one gruesome gory scene (which i enjoyed, because i didn't like the character) and i found it great, that we got some background information of the soldiers, like why they got into the army and shit.
Also the amount of scottish slang doubled *snort* i needed to google some of it. But that was fun.
So yeah. It's fast paced and a funny read, but somehow a bit boring.
Had S-Squad better jobs? Yes they had. They also had worse.
But this one was just eh.. okay i guess. The idea of big ass sand worms that come to life when it rains is a great idea (*cough* who was the inspiration for that), but also it was quite an up and down for the action, which kinda annoyed me a bit.
Also there was just one gruesome gory scene (which i enjoyed, because i didn't like the character) and i found it great, that we got some background information of the soldiers, like why they got into the army and shit.
Also the amount of scottish slang doubled *snort* i needed to google some of it. But that was fun.
So yeah. It's fast paced and a funny read, but somehow a bit boring.
March 20, 2021
Operation Mongolia finds Captain John Banks and his S-Squad soldiers dropped into a remote part of the Mongolian desert to rescue two stranded British archaeologists. However, predictably this turns out to be no simple evacuation mission as the brave team soon find themselves battling carnivorous worms lurking under the sand in another fast-paced Boys Own adventure from talented author William Meikle. Operation Mongolia is the eighth book in the growing S-Squad series but rather than running out of steam I actually think this is one of the most action-packed and satisfying stories in the collection. The classic cult film Tremors was obviously an influence on this novel and by adding some backstory information to the squad alongside the usual running, shooting and hiding Mr Meikle delivers another thrilling winner in the series. I was slightly disappointed with the previous book Operation Norway, but Mongolia is definitely a return to form. Anyone looking for some much-needed escapism in these desperate times should not hesitate to pick up this spellbinding novel. Just for information there’s no need to read any of the previous books in the series first but for those who might be interested I would also highly recommend the other earlier novels in the S-Squad collection.
October 22, 2019
Meh, not great.
A reasonably easy read. Very predictable and cliched, but I have read much worse
Oh, and the author likes to throw in big words people never use in a normal conversation
A reasonably easy read. Very predictable and cliched, but I have read much worse
Oh, and the author likes to throw in big words people never use in a normal conversation
December 5, 2024
Honestly guys, all you need to do is go to the stranded archaeologists with the broken down car and get them safely out of the desert on foot. That was the original plan but the team have to deal with an irritated Professor, jittery camels, the hot desert heat and of course giant electrified fanged worms trying to eat them. Another fun mission for S Squad...
The worms are horrible *shudders* Remember being told to stay away from the big ones as a kid, being told they would latch onto you and suck your blood? Well these nasty worms do that and more, giving you a nasty shock to disable you and then consuming you. I'm a big fan of reading about cryptids so as soon as I saw the book cover, I figured we were about to delve into the legend of the Mongolian death worms, rumoured to exist in the Gobi desert, which is where this adventure is set. It was fun to get a lesser written about cryptid in this adventure. Remind me never to venture there to look for these horrific things though!
The death in this book is really graphic and disturbing but perfectly fits into the story. I liked the introduction of the monks and the history of the worms and how they evade being seen most of the time. I also liked the author showing that you don't just magically recover from a recent broken leg, as one of the squad discovers on the long grim march through the desert. He was injured in a previous book and though fit to resume his duty, discovers that a long hard march on sand brings back the pain. That is certainly a good touch of realism. The electrical aspect to the worms also adds a whole new level of horror for the squad.
Professor Gillings is the typical arrogant academic when we first meet him, getting angry about having to leave his finds behind him. Banks is in no mood to put up with stupidity and is going to remove him from the desert by any means necessary. He does start to show other sides to his character, though he will revert back to moaning about his precious finds too. Dr Reid, his apologetic assistant is much easier to deal with and is much more friendly to the soldiers who are rescuing him. He also turns out to be a useful team member once the mission really starts to go south in a hurry.
This book gives us a bit more insight into the characters, exploring the friendship between Hynd and Wiggo in particular. The story behind Wiggo's jokes about the wife of Hynd was a real surprise and very emotional. It also means that every joke made after this feels really quite sad. Splitting the team up into two groups also lets us see more of Wiggo in his new role, taking on more responsibility and being trusted to do so, which was nice. I enjoyed the moments between Hynd and Banks too, two men who have been through a lot and can talk as equals as well as work in a team. I liked the added character development.
This is one of my dad's favourites in the series and I really enjoyed it too.
The worms are horrible *shudders* Remember being told to stay away from the big ones as a kid, being told they would latch onto you and suck your blood? Well these nasty worms do that and more, giving you a nasty shock to disable you and then consuming you. I'm a big fan of reading about cryptids so as soon as I saw the book cover, I figured we were about to delve into the legend of the Mongolian death worms, rumoured to exist in the Gobi desert, which is where this adventure is set. It was fun to get a lesser written about cryptid in this adventure. Remind me never to venture there to look for these horrific things though!
The death in this book is really graphic and disturbing but perfectly fits into the story. I liked the introduction of the monks and the history of the worms and how they evade being seen most of the time. I also liked the author showing that you don't just magically recover from a recent broken leg, as one of the squad discovers on the long grim march through the desert. He was injured in a previous book and though fit to resume his duty, discovers that a long hard march on sand brings back the pain. That is certainly a good touch of realism. The electrical aspect to the worms also adds a whole new level of horror for the squad.
Professor Gillings is the typical arrogant academic when we first meet him, getting angry about having to leave his finds behind him. Banks is in no mood to put up with stupidity and is going to remove him from the desert by any means necessary. He does start to show other sides to his character, though he will revert back to moaning about his precious finds too. Dr Reid, his apologetic assistant is much easier to deal with and is much more friendly to the soldiers who are rescuing him. He also turns out to be a useful team member once the mission really starts to go south in a hurry.
This book gives us a bit more insight into the characters, exploring the friendship between Hynd and Wiggo in particular. The story behind Wiggo's jokes about the wife of Hynd was a real surprise and very emotional. It also means that every joke made after this feels really quite sad. Splitting the team up into two groups also lets us see more of Wiggo in his new role, taking on more responsibility and being trusted to do so, which was nice. I enjoyed the moments between Hynd and Banks too, two men who have been through a lot and can talk as equals as well as work in a team. I liked the added character development.
This is one of my dad's favourites in the series and I really enjoyed it too.
July 28, 2023
When Captain Banks and his team of squaddies are told to head over to the Gobi Desert and collect two archaeologists stranded with Chinese Rebels nearby the entire team hopes they will finally have a simple, regular assignment. And all is going well, initially. They meet up with the two boffins, the squad is ready for the long walk out of the desert to their rendezvous point with a helicopter. Everything is all sorted out. Only then the rains hit and something red, wriggling and with plenty of teeth is waiting for them under the sand – and these critters are thirsty.
I absolutely love this series and am eagerly working my way through them all. They are quite short stories – about 130 pages each or so – but filled with oversized, B-grade monsters, the squaddies are believable, utterly ribald and a bunch of laughs, and usually the plot isn’t overly complicated. I find them wonderful escape fiction when work or life is dragging me down a bit. If you want something deeply plotted, or with a complex puzzle then this isn’t the series you’ll want to grab. If you’re in the mood for something lighthearted with plenty of shoot ‘em up style, a few crass and tasteless jokes and banter with a whole bunch of action and big monster sized beasties – this will suit you perfectly.
I do like how a number of the squaddies are now becoming quite familiar. These books can all absolutely be read independently of each other – and in virtually any order – though I did notice there were a few single sentence long Easter Eggs recalling previous adventures in a few places that really made me chuckle. I found personally it really added a nice zing to the story for me, but I absolutely feel readers who find this book by itself should be very happy to crack it open and give it a try having not read anything previously by this author.
A rambunctious and fun read, this was a lovely lazy afternoon I feel was very well spent. Recommended.
I absolutely love this series and am eagerly working my way through them all. They are quite short stories – about 130 pages each or so – but filled with oversized, B-grade monsters, the squaddies are believable, utterly ribald and a bunch of laughs, and usually the plot isn’t overly complicated. I find them wonderful escape fiction when work or life is dragging me down a bit. If you want something deeply plotted, or with a complex puzzle then this isn’t the series you’ll want to grab. If you’re in the mood for something lighthearted with plenty of shoot ‘em up style, a few crass and tasteless jokes and banter with a whole bunch of action and big monster sized beasties – this will suit you perfectly.
I do like how a number of the squaddies are now becoming quite familiar. These books can all absolutely be read independently of each other – and in virtually any order – though I did notice there were a few single sentence long Easter Eggs recalling previous adventures in a few places that really made me chuckle. I found personally it really added a nice zing to the story for me, but I absolutely feel readers who find this book by itself should be very happy to crack it open and give it a try having not read anything previously by this author.
A rambunctious and fun read, this was a lovely lazy afternoon I feel was very well spent. Recommended.
June 6, 2019
These are short, fun military-vs.-monsters tales that are the monster fan’s version of a beach read. They’re just so enjoyable!
As always, the characters are wonderful. With just the shortest strokes they’re sketched out in three dimensions. Professor Gillings seems like the stereotypical entitled, outraged man at the start, when Captain Banks points out that they’ll have to leave the paleontologists’ finds behind since they have no working vehicle. But he turns out to have more depth than that, and he’s capable of acknowledging that he can be an ass. Captain Banks ends up splitting the party–something he’s generally wise enough not to do, although this time he really has no choice–and we get to hear Wiggins and the privates get into a discussion with Dr. Reid as to why they joined up with the military. We even get to find out why Wiggins is always making the “your wife” jokes with Sergeant Hynds.
Content note: there is a very bawdy joke in here, and a very grotesque death, but they’re entirely appropriate to the characters and genre.
The pacing is excellent. Meikle is an expert at gradually raising the stakes, finding new and interesting ways to thwart the monsters, and tossing in some seemingly insurmountable problems. I can’t wait to read more of these books!
Original review posted on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2019/06/r...
As always, the characters are wonderful. With just the shortest strokes they’re sketched out in three dimensions. Professor Gillings seems like the stereotypical entitled, outraged man at the start, when Captain Banks points out that they’ll have to leave the paleontologists’ finds behind since they have no working vehicle. But he turns out to have more depth than that, and he’s capable of acknowledging that he can be an ass. Captain Banks ends up splitting the party–something he’s generally wise enough not to do, although this time he really has no choice–and we get to hear Wiggins and the privates get into a discussion with Dr. Reid as to why they joined up with the military. We even get to find out why Wiggins is always making the “your wife” jokes with Sergeant Hynds.
Content note: there is a very bawdy joke in here, and a very grotesque death, but they’re entirely appropriate to the characters and genre.
The pacing is excellent. Meikle is an expert at gradually raising the stakes, finding new and interesting ways to thwart the monsters, and tossing in some seemingly insurmountable problems. I can’t wait to read more of these books!
Original review posted on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2019/06/r...
April 12, 2020
S Squad vs Tremors
I like the S Squad, I really do but this one was kind of weak if you have ever seen the classic monster/horror/comedy film Tremors. Still, it was a fun, quick read and the boys were back with all of their banter and badassery. I will be continuing on with the series!
I like the S Squad, I really do but this one was kind of weak if you have ever seen the classic monster/horror/comedy film Tremors. Still, it was a fun, quick read and the boys were back with all of their banter and badassery. I will be continuing on with the series!
February 15, 2023
The 8th book in the series, this time taking place in the Gobi Desert as the squad goes up against the Mongolian Death Worm. I liked this one a lot because it showed us as the reader how people were able to live in the area, and what they did to avoid or fend off the worm. It made it more interesting for me, and it might make it more interesting for you.
July 15, 2019
This is one of the better entries in the series. The monsters based on suspected cryptids are unique and interesting. The team has it's hand full once again and the chase is on! This is in the top 3 of the series for me.
June 9, 2019
THE WORMS ARE NOT PLEASED, THEY ARE NOT......
The good old lads are back in action again. Very well written and entertaining to read. Damn fine stuff. Thanks.
The good old lads are back in action again. Very well written and entertaining to read. Damn fine stuff. Thanks.
July 15, 2019
loved this book. Meikle did it again. some funny stuff and a great read.
March 17, 2020
Only one complaint 😁
All the books in this series end to soon. Love the whole series and hope more books are in the making.
All the books in this series end to soon. Love the whole series and hope more books are in the making.
January 27, 2021
S Squad are again on escort duty, a simple assignment that ends up being anything but!! Good story again, we also learn a little more about the main characters back stories.
April 1, 2021
Another monsters vs marines hit!
The s squad is at it again. This time a simple mission in Mongolia. I mean they are all supposed to be simple missions, right?
The s squad is at it again. This time a simple mission in Mongolia. I mean they are all supposed to be simple missions, right?
April 8, 2021
Good book.
Fast moving story. A quick read, well worth the time. If you like monsters and beasties, Mr. Meikle is your man! Recommend!
Fast moving story. A quick read, well worth the time. If you like monsters and beasties, Mr. Meikle is your man! Recommend!
December 26, 2021
Great book
Another great adventure with Captain Banks and his team. Who would think of such fantastic creatures? A very good story and I recommend reading.
Another great adventure with Captain Banks and his team. Who would think of such fantastic creatures? A very good story and I recommend reading.
July 14, 2022
Mongolian Death Worms for the S-Squad this time- Burt Gummer would be proud! Not quite as good as the others in the series, and a little anticlimactic, but still a fast-paced and enjoyable read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2025
Mongolian Death Worms. Worms.
September 4, 2020
William Meikle is an entertaining writer if you have read any of his books you know the plot line which is why I like his books, I know what I am going to get. It will be interesting and fast paced, easy to read with lots of action. Sometimes you just need to shoot monsters and get a high round count. I would call this horror/action because I can't think of anything more horrifying than man eating worms coming out of the ground. You will read this one quickly.
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March 7, 2024Another fun, quick read. This time the boys are up against giant worms in the desert. Grizzly, gory guns-a-blazing action from the always enjoyable William Meikle.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews