Two Hours to Darkness

by Antony Trew

For most of her crew, HMS Retaliate's Baltic cruise is a routine one, and her sixteen nuclear missiles no more than a silent threat to the Russians. But the submarine's captain, Commander Shadde, is obsessed with the communist menace and haunted by the memory of his one act of cowardice. As the submarine approaches the end of her voyage, a letter from his wife threatening divorce pushes Shadde to the brink of madness in a vessel where nuclear war is just a button away...

254 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1962

About the author

Antony (Francis) Trew was a South African naval officer and writer. In World War II he served with the South African and Royal Navies in the Atlantic, the Mediterranean and the Western Approaches. As such he was in command of the escort destroyer HMS Walker. He also served on the Arctic Convoys and was awarded the DSC (Distinguished Service Cross). After World War II he resumed his work with the AA (Automobile Association) of South Africa as Director General.

(source wikipedia)

Reviews

[Gloria]

Four books in one, from Readers Digest, along with "A Christmas Carol”, “The Colonel’s Son”, and “A Sense of Values” Not sure when finished this, but guessing 1964

[Michael Wallin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read a few of Trew’s novels. I think he’s underestimated and of course forgotten, this book was published 1963 in the UK. He understands people and gets under the skin of his characters which makes for more interesting reading compared to many other suspense writers. His books are very realistic and you really notice that he knows what he’s talking about since he has spent many years at sea.
The issue of nuclear weapons was high on the agenda when this book was published following the Cuban crisis the previous year.

[John Pitcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I was in the US Navy, as part of a NATO fleet of destroyers from various countries in the north Atlantic, you can easily guess that I really enjoyed this book. Also, later on, I was able to spend a day on a US nuclear submarine which also added to my enjoyment.

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Positively hurtles to a conclusion. And I appreciated the moral turnabout at the very end.