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Amanda Garrett #4
Target Lock
There was no meaningful resistance. There was no place to hide that couldn't be hunted out. There was no offer of mercy ...
On a mission to recover a billion dollar research satellite from the seas north of Australia, Starcatcher and her crew vanish without trace - victims of a ruthless and calculated attack.
Under the command of Captain Amanda Lee Garrett, the US Navy's Seafighter Task Force is despatched to ensure that it will never happen again.
They will meet a powerful enemy unlike any they have ever encountered.
If they are to prevail they must look beyond the awesome naval arsenal at their disposal. And find out how good they really are ...
On a mission to recover a billion dollar research satellite from the seas north of Australia, Starcatcher and her crew vanish without trace - victims of a ruthless and calculated attack.
Under the command of Captain Amanda Lee Garrett, the US Navy's Seafighter Task Force is despatched to ensure that it will never happen again.
They will meet a powerful enemy unlike any they have ever encountered.
If they are to prevail they must look beyond the awesome naval arsenal at their disposal. And find out how good they really are ...
48 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 14, 2002
495 people are currently reading
206 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
September 15, 2007
Well, I think "Oops" is the appropriate term for this book. In the fourth book in this series starting with Choosers of the Slain, James Cobb takes a drastic left turn in his writing style. In this book the technology of warfare, and how it's used take a very secondary role, and Cobb focuses almost exclusively on development of his characters. Unfortunately it's something he's not very good at (as evidenced by the fact that this book was obviously supposed to have a sequel based on it's ending, but doesn't).
The result is a book that could best be described as a technology rich romance novel, as our heroin is seduced and kidnapped by the Pirate King, who is, of course, her arch rival. Unfortunately for Cobb, the people that read techno-thrillers, and the people that read romance novels don't tend to be the same people, and the result was a book neither group is likely to enjoy.
If you liked the Choosers of the Slain, Sea Strike, and Sea Fighters, DON'T READ THIS! It will just spoil the image you had of the main characters.
The result is a book that could best be described as a technology rich romance novel, as our heroin is seduced and kidnapped by the Pirate King, who is, of course, her arch rival. Unfortunately for Cobb, the people that read techno-thrillers, and the people that read romance novels don't tend to be the same people, and the result was a book neither group is likely to enjoy.
If you liked the Choosers of the Slain, Sea Strike, and Sea Fighters, DON'T READ THIS! It will just spoil the image you had of the main characters.
June 25, 2008
The fourth and (so far) final Amanda Garrett story. And, sad to say, the weakest of the lot.
October 15, 2015
#4 in the Amanda Lee Garrett series.
USN Captain Amanda Lee Garrett series - Garrett, leader of an elite navy strike force known as the Sea Fighters, is called to arms after pirates lay siege to a U.S. research vessel in the Indonesian Sea and steal a satellite that contains military secrets. Assisted by her able crew aboard the high-tech destroyer USS Cunningham, Garrett quickly determines that the satellite thieves are part of a huge organization of oceanic marauders led by the dashing Makara Harconan. While in pursuit, however, Garrett allows herself to be not only seduced but also kidnapped by Harconan, who takes her to his secret hideout where, coincidentally, the satellite is also stored. Garrett's poor judgment forces the Sea Fighters to turn a simple seek-and-recovery job into a damsel-in-distress rescue mission.
USN Captain Amanda Lee Garrett series - Garrett, leader of an elite navy strike force known as the Sea Fighters, is called to arms after pirates lay siege to a U.S. research vessel in the Indonesian Sea and steal a satellite that contains military secrets. Assisted by her able crew aboard the high-tech destroyer USS Cunningham, Garrett quickly determines that the satellite thieves are part of a huge organization of oceanic marauders led by the dashing Makara Harconan. While in pursuit, however, Garrett allows herself to be not only seduced but also kidnapped by Harconan, who takes her to his secret hideout where, coincidentally, the satellite is also stored. Garrett's poor judgment forces the Sea Fighters to turn a simple seek-and-recovery job into a damsel-in-distress rescue mission.
September 4, 2012
As with Seafighter, not nearly as gripping as Choosers of the Slain, just good clean technothriller 'technology uber alles' stuff...be nice if the female leads could have kept their pants on - this aspect of the book didn't really do the cause of women in the military any good...
April 26, 2022
The fourth part in the series continues the adventures of Captain Amanda Garrett to Indonesia in anti-piracy operations. A satellite is missing and the entire recovery crew was murdered. The missing satellite was attributed to pirates operating in Indonesian waters. The task force went to recover the satellite in a very delicate operation wherein diplomatic balance has to be kept.
Over the course of the series, the characters in this book are evolving in somewhat "interesting" (?) ways. From first book in the series till this book, I have seen the stories evolving from focusing on the cutting edge military technology to romantic action. And this fourth book is the weakest so far. With more seduction, parties and romance and less military action.
We see Admiral Eddy Mac being more operartionally involved, which is quite unusual for a Vice Admiral level officer supposed to be focusing on strategy and diplomacy. Captain Amanda Garret is being seduced, romantically involved and then kidnapped by the pirate. The intelligence officer of the task force Christina Ronaldo is also getting involved with a new character in the book.
I am not sure if I am liking the character development in the series. However, since the author has passed away in 2014, so there won't be further books in the series. It will be interesting to see how the fifth and last book in the series faired as it was published after the author's death.
Over the course of the series, the characters in this book are evolving in somewhat "interesting" (?) ways. From first book in the series till this book, I have seen the stories evolving from focusing on the cutting edge military technology to romantic action. And this fourth book is the weakest so far. With more seduction, parties and romance and less military action.
We see Admiral Eddy Mac being more operartionally involved, which is quite unusual for a Vice Admiral level officer supposed to be focusing on strategy and diplomacy. Captain Amanda Garret is being seduced, romantically involved and then kidnapped by the pirate. The intelligence officer of the task force Christina Ronaldo is also getting involved with a new character in the book.
I am not sure if I am liking the character development in the series. However, since the author has passed away in 2014, so there won't be further books in the series. It will be interesting to see how the fifth and last book in the series faired as it was published after the author's death.
May 6, 2022
More Than Disappointed
I have read the first three books with enjoyment and a growing enthusiasm for the storylines and the character development. That all came to a screeching halt when the author decided to undermine Amanda's persona by having her visit her enemy's home island, drop her swimsuit, spread her legs and have gratuitous sex on his sandy beach...while those in her command are risking their lives. The topper was when she needed to return to her ship but before doing so, asked him for an encore. The author might as well have framed Amanda as needing to be kept "pregnant in summer and barefoot in winter"! More than disappointing...more like disgusting! Done with the series and done with the author. Waste of time and money
I have read the first three books with enjoyment and a growing enthusiasm for the storylines and the character development. That all came to a screeching halt when the author decided to undermine Amanda's persona by having her visit her enemy's home island, drop her swimsuit, spread her legs and have gratuitous sex on his sandy beach...while those in her command are risking their lives. The topper was when she needed to return to her ship but before doing so, asked him for an encore. The author might as well have framed Amanda as needing to be kept "pregnant in summer and barefoot in winter"! More than disappointing...more like disgusting! Done with the series and done with the author. Waste of time and money
August 14, 2021
The Damsel and the Pirate
In my comments on his previous book in this series, I mentioned that Amanda's femininity seemed absent. Well, I guess Mr. Cobb listened to me and he made it clear she is an adult woman in this one. It does seem to me that he went a bit overboard, though, and I am reminded of some of the "romance" novel covers with the fair damsel and the pirate on the cover. To me, a woman can be very feminine without spending weeks in a stranger's bed. Indeed, it would not surprise me if there was a little baby pirate min her near future. (That's how they're made.) Regardless, the story is another page turner and lots of fun.
In my comments on his previous book in this series, I mentioned that Amanda's femininity seemed absent. Well, I guess Mr. Cobb listened to me and he made it clear she is an adult woman in this one. It does seem to me that he went a bit overboard, though, and I am reminded of some of the "romance" novel covers with the fair damsel and the pirate on the cover. To me, a woman can be very feminine without spending weeks in a stranger's bed. Indeed, it would not surprise me if there was a little baby pirate min her near future. (That's how they're made.) Regardless, the story is another page turner and lots of fun.
April 29, 2022
A fairly creative adversary to deal with in this novel. The plot does move fairly quickly and is easy to follow. Previous characters from the prior novels flow right into this novel without a lot of backstories to read up on. There are always new characters to meet along with the old familiar ones. The suspense and action scenes are not overly too violent or gory, they are reciprocal to the situation in the novel. The technobabble is kept to a minimum and is very relevant. If not for being theoretically realistic the weapons portrayed in the novel are almost scary in their relevance. I look forward to reading more from this author.
August 5, 2021
Amanda's Decisions
I like Amanda 's qualities and strength, but she think that the Navy all she need. She said she want more, but is afraid . she !eh good man go who understood her . To continue down the road some day as she look back with regrets. She would make a great mom with all her her Experiences. Why do some wiki think that they can only have one or the w. Her fantasy man was a disaster.
I like Amanda 's qualities and strength, but she think that the Navy all she need. She said she want more, but is afraid . she !eh good man go who understood her . To continue down the road some day as she look back with regrets. She would make a great mom with all her her Experiences. Why do some wiki think that they can only have one or the w. Her fantasy man was a disaster.
January 21, 2022
I absolutely loved first 3 books - finally a female Captain that is highly intelligent , strong, young and is not afraid to be a woman - her romance with Arkady was handled with a nicely balanced light touch . However, in Target Lock I felt that Amanda's amorous adventures overshadowed naval adventures, which , some of them were too outlandish to swallow. It was disappointing to see this installment slide into soap opera - just slap a bare - chested Fabio on to the cover
August 20, 2021
Everything Must End
Another outstanding naval novel by Cobb. Lots of action inside a storyline that only Cobb could bring to life. I hated to see it end as it apparently is the last of the series I've so very much enjoyed. I so much wanted to look forward to the future adventures of the personnel surrounding the USS Cunningham. I wish her happy sailing wherever she is!
Another outstanding naval novel by Cobb. Lots of action inside a storyline that only Cobb could bring to life. I hated to see it end as it apparently is the last of the series I've so very much enjoyed. I so much wanted to look forward to the future adventures of the personnel surrounding the USS Cunningham. I wish her happy sailing wherever she is!
August 22, 2021
Disappointing
Can’t exactly point to the precise “why” I was upset by Capt Garret getting entwined in a sexual relationship with this villain but, it spoiled the entire series for me.
Scratching a carnal itch by anyone other than a military academy graduate and ship’s captain/Tacboss is comprehensible, Amanda Garret, not at all.
Shame on you James H. Cobb
Can’t exactly point to the precise “why” I was upset by Capt Garret getting entwined in a sexual relationship with this villain but, it spoiled the entire series for me.
Scratching a carnal itch by anyone other than a military academy graduate and ship’s captain/Tacboss is comprehensible, Amanda Garret, not at all.
Shame on you James H. Cobb
December 3, 2021
Another exciting story, but slips in my evaluation.
I'm not a prude, but the Captain's golden image got tarnished when her military prowess cooled down and she went into heat. I thought the idea was to defeat the the enemy, not jump into bed with him! Way too many sexual encounters and not enough action out of bed. I'm disappointed.
I'm not a prude, but the Captain's golden image got tarnished when her military prowess cooled down and she went into heat. I thought the idea was to defeat the the enemy, not jump into bed with him! Way too many sexual encounters and not enough action out of bed. I'm disappointed.
December 3, 2021
The best read EVER!
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all four books of the USS Cunningham series.
It’s delivered e everything that I enjoy to read, adventure, new super weapons in the current age, and a good dose of romance.
It sounds like there could be a follow up book as well.
Keep it going, James!
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all four books of the USS Cunningham series.
It’s delivered e everything that I enjoy to read, adventure, new super weapons in the current age, and a good dose of romance.
It sounds like there could be a follow up book as well.
Keep it going, James!
February 16, 2023
Wow...another exceptional story in Capt. Garnett series!
Yahoo! This was an extraordinary book. It continues with the series of Capt. Garnett. The mix of an excellent plot and first-rate characters make an exciting and nail-biting story. Kudos to Mr. Cobb! To the next book in the series.
Yahoo! This was an extraordinary book. It continues with the series of Capt. Garnett. The mix of an excellent plot and first-rate characters make an exciting and nail-biting story. Kudos to Mr. Cobb! To the next book in the series.
July 4, 2021
Should have stopped after the third book in the series
Terrible,adolescent story. Completely unbelievable with all the moon eyed lovey dovey story lines. A complete disservice to the navy and any intelligent reader. Shame on the author.
Terrible,adolescent story. Completely unbelievable with all the moon eyed lovey dovey story lines. A complete disservice to the navy and any intelligent reader. Shame on the author.
August 2, 2021
Enthralling!
Now that I have finished the USS Cunningham quartet, I can honestly say that all of the books have proven to be cracking reads. Given the ending of Target Lock, I am hoping that the quartet will soon be a quintet!
Now that I have finished the USS Cunningham quartet, I can honestly say that all of the books have proven to be cracking reads. Given the ending of Target Lock, I am hoping that the quartet will soon be a quintet!
August 5, 2021
Twists Everywhere
Keeping Amanda Garret as the central character, albeit a changing Amanda Garret, is brilliant. Cobb could have let this series take a different turn. I do miss Arkedy...hopefully he makes a Triumphant Return!?!?!?!
Keeping Amanda Garret as the central character, albeit a changing Amanda Garret, is brilliant. Cobb could have let this series take a different turn. I do miss Arkedy...hopefully he makes a Triumphant Return!?!?!?!
September 13, 2021
best read yet
All Cobb’s sagas are like the Indians Jones movies -hold your breath all action. Endings never in doubt, and written in a way that holds everyone’s interest. Hope this saga continues.
All Cobb’s sagas are like the Indians Jones movies -hold your breath all action. Endings never in doubt, and written in a way that holds everyone’s interest. Hope this saga continues.
October 18, 2021
The cunningham books
The whole series is well written and very exciting. Amanda Garrett and her team are a force to be reckoned with. Would have liked more of a definite conclusion to the story.
The whole series is well written and very exciting. Amanda Garrett and her team are a force to be reckoned with. Would have liked more of a definite conclusion to the story.
October 31, 2021
Good read.
An entertaining series of books which in the end leave the option of a follow up open. I look forward to seeing if Mr Cobb comes up with a sequel or story ending finale to what has been an interesting quartet of books.
An entertaining series of books which in the end leave the option of a follow up open. I look forward to seeing if Mr Cobb comes up with a sequel or story ending finale to what has been an interesting quartet of books.
January 8, 2022
Good Modern Navel Yarn
Best of the series and details are plausibly correct. The story line is much better than the vast majority and I was impressed with the quality of detail about Indonesia, particularly since I have lived in the area.
Best of the series and details are plausibly correct. The story line is much better than the vast majority and I was impressed with the quality of detail about Indonesia, particularly since I have lived in the area.
January 26, 2022
Always was sorry that this sea story didn't have and ending!
Always was sorry that this sea story didn't have and ending! Would have love to have seen Amada take on the Pirate King for the rematch.
Always was sorry that this sea story didn't have and ending! Would have love to have seen Amada take on the Pirate King for the rematch.
Read
February 25, 2022Great read
Really enjoyed this series of books.seems like you get to know the characters, and they advance along. These books are stand alone, however it is better to read in the order they were written. Any more coming down the pipe??
Really enjoyed this series of books.seems like you get to know the characters, and they advance along. These books are stand alone, however it is better to read in the order they were written. Any more coming down the pipe??
April 23, 2022
another incredibly entertaining techno thriller
I wish Janes was still writing, would love to continue this journey with him. Right balance of technology, geo politics and personal interactions
I wish Janes was still writing, would love to continue this journey with him. Right balance of technology, geo politics and personal interactions
October 4, 2022
Not the best of the series.
These books are well written and filed with some exciting moments, however this one is slower and some romantic parts and for me this ruins the quick pace we are used to. Book is good but not excellent.
These books are well written and filed with some exciting moments, however this one is slower and some romantic parts and for me this ruins the quick pace we are used to. Book is good but not excellent.
January 2, 2023
the infatuation over a sexual attachment was too much. Not the type of action I prefer or expect. Kill it!!!!
the infatuation over a sexual attachment was too much. Not the type of action I prefer or expect. Kill it!!!
the infatuation over a sexual attachment was too much. Not the type of action I prefer or expect. Kill it!!!
May 24, 2023
Another exciting read for fans of Amanda Garrett
Wow! If this is your first experience of James Cobbs where have you been! Another great story, superb details, challenging situations and unforgettable characters !
Wow! If this is your first experience of James Cobbs where have you been! Another great story, superb details, challenging situations and unforgettable characters !
February 6, 2024
Into the Gap Once More for the Cunningham and Crew!
I have never spent a day at sea but this book, as the others placed me with the crew. I am a combat veteran and verify that the pace and intensity of combat is recreated in this author’s books!
I have never spent a day at sea but this book, as the others placed me with the crew. I am a combat veteran and verify that the pace and intensity of combat is recreated in this author’s books!
February 8, 2024
Target lock
Pirates of the south seas thinking that they own the seas until you cross Amanda Garrett and her bunch of US Navy pirates and the 3 little pigs who blow the wolf's house down
Pirates of the south seas thinking that they own the seas until you cross Amanda Garrett and her bunch of US Navy pirates and the 3 little pigs who blow the wolf's house down
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews