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Dead Reckoning
On the night of September 8, 1923, seven ships of the U.S. Navy's Destroyer Squadron 11, led by Commodore Edward H. Watson on board the flagship USS Delphy, bore full speed into a treacherous section of California coastline informally known as Honda Point. Traveling south in single file "follow the leader" formation, the ships were attempting a turn into the Santa Barbara channel in heavy fog. They missed by several miles. One after another, in a span of just minutes, the destroyers jammed themselves to the rugged rocks that would be their fate. It was among the worst peacetime disasters in the Navy's history.
Dead Reckoning is a work of fiction inspired by these true events. The book follows the lives and passions of a group of enlisted sailors on liberty as their paths cross with an anxious diplomat recently returned from Japan. When that diplomat turns out to be a friend of their own captain, a series of minor conflicts and unrelated incidents builds to sudden tragedy and a night on the water that no man will forget--if they can first find a way to survive.
Dead Reckoning is a work of fiction inspired by these true events. The book follows the lives and passions of a group of enlisted sailors on liberty as their paths cross with an anxious diplomat recently returned from Japan. When that diplomat turns out to be a friend of their own captain, a series of minor conflicts and unrelated incidents builds to sudden tragedy and a night on the water that no man will forget--if they can first find a way to survive.
144 pages, Hardcover
Published September 8, 2020
3 people are currently reading
1162 people want to read
About the author
Michael Corbin Ray
3 books32 followersMichael Corbin Ray lives in California with too many brown dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 12, 2021
I absolutely loved “Dead Reckoning” by
Ray & Vannier. It is full of action from beginning to end. Most incredibly, it based on a true story.about actual events off of the California coast at Honda Point on September 8, 1923.
.
The characters are very well developed. So, well, that became attached to several of them. It emphasizes selfless, brave and courageous sailors who performed heroically in this tragic situation.
The book was well developed and strongly documented. Thus it brought to life this sad piece naval history.
I highly recommend
Ray & Vannier. It is full of action from beginning to end. Most incredibly, it based on a true story.about actual events off of the California coast at Honda Point on September 8, 1923.
.
The characters are very well developed. So, well, that became attached to several of them. It emphasizes selfless, brave and courageous sailors who performed heroically in this tragic situation.
The book was well developed and strongly documented. Thus it brought to life this sad piece naval history.
I highly recommend
October 1, 2020
Dead Reckoning is a fascinating book about a tragedy I honestly don't remember hearing of. That was one of the reasons why I had to read it, to learn something new. There's just something about tragedies at sea that will pull me in every time.
The story starts with a young diplomat Eugene who finds himself on familiar yet foreign soil and gets swindled by a group of sailors who steal his wallet containing all of his money and his identification papers.
He runs into a friend of his, Captain Watson of the USS Delphy who invites him to sail aboard the vessel. There he runs into the same sailors who "relieved" him of his belongings and tempers flare.
It isn't long before the fleet hits rocks and chaos erupts, everything else quickly forgotten.
It was easy to fully immerse myself into the story, the writing was on point.
I love how the authors painted the characters and made the reader feel for them. This was especially apparent during the sinking, some of the men really got the short end of the stick in life. The struggle to survive and help their fellow sailors was also described well.
The pictures at the end are much appreciated. I'd like to see the wreck site someday, I'll add it to my ever expanding list of things to see before I die.
*Thank you to BookSirens for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
The story starts with a young diplomat Eugene who finds himself on familiar yet foreign soil and gets swindled by a group of sailors who steal his wallet containing all of his money and his identification papers.
He runs into a friend of his, Captain Watson of the USS Delphy who invites him to sail aboard the vessel. There he runs into the same sailors who "relieved" him of his belongings and tempers flare.
It isn't long before the fleet hits rocks and chaos erupts, everything else quickly forgotten.
It was easy to fully immerse myself into the story, the writing was on point.
I love how the authors painted the characters and made the reader feel for them. This was especially apparent during the sinking, some of the men really got the short end of the stick in life. The struggle to survive and help their fellow sailors was also described well.
The pictures at the end are much appreciated. I'd like to see the wreck site someday, I'll add it to my ever expanding list of things to see before I die.
*Thank you to BookSirens for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
October 13, 2020
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Dead Reckoning by Michael Corbin Ray and Therese Vannier is a fast paced read that will leave the reader chugging forward for more with each turn of the page. I was immediately drawn into the plot and the story’s world as the authors set the scene for the rest of the book. The writing was both engaging and tactful as the reader is whisked away into the plot.
The emotions this story conveys are what hit me the hardest. How quickly Ray and Vannier endear you to the characters is out matched only by how quickly the plot’s climax arrives. However, this is not to the detriment of the story and is still an enjoyable read. Instead it serves to stir up emotions of sadness, anger, and discontent. Emotions that are visceral and raw are only deepened when the narrative concludes. After which the authors grace us with a segment of factual information and photographs of the real event that inspired this historical fiction. The historical accuracy is what makes this read so hauntingly good.
Even after finishing the book I needed days to collect my thoughts enough to even begin to write about it. It’s still been on the middle ground of my mind constantly, recalling itself into my everyday as I remember with an odd sort of nostalgia the book I just finished an few days ago. There’s something about this story that resonates on a deep level with the reader, and I think that’s the reason I’ve been unable to shake the recollection of my reading session.
Overall, Dead Reckoning is a short and arguably easier read than most. However, this doesn’t mean a sacrifice in quality, as Ray and Vannier still manage to deliver an emotional and thrilling experience in fewer pages than most. I’d say that for the amount of time this book takes to read, it’s definitely well worth it to do so.
Dead Reckoning by Michael Corbin Ray and Therese Vannier is a fast paced read that will leave the reader chugging forward for more with each turn of the page. I was immediately drawn into the plot and the story’s world as the authors set the scene for the rest of the book. The writing was both engaging and tactful as the reader is whisked away into the plot.
The emotions this story conveys are what hit me the hardest. How quickly Ray and Vannier endear you to the characters is out matched only by how quickly the plot’s climax arrives. However, this is not to the detriment of the story and is still an enjoyable read. Instead it serves to stir up emotions of sadness, anger, and discontent. Emotions that are visceral and raw are only deepened when the narrative concludes. After which the authors grace us with a segment of factual information and photographs of the real event that inspired this historical fiction. The historical accuracy is what makes this read so hauntingly good.
Even after finishing the book I needed days to collect my thoughts enough to even begin to write about it. It’s still been on the middle ground of my mind constantly, recalling itself into my everyday as I remember with an odd sort of nostalgia the book I just finished an few days ago. There’s something about this story that resonates on a deep level with the reader, and I think that’s the reason I’ve been unable to shake the recollection of my reading session.
Overall, Dead Reckoning is a short and arguably easier read than most. However, this doesn’t mean a sacrifice in quality, as Ray and Vannier still manage to deliver an emotional and thrilling experience in fewer pages than most. I’d say that for the amount of time this book takes to read, it’s definitely well worth it to do so.
August 20, 2020
Large book for the length! Totally absorbing tale of a naval disaster and some of the participants. I saw the size of book but was not impressed until I started reading. Dooman is a naïve diplomat returning stateside after years abroad with his missionary parents. Finding himself in San Francisco amidst several naval ship arrivals, he is is soon a victim of a sidewalk card game. Leaving the scene in the midst of a scuffle, he parts with his wallet and diplomatic credentials. Four sailor buddies working the same boiler gang are out for a fun time before their leave is over. Their involvement in a card game becomes a danger to ship and friendship. Dooman runs into an old friend while trying to prove his identity and is offered a ride to his destination in San Diego courtesy of his naval friend Captain Watson, commander of a fleet about to leave for San Diego. This is historical fiction of an incident that really happened and many of the names are real. Post WWI, the navy was modernizing and using new routines that many old navy men felt were unsure. Mistakes, human interactions among many of the characters, a budding romance, lost wallets, wrecks upon the rocks, and the tale of a missing man, ghost or real tint the tale with a shiver and fascination that history can lay before us. This was a free book to read and review. I have no connection to anything involved. I like the book and author for the clarity of all the naval information, characters used in the story and the spell of an imaginary ending.
January 1, 2021
A real tragedy that reads like a novel. The writing is excellent - tight and spare but never lacking in packing the emotional punch. It’s a short book, but well worth reading. The characters were all well-portrayed as was the series of events that led them all to being in the same place at the same time and to experience, each in his own way, the outcome of those events. I really like the inclusion of the photographs, newspaper headlines and extra information provided at the end of the book. This is my voluntary review in return for receiving a free copy of this book.
October 8, 2020
Dead Reckoning (a great title) is a novella-length story about an incredible and terrible accident that occurred off the California coast in September 1923 involving several Clemson-class naval destroyers.
I picked up this book because I like historical fiction, and I like stories set at sea. It's also always great to get to read about forgotten historical events.
Drawing on both historical figures (Captain Watson, Dooman, Pearson) mixed in with some fictional elements, while the story began perhaps a touch slow, I was enthralled and invested with the characters and from the get-go, and once the ships are underway, the pace rapidly accelerated to near thriller- or suspense- fiction levels. One element I think the authors used to great effect in this novella was using short sections to give the book's latter half (which details the actual accident) a staccato, breathless, an almost in-the-moment feel.
Although this is a short work, the writing is top-notch (reading, prose-wise, perhaps a bit more like an extremely well-written historical chronicle versus historical fiction), and while I don't know much about the history behind the accident, the story seemed incredibly well-research in terms of its details. Dialogue seemed spot-on for the period, and while never maudlin or overdrawn, this little book also packed a real emotional punch.
Historical fiction at its finest and definitely one of the better books I've read this year. I'm only sorry the book was so short. I would not only read another book by these authors, I would seek one out.
I received a free review copy of this novel as an ebook but no other compensation, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I picked up this book because I like historical fiction, and I like stories set at sea. It's also always great to get to read about forgotten historical events.
Drawing on both historical figures (Captain Watson, Dooman, Pearson) mixed in with some fictional elements, while the story began perhaps a touch slow, I was enthralled and invested with the characters and from the get-go, and once the ships are underway, the pace rapidly accelerated to near thriller- or suspense- fiction levels. One element I think the authors used to great effect in this novella was using short sections to give the book's latter half (which details the actual accident) a staccato, breathless, an almost in-the-moment feel.
Although this is a short work, the writing is top-notch (reading, prose-wise, perhaps a bit more like an extremely well-written historical chronicle versus historical fiction), and while I don't know much about the history behind the accident, the story seemed incredibly well-research in terms of its details. Dialogue seemed spot-on for the period, and while never maudlin or overdrawn, this little book also packed a real emotional punch.
Historical fiction at its finest and definitely one of the better books I've read this year. I'm only sorry the book was so short. I would not only read another book by these authors, I would seek one out.
I received a free review copy of this novel as an ebook but no other compensation, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 13, 2020
I loved this novela! After reading “The Long Way“ by Ray/ Vannier I was excited to read their latest work. This is a interesting story based on actual historical events, surrounding the worst maritime disaster near our shores in US history. Once you are immersed in reading it you forget that it is a fictional work. The characters are captivating and the story flows across the waves like the naval ships at the center of this ocean bound tale.
On the first page they write:
Full fathom five they father lies,
Of his bones are corral made;
Those are pearls that were his eyes:
Nothing of him doth fade,
But doth suffer a sea-change
Into something rich and strange!
BAMN ! And just like that, they had me, before the story itself even started. I loved every minute of reading this great novela by this dynamic duo. If you love stories about man and his struggles with the sea, you will love it to. In fact I loved it so much I read it twice back to back! I won’t drop any spoilers but I will say, “hold your cards, matey”!
On the first page they write:
Full fathom five they father lies,
Of his bones are corral made;
Those are pearls that were his eyes:
Nothing of him doth fade,
But doth suffer a sea-change
Into something rich and strange!
BAMN ! And just like that, they had me, before the story itself even started. I loved every minute of reading this great novela by this dynamic duo. If you love stories about man and his struggles with the sea, you will love it to. In fact I loved it so much I read it twice back to back! I won’t drop any spoilers but I will say, “hold your cards, matey”!
November 25, 2020
Military historical fiction is not at all my regular choice of reading, but since I am a Navy veteran (Hospital Corpsman, Camp Pendleton, CA 1991-1995) and I made a promise to myself to get out of my reading comfort zone, I gave this a try. With no regrets. This novel is more of a novella - it's a pretty quick read. Based on a real-life maritime disaster, that even as a former sailor I had not heard of, it's written with a brisk pace that softens up the tragedy. (I found myself reading it in a WWII-era newscasters voice, I don't why...it seemed fitting.) The 3rd person narrator alternates between the antics of the fictional enlisted crew of the fated USS Delphy, and the naive bumblings of the real-life former US ambassador to Japan, who unfortunately (for him) happens upon the crew more than once. Mixing make-believe characters with actual once-living humans is a good device for keeping this reader interested, and the dialogue is crisp. The setting is in the early 1920s, Northern California, a period and place I do not read much about, so that was another bit of a history lesson thrown in there, as well. I very much appreciated the included historical account, photographs, and crew interview at the conclusion. Overall, it was an interesting naval history lesson wrapped up in a fast-paced, enjoyable book. I received an ARC from Book Sirens, in exchange for my honest revew.
November 7, 2020
I love historical fiction based on real events, and of course I wanted to love this book. But it just didn't work for me.
This is an extremely short book. My review copy is small in size, with the story itself being about 115 pages. I have no issues at all with novellas or short fiction, providing the story feels complete. This one doesn't.
We jump right into the action, which is fine, but we never step back and learn about the characters. There is no main character that stands out and makes me care, and there is no development beyond the one event. Consequently, this feels more like a scene plucked from a novel, rather than a novella that stands on its own.
*I received a review copy from the publisher.*
This is an extremely short book. My review copy is small in size, with the story itself being about 115 pages. I have no issues at all with novellas or short fiction, providing the story feels complete. This one doesn't.
We jump right into the action, which is fine, but we never step back and learn about the characters. There is no main character that stands out and makes me care, and there is no development beyond the one event. Consequently, this feels more like a scene plucked from a novel, rather than a novella that stands on its own.
*I received a review copy from the publisher.*
June 11, 2020
I read this novella and was impressed at the ability of the writers to add a human element to such a tragic Naval disaster. The characters were portrayed in a very real manner and illustrated a true sense of loss to this piece of history. I could see this story easily being made into a screenplay with all of the elements that were present within it's pages.
The pair also wrote the book "The Long Way" which also mixed history with fiction and was it self a very good read.
I hope to see more from this writing duo in the near future, be it a screenplay of Dead Reckoning or a sequel to The Long Way.
The pair also wrote the book "The Long Way" which also mixed history with fiction and was it self a very good read.
I hope to see more from this writing duo in the near future, be it a screenplay of Dead Reckoning or a sequel to The Long Way.
August 20, 2020
I love naval stories, and even better when they are a retelling of true events. The authors show insight in recreating the lives of several crew on the fateful journey, and making them come alive on the pages. An interesting novel that points to these two authors having promising writing careers.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 14, 2020
Danger Comes From Quick Hands And Foggy Minds
This fictional account of a little-known post-WWI maritime disaster was a great read, well-researched and written by the authors to flow effortlessly to the story's conclusion. Reading the book felt a bit like being carried along by swift current. Characters were developed on the fly as the action got quickly underway.
Despite the seriousness of events, the mood was kept light, with humor that allowed arousal of my sympathies, rendering flawed and luckless characters more likable. Chance meetings and complications became ironic twists of fate, making the fictional parts of the book less unlikely than what really happened.
I count myself fortunate to have received a free advance review copy of this gem via BookSirens. This is my own voluntary and enthusiastic review, it's a great book.
This fictional account of a little-known post-WWI maritime disaster was a great read, well-researched and written by the authors to flow effortlessly to the story's conclusion. Reading the book felt a bit like being carried along by swift current. Characters were developed on the fly as the action got quickly underway.
Despite the seriousness of events, the mood was kept light, with humor that allowed arousal of my sympathies, rendering flawed and luckless characters more likable. Chance meetings and complications became ironic twists of fate, making the fictional parts of the book less unlikely than what really happened.
I count myself fortunate to have received a free advance review copy of this gem via BookSirens. This is my own voluntary and enthusiastic review, it's a great book.
December 9, 2020
Oh my, I don't normally read military historical fiction but I found myself totally absorbed in reading this book. This suspenseful, intense thriller left me breathless. Yes, I found myself holding my breath. A total emotional ordeal! Wow! It was extremely well written. So to the point with dialogue and characters you want to get to know. Well done! Read and enjoy!
I received an ARC free from BookSirens and this is my voluntary honest review.
I received an ARC free from BookSirens and this is my voluntary honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2020
I received an ARC in exchange for a review from Goodreads. Overall, this book was okay. I didn't enjoy the beginning, because I just wanted to hear about the disaster with the ships. I thought the writing was okay - not the greatest, but easy enough to read.
November 7, 2020
This is the story of an event that has faded through the years. A terrible and tragic story of seven naval ships foundering off the coast of California, September 8, 1923. It is the story of brave and courageous sailors who did the best they could in a tragic situation. It is the story of a guest on the ship who was a friend of the ships commodore and of the officers who made a fatal decision.
I enjoyed the book immensely except for the story of the guest on the ship. I don’t think his story was well developed enough to be included in the tragedy yet I see why he was included. His part seems fractured at best and I think it could have been left out.
Other than this, I thought the book was insightful at bringing to life a part of naval history that seems to have been put aside.
I received an advance copy of this book for free and am writing this review voluntarily.
I enjoyed the book immensely except for the story of the guest on the ship. I don’t think his story was well developed enough to be included in the tragedy yet I see why he was included. His part seems fractured at best and I think it could have been left out.
Other than this, I thought the book was insightful at bringing to life a part of naval history that seems to have been put aside.
I received an advance copy of this book for free and am writing this review voluntarily.
December 6, 2020
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads Giveaway
I had never heard of this Naval disaster before this book, and after reading I feel like I’ve learned a lot.
The reason I gave it 3 stars was I had a tough time keeping the names of the men straight, maybe because of the books length there was not enough time for me to get to know them better. The actual shipwreck part of the story was the most interesting, informative (and sad) part for me.
I had never heard of this Naval disaster before this book, and after reading I feel like I’ve learned a lot.
The reason I gave it 3 stars was I had a tough time keeping the names of the men straight, maybe because of the books length there was not enough time for me to get to know them better. The actual shipwreck part of the story was the most interesting, informative (and sad) part for me.
December 25, 2020
This book is about an event in history I knew nothing about: the Wreck at Honda Point. As I read, I could think of one person I wanted to share it with; my dad, a Navy veteran and huge history buff. Unfortunately, my dad passed away over ten years ago. I hope to pass this novella off to someone who will enjoy learning from it as much as I did.
I won this book in a giveaway, but it in no way influences this review.
I won this book in a giveaway, but it in no way influences this review.
August 11, 2020
A review of a novel received as an ARC in exchange for this honest review.
Historical fiction ties plausible imaginings to actual factual knowledge in creating compelling stories that both enlighten and entertain. Sometimes, historical fiction is so good that its imaginary story replaces the actual and verified facts of the true historic event, and other times it may have been better to read the historical account rather than the fictionalized version of it.
Dead Reckoning is a short and easily read novel about the actual American naval disaster in which a squadron of Navy Destroyers went aground and killed 23 sailors. This great tragedy occurred a hundred years ago and was the Navy's greatest peacetime disaster in terms of how many ships were lost.
Authors Michael Corbin Ray and Therese Vannier create a short novella imagining circumstances around the grounding of seven destroyers in a heavy fog off the coast of Santa Barbara, CA in 1923.
In the story, the authors take an actual person who some how was on the ill-fared ship, shape him into a character, Eugene Dooman, who as a junior diplomat returning from Japan to resume his duties in the US. At the end of his voyage, he leaves his ship and is duped by a group of 4 Navy sailors who also pick his pocket and leave him with no ID, money or travel documants. Fortunately, he runs into an old friend who happens to the be Captain of the flagship vessel that will participate in the actual grounding of the seven ships.
The Captain takes Dooman on board the ship where the hapless civilian discovers the 4 sailors who swindled him. The seamen themselves have fallen out with one another and have badly assaulted their former ringleader.
This part of the plot does not progress or develop fully before the actual events of the tragic groundings occur. In fact, the entire thread and storyline involving this aspect of the novel is weak and lacking in both detail or engagement.
In contrast to this fictional part of the novel, the authors do a very good job of portraying the chaos and bedlam of the actual grounding event, making that portion of the novel both suspenseful and enjoyable to read. Much more suspense and detail ought to have been created and included.
The authors return to their imaginings as they describe the fates of the swindlers, the civilian and the ship's captain during the disaster as the ship tears-apart into a mass of rubble.
Too bad the authors did not make more of their strength in describing the actual grounding and its impact on ship and crew. There was certainly enough both to the reality and to the fictional embellishments they could have added to create a much longer and more enjoyable novel.
The fictional inclusion of the civilian amidst the story did not seem like the best way to get into and develop the story; in fact, I am not altogether sure such a thing is even plausible given that Dooman just happened to meet his old acquaintance who just happened to be the central character of the story. Moreover, the plot's handling of Dooman's story never quite felt real to me and the manner in which it was resolved seemed even harder to accept.
The end of the book does have a good and well written section that gives more details about the incident itself and its aftermath and the resulting investigation. As writers of history, the authors handled this portion of the book quite well making it interesting reading, better than the story which had preceded it.
Historical fiction ties plausible imaginings to actual factual knowledge in creating compelling stories that both enlighten and entertain. Sometimes, historical fiction is so good that its imaginary story replaces the actual and verified facts of the true historic event, and other times it may have been better to read the historical account rather than the fictionalized version of it.
Dead Reckoning is a short and easily read novel about the actual American naval disaster in which a squadron of Navy Destroyers went aground and killed 23 sailors. This great tragedy occurred a hundred years ago and was the Navy's greatest peacetime disaster in terms of how many ships were lost.
Authors Michael Corbin Ray and Therese Vannier create a short novella imagining circumstances around the grounding of seven destroyers in a heavy fog off the coast of Santa Barbara, CA in 1923.
In the story, the authors take an actual person who some how was on the ill-fared ship, shape him into a character, Eugene Dooman, who as a junior diplomat returning from Japan to resume his duties in the US. At the end of his voyage, he leaves his ship and is duped by a group of 4 Navy sailors who also pick his pocket and leave him with no ID, money or travel documants. Fortunately, he runs into an old friend who happens to the be Captain of the flagship vessel that will participate in the actual grounding of the seven ships.
The Captain takes Dooman on board the ship where the hapless civilian discovers the 4 sailors who swindled him. The seamen themselves have fallen out with one another and have badly assaulted their former ringleader.
This part of the plot does not progress or develop fully before the actual events of the tragic groundings occur. In fact, the entire thread and storyline involving this aspect of the novel is weak and lacking in both detail or engagement.
In contrast to this fictional part of the novel, the authors do a very good job of portraying the chaos and bedlam of the actual grounding event, making that portion of the novel both suspenseful and enjoyable to read. Much more suspense and detail ought to have been created and included.
The authors return to their imaginings as they describe the fates of the swindlers, the civilian and the ship's captain during the disaster as the ship tears-apart into a mass of rubble.
Too bad the authors did not make more of their strength in describing the actual grounding and its impact on ship and crew. There was certainly enough both to the reality and to the fictional embellishments they could have added to create a much longer and more enjoyable novel.
The fictional inclusion of the civilian amidst the story did not seem like the best way to get into and develop the story; in fact, I am not altogether sure such a thing is even plausible given that Dooman just happened to meet his old acquaintance who just happened to be the central character of the story. Moreover, the plot's handling of Dooman's story never quite felt real to me and the manner in which it was resolved seemed even harder to accept.
The end of the book does have a good and well written section that gives more details about the incident itself and its aftermath and the resulting investigation. As writers of history, the authors handled this portion of the book quite well making it interesting reading, better than the story which had preceded it.
June 17, 2021
I absolutely loved this book! The only thing that slightly bothered me was that I would have prefered a more developed storyline leading up to the tragedy itself, some of the characters felt a little one-dimensional to me. Still a five star read though mainly because the incredibly writing of the tragedy itself. Wonderfully done, I absolutely recommend this book!
(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
January 25, 2024
Dead Reckoning revisits the part of history where the US Navy experienced the largest peacetime loss. On the evening of September 8, 1923, seven destroyers ran aground off the coast of California. The authors, Michael Corbin Ray and Therese Vannier, reconstruct the story of the voyage itself and the mariners’ life.
Dead Reckoning is a historical fiction inspired by the US Navy tragedy that occurred on September 8, 1923, at the Honda Point. It’s a story of courage, determination, and friendship. It features the sailors’ bravery against the dangerous situations that lay ahead.
Dead Reckoning begins with Eugene H. Dooman, a Secretary at the American Embassy in Tokyo, Japan. He travels onboard the ship “Cleveland” from Japan to the US. As soon as he arrives at the port in San Francisco, a conman lures him to play cards. He lost not only his bet money but also his wallet and diplomatic credentials. Three accomplices of the trickster complete the game of fraud.
Dooman eventually runs into an old friend as he tries to check in a hotel. This friend, Commodore Edward Watson, is the commander of a fleet about to leave for San Diego. Watson invites Dooman to take the trip with him.
Dead Reckoning: The Fateful Journey
The 14 Clemson-class destroyers of DesRon 11 start the voyage amid gloomy weather. And, although there are some arguments among the crew over certain matters, the sailing is uneventful at first. Watson introduces Dooman to the other officers onboard the ‘Delphy’.
Soon enough, the diplomat discovers that the conman is also onboard. And, the action in Dead Reckoning begins.
The Book and the Authors
Dead Reckoning is a short book. It’s a story of courageous sailors who do their best in the face of tragedy. I appreciate the authors’ effort to recreate the story of the crew on that fateful trip. Their descriptions of how the sailors cope with the dangerous situation give the reader a perspective different from the news.
Meanwhile, on the technical side, I see no typographical or grammatical errors in the book. It’s well proofread. What I like the most in the book is the friendship that bonds Emmett and the three guys.
However, I’m disappointed in some aspects. First, there’s apparently no central character in the story. The authors’ attempt to build Emmett Haines’ persona fails. He’s rather half-baked. Watson’s character is hardly defined. And, worst of all, Dooman’s persona is like a floating spirit. Secondly, the characters are not given sufficient background. For example, Ruby just pops into the scene. Thus, leaving the whole story with so many untied loose ends. And, third, the four sailors that portray the conmen give a negative image of the men in uniform. Military people observe a code of conduct. But these four men behave otherwise.
Overall, I give Dead Reckoning a rating of 3 out of 5 stars. Due the flaws that I notice in the book, I’m rather reluctant to recommend it to readers. I can only say that if you want to learn more about the Honda Point disaster, you better check it out in History books or in news reports.
NOTE; The above review is also found in Books for All Seasons.
Dead Reckoning is a historical fiction inspired by the US Navy tragedy that occurred on September 8, 1923, at the Honda Point. It’s a story of courage, determination, and friendship. It features the sailors’ bravery against the dangerous situations that lay ahead.
Dead Reckoning begins with Eugene H. Dooman, a Secretary at the American Embassy in Tokyo, Japan. He travels onboard the ship “Cleveland” from Japan to the US. As soon as he arrives at the port in San Francisco, a conman lures him to play cards. He lost not only his bet money but also his wallet and diplomatic credentials. Three accomplices of the trickster complete the game of fraud.
Dooman eventually runs into an old friend as he tries to check in a hotel. This friend, Commodore Edward Watson, is the commander of a fleet about to leave for San Diego. Watson invites Dooman to take the trip with him.
Dead Reckoning: The Fateful Journey
The 14 Clemson-class destroyers of DesRon 11 start the voyage amid gloomy weather. And, although there are some arguments among the crew over certain matters, the sailing is uneventful at first. Watson introduces Dooman to the other officers onboard the ‘Delphy’.
Soon enough, the diplomat discovers that the conman is also onboard. And, the action in Dead Reckoning begins.
The Book and the Authors
Dead Reckoning is a short book. It’s a story of courageous sailors who do their best in the face of tragedy. I appreciate the authors’ effort to recreate the story of the crew on that fateful trip. Their descriptions of how the sailors cope with the dangerous situation give the reader a perspective different from the news.
Meanwhile, on the technical side, I see no typographical or grammatical errors in the book. It’s well proofread. What I like the most in the book is the friendship that bonds Emmett and the three guys.
However, I’m disappointed in some aspects. First, there’s apparently no central character in the story. The authors’ attempt to build Emmett Haines’ persona fails. He’s rather half-baked. Watson’s character is hardly defined. And, worst of all, Dooman’s persona is like a floating spirit. Secondly, the characters are not given sufficient background. For example, Ruby just pops into the scene. Thus, leaving the whole story with so many untied loose ends. And, third, the four sailors that portray the conmen give a negative image of the men in uniform. Military people observe a code of conduct. But these four men behave otherwise.
Overall, I give Dead Reckoning a rating of 3 out of 5 stars. Due the flaws that I notice in the book, I’m rather reluctant to recommend it to readers. I can only say that if you want to learn more about the Honda Point disaster, you better check it out in History books or in news reports.
NOTE; The above review is also found in Books for All Seasons.
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